Chapter 232: Going Too Far
Sheng Yueyue weighed her options. She knew full well that in the Gu Family, only this sickly weakling still had any pity left for her.
So she immediately clung to Eldest Brother Gu’s arm and tearfully wailed, "Eldest Brother~ Look, Second Brother told me to get lost~~ WAHHH... Are you going to abandon me too? You used to dote on me the most, didn’t you?"
This time, Sheng Yueyue really did manage to squeeze out a few tears. The teardrops fell on the back of Eldest Brother Gu’s hand, startling him with their heat.
He immediately reprimanded Gu Jingtai, "Second Brother, that’s going too far!"
Having witnessed Sheng Yueyue’s heartlessness firsthand, Second Brother Gu shot back at his older brother without hesitation, his words also a clear warning to Sheng Yueyue.
"How was I going too far? When you were so sick you were at death’s door, did she help you? Back then, she looked down on us for being paupers."
Sheng Yueyue already looked down on Second Brother Gu, and her disdain grew when she recalled what he’d said. ’His only sister is that bitch, Gu Jiaojiao.’
’The more the Gu Family doted on Gu Jiaojiao, the more she seethed with hatred.’
Seeing that Second Brother Gu was completely unmoved, she glared at him with hatred and blurted out.
"You’re just a pauper yourself, aren’t you? You really think those few stinking pennies you earn from your street stall make you so special?
You spend all day flipping pancakes at your little stall under the hot sun, and you reek of sour sweat. The smell alone makes me want to throw up.
What if I told everyone you used to slop hogs and were always covered in the reek of pig shit? Do you think anyone would still buy your pancakes then?"
Second Brother Gu reeled back in anger. "I’m nothing special, so get the hell out! Did I beg you to come to my home?
We reek of pig shit. You’re a precious young lady now, so you surely can’t stand the smell on us. Now, get lost."
At her words, Eldest Brother Gu grew so angry he had to close his eyes and take several deep breaths. "Yueyue, you’ve gone too far. Just leave."
"Eldest Brother~ Are you really so heartless as to drive me away? Grandpa, Dad, Mom, do you all want to drive me away too?"
After speaking, her eyes brimming with tears, Sheng Yueyue looked as if she had lost all hope in the Gu Family. Hiding her face, she turned and ran out of the living room.
She expected Eldest Brother Gu and Mrs. Gu to chase after her, but neither of them emerged.
Song Zijin had no choice but to awkwardly chase after her, silently cursing her. ’Idiot! A thousand times, an idiot!’
’Why did she have to fight with Second Brother Gu? With the Gu Family, you just have to win over Old Sir Gu, and the rest falls into place.’
Without even glancing at Eldest Brother Gu, Su Qinchun rushed over to Second Brother Gu and said admiringly.
"Second Brother Gu, you’re amazing! That’s exactly how you should deal with Sheng Yueyue. She used to bring her two brothers along to bully my sister-in-law all the time."
Mrs. Gu, who had been silent until now, frowned at Su Qinchun’s words and asked, "Sheng Shiwu bullied Jiaojiao too?"
"Aunt Gu, you’ve seen what Sheng Yueyue is like. She’s a master of deception, always crying and claiming my sister-in-law bullies her.
So Sheng Shiwen would believe her and do whatever she said, bullying my sister-in-law relentlessly.
I don’t know if Sheng Shiwu also bullied my sister-in-law; I never saw it myself."
Su Qinchun didn’t tell them that she knew Sheng Shiwen and Sheng Shiwu had schemed to get her brother and sister-in-law together.
’She was more than happy with that outcome, so it was better to keep quiet and avoid any awkwardness.’
Grandpa Gu also spoke up, praising Second Brother Gu. "Let bygones be bygones. Second Brother did very well today. From now on, none of us will acknowledge Sheng Yueyue."
"We’ll do as you say, Dad. I’ve already said that Sheng Yueyue is no longer welcome in our home," Mr. Gu immediately declared.
Ever since Mrs. Gu learned that Ren Cuiping treated her Jiaojiao poorly, she’d disliked her adopted daughter, Sheng Yueyue.
Now, seeing that her father-in-law, husband, and second son all disliked Sheng Yueyue, she said happily, "I always agree with my husband."
Perhaps because he had just spoken so gently to Sheng Yueyue, Eldest Brother Gu felt a little guilty.
He lacked conviction as he declared his position to his grandfather. "I always listen to you, Grandpa. I’ll have absolutely nothing to do with Sheng Yueyue from now on."
"Jinghua, you must remember the words you spoke today. This happened because Jiaojiao wasn’t home.
Imagine how disappointed she would be if she saw you wavering like that!
What right does Yueyue have to blame us for treating Jiaojiao well? Did it never occur to her that if the Sheng Family can treat her well, then why can’t our Gu Family treat Jiaojiao well?
Sheng Yueyue’s selfish nature is incorrigible. Jinghua, don’t let a few of her tears blind you."
Mr. Gu spoke with earnest gravity, hoping his eldest son would finally understand.
Meanwhile, Gu Jiaojiao was oblivious to everything that had transpired at the Gu residence. She was still fast asleep, having worked until five in the morning.
It wasn’t until that evening when she called her new home that Su Qinchun, holding the phone, excitedly recounted everything in a flurry of words.
Only then did Gu Jiaojiao learn that the Gu Family had decisively cut ties with Sheng Yueyue. She was, admittedly, quite happy to hear it.
’Who doesn’t want a family? Who doesn’t want to be cared for? Especially since she never received her parents’ affection in her past life.
That was what had made her heart grow so hard. In her past life, her mother had died young, and her father started a new family.
Her father and stepmother had treated her well, but only because she was obedient, sensible, and capable.
If she ever fought with her younger half-siblings, she was sure her father’s kindness would vanish. Not that she ever dared to test that theory.
That’s why Gu Jiaojiao’s standards were higher. What she craved was unconditional, preferential love.
Now, the Gu Family had delivered. This must be her destiny with them. Her investment in them was paying off.’
’As for her sickly eldest brother, with his possessive and slightly twisted disposition, she could overlook him for the sake of the rest of the family.’
"Sister-in-law, are you still there?" Su Qinchun asked anxiously when the line went silent.
"I’m still here. Listen, Qin Chun, I’m going to hang up. I need to call my second brother and thank him properly."
"Oh, okay..." Su Qinchun replied, reluctantly hanging up.
A moment later, the phone in the Gu family living room rang. Second Brother Gu ran over excitedly.
"It must be Jiaojiao!" he said as he went. "I’m putting her on speaker so everyone can listen in."
Gu Jiaojiao could hear the excitement in Second Brother Gu’s voice and gave him her heartfelt thanks.
Hearing his sister’s thanks, Second Brother Gu was so ecstatic he was practically floating, right until his grandfather pushed him aside.
The grandfather and granddaughter only exchanged a few words. "Grandpa, I’ll be back in about a week. Please take care of yourself!"
Mr. and Mrs. Gu each said a few words as well, knowing their daughter didn’t have long to talk.
When it was Eldest Brother Gu’s turn, he was a little apprehensive, but Gu Jiaojiao didn’t mention a thing.
She just teased him, "Eldest Brother, if you get tired of recovering at home, you should read more books.
Don’t have money? Well... read more, because a book holds a house of gold.
Not handsome enough? Still, read more, because in books, one finds beauties as fair as jade.
Lacking charisma? All the more reason to read, because a mind full of poetry and books cultivates its own grace.
Feel like you’re coming up short? Read more for that, too, because of all pursuits, only scholarship is noble."
His sister’s teasing made Eldest Brother Gu laugh, and he suddenly felt a weight lift from his shoulders, his anxiety fading.
"Is it because you get such good grades that you’re so silver-tongued, Little Sister? I guess I really do need to start reading more."
His comment made everyone burst into laughter. The Gu Family had made their decision: they would not be attending Sheng Yueyue’s wedding the next day.