Chapter 588 | Chapter 589 | Chapter 590
Chapter 588: An Invitation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Sheng Wanyan had just received her new textbooks when she was called to the president’s office.
The moment she entered the office and saw the old professors, she felt entirely uncomfortable. The way these professors were looking at her made her feel like they wanted to swallow her whole.
“President, Professors, good afternoon.”
“Sit down.”
The president gestured for her to sit down and speak. Sheng Wanyan sat down gingerly, keeping her eyes on the president.
“It’s like this, Comrade Sheng Wanyan. The professors all feel that you are a rare talent. Your learning ability is exceptional, and your language gift is outstanding. Therefore, the university would like to make an exception for you, allowing you to concurrently study the major courses of all these professors. Tell me, do you have any interest in this?”
Hearing the president’s words, Sheng Wanyan was already cheering inwardly. She was originally fluent in eight languages and had been constantly pondering how to find a solid excuse to demonstrate them. Who would have thought this opportunity would drop right into her lap like this?
“If you feel the pressure is too immense…”
“President, I’m interested!”
“What?”
The president had intended to offer a few words of advice, but hearing Sheng Wanyan’s immediate agreement, his eyes filled with absolute disbelief.
“I am interested.”
“Are you serious?”
Hearing that she was interested, the professors swarmed forward in an instant, surrounding her and pressing her with questions one after another.
“Yes, I am highly interested.”
Sheng Wanyan looked at the old professors. Hearing that she genuinely harbored interest, their faces instantly lit up with smiles they couldn’t wipe off.
“Good, good, good.”
“Splendid.”
The old professors burst into hearty laughter. Watching the old fogies act this delighted, Professor Zhao felt even more displeased in his heart. This is my disciple, what the hell are you laughing at!
However, regarding Sheng Wanyan’s academic pursuits, he was completely supportive. After all, no matter what she learned, she was still his disciple.
With Professor Zhao harboring no objections, the matter was settled with immense pleasure. The professors of the Foreign Languages Department went about their days beaming with joy, leaving the other students looking thoroughly bewildered.
When they later spotted Sheng Wanyan entering their own classrooms to listen to the lectures, they were stunned instantly. Wasn’t this the top student of the Foreign Languages Department? Why had she come to their class???
Soon, the news that Sheng Wanyan was concurrently studying seven majors spread among the student body, becoming their latest topic of gossip. She also became an object of absolute envy among her peers; they had already been envious enough before, but now they could only look up to her from afar. In an instant, they felt the vast distance between themselves and Sheng Wanyan. Petrified that they might be overtaken at any moment, everyone braced themselves to study with absolute determination.
A week later, Sheng Wanyan received an official employment invitation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Her accompaniment as an interpreter during the trip to Hong Kong had proceeded with absolute fluidity, and both Academician Yuan and Academician Chen had praised her to the heavens. Once the Ministry of Foreign Affairs caught wind of the fact that she was currently studying eight foreign languages concurrently, how could they possibly let such a talent slip away?
Talent could be discovered by others at any moment; if a government department or the Academy of Sciences ended up scrambling against the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for her, it would be a total disaster.
Consequently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dispatched personnel to Peking University to investigate Sheng Wanyan’s situation, even making inquiries with her major professor. The colleague from the Ministry who came to investigate froze the moment he saw Professor Zhao, not daring to utter a word. As a newcomer, he had been assigned this task upon his arrival. Yet, no one had bothered to mention to him that Comrade Sheng Wanyan was Professor Zhao’s disciple!!!
Damn it! The personal disciple of the previous Minister of Foreign Affairs—what was there left to investigate? They were all just taking advantage of him because he was the new guy.
With the assessment completed and her performance on the mission deemed absolutely flawless, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended an invitation for her to join their ranks ahead of schedule. However, since she was still pursuing her studies, it was currently an honorary registration. Upon her graduation, she would report directly to the Ministry, with her specific post to be designated at that time.
When the Gu and Sheng families learned of this, the two households gathered for a massive celebratory feast. The confirmation that Sheng Wanyan’s future career would remain anchored in the Capital was an incredibly monumental event. This meant that after her graduation, the couple wouldn’t be separated across two regions, and the children wouldn’t have to be apart from their mother.
“This is wonderful. Wanyan has been scouted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ahead of schedule. In the future, our family will remain perfectly intact together.” Mother Gu poured a glass of liquor for Mother Sheng. It was a rare occasion for the two mothers to share a drink. Grandfather and Grandmother Sheng were smiling so hard their mouths couldn’t close. Having a junior in the family show such immense promise—how could they not be proud?
“In-law, you have truly raised her beautifully. Wanyan is simply incredible—excellent in her studies, possessing a wonderful disposition, well-mannered, and adept at managing the household. For raising such a wonderful daughter-in-law for our Gu family, I truly must thank you both.” Mother Gu rambled on, her mouth relentlessly praising Father and Mother Sheng for their parental guidance.
Hearing this, Father and Mother Sheng felt immense pride in their hearts, yet they maintained a highly poised and calm demeanor on the surface, giving Sheng Wanyan absolute face.
“You praise us too highly; it’s all due to the child’s own diligence. Old Sheng and I should be the ones thanking you instead. If it weren’t for the continuous assistance from you two in-laws, how could Wanyan possibly find the time to study? With you two caring for Wanyan so deeply, we are the ones who ought to show our gratitude.”
In just a few sentences, Mother Sheng smoothly credited the merit back to the Gu family. She wasn’t foolish; the more outstanding her daughter was, the more secure her status in the Gu family would be. Yet precisely because of this, their household couldn’t leverage their daughter’s excellence to act superior in front of the Gu family. The Gu family was an influential clan of high standing, so she still had to consider her daughter’s position. If it were any other household, she would have bragged about it long ago.
Sheng Wanyan and Gu Tingxiao listened to the mutual flattery between the elders—or rather, the mutual flattery between the two mothers. Did they not see that the two fathers were already drinking heavily? Father Gu, in particular, was looking at Father Sheng with eyes filled with… affection???
What!!!
Sheng Wanyan took another look just to be sure. It was the exact same look Father Gu used when staring at Yi Yi, overflowing with affection and doting warmth.
“In-law, a toast to you!” Father Gu raised his glass with immense robustness.
Father Sheng wiped the cold sweat from his brow. This in-law of his spoke without a shred of filter every time they met, delivering astonishing remarks right to his face. In the past it was fine, but today his in-law’s gaze was making him break out in goosebumps.
“Thank you for raising such a wonderful daughter-in-law for my Gu family.”
“Hehe… you’re too polite.” Father Sheng’s mouth twitched slightly as he raised his glass to drain a toast with him. But the moment he saw Father Gu set a full bottle of liquor right in front of him, he went completely numb…
“These glasses are too tiny, it’s not satisfying. In-law, a whole bottle each!”
Father Sheng desperately wanted to refuse. If he drank this entire bottle of Baijiu, would he even be able to return home intact? “Ah… drinking heavily harms the body. Let’s not drink this much.”
“What’s there to fear! Exercise more on regular days, and you can drink as much as you want without an issue.”
Hearing Father Gu’s words, Father Sheng looked at his robust arms, then down at his own arms. It was a complete case of a dwarf standing next to a giant. Since arriving in the Capital, Father Sheng didn’t labor in a workshop like before, so his exercise wasn’t nearly as frequent. Positioned next to the towering Father Gu, he appeared exceptionally lean and small.
“What are you drinking so heavily for? Do you value your life?” Seeing Father Gu drinking with such reckless abandon, Mother Gu immediately shot a sharp glare over, smoothly stepping in to break the impasse for Father Sheng.
“In-law still has to head to the general store tomorrow. If you make him drink this much, are you planning to have him lie like a corpse at home tomorrow?” Mother Gu reprimanded Father Gu without a shred of mercy.
Casting a glance at Mother Gu, Father Gu immediately withdrew the bottle, pouring the liquor into his glass to drink normally instead.
Chapter 589: The Hidden Belongings of the Gu Family
Father Sheng let out a massive sigh of relief. He really couldn’t have drunk an entire bottle; it was fortunate that his daughter-in-law stepped in to rein in his in-law. Otherwise, he probably wouldn’t have been able to get out of bed tomorrow.
Seeing how happy and proud her family looked, Sheng Wanyan felt happy as well. Sometimes, when your elders are proud of you, you can’t help but lift your head and puff out your chest, waiting for others to praise you. That kind of feeling was simply fantastic…
The household enjoyed a lively celebration, and the days gradually slipped away.
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was 1980.
The Gu residence was bustling with extraordinary excitement today. Every single member of Second Uncle Gu’s family had returned to the Capital to spend the New Year without exception. Gu Tong and her family had also returned to the Capital, meaning all the juniors of the family were fully accounted for. Grandfather and Grandma Gu felt as though they were living in a paradise of immortals. The juniors of the household were obedient and sensible, bringing back delicious food and fun trinkets for them every single time.
Yi Yi was now four years old, and the twins were one year old; the children were gradually growing up. Yi Yi could now speak fluently and possessed sturdy limbs, following her older cousins everywhere to play. Once there were more children in the house, they played like little wild animals, returning home covered in layers of dust every single day.
The twins were the youngest children in the family, and since they were rare identical twins, every relative returning to visit couldn’t help but tease them for a bit.
Gu Tong’s family stayed in Mother Gu’s courtyard house, while Sheng Wanyan had Second Uncle Gu’s family stay in her own courtyard house. Since they were all family, it was highly lively and there were no reservations.
Red couplets were pasted onto the doors, and every household went out to purchase New Year goods. Sheng Wanyan and Gu Tingxiao took Yi Yi out for a walk, encountering numerous vendors selling New Year items along the streets.
“Sugar figures! Tanghulu!”
The vendors called out relentlessly, and people bustled back and forth along the streets. Every household hung up red lanterns and red chili peppers, with smoke rising from every chimney. This era was bursting with the flavor of the New Year and the warmth of everyday life.
“Mama, can you buy a sugar figure for me, and for my cousins and little brothers?” Yi Yi was currently at an age where she loved eating sweets.
Savoring the current atmosphere of the New Year and looking at the bustling streets, Sheng Wanyan raised her head upon hearing Yi Yi’s inquiry. Seeing the sugar figures of various patterns on the vendor’s stall, her own mouth watered a bit as well.
“Of course. Everyone should be happy during the New Year.”
“Thank you, Papa, Mama~”
Yi Yi held Gu Tingxiao and Sheng Wanyan’s hands as they went to buy the sugar figures. The patterns included dragons, rabbits, mice, and all sorts of designs. Yi Yi picked and chose continuously, buying one for every single cousin and little brother in the family.
“Lailai, Maomao, and Chouwa can’t eat them with their current teeth yet. Yi Yi, why don’t you pick out a gift for your little brothers instead?”
Yi Yi nodded. On the way back, she selected toys for her little brothers, while Sheng Wanyan purchased quite a few treats made by the locals themselves. Laba garlic, migong, peach pastries, caozi cakes, ludagun, pastry gift boxes, mitandao, candy melons… Sheng Wanyan bought all of them to bring back. To spend the New Year in the Capital, these items were absolutely indispensable.
On New Year’s Eve, they shared a reunion dinner, and the children happily received red envelopes. The men stayed up to usher in the New Year, and at exactly twelve o’clock midnight, the sound of firecrackers erupted across the military compound. The children were startled awake one after another but quickly fell back to sleep.
Early on the morning of Lunar New Year’s Day, the women rose early to prepare the items needed to kick off the year. Slaughtering chickens, geese, and fish, they bustled about in the back courtyard. These animals could not be chopped into pieces; they had to remain whole for the men of the house to present as offerings.
Once everything was properly prepared, the men of the family brought along sandalwood incense, red candles, firecrackers, and the whole chickens, ducks, fish, and meat, carrying the items on shoulder poles to offer sacrifices to the deities. While the women prepared the meals at home, the men carried the offerings back to continue worshiping the Earth God and the Kitchen God at home.
The incense and red candles burned down, the ritual paper money was consumed by fire, and the firecrackers were lit, sending the children scurrying into the house with their hands over their ears. The air was thick with the scent of firecracker smoke. The women chopped up the ingredients from the offerings and stir-fried them, preparing today’s grand feast.
The children each held a chicken drumstick, chicken wing, duck foot, duck leg, or duck wing, gnawing on them at the doorway while competing with the neighbors’ children to see whose piece of meat was larger. Their mouths were covered in oil and their hands were sticky, until they finally all went home to wash their hands.
The children of the compound swarmed to the house to offer New Year greetings, and Sheng Wanyan joined Mother Gu in distributing candies to them. On the second day of the New Year, married daughters returned to their maiden homes, making the compound even more lively, and Yi Yi headed out again to acknowledge a few more little sisters.
However, what Sheng Wanyan absolutely hadn’t expected was that today, Grandfather and Grandma Gu would actually make a monumental decision.
It was the second day of the New Year, and the married-out daughter, the son-in-law, and the men of the family were all present. After finishing dinner, Grandfather and Grandma Gu requested the son-in-law, the granddaughter, and the grandson-in-law to take all the children out to play.
With Grandfather Gu issuing the directive, how could they dare disobey? They hurriedly took the children out to buy roast duck to eat.
Grandfather Gu looked at the juniors of the family, exchanged a look with Grandma Gu, and laid out the core matter to everyone.
“It just so happens that everyone is present today. Your mother and I have some matters to discuss with you.”
Grandma Gu looked at Father Gu, Second Uncle Gu, and Gu Tong. The three siblings instantly felt a trace of trepidation in their hearts.
“Father, Mother…”
The three siblings wanted to say something, but Grandfather Gu raised his hand to stop them: “Let your mother finish speaking.”
Grandfather Gu’s sharp gaze swept over the juniors of the family. Gu Tingxiao and his brothers looked at their grandparents without offering any input.
“Your father and I are getting old, and you all are grandparents yourselves now. Your father and I figured that while everyone is here, we should divide the family’s belongings.”
Grandma Gu produced a sheet of paper. Listed on it were all the jewelry, ornaments, and antiques the Gu family had kept hidden for so many years.
“These are all things your father and I accumulated through our hard work over the years. There are five chests of jewelry and ornaments, seven chests of gold bars, and five chests of antique displays. The grandsons are matters for you as parents to worry about, so we won’t interfere too much. As for these items, Eldest and Second will each receive two chests of jewelry, three chests of gold bars, and two and a half chests of antique displays.”
Grandma Gu scanned the room. Seeing that there wasn’t a shred of dissatisfaction on the faces of the juniors, the two daughters-in-law, or the granddaughters-in-law, she felt comforted inwardly.
“The remaining chest of jewelry and chest of gold bars were originally intended by your father and me to be Tong’s dowry back then. The state of the world wasn’t good back then, so we never spoke of these hidden items at home. Now that the country has opened up, you all have established your own homes, and the children have achieved success. Take these things back to keep safe yourselves. As for how they are to be divided and arranged, you will decide among yourselves.”
Grandfather and Grandma Gu looked at their three children. Father Gu’s generation had long since divided their households, so these items would naturally be divided equally among their own children, as there was no need to keep them in their own hands. By distributing them now, no one would have to harbor designs on what was in their parents’ hands, and it would prevent any shameful disputes from arising in the future.
Father Gu and Second Uncle Gu immediately stated that they would divide the assets among their own children. As for how Gu Tong would arrange her share, that was her own business.
Father Gu and Second Uncle Gu divided their portions equally among their sons, while no shares were given to the daughters.
Chapter 590: Dividing the Goods
It wasn’t that they didn’t want to give anything to them, but Second Sister Gu and Gu Tingying were only around thirty years old. Their roads ahead were still very long, and no one truly knew what the future would hold. Sometimes, carrying too much wealth on one’s person could end up harming them instead. Furthermore, they were already daughters who had married out, and the family had not treated them poorly when they wed.
These belongings were Grandfather and Grandma Gu’s property. It was only natural for them to provide a dowry for their own daughter, Gu Tong. As the sons, however, they would not allow the belongings their parents had fought for with their lives to slip away into another family’s hands.
People could call them selfish or stingy all they wanted. Since the daughters had already married out, the wealth divided by their in-laws’ families was what truly belonged to them as couples. It was not right to expect a share of the maternal family’s belongings as well—unless their children’s household registration was under the Gu family.
Once Father Gu and Second Uncle Gu made their decision, there was no need to say more, as none of the married-out daughters except Gu Tong were present.
Mother Gu straight up divided the belongings among her three sons on the spot, splitting everything equally so no one could claim they were playing favorites later.
“You three brothers get one chest of gold bars each.”
“As for the jewelry and ornaments, Eldest and Third’s households will get one chest each. Old Fourth will take the antique displays. Any objections?”
Mother Gu looked at Gu Tinghao. There were only two daughters-in-law in the family, and she simply wanted to give the jewelry to them. As for whether Old Fourth would marry a wife in the future, she didn’t want to worry about things that far down the road.
“Mom, I have no objections. Having them is useless to me anyway.”
Mother Gu still briefed him on it just in case. After all, who knew if Gu Tinghao would marry a wife in the future? She didn’t want a new daughter-in-law harboring grievances later.
“Mom, I understand. Antiques are fine with me.” Gu Tinghao had no intention of getting married anymore, so those pieces of jewelry were of no use to him. As for Gu Jingjing’s future dowry, he would naturally prepare it himself and wouldn’t let her suffer any grievances in her husband’s home.
“Alright, then you get one and a half chests of antiques. Eldest and Third will split the remaining chest of antique displays equally.”
With Mother Gu’s arrangements settled and Second Uncle Gu’s portion split equally among his sons, no one had any grounds for complaint.
“Go out to the suburbs tonight and move the items to your own homes. Keep them properly secured.”
With Grandfather Gu making the final call, no one said a word. That very night, Gu Tingxiao moved the items into the cellar of their other three-entry courtyard house in the Capital. Before the New Year festivities had even concluded, several chests of treasures had arrived at their doorstep, leaving Sheng Wanyan quite overwhelmed. For no rhyme or reason, the household had suddenly gained a chest of jewelry, a chest of gold bars, and half a chest of antiques. The chests reached as high as her thighs, and she could hardly imagine how much this jewelry and these antiques would be worth in the future.
“Wanyan, find a place to hide all of these.”
Sheng Wanyan looked at Gu Tingxiao. She was hiding them??? “Hide them where?”
Gu Tingxiao looked at her, pronouncing each word with absolute clarity: “You have your own way.”
Sheng Wanyan’s entire body jolted as she stared at him in disbelief. Seeing that she was startled by his words, Gu Tingxiao quickly offered comfort.
“There’s no need to tell me, I trust you. I’ve told you before, you don’t have to explain anything to me.”
Gu Tingxiao ruffled her hair, and Sheng Wanyan nodded. She had almost forgotten that more than half of her secrets had already been uncovered by him long ago. It was only the matter of her space that she would never speak of under any circumstances. She would carry the secret of her space until the moment she died, never letting a soul know.
Knowing she was unique, Gu Tingxiao simply urged her to hide the things well while he swept the courtyard house clean.
With a wave of her hand, Sheng Wanyan swept all the items into her space, then walked out to find Gu Tingxiao.
“Done?” Gu Tingxiao wondered inwardly. Do fairies cast their spells this quickly?
“Done. Let’s head back.”
Gu Tingxiao was rather amazed by her mystical capabilities. For a chest that large to be hidden away by a mere spell was truly far too magical.
“Alright.”
Gu Tingxiao drove Sheng Wanyan back to the military compound. Upon their return, Gu Tong came over to find her.
“Wanyan.”
“Aunt Tong.”
Seeing her return, Gu Tong hurriedly pulled her down to sit, looking exceptionally close.
“Wanyan, this is from me.” Gu Tong handed her a small box.
Sheng Wanyan opened it to find a set of jewelry, leaving her overwhelmed by the unexpected favor. “Aunt Tong, I can’t accept this.”
“Keep it. Don’t feel any pressure. Back then, you saved our entire family from the depths of disaster, and we haven’t even thanked you properly yet. Your aunt doesn’t have much good stuff right now, just these worldly possessions, so don’t look down on them. Accept it, otherwise I won’t feel at peace.”
Sheng Wanyan looked toward Mother Gu. Mother Gu nodded, gesturing for her to accept it; if she didn’t, Gu Tong would keep dwelling on it.
“Aunt Tong, I’ll just take a pair of earrings then. You take the rest back to wear yourself.”
“I don’t wear them. If you don’t want them, I’ll give them to Yi Yi.” Gu Tong didn’t give her a single chance to refuse, so Sheng Wanyan could only accept them. When Gu Tong returned to Rongcheng later, she would just gift her some nice things in return.
“Aunt Tong, I’ll accept them then. But you can’t gift such valuable things next time, or I really won’t accept.” Sheng Wanyan pulled Gu Tong’s arm in a coquettish manner, and Gu Tong smiled as she tapped her forehead.
“Yes, yes, yes, look how sweet your tongue is.”
Sheng Wanyan accepted the gift with perfect grace, making Gu Tong like her more the more she looked at her. Gu Tong patted her hand with immense comfort; it would be wonderful if this were her own daughter. She couldn’t adore such a wonderful girl more. But since she was her niece-in-law now, they were still family, which made her happy all the same. She felt incredibly fortunate that she had played matchmaker for Sheng Wanyan and Gu Tingxiao back then; to have such a wonderful child as family filled her with joy.
“When is Aunt Tong returning to Rongcheng?”
“Your uncle and I are heading back tomorrow. There are far too many matters to handle at your uncle’s military district. When you return for the upcoming semester, you’ll be a junior, right?”
“Yes, a junior.” Sheng Wanyan was about to become a junior. Half of her university life had already flown past; time truly moved fast.
“I heard from my eldest brother and sister-in-law that you’ve been scouted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You truly are outstanding, executing everything you touch to the absolute best.”
“Not at all. I just love studying, and the classmates at the university are all highly exceptional. If I don’t work hard, I’ll fall behind.”
Hearing her humble words, Gu Tong smiled. How could she not know Sheng Wanyan’s true caliber? She had heard from Mother Sheng that Wanyan had been the top scorer of the college entrance examination in Ice City back then, ranking third nationwide. A talent like her would be able to thrive anywhere in the future, allowing her to feel more at ease about the child. Sometimes, a natural mutual affinity mattered more than anything else.
“Alright, I’ll stop praising you. Lest you become too bashful to chat with me.”
“How could I? Go ask my mom, am I the type of person to get bashful?”
Hearing her, Gu Tong and Mother Gu burst into laughter. Mother Gu didn’t dare say whether she was bashful or not; after all, neither her sister-in-law nor her daughter-in-law could be offended.
“I don’t know anything about it.” Mother Gu cleared her name immediately. Don’t draw the battle lines toward me, no way!
Sheng Wanyan and Gu Tong laughed. Mother Gu’s defensive look resembled a clown trying desperately to prove his innocence, with the words “don’t try to frame me” practically written all over her face.
