Chapter 123: Chapter 123: Hoping Yu Hai Was My Real Brother

Some of the weeds in the yard could be pulled out by hand, but others couldn’t.

The old house wasn’t very tall, but even so, you couldn’t reach the weeds growing on the roof just by stretching up.

So, they’d need some tools after all.

Gu Jianguo looked around and said to Qin Yuelan, “I’ll go over to the Yu family’s place and borrow a ladder and a sickle.”

Qin Yuelan nodded. “Alright, go ahead. I’ll start pulling out what I can by hand. Let’s try to get this place cleaned up as soon as possible, or else we won’t even have a place to sleep tonight.”

Qin Yuelan didn’t want to stay at the Yu family’s house any longer—not because she had any other thoughts, but simply because she didn’t want to trouble them too much.

After Gu Jianguo left, Qin Yuelan went inside and brought out a small stool. She wiped the dust off, set it in the shade, and had Gu Mo sit down.

“Daibao, be good and sit here, alright?”

“Okay!”

Gu Mo wasn’t really a toddler anymore, so of course he could sit still.

He couldn’t help with cleaning up the yard, but at least he could sit quietly and not make Qin Yuelan worry.

When Gu Jianguo arrived at the Yu family’s house, they had just finished lunch.

As soon as Xu Shuhua heard he’d come to borrow a sickle and a ladder, she agreed without hesitation.

“Oldest, second, third, fourth—you boys don’t go napping yet. Grab your tools and go help Jianguo clean up.”

Before Gu Jianguo could refuse, Xu Shuhua turned to him and said, “Don’t even think about saying no. I just feel bad for Daibao. If you can’t get the place cleaned up, where’s he supposed to sleep tonight?”

With that, Gu Jianguo couldn’t even bring himself to refuse, even if he wanted to.

“Thank you, Auntie! And thank you, big brothers. Once we get everything sorted, I’ll have you all over for a meal.”

“Deal!” Xu Shuhua replied cheerfully. “Even if you don’t invite us, I’m still coming over for dinner.”

Gu Jianguo couldn’t help but laugh at that.

He’d actually been worried Xu Shuhua might say no.

The four Yu brothers carried a ladder, along with a sickle, shovel, broom, and other tools, and followed Gu Jianguo out.

It was right after lunch in the village, so everyone was resting indoors and the streets were empty—they didn’t run into a single person along the way.

The place wasn’t far, and they arrived quickly.

This house was at the foot of the mountain, with the nearest neighbor over ten meters away, so it was nice and quiet.

They could make as much noise as they wanted cleaning up the yard without worrying about disturbing anyone’s nap.

With the four Yu brothers helping, the work went much faster.

They were all used to farm work—strong, capable, and quick to see what needed doing. No one had to say much; everyone just got on with it.

After clearing the weeds off the roof, Yu Hai climbed up to take a look.

Because the house hadn’t been maintained for years, there were a lot of holes in the roof.

It wasn’t a problem in this weather, but if it rained, it’d be a real headache.

Yu Hai came down the ladder and said to Gu Jianguo, “I think we still have some thatch and tarpaulin at home. Wait here, I’ll go get it. At least you can make do for now—no need to worry about it raining outside and inside at the same time.”

With that, Yu Hai didn’t wait for Gu Jianguo to say anything—he just turned and strode off.

Watching Yu Hai’s retreating back, Gu Jianguo felt his eyes grow hot.

He and Yu Hai were about the same age—they’d grown up together, running around in split pants as kids.

Compared to his own brother, Gu Jiandong, Yu Hai felt even more like a real brother to him.

If he could, Gu Jianguo truly wished that he and Yu Hai were real brothers."

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