CHAPTER 23: CHAPTER 23: VICTORY

Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu were both stunned.

Is this still the same honest eldest son?

The words were spoken with such wit.

Captain Gu Changhai revealed a satisfied smile, patted Gu Ruhai on the shoulder, and said, "Alright, everyone heard that it was Gu Ruhai who voluntarily lent money to Gu Rushan before; from now on, Gu Ruhai’s money won’t be lent anymore, it will be reserved for Xiaoqing and Xiao Jie for their schooling.

Now there’s no problem, everyone disperse, disperse, don’t idle around here gossiping."

As they waved their hands, everyone realized there was indeed nothing more to see, and dispersed in groups.

Mrs. Gu was glaring fiercely at Gu Ruhai, looking like she wanted to bite him to death.

In fact, after saying those words, Gu Ruhai felt less anxious and was no longer afraid; after all, it had come to this, what else could be done.

Besides, he was speaking for the sake of the Gu Family’s reputation.

He had already gone above and beyond his duty.

Once his heart relaxed, he became bolder, ready to face whatever may come.

It didn’t seem hard to speak up anymore.

Mr. Gu fully realized that today he had completely lost face.

He sighed, knowing he had pushed the eldest too hard.

Otherwise, with the eldest’s nature, he wouldn’t have said such things.

He said to Captain Gu Changhai, "Changhai, I apologize to the eldest, this matter is our fault, from now on we won’t interfere in the eldest’s family affairs, don’t worry, I will go back."

He started to walk away, what’s the point of staying here?

To be laughed at?

Mrs. Gu was thinking of waiting until the captain left, to give Gu Ruhai a good scolding, thinking she must make up for things somehow.

She insisted on pressuring the eldest to change this situation, to get that money back for the second brother.

But seeing Mr. Gu’s demeanor, she knew he had given up. She had to tiptoe back, glaring fiercely at Gu Ruhai and Gu Xiaoqing before leaving.

Gu Rushan was left standing alone, feeling very uneasy.

What just happened here?

How did today’s situation turn out like this?

Gu Rushan couldn’t wrap his mind around what had happened.

In just a night, everything had changed beyond recognition.

Originally, he couldn’t even get his annual twenty dollars, and now he was being blamed, with the entire village pointing behind his back and cursing him.

This was all the elder brother’s fault.

But what could he say?

With the captain there, what could he possibly say?

He lowered his head dispiritedly and said to Gu Ruhai, "Elder brother, I’m leaving, you can come to my house for the money I owe you."

If he didn’t put it on the table now, even the captain would look down on him.

Gu Rushan knew that if they did things privately, even if they went too far, with Mr. and Mrs. Gu pressing down, the elder brother had no way to overturn things, but today everything had turned around, the elder brother’s hard stance was a bit terrifying.

This usually quiet and kind elder brother suddenly standing so firm, Gu Rushan was indeed frightened.

As the saying goes, he bullied the weak and feared the strong.

Gu Xiaoqing interrupted, "Second Uncle, alright then, you go home today, tomorrow let my father and me come over to get it, I’m about to start school, and I don’t have money for tuition yet, so it’s just right for you to return the money to our family, and I’ll have money to go to school."

These words thoroughly irritated Gu Rushan.

With a cold snort, he turned and left.

Just wait and see, today there’s nothing I can do being watched by the whole village, but in private, when elder brother comes to my house for the money, if I don’t give it to him, what’s he going to do, eat me?

In any case, in Gu Rushan’s heart, he didn’t take Gu Xiaoqing’s words seriously.

Angrily, he walked away.

Gu Ruhai watched as his parents and brother left in a huff, feeling a bit sad; he had always hoped that he could do a little better in order to have a place in his parents’ hearts, even if it was just a tenth of what they felt for the second brother, he would die happy.

Perhaps what he needed was just a little recognition.

These past years, this had become an obsession in Gu Ruhai’s heart, but today it seems like everything was torn open, revealing the ugliest side, something Gu Ruhai understood but didn’t want to dwell on.

But today, everything was so clearly laid out here.

Gu Ruhai painfully squatted at the doorway, pulling his hair hard, the upheaval today was too much for this honest and simple man to endure immediately.

Gu Changhai glanced at this family, the mess all over the courtyard, the disheveled children, and the two adults’ helpless embarrassment, shook his head, turned around with his hands behind his back, and left.

Now any words would be superfluous.

At least Gu Xiaoqing felt so.

Gu Xiaoqing and Gu Xiaoying started conscientiously tidying up the yard.

They moved the overturned stools back into the house, and Gu Xiaoqing brought a basin of water, handing Li Xuemei a towel.

Li Xuemei washed her face, and although touching that side of her face still hurt faintly, the joy in her heart was undeniable.

After all, all the sacrifices today were worth it.

At least Gu Ruhai’s stance surprised Li Xuemei greatly, it was an immensely pleasant surprise.

The man who had been reticent and honest for over twenty years suddenly exploded, which was very stirring; Li Xuemei couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

Deep down, given her understanding of Gu Ruhai, Li Xuemei was almost heartbroken at that moment.

She knew that Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu, including Gu Rushan, intended to have Gu Ruhai admit to these things himself so it would be justified.

Who could interfere if someone wanted to do something willingly?

If it had come to that, Li Xuemei’s thought at the time was that if Gu Ruhai had said the words today, she truly intended to take the three children and go live on her own.

She had endured humiliation for so many years, only because she believed that Gu Ruhai would eventually stand up, but this man continually disappointed her and the children to the point where Li Xuemei wasn’t prepared to compromise any longer.

Even though she and Gu Ruhai had been married for many years and had a good relationship, hardly ever having disagreements, Li Xuemei couldn’t let her children continue to live like this.

Especially since yesterday at her own family home, Gu Xiaoqing had given Li Xuemei such a vivid lesson.

That taught Li Xuemei that she had to stand tall herself.

Otherwise, if anyone bullied her, it was because she allowed it.

And so, after all this preparation, for Li Xuemei to hear Gu Ruhai say those earth-shattering words was truly gratifying.

This is the man she had in her heart.

This is the pillar of this family.

Li Xuemei covered her face with the towel, tears of happiness streaming quietly and saturating the cloth.

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