CHAPTER 22: CHAPTER 22: THE GU FAMILY ELDEST’S COMEBACK

Gu Xiaoqing, with tears in her eyes, remained silent and just looked at Mrs. Gu, waiting to see what else Mrs. Gu would say.

The entire village had been offended by Mrs. Gu’s earlier words, and now there was no need for her to voice her grievances as others began to speak up on her behalf.

Gu Changhai coughed; this was truly turning into a scandal.

Everyone fell silent.

Mrs. Gu stopped talking, realizing that she had misspoken earlier. Though it was her belief, it was an indefensible stance to take.

And she had offended a whole group of people.

Seeing the anger on Mr. Gu’s face, Mrs. Gu involuntarily shrank back.

Gu Rushan wanted to crawl into a hole.

So many people were saying that he was relying on his elder brother to raise his son, which was unbearable.

If no remedy was found promptly, a bad reputation would become unavoidable.

Seeing Mrs. Gu quiet and Mr. Gu full of anger, Gu Rushan knew he couldn’t count on them now.

He could only glance at Gu Ruhai, who was close by. Taking advantage of the moment when no one was watching, he shuffled over to Gu Ruhai and whispered, "Big brother, we’re family. You can’t just watch Xiaocheng’s reputation get ruined."

He knew that Gu Ruhai was soft-hearted and valued brotherly feelings, aiming for Gu Ruhai to speak up.

As long as Gu Ruhai himself admitted that it was his own will, what could anyone say?

Money can’t buy willingness.

Gu Ruhai hesitantly looked around at the crowd in the yard.

Today’s situation had blown out of proportion.

His second brother’s words were asking for his help. Gu Ruhai wasn’t a fool, but he was perpetually entangled by family ties, unable to overcome his own soft-heartedness.

He understood his second brother’s implication that he should admit it was his own willingness.

But then he saw his wife with a swollen face, Gu Xiaoqing with a tear-stained and bloody forehead, and two children clinging to their mother in tears.

Aren’t his own children human too?

If he admitted to it today, then there would be no dodging the twenty bucks in the future, because who could argue with someone willing to do it?

But his children are his children too, his own flesh and blood.

Today’s events chilled Gu Ruhai’s heart; seeing his parents, willing to go as far as falsely accusing his wife of being unfilial just to protect their second son.

Unfilial! In a rural context, this is an exceedingly serious accusation.

Once a family’s reputation is damaged, who would dare marry a girl from such a household, and who would dare let their daughter marry a boy from such a family?

This isn’t simply about filial piety; it’s about endangering the lives of his three children and wife.

And what did he do?

He remained silent, not speaking up while his own mother made such false accusations, even siding with her—was he even human? Was he worthy of being anyone’s father?

Recalling Gu Xiaoqing’s strong words from the other day—yes, Gu Xiaoqing had excellent grades, always ranking first in her studies. Even Gu Xiaocheng didn’t have grades like hers and still got into college. How could such a capable daughter not succeed?

He was only thinking about supporting his brother, but remember what Gu Rushan said last night when he went to ask for money.

He claimed they didn’t have any spare cash at the moment, saying, "What’s the use of wasting money on a girl’s education, better save it for Xiao Jie’s future bride price."

But Xiao Jie is only five; there’s still plenty of time before thinking about marriage.

Once his parents are gone, Gu Ruhai knows exactly what kind of person Gu Rushan is—a heartless, ungrateful scoundrel.

If it weren’t for his parents constantly drilling into him that, as the big brother, he had to support his siblings, he wouldn’t have continued supporting Gu Rushan all these years, even knowing the kind of person he was.

He always believed, "He’s my brother; no matter how bad, he’s still my brother."

But now, it’s his brother who wants to ruin his children’s lives.

Gu Ruhai thought long and hard, but said nothing.

This was Gu Ruhai’s biggest concession.

Gu Rushan felt anxious.

Couldn’t he see the looks people were giving him?

He nudged Gu Ruhai, saying, "Captain, my brother has something to say."

Gu Xiaoqing noticed and realized that her second uncle wouldn’t give up.

He wanted her father to speak up on their behalf.

Alright, Gu Xiaoqing thought sullenly; with her father’s temperament, he might say something shocking.

After all, everyone knew what kind of person Gu Ruhai was all these years.

It was too easy to manipulate Gu Ruhai.

See, as soon as Mrs. Gu heard this, her spirit perked up immediately.

She quickly said, "Eldest son, you can’t be ungrateful. Your father and I have always doted on you. Tell the captain that this is something you willingly agreed to. We didn’t force you."

This wasn’t forcing?

Everyone felt a sense of disdain.

The old lady was truly shameless.

Who talks like that?

Gu Rushan immediately felt more confident, pulling Gu Ruhai in front of the Captain Gu Changhai.

"Brother, you have something to say to the captain."

Captain Gu Changhai looked at the somewhat ashamed Gu Ruhai and sighed. But he couldn’t deny him a chance to speak.

What good kids, to have such a worrisome father.

He sympathetically glanced at Gu Xiaoqing, Gu Xiaoying, and Gu Xiaojie—the three siblings.

"Big brother Ruhai, if you have something to say, please say it."

Hoping that for his children’s sake, Gu Ruhai wouldn’t make a muddle-headed decision.

Gu Ruhai remained silent.

He kept his mouth tightly shut.

Gu Rushan grew anxious, giving Gu Ruhai a shove, saying, "Big brother, didn’t you just say yourself that you were willing..."

He was about to speak on behalf of Gu Ruhai.

Gu Ruhai steeled himself, glaring at Gu Rushan, and shook him off saying, "Second brother, all those years of brotherhood—those sixty dollars loaned to you three years ago were given willingly. But starting this year my daughter Xiaoqing also needs to attend school. I won’t be able to lend you any more money, Xiao Jie will also be starting school soon and expenses will grow. So you best start gathering and repaying the money. I know Xiaocheng will graduate next summer. I, as your elder brother, have already done more than my share."

Everyone was taken aback by these words.

The entire courtyard fell silent enough that one could hear a pin drop.

Good heavens, was this really the eldest son of the Gu family?

Even Gu Xiaoqing couldn’t help but look up and down at Gu Ruhai, wondering if her father had been reborn.

No wonder Gu Xiaoqing thought such a thing; no one would have believed such words could come from Gu Ruhai.

Even though he claimed the past three years’ help was willing, he clearly stated from now on it wasn’t and emphasized looking out for his daughter and son.

This was a historic leap forward.