Chapter 430: You

Lin Zhao pressed her lips together. “Aren’t you afraid your parents will think you heartless?”

“How could they?” Gu Chenghuai’s gaze was calm. “They know I’m busy. Besides, we’re this far away—going back is genuinely inconvenient. I didn’t lie.”

“I’m not saying you lied. I just think… you’re too calm about it. I worry your parents will hold a grudge.” Lin Zhao said.

“They won’t.” Gu Chenghuai shook his head.

He knew his parents—they’d never force their moral views onto their children.

They knew he’d been more than fair to Gu Xing’er—

He paid for her tuition; other girls had no living allowance or new clothes, but she had both.

If Gu Xing’er hadn’t targeted Zhao Zhao, bullied his children, and nearly destroyed his family, he’d never have treated her so coldly.

In the end, that real, vivid dream had affected Gu Chenghuai.

In the dream—

His beloved girl was gone.

His wife, barely surviving childbirth, lost child after child—all because Gu Xing’er accidentally killed his Zhao Zhao.

Five lives.

Including his own, half-dead one—six lives total.

The lives of his entire family.

The worst part was…

Gu Chenghuai always felt it had all happened before.

So he couldn’t possibly see Gu Xing’er as the beloved little sister anymore.

“Fine, I’ll follow your lead—I didn’t want to go back anyway.” Lin Zhao now missed her own parents; all she needed to do was take a bus to Haicheng, much easier than before.

She hadn’t returned to her hometown in a long time.

“Mm.” Gu Chenghuai replied.

Lin Zhao added, “Sister-in-law said the electric motor factory is building a branch plant. Did you hear anything about it? What’s going on?!”

“I heard a bit.” Gu Chenghuai looked at her. “Do you remember Tian Ruo and Cheng Xiaoxiao, who left the brigade?”

"Of course." The little unlucky soul from the original novel who died because of Lu Baozhen, and her mother—Lin Zhao remembered them vividly.

“The comrade who came to pick them up, Cheng Li, donated one of his technologies to the electric motor factory. Because of that tech, the factory decided to build a branch plant.” Gu Chenghuai explained.

“There were conditions, right?” Lin Zhao asked.

Gu Chenghuai gave her a look that said, “Very smart.” “Yes. The condition: priority hiring for Fengshou Brigade members.”

Lin Zhao sighed. “What a decent man. Good. If you don’t want to be self-employed, you can join the factory—finally a respectable job to support your family. That’s great.”

Gu Chenghuai nodded. “Yes.”

“There are plenty of educated boys in the village—all of them got in. Second brother says the brigade chief laughed so hard his jaw dislocated, had to get acupuncture for days.” He added.

Lin Zhao couldn’t help laughing.

Then she remembered the bad news from home and realized laughing so brightly was inappropriate—she swallowed the laugh.

Gu Chenghuai was speechless.

…

After Gu Xing’er’s burial, Gu Fu accidentally learned from his grandson that Zhang Aijun had beaten her, and the Zhang family never treated her like a person.

The old man flew into a rage and took all his sons and grandsons to the Zhang household, beating the Zhang men black and blue; several women who had bullied Gu Xing’er were clawed and scratched by the Gu family’s daughters-in-law, beaten severely.

The Zhang household echoed with wails and cries for help.

Neighbors stayed silent.

The Zhangs were simply vile—raised sons who stole and pilfered, stared greedily at pretty girls, drooling like fools, embarrassingly crude.

If not for the crackdown, who knows how many girls would’ve been driven to tears.

“Pah! Finally got what they deserved!” The Zhangs’ elderly neighbor woman felt utterly satisfied.

Before reform, she’d finally gotten a few ounces of meat, just started stewing it, and when she stepped into the room for something, the Zhang boy had stolen and eaten it all!

She went to demand an explanation from Old Zhang, who acted like a thug, denied everything, and shouted for proof!

Good heavens, was she blind? Couldn’t she see the grease on her grandson’s mouth?

Ever since, the two families were enemies—every meeting turned into a shouting match, each worse than the other.

The daughter-in-law felt just as satisfied. “They really think she has no family! Even if Aijun’s wife was estranged from her kin, once they knew their daughter was being abused, they’d fly into a rage—see? Karma’s here!”

The two women pressed their heads together, peering through the window crack, straining to watch next door.

Other neighbors did the same.

Old Zhang sat on the stairway, wailing.

“Thugs! A gang of thugs! I’m going to report this to the Public Security Bureau…”

No one responded.

Gu Mu dug her nails into Zhang Aijun’s shrewish mother’s face, glaring at her with murder in her eyes.

She warned:

“My daughter is gone. From now on, the Gu family has nothing to do with you! If you dare use our name to swindle people outside, I’ll peel your skin off!”

After speaking, she called everyone and left immediately.

As for the children Gu Xing’er bore, they didn’t take them.

The old couple understood clearly.

They were old; if they took the children home, they’d burden the eldest and second daughters-in-law. Too much care or too little—either way, problems.

The daughters-in-law had grudges against Xing’er; even if they cared for her children, resentment would creep in. Better to leave them with the Zhangs.

After all, they were Zhang blood—their father was still alive. Food and clothing wouldn’t be an issue.

The eldest and second sons would visit every six months. They believed the Zhangs wouldn’t dare go too far.

The old couple thought this, unaware that the children had begun to resent them.

So rich, yet wouldn’t take them home for a better life!

Mom was right—the Gu family was no good.

When they grew up and succeeded, they’d never let the Gu family benefit—they’d avenge their mother.

Gu Yucheng turned around and saw the hatred in his nephews’ eyes—his heart instantly turned cold.

Hmph.

A Gu Xing’er who held grudges against her own family—what kind of morally upright children could she raise… He’d clearly overthought it.

He needed a way to keep his parents far away from these kids—before they were manipulated.

Gu Yucheng began plotting.

The opportunity came soon.

Word reached the Gu household that Zhiqian was coming home for the New Year.

Gu Mu, concerned for her grandson, told Gu Fu: “Zhiqian has few holidays; it’s hard for him to come back. Why don’t we go to the capital to visit Lao San?”

“Lao San bought a house—we’ve never been there, don’t even know which way the door opens. What do you say? And isn’t this perfect timing—you’ve been dying to see the flag-raising ceremony? I’ll go with you.”

Gu Xing’er’s sudden death had devastated the old couple most.

They’d always said, “We’ll pretend she never existed,” speaking harshly—but after losing her, a hollow space opened in their hearts, and every memory brought pain.

It was precisely to distract the old man that Gu Mu made this suggestion.

Before Gu Fu could speak, Gu Yucheng’s eyes lit up. “Go! See the flag-raising! Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted, Father? Go! We’ll hold down the fort here.”

Gu Yuanshan added, “Yes. Lao San’s family won’t waste time traveling. You two can stay with them longer.”

Gu Fu was deeply tempted.

Seeing his wife’s swollen eyes, he gritted his teeth. “Go! We’re going to the capital.”

After deciding, Gu Yucheng feared they’d change their minds and immediately called his third brother.

Upon hearing the news, Gu Chenghuai had a police officer help book the tickets.

He told Lin Zhao when he returned home.

“I say your parents shouldn’t go back home at all—stay in the capital. If they feel uncomfortable living with their daughters-in-law, just move into the villa in Haicheng. Big cities have better medical care and convenience. They’re old—they deserve to enjoy themselves.” Lin Zhao said.

Gu Chenghuai looked helpless. “For your parents, home is hard to leave. It’s not surprising they don’t want to settle in Haicheng.”

He wanted them to, but he had no confidence he could persuade them.

“They’ll get used to it,” Lin Zhao said. “At first, it’ll be strange—but once they find it interesting, even if you tell them to go back, they might not want to.”

“What’s so interesting?” Gu Chenghuai asked.

He was rigid, his life dull. Since arriving at the military district, he’d been swamped with duties, spending most time inside the compound—he hadn’t gone out exploring with Lin Zhao in ages.

Lin Zhao was different—she loved trying every new thing.

“Arcades! Dancing at discos! Watching plays… Just walking around the square is fun!”

“Why did your second son go to Haicheng? Because Haicheng has more fun things! I bet Heng Bao dragged Li Bao around until they were exhausted.”

Gu Chenghuai had no reason to doubt it—his second son was like that, curious about everything, just like his mother, willing to try anything.

He thought for a moment, then had an idea.

He called his son at a spare moment and gave Gu Zhihang a task.

Heng Bao, having fun: “??”

Li Bao too: “!!!”

“What do we do?” the latter asked.

Gu Zhihang rubbed his temples. “Try hard, of course.” He spread his hands, bluntly.

“If Grandpa and Grandma really don’t want to keep us, there’s nothing we can do—just try our best.”

This was the first time Mom and Dad asked me to handle something; I had to get it done, or I’d look like a useless son.

Gu Zhiqian scratched his head. “Grandpa and Grandma don’t like video games or dancing… they only like farming. Should we clear all the land around the villa and let them farm it?”

Gu Zhihang’s expression froze—he told him to shut up.

“Stop giving ideas. I’ll think of something.”

Gu Zhiqian sighed in relief.

To keep Gu Fu and Gu Mu in Haicheng, Gu Zhihang wrote pages of plans, even recruiting his own grandparents, using every trick—challenges, bribes, everything.

The old Gu couple didn’t know any of this yet.

Even though Haicheng had traps waiting for them, the tickets were bought—they still boarded the journey.

After opening up, government travel policies gradually loosened, and trains were always packed.

Gu Fu could read, had guts, wasn’t afraid of long trips, and simply took his wife and left; Gu Yuan Shan wanted to see them off but was shooed away.

The old couple first arrived in Haicheng to check out the place.

When they saw the villa, Gu Mu was speechless.

“This big yard… really ours?!” she stammered.

Gu Fu was also startled—he hadn’t expected it to be this big. He’d thought his son was exaggerating, but it was truly enormous.

This wasn’t a little villa—it was a huge mansion!

“Yes,” Gu Zhihang replied, leading Grandpa and Grandma to their room.

“Grandpa, Grandma, this is your room. It’s on the first floor—no stairs, great view, everything’s here, nothing’s missing. If you need anything, tell me—Zhiqian and I will buy it. We know Haicheng inside out—we could find our way blindfolded.”

“So amazing!” Gu Mu praised her grandson without thinking, “You two went wild, didn’t you?”

Before Gu Zhihang could answer, Gu Mu pulled out a handkerchief stuffed with cash to give him money.

“Is your pocket money enough? If not, Grandma gives you more. I haven’t spent a single cent of the money you two gave me for filial piety, or the pension your dad gave me—I’ve saved it all for you.”

Gu Zhihang glanced—the balance on the passbook was substantial: over six thousand.

“You saved this much?!” he exclaimed.

He could earn money and spend it easily—he couldn’t understand why the older generation hoarded everything.

“In the countryside, we have everything we eat—nowhere to spend money,” Gu Mu said.

Impossible.

Gu Zhihang didn’t believe her.

He believed his grandma just refused to spend.

Gu Zhihang pushed the passbook back. “I don’t want it. I can earn money. Grandma, keep your money for yourself.”

“Yeah,” Gu Zhiqian added, “Third Aunt said knowing how to spend is also a skill.”

Gu Mu couldn’t help laughing.

“Who doesn’t know how to spend? What kind of skill is that?”

Gu Zhihang pressed her: “But Grandma never spends.”

Gu Mu fell silent.

Awkward.

Gu Fu defended his wife: “Where we’re from, there’s little to spend on. Come to Haicheng—you’ll see if your grandma starts spending.”

This answer fell straight into Gu Zhihang’s trap.

“Grandma, women your age in Haicheng all go dancing disco. Want to go check it out?”

Gu Mu froze. “What? Disco what?”

“Disco. It’s fun,” Gu Zhihang said. “Hard to explain with words—come with me, you’ll see.”

He opened the closet and pulled out the clothes he’d bought for Grandpa and Grandma.

“Wear these.”

The old Gu couple looked—and recoiled at the flashy outfits, waving their hands.

“These clothes… no, no. We’re too old for this—we’d be laughed at, look like old witches,” Gu Fu refused.

Gu Zhihang’s face turned stern. “Still so old-fashioned? You said you’d listen to me on the way!”

Ignoring Grandpa’s objections, he turned to Gu Mu. “Grandma, my grandparents go all the time—they each wear a pair of aviator sunglasses, so stylish.”

Hearing even his own in-laws not only accepted it but went, Gu Mu didn’t want to look cowardly. “Fine. I’ll go.”

That trip was a disaster.

Peaceful life vanished forever—today disco, tomorrow theater, the day after that clothing stores, the day after that night market…

Life became colorful, their clothes and style grew trendy, as if they’d aged ten years less.

Gu Fu had been reluctant at first, but seeing his wife grow younger, he couldn’t sit still—he actively joined in, enjoyed life, then became obsessed with birdkeeping. After buying a beautiful parrot, he was hooked.

Qiao Lao would visit him in his free time, and Gu Fu’s last lingering regret disappeared.

During the New Year, Gu Yuan Shan came to Haicheng with his wife and children to spend the holiday with his parents and asked when they’d return home.

The old couple felt reluctant—they suddenly realized they’d already grown used to Haicheng’s rhythm; months had passed without a thought of returning.

Gu Yucheng said: “Return? Why return? Let Mom and Dad stay here to retire. They look younger living here, and the kids all work in big cities—when they want to visit, they can come on vacation.”

He and Gu Yuan Shan traded vegetables, eggs, and meat, starting locally, and over the years expanded to the provincial capital—Haicheng’s market was still growing.

With Chang Feng Daily Chemicals Factory as their base, their starting point was higher than anyone else’s—everything came easily.

People climb higher—they wanted to settle in Haicheng.

Gu Chenghuai also said: “I agree with Second Brother’s suggestion. Yaobao always says she misses Grandpa and Grandma—if they lived in Haicheng, they could see them often.”

In the elders’ hearts, the grandkids were always the most precious—using Yaobao, the most spoiled one, as leverage would surely work.