“I didn’t skimp on the living expenses; I gave it to you on time every month,” Jiang Yuan hurriedly explained.
Fang Dani, feigning sympathy, said, "It's all my fault. We've been spending a lot lately, and I didn't tell Jiang Meizi! After all, my parents and I are just idle folks at home; how could we possibly ask for help?"
Grandpa Gu and Grandma Gu exchanged a glance and immediately burst into tears: "Oh dear, God! Getting old is just so annoying! People despise us for being lazy! It's all our fault as your parents, we've dragged you down! We'll quit smoking and eating chicken cakes! Just give us a bowl of leftovers every day, and we'll be content!"
Gu Yong, being extremely filial to his parents, quickly said, "Mom and Dad, why are you saying these things? I'm too busy being filial to you, how could I possibly look down on you? Jiang Yuan didn't mean it; she just didn't know—"
He then called out to Jiang Yuan, "Jiang Yuan, hurry up and apologize to your parents! Even if you don't know, it's clear you haven't been very attentive to your family! Don't you know how to show more concern for your parents and ask them what they need? Give Da Ni some money later, understand?"
Jiang Yuan was speechless and didn't know where to begin to defend herself before Old Master Gu and the others convicted her.
Xu Ningyan finally understood Jiang Yuan's suffering. There were so many people in the Gu family: Grandpa Gu, Grandma Gu, Fang Dani, and the two families of the Gu brothers, Da Jun and Da Kui. They were all in cahoots.
Not only are they a group, but they also have a clear division of labor and have developed a conditioned reflex. At any time and in any place, given the slightest opportunity, they will seize the opportunity to instigate and suppress Jiang Yuan.
Only Gu Zhiyuan and Gu Zhixing are on Jiang Yuan's side. Gu Zhiyuan had left home for two years for a mission, leaving Gu Zhixing to rely on her alone.
Gu Yong, the man who should have protected her, was easily swayed and confused. He was easily fooled by his parents and his two older sons, and his heart was completely swayed by them.
He was well aware that Jiang Yuan was wronged and innocent, but for the sake of his parents and two sons, he chose to make Jiang Yuan and her two children suffer.
That's absolutely disgusting!
Xu Ningyan felt a surge of anger rush from the soles of her feet to the top of her head.
She slammed the bowl she was holding onto the table with a loud thud, drawing everyone's attention.
"Commander Gu, you're so filial to your parents, so doting on your eldest son and grandson, and so concerned about your family. How come you didn't know that the family wasn't having enough living expenses? You only knew to ask Aunt Jiang for help?"
Xu Ningyan looked at Gu Yong.
Gu Yong was taken aback for a moment, then quickly said, "My parents have had a hard life, what's wrong with me being filial to them? Besides, shouldn't women be in charge of things at home? Jiang Yuan married me, so she should be filial to my parents on my behalf. What's wrong with that?"
"Yes, yes, yes! You're right! I just find it strange! Did the Gu family patriarch and patriarch give birth to you, Commander Gu? Didn't they give birth to Aunt Jiang? What, before Aunt Jiang was born, you didn't know how to be filial to your parents! Now that you have Aunt Jiang, you know how to be filial to your parents? And even be filial to them on your behalf? What use is a son like you then?"
Gu Yong was speechless for a moment before saying, "Isn't everyone like this? Besides, didn't Da Jun and Da Kui's mother take such good care of them back in the countryside? If Da Ni can do it, why can't Jiang Yuan?"
Xu Ningyan scoffed, "Does Fang Dani go to work? Does she earn money?"
Gu Yong fell silent.
"Commander Gu is indeed a high-ranking leader. I wonder if he treats his subordinates like this in the army! Not only does he have to make money, but he also has to manage his family! I doubt even a big capitalist would dare to exploit his wife like this."
Gu Yong's face turned pale at those words: "What nonsense are you talking about?"
Xu Ningyan ignored her, turned to look at Jiang Yuan who was silent to the side, and softened her voice: "Aunt Jiang, who pays for the household expenses? Is it you? Or Commander Gu? Does he give you his salary?"
Gu Yong wanted to say something, but Gu Zhiyuan glanced at him and he fell silent.
Jiang Yuan was silent for a while before speaking: "I pay for all the household expenses! He has his own uses for his monthly salary. He needs to help his comrades, assist his subordinates in need, and keep some money for himself in case Da Jun and Da Kui are short of money."
A deathly silence.
Neither Gu Dajun nor Gu Daikui spoke.
Gu Yong blushed slightly and tried to explain, "I haven't wasted any of this money; it's all been put to good use! We're all family, why be so calculating, right? Besides, if you don't have the money, you can just tell me. I'm not an unreasonable person—"
Xu Ningyan laughed: "Yes, Commander Gu isn't just unreasonable, he's utterly shameless! Your whole family is shameless! Such a large Gu family, and he's a commander, with over a dozen people, including his parents, his son, daughter-in-law, grandson, and ex-wife, all of whom are supported by his current wife! It's truly an unprecedented phenomenon!"
"Let's not even talk about your salary, Commander Gu. Just look at your two sons and daughters-in-law. They've been married for so many years, and they even have grandchildren. They must be working and earning salaries, right? What family has such grown sons and daughters-in-law living at home without contributing to household expenses? Even your own children have to contribute! It's just that your whole family is shameless, taking advantage of Aunt Jiang because she's easy to talk to and a civilized person!"
"Your Gu family is truly shameless and thick-skinned! What gave you the courage to eat your stepmother's food, wear your stepmother's clothes, take your stepmother's things, and use your stepmother's things for so many years?"
"You let your stepmother cause you so much trouble, and you're not even grateful to her? You think it's your duty? Your duty my ass!"
"You—" Gu Dajun and Gu Daikui's faces were contorted with anger, so angry that they couldn't speak, and indeed they had nothing to say in rebuttal.
After scolding the two brothers, Xu Ningyan then berated Fang Dani and the Gu family's elderly couple: "Other people's elders, even if they're not reasonable, are at least human beings. They should know the most basic shame and gratitude, right? This is the first time I've ever seen such elderly people! They eat, drink, and use their daughter-in-law's money, and they don't even treat people like human beings! No wonder there's a saying in this world, 'An old man who doesn't die is a thief!' You are thieves! Clever thieves! Despicable thieves! Shameless thieves!"
"And you, Commander Gu! You put on a selfless act, stepping on your current wife and children, enjoying the fawning and praise from your parents and your ex-wife and children. Are you smug? Are you happy? Bah! You're just a 'phoenix man' and an ingrate! Aunt Jiang is so unlucky to have married you!"
"Aren't you just picking on the weak? But are you bullying Aunt Jiang and her two children because they are outnumbered and weak? Aren't you just taking advantage of the fact that Aunt Jiang is a respectable person and doesn't bother with you, so you're pushing your luck?"
"You all know perfectly well that the people you should hate are your own sons and your own fathers! The one who didn't investigate thoroughly back then was Commander Gu, what does that have to do with Aunt Jiang? Did Aunt Jiang not marry Commander Gu? Who doesn't know that Aunt Jiang was a beauty in the army? There were countless high-ranking officers who pursued her, some higher in rank than Commander Gu, some more handsome than Commander Gu, some single, and some of the best character! Marrying anyone would have been better than marrying your sons and fathers!"
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