"No, you don't!"
Jiang Wan interrupted Erlang's fantasy. "Second Brother, you haven't even figured out who they are, and you want to become their disciple?"
Erlang said innocently, "Didn't you tell me to follow him to learn martial arts? Uncle Yan is highly skilled. If I can become his disciple, I'm sure I'll be as powerful as him."
"Uncle Yan said my aptitude is excellent, and I'm a good prospect for martial arts. However, many of his skills are not passed down. If I want to learn them, I must become his disciple."
Jiang Wan narrowed her eyes. "What's the prerequisite for becoming a disciple?"
Erlang didn't understand.
Jiang Wan asked again, "Did your master say that to become a disciple, you have to..."
"You have to bring me up the mountain every day!"
Erlang said fawningly, "Wan Wan, don't you like going there too? Come with me, Second Brother."
Jiang Wan rolled her eyes. "Second Brother, you're something else. For the sake of becoming a disciple, you sold your sister without batting an eye."
Erlang was startled and quickly said, "I didn't sell you, I just wanted to take you to play in the back mountain. It's not selling."
"You still say it's not selling! They said they'd let you become a disciple if you brought me to the back mountain, and you agreed. Isn't that selling out?"
Jiang Wan gritted her teeth. "Second Brother, your stance is extremely unstable. If you encounter enemy spies in the future, and they give you some benefits, won't you immediately betray your country?"
Erlang quickly waved his hands. "No! I would never do such a thing!"
He was not that kind of despicable person.
But under Jiang Wan's half-smiling gaze, Erlang felt extremely guilty.
"I won't become a disciple, and I won't learn martial arts from Uncle Yan anymore! They have ill intentions, and we should stay away from him!"
Jiang Wan ignored him. Those who couldn't sit still would eventually come looking for her.
As expected, Erlang didn't go up the mountain for two consecutive days, and Yan Li couldn't sit still.
Erlang was sweeping the yard with a large broom, preparing to tidy it up. They would be moving into the new house in a few days, and they would have another banquet when they moved.
As soon as Yan Li arrived at the door, Erlang put on a stern face. "What are you doing here?"
Yan Li said with a grim expression, "Why do you think I'm here? You haven't been up the mountain for two days!"
"I'm not learning anymore."
"Not learning anymore? Why?"
Yan Li was a little confused. He had clearly tricked the傻小子 (shǎ xiǎozi - silly boy) into beaming with excitement that day, looking like he wouldn't stop until he became a disciple. How could he not want to learn after going home?
Erlang propped the large broom beside him and said coldly, "You have ill intentions and want to trick my sister! Hurry up and leave. Don't come to my house again, or I won't be polite!"
Jiang Wan sat aside, watching with a smile, saying nothing.
Yan Li took one look and knew it was this little chubby girl's doing. So he turned to Jiang Wan and said, "Little girl, don't you like playing with little brothers? Why aren't you going anymore?"
Jiang Wan sat up straight, her small hands on her lap, and said seriously, "Although I'm young, I can read people's expressions. Since Uncle doesn't want me to find little brothers, I naturally won't try to get a warm face and be met with a cold backside."
Yan Li felt a sting on his face.
If he had known this would happen, he would never have spoken to her that way before.
He wondered why this little girl held such a grudge.
So Yan Li said shamelessly, "I never didn't welcome you, but you also know your little brother's condition. If he has an episode, he can easily hurt people. I was afraid you would be implicated, so I stopped you. I had no other intentions."
Jiang Wan had an expression of "I'm young, don't lie to me." "Really?"
Yan Li nodded seriously. "Of course, it's true. So, from now on, you can come up the mountain to play whenever you're free, bringing your little Red and little Black."
Jiang Wan pursed her lips and smiled, extending her small hand to break off a finger. "But you don't have any good food at your place."
Yan Li's mouth twitched. "What do you want to eat? Uncle will buy it for you."
Jiang Wan broke off another finger. "But you want to trick my second brother into becoming a disciple."
Yan Li gritted his teeth. "No need. I will teach him diligently and ensure he achieves something."
Jiang Wan was about to break off another finger, but Yan Li quickly said, "If you have any requests, you can make them anytime. Just tell me what you think of."
"Uncle is straightforward!"
Jiang Wan immediately stood up. "Since Uncle is so sincere, I will respectfully accept. Second Brother, let's go."
Erlang, holding the large broom, was a bit confused. He felt like he couldn't keep up.
Gu Chenzhou sat under the shade of a tree by the courtyard, reading a book. Sunlight dappled through the leaves, and the mountain breeze brushed past his thin cheeks, making Jiang Wan stare.
She had to admit, the "energy tree" looked really good. His features were grand yet delicate. His sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes still carried a hint of childishness, but they were also firm and refined.
Then she looked at her second brother, who was so傻憨憨 (shǎ hānhān - foolishly simple and honest). There was no harm without comparison.
Gu Chenzhou heard the commotion and turned his head, his gaze falling on Jiang Wan. He smiled at her.
Jiang Wan felt as if the "energy tree" was shaking its branches, and a thick energy was beckoning her affectionately.
The little girl, who desperately craved energy, could no longer resist. She ran over with her short legs, grabbed Gu Chenzhou's hand, and asked with a smile, "Little brother, how are you feeling? Is there any discomfort anywhere in your body?"
Her goal was achieved. His illness would be her responsibility from now on!
Gu Chenzhou was not used to Jiang Wan holding his hand, but seeing her smiling, chubby little face, he didn't say anything in the end.
Erlang felt a little uncomfortable seeing Jiang Wan's enthusiasm. "Wan Wan, come here. Second Brother will play with you."
Yan Li immediately said, "Play what? You haven't been here for two days. Do you still remember what I taught you that day?"
Erlang became nervous reflexively. "I..."
Yan Li said sternly, "What do you mean 'I'! There can be no slack in martial arts practice, otherwise, how can you progress! Go, practice the moves I taught you ten times!"
Erlang quickly ran to the center of the courtyard, assumed a stance, and began practicing his punches.
Jiang Wan absorbed the energy emanating from Gu Chenzhou while watching Erlang spar.
She had to admit that Erlang had a great talent for practicing martial arts. Erlang had hardly practiced the boxing style Yan Li taught him, but he performed it with considerable skill.
Yan Li watched Erlang's movements, his admiration unconcealed.
He genuinely wanted to take Erlang as his disciple.
This was good material for martial arts, with good comprehension and an even better foundation. With a little guidance, Erlang would understand immediately.
Such talent, with proper training, would be a great asset in the future.
Unfortunately, that night, fearing Jiang Wan might have other intentions, he had blocked his own path to taking a disciple.
He had to find a way to see how he could change this little chubby girl's mind.
He had figured it out. Although Erlang was an older brother, he was extremely obedient to that little chubby girl. As long as he could control the little chubby girl, Erlang, this simple-minded, strong-limbed simpleton, would be easily captured.
Yan Li was full of confidence.
Jiang Wan looked at Yan Li's expression, a hint of cunning flashing in her eyes.
Want to abduct her second brother? Dream on!