Chapter 320: Chapter 320: An Incurable Sickness of the Heart
Gu Jiaojiao saw Second Uncle Gu and Auntie Gu looking like they wanted to tear her to shreds, especially the woman, whose face was a savage, twisted mask.
’When did I ever offend them? This is the first time I’ve ever met them, isn’t it!’
"Dad, it’s a miracle you haven’t gone crazy after being neighbors with people like this for so long. You’re all so resilient!"
To Second Uncle Gu, Gu Jiaojiao’s smiling face was like a demon baring its fangs from a bloody maw.
It filled Second Uncle Gu with disgust and revulsion. Unable to contain his rage, he tore the shoe from his foot, intending to hurl it at Gu Jiaojiao.
"Go on, I dare you."
Two chilly voices spoke out at the same time. That, combined with Su Shuochi’s death glare—as cold and sharp as a blade—successfully froze Second Uncle Gu’s hand in mid-air.
Clutching the shoe, Second Uncle Gu neither dared to throw it nor was he willing to back down. He nearly suffocated on his own pent-up rage.
"Brother, I just want to smash this insolent brat who doesn’t know her place! I will never acknowledge her as my niece."
Mr. Gu lifted his gaze and looked coldly at Second Uncle Gu. "My daughter and my son-in-law don’t need your approval, Gu Chengzhou," he said frostily. "Now get out. Stop trying to act tough here and making a fool of yourself. My family’s affairs have nothing to do with you."
"Brother, no matter what, I’m still a part of the Gu Family. How can this family’s affairs have nothing to do with me?"
Second Uncle Gu’s face flushed red with shame and anger, but at his brother’s words, the color drained from it, leaving it deathly pale.
He knew he had done wrong in the past, but he had already knelt before his father and elder brother to admit his mistakes and had received their forgiveness.
That past transgression was like an invisible hand wrapped around his neck, ready to tighten its grip and suffocate him at any moment.
His original intention had been to suck up to this nephew-in-law he’d never met, but when his wife mocked the man for being a cripple, he hadn’t immediately refuted her. That led him to think there was no point sucking up to a cripple, but who would have known his own brother would be so protective of the man? Now he was even threatening to disown him again. What a miscalculation!
"Second Brother, don’t forget what you did to Dad back then. And don’t think that just because you’re standing on Gu Family land, that makes you one of us. Dad and I only let you come to the old house for a few meals because we saw you’d turned over a new leaf and we felt soft-hearted enough to forgive you. Did you really think that meant the past was wiped clean?"
A smile uglier than a grimace twisted Second Uncle Gu’s lips. He turned and started muttering to himself.
"It’s fine. It doesn’t matter if you all look down on me now.
Sooner or later, I’ll make every last one of you who looks down on me grovel at my feet.
You’ll kneel and repent, begging me for mercy and forgiveness! That day will come. It definitely will!"
Su Shuochi and Gu Jiaojiao had excellent hearing and caught every single word of Second Uncle Gu’s muttering.
But the couple simply exchanged a look and paid it no mind. Given Second Uncle Gu’s capabilities, Gu Jiaojiao really didn’t see him as a threat.
Mr. Gu and Second Brother Gu didn’t hear him. Mr. Gu said apologetically, "Shuoci, Jiaojiao, please don’t mind him. From now on, I won’t let Gu the Second come to our house for meals anymore."
"Dad, what are you saying? Why would I bother myself with irrelevant people!"
"That’s right, Jiaojiao doesn’t have time to bother with them. Jiaojiao, want to go check out my jianbing stall tonight?"
Second Brother Gu linked arms with Gu Jiaojiao, reverting to his usual chirpy self as if the whole unpleasant episode had never happened.
Su Shuochi’s gaze, as sharp and cold as a knife, flickered over to Second Brother Gu’s hands, but he said nothing.
Second Brother Gu miraculously understood the warning in his eyes. He quickly let go of his sister’s arm and laughed sheepishly.
"After dinner, Jiaojiao and I will go see you sell jianbing," Su Shuochi said, his mood having improved enough to grant Second Brother Gu’s request with a magnanimous nod.
The Gu Family’s courtyard was indeed quite large. Just inside the gate stood a large tree, surrounded by open space.
There were a few concrete stools for sitting and several lounge chairs for relaxing in the shade of the tree. Off to the side was a swing set that looked brand new.
The left, right, and rear of the courtyard were enclosed by connected three-story buildings. It looked like there were plenty of rooms—enough that even after both of her brothers got married, Gu Jiaojiao would still have a place to stay.
Mrs. Gu and Eldest Brother Gu were busy cooking in the kitchen, while Old Sir Gu was occupied with a phone call.
The general gist was that he was telling his old buddies that his darling granddaughter and grandson-in-law were about to arrive, and he was asking if they wanted to come over for dinner.
"Haha, Jiaojiao and the others are already inside. I have to go, talk to you later."
"Jiaojiao, Shuoci, it must have been a long journey. And why did you bring so many gifts? Come, come, sit down."
Grandpa Gu’s words were directed at Gu Jiaojiao and the others, but he hadn’t hung up the phone yet. It was obvious he was showing off to one of his old buddies.
"Grandpa, long time no see. You’re in such high spirits! It looks like you’ve been doing very well lately," Gu Jiaojiao said, her professional habits kicking in.
"Haha... The fact that your grandpa is the way he is today is all thanks to Jiaojiao."
Hearing their voices, Mrs. Gu came out as well. "Jiaojiao, I haven’t seen you in two months! Not only did you not get a tan, but you’ve gotten much fairer. Shuoci has, too. That’s wonderful."
"Mom, your complexion is looking great, too. I can tell you’ve been taking your medicine and using the face masks regularly. Has Auntie Gu been jealous?"
Gu Jiaojiao had ready-made face masks in her spatial inventory; she had given a whole box to Mrs. Gu when she went to the warzone.
Two months later, Mrs. Gu’s previously sallow skin was gone, replaced by a fair and hydrated complexion that made her look like she was only in her thirties.
"Oh, her? She’s been incredibly jealous, day in and day out. I’ve already taken medical retirement, so now I just stay home and cook for the three generations of men in our family."
"Jiaojiao, Shuoci, you’re here." Eldest Brother Gu emerged carrying a large bowl of food. Of everyone in the Gu Family, his spirits and complexion were the poorest.
"Brother, are you still feeling unwell anywhere?"
"I’ve already examined him. There’s nothing physically wrong," Xia Qiuming chimed in. He had been trailing behind Gu Jiaojiao silently until now.
Gu Jiaojiao understood in an instant. Eldest Brother Gu was suffering from a deep, unresolved melancholy—a sickness of the heart for which there is no medicine.
"Everyone’s here! Come, let’s all sit down and eat," Grandpa Gu said, not wanting his eldest grandson’s mood to dampen the atmosphere.
A youth from the Han family and a junior from the Xiao Family had also remained silent. They were simply there under orders to receive Gu Jiaojiao.
Their grandfathers had only told them that this girl—so beautiful she didn’t seem mortal, and even younger than they were—was their grand-aunt.
Their mission before school started was to accompany her. Before meeting her, they had been reluctant; after seeing their grand-aunt in person, they were more than willing.
So, they too followed Gu Jiaojiao and stayed at the Gu Family home for dinner, while the two from the research institute had already returned.
Xia Qiuming had eaten with Su Shuochi and Gu Jiaojiao countless times, so he didn’t feel at all out of place.
The other two young men were also used to important occasions and were some of the most lively and likable members of their respective families, so the meal wasn’t awkward in the slightest.
As if by unspoken agreement, Old Sir Gu, Mr. Gu, Second Brother Gu, and Su Shuochi all used the serving chopsticks to place food into Gu Jiaojiao’s bowl.
