Chapter 116
Seeing Shen Mingzheng return, Gu Xi happily rushed over to him.
Shen Mingzheng reached out and caught the person. Turning around, he saw that his two sisters-in-law, who had been doing their homework and practicing calligraphy in the main room, had tactfully returned to their rooms to avoid seeing anything they shouldn't have.
They don't have boyfriends yet, so we have to consider the feelings of single people.
"Big brother, big brother, you're back!" Gu Xi said happily. "Want to eat? Or go take a shower first? What do you want to eat? I'll make it for you."
They didn't know he would be back today, so they didn't leave any food for him, but it wouldn't be difficult to cook for him anyway.
Shen Mingzheng helped her up and said, "I'm dirty, go take a shower first."
The weather is already hot now. After a busy day outside, he's covered in sweat and dust, and he's really filthy. It's a good thing he just got back that she gave him a warm welcome. Otherwise, as usual, she would probably have sent him off to take a shower with disgust.
While Shen Mingzheng was taking a shower, Gu Xi went to the kitchen to cook for him. Afraid that he would be hungry, she didn't make anything complicated. She made a bowl of pickled cabbage and egg noodles, with some green vegetables picked from their own garden. The bright green vegetables were spread on top of the noodles and looked quite appealing.
After the noodles were ready, he also finished showering and came out.
Seeing that he still had water droplets on him, Gu Xi took a towel and wiped him dry, asking, "Big brother, is my brother back too?"
"I've gone back."
Gu Xi said "Oh," and added, "If he doesn't come back soon, Gu Yuanxiang will probably cry herself blind."
When Gu Tuantuan came over to visit, she told Gu Yuanxiang that Gu Yuanxiang cried almost every day at home, to the point that Gu Tuantuan didn't want to stay at home anymore.
Gu Xi was also surprised to hear this. She hadn't expected Gu Yuanxiang to have such a personality. She had never seen her cry before.
Perhaps she died too young in her previous life and never saw them after her death, so she didn't know that Gu Yuanxiang was such a person who couldn't handle things and could only cry after something happened.
Shen Mingzheng asked in confusion, "Gu Yuanxiang? She's come to the army? What happened?"
He had a gut feeling that something might have happened to the Gu family, otherwise why would they suddenly run to the military base when they were perfectly fine?
Gu Xi told him about the Gu family's affairs.
After he finished listening, he couldn't help but look down at her. He saw that she was calm, as if she was talking about people and things that had nothing to do with her, and it didn't affect her at all. Perhaps in the eyes of outsiders, she seemed too indifferent and heartless.
Shen Mingzheng didn't say anything, silently finished his noodles, and then went to wash the dishes.
When the couple returned to their room to rest, he pulled her into his arms and held her tightly, lowered his head to kiss her soft face, and then rubbed her head as if to comfort her.
Gu Xi looked up at him and said, "Big brother, I called my cousin Shuyin and asked about the Gu family. If nothing unexpected happens, my dad might be sent to the countryside, and my mom and Gu Yuanzheng will lose their jobs. Gu Yuanzheng and the others will probably have to go to the countryside to work..."
Shen Mingzheng hummed in agreement.
The two quickly stopped talking about the Gu family. Gu Xi then told him about the stories she had written and the illustrations she had drawn at home during this time.
She touched his face and found that he had gotten tanned, lost weight, and his facial features were more defined, making his features appear deeper and more three-dimensional. He also looked much rougher.
Fortunately, it's still a very good-looking face.
"You've lost so much weight," she muttered. "Well, you should eat well and make sure you get some nourishment. I'll kill a chicken for you tomorrow."
A smile appeared in Shen Mingzheng's eyes as he took her hand and touched it to his cheek.
**
Although Gu Yuanyang has returned, he still has a lot of free time. There is still some follow-up work to do, as well as writing a report on this competition.
Even so, Gu Yuanyang still took some time to inquire about the situation in Beijing.
Gu Yuanxiang was originally waiting for his news with peace of mind.
Just a few days passed, and Gu Yuanyang was busy from early morning to late at night. Even if Gu Yuanxiang wanted to ask him about the situation, she couldn't find him. She started to feel anxious and irritable again, and her temper became bad.
Every time Gu Tuantuan came home and saw her, she didn't really want to talk to her.
She was still young and had been raised to be very obedient and well-behaved by her parents. Although she understood that her aunt was in a bad mood because of what had happened, she could only say a few words before she either became angry or started crying, complaining that Gu Yuanyang was busy with something and that she never saw him...
The child felt wronged by her actions and didn't go home after school, instead running directly to Gu Xi's place.
That day, Gu Yuanyang finally returned home early, a rare occurrence.
Although it was already dark when I got home, it was better than coming home in the middle of the night.
Seeing his tired face and how much thinner he looked, Ji Ya frowned but didn't say anything. When she learned that he hadn't eaten yet, she went to the kitchen to cook him a bowl of noodles. Gu Tuantuan also thoughtfully poured her father a glass of water.
Gu Yuanxiang ran out of the room, excitedly saying, "Big brother, you're back! How's Dad? Is he alright?"
Gu Yuanyang raised his hand to tell her not to rush, gestured for her to sit down, and said, "Xiangxiang, this matter is quite troublesome. Dad can't get away unscathed. Although he didn't... the higher-ups want to make an example of someone, and Dad just happened to run into this."
"Huh?" Gu Yuanxiang stood there, stunned.
Gu Yuanyang looked exhausted and haggard. He continued, "Dad has been sent to the countryside."
In his view, the result was not bad; at least he could keep his life, and the location of his demotion could be arranged so that he wouldn't be sent to a dangerous place.
Gu Yuanxiang trembled all over, her voice trembling with sobs as she asked, "How...how could this be? Can't you really get Dad out? Can't you get Mom, Dad, and my second brother back to work? Let us be like we used to be..."
She has no other desires now, she just wants her family to be the same as before, with her parents and second brother all having jobs, and her to be able to go back to school and continue her studies.
She hasn't graduated from university yet.
Gu Yuanyang just looked at her and then shook his head.
Gu Yuanxiang's heart sank.
How could this be? Even her eldest brother couldn't do anything? If that's the case, then what about her mother's job, her second brother's job, and her job at school...? She simply couldn't imagine the consequences.
What terrified Gu Yuanxiang even more was that when she called back to Beijing to inquire about the situation, she learned from Gu Yuanzheng that they were going to the countryside, and that they were being asked to go back to prepare for their trip next month.
Gu Maowen's situation has affected his family. Their house is gone, and Jiang Huijun and Gu Yuanzheng are currently living in the Jiang family home. Once Gu Yuanxiang returns, the siblings will prepare to go to the countryside.
Gu Yuanxiang was panicked and didn't know how things had turned out this way.
She never thought about going to the countryside.
Since the policy of sending educated youth to the countryside was introduced, she had made a special effort to learn about it, but it had nothing to do with her family. Her family had always been fine, mainly because the Shen family had helped them, fearing that Gu Xi would be sent to the countryside because she met the criteria.
However, now that the Gu family is in trouble and the impact is too great, Gu Yuanzheng is currently unemployed, and she can't return to school either, so she can only go to the countryside to work...
Gu Yuanxiang went back to Gu Yuanyang in a panic, crying, "Brother, I don't want to go to the countryside, can you help me?"
She couldn't imagine what life would be like in the countryside.
Having grown up in the city, she couldn't get used to the backward and impoverished countryside. She heard that after being sent to the countryside, educated youth would have to work in the fields, just like Gu Xi before. Would she become tanned and thin, with countless wounds and thick calluses on her hands, and her fingers become rough and twisted...?
Gu Yuanyang was mentally prepared and was not surprised to hear the result.
Seeing how reluctant she was to go to the countryside, he thought for a moment and suggested, "If you don't want to go to the countryside, you can find someone to marry in the city." He then asked, "Do you have a boyfriend?"
Gu Yuanxiang paused, a name flashing through her mind, and said, "No..."
"Why don't you find someone first?" Gu Yuanyang asked patiently. After all, she was like a younger sister, and he wanted to make arrangements for her. Such a beautiful girl might be bullied if she went to the countryside. Staying in the city after marriage would be a good choice.
Gu Yuanxiang looked at him blankly. What kind of partner was she looking for? Where was she supposed to find a suitable marriage partner in such a short time?
And she doesn't want to get married right now.
Seeing her indecisive look, Gu Yuanyang almost sighed and asked, "What do you really think?"
No matter what she thinks, she has to say it so he can make a decision for her.
Gu Yuanxiang hesitated and said, "I don't want to go to the countryside, and I don't want to find a partner..."
“That won’t do,” Gu Yuanyang said. “You have to choose one.”
Gu Yuanxiang panicked, "Can I...can I stay here at the military base?" Although the military base is far from the city and even more remote than the countryside, at least it is safe here. There is no work to do, and there is her older brother. He is a responsible man and will not abandon her.
Gu Yuanyang said, "You can stay here if you want. You can find a partner here. There are many excellent single young men in the army. If you are willing, I can introduce you to one."
Gu Yuanxiang forced a smile and asked, "Can't I just not find a partner?"
“No.” Gu Yuanyang said firmly, “This is a policy arrangement from above. If you don’t want to find a partner, you have to go to the countryside.”
Gu Yuanxiang burst into tears, turned around and rushed back to her room, where she lay on the bed and cried loudly. Her cries came from inside the room, and she sounded very aggrieved.
Gu Yuanyang: "..."
He was somewhat bewildered, wondering why she was crying like that.
Ji Ya, who had been watching the siblings closely, was unmoved by this scene.
However, as a woman, she was much more perceptive than Gu Yuanyang. Seeing how resistant Gu Yuanxiang was to finding a partner, she roughly understood that Gu Yuanxiang probably already had someone she liked and was unwilling to marry just to avoid going to the countryside.
She told Gu Yuanyang her guess.
"Really?" Gu Yuanyang asked, puzzled. "If she has someone she likes, then she should just marry him. Why is she dragging her feet?"
How come this girl, who seemed so lively and adorable when she was little, has become so twisted as she grew up?
Comparing his two younger sisters, Gu Yuanyang found that Gu Xi was more adorable. She was more straightforward and said what she meant, while Gu Yuanxiang's stubbornness left him somewhat helpless.
Ji Ya guessed, "I guess he can't get married, or maybe something happened to him too?"
Perhaps Gu Yuanxiang liked him, but he didn't like her back, so Gu Yuanxiang could only keep her feelings to herself...
There are many possibilities, all indicating that Gu Yuanxiang is currently unable to marry the person she likes, nor does she want to marry just anyone.
Gu Yuanyang wasn't as thoughtful as her; he was a straightforward person who said what he meant, so he went straight to ask Gu Yuanxiang if she had someone she wanted to marry.
"If you want to get married, then go ahead and get married. Do you need your older brother's help with anything?"
Gu Yuanxiang was lying on the bed crying, sobbing uncontrollably. Hearing this, she finally couldn't hold back anymore: "His family had an accident a few months ago, and he and his sister have already been sent to the countryside..."
It was seeing the misfortune that befell their family and their subsequent forced relocation to the countryside that instilled such fear in her.
I heard that they didn't have a good life after going to the countryside. The countryside was really poor, and they had to work in the fields. City people like them who had never done farm work had no idea how to do it and were exhausted all day long.
Gu Yuanyang looked surprised. What a coincidence!
Seeing her crying like this, he didn't know how to comfort her. The man she wanted to marry had gone to the countryside, but she didn't want to go... This was a difficult situation.
Finally, he said, "Think about it again. I'll ask someone to buy you a train ticket for the day after tomorrow and take you to the train station."
Gu Yuanxiang paused for a moment, then buried her head and continued crying, but did not object further.
Seeing this, Gu Yuanyang understood that although she didn't want to go to the countryside, she also didn't want to just marry someone in the army, so she didn't object to her going back.
Gu Yuanyang left the room and, seeing Ji Ya's concerned expression, couldn't help but pinch the bridge of his nose wearily.
"How is it?" Ji Ya asked.
Gu Yuanyang told her that she did have someone she liked, but that his family had also encountered trouble and that he and his sister had gone to the countryside. He concluded by saying, "That's quite a coincidence. Could it be that she also likes someone from the family compound?"
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