Chapter 217 - 216: The Old Man’s Words (Second Update)
Gu Ruhe realized that his elder brother was going to wash his hands off the matter.
He hurriedly rushed to Mr. Gu, who was now his only pillar of support.
"Dad, Dad, save me, I really don’t want to go to jail. I was forced into this, I had no choice. Please, for the sake of the two kids, talk to my big brother. I promise I’ve changed, I’ll never do anything like this again."
Xiao Xue also understood the gravity of the situation. Her own father couldn’t help; in fact, Xiao Xue had never discussed her father’s situation with Gu Ruhe. It wasn’t just retirement time approaching and someone having already been appointed to replace him—her father was about to step down.
This was not a time for any mistakes; he couldn’t even protect himself, let alone a son-in-law.
So it wasn’t that Xiao Xue’s father didn’t want to help, he simply couldn’t.
Xiao Xue couldn’t tell all this to Gu Ruhe.
If Gu Ruhai refused to step in, then their family was truly doomed.
If Gu Ruhe was taken away, how was a woman alone supposed to care for two children? What kind of future would that be?
So, Xiao Xue tearfully knelt before Mr. Gu: "Dad, please save Ruhe, the children can’t be without a father. If something happens to Ruhe, how are we going to live?" She wept, clutching onto Mr. Gu’s leg.
It was the first time Xiao Xue displayed such a dramatic outburst, akin to a rural woman wailing, losing the composed and distancing demeanor of an official’s daughter, now relying on such country-style histrionics to get what she needed.
Mr. Gu looked sorrowfully at his third son on the ground, waves of despair and doubt crashing over him. It felt as if the belief he had upheld for years had crumbled in an instant.
The pride he had cherished, the hopes he had for the family’s rise through those achievements, seemed to have dissipated like a mirage.
He had once been proud of this son, recalling that first award certificate he received, treasuring it and having even rewarded Gu Ruhe with a boiled egg.
Back then, what kind of treatment was that?
In those days, the third son’s achievements were what Mr. Gu relied on, harboring hopes that they would lead to the family’s prosperity.
All the money he had saved up, and the earnings from Ruhai’s hard labor in the chilling winter months—all those funds he could think of, he gave to his third son, hoping he would bring honor to the Gu Family.
The third son had indeed done well. Although he didn’t end up on the career path Mr. Gu had envisioned, being an accountant in the town’s supply and marketing cooperative was enough to earn the envy of the villagers, as they frequently sought to purchase items through their connection to the Gu Family.
Later, when the third son married Xiao Xue, whose father held a not negligible officer position, Mr. Gu was pleased. He treated Xiao Xue with more kindness and lenience than his other daughters-in-law, because her family’s connections benefited the third son.
But now the son he had been so proud of was kneeling here, pleading for his rescue.
Is this still his son?
Mr. Gu was dazed, not saying anything.
Gu Ruhai was even more silent; in this atmosphere, he, too, felt a rage at unfulfilled expectations.
A lifetime of parental favoritism had left him in despair, with a chilled heart, even causing him to consider severing ties. All their efforts had been focused on his two brothers, yet this is how they turned out.
Is this divine justice, or lack thereof?
With a touch of discomfort, but also a secret sense of schadenfreude, this slightly wicked thought unsettled and guilted Gu Ruhai. Being inherently kind, he couldn’t ignore the faint joy at this ironic turn of events, realizing it was wrong.
Gu Ruhai dared not lift his gaze, fearing his father might see the secrets of his heart.
Maybe deep down, Gu Ruhai wanted to witness this outcome: the siblings his father favored most inevitably meeting their fate. Isn’t this the result of favoritism?
When the less-loved son now rises above, holding the power over life and death of the third son, isn’t this karma?
Who can explain all this?
Gu Ruhai brushed off the satisfaction, reminding himself it wasn’t right. Seeing Mr. Gu appear decades older, had it not been for the continued use of medication, Gu Ruhai believed his father might have collapsed further today.
Plagued by guilt, he acknowledged the lurking schadenfreude wasn’t helping anyone and was morally objectionable.
Mr. Gu raised his gaze towards Gu Ruhai, looking at the son who had always seemed so inconspicuous, without status or influence, suddenly becoming the Gu Family’s pillar, their most notable and proud representative.
Yet, he had never given much to this son. The quiet elder son had changed, and with him, everything else had too. Mr. Gu suddenly felt an overwhelming unfamiliarity, everything in front of him seeming distant and blurred.
But what else could he do?
Mr. Gu felt his chest tighten, and darkness clouded his vision as he swayed.
Gu Ruhai knew how to keep an eye on Mr. Gu, so he immediately steadied his father. "Quick, help Dad to the kang."
Angrily, he spoke to Gu Ruhe on the ground.
Gu Ruhe scrambled to his feet and, together with Gu Ruhai, helped Mr. Gu over to the kang, where Gu Ruhai rearranged the bedding, propping a pillow under the old man’s head and laying a thin blanket over him.
Gu Ruhe didn’t know what to do next.
Should anything happen to Mr. Gu today, he wouldn’t be able to escape accountability.
He couldn’t help but resent Gu Ruhai, knowing his brother had the money to spare—this amount was much less than what had been put towards village road repairs.
Yet Gu Ruhai, despite having the means to aid the villagers, was unwilling to save his own brother, which felt so cold-hearted.
If Gu Ruhai could perceive motives, he might have thrown them out without a second thought.
This is the sort of person they call a "white-eyed wolf," isn’t it?
After lying down for a while, Mr. Gu opened his eyes and said, "Ruhai!"
Gu Ruhai took his father’s hand and said, "Dad, I’m here."
Mr. Gu remained silent for a long time before speaking: "The third was wrong, but I can’t watch him go to jail. For the last time, I’ll ask you to help him. From now on, I won’t intervene in his matters or trouble you again. Ruhai, give your father this dignity."
Gu Ruhai nodded. (To be continued. If you enjoyed this work, feel free to vote on Qidian (qidian.com), your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)