"This kind of investment is destined to be unrewarding! If you don't cut your losses in time, you'll be unwilling to give up, and the more you invest, the more unwilling you'll be to give up, and the more you'll want to continue investing, creating a vicious cycle. Knowing it's a bottomless pit, but because you're unwilling to give up, even knowing there will be no return, you still hold onto an impossible expectation. In the end, the only result will be that you've exhausted everything and lost everything."
"It's better to let go sooner rather than later! Otherwise, what will Auntie get from the Gu family if she continues to drag this out? Fatherly love? Favoritism? Help at work? Money? Or reputation?"
Gu Zhiyuan was jolted awake, as if something had suddenly struck him, and his mind cleared instantly.
Yes, they've been tolerating this all along, but what have they gained?
Over the years, he has been unwilling to accept his fate and has worked hard and performed well, all in an attempt to prove that even without Gu Yong's help, he is still the most outstanding member of the Gu family.
He probably wanted Gu Yong to regret it, didn't he? Unfortunately, the more outstanding he became, the more Gu Yong felt sorry for and favored Gu Dajun and Gu Daikui. He felt that Gu Zhiyuan could do well on his own, but the two brothers, Gu Dajun and Gu Daikui, couldn't do without his help as their biological father.
In Gu Yong's mind, Gu Dajun's side was always the weaker party, someone who needed his special attention and compensation.
Jiang Yuan and Gu Zhiyuan are the powerful ones; they have too much. If I were to show them favoritism, Gu Dajun and the others would have no way to survive.
Over the past ten years, Gu Yong has made it a habit.
All the good things and opportunities in the house should be given to Gu Dajun and his family.
This is something the whole family owes Gu Dajun and his family.
Gu Zhiyuan took a deep breath. Over the years, he had been caught up in the situation and had always been brainwashed by Gu Yong. He seemed to have gotten used to Gu Yong's way of speaking.
His friends didn't want to comment on Gu Zhiyuan's family affairs, and it wasn't until Xu Ningyan's words that he finally came to his senses.
Gu Zhiyuan took a deep breath and looked at Xu Ningyan: "Ning, thank you! If it weren't for your words that woke me up, I would still have been more tolerant because of that so-called family affection."
"Looking back now, it's truly laughable! The more we tolerate them, the more some people take it for granted and become increasingly arrogant!"
Gu Zhiyuan lowered his eyelids, a hint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes.
Xu Ningyan breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that Gu Zhiyuan had been enlightened.
It's really taboo to meddle in other people's family affairs. If it weren't for the thousand yuan and the small courtyard, she really wouldn't have wanted to say it.
However, Gu Zhiyuan was not angry. Instead, he was able to express his gratitude in a clear and rational manner, which meant that she had accomplished her goal.
"Brother Gu, why be so polite? Just don't blame me for being nosy!"
Gu Zhiyuan would never blame Xu Ningyan. In his heart, he wished Xu Ningyan would give him more guidance, so that he would feel closer to her.
Xu Ningyan was unaware of Gu Zhiyuan's thoughts. Since he had been reminded, and he had figured it out, he immediately shut up and said no more.
They changed the subject and started talking about what they had prepared.
The meat sauce is already fragrant, but it needs to simmer for another hour.
Xu Ningyan took out the kimchi jar and wiped it clean. "This contains kimchi. As long as you are careful when bringing it on the train, bring a clean pair of chopsticks, and don't forget to put water in the rim of the jar, it won't spoil."
"I'll pickle some cucumbers later. Pickled cucumbers can't be kept for long. After you've finished making them, take them back and keep them chilled with well water. Eat them in the next two days, or they'll spoil."
"By the way, what time is your train? If it's early, I can make some pancakes for you to take with you tomorrow, and also boil a pot of tea eggs?"
While taking inventory of the items, Xu Ningyan asked questions.
Gu Zhiyuan was almost engrossed in Xu Ningyan's casual chatter, and only came back to his senses when Xu Ningyan asked a question: "The train leaves at 7:05 in the morning, so you don't need to make pancakes. It's too early and tiring! You can just buy some steamed buns at the state-run restaurant and bring them with you! Besides, there's a dining car on the train, so you won't go hungry."
Most importantly, even if Xu Ningyan painstakingly brought all these things into the car, with Sun Zhou and the others around, there's no way he could protect them.
Xu Ningyan calculated the time and realized it was indeed too early. She would have to get up at least at five o'clock to knead the dough and then make the pancakes.
Making pancakes on such a hot day is torture.
Since Gu Zhiyuan said it wasn't necessary, she didn't stand on ceremony.
After saying these words, the two fell silent. They had said everything they needed to say, and a moment of awkwardness ensued.
To ease the awkwardness, Xu Ningyan could only keep busy, making herself appear very busy, not that she didn't want to talk, but that she didn't have time to talk.
Gu Zhiyuan cleared his throat: "I'm going out for a bit to deliver the luggage. I'll come back to get these things later."
Xu Ningyan nodded quickly.
After Gu Zhiyuan left with his suitcase, Xu Ningyan thought for a while and then spent a long time rummaging through her own space.
Finally, I managed to find two large bags of calcium milk biscuits, a jar of malted milk powder, a packet of honeysuckle tea, a half-pound packet of beef jerky, and two cooked smoked sausages.
Wrap it in kraft paper, take a small bamboo basket, put the kimchi jar in first, then neatly arrange the other items, leaving half the space for the jars containing meat sauce and pickled cucumbers.
I washed another pair of chopsticks, wrapped them in a clean, boiled gauze, and stuffed them into the basket.
They also picked the best of the tender cucumbers with blossoms and thorns on top, and the plump red tomatoes from the yard, put them in nylon bags, and placed them on top to prevent them from being crushed.
Gu Zhiyuan returned quickly, and he didn't come back empty-handed; he rode back on a tricycle.
The back of the car was piled full of stuff.
After pushing open the door, they began to huff and puff as they carried the items into the yard.
There was rice, noodles, watermelon, mung beans, as well as some candy, dried goods, and fabrics.
Gu Zhiyuan brought back almost everything that could be found on the black market for everyday use.
They unloaded the food and piled it up in the room where Gu Zhiyuan used to live, making a small mountain: "Keep these things and use them slowly. If you need anything in the future, just go to the old place and ask Lao Fang! If Lao Fang doesn't have it, just write to me! Don't make yourself suffer!"
Xu Ningyan stared at the pile of things in silence.
Fortunately, the meat sauce was already cooked, the pickled cucumbers were packed into jars, the seasoning was poured in, and it would be ready to eat overnight.
Xu Ningyan handed the tidied bamboo basket to Gu Zhiyuan.
Gu Zhiyuan took it; it felt heavy in his hand, and he knew there were many good things inside. He couldn't help but smile.
Despite the reluctance in my heart, it's time to say goodbye.
He smiled and patted Xu Ningyan on the shoulder: "I'm leaving! Take care! Remember to write to me!"
Xu Ningyan nodded, her nose suddenly feeling a little sore.
Although I can't accept having a powerful figure as my partner, we've lived under the same roof for over a year, spending every day together. When it comes to parting ways, I can't help but feel a little empty and uneasy.
With slightly reddened eyes, Xu Ningyan forced a smile and said, "Big brother, take care too! Have a safe journey! And take good care of yourself when you get back to the capital—"
Gu Zhiyuan finally gave in, ruffling Xu Ningyan's hair and making it a mess before his mood improved: "I'll be fine! You be fine too! I'm leaving—"
After saying that, he picked up the bamboo basket, turned around and left the courtyard without looking back, striding out of the alley...
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