Back To The 80s-Chapter 77 - 76: Leave_1

The next morning, Liu Mei turned herself in to the police. Gu Xiaobei sighed incessantly after hearing the news. This woman was even more calculating than men.

Gu Xiaobei and Lu Zhanguo went to see Gu Weimin and his wife. The couple had already moved out of their quarters in the military compound overnight, renting a small two-room bungalow. Because Gu Xiaodong was involved in a case, they were only allowed to take basic necessities from their home, leaving all household appliances behind.

When Gu Xiaobei and Lu Zhanguo came to the address given by Gu Weimin, they found the place in chaos. Little Liao Zhe was sitting on the ground, crying his little heart out. Chen Qiumei stood by helplessly.

Gu Xiaobei looked around and didn’t see Liao Qing. She couldn’t help but frown, "Why is the child crying so hard? Where’s Liao Qing?"

Chen Qiumei gritted her teeth and said angrily, "Don’t mention that damned woman’s name! She dumped the child here and ran off in the middle of the night."

Gu Xiaobei took a deep breath, surprised at how far Liao Qing was willing to go.

Seeing Liao Zhe crying heartrendingly, she hurried to cuddle and comfort him. Then, she turned to Chen Qiumei and said, "When the child cries, you should comfort him, too."

"And do you think I haven’t tried? No matter what I do, he just won’t stop crying. He only wants his mother," Chen Qiumei said angrily.

Lu Zhanguo watched all this, his brow slightly furrowed. Gu Weimin, who was behind him, finally shook his head and said, "Zhanguo, look at our situation. Can’t you think of anything to do?"

Gu Xiaobei was trying to comfort the crying child. As she heard what Gu Weimin said, she retorted, before Lu Zhanguo could even respond, "Think of what to do? Gu Xiaodong has been trying to kill Lu Zhanguo several times. With such malice, if not him, then who should be arrested?"

Gu Weimin was left speechless. Chen Qiumei was dissatisfied with Gu Xiaobei’s attitude, "You ungrateful girl! When you were young, didn’t your brother always take care of you? Didn’t he always stand up for you and save good food for you?"

Gu Xiaobei refused to show any appreciation, "Mom, stop bringing up the past. Gu Xiaodong’s present state is all because you spoiled him. Look what he’s done to Liu Mei now!"

"What’s wrong with me spoiling your brother? And that Liu Mei isn’t a good person, either. All these years, have we ever mistreated her? She ungratefully betrayed your brother in the end!" Chen Qiumei felt that Liu Mei was an ingrate.

Gu Xiaobei couldn’t be bothered to argue with her. She turned to the still-weeping Liao Zhe in her arms, "I think the baby is probably hungry. Go make some food for him."

Chen Qiumei had a sudden idea, "Zhanguo, Xiaobei, you two don’t have any kids yet. Why not adopt Xiao Zhe?"

A cold smile appeared in Gu Xiaobei’s heart, "Does he lack a father or a mother? If we want children, we’ll have our own!"

"How much could a child eat? Besides, you don’t have a job. What’s the big deal about looking after a child? Your father and I are getting old and can’t look after him," Chen Qiumei retorted stubbornly.

Gu Xiaobei felt that this woman was truly shameless. With a cold smile, she said, "There’s no point crying poor to me. I’m not going to help raise this child. If you can’t handle it, find Liao Qing."

"You’re heartless! He’s your nephew. For you to take him in is only right and proper!" Chen Qiumei said, grinding her teeth.

"I can’t afford it, and if you insist, go find someone to settle the matter!" An angered Gu Xiaobei thrust the crying baby into Chen Qiumei’s arms and dragged Lu Zhanguo out, telling her father Gu Weimin before leaving, "In a couple of days, we’ll return to the military unit. You all should return to H City with the baby. I can’t help you much, I’ll just send you a sum of ten yuan every month." Gu Weimin didn’t respond, unsure of what to say, as he watched his daughter act even colder towards her parents than a stranger. He felt somewhat upset.

As they exited the courtyard, Gu Xiaobei looked at Lu Zhanguo, who had been silent the whole time, and asked him, "Do you also think I’m heartless?"

Lu Zhanguo took her hand and said, "No, I just feel sorry for the child."

"Even if we feel sorry for him, we can’t take him in. With Liao Qing gone, keep a child around is like living with a time bomb," Gu Xiaobei replied indignantly.

"I understand. Don’t worry. Let’s go to Shen Heng’s place soon," Lu Zhanguo reassured her, patting her small head.

Unexpectedly, they ran into Yuan Tan at Shen Heng’s place. Gu Xiaobei almost forget about the circling Yuan Tan in these past few days.

Seeing Yuan Tan there, Lu Zhanguo did not say much, just chatted a little and told Shen Heng that they would be returning to the military unit in a couple of days.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Tan asked with a hint of sadness, "Brother Zhanguo, can I visit you at the military station?"

"You can, but the living accommodations aren’t very convenient," Lu Zhanguo replied, as he had an idea.

"It’s okay if there’s a guesthouse. I’m not finicky about accommodation. I’m tired of playing in T City. I’ll go see you guys," Yuan Tan immediately replied, her mood improving dramatically.

"Alright, just give me a call when you arrive," Lu Zhanguo agreed readily. Gu Xiaobei beside him was not happy, fearing this was an invite of the wolf into the house.

"Great, it’s a deal then. Let’s have a meal together right now. My treat!" Yuan Tan happily proposed.

Gu Xiaobei sneaked a few glances at Lu Zhanguo. Knowing well that Yuan Tan had ulterior motives and still inviting her over felt like a self-inflicted annoyance. She would deal with him later!

Lu Zhanguo found Gu Xiaobei’s sour expression amusing. He had not planned on hiding his plans from Gu Xiaobei, and would explain everything when they got home.

The four of them went to a restaurant. Yuan Tan was so happy that Lu Zhanguo had agreed to let her visit the unit that she ordered six dishes in one breath.

Gu Xiaobei never let anything come between her and food. She silently ate her meal as Shen Heng turned to Lu Zhanguo and asked, "Once you guys head back, you’ll be pretty busy, won’t you?"

"Yes, there’s a military district-wide exercise in the fall," Lu Zhanguo replied as he served dishes for Gu Xiaobei.

"I wish my father had let me join the army. Participating in exercises must be so exciting," Shen Heng lamented.

Shen Heng was the only son in the family, with three older sisters. His parents didn’t agree to let their precious boy join the army, but this was a period when every young man harboured heroic dreams. So, Shen Heng chose a different path.

After the meal, Lu Zhanguo and Gu Xiaobei strolled back home along the streets. Gu Xiaobei has always liked the summer nights here. As soon as the sun went down, it became exceptionally cool.

Gu Xiaobei didn’t ask Lu Zhanguo why he had suddenly changed his attitude towards Yuan Tan. She believed that trust was the most important thing between two people. Moreover, she trusted that Lu Zhanguo had good reasons for his actions. Thinking this way, her mood brightened, and all her previous displeasure seemed to have never happened.

"Lu Zhanguo, will you always stay in this city?" Gu Xiaobei asked, considering their future plans.

"Not necessarily. What’s up?"

"I was thinking of saving up to buy our own house in the city. But if you’re not sure, then forget it."

"New residential buildings for families will be completed next year. Moreover, I will probably be transferred next year. As for where I will be transferred, I’m still not sure," Lu Zhanguo explained. Although he had a rough idea of where he would be transferred to, he didn’t want to mention it as it was still uncertain.