Back to the 70s: My Childhood Sweetheart Spoils Me Rotten-Chapter 678 - 680 Zhao Gang’s Worry

Zhao Xuran is worried about this matter, and Zhao Gang also sought advice from Gong Tao.

Gong Tao was dumbfounded as he listened, then kept digging his ears, "Did I hear that right?"

"That’s not just becoming a godparent, it’s about adoption."

Gong Tao really didn’t know what to do, nor how to advise them. Being recognized as a godparent would simply mean having another title to take care of Zhuge Zhi.

But if it’s adoption, that child would have no connection to the Zhan Family in the future, "They are all good kids."

Zhan Jing praised the two children’s talent in medicine. Perhaps some might think a mother is just promoting her sons, but even Zhuge Zhi said the same, which confirms that the two kids will surely go far in the field of medicine.

Would anyone willingly give up such promising talents?

Which family wouldn’t want a few more talented kids?

"Even if they weren’t talented, we wouldn’t consider adoption," Zhao Gang corrected, "After all, they are my sons. After adoption, they would no longer feel like my sons."

"Why wouldn’t they? Ban Xia and the others aren’t kids." Although Gong Tao didn’t know whom Zhuge Zhi favored, it wasn’t possible for them not to interact in the future.

"And they will maintain a good relationship with Xuran and the others for a long time, otherwise, faced with an unreliable Zhuge Family, who knows how they might be bullied in the future." Gong Tao was genuinely outraged when he heard about the actions of the Zhuge Family elders.

Being an elder, instead of supporting the clansmen, they engaged in embezzlement. Don’t they fear the trouble it would cause them if it gets out?

"Certainly, it’s hard for us to endure this, and even mom can’t bear it." Recalling the currently troubled mood and Hua Miaozhu’s unwillingness to leave her room, Zhao Gang felt quite frustrated.

If it weren’t Zhuge Zhi’s domain, he would have seriously argued with Zhuge Zhi, uncle or not, especially since it concerns his own sons now.

"We should talk to Uncle Zhuge." Gong Tao thought for a long time and could only come up with this idea.

Expecting Zhuge Zhi to voluntarily give up was unlikely in Gong Tao’s view; they’d have to initiate the conversation themselves.

The most important thing is, "Though Zhan Jing’s medical skills are good, she’s still young and lacks connections in Beijing."

"Uncle Zhuge’s expertise is excellent, he can teach Ban Xia and them a lot of knowledge. As long as he’s willing to assist, the future prospects for the two kids, including Zhan Jing, will not be poor."

Gong Tao knew that what he was saying might be uncomfortable for someone, but it needed to be said.

Zhao Gang understood, "Otherwise, we would have refused long ago. But why didn’t we refuse? Isn’t it because of this?"

Zhao Gang was as frustrated as he could be; unwilling to agree, yet worried Zhuge Zhi might make things difficult for them. Although Zhuge Zhi used to be quite generous, he had never faced this issue before, so it was hard to predict his actions now.

"I’ll discuss it with my wife; after all, uncle is also quite pitiable, with so many people constantly scheming for his money." Zhao Gang truly felt a sense of pity.

"Although he’s good at hiding it, he’s visibly less vibrant compared to last time." Even though he said he wouldn’t feel sad for those people, his appearance had already betrayed him.

"Should we go ahead with adoption?" Gong Tao sensed Zhao Gang’s inclination towards adoption, yet this wasn’t a decision friends could make, "The child would take the Zhan surname."

Zhao Gang understood. It really wasn’t something a father alone could decide, "Actually, it’s not hard to convince my wife; it’s my mother-in-law’s view that matters."

"You remember how excited she was when she found out Ban Xia and the others took the Zhan surname."

"This time, it seemed like they lost quite a bit of money, and the money intended for buying a house was provided by her, saying it was for Xuran and Guang Ran."

Gong Tao knew about this; although unsure of the exact amount, it must have been significant. Compared to the properties taken away earlier, it was a loss, but at least they were alive, better off than those whose families were ruined.

"As for everything else, it was given to Ban Xia and them, saying those were Zhan Family properties." Zhao Gang didn’t aim for his father-in-law’s possessions. He had the ability to support his wife and children, although competing with his father-in-law would require much effort.

"I was initially worried about whether Guang Ran would accept it, knowing Xuran wouldn’t care about these things." Why do siblings fall out, if not feeling their parents’ favoritism?

At present, Zhao Guangran felt quite helpless. He didn’t want to play favorites, but many situations forced his hand.

"I hadn’t fully figured it out, hadn’t figured out how to balance things, yet there’s another concern about Uncle Zhuge’s possessions. What do you think about that?"

Regarding bridging the gap with the Zhan Family, Zhao Gang had some confidence, but when it came to matching Zhuge Zhi’s family assets, he truly had no idea.

Ah, this is a huge headache, four kids, yet three inheritances involved. In the end, it’s Zhao Guangran and Zhao Xuran who are shortchanged, and Gong Tao also didn’t know how to console his friend.

If it were him, he wouldn’t just be worried, but frustrated. While he used to envy his friend, envy his good fortune, it wasn’t the case anymore.

Though acquiring a sizeable unexpected fortune is nice, is it really that easy to take hold of it?

"You should discuss it with Xuran and them; I think they would understand."

Zhao Gang also agreed it wasn’t an issue, but he and his wife felt truly indebted to Zhao Xuran, "Guang Ran is a problem."

"Not necessarily a problem; while he’s actively making money, Ban Xia and the others, even though they are earning too, it’s unknown how much they can make."

"For example, the workbooks this time." The venture was quite profitable, but Ban Xia and the others didn’t benefit from it, so it’s best to address this matter while the workbooks are still selling well.

Thankfully, Zhao Gang breathed out a deep sigh of relief, "Taozi, we have to get the printing factory set up. This way, we can make money and keep Guang Ran from getting upset."

"Exactly." Gong Tao genuinely felt the pressure, "I’ve made some plans, take a look."

Gong Tao handed over the plans he made earlier for Zhao Gang to review, "See if there’s anything else to add."

Zhao Gang was surprised as he went through them, "You’ve already started planning?"

Gong Tao rubbed his hands together, feeling embarrassed. "Yeah, actually, I made a simple plan back when we did the workbooks."

"This isn’t simple at all, but your understanding of the printing industry is quite detailed." Zhao Gang hadn’t interacted much with printing presses, but from how clearly Gong Tao wrote it, he realized considerable effort had been put into it.

"I had to understand it; it’s because I know it well that I realize how profitable it is." Gong Tao was immensely thankful for his prior research, or he’d never have known how lucrative the industry was.

"With your plans, I think getting business won’t be difficult, and we can even handle machine repairs." Zhao Gang understood why the previous factory wasn’t successful; it was partly due to the lack of skilled technicians.

But both he and Gong Tao understood it, "Looks like your previous help with their machines..."

"Yes, but unfortunately, the owner wasn’t sensible." Gong Tao initially intended to lend support, not even asking for discounted prices, just not to raise them, but such was the greed of the owner.