Rebirth: She is Ready for a Counterattack!

The car is parked right outside the courtyard because two cars can’t fit inside.

Gu Ruhai opened the car door and let Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu get out.

Mr. Gu was using his cane, but walking is definitely no problem now. Mrs. Gu’s arm no longer needs to be in a sling, it’s just healing; nothing serious.

Upon seeing the villagers, they smiled and greeted everyone warmly. The energy was different; after all, this is their homeland.

Gu Ruhai didn’t take them to the Gu Family’s old residence. He wanted Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu to live at his place from now on. The house here has always been vacant, no one lives in it, and instead of letting it rot, it would be better for the two elders to stay here—adds some liveliness and is comfortable.

It’s not that Gu Ruhai lacks heart or is indifferent to past situations; as a father and son, there are no unforgivable parents in this world.

Not everyone is beyond redemption, and many children eventually forgive.

That’s why Gu Ruhai doesn’t feel he did anything wrong.

Li Xuemei doesn’t mind either.

Gu Xiaoqing, Gu Xiaoying, and Gu Xiaojie are all grown-ups now. Faced with grandparents that have changed, what else can be done?

So this is how it settled.

Li Xuemei, Gu Xiaoying, Gu Xiaoqing, along with Aunt Zhang, quickly tidied up the rooms on the first floor. This way, Mr. and Mrs. Gu would have someplace to rest if they wanted to.

Gu Ruhai, Mr. Gu, and Mrs. Gu sat in the courtyard, while the village chief, Gu Changhai, and many village elders came over and were chatting with the three.

Gu Ruhai took out a pack of Hongtashan cigarettes, opened them up, and distributed one to each person, lighting up. They began chatting away in a haze of smoke.

Meanwhile, Li Xuemei and others had finished tidying up.

The rooms on the second floor were all cleaned up.

Gu Ruhai called on two people to help move in the television. Many people lent a hand to hook up the antenna, and seeing that tall antenna on the roof, the villagers were quite envious.

Several families in the village have started to become affluent and have bought televisions.

But people have marveled at those for quite some time.

However, those are black and white televisions.

It’s already a big deal in the village, but now look at Gu Ruhai here—he’s got a color television, a twenty-one-inch one, which even the richest families wouldn’t dream of buying.

It’s not just a matter of affordability—there’s nowhere to buy it.

The village cooperative store doesn’t have it, the town’s store won’t either, and just the transport to the county would cost a lot.

It’s not always available—even when it is, it’s usually sold through insider connections within a day, so outsiders with no ties can’t purchase it.

Everyone was envious.

As the hubbub died down, people dispersed. They couldn’t just stay in someone else’s courtyard all day.

Gu Ruhai and Li Xuemei, with Aunt Zhang’s support, had provisions that Aunt Zhang took from her home, such as flour. Vegetables and other foods were supplied by villagers bringing some over from their fields—that family gave a bit, another shared some too, so quite a lot was gathered.

Settling the two elders in was no problem.

Aunt Zhang had been helping continuously, without even going home.

At noon, Li Xuemei invited Aunt Zhang to stay for lunch.

Originally, Aunt Zhang’s mother-in-law, Grandma Zhang, had passed away last year, leaving Aunt Zhang and Brother Zhang alone at home. Zhang Xiaojie attends elementary school in the neighboring village and doesn’t come home at noon.

There’s basically no one at home.

Brother Zhang works as a mason outside, in the county, earning some pocket money.

He only returns for the festivals.

While eating, Li Xuemei thought about finding a caregiver and spoke up to Aunt Zhang: "Sister-in-law, your household seems idle, once the field work is done, there’s not much else to do. Why not find some paying job to help out financially?"

Not speaking rashly as one wouldn’t know if Aunt Zhang already had something lined up—can’t interfere with her affairs.

Aunt Zhang put down her bowl and said, "Xuemei, you’re well aware, the women in our village mostly guard the home while the men go out to earn a living. As a woman, there’s not much to do here beyond farming and looking after kids. And Zhang Xiaojie is still young, can’t be left alone, since there’s no one to assist at home, I have to manage on my own. It’s not like I don’t want to go to the county to find something to do."

A sigh escaped.

Thankfully, the two sons working for Gu Ruhai, otherwise they’d be stuck as masons in the county too.

Li Xuemei tentatively asked, "Sister-in-law, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you. See if it’s suitable for you. If you find it okay, you can go ahead, and if not, we won’t insist."

After all, this relies on her willingness, especially with Mrs. Gu’s reputation for being feisty—no wife wants to deal with that.

Aunt Zhang brightened up, saying, "Tell me, sister. Surely it’s something that earns money—I’ll take it if I can do it, won’t put on airs."

Li Xuemei and Gu Ruhai are decent people, not those who trick others.

Aunt Zhang understands this.

Even during the annual Chinese New Year when her two sons returned, Gu Ruhai and Li Xuemei would send back new school supplies for Gu Xiaojie—bags, notebooks, pencil boxes—all brand new. Obviously bought items show they thought of their family.

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"Here’s the thing—everyone in the village knows about our family; anyone who doesn’t know about each other’s situation here? My parents-in-law are getting on in age and their health is always a concern—as you’ve witnessed, Mr. Gu has improved, but he needs care.

But my two younger brothers-in-law, as you know, aren’t reliable. I discussed with Gu Ruhai about employing someone from the village to manage Mr. and Mrs. Gu’s three meals a day and do general cleanup. Should any illness occur, they can call us—at least someone keeps an eye on things.

Living in the city, we can rest assured, otherwise leaving the two elderly here is troubling."

Li Xuemei laid out her thoughts.

Aunt Zhang replied, "No wonder—I haven’t seen Gu Rushan around recently, though he did visit a few days ago—I heard he found a prosperous venture in the city. All dressed up sparky, we thought he was with you there.

This is something I can handle—not more than cleaning up, cooking meals. I’m not busy alone, but I’m wary of your family’s Mrs. Gu’s personality—you know she’s difficult, and if she criticizes, just don’t say I didn’t try my best."

Of course, putting cards on the table first. (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please read at m.qidian.com.)