"Grandpa, you taught me to be responsible. I just wanted to guide Yueyue properly. I never did anything immoral, so how did it end up like this?!"

Grandpa Gu snorted, glancing at Eldest Brother Gu with disdain. "And you still say you’ve done nothing wrong.

There’s an old saying: if you don’t have the skill, don’t take on the job. There are so many pitiful people in this world. Do you think you can save all of them?

You just overthink things. You’re always thinking it’s your responsibility that Sheng Yueyue went astray. Don’t you remember how well-behaved she was as a child?

She went back to the Sheng Family, started living the good life, and immediately forgot her roots. What does that have to do with how we raised her?

Look at yourself. Now look around the table. Who here is dressed as shabbily as you? Who here looks as exhausted as you?

Even Sheng Shijing and Shi Wu can manage their own lives just fine. You’re the only one who has to be different. What do you think you are, some kind of saint or savior?"

Scolded by his own sister and grandfather like a child, Eldest Brother Gu lowered his head, pressed his lips together, and remained silent.

Seeing his eldest son in this state, Mr. Gu was so angry his chest hurt. He pressed one hand to his forehead and the other to the table for support.

He pointed at him furiously. "Gu Jinghua, if you’ve really heard what we’re saying, then call your work and quit right now. Don’t go back after the New Year."

Eldest Brother Gu suddenly looked up, his eyes full of defiance. He wanted to prove his worth to his family, to show them he could change.

But then his gaze fell on the dapper and commanding Su Shuochi, and the high-spirited Sheng Shijing.

In that instant, he conceded. "Dad, if I quit, what will I do?"

Mr. Gu, who had been on the verge of exploding with rage, had prepared a long lecture to convince his eldest son.

Seeing that his son didn’t dare to defy him, he wisely held his tongue.

When Sheng Shijing heard Eldest Brother Gu’s words, his expression instantly soured, but he was smart enough not to say anything.

His own sister’s behavior really had nothing to do with Eldest Brother Gu, yet he insisted on blaming himself and trying to set her straight.

Mrs. Gu glanced at her eldest son and sighed inwardly. She took his hand and had him sit down beside her.

She coaxed him gently, "Son, your father is right. From now on, you need to listen to your grandpa and your dad. Don’t make them angry anymore. As for a job, you can ask Shuo Ci for help."

"Then I’ll have to trouble my brother-in-law." Eldest Brother Gu lowered his eyes, his heart filled with the pain of his situation.

"Shuo Ci, don’t worry. If he ever contacts Sheng Yueyue again and causes trouble for you and Jiaojiao, we will absolutely disown him for the sake of the family."

When Grandpa Gu saw that Su Shuochi didn’t respond immediately, he thumped his chest and made a promise.

"Shuo Ci, what Grandpa said goes for us too," Mr. Gu added, also giving his assurance.

"Grandpa, Dad, what are you saying? Everything I have belongs to Jiaojiao. Even if... *that person*... she can’t pin anything on us," Su Shuochi said with a smile.

Seeing her son-in-law agree to arrange a job for her eldest son, Mrs. Gu felt relieved and went to the kitchen to help.

She hadn’t seen her eldest son in a long time, so she had spent the whole time after breakfast chatting with him. That’s why Second Brother Gu and Li Xiulan were the ones cooking in the kitchen.

Fu Guoguo’s curiosity and sympathy for Eldest Brother Gu were fleeting; soon, her attention shifted back to Sheng Shijing.

Geng Susu, however, was different. She pitied Eldest Brother Gu but also looked down on him. In short, her feelings were a mess.

Seeing that Eldest Brother Gu had taken everyone’s words to heart, Gu Jiaojiao finally took out the long down jacket she had for him.

If he had remained stubborn and unrepentant, she had no intention of giving it to him, even though she had plenty more of the same style in her storage space.

"Eldest Brother, I bought this for you. I thought I’d have to wait until the New Year to bring it back to you in Qing City."

Eldest Brother Gu was so moved his eyes welled up with tears. "Jiaojiao, thank you for the jacket."

Gu Jiaojiao took the bag Su Shuochi was holding and passed it to him.

"Don’t be a stranger, Eldest Brother. No matter what, I’m still your little sister. It’s only right."

’Anyway, I have a ton of this style in my storage space. It’s not like I actually paid for it.’

"Eldest Brother, you can put the jacket on the sofa for now. You’ll just have to take it off to eat anyway. Let’s eat first, you can try it on later."

Second Brother Gu came out carrying a dish and saw his older brother clutching the bag, unable to put it down. He said with a chuckle,

"I’ll just put it on over my clothes to show you." Eldest Brother Gu took the bag, opened it right there in the living room, and slipped the jacket on.

Second Brother Gu put down the dish and asked in surprise, "Eldest Brother, what’s the rush?"

’This wasn’t what I expected at all.’

’So my eldest brother actually likes new clothes this much?’

’I always saw him dress so casually, I thought he didn’t care about his appearance!’

Gu Jiaojiao also had a surprised look on her face, but she didn’t say anything, only complaining inwardly: ’Eldest Brother Gu likes new clothes this much, yet he still gives all his money to Sheng Yueyue?’

’I really don’t get how his brain works.’

"What do you think? Does this jacket fit me?" After putting it on, Eldest Brother Gu did a little spin in the living room and asked with a broad smile.

’The fit is perfect, like it was tailor-made for me,’ he thought. ’So Jiaojiao really does care about her big brother.’

"Of course it looks great! Eldest Brother Gu, you look like a whole new person with that on," Fu Guoguo blurted out.

"Mhm, clothes really do make the man. Eldest Brother Gu looks ten times better in this jacket."

Mr. and Mrs. Gu exchanged a glance, then nodded in agreement. "You’re all right. I also think Jinghua looks very handsome in this."

"Of course he does. Look who picked it out," Gu Jiaojiao said with a smug look.

’Eldest Brother Gu looks devastatingly handsome in this new jacket!’

Second Brother Gu couldn’t help but clap his hands. "Eldest Brother, that jacket Jiaojiao bought is perfect for you."

"That’s because Jiaojiao treats her big brother well," Eldest Brother Gu admitted without a trace of modesty.

Even he felt that the jacket made him look more dashing, handsome, and debonair.

Perhaps it was his confidence returning, or perhaps the jacket really was that nice, but in any case, Eldest Brother Gu’s entire demeanor had changed.

"Everyone, come sit down and eat," Mrs. Gu called out happily, beckoning them to the table.

Soon, the table was filled with dishes, a dazzling array of delicious food.

"Jinghua, try this braised fish. Your second brother made it specially for you. This kind of fish has the best texture."

"Thanks, Mom." Even Eldest Brother Gu’s voice had lost its earlier gloom, now tinged with a bit of cheer.

"These cola chicken wings are good too. Jinghua, you try some." Mr. Gu picked up a chicken wing and placed it in his eldest son’s bowl.

Eldest Brother Gu silently ate the food his parents placed in his bowl. He had been eating the same monotonous cafeteria food for months.

The sight of all these delicious home-cooked dishes was making his mouth water.

’So this is what life could be like without my adopted sister. It can actually be this good.’

Eldest Brother Gu decided that as soon as the meal was over, he would call his work. He was going to quit. For the rest of his life, he would never contact Sheng Yueyue again.

At the thought that leaving her behind was the key to his own bright future, Eldest Brother Gu ate a whole extra bowl of rice.