In her eyes, Gu Wan’er was the textbook example of someone who took all the advantages and still played innocent.
Then she recalled what had just happened and couldn’t help asking, “Father, are we really going to marry off Sister Ting’er so soon?”
She and Gu Ting’er were close in age.
In her memory, there had been no incident involving rat poison, and right now she felt somewhat bewildered.
She couldn’t help glancing at Gu Ting’er, then remembering that the book had always portrayed Gu Ting’er as loyal and devoted—there had never been any mention of things like this.
The real Sister Ting’er and the girl in the book seemed… seemed rather different!
Gu Wan’er’s feelings were complicated, and her gaze toward Gu Ting’er carried a hint of scrutiny.
Gu Ting’er felt Gu Wan’er’s gaze on her, and her expression immediately turned dark and unpleasant.
In her eyes, Gu Wan’er was the textbook example of someone who took all the advantages and still played innocent.
She reaped every benefit, yet still put on the appearance of a sweet, sensible girl—utterly disgusting.
If she weren’t so far from Gu Wan’er, she would have loved nothing more than to rush right up to her and tear off that hypocritical mask.
“Father knows Wan’er has a soft heart, but this matter is already decided.”
“Today’s events were thanks to Youth Zhong’s help. Tomorrow, Father will bring some grain, and you’ll come with me to thank him.”
He saved me?
Hearing Gu Zhigang’s words, Gu Wan’er looked somewhat unable to believe it.
When she had spoken with Youth Zhong earlier, he had been so cold. Why would he suddenly be willing to save me?
Despite her doubts, Gu Wan’er nodded obediently. “Mm, I understand, Father!”
Since he was the one who saved me, then the bracelet must be his too.
Something he carried with him must be deeply meaningful to him. If I went to demand it back, it would surely displease him… What should I do?
At this thought, Gu Wan’er’s expression grew conflicted.
Her brow furrowed slightly, and she looked troubled.
“Wan’er, is something bothering you?”
Seeing her like this, Gu Zhigang assumed she was struggling over whether to tell him about Gu Ting’er pushing her into the water, so his tone carried a hint of probing.
But to his surprise, Gu Wan’er simply shook her head and said nothing about Gu Ting’er pushing her into the water.
Father was already displeased with Sister Ting’er; why pour fuel on the fire?
Besides, with Father’s abilities, he could certainly investigate the whole incident of her falling into the water. There was no need for her to describe what had happened.
Gu Wan’er had a clear sense of right and wrong.
There was no need for her to kick someone when they were down.
With Father’s uncompromising character, he would surely investigate the matter thoroughly.
Why say anything now?
Sun Xiaoya watched her daughter’s silly behavior with some displeasure on her face.
In front of Gu Zhigang, she said nothing.
But as soon as they returned to their room, she couldn’t help saying, “I heard from the villagers that Gu Ting’er was the one who caused you to fall into the water. Why didn’t you tell your father what happened?”
Gu Wan’er smiled and explained, “Whether I tell him or not doesn’t matter. Father would never let me be wronged anyway.”
Besides, she didn’t want to spend all her energy fighting Gu Ting’er.
This era was one where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold—there were plenty of good things out there!
She still had to find ways to lead her family to prosperity and change the ending in the book!
Sun Xiaoya thought it over and decided that made sense.
“That’s true, though. You don’t say anything, and when your father confirms the matter from others, he’ll feel even more sorry for you. Then the eldest branch will really have to bleed money.”
Once she got the money, she would buy the newest floral fabric and make Wan’er a pretty blouse—it would help with marriage talks too.
With the leftover scraps, she could make herself a hair ribbon.
Just thinking about it, Sun Xiaoya’s face couldn’t help but light up with delight.
Gu Wan’er could see that Sun Xiaoya had misunderstood her meaning, but she also knew there was no way to change her mother’s mind right away, so she just smiled helplessly and said nothing more.
Early the next morning, Gu Zehai forcibly dragged Gu Ting’er to Chen San’s house in the neighboring village.
When Chen San saw Gu Ting’er arrive, he couldn’t help frowning.
He had originally been rather fond of Gu Ting’er’s delicate features, but after seeing Gu Wan’er, he’d changed his mind.
Seeing Gu Zehai dragging Gu Ting’er over, he frowned and asked with some impatience, “What are you here for?”
Gu Ting’er had struggled desperately the whole way there. If most people hadn’t been out in the fields, and if they hadn’t taken the small path, plenty of people would surely have noticed them.
And then the Gu family would have been even more humiliated.
“I’ve brought Ting’er to you. Where’s the betrothal gift?”
Gu Zehai didn’t bother with a single polite word, going straight to the point.
Chen San was caught completely off guard, his expression bewildered. “What betrothal gift? When did I ever say I would marry your daughter?”
“If you weren’t going to marry my daughter, why did you send the matchmaker to our house? And everyone already knows my daughter was being matched with you. If you don’t marry her, her reputation will be ruined.”
Gu Ting’er knew that nine times out of ten, what was on Chen San’s mind right now was Gu Wan’er.
The family doted on Gu Wan’er, and now even Chen San, who had once favored her, had changed his mind… Even though all of this was what she had wanted, now that it was actually happening, Gu Ting’er still found it hard to bear.
She gritted her teeth, her sallow skin flushing red with shame and anger.
“I already told you, I won’t marry!”
“At worst, I’ll leave the village. That way, even if my reputation is ruined, it won’t affect the Gu family!”
Gu Zehai completely ignored Gu Ting’er.
At the thought of all the trouble his usually sensible daughter had caused him these past days, his face turned several degrees colder, and his impatience grew.
“You can talk a good game, damn it!”
“If you just walk away like that, who’s going to pay for Wan’er’s medical examination? If it weren’t for the mess you made, I wouldn’t have to scrape together money like this!”
As Gu Zehai spoke, his breathing grew rapid, the whites of his cloudy eyes bloodshot, his face looking rather ferocious.
Gu Ting’er had never seen her father like this before, and she couldn’t help feeling a little afraid.
She shrank back, her anxiety mixed with a sense of resentment.
They were both the Gu family’s children—so why… why was Gu Wan’er the treasure of their palms!
Anyone who didn’t know better would think Gu Wan’er was Gu Zehai’s real daughter…
Gu Ting’er desperately wanted to blurt out everything in her heart.
But she also knew that even if she said it, Gu Zehai wouldn’t change his mind.
Unless Father could appear and stop Dad, he would surely just abandon her here.
If it weren’t for the fact that an introduction letter was required to leave the brigade, Gu Ting’er would rather leave this place than face these biased family members.
“I’m not some junk collector. Either marry Gu Wan’er to me, or the matter of the bride price ends here.” Hearing Chen San’s words, Gu Zehai’s brows furrowed even more tightly.