Chapter 33, Grade 8
On the second day of the Lunar New Year, the atmosphere at the Gu family's small building was even more lively.
The second brother, Gu Jianjun, and his family, along with the fourth brother, Gu Weimin, and his family, all went back to their wives' parents' home.
Instead, the eldest brother Gu Weiguo and his family, who had traveled a long way from the Northwest, and the third sister Gu Min and her family, who had returned from the military region of a neighboring province.
Gu Weiguo was tall and robust, with a dark and rough face typical of someone who had been stationed on the Northwest Plateau for many years, exuding a dignified and imposing presence.
He was a man of few words. Upon entering, he first gave Commander Gu a standard military salute and called out "Dad" in a loud voice.
His wife, Li Xiuqin, was around forty years old. She wore a simple gray Lenin suit and her short hair was neatly combed. She looked like a military spouse who was good at managing the household.
Their two sons, the older one named Gu Yong, was fifteen or sixteen years old, with a straight posture and a quiet demeanor; the younger one named Gu Meng was twelve or thirteen years old, with a clever look in his eyes.
The third sister, Gu Min, is a military doctor. She has a gentle yet capable demeanor and a friendly smile.
Her husband, Zhao Zhigang, is the division commander of a military region in a neighboring province. He is tall, cheerful, and open-minded.
They had with their twin daughters, Zhao Jing and Zhao Ning, who were about eight or nine years old. They were wearing matching red plaid cotton-padded jackets and had their hair in pigtails. They looked around the unfamiliar surroundings with curiosity and a little shyness.
The living room was filled with lively greetings and pleasantries.
Gu Min held Nan Zhiyi's hand, her eyes filled with pure admiration: "Seeing is believing, Zhiyi. With your looks and demeanor, no wonder you've captivated our fifth son."
Li Xiuqin smiled gently and nodded: "Yes, the fifth brother is blessed."
The eldest brother, Gu Weiguo, simply nodded slightly to Nan Zhiyi, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment before turning to Gu Xiao. The two brothers exchanged a brief glance, everything understood without a word.
Zhao Zhigang patted Gu Xiao on the shoulder heartily: "Good lad! You're quick!"
Lunch was as plentiful as ever.
During the meal, Gu Yong and Gu Meng ate their food properly, occasionally stealing curious glances at their beautiful and gentle fifth aunt.
The twin sisters, Zhao Jing and Zhao Ning, whispered to each other.
The atmosphere was more harmonious and natural than on New Year's Eve, with less of the deliberate formality.
Gu Min was laughing as she recounted the amusing stories from the hospital.
Gu Meng, probably feeling the atmosphere was relaxed, suddenly interjected and asked, "Fifth Aunt, I heard your family used to own a large yarn factory? Were you very wealthy? Did the factory have lots and lots of looms?"
The dinner table fell silent instantly.
Li Xiuqin snapped, "Mengzi! What nonsense are you spouting! Eat!"
Gu Weiguo's thick eyebrows were tightly furrowed.
Gu Xiao picked up the food without pausing, placing it steadily into Nan Zhiyi's bowl before raising his eyes. His gaze calmly swept over Gu Meng and landed on Gu Weiguo's face.
That gaze was like ice, instantly extinguishing the boy's curiosity.
Gu Weiguo said in a deep voice: "Don't you know the rules! You're not allowed to talk while eating!"
Gu Meng lowered his head and ate his rice.
Commander Gu put down his chopsticks, his gaze stern: "The past is the past. Especially in front of the children, not a single word is to be mentioned. Keep your mouths shut. The well-being of the Gu family is more important than anything else. This is discipline."
His voice was soft, but every word carried immense weight.
The children seemed to understand, but the adults felt a chill and readily agreed.
The afternoon sun shone obliquely.
Commander Gu takes a nap in his study.
Gu Xiao was summoned by Gu Weiguo to discuss matters.
Nan Zhiyi accompanied Gu Min and Li Xiuqin to drink tea in the side hall.
Only Zhao Zhigang and a few children remained in the living room.
Zhao Jing and Zhao Ning are reading comic books, Gu Yong is reading a book by the window, and Gu Meng is playing with a tin frog.
Gu Yan leaned against the archway, playing with a silver lighter that made a soft "click" sound as it was opened and closed.
In the living room, Zhao Zhigang lowered his voice and sighed to Gu Yong, "Your fifth uncle... he's too audacious. His identity is a ticking time bomb. If things get tense, the entire Gu family..."
Gu Yong, mature beyond his years, said, "Dad said that what Fifth Uncle is doing... is too risky. That Fifth Aunt seems nice, but..."
“Who can argue with that?” Zhao Zhigang sighed. “Fifth Brother is capable, but he’s so impulsive about this. Why did he have to marry someone else…?”
"What do you mean by 'must'?" Gu Yan interrupted coldly.
Zhao Zhigang and Gu Yong looked up in surprise.
Gu Yan had already stood beside the sofa at some point, holding a lighter, his face expressionless.
"Sixth...Sixth Uncle?" Gu Yong stood up nervously.
Zhao Zhigang composed himself and forced a smile: "Sixth Brother, we were talking about..."
“I heard it. ‘We all prosper together, we all suffer together,’ ‘Keep your eyes open and keep your mind straight,’ ‘Consider the big picture!’ That’s what Dad told me on New Year’s Eve.”
Zhao Zhigang's face was grim: "Sixth Brother, we're worried..."
"Worried?" Gu Yan scoffed. "Worried but you don't talk to Dad? Don't talk to Fifth Brother? Gossiping behind people's backs? Do you think Dad is confused? That Fifth Brother can't protect people? Do you want to try going against Dad and Fifth Brother and tearing the Gu family apart?"
"Gu Yan!" Zhao Zhigang was so embarrassed by the stab that he lost face.
Gu Yan pressed further: "Who Fifth Brother marries is his business! If Dad approves, it's the Gu family's business! Anyone who dares to bring up class status or bombshells behind my back, especially in front of Fifth Sister-in-law, don't blame me for tearing things apart and exposing these 'concerns' to Dad and Fifth Brother! Let's see who suffers the consequences!"
Zhao Zhigang's face turned ashen, and he was speechless.
Gu Yong dared not utter a sound, while Gu Meng hid behind his brother.
Gu Yan coldly glanced around, snorted, snapped the lighter shut, and strode away.
The snow in the small pavilion in the backyard had not yet melted.
Gu Xiao stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the last bit of snow on the withered branch.
Gu Yan strolled over, his hands in his pockets.
"Brother, you were looking for me?" He took out his cigarette case.
"Yeah. I haven't had a chance to talk to you in the few days since I got back."
Gu Yan lit a cigarette, struck a match to light it, and took a deep drag: "I know you're busy, new bride, and this whole family."
Gu Xiao turned around, his expression filled with brotherly concern, "Are you determined to cause trouble, to not wear the military uniform and go into business?"
Gu Yan exhaled a smoke ring and shrugged: "Wearing a military uniform is so boring, all those T-shirts and rules. The outside world is vast, full of opportunities, and you can make money quickly."
"Have you thought it through?"
"I've thought it through."
Gu Xiao was silent for a moment, then nodded: "Okay. Since you've made up your mind, then do it. If you need anything, just tell me. Stay on the right path. Don't bring shame to the Gu family."
Gu Yan was a little surprised: "Thanks, bro, you're really a good friend. Don't worry, I'll definitely do things the right way! When I make money, you'll get your share!"
Gu Xiao didn't respond to that, "There's something else."
Gu Yan's heart skipped a beat when he saw Gu Yan's gaze: "...What is it?"
"Zhou Zhengping, stay away from him. Don't mention Zhiyi at all in front of him."
Gu Yan's eyes flickered.
Gu Xiao: "Those things from the past are all in the past. She's your sister-in-law now."
His gaze pressed heavily on Gu Yan's face. "Stop having those inappropriate thoughts. Gu Yan, don't make me take action."
Gu Yan subconsciously took a half step back.
He'd experienced firsthand how painful his brother's beatings were.
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