Chapter 238: Fair-Weather Friends

As members of the Gu Family, we can unconditionally enjoy the resources the Gu Family provides.

His mother, eyes red, spoke in a low voice,

If the family truly faces a crisis, we should stand together with it!

Rather than fleeing while everyone in the family is preoccupied with their own troubles!

Gu Haitao's face flushed between green and purple, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

But he still forced himself to speak,

Even if we stay in the family, relying only on our meager strength would be useless; it's better to leave quickly.

That way we won't drag the family down, and we can also help continue its lineage!

"Continue the lineage, continue the lineage"—that's just your excuse for clinging to life and fearing death!

Before Gu Haitao finished speaking, his mother rudely cut him off,

If a major disaster really struck, the elders in the clan would certainly not stand idly by; they would surely evacuate us ordinary people in advance.

Since we haven't heard any news from within the clan yet, that shows the situation is still under control!

If we leave now, wouldn't we truly become ungrateful traitors?

Their family's situation is somewhat special.

Although she is only a branch relative, Gu Haitao's father married into the Gu Family.

All their food, clothing, and daily expenses are paid for by the Gu Family.

Now that the Gu Family has run into trouble, they fled.

Once the Gu Family turns danger into safety, they will return.

What kind of situation is this?

She can't afford to lose this person!

She also can't get past this hurdle in her own heart!

Gu Haitao's expression shifted repeatedly; after a moment he sighed and slumped to the ground, exhausted.

Fine, fine, fine—I won't leave, I won't leave, okay?

He knows he has accomplished nothing so far.

Relying on his own talent, his martial arts practice is inferior to others'.

Even clinging to the main branch's thigh yielded no results.

But deep down, Gu Haitao still understands that only his mother loves him unconditionally.

Not long after, a knocking sound came from the door.

Haitao, Haitao, are you in there?

Gu Haitao glanced at his mother, who was busily cooking,

Mom, I'll go check.

After his mother nodded, Gu Haitao opened the door and stepped out.

Outside, several friends who had already packed stood waiting.

These people, like him, were branch-family descendants trying every means to ingratiate themselves with the main line.

Haitao, are you packed? Let's hurry and go.

Gu Haitao looked at the few people at the doorway, but didn't see their families, and suddenly asked,

Where are your family members?

One of them spat on the ground and cursed angrily,

Don't even mention it—those two old fogeys are so stubborn, claiming the family will never encounter any trouble.

If we abandon the family now, that's abandoning home and livelihood—a heartless thing!

I argued with them, then sneaked away with all the family's stores, and stopped dealing with those two old fogeys.

The others also instinctively felt their storage bags.

That's a human habit.

When someone accustomed to poverty goes out with too much wealth, they unconsciously keep checking where they put things.

But their unintentional habit lets observant people know they have valuables, inviting theft!

Gu Haitao looks down on thievery, but he can tell they must have put everything in their storage bags.

Doing this, aren't you afraid your families will be angry?

Hearing Gu Haitao's naive question, they blinked, exchanged a glance, then burst out laughing.

Family? Those two old fogeys have hoarded so many resources, claiming they're saving them for my wedding, yet they refuse to hand them over early!

Anyway, the money for marrying will eventually be mine, so they might as well just give it to me now—plainly, they don't trust me!

They guard against me every day like I'm a thief, yet still expect me to treat them as family!

Exactly, our two old fogeys are the same, and they only have this one child—me.

Today I'm leaving; if the family has no trouble, I'll come back later, and then they'll still have to come crawling to acknowledge me as their son.

Having said that, they tightened their packs and urged urgently,

Alright, Haitao, if you're packed, hurry up and come with us; otherwise, if something really happens, it'll be too late.

Gu Haitao looked at them with a complex expression,

After all, this is just our speculation; maybe it's false.

Even if it's false, what then?

That person's face showed contempt as he sneered,

At worst, we'll just treat it as a few days' trip and enjoy ourselves.

"This time I've brought enough raw stone and gold coins; even if I stayed at the pleasure quarter for a month, it would be fine!"

One of them, his gaze toward Gu Haitao became scrutinizing,

"After saying all that, Haitao, you this fellow probably didn't get the money and don't want to go with us, right?"

Gu Haitao, Face Grim, shook his head,

"I really don't intend to go with you, but it's not because I lack money."

"I've decided to share weal and woe with the family."

"Ha?"

Several people, as if they'd heard a huge joke, burst into scornful laughter.

"Haitao, you this fellow, when did you become so high‑minded?"

"If it's about sharing weal and woe with the family, let the main branch say it—it's fine, but coming from your mouth, do you really think I'd believe it?"

"In my view, this fellow probably didn't get money from his parents, doesn't want to live under someone else's roof, and will have to look at our faces in the future!"

Several people exchanged glances and remarks, their words full of contempt for Gu Haitao.

"Since everyone has their own aspirations, we won't force you."

After saying that, they gave a cold smile and flicked their sleeves as they left.

"Some of you can just stay at home, watch us eat well and live well—don't you dare envy us!"

Watching them walk away, the sound of their scornful laughter drifted from afar.

Gu Haitao discovered that he not only didn't have the same grim expression as before, he also didn't feel embarrassed.

Instead, he felt a sense of ease.

It was as if… a great weight had been lifted.

"Spending all day with drinking and eating buddies isn't a solution."

Gu Haitao gave a self‑deprecating bitter laugh,

"From now on I have to rely on myself; I can't let my parents down."

After years of forming this character, Gu Haitao certainly wouldn't change his ways just because of a slap or a few lessons.

What caused him to change was his mother's extremely disappointed gaze.

Whether it was his lack of achievement in martial arts or his failure to meet his parents' expectations.

He had never seen such a look in his mother's eyes before.

But this time, Gu Haitao saw it.

Since he couldn't accomplish great things, at the very least he must not disappoint his parents.

Thus, Gu Haitao would at this moment part ways with his former "friends."

And after those people left the Gu family.

In the Family Head's manor, Gu Ren felt a cool sensation emanating from the jade pendant at his waist.