Chapter 512 Extra 2, Gu Zhao - coming-of-age ceremony
Gu Zhao has had a clear understanding of her position in the family since she can remember.
Mom comes first, Dad comes second, and he comes third.
This position manifests in two ways: First, the mother has the final say at home, and the father unconditionally supports whatever she wants to do. Second, the mother controls the family finances and is responsible for all household expenses.
Everything in his bedroom was bought by his mother at the mall with her credit card.
This understanding became more concrete and subtle in the summer when Gu Zhao was fourteen.
He woke up that night and groped around in the dark, washing his underwear in the bathroom.
There was a light knock on the door twice, then it was pushed open.
Dad stood at the door in his pajamas, his face expressionless except for a slight furrow in his brow, as if he were instinctively alert after being startled awake.
He glanced at what Gu Zhao was holding, then at his flushed face.
"Go to bed early after you wash up," Dad said, then closed the door.
Gu Zhao breathed a sigh of relief, but her heart was still beating very fast.
The next day, when his father came home from get off work, he went straight into his room and handed him several brand-new books, all about boys' growth and development and puberty.
Dad said, "You're about to enter a period of rapid growth and development, and there will be many changes in your body and mind. These are all normal physiological phenomena, so don't feel ashamed or afraid."
Gu Zhao stared at the titles of those books, her ears burning.
The father emphasized, "You need to learn to protect yourself and pay attention to personal hygiene. Also, don't follow the example of some of the young boys at school who make a fuss about these things or use words to hurt girls who are also going through changes. That's not skill, that's immorality."
Gu Zhao nodded, her voice barely audible: "Understood."
He read those books carefully, though he only vaguely understood many of them. But at least he grasped that some changes were signs of growth. The inexplicable sense of shame he felt faded considerably in the face of his father's calm and composed attitude.
But this is just the beginning.
A few days later, Dad announced that he and Mom would be staying in the courtyard house for a while, and that the house here needed some simple tidying up.
Mom added with a smile, "Your room has been used for many years, it's time to renovate it and change the layout."
Gu Zhao didn't think much of it.
I went to the mall with my mother to pick out new furniture, curtains, lamps... and even the color of the wall paint.
His mother gave him a lot of autonomy, only offering advice when he hesitated.
The whole process felt like a large-scale shopping game, and he was vaguely excited.
After he and his mother stayed in the courtyard for about half a month before returning, Gu Zhao's bedroom was moved from the second floor to the first floor.
The two originally adjacent guest rooms were combined to create a spacious suite with a private bathroom and a door that leads directly to the garden.
It's beautiful, comfortable, and perfectly suits his taste.
Standing in the center of the room, Gu Zhao belatedly realized that as she grew up, even the place she lived in had to be farther away from her parents.
——
After learning that Gu Zhao had moved to a new bedroom, his uncle called, and a loud, undisguised, mischievous laugh came from the other end of the line.
"Our Xiaoman has grown up! She has her own little world now! So, do you like your new room?"
"I like it," Gu Zhao answered honestly.
"I'm glad you like it! Hey, summer vacation is almost here, why don't you stay with your uncle for a while longer this year? I'll show you around." The uncle's tone was enticing.
Gu Zhao was indeed tempted.
He enjoys exploring new things with his uncle.
But he still shook his head, even though his uncle couldn't see him: "Dad probably won't agree to the summer training."
"Ha!" The uncle chuckled on the other end of the phone. "Go find your mom! If your mom agrees, would your dad dare say no?"
Gu Zhao held the receiver without saying a word.
That's what he actually thought too.
In family matters, if Mom agrees, it's basically considered approved. This is a truth that has been proven countless times.
Can.
His participation in the training camp was precisely the only thing in the family that his mother couldn't persuade his father against.
My first time participating in military training was during the summer after I graduated from elementary school.
Gu Zhao still remembers what he looked like when he returned after completing the first phase of training.
He was dark-skinned and thin, with peeling skin on his arms and neck, blisters on his palms, and scabs on the soles of his feet.
When his mother saw him, her eyes immediately welled up with tears.
When they got home, she found some ointment to apply to his sunburned areas and burst into tears.
"We're not going anymore, we're not going anymore. Gu Zhao, let's just stay home, run every day, do some military boxing, why do we have to go to places like that..."
But Dad said, "Boys can't always be raised in a greenhouse. They need to toughen up, learn some rules, and experience real strength and responsibility."
"Strength and responsibility aren't gained by torturing your body!" Tears still clung to her eyelashes, but her voice hardened. "Gu Xiao, you're forcing yourself to endure hardship!"
Her father tried to put his arm around her shoulder, but she pushed him away.
That was the first time Gu Zhao had ever seen such a tense atmosphere between her parents.
It wasn't a heated argument; Dad's tone was gentle throughout, even coaxing, as he repeatedly said, "It was my oversight," and "I'm sorry for making you worry," but his attitude remained unusually firm.
“It’s only a month, and my son can stick to it. It’s good for him.”
His mother turned her head away angrily, refusing to look at him: "You can't reason with an old stubborn like you!"
The living room was eerily quiet.
Gu Zhao's sunburnt skin clung to her soft loungewear. Seeing her mother silently weeping and her father's furrowed brows, she suddenly spoke up: "Mom, I want to go."
The two adults turned to look at him at the same time.
“Many people from the compound went, including Chen Lei from the Air Force compound next door and Zhou Yang from Uncle Zhou’s family. They’re still inside. Mom, it was my own idea to go.”
His mother stared at him blankly for a long while before softly asking, "Gu Zhao, tell me the truth, are you really willing to do this? It's been so hard..."
Gu Zhao met her gaze.
Was the training camp tough? Yes, it was.
We had to get up before dawn to run laps, fold our blankets into perfect squares, and not talk while eating. Standing at attention under the sun could make us dizzy.
Most of those who went together were boys of the same age from the same neighborhood, with a few girls as well.
Everyone complained privately, but no one dared to actually quit, since they were all sent by their families and couldn't afford to lose face.
Gu Zhao was even more determined; he was Gu Xiao's son and absolutely could not afford to bring shame upon himself.
"Hmm." He forced a relaxed smile. "It was quite fun."
His mother stared at him for a long time, so long that Gu Zhao's smile almost faded.
Her shoulders slumped slightly. "...Whatever."
Dad came over, pressed his large hand heavily on his shoulder, and didn't say anything.
On the day he returned to training camp, his mother packed his luggage and slipped a bottle of sunscreen into it.
"Remember to apply it, sunburn will hurt."
Gu Zhao felt a little disgusted.
The training camp is full of people rolling in mud and crawling in the dirt, who would wear this? It's too embarrassing.
But seeing his mother's expression, he could only take it and obediently nod, "Okay, Mom. I can apply it."
Later at the training camp, he secretly applied it a few times when no one was looking.
A tan was inevitable, but at least my skin didn't peel like it did the first time.
Gu Zhao did not dislike the training camp.
Even when he first firmly gripped the rifle on the shooting range, pulled the trigger, and saw a small hole appear in the center of the target paper in the distance, he felt an almost solemn sense of accomplishment.
He also liked the instructors from different units; they had dark skin, rough hands, and their eyes shone when they talked about tactics and battle examples.
They are similar in temperament to their father and grandfather, but also different; they are more direct and rougher.
The training camp allowed him to vaguely touch the edge of his father's and grandfather's world.
Now, faced with the temptation of his uncle going out to play, he once again thought of the scorching sun and sweat at the training camp, and also of his mother's red eyes.
“Uncle,” he finally said, “I’ll come see you after I get out of training camp and take a few days off.”
On the other end of the phone, the uncle was silent for a moment, then let out a soft chuckle, seemingly with some emotion, "Alright, kid. Then practice hard. Call me when you're done."
"Yes, I know."
Every summer after that, Gu Zhao would attend training camps, leaving him little time for fun.
Only in the summer of 1994 did he feel a little more relaxed.
On May 15, 1994, he turned 18 and officially became an adult.
There was no grand celebration at home, but the adult gifts he received were exceptionally elaborate.
My parents gave me two documents.
The property certificate for a three-bedroom apartment is in Gu Zhao's name alone.
"I was thinking that it would be convenient for you to have a place to stay after you go to school or graduate. It's fine to rent it out temporarily, and you can manage the rent yourself."
The other document was a securities company account opening certificate and a deposit certificate of a considerable amount. The account holder was also Gu Zhao.
The only explanation for this is: "Learn about economics, get a feel for it. It's not a lot of money, so it's okay if you lose it; consider it tuition."
Some close relatives or elders gave gifts such as luxury watches or generous red envelopes.
The most unexpected coming-of-age ceremony came from my cousin's family in Southeast Asia.
My maternal uncle wrote me a letter in traditional Chinese characters, with a warm and friendly tone.
The letter said that it was very gratifying to learn that he had come of age. The small token of appreciation was placed in a trust account at HSBC as a "small help" for his future studies or career development.
Gu Zhao glanced at the numbers on the passbook and his heart skipped a beat—it was no small favor; it was a considerable sum of money.
By the end of May, Gu Zhao officially received his admission notice to the National Defense University. He no longer needed to take the college entrance examination in July or go to school. He could simply enjoy a long-awaited vacation at home.
His mother held him for a while, praising him repeatedly with a beaming smile.
Dad only offered a few words of encouragement in a very restrained manner.
The family of three are all low-key people. They only informed their closest relatives and a few long-time family friends about the news of the admission without making a big fuss.
Upon receiving the news, Gu Zhao felt that the happiest person was her uncle.
My uncle made several urgent phone calls, urging him to go to the south.
"What are you waiting for? Come right now! I'll have my assistant pick you up by plane tomorrow, quick!"
Gu Zhao: "Uncle, no need to pick me up. I'm eighteen now, I can just take a plane by myself."
"Okay!" Gu Yan laughed loudly on the other end. "Then come by yourself! I'll book the tickets for you, the fastest flight! I'll give you a big surprise when you arrive, I guarantee you'll love it!"
The surprise was indeed huge.
Gu Zhao followed his uncle into the villa's garage and was stunned when he saw the black sedan.
He recognized the car logo, but the design was clearly brand new.
Introverted and strong, it hits Gu Zhao's aesthetic.
"How about it? It's the latest model, with original German components assembled in China. Its power and stability are excellent. It's perfect for you young guys to drive."
Gu Zhao's heart skipped a beat; it was a natural, instinctive throbbing in men towards the beauty of machinery.
But he quickly calmed down.
“It’s too expensive, Uncle.” He tried to refuse.
"Take it! You got into the National Defense University, this is your uncle's reward for you! Consider it another coming-of-age ceremony. Okay, enough of that... Come on, get in and try it out?"
Gu Yan couldn't refuse his uncle's insistence.
From childhood to adulthood, he received many gifts from his uncle, some valuable and some interesting.
He said helplessly, "But, Uncle, I don't have a driver's license yet."
My uncle waved his hand, "Is this even a problem? We can get it done in the next couple of days! You're definitely good at the theory, the practical part is just a formality, it'll be quick!"
Gu Zhao was taken aback.
"I can get a driver's license in just a few days? Is that... legal?" he asked hesitantly. The sense of discipline instilled in him by his father since childhood came to mind.
"rest assured!"
His uncle walked over, put his arm around his shoulder, and wafted over with the faint scent of cologne. "Would your uncle harm you? The process is absolutely legitimate, just a little rushed. You have a good foundation and quick reflexes, so with a little intensive training, you'll be fine."
"Okay, thank you, Uncle," he finally said.
"That's right!" Gu Yan patted his back hard. "Come on, let's go inside and eat! Your uncle promises that in just a few days, you'll be able to drive it on the road by yourself!"
Over the next few days, Gu Zhao practiced driving at the designated location in the morning, did intensive traffic regulations training in the afternoon, and had practical experience sessions arranged by his uncle in the evening.
He quickly passed all the tests and obtained his driver's license.
In the evening, Gu Yan tossed him the car keys and pointed to the garage: "Want to give it a try?"
Gu Zhao got into the driver's seat, adjusted the seat and rearview mirrors, and slowly drove around the Huacheng Binjiang Road area.
He gripped the steering wheel, gazing at the magnificent sunset of a southern summer.
After one round, my back was soaked with sweat from tension.
When we got back to the villa, it was just getting dark.
Before the car had even come to a complete stop, two figures rushed out of the porch and pressed against the car window, their two identical little faces pressed against the glass.
"Brother! Brother's back!"
"Brother, drive! Take us for a ride!"
They are his uncle's twin sons, Gu Xu and Gu Yang.
These two are incredibly clever and witty. They're angels when they're being affectionate and playful, but when they get naughty, they're like devils. Yet, because of their age difference, they still have a natural sense of awe and admiration for their older brother, Gu Zhao, and are barely able to listen to him.
But Gu Zhao wouldn't let these two moving "bombs" get on the bus.
He unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the car, his tone gentle: "Not today. I'm still a new driver, and there are a lot of cars on the road. It's not safe to take the two of you with me."
The two little ones slumped, their lips pouting so much they could hang oil bottles on them, tugging at his clothes and whining.
"It'll only be for a little while..."
"Brother drove so steadily, we saw it!"
Just then, the uncle came out of the house and said, "Alright, alright, stop bothering your brother. Want to go for a drive? Dad will take you to a better place."
The twins' attention was diverted: "Where are we going? Is it better than our brother's car?"
"Are you going to Shenzhen?" Gu Yan raised an eyebrow.
"Go! Go!" The cheers almost lifted the roof off.
So the next day, the uncle drove himself, taking his aunt, the twins, and Gu Zhao to Shenzhen.
In 1994, Shenzhen was a city of towering buildings, flashing neon lights, bustling traffic, and a fast-paced yet extravagant atmosphere.
The uncle and aunt were very generous, buying the twins the latest remote-controlled cars, Lego models, and a whole bunch of snacks and toys.
The twins went wild with joy, screaming and running around the shelves until Gu Zhao brought them back one in each hand, at which point they calmed down a bit.
The couple also picked out several outfits for Gu Zhao, from the inside out, from top to bottom, from casual sportswear to formal suits, saying that this was the kind of attire a college student should have.
Gu Zhao deeply appreciated his aunt and uncle's astonishing enthusiasm for shopping. He finally understood why his mother said she was most afraid of shopping with his aunt.
Even though Gu Zhao had trained since childhood and had physical strength far exceeding that of ordinary people, he still felt exhausted when faced with such a high-intensity shopping trip.
On the contrary, the younger uncle and aunt remained in high spirits.
That night, they stayed at a newly opened five-star hotel in Shenzhen.
Dinner was at the revolving restaurant on the top floor.
After the meal, Gu Zhao stood on the observation deck, gazing into the distance.
The restaurant slowly rotates, and the night view outside the window unfolds like a giant scroll painting.
In the distance, the harbor was brightly lit, and further across the water, the lights of the New Territories stretched out like a dazzling galaxy.
Nearby, car headlights formed a flowing river of light on the street, and neon signs flashed and jumped, creating a dazzlingly prosperous scene.
His uncle came over with two glasses of champagne and handed him one.
"I'm an adult now, let's have a drink."
The glass cups touched lightly.
Gu Zhao took a sip. It was sweet, with a slight tingling sensation on the tip of her tongue from the bubbles, a very light alcohol taste, and a rich fruity aroma.
This was the first time he had ever drunk alcohol.
The uncle also took a sip, his gaze falling on his nephew's profile, his eyes filled with complex emotions—gratification,感慨, and something even deeper.
"In the blink of an eye, almost twenty years have passed. Xiaoman, even before you were born, I longed for your arrival. Back then, I thought I would give you the best life possible..."
Gu Zhao turned to look at her uncle.
A faint glimmer of tears welled up in my uncle's eyes, but he quickly suppressed them.
"You've grown up to be such an outstanding young man, it's wonderful." The uncle's voice was a little hoarse, and he spoke each word slowly. "I'm so proud of you."
After finishing his sentence, the uncle turned back, looked into the distance, raised his glass, and took another large gulp, his Adam's apple bobbing. The lines of his neck were taut.
Gu Zhao looked at his uncle, the person who, apart from his parents, had given him the most love, the most indulgence, and the most "unconventional" interests since childhood.
Needless to say, his uncle was generous with material things, but spiritually, he never treated him like a child. He would talk to him about business and interpersonal relationships, and he would also comfort him in his own way when he occasionally showed confusion.
In some ways, the younger uncle is the opposite of the father—more free, more spontaneous, and more willing to express his feelings and preferences directly.
"Yes, I know," Gu Zhao said. "My uncle is the best to me."
The uncle seemed to be touched by this straightforward statement.
He was silent for a moment, then spoke with a wistful tone: "Sometimes when I look at you, I think of your father when he was young... He was just as upright and strong-willed. But he wasn't as lucky as you to be able to choose the path he wanted."
He smiled, a smile with an indescribable meaning. "So, in the future... no matter what happens, no matter who you like, don't be like your uncle, wandering around aimlessly. Once you've made up your mind, be more stable, like your dad."
This doesn't sound like something my usually spirited uncle would say.
Gu Zhao was somewhat surprised and didn't know how to respond for a moment.
The uncle, however, had regained his usual composure and raised his glass: "Come on, let's have another one. I wish you a bright future, and I also wish... I wish my nephew will come to his senses soon and stop always having such a cold face, what a waste of such a handsome face."
Gu Zhao chuckled and raised her glass to lightly clink it with his.
The champagne was empty.
After returning to Huacheng, Gu Zhao stayed at her uncle's house for a few more days.
During the day, I accompanied my two twin cousins to the amusement park and science museum, but the two kids kept me from moving an inch.
In the evening, my uncle would pull me aside for tea and conversation, telling me interesting stories about business and the customs and culture of the South.
The aunt also kept asking the nanny to cook delicious meals for him, hoping to make him so well that he would get a nosebleed.
The night before he left, the twins clung to his legs on either side, refusing to let go, and rubbed their little heads against him.
"Brother, don't leave!"
"Brother, stay for another hundred days!"
The uncle's eyes showed a hint of reluctance, but he still smiled and said, "Alright, alright, your brother has important business to attend to back home. We'll have him play with you again during the New Year."
He walked over, picked up his sons with one hand each, and said to Gu Zhao, "Stay one more day. Your flight is tomorrow afternoon. I've arranged the car and the things I bought for you. They'll be shipped directly to the gate of the compound in Beijing, so you don't have to worry about it."
Gu Zhao nodded and hugged the two little ones: "Be good, see you at the New Year."
Two days after returning to the capital, the black sedan was delivered to the gate of the courtyard, along with several sturdy suitcases filled with various gifts packed full by my uncle and his wife.
The mother looked at the car, a smile in her eyes: "It's quite stylish. That's good, from now on, I'll let my son be my driver when I go out."
Gu Zhao saluted: "At your service, sir."
Mom continued, "Do you remember? The year your uncle got married, he said he would give you a real, big car that could run when you grew up."
"Remember."
He nodded.
This time when he went to his uncle's office, he saw the car ornament still sitting neatly on his desk. He hadn't expected his uncle to have kept it all this time.
Mom: "He may seem unreliable, but he always remembers every promise he made to you."
She came over and helped Gu Zhao carry all the suitcases into the house.
The mother and son started tidying up on the sofa in the living room.
Most of them belong to Gu Zhao, a small portion to his mother, and only a few to his father.
Mom smiled and said, "Look at you, your uncle is so biased, it's obvious he favors one over the other."
Gu Zhao couldn't help but laugh.
My uncle's favoritism has always been blatant. He is considerate to his sister-in-law and dotes on his nephew, but he always treats his own brother with a mischievous, deliberately provocative attitude.
“Dad doesn’t lack anything.” Gu Zhao spoke up for her uncle and put the things for her father aside.
When Dad came home from work that evening, he saw the new car parked outside the yard but didn't say much. He was even quieter than usual at the dinner table.
After dinner, Dad called his uncle directly, his tone unusually stern. Although he couldn't hear clearly through the door, the words "nonsense," "too eye-catching," and "outrageous" still reached Gu Zhao's ears intermittently.
Gu Zhao could almost picture his uncle on the other end of the phone, legs crossed, listening casually, letting it go in one ear and out the other, and then laughing and saying, "Brother, don't be so old-fashioned. As long as my nephew is happy."
Sure enough, the next day, Dad's expression remained calm.
Upon seeing him, his tone softened: "Are all the car's paperwork complete?"
“Everything’s ready, Uncle has taken care of everything,” Gu Zhao replied.
"Okay." Dad didn't say anything more, only, "Tomorrow, Xiao Liu will take you to get the necessary registration and filing done. From now on, obey traffic rules and be careful. In the yard... try to drive as little as possible."
"Okay, Dad."
Dad seemed to want to say something more, but in the end he just raised his hand, patted Gu Zhao's shoulder as usual, whispered something in Mom's ear, and went to work.
The mother returned to the window to arrange flowers, her smile gentle. "Son, come help me?"
"good."
Gu Zhao walked over quickly.
He thought that his first summer as an adult would probably be spent slowly learning to savor these different kinds of love.
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