For this topping-out banquet, the Gu family once again prepared meat dishes, a balanced mix of meat and vegetables, ensuring that both hosts and guests enjoyed themselves.

But at night, after everyone had left, Jiang Jinxiu couldn't help but think of the man who had been away from home for many days.

She tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.

What he didn't know was that Gu Xichen was also in Guangxi Province at the moment, but he had now arrived in Zuo City and was traveling through the deep mountains of Zuo City.

Zuoshi is close to the border, and the area has been experiencing unrest recently.

There are always people trying to illegally cross the border here.

Gu Xichen received orders from his superiors to intercept a mercenary group here.

They kidnapped a renowned biologist and were preparing to smuggle him out of the country from here.

Gu Xichen is from Guangxi Province and knows some of the local dialect, making him difficult to detect.

In addition, his skills are unmatched by ordinary people.

That's how this task was assigned to him.

He wanted to finish the task quickly and get home, but the task at hand didn't seem so easy.

His enemies were exceptionally cunning.

He needed to ensure the safety of the hostages...

...

The next day, a light rain began to fall, and the weather was gradually getting cooler.

Jiang Jinxiu looked at the rain outside the window and put on an extra layer of clothing.

It's already November, and it should be snowing in Beijing by now.

I wonder how her parents and Aunt Luo are doing now.

The clothes that Gu Dashan brought for her yesterday are now ready for her to wear.

I wonder if that silly younger brother has any warm clothes to wear now.

But now that it's raining, he should know to wear Gu Xiliang's clothes first, right?

She thought of the quilts she had put in the closet beforehand. Luckily, she had taken out two quilts and put them in the closet beforehand, otherwise she would have really run out.

Jiang Jinxiu was gazing at the rain outside the window, her thoughts wandering, when suddenly, the doorbell rang.

"Sister-in-law, sister-in-law, Dad wants you to come down to the main hall. He says he wants to hold a family meeting."

When Jiang Jinxiu arrived at the lobby, the entire Gu family was there, including the youngest, Xiao Fangfang.

Of course, Gu Xichen, who didn't return, wasn't there.

Gu Dashan told everyone that he was finally retiring from the military.

The army awarded him a discharge bonus of 1,000 yuan and two permanent positions at a steel factory. These were to be divided equally among his children, but his eldest and second sons resolutely refused, saying it was for his and Yang Dongmei's retirement.

Jiang Jinxiu and Gu Xilan also did not want it.

In the end, Yang Dongmei made the decision: she would keep the thousand yuan for now, and anyone who needed it could ask her for it.

No one had any objections.

Actually, none of them intended to take it. This was money that Gu Dashan earned with his life. They had all grown up and could earn their own money and support themselves, so there was no need for them to covet their parents' money anymore.

Even though Gu Laoda still owes Gu Laosan a hundred yuan, he has no interest in Gu Dashan's money.

He firmly believed that he could definitely repay the money to his third brother through his own efforts.

Gu Dashan asked about the two permanent positions to see who was willing to take them.

Gu Dashan himself was unwilling to make any more trouble; he just wanted to spend the rest of his life by Yang Dongmei's side.

Going to the steel mill is too far.

He looked at the crowd, but no one spoke.

So he looked at Jiang Jinxiu beside him and said, "Third brother's wife, you need a spot."

Then he looked at Gu Laoda and Gu Laoer: "There's one spot left, which of you two brothers wants it?"

The eldest and second eldest Gu looked at each other in bewilderment.

They were clearly being modest.

At this moment, Jiang Jinxiu spoke.

"Father, give the two spots to my eldest and second brothers. I don't want them. It's not appropriate for a woman like me to go to the steel factory."

Yang Dongmei, however, held her hand and said, "What's the difference between suitable and unsuitable? You'll find a suitable position for yourself once you go there."

Jiang Jinxiu still refused.

In the end, the two elders couldn't persuade her otherwise, so they had no choice but to go along with her.

Jiang Jinxiu was unwilling to accept the two full-time employees, Sun Xiaomeng had her own side income, Gu Xichen had his own job, and Gu Xilan was still studying.

These two spots naturally fell to the eldest and second eldest Gu brothers.

For Gu Lao Da and Gu Lao Er, these two spots were like hot potatoes.

"What's with those expressions on your faces? Disdain? How dare you look down on it? If neither of you wants it, who else can we give it to? Are we going to waste it or sell it?"

Gu Dashan said somewhat angrily.

He just couldn't understand why one or two people were complaining about the permanent employee positions he had brought back.

A permanent position is something many people dream of.

His two brats actually gave him the cold shoulder.

He could see that his father was angry.

Gu Lao Er quickly reassured him, "Dad, we don't mean any dissatisfaction, we just feel we can't take this opportunity for nothing."

Gu Laoda nodded in agreement: "That's right, Dad, we can't take your spot for nothing."

He looked at his mother, then at his father, and then at everyone present.

"Dad, we'll give you the money as a way of buying your permanent job, since we've separated our family."

It's not that they don't want it, but if they do, they feel they'll be letting the third brother and the others down.

The benefits all went to the first and second wives, which is unfair to the third wife and the younger sister.

Just as Gu Dashan was about to lose his temper, Yang Dongmei, who was always watching him, pulled him back.

She agreed with what the eldest brother said. If they hadn't split up the family business, and the money they earned was still managed and distributed by her side, then it wouldn't matter who went.

But they have now separated.

You can't be biased.

Even close brothers and fathers and sons should keep clear accounts.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!