Back To The 80s-Chapter 517 - 509: Kind-Hearted_1

After hearing Zhao Hongmei’s words, Gu Xiaobei was deep in thought. It was odd that Ou Tiannan’s business was doing so poorly, yet he wasn’t eager to turn it around. Instead, he was selling low, which was not the norm.

Zhao Hongmei couldn’t stop discussing the matter, and immediately began chattering about new gossip: "Zhong Zhi has been demobilized, and his wife comes to the family compound every day causing a fuss. She says it’s not fair, that Zhong Zhi’s mistakes were simply regular training errors, and there was no corporeal punishment. If there really was, they wouldn’t have just kicked him once. Furthermore, she argues that it was an accident during combat training, that so many soldiers falsified testimonies because some people can buy others’ loyalty. She even frequently stops old Zeng from our house, incessantly voicing her grievances."

Upon hearing this, Gu Xiaobei thought it was utter nonsense. The implication that Lu Zhanguo was buying loyalty and forcing Zhong Zhi to retire made him angry. "Isn’t this just making up narratives about people? Not wanting to take responsibility for actions, but what’s the point in saying this now?"

As Ge Chunling wiped the counter, she commented: "Isn’t that right? Recently, she wasn’t allowed inside the family compound and could only make a fuss at the entrance. If you’re really wronged, go cause trouble at the military district. Isn’t this obvious harassment?"

Gu Xiaobei deemed that Huang Wenying had suddenly become clever, as if under some expert guidance. Recently, all these events were targeting either her or Lu Zhanguo - could this be due to her zodiac year?

Zhao Hongmei, like a loudspeaker, continued: "In fact, I know why Huang Wenying hates Lu Zhanguo. When her brother was posing as a soldier, deceiving many women and taking their money and belongings, it was Lu Zhanguo who exposed him. Ultimately, her brother was locked up and disciplined for six months."

Gu Xiaobei thought it would be better to clarify things. Otherwise, Zhao Hongmei’s loose tongue might spread the story that Lu Zhanguo and Zhong Zhi have been constantly competing behind the scenes. Laughing, he said: "Huang Wenying’s brother was indeed taken away by the inspection team. What Lu Zhanguo was doing can’t be called ’exposing’ him - it was just a regular investigation. Her brother posing as a soldier was inherently quite despicable, seriously damaging the reputation of Lu Zhanguo’s forces. The investigation was justified. You’re saying it like Lu Zhanguo’s actions were petty, as if he was gossiping."

Zhao Hongmei quickly agreed with a laugh: "Yes, yes, ’exposing’ is not the right word. But Huang Wenying does hold a grudge against Lu Zhanguo because of this, she told me this herself."

Gu Xiaobei sighed inside. Zhao Hongmei and her big mouth enjoyed stirring the pot wherever she went. He decided it was better to stay quiet after a while and headed back home with Xiaopang to eat.

Xiaopang was pouting and wanting to be held all the way back.

Gu Xiaobei seriously said, "If you want mommy to hold you, we will not take you to Cat Mountain next time."

Xiaopang blinked his big eyes: "Mommy, what is Cat Mountain?"

"Cat Mountain is a very fun place, with lots of beautifully blooming flowers and countless small animals, like little sparrows, rabbits, and goats. Do you want to go there?" Gu Xiaobei said with a smile.

Xiaopang tilted his head, thought for a moment and said, "I don’t want to be held, I want to go to Cat Mountain and see the rabbits."

Gu Xiaobei nodded in satisfaction: "You mustn’t be carried around anymore then. When daddy is off, we’ll go to Cat Mountain to see the little rabbits. Okay?" 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"Okay!" Xiaopang answered crisply and loudly. His little legs started walking with an unusual vigor.

Going to Cat Mountain became the one thing on Xiaopang’s mind, and he asked about it many times every day. Gu Xiaobei suddenly regretted telling him about it so early, as now Xiaopang felt like adults didn’t keep their word.

Just when Gu Xiaobei thought Chen Qiumei would lay low for a while, Chen Qiumei came bouncing over after just three days.

"Xiaobei, you didn’t go to the shop today?" This time, Chen Qiumei came alone and left Liao Zhe with Liao Qing. She would disturb them every day.

Gu Xiaobei nodded: "No, I can’t get away from home these days."

Chen Qiumei smirked: "Liao Zhe is with Liao Qing now, so I’m free. Your dad said I should come over to help you with the kids. Surely, I’m better than a nanny, right?"

Gu Xiaobei gave a faint smile but didn’t take the bait. She would rather hire a nanny than let Chen Qiumei watch over her children.

Seeing that Gu Xiaobei wasn’t taking the bait, Chen Qiumei crouched down and said to Xiaopang, who was busy catching ants: "Xiaopang, would you like to go play with grandma?"

Xiaopang looked up at Chen Qiumei and asked, "Will we go to Cat Mountain to see the rabbits?"

"What cat or dog? If you like rabbits, grandma will go to the market and buy you a big one. We can make a delicious braised rabbit when we get home." Chen Qiumei said, her smile seeming affectionate.

Xiaopang shook his head: "No, I’m waiting for dad to take me to see the rabbits at Cat Mountain."

Chen Qiumei patiently said: "Grandma can take you too. It’s just seeing a rabbit, right? I’ll even buy you an ice pop. Okay?"

Xiaopang shook his head again: "No, I’m waiting for my dad to take me to see the rabbits."

Feeling her patience running thin, Chen Qiumei gave up trying to persuade Xiaopang and stood upright to talk to Gu Xiaobei: "This kid, why is he so stubborn?"

Gu Xiaobei gave a light laugh and said, "We taught him not to go with strangers or accept things from strangers."

"I’m his biological grandmother! Am I a stranger?" Chen Qiumei said, annoyed. She looked around the courtyard, not seeing Wen Xiuqing and her spouse and asked: "Where are your in-laws?"

"They went out for a walk. They should be back soon," said Gu Xiaobei.

Chen Qiumei sighed: "Look at your father-in-law’s frail health, and your mother-in-law spends every day cooking and taking care of your father-in-law. After all this, she also helps with taking care of your two kids. It must be so tiring. Now if you’re taking care of the children at home, the business at the shop is left to a stranger. Can you be at ease? It’s all money, even if a small chunk is missing, you wouldn’t know, would you?"

Throughout her words, she appeared very considerate, and let out a heavy sigh at the end.

Gu Xiaobei was silent and did not respond. If Chen Qiumei felt like talking, let her talk.

But unexpectedly, Chen Qiumei changed the subject: "Look, your dad doesn’t really do anything at home either. Back when he was doing secretary work with Zhanguo’s dad, he got the hang of managing finances and stuff too. So why don’t you let him help with the shop? That way, you could relax and focus on taking care of your kids at home. Don’t worry, he is your own father after all, he wouldn’t dare to take advantage of you."

Gu Xiaobei was jubilant inside. This old couple sure were calculating. They didn’t even consider him an outsider. If they were to manage the shop, it probably wouldn’t be half a year before the shop became theirs.

Seeing that Gu Xiaobei was not saying anything, Chen Qiumei didn’t lose her patience this time and continued earnestly: "Think it over. Although we favor your brother a little more, you’re also born from my belly. Parents’ love is equal. Even if we’re not as good to you, we’re surely better than a stranger."

Gu Xiaobei found that Chen Qiumei had significantly improved her persuasion skills, now appealing with reason and emotion. She looked up and smiled, "Mom, stop worrying about my little business. It really doesn’t make much money."