Chapter 11: Confidence

Lin Second Brother gave her a cold look, his sharp eyes sweeping over the two nephews, "Gu Da Cai, Ercai, are you two alright?"

Ercai saw his second uncle and was full of excitement, "Second Uncle, why are you here?"

Lin Shisheng rubbed Ercai's head, his hands covered in his nephew's sweat, "I heard your mother bumped her head, so your grandmother and I came to take a look."

"Grandmother is here! Second Uncle, I'm going back to see Grandmother," Ercai said happily.

After saying that, he grabbed his brother's wrist and took off running toward their home.

The Lin family was very good to all four of the Gu children, and the little ones liked the people at their grandmother's house very much.

Lin Shisheng was in no hurry to leave.

He looked at Gu Chan, who was being helped up by Gu Dasao and Gu Ersao, and warned coldly: "Our Lin family is not without people. When you provoke my sister, think first about whether you can bear the consequences."

"This is the first time, and I hope it is also the last. If there is a next time, we brothers won't be as easy to talk to as we are now."

Gu Chan was in great pain from being hit, and being warned on top of that, she felt both aggrieved and afraid, sitting there and crying loudly.

Lin Shisheng didn't have a shred of pity for her, leaving with an expressionless face.

Not long after he left, Gu Fu, Gu Mu, Gu Dage, Gu Erge, and the others returned.

Seeing Gu Chan wiping away tears and crying non-stop, they were very puzzled.

"What's wrong?" Gu Mu asked.

Gu Chan pulled up her pant leg, revealing the marks from being hit, and shouted: "What else could it be? It's all your fault! What kind of wife did you pick for my third brother? She bullies her sister-in-law every single day. She bullied me... It would be one thing if she just made me deliver firewood, but she even called her brother to bully me. The bullying never ends, sobbing."

"Father, Mother, Dage, Erge, look at my leg. It was all caused by Lin Zhao's brother hitting me. I don't even know if it will leave a scar. What if it does? The whole Lin family are savages..."

Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang looked speechless, lowering their heads to hide the mockery in their eyes.

Their sister-in-law really knew how to talk; she didn't mention a word about how she used the firewood to hit Gu Da Cai and Ercai.

The Gu family sisters-in-law couldn't speak up directly due to certain reasons, but the Gu family children had no such reservations.

"Bad little aunt." Tie Chui exposed Gu Chan's performance and complained to Gu Fu and Gu Mu: "Grandfather, Grandmother, Little Aunt used that bundle of firewood to hit Gu Da Cai and Ercai!"

Gu Fu and Gu Mu's expressions changed drastically.

They looked at Gu Chan with very strange eyes.

"Is this true?" Gu Mu's gaze swept over everyone else in the family one by one, finally landing on her eldest grandson, Bang Bang.

"Bang Bang, you tell us."

Bang Bang was older after all and expressed himself fluently, telling the story exactly as it happened: "Tie Chui isn't wrong. Little Aunt used firewood to hit Gu Da Cai and Ercai. Gu Da Cai and Ercai's second uncle happened to arrive and kicked the bundle of firewood away with one foot, which is how it ended up hitting Little Aunt."

Gu Chan's expression flickered; she covered her eyes with her arm and secretly gauged Gu Mu's expression.

Gu Mu didn't say anything, a flash of disappointment in her eyes. Holding back her anger, she said to the other members of the family: "Don't just stand here, everyone go back to what you were doing."

Then she and Gu Fu returned to their own room.

Gu Chan was stunned and called out: "Mother, what about me? I'm still hurt."

No one paid her any mind.

Gu Dage and Gu Erge didn't dare to disobey their mother's words either. With helplessness in their eyes, they were pulled back to their rooms by their respective wives.

The eldest branch.

Gu Eldest Brother couldn't let it go. Peering outside through a crack in the window, he asked his wife in a low voice: "What happened again? Why did Chan hit Gu Da Cai and Ercai?"

"Hmph." Huang Xiulan snorted, found a piece of clothing with a hole, and started mending it, saying: "What else? Because the third brother's allowance wasn't spent on her, she's jealous."

"This sister of yours, there's really nothing to say about her. She's not like anyone else in your family at all."

Gu Dage pretended not to hear the last part of the criticism and turned his head: "How did it get linked to the third brother's allowance?"

Huang Xiulan threaded the needle and said unhurriedly: "The third brother's wife bought Gu Da Cai and Ercai 'Warrior' brand shoes, and when the little aunt saw them, she started mocking the two children."

"You know Ercai doesn't take things lying down; that little mouth of his can really talk. He said, 'Little Aunt, are you jealous that my mother has money to spend?' Then the little aunt got angry, and when her temper flared, she started using her hands. If it weren't for the third brother's wife's second brother coming..."

She didn't continue, but those who understood, understood.

Gu Dage frowned, "Chan is becoming more and more unreasonable."

"It's because your family spoils her." Huang Xiulan was very dissatisfied with the sister-in-law who was as lazy as a pig, her heart full of complaints.

Lin Zhao had moved out, so no matter how lazy she was, it was the third branch's business. Gu Chan was different; her laziness came at the expense of her and Liuniang. As the eldest sister-in-law, it was impossible for her not to be dissatisfied.

"You can't say it like that, Chan is still young..." Gu Dage hadn't finished speaking when he was blocked by the half-smile on his wife's face.

"She's sixteen and still young?" Huang Xiulan mocked.

"When I was sixteen, I was already talking about marriage. What didn't I do around the house? Is it just the Gu family's daughter who is precious? Even if she is precious... if you want to spoil her, spoil her yourselves. There's no reason for us daughters-in-law to have to spoil her too."

Seeing that his wife was quite angry, Gu Dage didn't have the heart to worry about his troublesome sister anymore. He moved a small stool over and nudged her leg with his knee.

He started saying nice things.

"I didn't mean for you to spoil her, I was just saying that. Why are you getting angry?"

"Chan isn't young anymore, and she has indeed been spoiled by us. Aren't Father and Mother currently trying to correct her temperament? Perhaps before long... they'll be able to straighten her out."

"Heh." Huang Xiulan gave a lukewarm chuckle, then smiled again and said: "This was just seeing the shoes. If the little aunt knew that the third brother's wife also bought Gu Da Cai children's snowflake cream, she'd definitely be even more jealous."

She knew that the little aunt's box of snowflake cream was almost empty, and she was currently obsessed with wanting a new one.

Gu Da Cai and the others got what she wanted so easily; could Gu Chan not make a scene?

Gu Dage had nothing to say.

His wife wasn't exaggerating at all.

Seeing him silent, Huang Xiulan added: "I'm telling you, Alan, Tie Dan and Tie Chui are both getting older, and our family needs money for many things. You need to keep your head on straight. If that good sister of yours comes to trick you, you are not allowed to be soft-hearted."

Gu Dage said honestly: "I don't have any money anyway. You keep all our family's money, no one can trick me."

Huang Xiulan thought that was true.

Gu Chan's wailing sounded from time to time, but the Gu family all knew her temperament, and no one went out.

Cursing sounds came from outside.

She started cursing her brothers, her sisters-in-law, and didn't even spare Gu Fu and Gu Mu, her mouth full of complaints.

Gu Mu was full of anger, "Look at your good daughter. I said that your mother's stingy, self-centered temperament couldn't raise a good child. Look, Chan's temperament can't be straightened out anymore. She only knows how to compare herself to others, and today she even laid hands on her own nephews. It's a good thing Chenghuai wasn't home. If he were, Chan would have been hung up and beaten by him."

Since it concerned his own mother, Gu Fu couldn't comment and could only laugh it off.

"There's still a chance to straighten her out, there's still a chance."

"Chance my foot!" Gu Mu lowered her voice and cursed, "She's already sixteen and should be getting married soon. With this temperament of hers, whoever she marries will be ruined. If you don't believe me, just watch; you'll have plenty to worry about later."

Thinking of the mother-in-law who had spoiled Gu Chan, Gu Mu was so angry she kept gasping for air.

Gu Fu was also worried. With a deep sigh, he couldn't say anything more.

Outside, after Gu Chan cried for a while and saw that no one in the family was paying her any mind, she sprang up from the stool and ran out of the Gu house like the wind.

She headed straight for her grandparents' place.

Gu's grandparents were long-lived people and were still alive, but they lived with their youngest son.

Gu Fu was caught in the middle and wasn't favored, but fortunately, the old couple hadn't treated their own son too badly.

The reason the old lady had taken Gu Chan away was that Gu Chan looked like her own mother. Who knew that Gu Chan would be spoiled rotten by her ancestors, becoming overbearing and arrogant, unable to get along with anyone.

"Grandmother." Gu Chan cried out.

Gu Grandmother was old, and her hearing wasn't that good. It took several calls from Gu Chan before she heard her.

"Is that Chan?" the old lady asked, preparing to get off the bed, "Why do I hear Chan crying? Who bullied my Chan?"

The mistress of this house, the old lady's youngest daughter-in-law, rolled her eyes up to the wooden beams.

She curled her lips.

Bully Gu Chan?

With that girl's overbearing and fierce temperament, who would dare bully her.

Gu Grandmother didn't know her youngest daughter-in-law's thoughts. She lifted the bamboo curtain and went out, and a figure rushed over, nearly knocking the old lady down.

Fortunately, her youngest son was following behind. He reached out to steady his mother, his voice tinged with severity out of lingering fear: "Gu Chan, what's the rush? What if you bumped into your grandmother!"

Gu Chan's face turned pale, and her eyes were as swollen as two eggs hanging in her eye sockets.

"I didn't know Grandmother was right at the door." She lowered her head and explained weakly.

Gu Grandmother patted her youngest son's arm, "Mother is fine. Chan didn't do it on purpose, don't fuss with a junior."

After pacifying her son, her cloudy eyes looked at Gu Chan, "Why are you crying? Who bullied you? Tell Grandmother, and Grandmother will go get justice for you."

Gu Chan's eyes were misty, "It was my third sister-in-law's second brother. He hit me."

Upon hearing this, Gu Grandmother, who had been aggressive just a moment ago, instantly fell silent.

It was someone from Chenghuai's wife's maternal family.

Thinking of the terrifying rumors about Lin Zhao's mother being a she-devil, Gu Grandmother took Gu Chan into the room with her bark-like, rough hands, saying: "Chan, you came at the right time. Grandmother has saved some sugar for you. Come, let's go into Grandmother's room and eat."

She didn't mention a word about getting justice for her granddaughter.

Gu's youngest aunt's expression became even uglier, and she took a deep breath while looking at the backs of the old woman and the young girl.

Her own grandson couldn't even eat that sugar, so why give it to Gu Chan?

The biased old woman.

Gu family's third branch.

Lin Zhao held onto her mother's waist for dear life, dragging her with all her might, only then dispelling her mother's intention to go to the Gu family's old house to beat up Gu Chan.

Lin Mu was a bully in the neighboring brigade, the kind who had fought everyone under the sun and was invincible. Her strength was terrifying; ordinary men couldn't beat her, and no one in the brigade dared to provoke her.

Her reputation was known throughout the Harvest Brigade.

"Why are you stopping me? Why are you stopping me? Gu Chan dared to push you, I can beat her face into a pulp. Let go!" Lin Mu was burning with rage.

Every time she thought about learning from an old friend that her Zhao Zhao had been pushed and had a big bump on her forehead, she really wanted to tear the culprit apart.

Lin Mu had killed bandits before and had a fierce temperament; when her temper flared, she didn't recognize anyone. Lin Zhao was afraid she couldn't hold her mother back, so she called for the twins.

"Quiet Quiet San Zai, Fourth Cub, hurry and help Mother hold onto your grandmother."

The twins didn't understand her words, but the two little ones were at the age where they loved to imitate people, so they imitated their mother and hugged their grandmother's legs.

Lin Mu was almost laughed into a good mood by them.

Angry, she reached out and poked Lin Zhao's forehead, knowing her own strength was great, she eased up on most of the force as she poked.

"With a temperament like mine, how did I give birth to such a soft-hearted daughter? It's really going to be the death of me."

Lin Mu picked up the twins, one in each arm, and sat down angrily.

She had short hair and looked very fierce. She wore a gray top and black pants, with patches on the shoulders and pant legs, but they were washed very clean, and she looked like a whirlwind of energy.

Lin Zhao's eyes were filled with smiles as she sat down next to her mother.

"Mother, don't be angry yet. I haven't even said a word."

"Then speak, speak right now. Let's see what excuse you can come up with to stop me." Lin Mu deliberately kept a straight face.

Lin Zhao explained: "My mother-in-law compensated me ten yuan for the little aunt, Gu Chenghuai doesn't have to bear her tuition and living expenses anymore, and Gu Chan can't come to my house again. I've already agreed with my mother-in-law. If you go over there, wouldn't that just give Gu Chan a chance to latch onto us? I don't want that."

"It's pretty good right now, really."

"The old house is in the wrong and is a step below me. No matter what request I make, they agree. I don't have to deal with the troublesome little aunt in the future. I'm very happy."

Lin Mu was most afraid of her only daughter suffering grievances. Hearing her say this, the anger in her heart dissipated a little.

Ten yuan was not a small amount, and most importantly, her son-in-law didn't have to worry about that vicious girl's school expenses anymore. That was fine.

"Since you say so, Mother will believe you. You are the daughter I gave birth to. I never let you suffer even the slightest grievance, and the Gu family shouldn't think about giving you any either."

"If you can't stay in the Harvest Brigade, just come home. Our family has a place for you and the four cubs."

A warm current surged in Lin Zhao's heart.

From childhood to adulthood, her mother had indeed never let her suffer the slightest grievance.

Even now, her maternal home still had a room for her.

This gave her the courage to fight against everything.

"I have my own plans."

Lin Mu's tense expression softened slightly, "As long as you have your plans, that's good."

"That little sister-in-law of yours is really a home-wrecker. I don't know how her mother taught her." Thinking of her daughter's sister-in-law, she looked disgusted.

Lin Zhao had never taken the little aunt's trouble to heart. She smiled faintly and said: "She can be willful at her parents' home, but later on... there will always be someone to teach her."

"Let's not talk about her. Mother, how did you know I bumped my head?"

Lin Mu was mysterious, "Don't you worry about that."

"Just remember to protect yourself and the four cubs in the future. If anything happens, have someone send me a message."

Lin Zhao was puzzled, but she couldn't think of anyone who could be her mother's eyes and ears.

"I know."

Lin Mu's expression was serious, "Don't just say it, keep it in your heart."

"I said it the day you got married, but what about you?"

"You didn't even send me a message about something as big as bumping your head. Do you know how worried I was when I heard the news? And your father, your father's health isn't good to begin with. When he heard you had an accident, he almost fainted. It's all because you, this silly girl, don't have a mouth!"

Speaking of her old man, she couldn't help but roll her eyes at her daughter.

Lin Zhao was anxious and worried, "Is Father okay?"

"It's an old problem, he has to lie down for a few days," Lin Mu said.

"I'll go back tomorrow to see Father," Lin Zhao was worried.

"That's fine, your father misses you too. If I hadn't stopped him, he would have wanted to come see you." Lin Mu placed the Third and Fourth Cubs on her lap, touching the twins' little faces.

The two little buns raised sweet smiles, smiles that could melt the Iron Lady's heart.

"Quiet Quiet San Zai and Fourth Cub have lost weight. Look at these faces, they aren't even half the size of yours when you were little."

As a grandmother, she felt sorry for her grandchildren and couldn't help but lecture her daughter a few times.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 12 =====