Chapter 422: Chapter 422: Contracting the Grand Restaurant
The Gu family was in the courtyard admiring the moon with Gu Jiaojiao and her husband. They knew Eldest Brother Gu wasn’t doing well, but they had no idea just how miserable he was.
But Gu Jiaojiao knew the full story, because the second uncle of the Dong family would mention things when he came home.
Dong Baozhu would tell Su Qinchun, and Su Qinchun would then tell her sister-in-law over the phone.
Gu Jiaojiao looked at her grandpa, her parents, and her Second Brother, all of them looking so happy. ’Why should I tell them and just make them worry for nothing!’
’Everyone chooses what kind of life they want to lead. The path of life is long; it’s really just a journey of refining one’s character.’
’The harder things get, the more you have to fortify your spirit, keep your emotions in check, and bravely push forward.’
’Look at Eldest Brother Gu, putting on airs and trying to provide for his adopted sister with what little ability he has. If he isn’t miserable, then who is!’
’Many things aren’t as complicated as they seem, as long as you don’t fret over nothing and don’t take things too seriously.’
’All you need is a serene heart. If you’re patient and unhurried, you can always live a relaxed and happy life.’
’In life, you’re bound to hit some bumps in the road, but that’s just a normal part of it all. No one can avoid it.’
’The important thing is not to get bogged down by any one thing, and not to lose yourself over any one person.’
"Jiaojiao, it’s the Mid-Autumn Festival today. Did you call home?" Grandpa Gu asked with a smile, taking a sip of tea.
"I called this morning. I already told Mr. Su and Su Mama that I’d be watching the moon with Grandpa tonight."
"Should you give them another call, then?" Mrs. Gu asked as she passed out pieces of mooncake to everyone.
"Nah, it’s fine. We already talked it over this morning. We’ll call them again tomorrow."
"Have you sent any money home?"
"Not yet. My parents are earning money from their stall every day. They actually want to send us money, haha..."
"Running a stall is a much easier way to make money. The money Jingtai’s making since he came back is more than what your dad and I earn combined! Hahaha..."
Everyone chatted back and forth about everyday family matters, occasionally touching on current events.
Gu Jiaojiao was the youngest, but she had experienced a lot, so she could more than hold her own in the conversation with Grandpa Gu and Mr. Gu.
"Grandpa, I heard that the biggest state-owned restaurant is taking bids for a private contract?"
Grandpa Gu nodded. "It’s true. I heard about it from your Uncle Geng. That must cost a fortune!"
With that, he sighed, his tone full of emotion. "Sigh... Your Second Brother has always wanted to open his own restaurant, but there’s no need to take on one that big!"
"If Second Brother is going to do it, he might as well go big. You have to build it up big and strong to be successful, haha..."
"But where would he get that much money? We were planning to pay you back next month for the money we borrowed to buy this house."
"Grandpa, there’s no rush. You can hold onto it for now. If Second Brother really needs to bid on the contract, we can lend him some more."
After speaking, Gu Jiaojiao took a contented sip of the juice Second Brother Gu had handed her.
"Jiaojiao, thank you. I won’t let your kindness go to waste," Second Brother Gu said, patting his chest.
"I believe in you." Gu Jiaojiao genuinely admired her driven Second Brother.
’In her past life, studying medicine had been grueling, so in her spare time, she had loved thrilling and exciting things.’
’Things like car racing, rock climbing, skydiving... She’d excelled at all of them, using the stimulating sports to de-stress.’
"Jiaojiao, if your Second Brother does get the contract for the restaurant, is there a chance it will be confiscated by the state after a while?" Mr. Gu asked worriedly.
"That won’t happen. Society is progressing. For the country to become prosperous and its people strong, you have to let some people get rich first. Besides, during the contract period, Second Brother will have already made a fortune, haha..."
In the end, it was Grandpa Gu and the others who were hanging on Gu Jiaojiao’s every word as she "analyzed" current events and politics.
Mrs. Gu didn’t really understand much of it, but that didn’t stop her from being happy. She gazed at the moon in the starry sky, then at her family beside her, a smile never leaving her face.
Meanwhile, Second Brother Gu was happily juicing fruit and bringing out the various snacks he had prepared earlier for everyone to try.
He was determined to become an outstanding chef—a master of both savory dishes and pastries.
Laughter and cheerful chatter filled the courtyard. The Gu family’s house was decades old, exuding an old-world charm from every corner.
A large tree stood in the middle of the courtyard, which was planted not only with enough seasonal vegetables to feed the family but also with flowers and other plants.
Every plant, flower, and tree was trimmed to perfection, a testament to Mrs. Gu’s capable and diligent nature.
Grandpa Gu and Mr. Gu would also help prune the plants and trees after work or on weekends.
Moonlight filtered down in shimmering strands through the dappled leaves, blanketing the ground in a layer of crushed silver.
It made the trees cast uneven, dappled shadows, the graceful branches forming sparse, lovely silhouettes. It was an incredibly beautiful sight.
While the others admired the beautiful scenery, Su Shuochi was focused entirely on his wife. From his vantage point...
...he had a perfect view of her side profile and her long, slender neck. Moonlight filtered through the leaves and spilled onto her, bathing her in a silver glow.
His gaze darkened, and his Adam’s apple bobbed.
When Gu Jiaojiao turned to look at him, he quickly ducked his head, picked up a slice of mooncake, and shoved it into his mouth.
Seeing his wife was still looking at him, he held the mooncake up to her mouth and mumbled, "Jiaojiao... have some mooncake."
Gu Jiaojiao didn’t even bat an eye at his rough manners; she was already used to them.
"I’m not eating your leftovers, haha. If I want some, I can get it myself. Drink some juice so you don’t choke."
"Then I’ll cut you a fresh piece to try." Su Shuochi shoved the rest of the mooncake in his hand into his mouth.
"Hahaha... Shuochi, you don’t have to spoil her all the time." Grandpa Gu laughed heartily at the couple’s antics.
’A husband and wife should always cherish one another. He and his wife had been deeply in love for decades, and even now that she was gone...’
’...he still loved her deeply. Every night, he would say goodnight to her photograph.’
Grandpa Gu took a sip of tea, gazed at the bright moon, and said, "Jiaojiao, Shuochi, why don’t you two stay the night here?"
"We can’t, Grandpa, Dad, Mom. Our neighbors, Fu Junyuan and his sister, are waiting for us to get back!" Su Shuochi replied quickly.
’On a beautiful night like this, he definitely wanted to go home and get cozy with his wife.’
Seeing his son-in-law’s eagerness, Mr. Gu, having been young once himself, naturally understood and told them they could head back.
When the couple returned home, they found Fu Junyuan and his sister eagerly waiting for them.
Gu Jiaojiao got out of the car and teased, "Guoguo, instead of admiring the moon in your own yard, have you two just been standing outside ours this whole time?"
"We were at our place eating the mooncakes you gave us this morning, Sister-in-law. We just came over when we heard the car."
"Haha, that’s more like it. You gave me a scare for a second. I thought you’d been standing here waiting this whole time. If we hadn’t come home, I would’ve felt terribly guilty!"
"Haha, you’re always joking, Sister-in-law," Fu Guoguo said with a good-natured smile.
