The wedding the next day was far from lively, as everyone in the family was exhausted from not having slept well the night before. It lacked the festive atmosphere of a joyous occasion.
Grandma Gu and Gu Dasao made do, cooking in the half-burnt kitchen.
Gu Dasao was already unhappy about how much money had been spent on marrying this sister-in-law, and now something like this had happened.
“Mother, is this Chen Xiu a jinx? Why else would Zhang Cuihua come and set a fire right when they were about to get married, and not any other time?” Gu Dasao said, trying to stir up trouble.
Grandma Gu was also very displeased. She was old, hadn’t rested well the previous day, and was extremely irritable. “Just fulfill your duties as the eldest daughter-in-law,” she said.
Gu Lao Er had borrowed the Brigade Leader’s bicycle early in the morning to pick up the bride. It was already noon, and he still hadn’t returned. Grandma Gu was quite worried.
Gu Yihan was sitting in the courtyard reading a book when she looked up and saw her cheap dad, a dust-covered Gu Aidang, leading a patched-up and fadedly-washed Chen Xiu through the gate.
She quickly shouted toward the kitchen, “Grandma, Dad’s back.”
Grandma Gu walked out, wiping her hands. “What took you so long?”
Seeing her son’s sorry state, she asked, “What happened? These are new clothes, how did you ruin them like this?”
Gu Aidang was speechless. She’s only worried about the clothes?
“Mother, Chen Xiu has no dowry, and she has severed ties with her family.” After saying this, he went straight into his own room. Severing ties on one’s wedding day—he found it humiliating.
Grandma Gu and her young granddaughter exchanged a glance before turning to stare in unison at Chen Xiu.
Chen Xiu was also at a loss. Feeling flustered under their gaze, she said, “My mother wanted me to continue supporting my younger siblings. I didn’t agree, so they didn’t give me a dowry and said they no longer have me as a daughter. We’ve severed ties.”
Grandma Gu sighed. This wedding had no trace of joy. “Let’s eat first. The house is a complete mess.”
They then turned back to their own tasks.
Gu Yihan glanced at Chen Xiu, then at her cheap dad’s closed door. This wasn’t a wedding; it was an ordeal, completely devoid of any celebration.
Time flowed like water, passing in a flash.
Gu Yihan’s school term was starting the day after tomorrow, and she was at home preparing her things. Because she had started school early, she was still very young for junior high.
Grandma Gu was not at ease at all, constantly worrying that Gu Yihan would be taken advantage of.
“Hanhun, have you packed everything? Did you forget anything? If you find you’re missing something at school, send a message home, and we’ll bring it to you.”
After speaking, she placed a week’s worth of rations into the packed schoolbag.
“Also, if your mother comes looking for you at school, don’t go with her. She’s up to no good!”
Gu Yihan asked in confusion, “Wasn’t she sent to the Public Security Bureau?”
Grandma Gu said through gritted teeth, “The Public Security Bureau said she didn’t cause any substantial harm. She paid a small fine and was sent back home.”
Gu Yihan was truly speechless. She promised, “Grandma, don’t worry, I won’t go.”
Seeing that her young granddaughter had taken her words to heart, Grandma Gu felt relieved.
Gu Yihan was genuinely moved. “Grandma, I’m not missing anything, and you don’t need to worry. I’m a grown-up now.”
To prove it, she lifted her luggage with one hand. “See? I’m no weaker than you, am I?”
Grandma Gu carefully took a handkerchief from her pocket. From inside, she took out four yuan and a Food Stamp and handed them to her young granddaughter.
“The Commune Junior High School tuition is three yuan. Grandma is giving you an extra yuan for spending money. Don’t let yourself suffer.” After saying this, she quietly wiped away her tears and walked toward the door.
Gu Yihan immediately put down the bundle she was packing.
She carefully supported her grandmother as she walked out. “Grandma, we can’t be sad. If Grandma stays happy, she’ll be the prettiest old lady in the village.”
Her young granddaughter’s playful words dispelled Grandma Gu’s sadness.
She looked at her second daughter-in-law and at Gu Aidang, who was killing a wild pheasant in the courtyard.
Grandma Gu said, “Lao Er, you take Hanhun to school tomorrow.”
Gu Yihan watched as her new cheap mother tugged at her chicken-killing cheap dad’s sleeve and gave him a look.
Gu Lao Er feigned distress and said, “Mother, my wife is pregnant and has morning sickness. She can’t work these few days, so I have to stay home and help her. Besides, Hanhun is so grown up now, she shouldn’t be competing with her younger brother, right?”
Grandma Gu pointed at her son. “You…”
Gu Yihan reached out and linked her arm with Grandma Gu’s, saying coaxingly, “Grandma, I don’t have much luggage, I can carry it myself. The weather is hot now, so it’s just a few changes of clothes. It’s not heavy.”
“Besides, when Big Brother went to school, he didn’t have anyone from the family take him either. I want to be just like Big Brother. Grandma can’t just favor me, or Big Brother will get angry.”
Grandma Gu poked her young granddaughter’s forehead with a finger and chided with a smile, “You clever little imp.”
Gu Yihan genuinely didn’t care. She only cared about the things that mattered to her.
In this family, she first and foremost cared about her own affairs, refusing to get bogged down in internal drama. Second came Grandma Gu. She treated everyone else merely as relatives.
Even within Gu Jia Village, she felt like she didn’t belong.
The other girls in the village were either working or on their way to work; basically, none of them went to school.
Because she attended school, she didn’t fit in with them. There was no need to force her way into a group she didn’t belong to.