CHAPTER 56: CHAPTER 56: THE PROTECTIVE FATHER

After the morning classes, Gu Xiaoqing and Gu Juying sat on the steps outside the classroom and ate lunch.

Gu Juying’s meal was clearly better than Gu Xiaoqing’s. Her lunchbox had shredded potatoes, stir-fried eggs, and two white steamed buns.

Seeing Gu Xiaoqing’s dark steamed buns, Gu Juying proactively exchanged one with her. Although Gu Xiaoqing was reluctant, she couldn’t resist the girl’s insistence.

The two of them enjoyed their lunch and were quite full.

Gu Xiaoqing felt a bit embarrassed.

The main issue was that Gu Juying’s food was much better than her own, and she could imagine what the passing classmates thought of her.

They must have thought she was taking advantage of Gu Juying.

After all, no family could provide such an abundance for their children.

Gu Xiaoqing and Gu Juying were good friends, but not everyone would see it that way.

However, there were some who would sit nearby and mock them; that group was led by Li Fengying and her four or five followers.

Li Fengying’s meal was also decent, coming from a family with a salaried member. Conditions like that couldn’t be underestimated.

Her lunchbox was filled with eggplant and green beans, along with two white steamed buns and a boiled egg.

Such meals were considered top-tier for a well-to-do family.

Seeing this, many secretly wondered if Gu Juying’s family background was also not simple.

These types of meals reflected the general economic status of families.

It was evident that most of these kids had only two steamed buns wrapped in towels, with some pickles. Most had white steamed buns, but there were also cornmeal buns, and Gu Xiaoqing was probably the only one with dark buns.

Gu Xiaoqing didn’t care about others’ opinions and ate happily.

Moreover, due to speculations about Gu Juying’s family, no one dared to easily provoke them.

Knowing that after being punished and scolded by the teacher, they returned swiftly to the classroom, with the principal personally explaining, was likely an unprecedented occurrence.

Who knew what kind of backing these anomalies had?

So even though Li Fengying muttered complaints, not many sided with her, and those who did spoke softly as if their voices were mosquito-like.

They were all children from rural families, and there was no reason to attract trouble for themselves or their families, so everyone’s hearts seemed burdened with many thoughts.

Gu Xiaoqing was unaware and couldn’t be bothered.

In the afternoon, Gu Mingying taught the class again, and after everyone copied their assignments, Gu Xiaoqing rode Gu Juying’s bicycle home.

The next day was Saturday, meaning a two-day break.

After agreeing with Gu Juying to learn cycling the next afternoon, Gu Xiaoqing returned home.

Upon returning home, Li Xuemei and Gu Ruhai were also back.

Based on timing, they likely arrived before her.

They were currently tidying up inside.

Gu Xiaoying was absent, but when Gu Xiaojie saw Gu Xiaoqing returning, he excitedly ran over, holding a candied haw for her, saying: "Second Sister, this is the candied haw that Mom bought for me. I haven’t eaten it yet, waiting for you to come back so we can eat it together. Am I well-behaved?"

The little boy looked at Gu Xiaoqing with his big, round, watery eyes, seeking praise.

Gu Xiaoqing hugged Gu Xiaojie’s little head, patted him, and smiled: "Our Xiaojie is the most obedient. Now he knows to save good things for his sister. That’s the spirit of a man in our family, taking care of his sisters."

This was Gu Xiaoqing’s intentional praise. In her previous life, Gu Xiaojie didn’t have good health, had a tough life, and she lacked the courage to visit him, so there were many things she didn’t know. She wasn’t even aware of what became of Gu Xiaojie later.

In this life, Gu Xiaoqing wanted to raise Gu Xiaojie to be a true man.

At the very least, not like Gu Xiaocheng, who was selfish and only cared about himself.

She absolutely wanted Gu Xiaojie to have a kind and generous heart, with thoughts of taking care of and sharing with family, so he wouldn’t turn out like Gu Xiaocheng. Of course, Gu Xiaoqing didn’t want Xiao Jie to become like Gu Ruhai, who was bullied without ever standing up for himself.

At the very least, he should confront bullying, retaliate, and even though he might lose, not be easily hurt by others, but make them suffer and learn a lesson.

Upon hearing this, Gu Xiaojie immediately nodded excitedly, like a satisfied little puppy, just lacking a tail wagging behind him like a poodle.

He insisted Gu Xiaoqing take the first bite of the candied haw.

Gu Xiaoqing shook her head and pointed to Li Xuemei and Gu Ruhai, who were tidying up, saying: "Let our parents have it first; they’re the ones who work the hardest."

Gu Xiaojie immediately ran over with the candied haw.

Thus, the candied haw passed through the hands of all five family members, and each had a sweet and sour bite.

During dinner, Gu Xiaoqing shared about her school day, mainly fearing others would tell her parents, which would terrify them.

In the eyes of those from farming backgrounds, teachers held high esteem, and in ancient times, she’d likely be punished severely for her actions.

Such rebellious acts were seen as shocking.

She imagined the rumors that might spread through the village over the coming days.

Even though Gu Xiaoqing tried to omit much of the details, Li Xuemei and Gu Ruhai were still taken aback.

However, Gu Xiaoqing was surprised.

This time, Gu Ruhai wasn’t as timid and humble as before, not rushing to bring his daughter to apologize to the teacher.

Instead, he listened to the entire story, pondered seriously, and told Gu Xiaoqing decisively: "If that kind of teacher ever troubles you, I’ll confront him. He can’t bully my daughter like that."

It was astonishingly bold.

Gu Xiaoqing was momentarily stunned.

For a while, she couldn’t determine whether she had truly reincarnated or if Gu Ruhai had also reincarnated.

The normally timid Gu Ruhai saying such strong words was unexpected.

Li Xuemei, too, was worried, asking, "Won’t the teacher give you a hard time in the future? If that happens, your days will become difficult. If really necessary, we won’t attend school; we can live just fine without their approval. We shouldn’t accept being bullied without speaking up."

Gu Ruhai nodded, now acting as a protective father.