After hearing Gao Jing's introduction, Gu Baoshan's body stiffened for a moment, but his expression remained unchanged as he called out "Hello, uncle."

When Gao's father saw the young man standing in front of him, his eyes never left him. His look was not one of kindness from an elder looking at a younger person, but rather one of calculation.

There was no hiding the greed on his skinny face.

Gu Baoshan didn't say anything, and Gao Jing couldn't hold it in any longer. She forced a smile and said, "Dad, let's go inside and talk."

"Okay, okay, let's go inside and talk."

The three of them went into the house and sat down. Gu Baoshan did not speak, and Gao's father watched him quietly. As time passed, Gao's father rubbed his hands and asked his daughter, "Jing, you are living together now, when are you planning to get married?"

"Dad, we don't live here. This is my boyfriend's house. The school left a practical assignment, and there is no place to practice it when I go home, so I borrowed a house to live here, and he lives in his own house."

"That's true, but it won't sound good if it gets out. Outsiders may not see this."

Gao Jing's mouth stretched, "Dad, if you don't tell me, no one will know. After I lent the house to you, my boyfriend never came over. I asked him to come over this time just to let you see him."

"There is no impenetrable wall in the world. Now that you two have confirmed your relationship, when have you thought about getting married?"

"Just wait until you're done with your work." Gao Jing said.

"When will you finish your work? What are you busy with at school now? Jing, don't be perfunctory with Dad. You know your family has found a good marriage for you. Now you postpone the marriage. Who knows if the one you will marry in the future will be better than this one? If you settle the matter now, I can also refuse the family's request. If you say that he is your partner, how can I explain it to your mother?"

"Dad, aren't you the one who makes the decisions in our family? When did my mom make the decisions?" Gao Jing stood up. "It's getting late. I bought you a ticket to go back this afternoon. I'll take you to the station."

Gu Baoshan also stood up at the same time, "Uncle Gao, I bought you some things, just take them back."

Father Gao twitched the corners of his dry mouth, "Who do you think I am? You can just give me some things and get rid of me? I just care about my daughter."

"Uncle, I understand what you mean. I promise to treat Xiaojing well. We are studying now, and I think it is more important to focus on our studies. When we are assigned jobs, the company will also provide housing. It will not be too late to consider marriage then." Gu Baoshan took out a brown paper envelope from his pocket. "This is a little gift from me. Uncle, take it back and buy some New Year's goods for the New Year. Consider it a token of my love for Xiaojing and me."

Father Gao stretched out his hand to pull the envelope, took out the money and took a look at it, saying, "Since it is your intention, I will accept it, but I am not selling my daughter."

Gao Jing looked at Gu Baoshan with gratitude, then turned her head away in shame.

There were things and money. After the two of them sent the person to the car, the grievance that Gao Jing had been holding in her heart turned into tears.

Gu Baoshan took out a handkerchief and handed it to her. "We don't have the chance to choose whether our parents are good or bad, but we can change people's lives through our own efforts. Besides, our parents gave us life, no matter what they are like, we must learn to be grateful. Your father is like this because he is forced by the difficulties of life, and it is not his fault."

Gao Jing's embarrassment faded a little. "Senior Gu, I'm sorry. You must look down on me when you see me like this, right? Do you think I'm hypocritical? In fact, I know I shouldn't hate my dad. Compared with the people in the village, I'm already happy. But every time I see him sacrificing my whole life for that little bit of money, I can't help but feel sad."

"Senior Gu, thank you." Gao Jing bowed deeply.

After arriving in the city, she was dazzled by everything in front of her. She felt more and more that her parents were a burden, which made her anxious. However, she forgot that they were the people who gave birth to her and raised her. How could she get rid of them?

Senior Gu’s words were like a window. When the window opened, the depression in the room dissipated.

The two did not take the bus. Although the weather was very cold and there were many pedestrians on the street, the two outsiders did not feel a sense of belonging. They walked slowly and talked along the way, which also dispelled the coldness of this winter.

Unconsciously, they returned to the outside of the community. Gu Baoshan stopped and said, "Gao Jing, you are a good girl. I have been watching you for the past six months since you entered the school. I also know that you don't get along well with the people in your dormitory. I think the people in your dormitory are not bad. You can try to get along well with them."

"Senior Gu, I understand." Gao Jing avoided Gu Baoshan's gaze embarrassedly.

"I've said it today, so I'll say a few more words. If you think it's right, listen to it. If it's not right, just ignore it." Gu Baoshan was humble, and his words made people feel like they were bathed in spring breeze, without any disgust. "You and Ji Ling both came from small places. Ji Ling is very smart and knows how to slowly integrate into the circle, and make herself feel free when getting along with everyone."

"If you can't get along with her, you can try to observe and learn. Learning to cook is all about stealing skills, and this stealing of skills can be integrated into anything. When people grow up, they will encounter many people and things they don't like, but we can't just avoid them. Life is short but also long. Our life has just begun. Only those who learn to survive in this environment can be the winners."

"That's a bit much, but it's just my opinion, you just need to listen to it."

"No, Senior Gu is right. The problem is indeed with me when it comes to getting along with my classmates." Gao Jing suddenly realized what she was missing after leading a repressed life.

Gu Baoshan made no secret of his admiration for her, "You are a smart girl, you know what you want and you are willing to work hard. I believe that as long as you take the right path, you will succeed."

Before leaving, he added, "If there's anything else at home that needs you, you can come to me."

"Senior Gu, I'll return the money to you."

"No, I don't have much money. During the holidays in the past few years, I have worked odd jobs with the help of my teacher and saved some money. You are in urgent need now, so I will use it first. You can pay me back when you make money in the future."

Gu Baoshan left. Gao Jing stood there watching people cross the road and then enter the school. When she couldn't see anyone anymore, she turned around and entered the community. She also saw Ji Ling and Zhu Heping walking towards her not far away.

Thinking of Senior Gu's words, Gao Jing bit her lip and walked over, "Ji Ling, I'm sorry."

After she finished speaking, she bowed deeply, raised her head and said, "My dad almost hurt you yesterday. I'm sorry."

(End of this chapter)