Chapter 609 | Chapter 610 | Chapter 611
Chapter 609: Gu Tinghao Hosts the Banquet
Having been a business owner for several years, Sheng Wanyan’s presence had grown even stronger than before. Furthermore, she was destined to join the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the future and had studied closely under Elder Zhao.
Elder Zhao’s philosophy of never flinching or backing down when it came to national interests was something she had absorbed to a fault.
There were times when even Grandma Gu would tease her, saying she looked more and more like a proper diplomat.
Yang Dongxia, naturally, had looked into her two future sisters-in-law before stepping through the door. Both were easy to get along with.
The eldest sister-in-law worked in the Bureau of Education, and the third sister-in-law was a university student—both were educated intellectuals.
She had heard from Gu Tinghao that the third sister-in-law also ran some small businesses on her own, though she wasn’t quite sure what kind of business it was yet.
Besides, the Gu family had already divided their assets, so these matters were not for a new daughter-in-law like her to worry about.
She had married Gu Tinghao for love, not for the Gu family’s status.
After the three sisters-in-law chatted for a while, Mother Gu brought some food inside for Yang Dongxia to eat. Outside, the wedding banquet had already begun.
The banquet was hosted right inside the military compound. Meanwhile, the Wang family… could only watch helplessly as Gu Tinghao wedded a new wife.
Since the Wang family belonged to the compound after all, they had naturally been invited to attend the banquet. Seeing this scene, Father and Mother Wang felt a bitter taste in their mouths.
The thriving Gu family used to be their in-laws, yet now, someone else had taken their place.
A country pheasant from the provinces had actually replaced the Wang family’s daughter!
Mother Wang felt thoroughly displeased. Seeing the members of the Gu family beaming with joy, her heart filled with intense envy.
Lately, the Gu family’s development had been getting better and better, rising to an even higher level than their previous status.
Particularly the eldest grandson and the third grandson of the Gu family. With Gu Tingxiao’s help, Gu Tingye had received another promotion!
Currently, Big Brother Gu held the rank of regiment commander. If he continued to develop like this…
The Gu family would leave the Wang family far behind. From regiment commander to division commander, then to commander, and finally commander-in-chief…
No one in the compound could help but feel wary. Big Brother Gu’s path had been far too smooth!
Yet no matter how envious they were in their hearts, they had to maintain proper appearances. People in the compound cared about their reputation above all else!
Today’s banquet had been prepared according to the same standards as when Sheng Wanyan married into the family. After all, Yang Dongxia was Yang Dongxia, and Wang Chunmei was Wang Chunmei.
The Gu family couldn’t very well take the things the fourth branch had done in the past and use them to oppress an innocent person like Yang Dongxia.
Father and Mother Yang, along with Yang Dongxia’s biological brothers and sisters, had all come to attend the banquet today. With such a prime opportunity, it was impossible for the Yang family not to come and network with those in power.
No matter whose family it was, people would naturally harbor their own little motives, so long as they didn’t take things too far.
Father and Mother Yang sat at the head table with Father and Mother Gu, while Yang Dongxia’s brothers and sisters shared a table with the Gu family’s peers.
Everyone was exchanging pleasantries. After paying respects to the elders, Gu Tinghao, the groom, busied himself hosting his friends and guests, his face completely covered in smiles.
Gu Jingjing sat at a table with the other children of the house, keeping her head down to eat her food without a single emotion on her face.
It wasn’t that she hated them… she had simply let it go.
She knew exactly what she should and shouldn’t do. She belonged to the Gu family’s first branch now, and she could not bring shame to them.
“Isn’t that the daughter from the Gu family’s fourth branch?”
“With this new wife coming in to be a stepmother, her life won’t be easy.”
A few gossiping guests couldn’t resist exchanging whispers. After all, nowadays, even the slightest bit of news could spread like wildfire.
“You don’t know? She’s no longer a daughter of the fourth branch.”
“She’s a daughter of the first branch now. Her registration was transferred over to them.”
“No way? How did she end up with the first branch? For a biological father and daughter to become uncle and niece is just too…”
The gossiping guests didn’t need to finish their sentences; everyone understood perfectly well.
Exactly. A biological daughter had become a niece. This fourth Gu brother was truly irresponsible, only caring about his own pleasure.
To marry a new wife, he didn’t even want his own biological daughter anymore.
It was fortunate that the Gu family’s first branch was kind-hearted; otherwise, who knows how miserable this child would be.
“Aren’t men all like that? All for that bit of pleasure between their legs.”
“Keep it down. No matter what, he’s still a member of the Gu family.”
The gossiping crowd quickly shut their mouths. If Gu Tinghao weren’t a member of the Gu family, he would have been drowned in spit long ago.
Mother Gu, accompanied by Sister-in-Law Gu and Sheng Wanyan, hosted the guests. Mother Gu had prepared nine dishes, signifying a long and enduring marriage.
“Thank you all for coming to my son’s banquet. Please eat and drink your fill today. If it’s not enough, there’s more!”
Mother Gu spoke a few hearty words to everyone, and the crowd smiled and nodded in agreement.
“Great!”
“Congratulations, congratulations.”
“Yes! Congratulations!”
Everyone offered their congratulations one after another, and Mother Gu responded to each with a smile until the corners of her mouth grew stiff.
Seeing that Mother Gu was the one speaking, the old gentlemen sitting at the head table stole a glance at Grandpa Gu.
Grandpa Gu was drinking his liquor in silence. These old gentlemen were all shrewd characters; they could tell that the Gu family’s fourth branch would likely fall into obscurity within this compound from now on.
In the future, he would probably be far inferior to the first and third branches.
“Drink up!”
Grandpa Gu spoke up, and the old gentlemen raised their glasses to down a drink together, chatting as they drank.
Grandma Gu was chatting at a table with the elderly ladies. Seeing that Mother Gu had arranged today’s banquet so smoothly, she felt at ease.
“Your eldest daughter-in-law is truly a capable hand at managing a household.”
A few elderly ladies couldn’t resist praising her, and Grandma Gu smiled and nodded upon hearing this.
“Yes, I am blessed.”
Grandma Gu was thoroughly satisfied with Mother Gu. Even if Mother Gu was biased toward Gu Tinghao, she had always been completely devoted to the Gu family and its elders, giving her everything.
The banquet proceeded very smoothly. Up in Gu Jingjing’s room, Yang Dongxia listened to the bustling noise downstairs, her face flushing slightly.
The people downstairs were all congratulating Gu Tinghao on his marriage and wishing them a healthy baby soon. The voices were so loud she could hear them clearly even upstairs.
The banquet lasted until half past six in the evening. Although Mother Gu had hired people to cook the dishes and clean up, it was still exhausting for her.
Once everything was cleared away, Gu Tinghao took Yang Dongxia back to their own home.
After all, there were no extra rooms left in the compound. Surely they couldn’t let Gu Jingjing’s biological father and stepmother spend their wedding night in her bedroom?
Her face flushed, Yang Dongxia bid farewell to the elders, climbed onto the bicycle, and rode back to their home with Gu Tinghao.
Gu Tinghao’s place consisted of two bedrooms and a living room. One of the rooms used to belong to Gu Jingjing, but it was empty now.
Yang Dongxia didn’t say anything when she saw it, only telling Gu Tinghao to tidy up Gu Jingjing’s room properly so the child would have a place to stay whenever she came back.
Gu Tinghao naturally acquiesced to everything she said, his eyes never leaving Yang Dongxia for a single moment.
Her face burning, Yang Dongxia followed him into the bedroom, the air instantly filling with an ambiguous atmosphere.
A moment of the wedding night was worth a thousand pieces of gold. The shifting silhouettes of their moving figures on the bed were reflected clearly against the window.
The next day, Gu Tinghao brought Yang Dongxia back to the compound. After all, Yang Dongxia had to serve tea to the elders today.
“Hurry up, we’re going to be late.”
Yang Dongxia felt a bit of physical discomfort, but seeing that it was already half past nine in the morning, she hurriedly urged Gu Tinghao.
“It’s fine. Mom and Dad have been through this before; they’ll understand.”
“Back then, my third sister-in-law didn’t wake up until noon, and Mom and Dad were very easygoing about it.”
Chapter 610: A Childhood Without a Beating is Imperfect
Hearing this, Yang Dongxia felt a bit more at ease. However, as a new daughter-in-law, there were still rules to follow.
Seeing her urgency, Gu Tinghao could only take her out the door and head back to the compound.
At this moment in the compound, Grandpa Gu and Grandma Gu were both waiting. They had already drunk several cups of tea.
Looking at the doorway where no figure had appeared for the longest time, Grandpa Gu and Grandma Gu frowned deeply.
Mother Gu’s face darkened slightly at the sight. She wasn’t targeting Yang Dongxia; she was targeting Gu Tinghao!
How did he have the face to keep Grandpa Gu and Grandma Gu waiting here for several hours? It was already half past ten!
If they didn’t show up soon, the two elders would be having lunch and taking their afternoon nap. Mother Gu was anxious, but there was nothing she could do.
By the time Gu Tinghao brought Yang Dongxia over, it was already eleven o’clock. Seeing them arrive, Mother Gu stood up with a smile to welcome them.
“You’re finally here. Your grandparents were getting so sleepy from waiting.”
Mother Gu smiled as she took Yang Dongxia’s hand. Though she spoke to Gu Tinghao standing beside her, Yang Dongxia’s heart thudded.
She knew she and Gu Tinghao had displeased the two elders. After all, they had agreed with the elders yesterday to arrive by ten in the morning.
Yang Dongxia opened her mouth, wanting to explain, but since she hadn’t served the formal tea yet, she couldn’t call Mother Gu “Mom.”
“Come quickly, your grandparents have large red envelopes prepared for you.”
Knowing what she wanted to say, Mother Gu didn’t give her the chance and hurried them along instead.
Gu Tinghao and Yang Dongxia hurriedly knelt, and Yang Dongxia began serving tea to each of the elders.
After Grandpa Gu and Grandma Gu took a sip, they each handed out a prepared red envelope, which looked quite thick.
Next, they served tea to Father and Mother Gu. Father and Mother Gu took two sips and handed over their red envelopes with smiles.
Yang Dongxia successfully changed how she addressed them, and she began to familiarize herself with every member of the family.
During lunch, Gu Tinghao placed food into Yang Dongxia’s bowl, and Yang Dongxia glanced at him with a blush.
Seeing this, Mother Gu stole a glance at Gu Jingjing. From beginning to end, Gu Jingjing didn’t look at the affectionate couple opposite her once, keeping entirely to herself as she ate.
Aside from the initial greeting of “Fourth Uncle, Fourth Aunt,” she hadn’t spoken a single word to them.
A biological father and daughter were now stranger than anyone else.
Big Brother Gu scooped some food into Gu Jingjing’s bowl. Gu Jingjing looked at him and smiled; she had a papa who doted on her.
Sheng Wanyan said nothing as she watched this play out. With the elders present, it wasn’t her place to criticize Gu Tinghao for being an unfit father.
Besides, she and Gu Tingxiao were already stretched thin looking after the three children in their own branch.
Lailai and Maomao were becoming more and more active. There were times when Sheng Wanyan felt like she was fighting a war, wishing she could hire another nanny to help serve the household.
Children just over a year old were intensely curious about everything, especially boys. Sometimes, only their father, Gu Tingxiao, could keep a handle on them.
Munching on their steamed egg custard, Lailai and Maomao looked curiously at Yang Dongxia opposite them.
Seeing the twins staring at her, Yang Dongxia was instantly amused. She teased Lailai and Maomao a bit, and the two little fellows gave her face, laughing merrily.
Seeing Lailai and Maomao laugh, Yang Dongxia felt her heart ease, and she couldn’t resist teasing them a few more times.
“Third Sister-in-Law, these two brothers are just too amusing.”
“I can’t even tell who is who.”
Sheng Wanyan smiled at Yang Dongxia’s words. After wiping the two children’s mouths, she responded to her.
“Children change from one moment to the next. Once you spend enough time together, you’ll be able to tell them apart.”
“In the future when you become a mother, you’ll definitely understand.”
Yang Dongxia smiled at her words and couldn’t help but touch her own belly. She didn’t dare to imagine the day she would become a mother.
“It would be wonderful if I could give birth to twins in the future too.”
Yang Dongxia’s tone carried a hint of wistful longing. Hearing her words, Sheng Wanyan’s hand paused slightly.
“Children are a matter of fate. What is meant to come will naturally come.”
“Third Sister-in-Law makes sense.”
Yang Dongxia also believed that children were a matter of fate; it was precisely because of fate that this bond between mother and child could exist.
Lunch concluded in a lively atmosphere. After the meal, Yang Dongxia gave red envelopes to the children of the house.
Seeing this, Yi Yi looked at Sheng Wanyan. Sheng Wanyan nodded, and only then did Yi Yi accept it with both hands.
“Thank you, Fourth Aunt.”
“Good girl~”
Yang Dongxia pinched Yi Yi’s little face, feeling immense fondness for this soft and adorable niece.
“Yi Yi is just too well-behaved and sensible.”
Yang Dongxia offered a few praises. Sheng Wanyan nodded with a smile in response, ruffling Yi Yi’s head.
“As long as the child is healthy, that’s the best thing.”
“Third Sister-in-Law speaks the truth.”
Yang Dongxia didn’t catch the underlying meaning in Sheng Wanyan’s words, continuing to play with the children to draw closer to them.
She particularly wanted to get along well with Gu Jingjing, but Gu Jingjing went straight back to her room after finishing lunch.
Seeing this, Yang Dongxia didn’t say anything. She wouldn’t force the child, but she knew Gu Jingjing was a child of the fourth branch.
As a stepmother, she needed to get along well and understand her no matter what. She had prepared herself fully before marrying Gu Tinghao.
As for how Gu Jingjing viewed her or whether she could accept her, that was a separate matter.
By right, Yang Dongxia was supposed to prepare breakfast this morning. However, the Gu family had never held a tradition of mistreating daughters-in-law, so it was changed to dinner instead.
Sister-in-Law Gu and Sheng Wanyan helped with the preparations. Yang Dongxia truly wasn’t very adept at cooking; before coming to the Capital, someone at home cooked for her, and after arriving, she usually ate at the cafeteria.
Suddenly having to cook food for so many people made her quite anxious.
Seeing her worry, Sister-in-Law Gu smiled and reassured her with a few words: “It’s fine. Mom and Dad are reasonable people.”
Yang Dongxia nodded nervously, her palms sweating.
Yang Dongxia was a bit flustered, but fortunately, with the help of Sister-in-Law Gu and Sheng Wanyan, the meal was finally ready.
With six dishes prepared, the family members took their places at the table and began to eat.
Grandpa Gu took the first bite. Yang Dongxia watched him nervously. Grandpa Gu showed no expression, which allowed Yang Dongxia to put her heart at rest.
At the very least, it wasn’t unpalatable, and the elders could eat it.
Mother Gu scooped a piece to taste. The flavor naturally wasn’t as good as her own cooking, but at least it was standard and edible.
“Eat up, everyone. Xiaoxia’s cooking is quite decent.”
The family members moved their chopsticks. To the rough men of the Gu family, as long as it was edible, it was a delicacy!
Seeing everyone eating happily, Yang Dongxia finally let out a sigh of relief.
By right, Yang Dongxia should have stayed home to bond with everyone over the next two days, especially to nurture the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.
However, everyone had classes tomorrow, including Yang Dongxia.
Furthermore, she had to visit her maiden home in a couple of days. The Yang family was staying at the guest house and waiting, so Yang Dongxia couldn’t take too much leave.
After all, this was currently the most critical academic phase. If Yang Dongxia took a day off, she would have to make up the academic credits.
Mother Gu naturally understood this and straight up told them to head back, saying there would be plenty of opportunities in the future.
Gu Tinghao and Yang Dongxia could only head back first, while Sheng Wanyan’s family also returned to Beijing University.
Time trickled by with Yang Dongxia’s visit to her maiden home and Gu Tinghao’s daily beaming joy, arriving at the day summer vacation began.
Chapter 611: Returning to the Old Home?
Sometimes, Father and Mother Sheng would come over to take Huzi and Yi Yi out to play, or they would go to the grocery store to eat candy.
Sheng Wanyan knew about it but didn’t say anything; she wanted to give the child a beautiful childhood after all.
However, a beautiful childhood was imperfect without a single beating.
And so, Sheng Wanyan finally found an opportunity to give Yi Yi a beating…
Yi Yi had been running wildly around the house with Maodou and had even gone shopping with Mother Sheng, losing the bracelet that Gu Tingxiao had previously given Sheng Wanyan as a wedding anniversary gift.
Sheng Wanyan lost her temper instantly. She gave Yi Yi a thorough scolding and smacked her bottom several times.
Yi Yi looked at her with tearful eyes, but Sheng Wanyan’s face remained grim. Sternly, she ordered Yi Yi to go stand in the corner as punishment.
Yi Yi didn’t dare to disobey; after all, her mother treasured the things given by her father the most. She loved looking pretty, so she had secretly taken it out and accidentally lost it.
Knowing she was in the wrong, she obediently went to stand in the corner, and Maodou lay down beside her to keep her company.
When Gu Tingxiao came home from work, this was the exact scene that met his eyes. Yi Yi stole a glance at him, and seeing this, Gu Tingxiao peeked into the inner room.
“Where is your mom?”
Gu Tingxiao asked in a hushed voice. Yi Yi pointed inside. “Mommy is angry.”
“Why is she angry?”
Gu Tingxiao inquired softly, and Yi Yi explained the whole sequence of events perfectly clearly all on her own.
“Where did you lose it?”
“I don’t know~”
Yi Yi’s little shoulders slumped, and she looked like a completely deflated balloon, utterly pitiful.
“Where did you go today? Papa will go find it for you.”
Hearing this, Yi Yi hurriedly grabbed his hand and whispered the places she had visited today into his ear.
“Mommy was very angry, and she even beat Yi Yi.”
Yi Yi looked at Gu Tingxiao aggrievedly. Gu Tingxiao looked back at her with a solemn expression, and Yi Yi instantly chickened out.
“Yi Yi, you took Mommy’s things without asking for permission first.”
“That is a very impolite thing to do.”
“But… that’s Mommy.”
This was the first time Yi Yi had heard the logic that a child couldn’t just take a mother’s things, and she was instantly stunned.
“Yi Yi, if your younger brothers took your favorite toy and lost it,”
“Would you be sad?”
Gu Tingxiao’s words threw Yi Yi into deep thought. She pondered it for a moment and finally understood.
“Yi Yi would be very sad.”
“So, no matter whose thing it is, if you want it, you have to ask if it’s okay.”
“When someone says no, it means no. You have to respect other people’s choices.”
Listening to her old father’s teachings, Yi Yi nodded repeatedly. Gu Tingxiao hadn’t lost his temper, merely teaching her in a calm manner, yet it was enough to frighten Yi Yi.
“I’ll go apologize to Mommy.”
“Go on.”
Hearing this, Yi Yi hurriedly ran inside to find Sheng Wanyan. Sheng Wanyan was in the room drawing new blueprints when Yi Yi suddenly hugged her.
“Mommy, I’m sorry.”
“Yi Yi shouldn’t have taken your things without your permission.”
“I was wrong, and I won’t do it again in the future.”
Hearing her words, Sheng Wanyan let out a sigh, lifted her onto her lap, and patiently reasoned with her.
The mother and daughter quickly made up. After dinner, Gu Tingxiao went out for a trip. When he returned, he brought back the bracelet Sheng Wanyan had lost.
“Where did you find it?”
Sheng Wanyan took it from him in pleasant surprise. Gu Tingxiao smiled and pulled her into his embrace.
“Guess where I finally found it.”
“Where?”
Sheng Wanyan looked at him curiously. Gu Tingxiao’s eyes were filled with absolute helplessness as he told her where he had located the bracelet.
“Right on the desk in Yi Yi’s room.”
Hearing this, Sheng Wanyan instantly burst out laughing. How could her daughter be so silly!
“She just tossed it down casually and forgot about it.”
“This was also a good lesson for her. She won’t dare to do it again in the future.”
Listening to Gu Tingxiao’s words, how could Sheng Wanyan not understand what was going on? This man was pleading on behalf of his daughter.
“Alright, cut it out with this act in front of me.”
“You father and daughter are the ones truly in the same boat.”
Sheng Wanyan’s tone carried a hint of jealousy. Seeing this, Gu Tingxiao hurriedly coaxed her.
“I am in the same boat as my wife.”
“Get lost.”
Sheng Wanyan replied crossly.
During the summer vacation, Grandpa Sheng and Grandma Sheng wanted to return to their old home for a visit. They had been in the Capital for over three years, and they missed it dearly.
As people grow older, they naturally yearn for their hometown and the places where they spent their youth.
It just so happened to be summer vacation now, and the family members were all available, so everyone could go back together to take a look. Especially Huzi—he couldn’t grow up not knowing where his old home was.
Furthermore, Pan Yue hadn’t been back either, and there were many relatives she hadn’t met yet, so it was time to go back and see them.
Grandpa Sheng and Grandma Sheng made the arrangements, and Father and Mother Sheng would naturally join them on the trip back.
The grocery store currently had four or five branch locations and had hired staff, so everything would be managed smoothly even while they were away.
Since Huzi was going back to the old home, he immediately tried to trick Yi Yi into coming along with him. Hearing about it, Yi Yi was thoroughly tempted.
“I heard the countryside has lots of fun things. You can catch rabbits and dig for bugs.”
“Little Sister, let’s go back together.”
Huzi held Yi Yi’s hand. Yi Yi really wanted to follow him back to see what digging for bugs was like, but she didn’t dare to agree on her own.
“Only if my mommy agrees.”
Hearing this, Huzi instantly deflated. His aunt would definitely not agree; after all, his aunt still had to look after his younger brothers.
“Okay then.”
Yi Yi ran to ask Sheng Wanyan. Sheng Wanyan couldn’t possibly leave at the moment, so it was impossible for her to go along.
“Yi Yi, your younger brothers are still small. They can’t handle such a long train ride.”
“How about we go in a couple of years, okay?”
Sheng Wanyan re-tied her messy hair into a neat ponytail, patiently reasoning with her.
“Mommy~ Yi Yi really wants to go.”
“Yi Yi has never seen what life in the countryside is like.”
Sheng Wanyan thought about it. Yi Yi was nearly five years old now, and aside from the Capital, she really hadn’t been to any other places.
As for the Ice City, she didn’t even know if Yi Yi still remembered what it looked like.
Taking a long trip wasn’t out of the question; it was about time the girl went to other places to broaden her horizons.
“Yi Yi, Papa and Mommy can’t go.”
“If you really want to go, you can only go with your maternal grandparents. Is that alright?”
Hearing this, Yi Yi nodded repeatedly. She felt it was perfectly alright!
“Great!”
Hearing this from outside, Huzi instantly cheered, and the two children hugged each other and spun around in circles.
Sheng Wanyan shook her head helplessly. When Father and Mother Sheng learned that Yi Yi would be coming along, they were instantly delighted.
Since their daughter couldn’t go back, having their daughter’s daughter go back amounted to the exact same thing!
The next day, Father Sheng and the others were set to leave. Fortunately, they had informed Father and Mother Sheng before buying the tickets; otherwise, Yi Yi would have been left crying in the Capital.
“Dad, Mom, these are Yi Yi’s spare clothes, sunscreen, and face cream.”
“And here is her food allowance and coupons.”
At this time, coupons were still required. The process of completely phased-out coupons wouldn’t truly begin until 1984.
“Why are you giving a food allowance!”
“Do you think your mother can’t even afford to feed my own granddaughter?”
Mother Sheng refused to take it. Left with no choice, Sheng Wanyan slipped it directly into Yi Yi’s luggage bag.
