Joyce said lightly, "Then I don't know. In any case, the two of them begged my master to teach my junior sister."
Madam Zhou's voice instantly rose, "Beg? With their status, they still need to beg a child?"
"Beep beep…" Mumu's smart watch chimed.
Mumu glanced at the name flashing on the screen and pouted as she tapped the answer button.
"My dear Mumu baby, in a week, I'll be performing in China. Can you and baby Chao do me the surprise honor of being guest performers?"
The speaker used pure English.
Mumu replied fluently in his language.
"Dear Algernon, of course, I'd love to be your surprise guest. However, I need to discuss it with Mom and brother."
"I've already called your mother. She said as long as you two are willing, she has no objections."
"Then I'll ask brother." Mumu said, jumping down from Joyce's embrace, and trotted off to find Chao Chao.
Madam Zhou stood frozen, only coming back to her senses after a long moment.
If she had heard correctly, that call was from Algernon!
She was quite a well-known pianist in China. Algernon was coming to perform in a few days, and she knew about it. She had pulled several strings to get two tickets.
Yet, this little girl had been personally invited by Algernon to be his surprise guest.
What had she just done?
She seemed to have offended a very important figure.
Mumu ran to Chao Chao, first glancing at the chessboard, then spoke, "Algernon is coming to China to perform. He wants to invite us to be his surprise guests. Are you going?"
Chao Chao calmly placed a piece and then looked at his sister, "I'm very busy. You go by yourself."
"My dear Chao Chao, you don't love me anymore. I'm so heartbroken!"
Algernon's voice, like a jilted lover, came from the watch.
Chao Chao's lips twitched, "Algernon, you're a man nearing fifty. Is it really appropriate to speak like that?"
Mumu covered her mouth and giggled.
"I don't care. I've already prepared your formal wear anyway."
Seeing Chao Chao unwilling to agree, Algernon began to act shamelessly!
Chao Chao glanced at the chessboard, noticing that Zhou Mingjun hadn't made a move yet. He said disdainfully to Algernon, "Does our family lack the money for two outfits?"
"Uh? Of course not! My booking formal wear for you is just a small token of my affection. Chao Chao, if you agree to be my guest, I can dedicate two hours every day to online tutoring for you and Mumu."
"There's a time difference. Two hours a day isn't realistic. Three times a week at most. Also, I don't have time to learn from you. You teach Mumu."
Algernon asked joyfully, "You mean, you've agreed?"
Chao Chao shook his head helplessly, "Can't you even understand your own mother tongue?"
"Then it's settled!"
"Okay. Goodbye."
"Goodbye~."
"Goodbye, my dear babies~."
After Mumu hung up, under everyone's stunned gaze, she leaned into her brother's embrace.
The Zhou family of three could hardly believe their ears. Algernon was indeed begging these two children to learn from him.
Even if he begged the children, one of them was unwilling to learn from him.
The next second, Mumu said something that made the entire Zhou family of three even more dumbfounded.
"Sir, you lost!"
Zhou Mingjun, holding the chess piece that had been placed for a long time, looked over in disbelief.
Mumu said in her milky voice, "Losing to my brother is not shameful. Please concede. My mom is waiting for us to go home for dinner."
Nan Xiao, who had been completely bewildered by the children's actions, walked over curiously as soon as he recovered.
Zhou Ruotong also helped her mother to come closer.
Nan Xiao glanced at the chessboard, curved his lips, and stroked Chao Chao's head.
As soon as his hand touched Chao Chao's head, the little guy slapped it away with a sharp sound.
Nan Xiao looked at his reddened hand. How old was this little fellow, yet he had such a strong slap!
Mumu glanced at his hand and, feeling a pang of sympathy, tugged at her brother's overalls.
Chao Chao frowned slightly, stood up, and bowed to Zhou Mingjun, showing respect to his opponent.
"Thank you for your hospitality. Goodbye."
As Chao Chao spoke, he took his sister's hand and walked towards Joyce.
Joyce smirked, scooping up both children into his arms.
"Old Man Nan, I believe you'd rather be a guest at the Zhou's. We'll be leaving now."
Nan Zhenting abruptly stood up, "Who said I wanted to be a guest here? I was thinking of eating the food Yu Xi made for me!"
Nan Zhenting had initially been quite impressed with the Zhou family, but Chao Chao's words "your hospitality" brought him back to reality.
This Zhou family of three was clearly snobbish!
No wonder the children were upset.
Fearing that Joyce and the two children would leave him behind, Nan Zhenting hurried over to them.
Mumu, perched on Joyce's shoulder, secretly watched Nan Xiao. She vowed that if he dared to stay at the Zhou's tonight, she would never speak to him again!
She meant it!
No lingering sentimentality, no dragging things out!
"Excuse us." Nan Xiao nodded slightly at Zhou Mingjun and walked towards the door.
Zhou Ruotong became anxious.
She didn't mind Nan Zhenting leaving, but if Nan Xiao left, she didn't know when she'd see him again.
"Nan Xiao, stay for a simple meal!"
"No time." He learned this phrase from Chao Chao and used it immediately, leaving Zhou Ruotong stunned.
Seeing his blunt refusal, Zhou Ruotong's face fell slightly.
She had been doted on her entire life, but with Nan Xiao, she always hit a wall.
She pursed her lips and said with difficulty, "Then, are you free for Algernon's concert next week? Someone gave my mother two tickets. If you're free, shall we go together?"
After speaking, Zhou Ruotong looked at the cold-faced Nan Xiao anxiously.
She was afraid of being rejected again.
Nan Xiao clearly hesitated.
He didn't particularly enjoy concerts, but since the children would be performing, he really wanted to see them.
Mumu, already carried to the door by Joyce, turned her head away in disappointment when she saw Nan Xiao about to agree to go with Zhou Ruotong.
Nan Xiao watched their receding figures and took a step to chase after them, but was stopped by Zhou Mingjun.
"Nan Xiao, that child Chao Chao is simply a genius born for Go. You must speak to his parents and ensure this promising talent isn't wasted."
"I will." Nan Xiao said and strode out of the Zhou residence.
Zhou Mingjun also rushed out. The more he had dismissed the children before their arrival, the more importance he attached to them now.
However, Joyce gave them no opportunity. Before they could even reach the gate, he had started the engine and driven away.
"Nan Xiao!" Zhou Ruotong ran out quickly. "Are you going to the concert? The tickets are quite expensive. If you don't go, I'll have to give them away."