Chapter 600 | Chapter 601 | Chapter 602
Chapter 600: First Branch Takes Custody of Gu Jingjing
Father Gu directly ordered his orderly to drag him away; looking at him was purely exasperating!
Gu Tinghao, a man who had never undergone military training, was utterly incapable of resisting the orderly’s strength and was dragged away by sheer force.
“Dad, tomorrow let Xiaozhen and me take custody of Jingjing.” Eldest Brother Gu (Gu Tingye) spoke up. Father Gu looked at Eldest Brother Gu and Eldest Sister-in-law Gu, and Eldest Sister-in-law Gu nodded with a smile.
To speak honestly, except for these past three years, Gu Jingjing was a child who had consistently grown up in their own household. To put it bluntly, everything regarding Gu Jingjing had been managed entirely by her and Mother Gu. Previously, when the child wasn’t theirs, she couldn’t intervene too much; after all, as an aunt, there were many things she felt awkward bringing up. But that was still a child she had raised! She harbored genuine affection for her.
Now that the child was entering their own household registration, she would be their daughter, and she would no longer need to compromise for the sake of Gu Tinghao’s pride.
“Have you two decided?” Father Gu cast a glance at Eldest Brother Gu.
Eldest Brother Gu nodded. He didn’t have a daughter, so adding a daughter changed nothing. “We’ve decided. Xiaozhen and I happen to lack a daughter. Jingjing grew up in our home previously. If Fourth Brother hadn’t provided the seed, she ought to have been our child in the first place!”
Eldest Brother Gu was perfectly blunt. If Gu Tinghao could abandon her again after raising her for three years, then why couldn’t he claim her back after raising her for so many years?
“In the future, Xiaozhen and I will save up a dowry for Jingjing, ensuring she gets married off with absolute grandeur under the prestige of being a daughter of the Gu family’s first branch!”
Father Gu harbored lingering concerns, and since Mother Gu was still unconscious, he needed to consult her first.
“Give her to the first branch.” Grandfather Gu directly made the executive call. As long as he and Father Gu remained breathing, Gu Jingjing would enjoy prosperous days. He might not live that long, but Father Gu and Mother Gu would certainly see Gu Jingjing grow up and marry.
“You two don’t need to save up for Jingjing’s dowry; look after your own small family first. Your parents are still capable of working, so the first branch doesn’t need to wrong itself.” Grandfather Gu understood the family dynamics perfectly. He wouldn’t allow the first branch’s quality of life to suffer for the sake of his great-granddaughter, Gu Jingjing.
“Yes, your grandfather is right. Your mother and I will save up for Jingjing’s dowry. You two must look after your own small family first.” Father Gu was jolted awake by Grandfather Gu’s reminder.
Eldest Brother Gu and Eldest Sister-in-law Gu nodded, though they harbored their own designs in their hearts.
“If Gu Tinghao still goes through with marrying that woman, then the Gu family no longer possesses this man! Tomorrow, have someone investigate that woman to see exactly what kind of person she is.” Grandfather Gu’s tone was exceptionally resolute. This was the final opportunity Grandfather Gu was granting Gu Tinghao; it all depended on how Gu Tinghao acted.
“Understood.”
The next day, Father Gu personally escorted Gu Tinghao to transfer Gu Jingjing’s household registration under Eldest Brother Gu’s name. Realizing that the daughter he had cherished for three years truly no longer belonged to him, Gu Tinghao’s mind went completely blank.
“From now on, look after your own life!” Father Gu spoke no further. How this son acted or chose to live in the future was no longer his concern. A thirty-one-year-old man whose mind couldn’t be corrected after so long—anything more he said would be completely useless.
Father Gu departed with his orderly, leaving behind a dazed and lost Gu Tinghao, who felt as though his entire world had collapsed.
Sheng Wanyan and Eldest Sister-in-law Gu remained watching over Gu Jingjing and Mother Gu. The next day, both Gu Jingjing and Mother Gu woke up.
“Third Aunt…” Gu Jingjing’s voice was exceptionally dry. Sheng Wanyan fed her some water and gestured for her to remain still and rest.
“Jingjing, are you hungry? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?”
Seeing Sheng Wanyan’s protective concern, tears burst from Gu Jingjing’s eyes instantly, and she sobbed with profound sorrow. “Papa… doesn’t want me anymore.”
Gu Jingjing harbored deep grievances; a ten-year-old child was already sensible enough to understand. Her father had a new aunt, and when that new aunt entered the household to become her stepmother, she would become an unwanted child.
That new aunt was bad. When her father wasn’t around, she would pinch her arms, refuse to give her food, and even smash the bowls at home. When she reported these things to her father, he claimed she was lying! He accused her of deceiving him! The new aunt had even stood to the side, acting deeply understanding and speaking up on her behalf, which made her father even angrier to the point of hitting her!
She clearly hadn’t lied; she had spoken nothing but the absolute truth, so why didn’t her father believe her! Why! Why did he have to abandon her again!
Jingjing’s emotions grew increasingly overwrought as she relentlessly poured out her grievances in Sheng Wanyan’s embrace. Why did you treat me so well in the first place, if you were going to abandon me now?
“Who said you don’t have a father? From now on, your eldest uncle and eldest aunt are your parents. You are now the child of your eldest uncle and me; no one will be permitted to bully you.” Eldest Sister-in-law Gu immediately pulled her into an embrace to offer comfort, thoroughly treating her as her own child now with perfect peace of mind.
“Jingjing, from now on, you are my child.” Eldest Sister-in-law Gu stroked her head with protective concern, her heart aching intensely upon seeing the gauze wrapped around her wrist. What an absolute mess! How could Fourth Brother treat such an obedient and wonderful child this way!
“Eldest Aunt…”
“Rest assured, no one will ever abandon Jingjing again. In the future, you can just call your father ‘Fourth Uncle’.”
Gu Jingjing was somewhat bewildered, but Eldest Sister-in-law Gu was absolutely set on making sure Gu Jingjing knew she was now a daughter of the first branch. Gu Jingjing understood; her guardians had changed to her eldest uncle and eldest aunt, and they wanted her.
“Our Jingjing has parents; no one will ever abandon you. You still have a biological older brother and a younger brother, understand?” Mother Gu lay on the hospital bed, feeling deeply pained as she watched her sobbing granddaughter.
Gu Jingjing quickly accepted the reality that she was now a child of the first branch; she no longer wanted her biological parents, and going anywhere else was fine. It was just that she still couldn’t bring herself to utter the words “Mom” and “Dad,” but Eldest Sister-in-law Gu didn’t force her, letting her get used to it gradually.
“Such a wonderful daughter, I’ve finally managed to snatch her over.”
Hearing Eldest Sister-in-law Gu’s words, a wave of warmth hit Gu Jingjing’s heart. It turned out she was someone to be cherished. Her eldest aunt… had actually gone through so much trouble just to snatch her over. Was I truly that good?
“Take a look at how beautifully my daughter is growing; Third Sister-in-law, don’t you dare get envious of me.”
Hearing Eldest Sister-in-law Gu’s playful words, Sheng Wanyan smiled. To tell the absolute truth, she genuinely felt a trace of envy. Getting such a wonderful daughter for free—had she known it could succeed, she would have staked her claim yesterday.
“I am envious to death. Had I known Grandfather and Grandma would agree, I certainly wouldn’t have yielded to you yesterday, Sister-in-law. Yi Yi drones about wanting an older sister every single day; if I brought her home, I would possess two daughters and two sons, making two perfect pairs.” Sheng Wanyan gently stroked Gu Jingjing’s hair, planning to see if she could persuade her to consult a psychologist later.
“Keep dreaming; this is my daughter.” Eldest Sister-in-law Gu cherished her intensely. Damn it, I’ve finally claimed this child into my own household. It seemed the care she had provided over the previous years had been perfectly arranged by the Heavens.
“I’ll go call the doctor, and grab some food from home for Mom and Jingjing along the way.”
Chapter 601: Gu Tingxiao Returns
Seeing Sister-in-Law Gu’s appearance, Sheng Wanyan smiled and shook her head. Realizing that Mother Gu and Gu Jingjing had just woken up and hadn’t eaten anything yet, she decided to head back and prepare some food.
“Alright, leave this to me.”
Sister-in-Law Gu helped Gu Jingjing lie down and sat between them to care for her mother-in-law and daughter. The smile never left her face.
Mother Gu felt a wave of comfort seeing this. As she lay on the hospital bed, her gaze remained fixed in Gu Jingjing’s direction.
Her heart ached—it ached so much she could barely breathe.
Such a perfectly good child. Why did she have to be treated this way? The fourth brother… didn’t deserve to be a father.
How had she raised a son like that!
Mother Gu felt worse than anyone else. Meanwhile, Gu Tinghao had been kneeling at the ward door for the past two days, but Mother Gu refused to see him even once.
Sheng Wanyan went to fetch the doctor. Seeing Gu Tinghao kneeling at the door, she ignored him entirely, but Gu Tinghao looked up at her.
“Third Sister-in-Law…”
Sheng Wanyan took a deep breath, pretending she hadn’t seen him, and walked right past him to find the doctor.
Gu Tinghao quickly grabbed the edge of her clothes. Sheng Wanyan looked down at him kneeling on the floor.
“Third Sister-in-Law, please let me in.”
“I won’t help you.”
Sheng Wanyan refused without a shred of hesitation. She didn’t dare to imagine what Gu Jingjing would become if she saw Gu Tinghao right now.
“Fourth Brother, when a child attempts suicide, do you know what that means?”
Sheng Wanyan shook off his hand. Hearing her words, Gu Tinghao slumped to the floor, his eyes completely bloodshot.
“It means that from now on, she could harm herself, commit suicide, or self-harm at any moment!”
“It means she has nothing left in this world to hold onto.”
“Fourth Brother, you have every right to choose a new family for yourself. But you…”
“You should never, under any circumstances, force a child to bear the consequences of your choice!”
“If you had just discussed it with the family and sent the child to Mom and Dad, things would never have reached this point.”
Gu Tinghao sat on the floor, utterly devastated. Sheng Wanyan was spelling out the exact truths his heart refused to accept the most.
“You… didn’t trust your own child.”
If this were her own son, she would have found every possible way to beat him to death rather than let an unfit father like him continue living in this world!
“I didn’t… I didn’t distrust my child.”
“You did! Jingjing’s arms are covered in bruises from being pinched!”
Sheng Wanyan looked at him with reddened eyes. How could a thirty-year-old man still be so stubbornly blind?
“Jingjing barely even has the strength to sharpen a pencil when she draws. Every single time, she has to ask an adult for help. Everyone in the family knows this!”
“As her father, it’s impossible for you not to know!”
“Yet you were so selfish that for your own sake, you chose to abandon her again! You chose to play dumb!”
“It was the same with her biological mother, Wang Chunmei, and it’s the exact same with your new woman now!”
“Everything Jingjing suffered was done with your tacit approval.”
“You thought Jingjing was sensible and obedient, so she could be cast aside whenever it suited you.”
“You do not deserve to be a father!”
Sheng Wanyan stared fixedly at Gu Tinghao. Hearing her words, Gu Tinghao became completely dazed, unable to snap out of it for the longest time.
“From now on… you are no longer her father, either.”
With that, Sheng Wanyan turned and left. This final sentence was the last straw that broke Gu Tinghao.
No matter what, he had doted on Gu Jingjing for three years. It was impossible for him to have no feelings for her, or not to care about the child.
But he… cared more about himself. He cared more about his own little household.
Gu Tinghao wept in agony, pounding the floor over and over again. He regretted it! He truly regretted it!
He had never imagined that he would lose his own child!
Inside the ward, Mother Gu listened to the weeping outside, her eyes rimmed with red. She wanted to say something, but the words wouldn’t come out.
In the end, she could only look over toward Gu Jingjing. But Gu Jingjing just kept staring out the window, showing no reaction whatsoever.
It was as if she truly had let everything go. She had accepted reality and only wished to escape.
When Sheng Wanyan returned home, Gu Jinfang and Yi Yi crowded around her, asking how Jingjing was doing.
“She’s fine. Jingjing just accidentally cut herself with a knife.”
A lie like this could fool Yi Yi, but it couldn’t fool a young lad like Gu Jinfang. Gu Jinfang lowered his head in silence, looking at her.
“From now on, Jingjing is my parents’ child.”
“That makes her my biological younger sister. Fourth Uncle can only be Fourth Uncle from now on.”
Hearing Gu Jinfang’s words, Sheng Wanyan’s eyes welled with tears as she ruffled his hair. Gu Jinfang was usually a rambunctious boy.
Yet at crucial moments, he was incredibly attentive and knew exactly how to look after his younger siblings.
He displayed the Gu family’s upbringing to the fullest, possessing the decisiveness and grit of a true heir.
Gu Jinfang led Yi Yi upstairs to the room Gu Jingjing had been staying in over the past few days and packed it up.
“Come on, follow Brother to Fourth Uncle’s house to bring all of Sister Jingjing’s things back.”
“Okay~”
Yi Yi didn’t know what had happened, but she listened to Gu Jinfang implicitly. Gu Jinfang pulled Yi Yi into the car and asked Uncle Hu to drive them to Gu Tinghao’s house.
Gu Jinfang knew exactly where Gu Jingjing kept the house keys in her backpack. Reaching right in to grab them, he quietly set out to handle the matter.
Grandpa Gu and Grandma Gu pretended to know nothing about it. Sheng Wanyan had to go to the hospital to deliver food, leaving the two elderly folk at home to look after the three younger children.
When Gu Jinfang and Yi Yi arrived at Gu Tinghao’s house, they navigated familiarly to Gu Jingjing’s room and immediately began packing up all her clothes and books.
“Uncle Hu! Take the desk, the wardrobe, the electric fan—haul away everything in this room!”
“No matter what, we can’t let that woman who bullied Jingjing get anything cheap.”
Uncle Hu did as he was told, hiring a moving truck to haul away every single item in Gu Jingjing’s room.
Gu Jinfang surveyed the area, not even sparing the clothes and towels hanging outside to dry.
Holding Gu Jingjing’s pillow, Yi Yi followed behind Gu Jinfang with a look of pure innocence.
“Yi Yi, come with Brother.”
Gu Jinfang took the pillow from her hands, led her into the kitchen, and opened up Gu Tinghao’s food rations.
“Go pick out all the food you like to eat and take it away.”
Gu Jinfang let Yi Yi make the choices. The boy wasn’t old, but his mind was sharp.
Yi Yi went ahead and picked out the fine grains she loved to eat. She usually ate these anyway, and right now, she just thought she was playing a moving game with her brother.
Seeing this, the corners of Gu Jinfang’s mouth curled upward. He straight up emptied out all the fine grains before finally leading Yi Yi away.
Looking at the packed trunk of the car, Gu Jinfang felt a sense of satisfaction. He climbed into the car to head back to the compound!
Grandpa Gu watched as items were continuously moved into the house. Shaking his head, he picked up a rattle-drum to amuse Lailai and Maomao.
After work, Big Brother Gu and Father Gu went to the hospital to relieve Sheng Wanyan and Sister-in-Law Gu so they could return home and rest. Since Sheng Wanyan still had classes tomorrow, she could only take the three children back to the Beijing University side first.
Calculating the days, Gu Tingxiao should be coming back soon. She wondered how he would discipline Gu Tinghao once he returned.
That very night, Sheng Wanyan caught the sound of movement outside the door. The moment she stepped out of her room, she saw Gu Tingxiao entering the house, looking travel-worn and weary.
“Tingxiao.”
“Wife…”
Chapter 602: Gu Jingjing’s Emotional Breakdown
Sheng Wanyan turned on the light. Seeing his disheveled and filthy appearance, she hurriedly pulled him into the house.
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
Sheng Wanyan pulled Gu Tingxiao around, inspecting him from left to right. Seeing how worried she was, Gu Tingxiao quickly took hold of her hands.
“I’m fine, don’t worry.”
Hearing this, Sheng Wanyan let out a massive sigh of relief. She went to cook him a bowl of noodles so he could get some proper rest.
Gu Tingxiao went to take a shower. When he returned to the bedroom after washing up and saw Yi Yi sleeping soundly on the bed, his body paused for a moment.
He walked over, bent down, and picked Yi Yi up, carrying her over to her own room.
Yi Yi shifted uncomfortably in her sleep, but Gu Tingxiao didn’t pause his footsteps at all as he walked into her room.
By the time Sheng Wanyan finished cooking the noodles and came out, she saw Gu Tingxiao walking out of Yi Yi’s room.
“Eat something first.”
Gu Tingxiao sat down to eat his noodles, and Sheng Wanyan sat beside him to keep him company. Once he finished eating, she told him about everything that had happened at home.
“You’re saying Mom was hospitalized?”
Gu Tingxiao set down his chopsticks, looking at her in disbelief, a trace of anxiety flashing through his eyes.
“Mom fainted from a sudden fit of agitation.”
“Jingjing’s household registration has been transferred under Big Brother and Big Sister-in-Law’s names.”
“Dad was furious too. He said he was breaking ties with Fourth Brother, and he practically dragged him there by force to transfer the registration.”
Sheng Wanyan hid nothing and told him the entire story. Gu Tingxiao’s face darkened, a low, angry growl rising in his throat.
Gu Tingxiao looked at her and pulled her hand into his. “Thank you, Wife.”
“Why are you thanking me? I didn’t really do anything.”
“Big Brother and Big Sister-in-Law are the ones having a harder time. Once you’ve rested well tomorrow, go stay in the city to help lighten their load a bit.”
Sheng Wanyan instructed him. She had classes to attend, and Father and Mother Gu wouldn’t let her stay behind anyway. Big Brother and Big Sister-in-Law suddenly had two patients to care for, so they were stretched completely thin.
“I know. I’ll go to the city tomorrow.”
“It just so happens I have a half-month break. You focus on your classes, and don’t worry about Mom’s side.”
Sheng Wanyan nodded. With him at home, she could finally feel at ease and didn’t have to handle every single thing herself.
“Go get some rest first. I’ll wash the bowls.”
Sheng Wanyan felt bad for him and took the bowls to the kitchen to wash. Gu Tingxiao was indeed exhausted; the moment his head hit the pillow, he fell into a deep, heavy sleep.
After Sheng Wanyan washed the dishes and returned to the room to rest, she was immediately pulled into a tight embrace by Gu Tingxiao’s large hand the moment she lay down.
Even in his sleep, Gu Tingxiao didn’t forget to hold her. Sheng Wanyan smiled softly and slept peacefully in his arms.
The next day, Gu Tingxiao didn’t wake up until ten o’clock. Sheng Wanyan had long since left for her classes. At noon, he went to the Beijing Dance Academy to pick up Yi Yi, but he ended up missing her.
Gu Tingxiao went into the school to look for Aunt Hu, and only after Aunt Hu explained did he learn that Yi Yi had started learning a new skill.
Sheng Wanyan had also thought about picking up Yi Yi when morning classes ended, only to remember that Gu Tingxiao was back and she hadn’t told him about Yi Yi learning a musical instrument.
With Gu Jingjing’s suicide attempt happening, Yi Yi’s matter had already become a very minor detail in comparison.
Sheng Wanyan hurriedly made her way to Elder Wu’s residence, only to find that Gu Tingxiao was already there, holding Yi Yi’s hand as they walked out.
“Mommy!”
Yi Yi spotted her immediately. Sheng Wanyan walked over to hug her and explained to Gu Tingxiao.
“I forgot to tell you last night about Yi Yi learning an instrument.”
“It’s fine, nothing to blame yourself for.”
Gu Tingxiao’s gaze softened. He had also just found out that his daughter was so outstanding, possessing such great artistic talent at such a young age.
He was proud of his daughter’s excellence, but he also felt tenderly protective of his wife, who had been taking care of the family during this time while still managing to find such a wonderful teacher for their daughter.
“Yi Yi loves the arts. She could join the military cultural troupe in the future.”
Sheng Wanyan smiled at Gu Tingxiao’s words. As parents, they naturally hoped their children would work in state-owned units.
However, she was an open-minded parent. Whatever occupation the child wanted to pursue in the future, the child could choose for herself.
“The child is still young, nothing is set in stone.”
“As long as she pursues a career she likes, that’s enough.”
Gu Tingxiao nodded and didn’t argue. After the family returned home and finished lunch, Gu Tingxiao sent Yi Yi to the Beijing Dance Academy in the afternoon before heading straight to the city.
Gu Tingxiao took over the night shift duties to look after Mother Gu and Gu Jingjing, allowing Father Gu and Big Brother Gu to finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Gu Tinghao came to wait outside the ward door the moment his classes ended, but even after waiting for several days, he was never able to step inside.
Gu Jingjing was hospitalized for a week. Once the doctor removed her stitches, Mother Gu finally brought Jingjing home.
The moment they stepped out of the ward door, Gu Jingjing spotted Gu Tinghao. She immediately began to shrink back, her emotions instantly collapsing into loud wailing.
“Go away!!!”
“I don’t want you!”
Gu Jingjing struggled wildly. Gu Tinghao wanted to hold her, but Gu Jingjing kept dodging and flinching away.
“Jingjing, it’s Papa’s fault.”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”
“Papa shouldn’t have been like that!”
Gu Tinghao looked at his daughter, who was actively avoiding him, with bloodshot eyes. His heart felt as painful as if it were being pierced by needles.
“No!!!!”
“Ah ah ah ah ah ah!”
Gu Jingjing kept flailing her hands to hit him. Gu Tingxiao snatched Gu Jingjing away from Gu Tinghao’s reach.
“Get the hell out of here!”
“Get out!”
Mother Gu gasped heavily for breath, pointing at Gu Tinghao with eyes full of burning rage.
Gu Tinghao dropped to his knees to beg Mother Gu, but Mother Gu was absolutely determined to give Gu Jingjing to the first branch of the family.
“Mom… I was wrong.”
“No! You weren’t wrong! The one who was wrong was me!”
Mother Gu looked at him with a broken heart, her eyes filled with deep grief. “It’s me! I’m the one who raised you to be like this.”
“Everything is my fault. A child’s lack of education is the fault of the parents.”
“I indulged you too much, wiping your domestic messes and cleaning up after you whenever you made a mistake.”
“Now you’ve turned into someone who only cares about your own romantic relationships. I am filled with bitter regret!”
“You are my child, I cannot deny that! I carried you for ten months and gave birth to you.”
Mother Gu clutched her chest, her eyes full of regret and disappointment. Her indulgence had ended up harming her own granddaughter!
“But Jingjing can absolutely no longer be your child!”
“Mom!!!”
Gu Tinghao truly couldn’t believe that Mother Gu could be so heartless. He had never, in his wildest dreams, expected things to turn out like this.
“From now on, you are just Jingjing’s Fourth Uncle.”
“Go live your own life properly. I’ve raised you to adulthood, you have a job and you’re a college student—I have nothing left to feel sorry toward you for.”
The moment Mother Gu finished speaking, all the energy instantly drained from her body. Sister-in-Law Gu hurriedly supported her and walked out.
Gu Jingjing was extremely agitated, screaming non-stop, until Gu Tingxiao covered her eyes and carried her into the car.
Once in the car, Gu Jingjing stayed in Sister-in-Law Gu’s embrace the entire time, her face buried deeply in Sister-in-Law Gu’s chest, refusing to look up.
“What’s wrong, Jingjing? Let Mama take a look.”
Sister-in-Law Gu offered her the greatest comfort she could give. A single word, “Mama,” outweighed all the grievances she had suffered.
“Waaah… Big Aunt…”
Gu Jingjing could only cry. Her heart aching, Sister-in-Law Gu patted her back, her own eyes turning red uncontrollably.
They had taken Gu Jingjing to see a psychiatrist, and the conclusion drawn was moderate depression. She could no longer be triggered or stimulated in the future.
In particular, certain people who shouldn’t appear must never show up in front of Gu Jingjing again, lest she resort to self-harm once more.
Only when they arrived home did Gu Jingjing finally calm her emotions. Sheng Wanyan had already prepared a whole table of delicious food.
