Chapter 71: Chapter 71: The Unaffordable Busybody
Li Xuemei stepped aside; it was clear that Gu Ruhai had to be involved in this matter.
Everyone’s eyes were on Gu Ruhai’s face.
Gu Ruhai straightened his back, stood up, and approached Mr. Gu, steadily speaking each word clearly in a deep and calm voice: "Dad and Mom, I understand your hardships, but for so many years, I’ve grown used to the different treatment of the second and third child. That doesn’t mean I don’t notice, it doesn’t mean I’m not envious. I too want to be treasured like a gem by you both, to be cared for and cherished.
But from childhood to now, no matter how hard I worked, breaking my back laboring or doing odd jobs to earn money, I could never get a smile from you. Only when the family needed my help, would you encourage me nicely, saying, ’Eldest, you did well, you’re amazing.’
When the family split, you said the family was in need and my brothers needed support, so I took my kids and left. But Mom and Dad, I’m a person too, people have hearts, and hearts can grow cold too.
Dad, you said you’re old and can’t support me, which I admit, but why must I still support the second and third child? Dad, sibling love and respect, is that only one-sided in our family?
Every year, the second brother takes money from me with such arrogance and entitlement. I am the elder brother, not a hired hand for him.
As for the third brother, every year he takes white flour from me. Has he ever cared about how his elder brother’s family of five is living? Does he know we eat black bread buns all year round? Does he know his nephews and nieces can’t eat their fill?"
Speaking up to this point, Gu Ruhai’s face was filled with grief and anger. The grievances and discontent that had weighed on his heart for years now poured out as tears.
It’s not that Gu Ruhai was foolish; he was deceiving himself all along.
These things hidden secretly in his heart for years were being unraveled one by one, stirring up all the regrets and grievances, longing to be vented.
Mr. Gu opened his mouth but couldn’t say anything.
The eldest spoke the truth, he knew how he acted all these years, surely that needs no saying.
But he thought the eldest was foolish and didn’t care.
But in reality, even the most honest person has feelings, even the most honest person has a brain. It’s not that they don’t speak, they bury it deep inside.
Now it seems all has been brutally unearthed, though it comes with waves of pain, after the thorough pain comes a new beginning.
Gu Xiaoqing stood beside Gu Ruhai, noticing his rough-jointed hands trembling slightly, showing just how intense and helpless his feelings were.
Li Xuemei’s eyes had long been flooded with tears. Her man finally stood there like a real man, his towering figure carrying a heart-wrenching fragility that provided comfort.
All the grievances and suffocation of so many years had now been unveiled.
Everyone’s hearts were anxious.
Mr. Gu struggled with his lips for a long time, yet couldn’t utter a word.
Mrs. Gu rolled her triangular eyes and coldly said, "Eldest, if you say so, what are you expecting? Do you want your parents to compensate you? Which eldest isn’t supporting their family? You’re not the first, ask around the village, we haven’t let you down, have we? We didn’t cut off your food and drink, nor did we fail to marry you a wife."
This was perhaps the calmest Mrs. Gu had ever spoken, without starting with a tantrum.
Gu Rushan chimed in, "Eldest brother, yes, you’ve had a hard time all these years, and we bear some of that responsibility. I haven’t been much of a success and have always been a burden, but haven’t I paid you back? Saying all this is pointless. In a family, shouldn’t there be give and take among brothers?
As for the third brother’s matters, I won’t comment. That’s between you and him, but you can’t place this on our parents, that would be unfilial. No matter what, they raised the three of us."
Gu Rushan’s face was all sadness, yet he projected the image of a dutiful son.
Gu Ruhai sighed, "Dad, for today, now that we’ve come this far, I’ll say it frankly. We’ve already split the family, what happens in the future, whether good or bad, is our individual concern. I’ll provide for you and Mom on time for your old age, send gifts during festivals, and if you fall ill and need care, the second, third, and I will discuss splitting things evenly. So please, don’t worry about our matters anymore."
This was openly saying, you can rest now, don’t meddle anymore.
This was perhaps the most smoothly and comfortably Gu Ruhai had ever spoken, laying out everything in his heart.
The knots in his heart also began to unravel, and Gu Ruhai felt as if a weight on his chest was lifted.
Is this the crux of the whole issue?
It was something he had conjured in his heart, but really, it was easy, it was simple.
Mrs. Gu pointed at Gu Ruhai, wanting to howl but not daring, wanting to scold but unable to speak, her face twisted ferociously, making viewers feel a fear deep in their hearts.
"Eldest, are you really this heartless?"
That was the final word Mrs. Gu threw out.
Mr. Gu didn’t want to hear an answer anymore.
Because he already knew the answer.
Knew he was wrong to come today.
This had forced the eldest onto a completely different path.
Gu Ruhai no longer trembled; instead, he firmly and loudly responded, "Mom, it’s not that I’m heartless. Everyone should take care of their own affairs. I have my life to live, and the second brother has his; he can’t help me, and I can’t help him, so it’s better for everyone to take care of their own."
He turned and said to Gu Rushan: "Second brother, in past years I could help you harvest the wheat, but then I had nothing else to do and resting at home was just resting. But now we have businesses to tend to, so you and Xiulan handle it yourselves."
These words thoroughly shut Mrs. Gu’s mouth.
Whether it’s heartless or not.
Helping is kindness, not helping is obligation.
No one owes anyone.
Gu Xiaoqing almost wanted to applaud from the side.
It seemed Gu Ruhai had stepped out of his role as a pushover, now transforming into a blade about to unveil its sharpness, with its edge starting to show, exhibiting its sharpness and tenacity.
Gu Rushan coughed for a long time, saying angrily: "Eldest brother, I don’t necessarily need your help. That’s what Mom and Dad said, Xiulan and I can manage ourselves. So I’m leaving."
He got up to leave, but he seemed very angry.
Mr. and Mrs. Gu both got up and left too.
Even if Gu Ruhai wanted to see them off, Mrs. Gu harshly refused.
"I can’t trouble someone as busy as you."
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Thanks to kinkikids520 for the reward; this week there are double updates, and it’s almost going to be published. After publication, I’ll keep double updates; weekends will have five updates, and for every 20 pink tickets, an extra update will be added. Of course, the author can only do so much within my capacity. Thanks for everyone’s support.