Chapter 140: Chapter 140: Gu Yunchuan’s Sentence, and a Plan with High Chances of Success

“Alright, as long as you trust your Uncle Xu, that’s enough.” Xu Lei was very pleased with her trust.

As usual, Gu Qinghuan introduced Xu Lei to Xu Huai’an and asked Xu Huai’an to bring over the gifts he had prepared.

“These are some local specialties we brought back from the Northeast. They’re not worth much, just a small token. I hope you won’t mind, Uncle Xu.”

Xu Lei took the gifts without the slightest hesitation and held them in his arms. “Of course I don’t mind! Thank you, you’re very thoughtful. My wife loves these snacks the most. I’ll shamelessly accept them.”

Who would have thought that tough Uncle Xu was actually a warm-hearted man, especially when it came to his wife.

Gu Qinghuan’s impression of him improved even more.

“By the way, I heard your father’s case has been decided. Did you know?”

Xu Lei knew Gu Qinghuan hated Gu Yunchuan to the core, so he didn’t avoid the topic.

“It’s been decided? So soon?” Gu Qinghuan was surprised—it hadn’t been that long. Weren’t cases like this supposed to drag on for a while?

“That’s right. I heard he confessed very quickly. On the day he was arrested, he admitted to all the crimes and the amounts involved. So the process was fast. It’s an economic crime, and the amount was quite large. Besides having to pay back all the embezzled funds to his original workplace, the court sentenced him to ten years of reform through labor. Five years ago, he might have even faced the firing squad for this. Times have changed.” Xu Lei sighed.

Gu Qinghuan didn’t know how to feel. After all, he was her biological father. Gu Yunchuan had let the Zhong family down, but he did raise his two children. Even at the end, he was still thinking about leaving them some money.

Given the circumstances, this outcome was probably as fair as it could be.

“What about Xia Shuhua?”

“That woman? I heard she was acquitted. Gu Yunchuan still cared that she gave him a son, so he made sure she was cleared. But legally, since they’re married, she’s jointly responsible for repaying the money Gu Yunchuan embezzled. Life won’t be easy for her from now on.”

Gu Qinghuan was very satisfied with this result.

For someone like Xia Shuhua, this was the cruelest punishment—falling from heaven to hell, losing face, reputation, and money. From now on, she’d have to live like a dog, barely scraping by. That was the only way to vent her anger.

Gu Yunchuan was hateful, but Xia Shuhua was the truly vicious one. Most of the original Gu Qinghuan’s tragedy was her doing.

With things like this, Chen Zhaodi probably wouldn’t have a good life after marrying into the Yun family either. It was truly satisfying.

“Oh, and I also heard…” Xu Lei hesitated, glancing at Gu Qinghuan.

“What is it, Uncle Xu? Please, just say it.”

Xu Lei sighed. “I heard Gu Yunchuan will be sent to the labor camp in the far northwest in a couple of days. He’s still being held at the detention center for now. If you have time, you should go see him one last time. Once he’s gone, you may never see him again in this life.”

Gu Yunchuan wasn’t a good father, but he did bring up his son and daughter.

Gu Qinghuan nodded, indicating she understood.

She needed to go back and discuss it with Lanting, see what he thought.

Before leaving, Gu Qinghuan asked Xu Lei to keep an eye on Xu Jianguo and let her know if anything happened.

Xu Lei only then learned about Xu Jianguo’s situation. As it turned out, they were distant relatives, sharing the same surname.

He couldn’t believe Xu Jianguo would do something so shameless.

Xu Jianguo’s case was being handled by the main bureau, so Xu Lei could only try to find out what was going on—he couldn’t intervene directly. There was only so much he could do.

Gu Qinghuan didn’t want to make things difficult for him, so she just asked him to keep an eye out.

After handling these two matters, it was almost lunchtime. There was still a while before the dinner gathering, so the two of them went home first.

Because of the news that Xu Jianguo had someone backing him, both Gu Qinghuan and Xu Huai’an felt heavy-hearted.

After returning home, they forced themselves to perk up, tidied up, and cooked a big pot of noodles to fill everyone’s stomachs.

Zhong Luoning could tell from their demeanor that things weren’t going well.

Gu Qinghuan couldn’t bring herself to say it, so Xu Huai’an spoke up.

“When Qinghuan and I went to the Revolutionary Committee this morning, we happened to see the police looking for the director. Xu Jianguo is highly valued by the director, so I’m afraid things won’t go our way. Most likely, Xu Jianguo will be acquitted soon.”

The room fell silent, as if the air had frozen.

“How could this happen? Officials protecting each other—it’s too much.” Lanting was still too idealistic.

“Qinghuan, you don’t need to worry about me. Don’t risk yourselves for my sake—it’s not worth it. I’ve thought it through. Xu Jianguo just wants me to admit to having an affair, leave the Xu family in disgrace, and make room for his next woman. I’ll give him what he wants. No matter what, he won’t let me leave unscathed. Reputation means nothing. Money is even less important—if it’s gone, it can always be earned again. As long as I can live peacefully with Youran and no one bullies us anymore, I’m not afraid of anything.”

Of course, Zhong Luoning was unwilling—unwilling to be forced out when she’d done nothing wrong, unwilling to see heartless people thrive, unwilling to give up her home and leave with nothing.

But she couldn’t let her brother and sister worry themselves sick or ruin their own lives for her sake.

Since there was no hope, she could only accept it.

Lanting immediately objected.

“Luoning-jie, you can’t give up! You did nothing wrong—why should you back down? It’s Xu Jianguo who betrayed you. He’s the one who should be admitting fault. We’ll find a way to get justice for you.”

Gu Qinghuan also comforted her: “Luoning-jie, we’re not at a dead end yet. Don’t give up.”

“What else can we do? We can’t make the director change his mind. Qinghuan, don’t risk yourselves for me. Xu Jianguo is vindictive and ruthless. If anything happens to you, how could I ever face Auntie?” Zhong Luoning tried to stop her.

“Luoning-jie, actually, I have a desperate plan that might really sway the Revolutionary Committee’s decision. The odds are high, and it would make Xu Jianguo pay. But I don’t know if you’d be willing, because it might mean you’ll face a lot of gossip and finger-pointing in the future.” Gu Qinghuan steeled herself and spoke decisively.

Xu Huai’an knew what she was talking about, and privately agreed it was the best option for now.

“What plan? High chances of success? If it really makes Xu Jianguo pay, I’ll accept any consequences. Am I not already the subject of gossip? I’m not afraid. No matter what people say, I’ll stand my ground. Qinghuan, tell me—what’s the plan?” Zhong Luoning seemed to see hope and perked up.

“Actually, I took photos of the scene yesterday morning—naked photos of Xu Jianguo and that woman. If we make these public, it’s direct evidence. Xu Jianguo will be utterly disgraced. If we use public opinion and tell people the story, the outrage will be so great that even the director won’t dare to protect him.”

“That sounds promising, but how do we guide public opinion?” Zhong Luoning was fearless now—her only worry was that Xu Jianguo wouldn’t get what he deserved.

“Jie, you’re not thinking of putting up big-character posters, are you?” Lanting asked, puzzled.

Gu Qinghuan, coming from a future era of information explosion, wasn’t going to be stumped by how to guide public opinion.

“No posters, no flyers—that’s too slow! Think about it: what’s the fastest way information spreads in our lives?”

Xu Huai’an, like a good student, raised his hand: “I know! The newspaper!”

Zhong Luoning and Lanting suddenly realized—of course! Newspapers spread news the fastest.

“But would any newspaper be willing to publish this kind of story for us?” Lanting asked.

“Money makes the world go round. With news this explosive, newspapers can only profit. I don’t believe none would publish it. If not, we’ll go from one to another—someone will take it. But Luoning-jie, you have to think carefully. If we go this far, your story will be known to everyone. You’ll have to endure a lot of gossip and pressure from society. Are you sure you want to do this? It’s not too late to back out. If the law won’t punish him, we’ll do it ourselves. Your brother-in-law can take on five or six guys at once—if need be, we’ll beat him up every day.” Gu Qinghuan tried to sound lighthearted.

Zhong Luoning knew she was trying to ease her mind.

Honestly, the thought of everyone knowing her private affairs, being looked at with ridicule or pity, was terrifying.

But she couldn’t selfishly let her siblings bear all the burden. This time, she would shoulder it herself.

“Qinghuan, I’ve already made up my mind. I’m not afraid. As long as that bastard pays, it’s worth it. Go ahead and do what you need to!” Zhong Luoning said firmly.

“Alright! Jie, don’t worry. Leave everything to me.”

After that, Gu Qinghuan pulled Lanting aside into the yard.

“Lanting, Gu Yunchuan’s sentence is out.”

“So soon? What’s the verdict?” Gu Lanting trembled slightly.

“Uncle Xu said he’s been sentenced to ten years of reform through labor in the far northwest.”

Hearing this, Gu Lanting quietly breathed a sigh of relief. At least he wasn’t executed.

Even though he hated Gu Yunchuan now, there were good times in the past—when he was a child, Gu Yunchuan had lifted him high above his head, there had been laughter, closeness.

He didn’t hate him enough to wish him dead. This outcome was good enough.

“Uncle Xu also said that labor camps in the northwest are tough—one accident could be fatal. He suggested we see him one last time, since we may never get another chance. Do you want to go?” Gu Qinghuan asked.

Gu Lanting thought for a long time, then looked up, eyes slightly red. “Do you want to go, Jie?”

Seeing his reddened eyes, Gu Qinghuan already knew the answer."