Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Ruhai’s Suicidal Thoughts
Mr. Gu took the cigarette, lit it himself, took a puff, and said, "Now, the kid from the second family is going to college, and there’s not enough money. The eldest gives some to the second every year. They’re brothers; how can they be so stingy with money? Besides, calculating so precisely, how can one feel good about it."
These words follow the usual Gu Family tradition, still considering it utterly natural.
Li Weimin was amused but angry.
What kind of bizarre patriarch is this, managing to live so steadily for so many years?
"Sir, I disagree with that. Not to mention distant relatives, even close brothers have clear accounts. Furthermore, my brother-in-law has already split from the family. A split is a split, meaning they are two separate families now. What does Gu Rushan’s affairs have to do with the eldest? You still expect my brother-in-law to hand over money. This logic doesn’t seem to exist in these villages."
Li Weimin had made things clear, urging the old man to listen attentively.
As expected, Mr. Gu truly believed his authority was vast, thinking whatever the eldest did was right.
Refuted by Li Weimin, the anger in his heart flared up.
He said to Li Weimin, "Brother-in-law, what you’re saying is not right. Gu Ruhai is still part of the family, but he’s still my son, isn’t he? Unless a father speaks and he doesn’t listen, that’s being unfilial. Ask if Gu Ruhai wants to be labeled as unfilial."
This was relying on his father’s status to forcibly suppress.
Li Weimin was displeased; he had been courteous enough to minimize the situation, thinking to give the elder some face.
The old man was being ungrateful.
"Your words are really strange. Gu Ruhai is indeed your son, but did he not give you money for your retirement?"
Mr. Gu was taken aback and replied involuntarily, "He did, five bucks a year."
Li Weimin sneered, clapped his hands, and said, "There you have it. He’s given you retirement money, so how is he unfilial?"
"Must he listen to you, give his money to Gu Rushan to be filial? That’s odd. Is Gu Rushan your son or Gu Ruhai’s son? I’ve heard of fathers raising sons, not brothers raising brothers, especially ones who are already established with families, with sons over twenty. I truly haven’t heard of such a reasoning. Please explain it to me, so I can learn something."
Mr. Gu almost fainted from anger.
Li Weimin wasn’t doing this in good faith.
He angrily pointed at Gu Ruhai, saying, "Eldest, are you going to watch outsiders bully your father?"
And then Gu Ruhai, who had been burying his face in the basin, slammed it down forcefully.
The basin of water splashed onto the floor, with water droplets covering Gu Ruhai’s face and hair. It was unclear whether it was tears or water, but it was all glittering droplets.
Mr. Gu was evidently startled, jumping to his feet.
"What are you doing?"
On Gu Ruhai’s face, a flash of despair and sadness appeared as he said to Mr. Gu, "Dad, am I your biological son?"
Mr. Gu also sensed something was off. This wasn’t the usual Gu Ruhai; was his many years of prestige being ruthlessly erased?
"Eldest, what do you mean? You’re certainly my biological son."
"Then why, Dad, are you doing this? Are you the first to insist a eldest son pay to support the second child under the sky? If the second truly cannot survive, I’d help. But it’s me who can’t survive now, and Dad is still forcing me to aid my brother. You’re forcing me to death.
Otherwise, why not sell me today to repay your upbringing? My three children owe nothing to the Gu Family, and for the sake of filial piety, I cannot sacrifice my kids."
Gu Ruhai knelt down with a thud, lowering his head to Mr. Gu.
Li Xuemei also knelt before Mr. Gu, crying out, "Dad, take my life too! The kids’ father is right; what have we done wrong? We only want to survive and have the kids live good lives."
Their voices echoed, causing people outside the yard to whisper.
"Why is Mr. Gu here again? He just quieted for two days, now he’s back?"
"You don’t know? Look at this family, don’t mention it. Gu Ruhai is truly oppressed. If I had such a father, I wouldn’t associate with him anymore. It’s pushing this family to death."
"Indeed, such a good son, but he’s persistently forced to manage the affairs of his younger siblings. Don’t you know? The second’s house is much better than the eldest’s, still demanding the eldest’s support."
"When bias fills people’s hearts, there’s no limit."
"Indeed, see how this couple doesn’t want to live anymore."
This wind and words made Mr. Gu uneasy, unable to sit still, his face alternating between green and white, an indiscernible mix of colors.
Originally envisioned perfectly, all he had to do was speak, coaxing the eldest for two days. Wouldn’t things be for the eldest’s benefit?
The eldest should’ve happily listened, handing the money back to himself for the second.
But now it became like this.
Gu Xiaoqing, Gu Xiaoying, and Gu Xiaojie all knelt before Mr. Gu, clinging to his leg, crying out, "Grandpa, grandpa, don’t make our parents die. We’ll give all our money to Uncle’s family, all for Gu Xiaocheng to go to school. We’re scared, don’t push our parents to death."
Gu Xiaoqing sobbed, heartbroken beyond words. This was all the grievance from her past life. Mr. Gu always stood on the moral high ground. In her previous life, he used the term "unfilial" to shatter this family.
Again, the same tactic was being used.
With the same excuse — unfilial.
Her parents were so terrified of that word.
But this time, no one would succeed.
Clinging to Mr. Gu’s leg, she cried out desperately, "Grandpa, I beg you, don’t make our parents die. If they do, we’ll be kids without a mother and father, unable to survive."
"Grandpa, grandpa, we promise, we promise, to give our money to Uncle’s family, to repay Uncle, is that not enough?"
Once these words were spoken, everyone’s jaws dropped; the child’s words clearly accused Mr. Gu of forcing Gu Ruhai’s family to earn money for Gu Rushan.
Siblings should not be pushed to death to support the other siblings’ kids.
Voices began a cacophony of discussions.
The previously quiet village began bubbling again.
More and more people crowded into Gu Ruhai’s yard, for the spectacle-seekers never lacked an audience.