Chapter 233: An Unexpected Offer

Chapter 233: An Unexpected Offer

"Hello, is this Wang Bo?"

Seeing Wang Bo take a step back in fear at the sight of him, Tang Hao flashed what he thought was a very friendly smile.

"Y-yes, that's me," Wang Bo stammered, feeling extremely guilty. After all, he had teased them earlier and even taken away Tang Hao's token.

Now that Tang Hao had come to him, he felt even more guilty. But after taking those two steps back, he noticed Tang San, and it dawned on him that their visit might not be about the lost token.

As Wang Bo retreated, Tang Hao casually walked into the room and began to survey the surroundings. He shook his head slightly.

The room wasn't exactly messy, but it was far from clean—a far cry from the spotless room his son kept.

Pulling over a small stool, Tang Hao sat down comfortably.

Tang San stood quietly behind Tang Hao, surprised at his father's decisiveness in coming here as soon as he mentioned it.

"Wang Bo, life must be tough living alone," Tang Hao said, motioning for Wang Bo to sit down as well.

Wang Bo nodded slightly. "It's indeed challenging, but with the help of the village chief and other neighbors, I'm managing."

Tang Hao could see that Wang Bo was tense, perhaps because his image as a drunkard was so deeply ingrained that it intimidated the boy.

"With innate spirit power at the seventh rank, you're definitely capable of graduating from the Elementary Soul Master Academy. What do you plan to do after that?"

After graduation? Most likely, the system will arrange for him to continue following my son at Shrek Academy.

Wang Bo's thoughts betrayed his calm exterior.

But he couldn't very well say that out loud. "I'm not sure what I'll do after graduation. I might continue my studies or look for a job."

His response was vague, and Tang Hao didn't seem to mind.

"I'm a blacksmith, as you may know. Are you interested in learning how to forge metal? Life in the city can be tough for villagers like us if we don't have a skill to fall back on. So, are you interested in learning a trade?"

Tang Hao wasn't one for flowery speeches, so he got straight to the point after a few polite exchanges.

Wang Bo was taken aback by Tang Hao's offer to teach him blacksmithing. His expression became conflicted. "While I agree that I should learn a skill, I'm not sure if blacksmithing suits me. I'm rather thin and frail."

Despite his refusal, Wang Bo actually hoped to go with Tang Hao. That way, he would have more opportunities to complete tasks and earn rewards. So far, he had only completed one task, and that was due to circumstances beyond his control.

"Hehe, that's all the more reason for you to toughen up, my boy," Tang Hao chuckled. "Blacksmithing is a skill that can sustain you for a long time, and learning it certainly won't do you any harm."

Wang Bo hesitated, but then asked a crucial question. "Uncle Tang, you wouldn't be offering to teach me blacksmithing for no reason. What do you want from me?"

Tang Hao laughed and gestured to Tang San. "Little San here is also planning to attend the Noding City Elementary Soul Master Academy, and I was hoping you could look after him. I hear that student workers at the academy receive a monthly allowance. It would be a great help if you could take care of my little San when he needs it."

[Ding! Detected a change in the emotional state of Tang San, the favored child of fortune. All rewards for completing this task will now be doubled.]

Holy crap!

Wang Bo was taken aback by this revelation. Initially, Tang San had only wanted the student worker position, but now it seemed like Tang Hao was also asking for money directly instead of the position.

You sly devil, Tang Hao! Your son's character already had its issues, which I attributed to his previous life.

But it seems your influence on him can't be overlooked!

Despite his inner turmoil, Wang Bo was adept at masking his emotions in front of others.

"Uncle Tang, I'm not entirely sure about the specifics of the student worker position. How about I go with you to learn blacksmithing, and I'll give the position to Little San?"

Hearing this, Tang San raised an eyebrow. He wasn't pleased about his father calling him Little San, and now this guy was using the same nickname? If anything, he was much older than him!

"That won't do," Tang Hao said firmly. "The student worker position is yours to keep, Wang Bo. We don't intend to take it from you. All we ask is that you look after my son from time to time."

Tang Hao didn't want to risk having his son's acquisition of the student worker position become public knowledge right after he left Wang Bo's place. He had no desire to be the subject of gossip.

Little did Tang Hao know that the six-year-old boy standing before him was already plotting to ruin their reputations.

"Alright, Uncle Tang, if that's what you want, I'll look after Little San. But if the student worker stipend isn't substantial, I may not be able to provide much help."

"Just do your best," Tang Hao replied nonchalantly, waving his hand dismissively. He then gently pushed his son forward.

"Go on, thank the man."

Tang San felt uncomfortable being pushed forward like this, and he wasn't thrilled about having to be friendly with such a young kid.

But a father's orders were hard to refuse.

"Hello, Wang Bro," Tang San said reluctantly.

Hearing Tang San address him as 'Wang Bro' finally made Wang Bo feel a little better after enduring so much discomfort.

He was grateful that Tang San didn't insist on him calling him 'Third Bro.'

With the matter settled, Tang Hao prepared to leave. But before he did, he looked around at Wang Bo's sparsely furnished home and decided to offer him a little "benefit."

"It must be lonely living in such a big house by yourself. If you don't mind, you can come stay with Little San and me. That way, I can teach you both blacksmithing, and you won't feel like I'm holding back on my teachings."

At these words, Tang San's already gloomy expression darkened further.

Share a room with him?! How am I supposed to cultivate then?!

Wang Bo, on the other hand, was thrilled by the suggestion. He jumped up from his seat, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

This was the only good news he had heard all day! The system released tasks daily, some as simple as Tang San being hungry or wanting a particular food. But he had been too unsure of Tang San and Tang Hao's movements to accept them.

Now, with Tang Hao's invitation to move in, his problem was solved!

"Alright, Uncle Tang. I'll pack my things, and I'll move in tonight."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end