Chapter 483 Two Families
Li Xiuqin came out of the room where her two sons were temporarily staying.
This bedroom is the room of guard Xiao Li, but Xiao Li is not here now. There are many people in the house, so Gu Yong and Gu Meng are staying here temporarily.
Back in the bedroom, Gu Weiguo leaned against the headboard, smoking. His brows were slightly furrowed, and he seemed lost in thought. The dim light accentuated the deep wrinkles on his forehead and the noticeable white hair at his temples.
"Aren't you going to sleep yet? You've had a long day." Li Xiuqin took off her coat, sat down in bed, and asked in a low voice.
Gu Weiguo exhaled a smoke ring. "Dad seems to be in alright today, but his hands seem to be shaking more noticeably."
Li Xiuqin sighed, "Didn't the doctor say last time that this illness is like this, and we can only try our best to manage it? Fortunately, Dad has a good attitude. He was really happy to see Xiao Liu get married today."
"Hmm." Gu Weiguo responded, paused for a moment, and then said, "Sixth Sister-in-law... is too extravagant. Gold bracelets, and those things for the children..."
As the eldest son, Gu Weiguo has always been accustomed to a steady and pragmatic approach, and is exceptionally sensitive to anything that might disrupt the balance or cause conflict. Chen Anna's overly extravagant gift... is truly rare for this generation of the Gu family.
“The Chen family is rich and willing to give, so we can’t stop them.”
Li Xiuqin was more optimistic. "As long as Xiao Liu can stand on his own two feet and his wife's family is strong, it's not a bad thing for the Gu family. It's better than finding someone who will hold them back. Besides, I think Anna, although she's young, is quite sensible in her words and actions, and she's very respectful to Zhiyi."
"So, we can just relax. But... Jianjun and his wife, their faces today..." She didn't finish her sentence, shaking her head.
She doesn't expect to get back the money her husband lent to his second wife.
Gu Weiguo frowned again.
His feelings for his second brother, who had once strayed but had now barely returned to his former position, were the most complex. There was frustration at his brother's disappointment, a deep sense of kinship, and above all, a feeling of powerlessness.
He said, "Dad gave them the opportunity and arranged a job. From now on... it's up to them. There's only so much we can do to help. If we help more... it will only cause more trouble."
"It's good that you know." Li Xiuqin didn't bring up the money again, lest she hurt her husband's feelings. Anyway, he didn't have any money to lend out now. Xiaoyong was about to graduate and needed to settle down and buy a house in Beijing, so he didn't dare to support his younger brother anymore.
"Seeing Xiufen like that...it's really hard to bear. We're all family, all daughters-in-law..."
She didn't continue, but instead brought up something more practical, "By the way, Xiaoyong is graduating this summer, and about job assignments... I mentioned it to Zhiyi a couple of days ago, and she remembered it, saying she'll have Lao Wu keep an eye out for him. It's just that Xiaoyong is so stubborn, I'm afraid he won't want to rely on his family."
Mentioning his eldest son, Gu Weiguo's face showed helplessness: "This child, his personality is like mine when I was young, stubborn. He always feels that relying on family connections is not honorable. But in this world... sometimes having ability alone does not guarantee that you can go to the places you should be."
He looked at his wife and said, "You should talk to Zhiyi again and tell her not to hesitate to ask Lao Wu for help when needed. Lao Wu isn't stingy; he understands."
“Yes, Zhiyi thinks so too, saying we’re family and there’s no need to stand on ceremony.” Li Xiuqin agreed, then thought of her youngest son, “Xiao Meng did alright on his final exams this time, except for physics, which he struggled with. I’m thinking of finding him a tutor after the New Year…”
The couple chatted quietly about everyday things, their conversation shifting from their son's future to potential personnel changes at their respective workplaces after the new year...
He stubbed out his cigarette and lay down. Li Xiuqin turned off the light, plunging the room into darkness.
The atmosphere in Gu Min and Zhao Zhigang's temporary guest room was somber. The room was small, with a curtain separating a small area. Two cots were placed side by side, and the twins and their youngest son were already fast asleep.
Zhao Zhigang lay on his back on the bed, his collar open, his face flushed, his eyes fixed on the ceiling, muttering, "That kid Gu Yan... he's really climbed the social ladder... the Chen family, tsk..."
Gu Min lay with her back to him, her eyes showing tired shadows.
Zhao Zhigang leaned closer, his breath, reeking of alcohol, brushing against the back of her neck: "Hey, you know... should I try to find another opportunity to speak with Lao Wu alone tomorrow? There were too many people around today, and we didn't get to the point..."
Gu Min didn't turn her head; what welled up in her heart wasn't anger, but numbness.
She had heard these words for over a decade.
"What are you saying? Don't you know Fifth Brother's temper? If he doesn't want to get involved, no one can persuade him. Last time he went there with his things, didn't he even step inside?"
Zhao Zhigang's face twitched, somewhat embarrassed: "Well... well, that was just bad timing! It's different now. Gu Yan is married now, and the brothers can look after each other. As for us..."
"Gu Yan is Gu Yan, and you are you." Gu Min's tone was like an ice pick, instantly shattering Zhao Zhigang's self-deceptive illusions. "Gu Xiao only maintains a superficial relationship with the eldest brother, let alone with you? I've said it many times before, Dad is still alive, and he acknowledges you as his brother-in-law. Later..."
She didn't finish her sentence, but both of them understood what the unspoken words were.
Zhao Zhigang's face turned even redder, a surge of anger rising within him. "Then what do you mean? You're just going to let me watch? Gu Xiao is about to move up again, and if he lets even a little slip through his fingers, it'll be enough for us..."
"What's enough for us?" Gu Min turned sharply to look at him, her once bright eyes now empty and mocking. "Is it enough for you to run for that position that you'll never get? Or is it enough for you to fill those never-ending holes of social obligations?"
Zhao Zhigang was panting heavily, veins throbbing on his forehead, but he couldn't find any words to refute him.
He glared at her, and she stared back without flinching.
After a long while, Zhao Zhigang slumped down like a punctured balloon, his bluffing spirit vanishing without a trace.
He sighed heavily and turned to face the wall.
Gu Min stopped looking at him, turned back to him, and said, "Anyway, if you want to find Lao Wu, go by yourself."
Zhao Zhigang remained in the darkness for a few more moments before finally pulling the blanket over his head.
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