Chapter 85: Chapter 85: The Gap Between Imagination and Reality
Gu Ruhe was stunned for a while upon hearing this; his big brother really changed, these words were on another level, clearly seeing through everything, understanding his little schemes completely.
He always thought his older brother was slow, but in reality, he knew everything, just never spoke about it.
Once he began to speak, Gu Ruhe really had no argument to stand on.
His mind had always been calculating, thinking everything was the same as before, believing his brother would agree to all his demands; he had grown used to his brother’s compromise and tolerance over the years.
He took it all for granted, but now that brother won’t allow it, won’t tolerate it, what leverage does he have left to continue taking things for granted?
Gu Ruhe suddenly felt his face burning with embarrassment.
With a strong sense of pride, Gu Ruhe felt powerless, ashamed, which then turned into uncontrollable anger for being exposed.
In a low voice, he said to Gu Ruhai, "Big brother, since you’ve said it like this, I’ve been taking advantage of you all these years. Fine, from now on, I’ll buy my grain, and won’t borrow from you. You can rest assured; I won’t force my own brother to death. Of course, I’ll often be in town and can’t help much here anyway; since we’ve split the family, let’s each live our own lives well. I won’t trouble you, and I hope big brother won’t trouble me either."
Those words were quite heartless.
Almost saying directly, don’t ever seek my help again; even if you do, I won’t assist.
Gu Ruhai’s face darkened with anger, this was the person he deemed a brother, even worse than a stranger, truly an ingrate.
All these years, the white flour fed to a dog’s belly.
Only now had he realized how many years he had been foolish, just how stupid he had been.
No wonder the villagers looked down on him; now, even he looked down on himself, let alone others.
It couldn’t be explained away simply as being naïve.
His mind had been clouded these years; he had been blind all along.
He had lived these years in vain.
Thinking about it made him want to cry.
His poor three kids.
If it weren’t for the third child’s college, why else would his eldest daughter not be able to attend school, starting first grade only at this age, barely recognizing a few words.
All because he had been an idiot.
Slapping his own cheeks, they immediately became red and swollen.
The three people inside the room were too frightened to know what to do.
Would talking him out of it help?
Seems not.
Just stand there and watch?
That won’t do either.
Gu Ruhai lifted his head, catching his breath, and said, "Mom and Dad, if Mom isn’t ready for us to die together, then I’ll leave. The kids are waiting for me. Third brother, you’re right; since the family has split, let’s each live well without dragging each other down. I won’t try to befriend others’ better lives, and they shouldn’t covet my poorer living. I’m leaving now."
He turned and left, the door slamming shut with a loud bang.
Mrs. Gu wanted to say something, spat briefly, then stopped.
Remembering what her eldest had said about dying together.
She couldn’t help but shudder, cursed eldest son, scared me half to death.
That look, Mrs. Gu had never seen on Gu Ruhai’s face. At that moment, Mrs. Gu believed Gu Ruhai truly wanted to end it all with her.
It was a genuine, unwavering desire to die, that determination and resolve, Mrs. Gu understood clearly.
That’s why Mrs. Gu backed down, not daring anymore.
This wasn’t an ordinary matter of bemoaning anything, not just scaring people; Mrs. Gu was convinced, if she had dared to say the word death aloud just now.
That son would truly dash himself to death right there.
Just the thought was chilling.
Mrs. Gu, indeed, bullies the weak while fearing the strong, facing those softer than herself, she would relentlessly bully, eager to step on them a few more times. But faced with this current strong-armed Gu Ruhai, Mrs. Gu dared not sacrifice herself.
Mouths are no match for reality; Mrs. Gu had already given in.
Muttering inwardly, it’s best to keep a distance from the eldest in the future, seems this son has become difficult to provoke.
Gu Ruhe didn’t achieve his purpose and ended up tearing the relationship apart with Gu Ruhai like this. Even if it wasn’t completely damaged, the words said were almost at the point of ending the conversation.
No different from completely falling out.
Why stay here any longer, scratching his head in annoyance; the annual flour, aside from feeding his family, usually had leftovers to send some to the father-in-law, a bag for the superior; these were insignificant, but still tokens of goodwill.
This year was supposed to provide a good opportunity; the chief accountant above was transferred to the county forestry bureau as deputy director.
He himself, whether in terms of qualifications or tenure wasn’t much, but as long as there were no objections from above, and with a little more effort, at least the goodwill accumulated over the years could make it possible.
But all that was now disrupted.
Not to mention gifts, he didn’t even have enough for his own family.
He needed to prepare to explain to Xiao Xue now.
Wouldn’t that invite a heap of scolding?
Also, he never had a clear account of family affairs nor asked about what was happening at home recently; this was bad, like poking a hornet’s nest.
Now, he could only rely on the old man and the second brother.
That stingy second brother, asking him for grain was like asking for his life, surely won’t be willing; if willing, he wouldn’t have taken it from the eldest all these years.
This too was his fault; if only he had said a few comfort words in past years, maybe the eldest wouldn’t have reacted so strongly today.
He had taken from others all these years without any return, not even a friendly face; if it were himself, he wouldn’t be happy either.
Only now he thought of Gu Ruhai’s kindness.
Too late, unfortunately.
People only truly realize the importance when they’ve lost something.
Gu Ruhe immediately set his sights on the old man.
Now, the only one who could help him was the old man.
"Dad, this has become such a mess, I feel terrible. But this, you know too, if I buy expensive grain in town, the family simply can’t survive. Can you help me think of a way?"
Facing the old man, Gu Ruhe was very articulate.
Mr. Gu extinguished his cigarette stub.
Kindly looked at Gu Ruhe, after all, this was a child he had cared for dearly over many years; Mr. Gu couldn’t help but intervene.
"Don’t suffer too much, at home with your mother and me, there’s a few hundred pounds of new white flour from this year, you take half first; that should last a few months without issue, then buy some more, it’ll be enough.
You know the second brother still has a college student to support, he definitely can’t provide; if town prices are too high, buy from the village, it’s not as expensive there, and can save some costs."
It was settled.
Sadly, it fell short of Gu Ruhe’s expectations, and far short too.
But there was no other way.
He encountered an awakened Gu Ruhai...
Thanks to readers kinkikids520 and DouDouZui, MamaLoveJunJun for the rewards, thank you for your support.