novelraw Chapter 453 "What a Fine Confucian Merchant"
Chapter 453 "What a Fine Confucian Merchant"
Chapter 453 "What a Confucian Merchant!"
Mother Gu looked at him with admiration, "He has to be a cultured person, his words are so pleasant to hear. That's right, that's the saying, 'Those destined to meet will meet even if they are a thousand miles apart.' Isn't that fate? Qingzhou has taken a liking to him, and that girl has taken a liking to him too."
She had also found her youngest daughter-in-law, and Gu's mother's face was full of a satisfied smile.
Huang Xiulan said, "Qingzhou is handsome, a technician, and has a company-provided apartment. Anyone with good eyesight would want him."
Lin Zhao nodded in agreement.
“In our Gu family, it’s easy for both boys and girls to find partners,” she said.
Zhao Liuniang couldn't help but say, "But none of them have that kind of thought."
Gu Chanle spoke up, "My two are the same, neither of them is easy to deal with. Just leave it at that, they'll find someone when they want to get married, no matter how much we talk, it's useless, so let's just relax and let them be."
The table was covered with various candies, snacks and fruits.
Lin Zhao peeled a banana and ate it, then stopped participating in the conversation. She was carefree and didn't have the eagerness to have grandchildren, nor could she empathize with her sisters-in-law's anxiety.
Not far away, Gu Qingzhou was surrounded by his brothers who were asking him about his marriage.
It's simply a matter of whether everything is ready, if anything is missing, and if any help is needed.
Gu Qingzhou naturally denied it, "There's nothing missing. I've been preparing during the holidays, and it's almost all done. You just need to prepare your gift money." He said half-jokingly.
Gu Yuanshan clicked his tongue, "As expected of our family's best schemer, Xiao Si."
"Yes," Gu Yucheng said with a smile, "Little Si, you didn't prepare any money for our wedding."
Before Gu Qingzhou could speak, Gu Zhiheng said, "Uncle has never escaped giving money as a gift, but he has never shortchanged us on New Year's money. We should give Uncle a gift."
"Hengbao really protects his uncle." Gu Yucheng laughed and said to his eldest and third brothers.
Gu Yuanshan smiled and said, "When the four kids were little, they grew up on Qingzhou's back. The age gap between the uncle and nephew wasn't that big, so their relationship was naturally deep."
Gu Zhiheng quickly said, "My eldest and second uncles are my own uncles, and I'm very close to you all. But my youngest uncle is the groom-to-be, so he's the eldest, and we should all make way for him."
He's a real smooth talker; everything he says makes people feel good.
“That’s right, Xiao Si’s happy event is his the most important one,” Gu Yuanshan said.
Gu Qingzhou slightly raised her chin and put her arm around Gu Zhiheng's shoulder. "Zhiheng, you are truly a good nephew of your uncle."
He boasted to his family, "Zhiheng said he'd give me a big color TV as a wedding gift."
It was only because she knew that her nephew had already bought it that Gu Qingzhou told her family this in public.
"Wow, that's quite a generous offer, Mr. Gu," Gu Yucheng teased.
Gu Zhiheng immediately said, "If there's a happy occasion in your second uncle's family, I'll send you a gift too."
Gu Yucheng enjoys listening to the radio and doesn't need a television. He felt comfortable hearing his nephew's words.
"Okay, I'll let President Gu know if I need anything." His smile deepened, and two fine lines appeared at the corners of his eyes.
Gu Yuanshan and Gu Yucheng had lived through hard times. After things got better, the two brothers could skimp on everything except their food. Over the years, they had both become much fatter and now had the air of wealthy old men.
After Hengbao's business grew, the Gu family would tease him by calling him President Gu or Little President Gu.
He was a little uncomfortable at first, but after a while, he adapted very well.
The New Year's Eve dinner is cooked by the men of the family. Over the years, these family-oriented men have honed their culinary skills to the point that they're ready to show off on this day. Anyone who doesn't finish cooking will be looked down upon and will have to eat all of their own food.
Lin Zhao and his friends set up a table and started playing mahjong.
Gu Yu's eyes lit up when she heard from Yao Bao that Gu Zhiheng had bought a cool motorcycle.
She went downstairs and approached Gu Zhiheng. "Brother Zhiheng, I heard you have a motorcycle. I'd like to take a look."
Gu Zhiheng was nice to his female cousins. "They're parked at the door, go ahead."
Gu Yu cleared her throat and said bluntly, "I want to ride."
"You can't do it without a license."
"I have my certificate." Gu Yu took out her certificate; she had come prepared.
Gu Zhiheng took the certificate from his cousin's hand and examined it carefully. It was genuine. He looked at Gu Yu and asked, "Why did you take this exam? Very few girls take this exam. Didn't you suffer?"
"No! I passed on my first try," Gu Yu said smugly. "The certificate is real; I wouldn't try to fool anyone with a fake one. Brother Zhiheng, can I drive it around? I haven't even tried taking the test yet."
Unable to resist her persistent pestering, Gu Zhiheng gave her the key.
"Drive slowly, it's the New Year, don't upset the whole family."
Gu Yu happily took the keys. "Don't worry, when have I ever done anything dangerous? I care about my life more than anyone else."
"Come back when it's time to eat," Gu Zhiheng called to his cousin, who was excitedly running outside.
"Know it."
Seeing Gu Yu leave, Zhao Liuniang called out, "Yu Yu, dinner's ready! Where are you going?"
"I didn't do anything, I was just at the door."
Seeing that Gu Lan and Yao Bao were with her, Zhao Liu Niang didn't restrain her daughter and let her play happily.
Yao Bao discovered that Gu Yu's bicycle riding had a different kind of beauty compared to her second brother, and she was completely captivated by his coolness.
When Gu Yu stopped at the door, she clapped her hands and her eyes shone with a clear and bright light. "Sister Yu, you ride so well! You look even cooler riding your bike than usual!"
Gu Yu's lips curled up in a smile. "Really? When I've saved enough money, I'll buy one of these cars too, and then I'll take you for a ride every day."
"Okay, okay!" Yao Bao replied happily.
Feeling that today was a memorable day, she asked, "Sister Yu, do you want to take a picture? If so, I'll go get the camera."
"Yes!" Gu Yu said immediately.
Every year during the Lunar New Year, the Gu family takes a family photo; they have a camera at home.
Yao BMW immediately retrieved the camera.
Gu Yu sat on the motorcycle with her left leg on the ground, her long hair flying freely, and her left hand holding up her helmet, looking relaxed.
A clicking sound rang out.
"Okay, okay." Yao Bao inexplicably felt that her cousin looked better with short hair. "Sister Yu Yu, I think you look better with short hair."
“I think so too, but long hair is just as good, they’re two different styles,” Gu Yu said confidently.
“Yes.” Yao Bao nodded.
Gu Lan reminded her, "Yu Yu, lock the car. Dinner should be ready soon."
"Okay." Gu Yu locked the car and drove her older and younger cousins home.
During the Lunar New Year, the Western-style building was decorated very lively, with red paper-cut window decorations and brightly colored flower arrangements... It looked very festive.
……
After the New Year, it was time for Gu Qingzhou's wedding day.
When Gu Qingzhou was admitted to university, he took a leave of absence without pay. After graduating, he was recommended by the factory to a large state-owned factory in Haicheng, where he is now known as Engineer Gu.
His girlfriend is Zheng Yue, who works at the Haicheng Drama Theatre. She comes from a good family; her parents are retired factory workers who receive a decent monthly pension. They enjoy afternoon tea, watch symphonies, and live a very comfortable life.
The couple only had one daughter and had no other requirements for their son-in-law than that he treat their daughter well.
Before their daughter brought her son-in-law home, the couple had already heard of Engineer Gu's reputation.
I have a very good impression of him.
I used to think how wonderful it would be if my daughter could bring home a son-in-law like him. Little did I know, my dream would come true.
The wedding was held at a large restaurant in Haicheng.
Almost all the guests could be called by name; the scene was quite grand.
Lin Zhao's family sat below, watching the bride and groom on the stage, and clapped happily.
"Auntie looks so beautiful today." Yao Bao clapped until her hands hurt, and her pretty face flushed with excitement.
“There are no ugly brides. Your uncle looks great too, even more handsome than usual.” Lin Zhao tilted her head, mimicking Yao Bao’s mannerisms.
“My uncle is the most handsome.” Yao Bao said proudly.
Gu Chenghuai: "Cough..."
Upon hearing this, Yao Bao quickly replied, "Daddy is the most, most, most, most handsome, no one can compare to him."
He spoke in a low voice, not daring to let his second brother, who was talking to Zhili, hear him.
Lin Zhao: "..."
When the Zheng family met everyone from their in-laws' side, they learned that their son-in-law's third brother was actually a military commander. Looking at his eldest and second brothers, it seemed they had partnerships with several restaurants. Their wives were all successful in running their own businesses. And the younger generation of the Gu family were all extraordinary.
The relatives on Zheng's side then asked Zheng's mother, "Mom, does that young man have a girlfriend?"
Following the direction she pointed, Zheng's mother looked and saw that it was the eldest son of her son-in-law's third brother. The young man's father was a high-ranking official, and his mother was a contracted illustrator who had published several books. She also heard that he was from the Lin family. His younger brother and sister were all college students from prestigious universities, and he himself was a pilot.
Those who come from wealthy and influential families wouldn't dare to even mention introductions.
"Of course there is," Zheng's mother said confidently, fearing that the relative would make a fuss.
"And what about the one next to him?" the relative asked again.
Mother Zheng looked over again, referring to the second son of her son-in-law's eldest brother, "They all have partners. All the Gu family's children are college students, how could they not have partners? They all have partners, and they're even their classmates."
Upon hearing this, the relative looked regretful. After all, it was Zheng Yue's wedding, so it wasn't appropriate to ask too many questions; he just felt it was a pity.
Another person asked Zheng's father, "Does that girl have a boyfriend? She looks to be around twenty, she definitely doesn't, right?"
When Zheng's father saw this, he realized that the person was asking about Yaobao, the child.
“Yaobao hasn’t graduated yet, she’s not suitable for your son.” Before his relatives could continue their nagging, he continued, “That girl’s father is a war hero, now a military commander, and she also has three older brothers, each more capable than the last. Do you know who her mother is? Her mother is from the Lin family, you heard me right, the Lin family you know.”
"..."
After hearing these words, Zheng's relative, who wanted to marry Yaobao to his son, gave up on the idea.
"...That's not appropriate. Never mind, let's eat."
Anyone who comes out of their house can easily crush them with a stomp of their foot, so they dare not provoke them.
The Gu family was unaware of these rumors.
If Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang heard this, they might actually agree. They could meet, just to make friends, it wouldn't take much trouble.
……
After attending her brother-in-law's wedding, the busy brothers Gu Zhiyu and Gu Zhiqian had to return to their workplaces to report back from their leave. Yao Bao had business to attend to upon returning to the capital, so she left with her two brothers.
Lin Zhao and her husband stayed at the Gu family's house for a few days before returning to the Lin family's ancestral home. Before they could even warm their backsides, Lin Heling said, "Zhao Zhao, are you busy this afternoon? If not, come with me to offer incense to your great-grandfather."
"Okay." Lin Zhao hesitated for a moment, then agreed without asking why.
Although she didn't ask, the curiosity in her eyes was impossible to hide.
Lin Heling took the initiative to explain, "Du Sheng is dead. We're going to tell your great-grandfather this good news."
"Yes, we really should go and tell him." Lin Zhao didn't ask any more questions. This man should have died long ago; it's a waste to let him live for so long.
Du Sheng showed no remorse or guilt before his death; he simply felt that he had made a wrong move in the game.
The victor is king, the loser is villain.
Old Master Lin died at his own hands, which made him a villain; he was also a villain because he was killed by the Lin family.
It's all fate.
He only regretted not escaping before the Lin family returned. Alas, one should never underestimate the enemy.
He underestimated his opponent.
Du Sheng managed to see his family and told them about the locations of his hidden treasure before facing death with equanimity.
What he didn't know was that the wealth he acquired through dirty tricks would ultimately never reach the Du family.
Those valuables had been moved to another location long before the Du family arrived.
The money was later used for road repairs, upgrading the equipment of the Haicheng police, and other purposes.
Du family: "..."
Lin Fu always knew how to kill someone by destroying their spirit, so he kindly asked someone to tell Du Sheng about it and that the Lin family had donated all the money in the name of the old master Lin, thanks to Du Sheng's help.
Du Sheng coughed up a mouthful of blood, his entire body hunched over.
He burst into laughter, "Hahahaha, ruthless enough, a Confucian businessman, what a Confucian businessman, killing without shedding blood."
He died with his eyes wide open in disbelief.
Of the Du family, Du Sheng was the most successful. After he went to jail, the family's standard of living dropped significantly, and the younger generation was bullied. The ignorant children gave them nicknames like "Du Zhen Tan" and "Du Huchong"...
He could barely stay in Haicheng anymore, thinking he could turn things around, but who knew that all the money Du Sheng had saved up was gone, and he was gone too.
The Du family members were listless for several days.
When I came to my senses, I had even lost the job I used to look down on.
Du family: "..."
Reluctantly, they had no choice but to move away from Haicheng.
Their house belongs to their work unit and cannot be sold. This large family is in despair.
Once back to before liberation.
They went into the city the same way they came back, but the difference is that they've offended the villagers terribly, and they don't know how they'll be ridiculed when they return.
The Du family members all looked extremely grumpy, and their steps were incredibly heavy.
When Du Sheng's family members, who had died young, saw this scene, the knot in their hearts finally loosened.
The group laughed heartily, attracting the attention of passersby.
"The Du family has finally met its match! Heaven has finally opened its eyes!!"
When the Du family saw the familiar face filled with hatred, they were terrified. They covered their faces and quickened their pace to leave, afraid of being beaten up by this family.
They were truly hated back then. Who knew the world would change so quickly? If only...
In fact, everyone in the Du family knew that Du Sheng was ruthless. He got into the city because of his wife's success, and then he looked down on her. He messed around outside and caused that person's death. When his wife died, her eyes were still open, filled with a deep-seated hatred that would give anyone who saw it nightmares.
now.
What goes around comes around.
After enjoying more than ten years of good times, it's uncertain whether the Du family can survive going back to a life of hardship.
It's impossible to hold on. Du Sheng has offended countless people. If he's gone, the Du family will inevitably bear the brunt of their anger. A comeback? Absolutely impossible.
(End of this chapter)