CHAPTER 95: CHAPTER 95 MARRIAGE MATTERS

"That’s fine then. When I meet him, I’ll definitely compare myself to him. I refuse to believe I’m any worse."

"He might not be better than you in some aspects. But we are compatible." Sun Chan laughed, "You’ll find someone suitable too."

Han Dong smiled. For the first time in his life, he tasted the bitterness of heartbreak. It was quite unpleasant.

However, he’s a positive person who doesn’t dwell on emotions for long. He quickly adjusted his mood and enjoyed a meal with her.

Han Dong said, "You can’t stop seeing me just because you have a boyfriend now. You can’t just interact with one man for your entire life. We’ll be business partners in the future. Don’t worry, I might bully anyone else, but I won’t do anything to you."

"Thank you, Han Dong." Sun Chan was sincerely grateful; he had helped her a lot.

Han Dong waved his hand, "I should be thanking you. If it weren’t for you, I’d still be stuck. My parents quite like you too."

Sun Chan chuckled, "Your parents must be very open-minded."

"Definitely!" Han Dong then shared many interesting stories about his parents.

After finishing their meal, the two of them took a stroll around town, primarily checking out rental properties. Prices were similar all around; the rent in X City was quite expensive. Especially those storefronts by the road, a place around thirty square meters surprisingly charged forty bucks a month.

Sun Chan had less than two hundred bucks total and couldn’t afford it, so she had to forget about it.

Han Dong said, "Let me handle it! I’ll pay."

"No!" Sun Chan quickly stopped him, "Even close brothers should keep financial matters clear. It’s generous of you to help, and I’m grateful, but you can’t help without principles. I think I’ll rent a place inside instead. As for selling fruits, I can sell them door-to-door to save on rent." She had already planned to buy a second-hand bicycle from the junkyard, and use it to carry fruits, along with a simple scale.

Han Dong was a bit helpless, "You’re really stubborn."

Sun Chan laughed, "I believe I can succeed. If I rely on you completely, making money wouldn’t make me happy."

After circling around, they found a small adobe house near the street. Although it was small, it was clean inside and not far from the roadside, which satisfied Sun Chan.

The landlord was a teacher, and the house belonged to his mother, which had been vacant since her death.

With winter approaching, he was concerned about the pipes freezing due to long periods without heating, which would affect the entire alley. Thus, he was eager to rent it out at only fifteen bucks a month, payable every three months.

"If you rent it, I’ll give you the coal pieces from my coal storage too."

Grateful, Sun Chan immediately paid three months’ rent and got the key.

The place was dusty all over, but Sun Chan didn’t have time to clean it; she planned to visit Sister-in-law Guihua first. Locking the door, she and Han Dong headed for the bus station.

Han Dong said, "I’m relieved it was so easy to rent it. When will you start the business? I’ll deliver fruits to you."

Sun Chan smiled, "You’re more anxious than I am. I need to discuss it with my sister first. Let’s talk after we have everything arranged."

Han Dong agreed, wrote down his phone number in a notebook, and gave it to Sun Chan. He personally accompanied her to a tricycle bound for Guihua’s village, "Remember, tell me anything, and I’ll come to help immediately."

As the vehicle started, Sun Chan waved from the seat, "You should head back. Thanks for visiting me today!"

"Why be so polite? Helping you is also for my business’s benefit. If you manage to establish yourself in X City, my fruits will sell better, won’t they?" He waved goodbye with a smile.

Watching Sun Chan go further, Han Dong kicked a pebble by his foot and turned to leave. Well, a real man need not fear having no wife!

Meanwhile, Gu Juntao had caught up with Yang Hongying, and they stood on the street looking at each other.

Yang Hongying’s eyes suddenly reddened.

Gu Juntao said, "Come home with me."

"I... I need time to prepare."

"Prepare for what? My mom is urging me to go on a blind date. I don’t want to be separated from you." Gu Juntao held her hand.

Yang Hongying paused and replied, "Then next weekend, we’ll go to your place."

Better to rip the band-aid off than let pain linger. There’s no escape from reality. She had already decided to break up with him.

Gu Juntao was delighted and smiled, "Don’t worry, ever since I was little, no matter how much my mom disapproved, she eventually agreed with what I did. Don’t overthink it, let’s go eat." He tried to lead her back to a restaurant.

Yang Hongying stopped him, "Forget it, time is tight, and you have to head back soon. Let’s eat stretched noodles instead. It’s been a long time."

"Alright! Rest assured, I’ll listen to you in everything from now on." Gu Juntao said, smiling at her warmly.

Yang Hongying gave him a slight smile, but her heart was filled with despair.

Gu Juntao was unaware of her thoughts, pondering if he could find a chance to ask his older brother for help. In his family, only his brother could lend a hand. As long as his brother could assist, he reckoned half of the problem might be solved.

Gu Junming had just returned to the troop and heard that Gu Zishan had called him four or five times. Worried that something might have happened at home, he quickly called back.

Upon hearing his voice, Gu Zishan hurriedly issued an order, "You must come back this weekend; I have something to tell you."

"I’m very busy."

"Busy with what? Visiting your foster parents in the village?" Gu Zishan said coldly.

"They raised me, and I see them. Do you disapprove as well, Commander? If not for them, I’d be dead by now."

Gu Zishan pondered, "After all these years, are you still angry with me?"

"How could I be? Seeking advantage and avoiding harm is human nature." Gu Junming said, "If there’s blame, blame my mother for her poor judgment in people."

Infuriated, Gu Zishan felt like he was about to cough up blood. "Back then, the decision was jointly discussed with your mother; it was the only way to preserve the Gu Family. Otherwise, both families would perish!"

"Hmm. Then your speedy marriage to Wang Guihua after my mother’s death was also her idea? Without hesitation, not even a year wasted—truly remarkable."

Gu Zishan was choked up, unable to utter a word. He wanted to tell his son the higher-ups pressured him; circumstances forced his hand, or else the Gu Family would have been doomed.

But he couldn’t voice it because others faced similar predicaments, yet maintained a strong marital bond, while he was the one to abandon his original wife for another. It boiled down to his cowardice and fear of losing everything. He worried about the relatives on Gu Junming’s mother’s side implicating him, prompting a clean break. This was what Gu Zishan least wanted to admit, especially as a man who had seen the battlefield—how cowardly!