novelraw Chapter 433 "Almost Lost Her Innocence"
Chapter 433 "Almost Lost Her Innocence"
Chapter 433 "Almost Lost Her Innocence"
Gu Chenghuai gave his daughter a meaningful look.
Lin Zhao watched the father and daughter's tense exchange, a smile flashing in his eyes.
Yao Bao wiggled her little bottom and snuggled closer to her grandma. "Grandma, I miss you and Grandpa every day. I want to come to Haicheng so I can see not only my maternal grandparents, but also my paternal grandparents. I used to crave your braised pork so much that I cried. Grandma, why don't you and Grandpa stay in Haicheng? I'll come to the little house to keep you company during my holidays."
She looked up with her beautiful face, her eyes pleading, an expression that made it impossible to refuse her.
Gu Yu watched silently, learning from the experience.
Her mother said she was like a tomboy, too blunt, and her words were harsh. She said she wasn't as articulate as she was when she was little, and that her personality would scare away any potential son-in-law who might be hiding somewhere. She told her to learn from Yaobao and stop arguing with people all the time... It's so hard for her.
Watching her little sister act cute, Gu Yu mentally lashed out, "Say yes! Whatever it is, say yes!"
Mother Gu hugged her granddaughter, her face overflowing with heartache. "Keep her! Keep her! If Yaobao wants me to stay, then I will stay."
"There are several buses around our house. If you miss Grandma, call me and Grandma will take a bus to see you."
"Come on whatever you want to eat, I'll make you all the milk."
She didn't neglect her other grandchildren either, saying, "You're all the same."
"Call home if you want anything to eat or drink. If you're having trouble at work, come back. With your grandpa and me here, the sky won't fall, and you'll never go hungry."
These words had the biggest impact on Gu Lan.
After graduation, Gu Lan became a teacher at a school. The transition from student to teacher was a considerable challenge for her.
It didn't go smoothly at first.
Hearing Gu's mother's words, he suddenly felt that it was no big deal, that he could overcome any obstacle and climb any peak.
She relaxed, took a piece of candy from the table, unwrapped it, and popped it into her mouth.
sweet.
Being a family-oriented child is such a blessing.
Looking at her eldest granddaughter, Gu's mother said, "Alan has been assigned to work in Haicheng. Why don't you just stay at home? The dormitory is too crowded and noisy. Don't let it affect your work if you don't sleep well."
Mr. Gu nodded, "Yes, the house has many rooms and there's a car right outside, so it's convenient. Your dad and the others are planning to hire a part-time housekeeper. They'll do the laundry, cooking, and cleaning, so you can just focus on your work. It'll be so easy and comfortable."
He can endure hardship and doesn't want his juniors to suffer.
The son had no choice but to suffer, but now that they have the means, the elderly couple hopes their children will have a smooth path ahead.
Neither of Mr. Gu nor Mrs. Gu is unpleasant. The children like and respect the elderly couple and do not mind living with their grandparents.
Gu Lan immediately smiled and said, "Okay, I'll move the things over after the New Year. I just hope Grandma won't find it troublesome."
Mother Gu patted her eldest grandson's shiny black head. "Why would I find it annoying? When people get old, they just like having their children and grandchildren around. I'm happy that you can come and live with us."
Gu Yu went to school in her hometown. She didn't skip any grades and followed the curriculum step by step. She was about to take the college entrance examination.
She took the initiative and asked, "Grandma, if I get into a university in Haicheng, can I live here?"
This was Gu Yu's first time in Haicheng, and also the first time she had seen the legendary villa of her grandparents. At first glance, she was captivated by the building and thought how wonderful it would be to live there for a long time.
Mother Gu said, "Sure, anyone can stay here. This house has plenty of rooms, enough for our whole family. Whether you're going to school or working, come whenever you want. Just treat this place as the old house of the brigade, no need to be so polite."
The money to buy the villa was pooled together by Gu's four sons and Gu Chan; everyone got a share.
Originally, Gu Chenghuai and his brothers had skipped over Gu Chan. Gu Chan was heartbroken when she found out, feeling that her family had excluded her as a married daughter. She even cried to Wei Xiangdong when she got home.
Wei Xiangdong felt sorry for his wife, so he angrily went to his brothers-in-law and younger brothers-in-law and took out Gu Chan's share.
“My family is not short of money. No matter what you do, don’t skip Achan. She’s very sad because you don’t take her with you. She cried when she got home!” His fierce face was full of dissatisfaction.
"A-Chan hasn't cried in ages. You two brothers have made her so angry that she doesn't even want to eat. Honestly!"
After saying that, he left in a huff.
When he got home, he proudly told Gu Chan that he had lectured his older brother and the others, and that they would never forget her again if such a big event happened.
Gu Chan had already calmed herself down, but who knew that this person would actually go back to her parents' house to cause trouble because of this.
She felt both warm and embarrassed.
"...If that's the case, then everyone will know about me..." Gu Chan covered her face.
So embarrassing.
"So what?" Wei Xiangdong said straightforwardly, "If you're unhappy, you have to say something. How will my brothers know if I don't? I don't want it to happen again."
The family is not short of money.
He was happy as long as the money made Achan happy.
Money can be earned back.
Wei Xiangdong's pig farm is now thriving. He manages a group of people, and his muscular body, dressed in a suit, makes him look respectable and very attractive.
Recruiting in another sense.
Everyone in the surrounding villages knew he was rich, and those who wanted to take shortcuts would flock to him, but unfortunately, he was a simpleton and didn't understand anything.
After several attempts, those people gave up on him, this unhelpful tree, and every time they saw him, they would look at him with a complicated expression.
Gu Chan only found out about these things later.
She subtly inquired about it with her man, and to her surprise, he had no idea he was being watched.
Gu Chanyi reminded her—
Wei Xiangdong silently tightened his collar, cursing inwardly: Damn it, I almost lost my innocence.
Gu Chan: "..."
……
A large villa.
Gu Yu clenched her fist and encouraged herself, "I like it here, I will definitely get into this university!"
Gu Zhiyao said sweetly, "Sister Yu'er can definitely do it."
"Does Yaobao want to come with me?" Gu Yu put her arm around Gu Zhiyao's shoulder. "I'll protect you at school."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Liuniang tapped him on the head.
"Don't lead Yaobao astray!" She glared at her daughter, her expression serious. "School is a place for learning. No forming cliques. If you dare to bully anyone, you'll regret it."
When Yu Yu was little, she was quiet and spoke softly. But after starting school, she became so fierce and sharp-tongued. Zhao Liu Niang was very troubled by this.
but.
Seeing her daughter carefree and seemingly oblivious to sorrow, she felt happy and content.
Her life before she got married was very hard, so hard that the thought of it would make her smile disappear from her face.
In raising her daughter, Zhao Liuniang seemed to be raising herself as well.
Every time she saw Gu Yu, it was as if she saw herself in another world, living in a normal family.
A carefree smile, a broad mind.
"I didn't corrupt Yaobao!" Gu Yu covered her head, her tone resentful and helpless. "I don't bully anyone either. But even if we don't bully others, we can't be bullied, right? I'm just saying this hypothetically. Mom, can you stop being so rebellious and give me some trust?"
Zhao Liuniang said, "If you let me worry less, I will trust you."
She rolled her eyes at her daughter, but her gaze was gentle. "Who broke a male classmate's head and got themselves confronted?"
Lin Zhao's eyes widened as she turned to look at Gu Yu.
How could such a delicate-looking girl break a boy's head?
"What happened?"
Gu Yu blushed upon noticing her aunt's appearance.
"That boy bullied my deskmate! I was just standing up for what's right, I wasn't bullying a good classmate," she quickly explained.
Gu Yucheng took a sip of wine, clicked his tongue, and said, "My daughter is a righteous and chivalrous woman, of course she wouldn't bully people. Dad thinks you did a great job."
Zhao Liuniang glared at the man and then ignored him.
Gu Yu chuckled, unable to suppress the smile on her face. Gu Xingye looked at his sister and said, "You better watch yourself. Don't get caught off guard. We're not back in our hometown anymore, no one will help you."
“Of course there is, Dad is here,” Gu Yu said.
A girl who grows up in love never suffers from internal conflict.
She does what she believes is right and has no regrets.
Lin Zhao smiled. The Gu family's children have good roots; under normal circumstances, none of them would grow up to be bad.
She could almost picture how the Gu family would grow into a towering tree when the children grew up.
Lin Zhao finished watching the TV series in the living room, yawned, felt sleepy, and didn't force herself to go upstairs to sleep.
The children were so excited about the rare reunion that they said they would stay up all night.
Gu Zhiheng, who loves to play, took out the electric sparklers and fairy wands he had bought and called the rest of the family to set them up in front of the mansion to play.
The group had a great time and didn't go to sleep until after midnight.
The family was reunited, and even their dog, Dahuang, was there. The whole family slept soundly.
After taking a shower, Gu Chenghuai returned to his room. There was only a soft light from a table lamp. He didn't turn on the main light and used the light from the table lamp to take off his clothes and get into bed.
Looking at his wife's sleeping face on the bed, his eyes softened, and he leaned down to kiss Lin Zhao's cheek.
"Happy New Year." Gu Chenghuai said softly, then lay down on his side and gently tapped his wife's nose with his fingertip, smiling as he said, "Sleeping so soundly."
Once his hand was released, the man became obedient, lifted himself up to turn off the lamp, pulled Lin Zhao into his arms, and closed his eyes.
Another year has passed.
……
The next day.
When Lin Zhao woke up again, the sun outside was so bright that it cast a golden light on the curtains.
She rubbed her eyes and sat up, about to get out of bed, when she saw a bouquet of flowers on the bedside table.
At that moment, the door opened, and Gu Chenghuai walked in.
"You're awake. Are you hungry? Dinner's ready," he said.
Lin Zhao put on her cotton slippers, touched the flower petals with her fingers, and exclaimed with delight, "Where did these flowers come from? Did you buy them or did the children prepare them?!"
"Me," Gu Chenghuai answered with a single word.
Can he save the opportunity to prepare a surprise for his wife for the kids?!
Lin Zhao stood on tiptoe, stretched out her arm, and hung on Gu Chenghuai.
"Why did you suddenly prepare a surprise for me?" she asked, her eyes crinkling with a smile.
Over the years, she has never worried about money, nor about her children's education and career. She has a youthful mindset, bright eyes, and no signs of aging on her face.
Lin Zhao smiled slightly, looking exactly the same as when Gu Chenghuai fell in love at first sight back then.
"I want to make you happy," Gu Chenghuai said frankly.
"Wife, you've worked so hard all these years."
Even though the children are all easy to manage and don't need much parental supervision, Zhao Zhao still worries a lot.
You have to care for the eldest child, manage the second child, visit the youngest child from time to time, and worry about your daughter... Each one requires a lot of thought.
He could see how hard Lin Zhao had worked, and he wanted to prepare a surprise for her to make her happy.
Lin Zhao smiled and said, "Being a father isn't easy for you either."
"The kids are all grown up now. Once Yaobao gets into university, we'll be completely free."
The eldest son became a pilot and is rarely home; the second son started a transportation company and built a fleet of vehicles; the third son went to a research institute, acting mysteriously and rarely seen...
Only the smallest Yaobao remains.
From what I've seen so far, she seems to be a worry-free person and shouldn't make any mistakes.
Gu Chenghuai smiled and said, "Yes."
We will be completely liberated soon.
……
On the second day of the Lunar New Year, Lin Zhao took her husband and children back to her parents' home.
The eldest son is absent this year, but the third son is present.
Upon noticing Gu Zhiyu's absence, Lin Heling asked, "Yu Bao hasn't returned?"
Lin Zhao sat down next to her mother and nodded. "Yes, I'm busy and can't come back."
Song Xiwei looked at her daughter, a look of heartache flashing in her eyes.
It's Chinese New Year and we can't even get everyone together. I wonder if Zhaozhao is feeling bad.
Just as she was thinking about how to comfort Zhao Zhao, she heard Lin Heling say, "Yu Bao's work is beyond his control, and Qian Bao's is even more beyond his control. It's probably going to be difficult for you to get the whole family together again."
Song Xiwei: "..."
"Why are you saying this?" she whispered to Lin Heling. "Aren't you deliberately making your daughter uncomfortable?"
"Don't worry, Zhao Zhao isn't that fragile. She's very optimistic. Didn't you see her mouth practically stretched to the back of her head in a wide grin?" Lin Heling said with a smile.
Lin Zhao touched the corner of his mouth.
"?"
Was it really that obvious?
“Your son-in-law and I were mentally prepared, so there were no surprises and we weren’t too disappointed.”
It would be good if even one of them came back.
Lin Heling gave her daughter and son-in-law an approving look, "That's the right way to think. If parents don't understand the path that Yu Bao and Qian Bao have chosen, then half the fun of their work will be lost."
"I know." Lin Zhao took an orange and started peeling it. After peeling it, she and Gu Chenghuai each took half. "As long as Yu Bao and Qian Bao take good care of their health, Gu Chenghuai and I will be fine."
She's not the type to keep her child constantly by her side; her life is quite colorful.
Qianbao lowered his eyes.
Gu Zhiheng ruffled his younger brother's hair and said casually, "I don't know what you're doing, but I can guess it's something extraordinary. Just focus on what you're doing. Mom, Dad, and Yaobao have me. You should be able to do your job without any worries. Don't overthink it."
Yao Bao also said, "I will stay at home obediently and not leave my parents, so don't worry, brother."
"Thank you for comforting me, second brother and sister." Qianbao spoke solemnly with a serious face, revealing the rigor of a scientific researcher.
Gu Zhiheng: "..."
"Why be so polite with your own brother?" He rubbed his younger brother's head harder, messing up his neatly combed hair.
Qianbao, with a good temper, waited for his second brother to finish rubbing his hair before combing it with his fingers.
His hairstyle was quickly restored to its original state.
This is a skill he learned at the research institute to save time.
Looking at her youngest son's gentle and serious expression, Lin Zhao's eyes were full of smiles.
Gu Zhiheng and the others huddled together talking with Lin Sinian and the others. Suddenly, Lin Heling said to Lin Zhao, "Zhao Zhao, we have news about your grandfather and the others. If all goes well, you will be able to see them after the New Year."
Lin Zhao's eyes suddenly lit up. "Really? Dad, where did you get this news?! Is it reliable?"
Calling them "father" and "mother" would be too abrupt, so she and Lin Sinian and the others tacitly changed their address, now calling them "Dad" and "Mom".
As if struck by a thought, a fleeting, cold smile appeared on Lin Heling's face.
“Someone has come to us…” He didn’t elaborate, getting straight to the point, “Your grandfather and his group are coming to Haicheng as investors, and I heard that people from the Ministry of Commerce are in talks with them…”
(End of this chapter)