Chapter 1280: Three Feet of Ice Does Not Form in a Single Day

Actually, Fang Liang had already prepared a sumptuous lunch for Xiao Wen at noon, but because Xiao Wen insisted on looking at his leg, Fang Liang’s expression turned somewhat indifferent.

And who is our Xiao Wen?

So in a fit of anger, she left Fang Liang’s courtyard.

She started wandering aimlessly, and once her temper cooled down, she realized she was hungry. But by this time, it was almost evening, and she was anxious, eager to tell Gu Qiaoqiao about this matter.

Because, apart from Gu Qiaoqiao, there’s no one else to listen to her talks like this, and besides, she wouldn’t talk to anyone else.

Although she knew Gu Qiaoqiao wouldn’t have any ideas, it’s still better to discuss together than to speculate blindly by herself, as she’s never encountered such a thing before.

Although nothing was concluded, after opening up about the matter, Xiao Wen began to feel hungry again.

So Gu Qiaoqiao didn’t bother to ask Gu Xueling what was for dinner that night.

Actually, Gu Qiaoqiao wanted to tease her into talking more, hoping that with more conversation, Lingling’s courage would gradually grow.

However, as time goes on, once the environment changes, with the care of family, Lingling’s personality is expected to change as well.

This is the youngest girl in the Gu Family.

She should grow up like a little princess.

Gu Qiaoqiao and Xiao Wen talked for a long time indoors, and unknowingly, the sun had completely set, yet a remaining glow still shone over the earth, with the evening glow illuminating the western half of the sky.

It’s summer, and naturally, the days are long, but it’s already dinner time.

Gu Xueling was held by Gu Qiaoqiao, walking toward her family’s courtyard, and for some reason, her previously uneasy heart gradually steadied...

Panic, unease, tension, anxiety—these emotions seemed to fade away bit by bit, just like when she’s normally with her mom.

Gu Xueling unconsciously leaned closer to Gu Qiaoqiao.

But when she stood in the courtyard and saw Gu Qianqian and her third sister walking toward them, she hurriedly moved away from Gu Qiaoqiao and looked somewhat uneasy at the people in the courtyard.

Gu Qiaoqiao sighed helplessly, "Three feet of ice doesn’t form in a single day." Actually, the approaching Gu Qianqian didn’t have any intention of having her sister taken away by others.

Yet Gu Xueling was thinking so much at this moment; in some ways, she resembles Gu Mujun.

Fortunately, only Gu Zhixing’s children have some issues, while the children in Second Uncle’s and Third Uncle’s families are quite normal.

Though their life is poorer, being suppressed by the Fang family without any opportunity to rise, they weren’t retaliated against.

This is a blessing amidst misfortune.

Gu Qiaoqiao thought bitterly, the grudges between the previous generations have extended to the next.

Gu Qiaoqiao didn’t force them, change couldn’t be achieved overnight, it has to come gradually. She glanced at Gu Xuerou glaring at her little sister; the names and personalities of these two girls are diametrically opposite—they’d fit better swapped.

Gu Xuerou, despite having a name with the word "soft" in it, had a lively personality, like a boy, and often protected Gu Xueling.

But she also bullied her a lot.

Perhaps that’s how it is between sisters.

She didn’t sincerely want to bully Lingling; she was just frustrated that her sister was so timid and felt angry watching it.

By this time, Qianqian had come over and pulled Gu Qiaoqiao’s hand, saying, "Sister, we’re planning to go out and play tomorrow; will you join us?"

Gu Qiaoqiao indeed didn’t have time, but she still touched her sister’s cheek affectionately, "I’ve got things to do for the next few days; once I’m done, I’ll join you all to play."

Gu Qianqian then looked at Xiao Wen, "What about you, Sister Xiao Wen?"

Xiao Wen patted Gu Qiaoqiao’s shoulder, "Of course, I’ll be accompanying your sister."

Her nominal guardian role has increasingly not lived up to its name, which made her feel quite guilty. Although Gu Qiaoqiao didn’t need her for the moment, she still had to do what she was supposed to, given the ancestral promise of the Phoenix Clan.

If one day the Gu Family Ancestor arrives, how would she face him?

So from tomorrow, she’s set to stay by Gu Qiaoqiao’s side, starting to fulfill her duties as a guardian.

Gu Qiaoqiao didn’t say much, smiling as she followed these young girls to the dining table under the grape arbor.

Gu Zhixing returned, along with Second Uncle and Third Uncle, clearly just back from the store and freshly washed—their hair still wet—but their spirit looked pretty good.

Second Uncle didn’t have a job, sometimes taking odd jobs, sometimes doing small businesses, barely making ends meet. Third Uncle once had a job, but a few years ago, his company disbanded, leaving him unemployed.

Now having work to do, how could they not be passionately motivated? And since it’s legitimate work, it’s also different from other things.

It’s the ancestral business of the Gu Family, and if it develops, if the world stays peaceful, it could be passed down through generations.

So they’ve been working hard, determined to manage Yubao Square well, remembering Granddad’s words clearly before he left.

There hasn’t been an opening yet, so responsibilities haven’t been divided.

They’re still in the learning phase, but everything should follow Gu Lei’s instructions, without any dissent. If anyone has opinions, they should wait until Gu Lei arrives to discuss with him, but Gu Lei’s words should be followed wholeheartedly.

Since none of the three had proper jobs, Yubao Square would be jointly managed by them, and when conditions are ready, specific roles would be assigned according to individual capabilities.

Gu Lei is a shrewd person, born and raised in Gu Garden, and although he didn’t always stay by Old Patriarch’s side, he learned much from following his father.

Moreover, Old Patriarch intentionally nurtured him with purpose.

What he saw and thought was naturally different from Gu Zhixing and his two brothers.

And Gu Lei is adept socially, so everything he instructed, the three brothers happily carried out, so far without any negative feedback reaching Gu Qingfeng.

That’s why Gu Qingfeng didn’t particularly remind Gu Qiaoqiao.

Indeed, every one or two days, Gu Lei would call him.

Knowing Gu Qiaoqiao was there, they came directly over to their elder brother’s place for dinner but didn’t bring the kids and wives, as the courtyard wasn’t big enough; they’d invite Qiaoqiao and company to their home as guests in a few days.

Although their home is both dilapidated and small, hosting a family banquet will be a gesture from these uncles.

Plus, they know that soon, they’ll be escaping this lifestyle.