Listening to Ning Ge’s words, a trace of contemplation flashed in Ning Gang’s eyes. Just as he was about to speak, there was an exclamation from outside: "Dad, why are you standing here? And not even turning on the light."
Ning Gang and Ning Ge were startled and stood up simultaneously to exchange a glance. Outside, the elder sister-in-law’s concerned question echoed, along with Old Master’s response.
"Hmm, why is the study light on?" The sister-in-law twisted the doorknob as she spoke, and upon entering, she paused upon seeing the two brothers and asked, "What are you two brothers doing here not sleeping, ah, smoking as well. Ning Gang, you’ve started smoking again!"
Fumbling, Ning Gang pressed the cigarette butt into the ashtray on the table, pointing at Ning Ge: "Xiao Si couldn’t sleep and dragged me to talk, he’s the one who got me smoking!"
Ning Ge was taken aback, looking at his elder brother. Wasn’t this shameless? He was clearly the one who gave it to me!
Ning Gang guiltily avoided Ning Ge’s gaze, turning instead to look at a piece of calligraphy on the wall. Hmm, it’s really well-written.
"Xiao Si!" The sister-in-law frowned, prepared to walk over, when Ning Ge quickly noticed the dossiers on the table and hurriedly collected them, sitting down on the sofa.
"Sister-in-law, I don’t smoke often," Ning Ge grinned sheepishly.
"I’ve told you not to smoke so much. Confiscated!" The sister-in-law took the cigarettes from the table, and Ning Gang looked heartbroken. It was only this one pack.
Ning Ge watched him with a faint smile, deserved it.
"Alright, eldest son’s wife, it’s almost dawn. Go make some breakfast, I’m hungry," Old Master Ning said.
"Oh, okay." The sister-in-law quickly agreed and went out.
It was only then that Ning Gang and the others noticed outside. Indeed, the early summer night was short, and before they knew it, the sky was already a little bright.
So, how much had Old Master Ning heard while standing at the door?
Ning Ge felt a bit uneasy, not daring to look at Old Master Ning. Ning Gang, on the other hand, went over to support the old master, cautiously asking, "Dad, did we wake you?"
"Dad, don’t blame Xiao Si. He... he is just disobedient, doing things on his own," Ning Gang thought the old man was shocked, feeling deceived, so he defended Ning Ge: "He didn’t intentionally hide it from us, just afraid of us worrying. Dad, you... Xiao Si, kneel down now."
Kneel then. It’s not the first time kneeling, anyway now that big brother knows, surely everyone will know too. It spares him from hiding, it’s better.
Ning Ge knelt down, bowed his head, and said, "Old Master, I was wrong."
"Get up, why kneel!" Old Master Ning personally helped him up, looking at him, "You did nothing wrong. Dad is happy, you are excellent, your old man is proud."
Hmm...
Ning Ge and Ning Gang were both slightly surprised, looking at Old Master Ning.
"Sit down and talk," Old Master Ning turned his back to wipe the corner of his eye, then asked, "Tell me, what are your plans next?"

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