Chapter 117: Zhang Fei Reincarnated
“Thank you very much, In-law,” Mother Sheng said warmly.
“We are going to be one family; there’s no need to stand on ceremony,” Mother Gu replied.
As for the actual selling price of the job slot, neither party brought it up during the dinner. Both households were composed of deeply sensible people who understood the going market rates; haggling over a few yuan at a formal family gathering would have been thoroughly inappropriate.
Sure enough, the very next morning, Gu Tong arrived at the Sheng apartment to finalize the logistics with Mother Sheng.
“My family will provide exactly five hundred yuan for the position,” Gu Tong announced. She was profoundly grateful that the Sheng family had thought of her; if they hadn’t, she would have continued losing sleep over her daughter-in-law’s unemployment.
“There’s absolutely no need to pay that much,” Mother Sheng protested, waving her hand. “We originally purchased the slot for only three hundred yuan and fifty kilograms of fine grain.”
“Of course we must pay full value,” Gu Tong insisted stubbornly. “We aren’t able to source the fine grain to match your original investment, so paying a premium in cash is the only way to ensure the exchange is fair. Please, just agree to the price. If you refuse, I won’t feel right accepting the job transfer.”
Gu Tong possessed an incredibly stubborn streak; once she set her mind to a boundary, that was it. Realizing she couldn’t win the argument, Mother Sheng had no choice but to accept the five hundred yuan.
“Alright, we’ll do it your way,” Mother Sheng relented with a smile. “I’ll have Wanyan formally execute the transfer at the factory administration office on the last day of May.”
“Wonderful.”
The heavy burden that had been crushing Gu Tong for months was finally lifted, leaving her feeling utterly weightless. Her eldest daughter-in-law already held a secure factory position—one the girl had managed to secure on her own before the wedding. However, her youngest daughter-in-law had been married into the Ning family for six months and still hadn’t landed a suitable post.
This had forced the younger girl to remain sequestered at home, managing the cooking and chores. Gu Tong had been deeply afraid that the younger daughter-in-law would begin to harbor silent resentment, assuming her mother-in-law was playing favorites and refusing to use her connections to help. Since ancient times, the friction between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law had been a delicate, highly combustible dynamic. If an elder wasn’t exceptionally careful to maintain perfect balance, lifelong grudges were easily formed. Gu Tong had learned that lesson the hard way when she was a young bride herself.
The moment Gu Tong returned to the military compound, she relayed the news to her daughter-in-law, whose face instantly lit up with overwhelming relief and excitement.
“Mom, is this true?!”
“Yes, it’s completely finalized,” Gu Tong smiled. “On the last day of May, you’ll head down to the factory, and Wanyan will formally hand over the Propaganda Department slot to you.” She patted the girl’s shoulder affectionately. “Speaking of Wanyan, she’s going to be your cousin-in-law very soon. The two of you are around the same age, so you should definitely spend more time together and cultivate a strong bond.”
“I will, Mom,” the girl promised eagerly.
“Tomorrow morning, I’m bringing the cash over to the Sheng household to settle the ledger,” Gu Tong instructed. “I want you to accompany me to the supply and marketing cooperative first. We’ll purchase two pounds of prime pork and some premium pastries to present as a gift when we arrive. It’s the perfect opportunity for you to officially introduce yourself and show our gratitude.”
“Understood. I’ll follow your lead entirely, Mom.”
The younger daughter-in-law was acutely aware of how incredibly fortunate she was. If Wanyan hadn’t been preparing to marry and relocate with Gu Tingxiao, an elite, low-stress administrative post like this would never have trickled down to her.
The following day, Father and Mother Gu boarded a train back to the capital. There were countless political and logistical matters requiring their immediate attention in the Capital, and as the Commander-in-Chief of the military region, Father Gu simply couldn’t afford to remain absent from his headquarters for too long.
Simultaneously, Gu Tingxiao’s authorized leave came to an end, requiring his immediate return to his northern regiment.
Wanyan escorted him to the bustling train platform. As he walked toward his carriage, Gu Tingxiao practically dragged his feet, turning back to look at her after every few steps with an expression of profound, aching reluctance.
The moment the Gu family departed, the Sheng household settled back into its comfortable, peaceful routine. Conversely, the exact second the Gu parents arrived back at their estate in the Capital, the entire clan plunged into a chaotic whirlwind of preparation for the upcoming June wedding.
the Capital: The Gu Family Estate
“You’re back? How did the negotiations go?”
Inside the grand living room of a western-style mansion within the elite military compound, a commanding figure sat in a heavy armchair. He wore a crisp, tailored Zhongshan suit and sported a massive, bristling white beard. He looked incredibly imposing and dignified. If Wanyan had been present to witness the old patriarch, she would have undoubtedly thought: Is this not the literal reincarnation of Zhang Fei?
Hearing his father’s booming, thunderous voice, Father Gu immediately snapped to attention and delivered his report.
“The wedding date is officially locked in, Father. June 16th.”
Grandpa Gu nodded in deep satisfaction. Tingxiao had been the last remaining grandson in his generation to remain unmarried; knowing the boy was finally settling down lifted a massive weight off the patriarch’s shoulders.
“And what is your assessment of the Sheng family?”
“Dad, they exceeded all our expectations,” Father Gu replied earnestly. “The household structure is remarkably simple, the internal family dynamic is deeply harmonious, and the in-laws are exceptionally sensible, grounded people.”
Mother Gu, having just walked into the room after putting her coat away, immediately picked up the thread, showering the Sheng family with praise. Over the course of her visit, she had felt so incredibly comfortable and welcomed by the Shengs that it had felt like sitting in her own home.
“And what about my future third granddaughter-in-law? What is she like?” Grandpa Gu pressed, leaning forward.
“Dad, let me tell you, it’s absolutely incredible!” Mother Gu gushed, her eyes shining. “Tingxiao’s future wife is extraordinarily outstanding. She has only been employed at the mill for half a year, yet she is already highly valued by the executive leadership and is currently managing the entire Propaganda Department! Furthermore, she is as breathtakingly beautiful as a fairy.”
She stepped closer, emphasizing her point. “Mom, Dad, I have honestly never encountered a young woman with such a captivating presence. Her every movement and gesture possesses an elegance that easily eclipses the pampered young ladies in our elite social circles here in the capital.”
Grandpa Gu raised a thick, bushy eyebrow. It was exceedingly rare to hear Mother Gu, who maintained incredibly high standards, praise another woman with such absolute, unreserved adoration.
“Oh? Is she truly that remarkable?”
Grandma Gu emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray of steaming tea cups. Setting them down, she took a seat, eager to extract every single detail about their trip to Chengdu.
“Mom, would I ever exaggerate something like this to you?” Mother Gu smiled, accepting a cup. “Although Yan’er is an ordinary urban citizen, her manners are flawless, and her conversation is profoundly elegant. I genuinely believe not a single young woman in our the Capital circles could hold a candle to her.”
“So, she is a refined, intellectual girl?” Grandpa Gu and Grandma Gu asked simultaneously, their postures instantly straightening with renewed interest.
Both of the Gu elders had been hardened frontline soldiers in their youth; they were inherently rough, combat-oriented people who deeply coveted the presence of intellectuals within their bloodline. They harbored a fierce, overarching desire for all their sons and grandsons to marry highly educated, intelligent women. If Father Gu hadn’t managed to court Mother Gu—a brilliant intellectual—and if Uncle Gu hadn’t followed suit, who knew how many uncultured brawlers the Gu family’s aggressive genetics would have produced by now!
Therefore, in the eyes of the Gu elders, the ultimate prize for a granddaughter-in-law was a sharp, educated mind.
“Yes,” Mother Gu confirmed proudly. “She works in the Propaganda Department.”
“Excellent! Excellent! A refined intellectual is exactly what we need,” Grandma Gu cheered, absolutely thrilled. This revelation struck the exact chord she had been hoping for.
“Since the third boy is getting married, I need to head out immediately to begin sourcing the decorations for the bridal suite,” Grandma Gu announced, already shifting into logistical mode. “You must begin drafting the banquet menus and finalizing the guest lists immediately. Do not forget to dispatch the formal invitations on time.”
She stood up, mentally tallying her inventory. “We’ll need brand-new pillows, silk quilts, and fresh cabinetry. Every single detail must be executed precisely to the standard we established for the other two grandsons’ weddings.”
“I understand, Mom. I’ll handle it,” Mother Gu assured her.
Having issued her directives, Grandma Gu immediately marched to her quarters, grabbed her leather wallet, and hurried out the front door with rapid, excited steps, eager to hit the markets. As a grandmother, witnessing her beloved grandson secure a wife was almost more thrilling than her own wedding day had been.
“Buy me two bottles of liquor while you’re out!” Grandpa Gu bellowed at her retreating back.
Grandma Gu completely ignored him, continuing her march toward the compound gates.
“Old woman! Did you hear me?!”
“Get lost!” she shot back without turning around.
“I said I want liquor!” Grandpa Gu panicked, realizing she was actually going to deny him. He scrambled out of his armchair and sprinted onto the porch, shouting so loudly the entire mansion seemed to vibrate.
“Stop your infernal howling! I’m going to kill you one of these days!” Grandma Gu snapped as she climbed into the back of her waiting chauffeured car. “Drive!” she ordered the guard. The vehicle sped away, leaving the old general standing alone in the dust, staring at the retreating bumper.
“Tch! That old woman is truly infuriating,” Grandpa Gu grumbled, marching back inside in a huff.
Upon returning to the living room, he found it completely empty. Father and Mother Gu had already retreated to their private quarters to unpack and rest, leaving the old patriarch sitting alone on his stool, thoroughly sulking.
“Why is everyone always running away from me?” he muttered miserably. This household was entirely devoid of respect. His own son was hiding away with his wife. It was utterly infuriating.
Chengdu.
Early the next morning, Wanyan headed straight to the municipal post office to mail off her latest batch of completed translation manuscripts. She had taken the entire Lunar New Year month off to rest, but now it was time to get back to the business of making money.
“Here are your envelopes, Comrade,” the clerk said warmly.
Because Wanyan hadn’t visited the post office the previous month, her accumulated royalties from the publishing house had been held safely at the counter. The postal staff had grown incredibly familiar with her over the past half-year; she was a regular fixture, constantly purchasing bulk stamps and mailing heavy packages every single month. The clerks had never encountered an ordinary citizen who shipped such an immense, staggering volume of goods with such frequency.
“Thank you,” Wanyan smiled, accepting her thick envelope of cash. She tucked the royalties away, mounted her bicycle, and pedaled toward the cotton mill, perfectly content to resume her peaceful routine of coasting through her shifts.
Later that afternoon, as Wanyan was unlocking her bicycle to head home, a voice called out across the courtyard.
“Wanyan! Wait!”
She paused, looking back to see Wu Jiaxiu hurrying toward her. As the older clerk approached, Wanyan noticed a deeply hesitant, troubled look in her eyes, as if she were wrestling with something she desperately needed to say.
“Hop on,” Wanyan offered gently, gesturing to the back rack of the bicycle.
