Chapter 92: Chapter 92: A Sibling Conversation, Persuading to Study

“Jie, it’s all my fault. I should have volunteered to go to the countryside back then. If I had, you wouldn’t have…” Gu Lanting clutched his head in anguish.

He felt that if his sister hadn’t been sent down, she wouldn’t have had to marry in such a rush. She deserved someone better, not just some country bumpkin.

Just now, in front of Xu Huai’an, he didn’t dare show too much disdain, afraid his sister would suffer for it.

“Silly Lanting, you’re overthinking it. Now that I’ve settled in the countryside, even if I didn’t marry him, I would have married someone else.

He’s actually a really good person. The more you get to know him, the more you’ll see it. I’m really doing well now.

His family’s situation isn’t bad, and I’m the one running things at home. Grandpa and Grandma also help out from time to time. Everything’s fine.

But what about you? What’s going on with you? Sister Luo Ning didn’t explain clearly in her letter, and it’s made everyone so anxious.” Gu Qinghuan changed the subject.

Gu Lanting had noticed this too—this guy was actually quite attentive to his sister; just a glance from her and he’d do whatever she wanted.

“Jie, I’m sorry for making you worry, and for making you come all this way just for me.” Gu Lanting lowered his head, standing there like a schoolboy, and told her everything that had happened to him recently, leaving nothing out.

The more Gu Qinghuan listened, the angrier she got. What kind of father was this? Good riddance if he didn’t want them, letting his own son be treated so badly!

“After you got out, did Gu Yunchuan ever look for you?” Gu Qinghuan asked, trying to keep her anger in check.

Gu Lanting shook his head in disappointment.

Before he turned ten, their family had been happy. Gu Yunchuan had doted on him, especially since he was a boy. That’s why, even now, it was so hard for him to accept and so disappointing.

“Lanting, do you still have hope for him?” Gu Qinghuan wanted to confirm, so she could plan her next steps.

Gu Lanting shook his head firmly. “He doesn’t want us, so we don’t want him either.

Jie, I’m grown up now. I can support the family. Don’t worry, I’ll hold things together for us.”

The young man before her overlapped with the little boy from five years ago. Time really flies—it only takes five years for a boy to become a man.

But his transformation had been a cruel one.

“Lanting, you’ve grown up.” Gu Qinghuan couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. If the original owner could see her brother now, able to stand on his own and become a real man, she’d be so happy.

“Jie…” Gu Lanting smiled sheepishly.

“I came back this time for a few things. First, to get your situation sorted out. Second, to settle things once and for all with Gu Yunchuan. And third, to find a psychologist to treat your brother-in-law’s illness.”

She hadn’t wanted to tell him about Xu Huai’an’s condition, worried he’d resent him even more, but since he was here, he’d find out sooner or later, so Gu Qinghuan decided to be upfront.

“What illness? A psychologist?” Sure enough, Gu Lanting immediately picked up on it.

“Your brother-in-law is a veteran. He picked up some psychological issues from the battlefield. I want to find a doctor to help him. But that’s not important—let’s talk about you.

You have to go back to school. This is non-negotiable.”

Gu Lanting’s attention was diverted again.

He stubbornly turned his head to stare at the wall. “No! Jie, I’ll listen to you about everything else, but not this.”

Life had been tough lately, but the feeling of earning his own money was addictive. He was no longer a little kid under someone else’s thumb, having to beg that so-called father for every penny.

This bittersweet freedom felt amazing. He wanted to keep earning money—he didn’t want to go back to school.

“Lanting, your job right now is to study. Earning money is my job, and your brother-in-law’s. We’re your support. Without an education, do you plan to be a doorman or a porter your whole life?” Gu Qinghuan tried to reason with him.

She finally understood how parents of rebellious kids felt in later generations—what do you do when your child doesn’t want to study? You can’t beat them, and you can’t scold them.

“Jie, I’ve already finished all my high school coursework. It doesn’t matter if I have a diploma or not—no one’s taking the college entrance exam these days anyway.

I just want to start earning money sooner, to make things easier for you. Uncle Yu said if there’s any news about jobs at other factories, he’ll let me know. I’m not planning to do this job forever,” Gu Lanting said, trying to persuade his sister.

“How do you know the college entrance exam won’t come back? What our country needs most right now is educated people. Opportunities go to those who are prepared. I don’t want you to regret it for the rest of your life.

If you go looking for work without even a high school diploma, all you’ll get are hard labor jobs. Even if you just stick it out for this last half year and get your diploma, then go job hunting, I won’t say anything.”

Gu Qinghuan decided to take a roundabout approach—get him back to school first. When the news about the college entrance exam being reinstated came out next year, he’d be ready to study hard and take the exam.

She had to admit, her words struck a chord with Gu Lanting.

He actually didn’t dislike studying. On the contrary, he’d always been focused on his studies and had good grades.

It was only because he’d left home and had no other choice that he’d taken this path.

“But our family’s situation…” He couldn’t bear to let his sister shoulder everything alone, but he was already wavering inside.

“No more buts. Listen to me, and don’t worry about home.

This time, Mom gave me the keys and deeds to two houses. They’re in both our names—she planned ahead for us, so Gu Yunchuan doesn’t know about them.

Whether we rent them out or sell them, it’ll be enough for our family to live well. So you don’t need to worry about anything.”

This finally put Gu Lanting’s mind at ease. With no financial crisis at home, he could go back to school without worries.

“Alright then! But I have to finish my shift today before I can talk to Uncle Yu about quitting. He was kind enough to give me this job—I can’t just leave without notice. That wouldn’t be right,” Gu Lanting said after some thought.

A smile finally broke out on Gu Qinghuan’s face. “That’s the way. You’re right—we should always see things through to the end.”

“By the way, Jie, how come Mom never mentioned those houses before?” Gu Lanting finally relaxed.

“I never heard her mention them either. She said she left in a hurry back then, and we were too young. She was worried it’d be a burden or attract trouble, so she entrusted them to our housekeeper, Aunt Wu.”

“Aunt Wu? The housekeeper from when we were kids? She wouldn’t have kept the houses for herself, would she? She hasn’t visited us all these years, not a word from her.”

The siblings really were on the same wavelength.

Zhong Zijun probably knew about it too, but maybe she wanted to treat it as a test, to let the siblings figure it out themselves.

“That’s what I thought too. So we need to investigate before we act. For now, don’t alert anyone.”

“Oh no, what time is it? I’m going to be late for work! Jie, I have to go. I’ll come find you after my shift.” Gu Lanting said as he ran off.

At that moment, he really did seem like a kid again."

"Chapter 93: Qu Hanwen and Xiao Zhuo

After Gu Lanting left, Gu Qinghuan began to set up their little temporary home.

Taking advantage of the kids being out, she first unpacked their luggage and, while she was at it, sneaked a few more things out from her space.

The house had all the basic necessities, except for quilts. And quilts were a bit personal—she didn’t like using ones that others had already used.

So she took the opportunity to order two new quilts from the vending machine. Once she put on the covers, they could use them right away. She’d just tell the kids she found them in the owner’s closet.

When they left, she could just pack them back into her space and take them along.

After setting up the two rooms and putting everything in order, Xu Huaian came back with the two kids, each holding a stick of candied hawthorn.

“Mom, look! Dad bought us candied hawthorn. It’s so yummy!” Beibei held hers up high, her mouth covered in sticky sugar bits.

Gu Qinghuan was just about to say something.

Xu Huaian suddenly pulled out another stick of candied hawthorn from behind his back and handed it to her with a bright smile. “This one’s for you.”

Gu Qinghuan hadn’t expected to get one herself. She pretended to protest, “You could’ve just bought some for them. I’m an adult, I don’t need one.”

But the speed at which she snatched it up, and the smile blooming on her face, betrayed her good mood.

Xu Huaian grinned mischievously and teased her, pretending to switch the candied hawthorn to another hand. “You don’t want it? Then I’ll eat it myself.”

Gu Qinghuan punched him hard.

“Give it here! If you bought it for me, then it’s mine.” She took a big bite—sweet and sour, delicious.

Xu Huaian smiled dotingly. “It’s all yours. Take your time.” Then, just like he did with Dabao and Beibei, he reached out and patted her head.

Gu Qinghuan was too busy eating her candied hawthorn to notice his gesture.

Dabao and Beibei watched their parents’ interaction from the side, covering their mouths and giggling.

Mom and Dad are getting closer and closer! This is so nice.

With nothing else to do that afternoon, Gu Qinghuan decided to take Xu Huaian to Jing City Hospital to see if there was a suitable psychologist for his treatment.

As for other matters, they could wait.

Xu Huaian was a bit nervous, but he knew he had no reason to back out.

It wasn’t convenient to bring the kids to the hospital, so Gu Qinghuan made a deal with them: they’d stay home and practice their writing, and she’d bring them back something tasty in the evening.

There was really no other way.

Fortunately, the kids were well-behaved and understood their parents had important things to do.

Dabao said sensibly, “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll look after my sister. We won’t run around, won’t open the door to strangers, and won’t touch anything dangerous.”

Thanks to their parents’ usual teachings, the kids knew a lot about daily safety.

To prevent strangers from coming in, Gu Qinghuan locked the door when they left.

The two of them took the bus straight to Jing City Hospital.

At the hospital entrance, Gu Qinghuan bought some fruit to bring along.

She planned to visit her grandfather’s old friend first. She didn’t know what he liked, but fruit was always a safe bet.

Xu Huaian noticed her unease and comforted her, “It’s okay. If he’s willing to help, that’s great. If not, it’s fine.”

“I’m not worried about that. I’m just afraid Grandpa will be disappointed, so I’m a bit anxious.”

They asked around and finally found their way to the director’s office.

There was none of that over-the-top drama you see on TV—no need to make an appointment or wait in line to see the hospital director.

It was just an ordinary office. The paint on the door was even peeling, with a sign that read “Director’s Office.”

*Knock knock.*

“Come in!” A cultured voice called out.

Gu Qinghuan opened the door to see a handsome middle-aged man looking at her in confusion.

“Comrade, can I help you with something?”

Gu Qinghuan wondered if she had the wrong place. Her grandfather’s friend should be at least in his sixties, right? Why did he look so young—and, honestly, so handsome!

He had that mature, uncle-like charm, and his neatly pressed Zhongshan suit gave him an air of restrained elegance.

She was so taken aback that she forgot to respond for a moment. Xu Huaian poked her from behind, looking a little aggrieved.

Why did it feel like his wife was a sucker for good looks? That wouldn’t do—if she wanted to look, she could only look at him.

“Hello, are you Director Qu? Sorry to bother you. I’m Zhong Weiqian’s granddaughter. I actually have a favor to ask, and brought a small gift as a token of respect. Please accept it.

This is a letter from my grandfather.”

Gu Qinghuan quickly set down the fruit basket as she spoke, and handed over the letter she’d brought.

She kept a pleasant smile on her face.

As the saying goes, you don’t hit a smiling face.

Qu Hanwen’s eyebrows rose slightly at the mention of Zhong Weiqian.

He took the letter from Gu Qinghuan and read it carefully.

Gu Qinghuan and Xu Huaian waited nervously for his verdict.

After a few minutes, Qu Hanwen put down the letter and looked up at Gu Qinghuan.

“How has Brother Weiqian been lately?”

He’s asking about Grandpa—that’s a good sign.

“Grandpa’s in good health.” The less said, the better, so Gu Qinghuan kept it brief.

Qu Hanwen nodded lightly.

“That’s good. Is it this young man who needs to see a doctor?” He looked at Xu Huaian.

“Yes, could you please recommend a psychologist for us? His illness is psychological, so it’s quite tricky.”

Qu Hanwen didn’t ask any more questions. He stood up and gestured for them to follow.

“Come with me. When it comes to psychologists, there’s no hospital in China better than ours.”

Gu Qinghuan was flattered. “Director Qu, we can’t trouble you to personally show us the way.”

“I’m human too—why can’t I show you the way?”

He really had a unique personality.

Qu Hanwen led them down the hall to a consulting room and knocked on the door. “Dr. Xiao, you’ve got a patient.”

Inside, a man was sprawled out, napping comfortably. At the sound of the knock, he snapped awake in an instant.

“Ah, coming, coming.”

He must have a pretty easy job.

Qu Hanwen seemed used to this and didn’t say anything. He turned to Gu Qinghuan and explained, “Dr. Xiao Zhuo is quite skilled in psychological treatment.” Though, he’s a bit unconventional.

“Director Qu, what brings you here personally with a patient today? Is this a relative of yours?” Dr. Xiao really was something—he spoke to the director with no sense of hierarchy, and the funny thing was, Qu Hanwen didn’t mind at all.

“Mm, a relative. Please take good care of them.” Gu Qinghuan hadn’t expected Qu Hanwen to actually admit it.

From his earlier calm demeanor, Gu Qinghuan had thought he and her grandfather were just casual friends, nothing too close. Clearly, she’d guessed wrong—Director Qu was a true friend.

Xiao Zhuo sat up straight at his desk.

“What’s the situation? Tell me about it.”"

"Chapter 94: Treatment