Gong Ruini glanced at Gong Ruwen who was nearby. Although they weren't much different in age, Gong Ruini could clearly feel that Gong Ruwen was utterly subdued by Zhao Xuran.
This wasn't because they had to listen to the local boss as newcomers, nor was it because elders instructed them to obey their elders. It was simply a result of a genuine submission.
Gong Ruini really wanted to know why just not being with Gong Ruwen for a morning made him so submissive to Zhao Xuran. It was truly strange.
Before Zhao Xuran spoke, Gong Ruwen was busy speaking for her, but ever since Zhao Xuran spoke, this brother hadn't said a word.
Gong Ruini pouted her mouth, "Brother," gazing at Gong Ruwen with her big eyes.
Gong Ruwen looked at his sister, just about to speak.
"Is waking up early really that important?" Zhao Xuran knew that as long as Gong Ruini spoke, Gong Ruwen likely wouldn't be able to resist her longing gaze. But was this really right?
Although these are just small issues now, if Gong Ruini's thinking isn't corrected, will she be able to change when she grows up?
Gong Ruwen can always help Gong Ruini, but can he always help her?
As their elder sibling, Zhao Xuran's father and Uncle Gong had said he should educate his younger siblings well, so he naturally had to take on this responsibility.
Oh my gosh, even though Zhao Xuran's words weren't harsh, Gong Ruini always felt a bit uncomfortable. It was nerve-wracking, and Gong Ruini could already sense how difficult her days would be.
She'd always thought as long as she had a doting brother like Gong Ruwen, she could just do whatever she wanted. But now, Gong Ruini didn't even hope to walk freely, just not getting overly suppressed by Zhao Xuran was enough.
"Answer my question," Zhao Xuran hinted at Zhao Guangran to answer first.
Zhao Guangran shuddered, "To help Dad with work."
Zhao Guangran remembered he had promised yesterday to wake up early and help his dad with work, but he didn't manage to do it.
Gong Ruini understood, "I was wrong, I know, I will help Mom with work."
During this time, the household would be very busy. Aunt Zhan had a big belly, so it was impossible for her to do much work. With so many people helping, Mom needed to prepare a lot of meals, she must be very busy.
"I will help Mom wash vegetables."
"I will help Mom do laundry." Gong Ruini thought these were tasks she could do without being too outrageous. As for helping with cooking, that would be too shocking to mention publicly, it had to be done quietly.
"I will help Dad carry bricks." Zhao Guangran glared at Gong Ruini angrily, trailing behind her, "I can even help Dad draw water."
"I can help boil water." Gong Ruini showed she didn't care about Zhao Guangran's gaze.
Hmph, just because you're a boy and taller than me, you think you can glare at me like that? Don't even think about it, am I someone who can be bullied?
"I can help carry water." As a little man, how could Zhao Guangran lose? He quickly found himself another job he could do.
Watching the two of them continue to list the tasks they were capable of, their enthusiasm was enough to give Zhao Xuran a headache. Don't they realize that boasting about work is not as good as actually doing it?
Gong Ruini quickly finished the last bit of breakfast in her bowl, wiped her mouth with her hand, showing a bit of crudity, but in a time without handkerchiefs or tissues, one had to make do.
Gong Ruini smugly tossed a look at Zhao Guangran, "I'm off to help wash vegetables."
"Talking about it doesn't count if you don't take action, it's all just empty talk." With a toss of her pigtails, Gong Ruini headed out to work.
Little Nizi dared to despise him, he was actually despised by a little girl? Zhao Guangran was dumbfounded, "Brother, look at little Nizi."
Zhao Xuran indicated he had no idea, but he knew, "If you don't go wash up and have breakfast, the work you do won't match little Nizi's."
"You also know you can't do as much as little Nizi, imagine what she'll say about you tonight." Zhao Xuran really wanted Gong Ruini and them to take it easy, but letting them develop a sense of competition from the start was also a good thing.
The men in the family needed to be the main force digging foundations and building houses. Zhao Xuran and Gong Ruwen couldn't handle that physical labor, but they had to do many supporting tasks to speed up the house-building process, while Zhao Guangran was also running errands.
Fetching water for everyone, bringing simple tools, as well as washing vegetables, cooking, and boiling water; though these tasks seemed minor, they were cumbersome. It would be too tiring for Aunt Cai and Mom to handle it all alone. At this time, it was essential to keep the younger ones busy.
It wasn't that he hoped they'd provide much help, but at least they'd be busy in everyone's sight, and there was no need to worry about them running off to play and everyone having to look for them.
Zhao Xuran had mentioned this to his parents, but Zhao Gang's opinion was straightforward: since Zhao Xuran came up with the idea and he was the child's leader, it was naturally up to Zhao Xuran to handle it, which frustrated Zhao Xuran to no end.
Luckily, these two kids were quite easy to reel in, the moment the topic was brought up yesterday, they automatically took the bait.
Only, Zhao Xuran wondered if things were going too smoothly. He knew his brother's personality, not that he didn't want to lessen the burden on their parents, but his brother was young, so he was more inclined towards playfulness.
Could it all be because of the little girl? Zhao Xuran's gaze fell on Gong Ruini who was chatting with Gong Ruwen. Could this be possible?
He hadn't met this girl before, but her name was already familiar. For example, her health wasn't good, and she was quite spoiled, raised under her parents' doting care.
However, after getting along these past few days, her health was indeed not great, but her temperament was quite good. Although she often instructed her brother to help with this or that, and frequently threw small tantrums at him, his own foolish brother often did the same. Not to mention, what fragile little girl wouldn't speak to her brother like this?
Gong Ruini was urging Gong Ruwen to do more work, but she was also too honest. When faced with heavy tasks or those she couldn't handle, she told him to inform Zhao Xuran, knowing her eldest brother fell a bit short compared to Zhao Family's eldest.
If Zhao Xuran wanted to lead them, he certainly had to show some real skills, otherwise who'd acknowledge him as the leader? Did he really think being the eldest was that easy?
But it seemed someone was watching her? Gong Ruini felt all sorts of uncomfortable. Following the gaze, she realized it was Zhao Xuran staring at her, his eyes filled with contemplation, which gave Gong Ruini a fright.
Could Zhao Xuran have discovered something? Gong Ruini definitely didn't want to be seen as a curious creature.
Oh dear, too careless! Gong Ruini really wanted to knock her own head, but she managed to hold back. She needed to stay calm, stay calm.
After giving Zhao Xuran a sweet smile, she turned back to Gong Ruwen, said a couple more words, and then set off to help out.