Chapter 420: Chapter 420: Lonely Eldest Brother Gu
"Jiaojiao is here." Second Brother Gu came out with a bowl of food, grinning as he greeted his little sister.
"Hi, Second Brother. Thanks for all your hard work," Gu Jiaojiao replied happily.
Hearing her son’s delighted voice, Mrs. Gu hurried out of the kitchen carrying a large tureen of chicken soup.
She greeted her daughter and son-in-law warmly the moment she saw them. "Jiaojiao, Shuo Ci, you’re here! I made you some pork stomach and chicken soup."
"Mom, you’ve worked so hard. Your daughter isn’t a stranger, you don’t have to go to all this trouble just for us."
Gu Jiaojiao said politely, giving the man beside her a gentle push. Su Shuochi quickly stepped forward to take the bowl. "Thank you for your hard work, Mom."
After placing the large soup tureen on the table, he went to the kitchen to wash his hands, then brought a basin of water to Ye Jiaojiao. "Jiaojiao, wash your hands."
"Okay, thank you. Mom’s pork stomach and chicken soup smells amazing." Ye Jiaojiao couldn’t help but swallow as she looked at the feast spread across the table.
Even though she had been snacking nonstop at the Han family’s home, eating everything from fruit to melon seeds, she was still delighted at the sight of a table full of dishes.
It was rare for Mrs. Gu to see her daughter looking so ravenous. She said gently, "Jiaojiao, don’t be polite now that you’re home. Come sit down and eat."
Second Brother Gu brought out two more dishes, and on his way back to the kitchen, he took the washbasin from Su Shuochi’s hands.
"Okay, let’s all sit down together," Gu Jiaojiao responded, pulling Su Shuochi to a seat at the table.
"Wow, so many dishes! These are all my favorites. Everyone, come and sit," Gu Jiaojiao said cheerfully.
Su Shuochi deftly ladled a bowl of the pork stomach and chicken soup and brought a spoonful to Gu Jiaojiao’s lips.
He said in a gentle, doting voice, "Honey, look at you, my little glutton. Quick, open your mouth and have a taste."
"Thank you, Shuoci. It’s so good to have you," Gu Jiaojiao said with a smile as she drank the soup.
Her smile captivated Su Shuochi. He happily fed his wife, alternating spoonfuls of soup with pieces of pork stomach, until she had eaten more than half the bowl.
He then picked up a piece of sweet and sour pork ribs for Gu Jiaojiao. "Jiaojiao, eat more meat so you can gain some weight. Look how thin you are. You need to eat more to stay healthy."
Gu Jiaojiao looked at the pork rib by her lips and pouted. "But I want to eat a chicken leg..."
"Alright, alright, you want a chicken leg." Su Shuochi popped the pork rib into his own mouth and picked up a chicken leg for Gu Jiaojiao.
The members of the Gu Family watched this scene with gratified smiles. Mr. Gu even laughed out loud.
Grandpa Gu chuckled. "Jiaojiao is just finding a clever way to make Shuo Ci eat something too."
"Grandpa... You don’t have to call me out on it! It’s embarrassing," Gu Jiaojiao said, blushing as she took a bite of the chicken leg.
"Please don’t laugh at us, Grandpa. All of you, please eat more," Su Shuochi said as he continued to feed his wife.
He also took the time to serve some food to Grandpa Gu and the others, making sure everyone got a share. Seeing this, the rest of the Gu Family began to eat with relish.
Mrs. Gu was the happiest of all. Everyone loved her cooking, which gave her a great sense of accomplishment.
She kept putting food onto the plates of her father-in-law, husband, and son, while everyone chatted happily about daily life.
Seeing her family so joyful and harmonious, Gu Jiaojiao felt a sweet warmth in her heart. Joy shone from her eyes, making her look just like a young girl newly in love.
Su Shuochi gazed adoringly at his wife beside him, his heart filled with immense sweetness and infinite contentment. He couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across his face.
Mr. Gu felt a deep sense of comfort seeing his daughter and son-in-law looking so affectionate.
He was very dissatisfied with his eldest son, who hadn’t even called home on the Mid-Autumn Festival.
But his second son was a good man, and his daughter and son-in-law were a very happy couple, which was enough to make him content.
Gu Jiaojiao was the first to finish eating, but she didn’t leave the table. She was waiting for Su Shuochi to finish.
RING... RING... RING... Just then, the phone in the Gu Family’s living room began to ring.
Second Brother Gu had just finished eating and put down his bowl. He immediately stood up, pressed the speakerphone button, and answered. "Hello? Who is this?"
"Second Brother, it’s me, Eldest Brother. Is Grandpa home?"
"He’s here. Eldest Brother, are you doing okay? Grandpa! Eldest Brother is on the phone for you!"
"Jinghua, it’s Grandpa. It’s the Mid-Autumn Festival today. Did you get the day off? Have you had any mooncakes?"
"Grandpa, I... I didn’t get the day off. My work unit gave out mooncakes."
"Jinghua, it’s your father. It’s a holiday, how come you don’t have the day off?"
"Jinghua, it’s your mother. You’re the second-in-command at your unit, you should have some subordinates celebrating with you."
"Jinghua, why aren’t you saying anything? Do you miss us a lot?"
"Jinghua, has it gotten colder there in the mornings and evenings? You should remember to wear an extra layer."
Despite their discontent with Eldest Brother Gu, the family was overjoyed to receive his call. They crowded around the phone, showering him with concern.
"Grandpa... Dad... Mom... Happy holidays. Is Jiaojiao home today? I... I have to celebrate with my subordinates, so I’ll hang up now."
BEEP... BEE-BEEP... The line on the other end quickly went dead.
"Honestly, that boy," Mrs. Gu said with regret. "I was just about to tell him Jiaojiao wanted to talk to him, and he just hung up."
"Hmph. I think he was too ashamed to face our Jiaojiao, so he hung up."
"Dad, didn’t Eldest Brother say he was in a hurry to go drink and celebrate with his subordinates?"
"Hmph, him? He’s probably celebrating all by himself," Grandpa Gu remarked with disdain.
The Gu Family discussed Eldest Brother Gu as they carried things out to the courtyard to admire the moon...
Meanwhile, hearing the same caring voices of his grandfather, parents, and second brother, Eldest Brother Gu found tears streaming down his face.
He was so choked with emotion he could barely speak, so he could only hang up quickly to keep his parents from worrying.
Not only did he not have the day off, but he hadn’t even tasted a mooncake. His work unit had given them out a few days ago.
But he had already given them to his adopted sister, Yueyue. This was the first time he’d seen mooncakes since leaving the farm, yet he hadn’t tasted any.
It was also the first time he had spent the festival of reunion alone. His circumstances had improved, but here he was, celebrating the holiday alone in the cold.
The night wind was chilly. He looked up at the bright moon, hoping it might offer him some warmth, but alas, the moon shines only on the ditch.
A lonely stranger in a strange land, I miss my family all the more on every festive day. That was why he had desperately wanted to call home.
After Eldest Brother Gu hung up, a tide of longing washed over him, and he couldn’t help but recall the day he gave the mooncakes to his adopted sister.
He had thought that when his adopted sister took the mooncakes, she would open the package and share one with him. Unfortunately, she didn’t.
When he saw her take the mooncakes and turn to leave, his heart went ice-cold. But then, after taking two steps, his adopted sister stopped and looked back at him.
This warmed his heart a little. ’After all, I raised her myself. She can’t bear to part with me just like that.’
His frozen heart instantly warmed up, and he hurried after her.
His adopted sister looked at him with a beaming smile and asked, "Eldest Brother, when do you get paid?"
"I’ve only been working for about ten days, how could I get paid so soon? Yueyue, are you short on money?"
"*Sob*, Eldest Brother, you have no idea how miserable I am. Ever since my wicked mother-in-law was hospitalized, I haven’t dared to go back to my husband’s home.
My dad went far away, and I can’t find him. My mom went to my grandpa’s house and has only called back a few times.
She never said anything about sending money back for us. My second brother’s leg still hasn’t healed, so he’s not working and only gets a twenty-yuan subsidy each month.
My third brother is still a student, and I heard he moves bricks every day just to earn a little money to buy nutritious food for our second brother."
"Yueyue, I had no idea you were having such a hard time. I’ll give you money when I get paid," Eldest Brother Gu said, his heart aching for her.
