Chapter 85: Chapter 85: Two Small Western-Style Houses

Xu Huaian couldn’t hold back anymore. He pulled her into his arms, pressing her tightly against his chest. Only then did his heart finally feel at ease.

His voice was hoarse as he spoke, “Huanhuan, I’m willing to get treatment. Just don’t leave me.”

As long as you’re here, I’m not afraid of anything.

In his twenty-some years of life, he had never wanted to possess someone so much. All those poetic lines about flowers blooming and falling, clouds drifting and rolling—he wanted to experience them all with her.

Every trivial thing in life became meaningful as long as she was there.

She was like the sun, shining on him, bringing light and warmth into his life.

Xu Huaian was certain—he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Gu Qinghuan.

The road ahead was clearly still long, but fortunately, he still had plenty of time.

Gu Qinghuan was held so tightly against him that she could feel his wild heartbeat. Her face instantly felt like it was on fire.

What’s with this guy? Why is he getting so handsy all of a sudden?

This was actually the first time she’d ever been hugged so passionately by a man. She couldn’t push him away, so she decided to just enjoy it! After all, she’d been eyeing his abs for a while now.

Maybe it was because they’d spent so much time together, but she didn’t feel uncomfortable at all. In fact, for the first time, she felt the strength and security that only a man could give.

But why was this guy still not letting go after all this time?

“Have you hugged me enough yet?”

Only then did Xu Huaian reluctantly let go. “Uh, did I hurt you?”

“It didn’t hurt, but my feet couldn’t touch the ground. It was uncomfortable!” With that, they both burst out laughing.

There was quite a height difference between them. Gu Qinghuan was about 165 cm, but Xu Huaian was at least 188 cm—over twenty centimeters taller. When they hugged, she was practically lifted off the ground, hanging on him.

Xu Huaian, the big goof, hadn’t even noticed this awkward detail.

“This time when we go to Beijing, let’s go together. We’ll bring the two kids along so they can broaden their horizons. We’ll tell others it’s for your treatment, and while we’re there, I’ll take care of some family matters,” Gu Qinghuan changed the subject.

“Alright. From now on, our family will do whatever you say.”

After making a simple plan, they each went to bed.

Going to Beijing wasn’t something they could do at the drop of a hat—there were still a lot of things to take care of first.

—

Early the next morning, before dawn, Gu Qinghuan and Xu Huaian went to the cattle shed in the neighboring village.

They carried two large baskets full of supplies—grain, wild goods from the mountains, and meat.

There was no need to give money. In the past while, her grandparents had worked like crazy, picking and selling schisandra berries, and managed to earn over 140 yuan.

The two elders insisted on giving her 100 yuan. When she refused, they got upset.

In the end, they forced her to take it.

That 100 yuan was earned by risking their lives picking schisandra berries in the mountains for who knows how long.

It was so their granddaughter would never have to bow her head in her husband’s family.

Such deep affection.

In the end, Gu Qinghuan accepted it with tears in her eyes.

The two elders still had over 40 yuan left, enough to get by for a while.

Since they didn’t know when she’d be back, Gu Qinghuan prepared extra food and daily necessities for them, which they accepted without protest.

As for Lanting, she couldn’t say anything about that for now. If she did, they’d only worry and get upset, adding to their troubles.

So she only told them that Xu Huaian’s illness had relapsed and she needed to take him to Beijing for treatment.

“You should go. Now that you have enough money, don’t delay Huaian’s treatment. Go to Beijing and get him checked out. I used to have some connections with the hospital director there, though I don’t know if he’ll still remember me,” Zhong Weiqian said after thinking for a while, then picked up a pen and wrote a letter.

No matter what, it was another way in.

There are a lot of bad people in this world, but there are plenty of good ones too.

Gu Qinghuan carefully put the letter away.

Zhong Zijun’s hand had recovered enough to do some light work, so Gu Qinghuan wasn’t worried anymore.

But there was still one thing…

She was just about to bring it up when Zhong Zijun spoke first. “Huanhuan, Huaian, that crippled Wang… was that your doing?”

The fewer people who knew about this, the safer. Before acting, they hadn’t told Zhong Zijun.

Seeing that she’d guessed, Gu Qinghuan didn’t hide it anymore. “Yes. I heard from Captain Duan that your last injury was caused by that Wang cripple, so I had Xu Huaian give him a taste of his own medicine.”

He knows exactly what he did, so he doesn’t dare report us openly.

“But you all need to be careful from now on. I’m worried he might do something desperate.”

Zhong Zijun wasn’t afraid. After what happened, the family was united as one, and she felt stronger than ever. Now, nothing scared her.

She just felt that her daughter had really grown up—quietly accomplishing such a big thing.

Before leaving, Zhong Zijun pulled Gu Qinghuan aside.

“Huanhuan, when you go back this time, try to check on your brother quietly. That child never tells us when something’s wrong. I’ve had a bad feeling lately. I hope he’s alright.”

“I know, Mom. Don’t worry. Lanting is a smart kid—he’ll be fine,” Gu Qinghuan comforted her softly.

Maybe this is what they mean by a mother’s intuition. Even though Gu Qinghuan hadn’t said anything, Zhong Zijun could sense something was off.

Zhong Zijun took out a small rusty iron box from her pocket.

“All the assets under your grandparents’ and my name have been confiscated.

But there are two houses left. These two houses are under your and your brother’s names, so they weren’t seized.

Before I left, I entrusted them to our old housekeeper, Aunt Wu. Gu Yunchuan doesn’t know about them.

Originally, I prepared them for you two in advance, but unexpectedly, they ended up being our family’s last assets.

The year I left, Lanting was eleven and you were only fifteen—still just a girl. I didn’t dare give them to you then, afraid they’d become a curse.

Now you’re grown and can handle things on your own, so I’m finally at ease. I’m leaving them to you now. Whether you rent them out or sell them, it’s up to you. I’m handing everything over to you.” Zhong Zijun pressed the iron box into Gu Qinghuan’s hands.

It felt heavy—just like her heart.

A parent’s love for their child is always far-sighted. Zhong Zijun was undoubtedly a good mother, caring for her children in every way. She just had bad luck and never met the right person.

“Mom, you’re wonderful.” Gu Qinghuan hugged her mother gently. White hairs had already started to grow at her roots, her body battered by life, but her love for her children was flawless.

“Silly girl, you’re the best daughter a mother could ask for.” Zhong Zijun stroked her daughter’s hair.

Zhong Zijun explained that these were two small Western-style houses. When she left in a hurry, she had no one else to trust, so she left them in Aunt Wu’s care.

But clearly, money can tempt people. If Aunt Wu had really cared, she would have looked after the siblings over the years, but she never visited them even once.

She probably thought Zhong Zijun was gone for good and had taken the houses for herself.

But that’s alright—she’d take care of it."

"Chapter 86: An Unexpected Blessing

After settling things on his end, Xu Huaian went to Xu Mingshan to ask for a letter of introduction.

Xu Mingshan had just returned from the county. He’d kept vigil all night—Chen Jianghe had taken quite a bad fall, breaking his leg. The doctor also mentioned something about a concussion and said he needed to be treated at the county hospital. Fortunately, he woke up this morning.

But still, a perfectly healthy man now had a broken leg. He wouldn’t be able to work for some time and would need someone to look after him. His daughter was pregnant too. Just thinking about it made life feel bleak.

When he heard Xu Huaian wanted to go to Beijing, he was startled. “What are you going to Beijing for? Where did you get the money?”

He’d actually been suspicious for a while. By rights, the money they’d given Gu Qinghuan back then should have run out long ago. How was this family supporting themselves?

Looking at their clothes and daily necessities, none of them seemed to be lacking. From adults to children, everyone wore brand-new clothes—not the homemade coarse cloth jackets, but styles that looked like they were bought in a big city.

He suspected Xu Huaian was hiding some private savings, but now that the family had split, it wasn’t his place to say anything.

Xu Huaian hung his head and said, “I had another episode yesterday. I want to go to a big hospital in Beijing to get treated.”

Thinking of yesterday, Xu Mingshan felt sore all over. This brat had really gone at him hard—it still hurt.

Before he could say anything, Xu Huaian looked at him hopefully. “Dad, I actually came to talk about money. I gave you a lot over the years. Now that I’m sick, shouldn’t you help pay for my medical bills?”

His acting could win an Oscar.

Xu Mingshan was thinking up an excuse to refuse when Liu Guifang, who’d been eavesdropping outside, burst in. “No way! You’ve already split from us and you still want to take advantage? Don’t even think about it! I’m in charge here—what I say goes.”

Xu Mingshan wasn’t as agitated as Liu Guifang.

He spoke earnestly, “Huaian, you’ve already split off. We still have your older and younger brothers to think about. We can’t play favorites. Besides, we already spent a lot getting you a wife and setting up your house. Don’t make things difficult for us as your parents.”

Xu Huaian sneered inwardly. Over the years, he’d contributed the most to the family, brought in the most money, and they’d sent him off with just a hundred yuan. And they still dared talk about favoritism.

If they favored anyone, it was never going to be him.

He hadn’t really come for money anyway. Everything in the past, he’d already considered as repaying their kindness in raising him.

But if he didn’t put on a show of being broke and asking for money, the old fox would probably suspect he was hiding cash again. So he deliberately came to ask for money.

Now, though, a new idea came to him—maybe he could settle things once and for all.

Xu Huaian said angrily, “I’ve given the family plenty of money over the years. Now I just want to see a doctor, and you’re crying poor and refusing to help. Don’t expect me to support you in the future!”

Liu Guifang thought to herself, Look at you, broke and without a way to make money, and half-crazy to boot. You’ll be scratching out a living in the fields—how much could you possibly give me in a year?

She wasn’t stupid. Giving Xu Huaian money for medical bills now would cost at least several hundred yuan, and she might never get that much back from him in her lifetime.

Besides, they had two other sons. They didn’t need him to support them.

“No money means no money. I have two other sons. Counting on you, I’d be lucky to get a crust of black bread.”

Xu Huaian looked at Liu Guifang with hurt in his eyes. “Mom, do you really despise me that much? Don’t even want to acknowledge me as your son?”

“Fine. If you won’t give me money, then write me a note. If you won’t pay for my treatment now, then don’t expect me to take care of you in the future. From now on, we’re done.”

Even though he’d long since grown immune to his parents’ favoritism and neglect, saying these words still tugged at his heart.

Ever since he was a child, he’d tried to do better, hoping for his parents’ attention and affection. But no matter what he did, they only had eyes for his older and younger siblings.

Later, after he joined the army, he learned to care about bigger things, and his family’s approval didn’t seem so important anymore.

But now, actually cutting ties, he still felt a pang of pain.

Xu Mingshan thought it over and decided this was for the best.

This son had caused him enough trouble lately—maybe it was better to cut things off.

Mainly, he didn’t want to give him any money.

“You’re sure? If you want to cut ties, so be it!”

The old fox was a good actor too—he couldn’t wait to get rid of him.

Xu Huaian wasn’t about to take the blame, so he added fuel to the fire.

“I don’t want to, Dad. If you just give me five hundred yuan to go to Beijing for treatment, I promise I’ll support you in the future.”

“What? Five hundred yuan? Why not ask for a thousand?” Liu Guifang shouted.

“A thousand? Even better,” Xu Huaian played dumb.

“Damn you, how dare you ask! I have plenty of sons. Write him the note, and even if you kill me, I won’t give him a thousand yuan.”

Actually, she had more than a thousand yuan in savings, but that was for the eldest and youngest sons, and her own retirement. She couldn’t touch it.

Xu Mingshan straightforwardly wrote the note.

It stated clearly that from now on, they would not be responsible for Xu Huaian’s medical expenses, nor would Xu Huaian be responsible for supporting them in their old age. Essentially, the two families were separate and would go their own ways.

This was actually an unexpected blessing.

He’d only come to get a letter of introduction.

But by a twist of fate, in order to avoid giving him money, they’d even given up their right to be supported in old age.

Of course, in the end, Xu Huaian also got the letter of introduction, complete with the official seal on a stack of blank papers—he could fill in whatever he needed later.

When Gu Qinghuan saw the note Xu Huaian brought back, she was stunned. Weren’t they just going to get a letter of introduction? How did they end up with this?

Those two really were shortsighted! They’d regret it one day.

Since they didn’t know how long this trip would take, the two of them spent the day packing up everything at home.

They put everything into their space, from big items like quilts and bedding to small things like food, cured meat, and seasonings.

They were basically leaving the house empty. If anyone got any bad ideas, the lock on the courtyard gate might keep out honest people, but not thieves. Better to take everything with them.

Any thief who came would have to curse at how thoroughly the place had been cleaned out."

"Chapter 87: Setting Off for Beijing