Sibling Package

Chapter 153

Noon, Binjiang Gardens.

As soon as Gu Ran pushed the front door open, his eardrums were assaulted by a teeth-setting bang-bang sound.

In the kitchen, Ye Zhenzhen, wearing a pink apron, was wielding a kitchen knife with fierce momentum, performing a physical salvation on a cabbage on the cutting board.

Cabbage leaves flew everywhere, and juices splattered.

Those eyes, which usually solved math problems like a god, now revealed a look of absolute determination.

Stop! Spare the cabbage!

Gu Ran shouted sharply.

Startled, Ye Zhenzhen's hand trembled, and the knife struck the cutting board with a heavy thud.

Gu Ran rushed over in two strides, snatched the murder weapon away, and gasped as he looked at the mangled remains of the cabbage leaves on the board.

Ye Zhenzhen, did this cabbage commit a crime against heaven?

The girl's cheeks immediately flushed red, and she glared at Gu Ran with a cute but fierce look. I... I wanted to make hand-torn cabbage! It was too hard to tear, so I... gave it some help.

Cutting hand-torn cabbage with a knife? This is a blasphemy against the cabbage's dignity!

Gu Ran shook his head, stepped up, and directly used brute force to tear the cabbage into bite-sized pieces.

His movements were swift, accompanied by crisp snapping sounds.

Although it seemed like a trivial matter, the girl watched from the side with sparkling eyes.

When Gu Ran finished and turned his head, he met the girl's infatuated gaze.

He waved a hand in front of her eyes. Ye Zhenzhen, what are you doing? Why do I get the feeling I'm suffering some terrible fate in your imagination right now?

Nonsense... The girl playfully smacked his shoulder.

Although she hadn't experienced it, the girl's intuition told her this sentence was a bit weird.

She couldn't quite pinpoint what was weird about it, but her cheeks grew slightly hot.

She seized back the head chef's position. Go away, go away, don't get in the master chef's way.

Heating the wok and adding oil, the girl slowly began to stir-fry the next dish.

Sunlight spilled in through the window. A few crystal-clear beads of sweat hung on the tip of the girl's nose, and a few strands of hair fell by her ears.

Gu Ran didn't leave. He simply leaned against the doorframe, quietly watching this scene.

This, perhaps, was the happiness found in the mundane warmth of everyday life...

...

Two dishes and a soup were served on the table ten minutes later.

The girl's cooking skills were inherited from Ye Shulian. Although she hadn't mastered the essence, she already had some proficiency.

With just a few more practice sessions, her progress would be rapid.

She picked up a piece of pork rib, placed it into Gu Ran's bowl, and pretended to be casual. Where did you go fooling around this morning?

Internet cafe to look up some information, and incidentally investigate the market. Gu Ran ate the rib without changing his expression.

The gaming company matter was kept secret for now. A surprise like this had to be brought out at the most opportune moment to have a nuclear impact.

Oh. Ye Zhenzhen didn't overthink it.

Gu Ran pulled a tissue to wipe his mouth and suddenly dropped a bombshell. We have nothing going on this afternoon. Let's go sign up at the driving school.

Cough, cough...

Ye Zhenzhen nearly choked to death on her soup, her almond eyes widening. Get a driver's license? Now?

Yeah, get the license during the summer break. It'll be convenient in college.

No.

Ye Zhenzhen refused cleanly and began counting on her fingers:

First, only Uncle Gu has a car at home. Second, the tuition is over three thousand. It's better to save that for a computer; I heard many college courses require one. Third...

She paused, her voice dropping. I heard the instructors are really mean...

The girl, who was typically bossy at home, turned into a timid quail as soon as she went out, only knowing how to hide behind Gu Ran.

Gu Ran leaned forward and mysteriously lowered his voice. Ye Zhenzhen, this just shows you're out of the loop. Did you know Tongda Driving School is having a huge summer promotion right now?

What promotion?

Sister-brother group buy, buy one get one free!

Gu Ran spouted nonsense with a straight face, not blushing or skipping a heartbeat. As long as a sister and brother sign up together, they only charge for one! A bargain like this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Ye Zhenzhen: ???

Sister and brother?

Buy one get one free?

Did her brain, which scored first in the grade, look like a mere decoration?

Ye Zhenzhen narrowed her eyes slightly like a wary little fox. Gu 'Dog' Ran, look me in the eyes. What kind of driving school has a sister-brother package? I've only heard of student discounts. If you go sign up as sister and brother, are you sure they won't break your legs instead?

I'm a puppy if I'm lying. Gu Ran pledged solemnly. I saw the flyers on my way back just now. It said couples... ahem, sister and brother get half off...

This single sentence made the girl blush furiously.

Clearly, she had caught on to the true nature of the sister-brother package coming out of this guy's mouth.

It was exactly the same concept as the sister-brother seats at the movie theater.

Hiss~

Why did it feel like the dynamic between them was getting increasingly perverted?

It couldn't be an illusion, right...

Regarding this sister-brother package, the girl was somewhat tempted.

She subconsciously avoided the boy's burning gaze, looking down and poking at the rice in her bowl. Her careful calculations from just a moment ago were instantly thrown out the window.

Then... alright then. Since it's buy one get one free, it'd be a waste not to go. How much is the registration fee? I'll pay half.

Gu Ran was about to wave his hand grandly and say he'd cover it all, but seeing the girl's stubborn almond eyes, he swallowed the words back down.

Although Ye Zhenzhen usually seemed soft and sweet, she always kept things very clear when it came to money and didn't want to take advantage of him.

Gu Ran flashed a quick smile, playing along. Of course you have to pay, I'm not your dad! Unless you call me Daddy, then I might reconsider...

Hearing this, the shyness in the girl's eyes instantly morphed into murderous intent. Call me Big Sister! I think you're trying to turn the world upside down! How about you call me Mommy, and I'll pay for you...

Mommy!

Ye Zhenzhen: ...

What on earth was this guy's face made of?!

...

Half an hour later, at Tongda Driving School, the largest in County A.

The scorching sun hung high in the sky, baking the ground so hot it felt like you could fry an egg on it.

In the registration hall, Gu Ran sent Ye Zhenzhen away to get some water, while he quickly pulled out his bank card and paid in full for two tuitions.

Just as the receptionist was about to speak, Gu Ran pressed his index finger to his lips in a shh gesture. He then skillfully synced up a script with her, fabricating this so-called sister-brother package out of thin air.

After all, what decent driving school would actually have such a bizarre promotion?

They wouldn't even have a couples package!

Looking at the handsome young man, the receptionist understood perfectly. She flashed an auntie-like knowing smile and secretly gave him an OK hand gesture.

Young people nowadays really knew how to play.

After completing the paperwork, the two were led to the Subject Two training grounds and handed the Subject One textbook.

Since they could just study for Subject One at home, they were going straight into Subject Two practice.

A few battered old Santanas were parked under the blazing sun. Their paint was peeling, looking like battle-damaged models freshly hauled from a scrapyard.

The instructor, Lao Zhang, wasn't tall and was as dark as a piece of charcoal. He had an unlit cigarette dangling from his lips and wore a fierce expression.

New here? Have you ever touched a car before? Lao Zhang eyed the two of them sideways.

Never, the two replied in unison.

Alright, get in the car and get a feel for it first. Figure out the clutch, brake, and gas pedal.

Lao Zhang pulled the car door open, and a wave of heat mixed with the smell of sweat poured out.

Ye Zhenzhen wrinkled her little nose and subconsciously shrank behind Gu Ran.

I'll go first.

Gu Ran stepped forward and slid right into the driver's seat.

Adjusted the seat, fastened the seatbelt, adjusted the rearview mirrors, started the ignition, shifted into gear, and released the handbrake.

His movements were smooth and fluid, as effortless as a veteran taxi driver with twenty years behind the wheel.

Lao Zhang hadn't even managed to spit out his usual "release the clutch slowly" before the car glided forward with perfect stability.

There wasn't the slightest jerk!

When navigating the right-angle turn, Gu Ran palmed the steering wheel with one hand. His timing for straightening the wheel was outrageously precise.

After completing a lap, the car came to a steady halt right at the starting line, perfectly positioned without a millimeter of error.

???

Lao Zhang plucked the cigarette from his lips, his eyes wide as saucers. "Kid, you call this 'never having touched a car'? Driving without a license is illegal, you know!"

Gu Ran flashed a wide grin, showing off his bright white teeth. "Talent, Coach. It's purely talent."

In this day and age, it wasn't the first time the coach had seen something like this. He waved his hand dismissively, clearly not buying a single word of his nonsense.

"Alright, alright, get out. Let the girl have a turn."

Lao Zhang pondered to himself: This kid is as steady as an old fox. Since the girl came with him, she probably isn't half bad either, right?

Great! Two easy commissions without having to teach a thing!

Lao Zhang jutted his chin toward Ye Zhenzhen.

The girl took a deep breath, wearing a tragic expression as if she were marching to the execution grounds, and stiffly shimmied into the driver's seat.

The moment she sat down, the vibe completely changed.

First, the seatbelt got stuck. She couldn't pull it out, which left her sweating profusely, her small face flushed red with panic.

When she finally managed to buckle up, she stared down at the three pedals, her eyes filled with an innocent, unadulterated cluelessness.

Her brain: I've got this.

Her feet: No, you don't.

"Left foot on the clutch, right foot for the brake and gas! Don't mix them up!" Lao Zhang hollered from the side.

Startled, Ye Zhenzhen flinched, and her foot slammed down hard.

"Vroom—!!!"

The accelerator, which was supposed to be pressed gently, was practically stomped straight into the fuel tank. The engine let out an agonizing roar.

Immediately following that, in her sheer panic, she abruptly yanked her left foot off the clutch.

"Clunk! Chug-chug-chug—"

The weather-beaten Santana bucked like a kicked wild mustang, violently surging forward half a meter!

Then, it violently convulsed twice.

And completely stalled.

A dead silence fell over the entire area.