Chapter 526: Infinite Resentment
Mo Beihan almost leapt up in anger. He could not help it. They had to be cautious in these times!
Gu Qingyao shrugged and continued packing.
She left Mo Beihan moping in a corner. He collapsed on the floor, then simply lay down.
“I don’t want, I don’t want, I don’t want, I don’t want…”
Infinite resentment…
Gu Qingyao finally finished her packing after half an hour.
Five kilograms of rice, five kilograms of flour and five kilograms of vermicelli.
She had already removed the packaging from the vermicelli and placed it in a cloth bag.
Ten kilograms of cornflour and a bag of dried sweet potatoes.
Five kilograms of bacon and five kilograms of fresh meat.
A bag of brown sugar, a bag of milk candy, four apples, a bunch of grapes, a bag of dried fruits and two slices of cream cake.
Cream cakes were very expensive in these times. A slice in a department store would cost a few dollars, and even then, it was only a small slice. It would disappear within a few bites.
Gu Qingyao had made this herself, so it was larger.
Then she took out fifty eggs, a bottle of Maotai, and a pair of shoes that she had made for Third Brother.
Mo Beihan laughed when he saw all this. “Didn’t you just say that you dislike Zhou Ping? Why are you still being so generous?”
Gu Qingyao said nonchalantly, “Besides Fifth Brother who is away, there are still five people in the family – my Third Uncle, Third Brother, and his two younger brothers. There’s only one Zhou Ping. When you think of it like that, it’s quite worthwhile, isn’t it?
“These are for Third Brother and the younger boys to eat. Oh, that’s right, let me add two fish. Children need to eat more fish so that they will be clever!”
Gu Qingyao hurriedly added two fish and threaded a rope through their mouths to carry them.
Mo Beihan smiled!
There were so many things, but the two of them could still manage. They carried everything and headed for Third Uncle’s house.
It was a holiday and the two younger Gu children were not in school. Third Brother was home as well. Third Uncle had gone out. Zhou Ping was at home as usual. When Gu Qingyao arrived, Zhou Ping was chatting with a neighbor in the corridor.
The moment the neighbor saw Gu Qingyao, she smiled. “Wow, isn’t that your niece? Yao Yao! You’re here again to play! After you left last time, you didn’t come back all year!”
Gu Qingyao was a pretty girl and had stayed with the Gu family for so long. The neighbors had naturally seen her many times. It was hard to forget such a pretty face.
Besides, they had all heard about the incident regarding Zhang Qiang. When the neighbor glanced at Mo Beihan, it was with a trace of respect.
Zhou Ping did not look surprised to see Gu Qingyao. She knew that Gu Qingyao was coming, but her eyes gleamed with delight when she saw that Gu Qingyao was carrying so many things.
There were so many parcels. The neighbor was envious when she saw them.
She knew that the Gu family was doing well. Although the girl was from the countryside, she was very generous. The last time she was here, she often gave the neighbor’s children sweets. During the time she was here, the fragrance of meat had often wafted from the Gu family’s kitchen.
After she left, the Gu family had not eaten meat so often.
Her fiancé had a good job and was very generous. Even before they were married, he had always given her pocket money.
Gu Qingyao greeted the neighbor smilingly, then brought all the things in.
The neighbor stood outside the door, enviously watching Mo Beihan and Gu Qingyao enter. She said to Zhou Ping, “Wow, the girl is so generous. Her fiancé must be very rich! He looks very capable and is so nice to her! They’re not even married, but he dotes on her so much!”
Zhou Ping looked rather confused. Mo Beihan was a country boy. She did not know what had happened to Zhang Qiang.
Chapter 527: Why Should Gu Qingyao Be So Popular?
Zhou Ping’s tone was chilly. “You don’t know the boy’s family situation. There are so many children in his family, all belonging to his older brother. They all depend on him to support them! I heard there are another two children from his sister-in-law’s side of the family. Six boys all dependent on him. Of course, he has to be good to Yao Yao.”
“Six?” The neighbor’s eyes widened.
Zhou Ping said, “That’s right! His brother and sister-in-law are no longer around, so the children are all dependent on him. Oh, and there’s his ailing and aged mother. You can imagine what a family like that is like. I heard that no girl in their hometown is willing to marry him. They’re all avoiding him.”
Neighbor: “…”
She nodded. “In that case, things are indeed difficult in that family. Your niece is so nice and so pretty. It will be a pity to marry him!”
Zhou Ping immediately felt better. She laughed and said, “She has no choice. She was engaged earlier, and it’s too late for regrets.”
The neighbor thought for a moment. “Well, although this doesn’t sound nice, have you thought about… breaking off the engagement? After all, she’s still so young. This… is a little unkind, but how can you bear to let a fair and delicate little girl that you raised suffer in another family?
“If you like, I can recommend another match! My nephew has a good job and lives in the city! He is the only child in his family, and they have no burdens at all. His parents both work. How about that?”
People who lived in this apartment block were all fairly well off. Or at least, they definitely had one member with a good job.
Coincidentally, this neighbor was also quite well off. Although she was a housewife, her husband and son had good jobs. She had a young daughter and her burdens were not great, so they lived quite well.
She had also come from a well-to-do family. Her older brother and sister-in-law were doing even better.
In these times, this boy would be considered as very outstanding.
Zhou Ping’s expression immediately darkened!
The neighbor sincerely felt that Gu Qingyao was a good girl and was exceptionally pretty!
Although she was from the countryside, her family was doing well and did not need the girl to work. She herself was a housewife, so she felt there was no shame in a woman not having a job.
When she saw that Zhou Ping’s expression had turned ugly, she thought that Zhou Ping was displeased with her unkind suggestion to break the girl’s engagement!
She immediately smiled awkwardly, “This… I mean to say that they seem to get along well. This… this fellow is pretty good! Although he has more family burdens, it’s nothing to a capable man.
“Look, he even managed to destroy the Zhang family. That shows how powerful he is. The children are all in his hometown in the countryside. He just has to send some money over. This fellow is very capable and he can afford to support them. Your niece is so nice, which man can bear to let her suffer! Hasn’t he always doted on her! Haha!”
The neighbor wanted to say something nice to reduce the awkwardness. She inwardly berated herself for letting her tongue run away.
Zhou Ping’s expression remained ugly even after so many compliments. In fact, it darkened even further. The lady was even more embarrassed.
If she had known, she would have kept quiet.
It was because she liked the girl! So she had said too much, sigh…
She must keep her tongue in check.
Zhou Ping entered the room, her expression ugly. She could not understand what was so good about a delicate girl like that.
Chapter 528: Elder Sister, You’re Finally Here!
She was from the countryside, she should already count herself lucky to marry Mo Beihan. But… she knew the neighbor’s brother. Their family situation was even better than theirs!
They only had one son, and she wanted to marry her own niece to him…
Her niece had visited often, and she had recommended her to that damn woman many times. But the neighbor had not responded at all. She had never mentioned an engagement between Zhou Ping’s niece and her nephew…
But she had taken a fancy to Gu Qingyao, who was already engaged…
Zhou Ping was furious.
When she got home, she saw the two younger boys wolfing down the cream cakes. They were eating and talking in muffled tones.
Little Seven: “Elder Sister, you’re finally here. I’ve been waiting for you for so long!”
Little Eight, “That’s right, Elder Sister. We’ll have meat now that you’re here. I haven’t had meat for a long time, wu wu wu!”
Little Seven: “I want red braised pork. Elder Sister, your red braised pork is the nicest. Cook that for me!”
Little Eight: “I want fish. Mother hasn’t bought meat for us for a long time. Last month, Third Brother bought a fish and we made it last for two days. I want to eat fish!”
Zhou Ping happened to hear this and her expression darkened even further.
“Eat, eat, eat, all you know is eating. Look at how fat both of you are. Do other children live as well? Don’t your school fees cost money? Didn’t you see your older cousins during the new year? What kind of life are they living? What kind of lives are you living? You’re so discontented.”
When he heard that, Little Seven felt a little aggrieved. He mumbled, “Second and Third Cousin are doing quite well! You buy them new clothes every year, but I’m wearing Third Brother and Fifth Brother’s hand-me-downs which have been altered! Elder Sister made me two sets last year, but you haven’t made me new clothes since then.”
Gu Qingyao’s eyelid twitched. Disaster…
Sure enough, Zhou Ping exploded when she heard that. She rushed over and smacked Little Seven’s head.
“What nonsense are you spouting? Your cousins have always lived in the countryside and have such a hard life. So what if I give them new clothes during the new year? You live in the city all year round. Do you know how much your older cousins envy you? You don’t know how fortunate you are.”
Little Seven had been eating his cake. The sudden smack hit his head and pushed it to the side. The bit of cream cake in his hand fell to the ground.
Little Seven was taken aback, then immediately burst into tears!
“Wah… my cake! Cake, wu wu wu…”
Zhou Ping’s heart also ached when she saw that he had dropped the cake. She was already irritated, and Little Seven’s crying annoyed her even further.
“Stop crying!”
Gu Qingyao had been standing there silently. She knew that if she said anything, it would cause even more trouble.
Third Brother Gu Jinlin carried Little Seven and coaxed him a little, then picked up the cake.
Fortunately, he had just mopped the floor, so it was not dirty. He picked off the part that was in contact with the floor. The rest could still be eaten.
The children of this era were tough and not so finicky.
Little Seven only stopped crying when he had his cake back in his hand.
Gu Qingyao and Mo Beihan were here, so Gu Jinlin did not want to embarrass his mother by scolding her. He only said, “Mother, if you need to discipline the children, just hit their buttocks. Don’t hit their head, or if you do it too often, they won’t be clever.”
Little Seven had stopped crying, but his eyes were still filled with tears.
Zhou Ping glared at him. “I didn’t use much force. He can’t even hold his cake properly.”
Chapter 529: Quickly Stuff The Whole Cake Into My Mouth
Little Seven sat on his older brother’s lap, feeling as though he had been wronged. Although he heard her, he did not dare to say anything. He used his cream-streaked fingers to rub the place where she had just hit him.
It was pretty painful!
He pouted as a few tears fell from his eyes. He stuffed the cake into his mouth.
Gu Jinlin saw that the cream had gotten into his hair, so he carried Little Seven off for a wash.
Little Eight looked on, not daring to say a word. He glanced at his mother and stuffed the entire cake into his mouth until his cheeks bulged. He licked the cream off his fingers.
Gu Qingyao: “…”
Zhou Ping did not say anything after Gu Jinlin carried Little Seven to the toilet. She glanced at Gu Qingyao and Mo Beihan and said, “Children are disobedient and they’re always so messy. Have a seat, and I’ll go and cook.”
Gu Qingyao forced a smile. “Children are mischievous. It’ll be better in a few years when they’ve grown up a little.”
Zhou Ping did not reply. She went to the kitchen to start preparing for lunch.
Gu Qingyao glanced at Mo Beihan and shrugged.
Mo Beihan did not say a word. He lifted his teacup and took a sip.
He had gone to pour water just now and happened to be closer to the door. He had sharp ears and he heard what the neighbor said. He could also clearly see Zhou Ping’s expression through the window.
He felt that he understood Zhou Ping’s temperament a little more now.
Gu Qingyao did not sit in the living room for long. When Third Brother came back, she chatted with him for a while, then went to help out in the kitchen.
For lunch, Gu Qingyao cooked red braised pork and fish, plus another three dishes and soup. When Third Uncle got back, they opened the Maotai, and everyone sat together to eat and chat.
Besides Zhou Ping, everyone else in the family was glad that Gu Qingyao arrived.
Gu Yundong and Gu Jinlin knew that Mo Beihan was very capable. Especially Gu Jinlin. He knew that Mo Beihan had an exceptionally powerful grandfather!
But to date, he had not mentioned this to anyone.
When lunch was over, Gu Yundong and Gu Jinlin dragged Mo Beihan away for a chat. Zhou Ping went to wash the dishes, while Gu Qingyao helped the two children with their homework.
They had started school, so of course they had homework and they had to study harder.
Fortunately, Gu Qingyao paid close attention to their homework when she was here last time. At her advice, Gu Jinlin did not slacken his supervision either, so the two children were now doing very well in their studies.
They had learnt much more.
At around three o’clock in the afternoon, Mo Beihan and Gu Qingyao prepared to leave. This startled Gu Yundong and Gu Jinlin, who had been in a very good mood.
Only then did Gu Jinlin realize that his younger cousin had not brought any luggage.
“Yao Yao, are you leaving too? Where are you staying?”
Gu Qingyao smiled and replied, “I’m staying in Brother Beihan’s current house. He’s going to live in his work unit’s dormitory for a couple of days.”
Her words shocked everyone.
Zhou Ping did not react when she heard this. Who knew what she was thinking.
Gu Yundong frowned. “Why go to all that trouble? Stay here. I’ll worry about a young girl like you staying there.”
Gu Qingyao said, “It’s all right, Third Uncle. His place is nearer to the train station and the department store. I have to buy things to send to Eldest Brother! Then I’m going to Nancheng with Brother Beihan in two days. I’ll just leave my luggage at his place. It’s too much trouble to move it here.
“Anyway, the place is not far from Brother Beihan’s work unit. He just has to stay for two days in his work unit’s dormitory. I’ll buy everything that Eldest Brother wants and then head for Nancheng.”
Gu Yundong already knew that Eldest Brother had made a match. The conditions there were very harsh, and they did not have nicer things. So of course they had to help out.
He had asked Zhou Ping to prepare some things, but they had not sent them out yet!
But he was deeply displeased that Gu Qingyao was not staying with them.
Chapter 530: Night Mission
Gu Jinlin was worried. He said with a frown, “Yao Yao…”
“Third Brother, I’m only staying for two days. It’s too troublesome to move here and there. I’ll be leaving in two days and I have to attend to some matters with Brother Beihan during that time. I have no time to stay here. I’m leaving now! I’ll go back and tidy up. I still have to visit Mingyue tomorrow!”
Gu Qingyao and Mo Beihan left.
“Sigh…”
Gu Jinlin could not describe his emotions as he watched his younger cousin’s disappearing figure.
As they left the Gu house and walked home, Mo Beihan said, “Your third uncle and third brother are probably upset.”
Gu Qingyao smiled calmly. “We can only maintain harmony if I keep my distance. Look at today. Everything was fine, but the moment I entered the house, a quarrel blew up. I’m so explosive, I had better keep my distance from them.”
Mo Beihan said, “You’re not explosive. It’s not your fault!”
That Zhou Ping was crazy. What did it have to do with his wife?
Gu Qingyao smiled and said, “All right, all right, let’s change the subject. Shall we go out tonight? We have to prepare some things to visit Grandfather and Grandma Ji tomorrow. We can visit Mingyue as well.”
Should they go out tonight?
Of course, she was referring to whether they should bring Jiang Yiru and Lin Wanyin’s things back.
Mo Beihan thought for a while. “Let’s go! We might as well get it over with as soon as possible. You go back and sleep, and we’ll start tonight.”
“Okay!”
The two of them went to sleep after they got home. She awoke once, but Mo Beihan coaxed her back to sleep. It was still bright outside!
It was still too early.
Gu Qingyao yawned and continued sleeping.
But Mo Beihan did not sleep. He was strong and although he had spent two days on the train, he had slept enough. Now that he had rested a little, he was no longer tired.
He took the maps that Jiang Yiru and Lin Wanyin had given Gu Qingyao and went to the location to search for the hiding place. It would be dark at night and it would be difficult to find.
Gu Qingyao slept until seven o’clock before she got up, brushed her teeth, and washed her face.
By the time she finished tidying herself, Mo Beihan was back.
“Where have you been?” Gu Qingyao asked. She had not seen Mo Beihan when she woke up.
There was food in the interspace, so Gu Qingyao just took some out for dinner. Mo Beihan went to wash his hands. “I went to the site to confirm the location. It may be hard to find it at night because it’s too dark.”
Gu Qingyao nodded. “Come and eat! We’ll probably have a busy night!”
The two of them ate, then immediately left the house.
When they got there, they examined the surroundings to ascertain what it was like. Mo Beihan had already taken a look, but he still conducted a careful survey
After all, they were not very familiar with this place.
They did not act until midnight.
They were certain of the location. They started out with the more valuable things that were more deeply concealed. Jiang Yiru and Lin Wanyin had already told them what there was.
Both of them knew how capable Gu Qingyao was. They had given Gu Qingyao many things when they were in the provincial capital, and she had brought them all back without incident.
So they did not consider how Gu Qingyao would secretly bring these things back. They were sure that Gu Qingyao and Mo Beihan had their own methods, so they did not ask any questions.
They started with Jiang Yiru’s mansion.
They dug out three boxes. Gu Qingyao opened one to take a look. When she looked inside, she was dazzled by the glitter of gems and precious stones.
“The Jiangnan Medical Family truly deserves its reputation! They’re so rich!” Gu Qingyao exclaimed.