Chapter 854: Standing Firm

Gu Dashan blanked after hearing what Gu Jin’an said: "...Good Brother An, what are you saying? Your, your grandfather and they have returned?"

Gu Dashan’s face, originally flushed from drinking, turned visibly pale.

Both Third Grandpa and Third Grandma were shocked, not expecting the Old Gu Family to come back.

Third Grandma grabbed Gu Jin’an and asked, "Good Brother An, is what you said true? Ms. Pan and her family didn’t die, and they’re back?"

Gu Jin’an nodded: "Yes, they’ve been back for a while now, and they already know our family’s situation and want to take over our family’s livelihood. That incident with that Liu Eniang was orchestrated by the Old Gu Family."

"What? The woman who bumped into Dashan’s mule cart was sent by the Old Gu Family?" Third Grandma was furious, cursing the heavens and Granny Gu: "That Ms. Pan is a disaster; it must be her idea. Isn’t it over yet? How can they cause trouble for your family right after coming back and still want to take over your livelihood? I spit on that! This livelihood was Xiao Yu’s idea, and it was painstakingly built up by our families. What does it have to do with her?"

As Third Grandma cursed, she started crying herself.

She knew how tough Dashan’s family’s life used to be and really didn’t want them to go back to those days.

And for the past four years, the old couple had lived with Dashan’s family, treating them as their own children and grandchildren. The thought of the Old Gu Family returning and potentially having to live under their thumb again pained her greatly.

Third Grandpa rebuked her: "Stop crying; isn’t it chaotic enough? Let Good Brother An finish talking first."

Third Grandpa knew what Third Grandma was worried about, and how could he not be worried?

But now that Lao Liu’s family has returned, they must come up with a way to counter them so that Dashan’s family doesn’t suffer.

Third Grandma wiped away her tears and said to Gu Jin’an: "Good Brother An, go ahead and finish telling us about what that family is up to."

"Alright." Gu Jin’an responded, detailing when the Old Gu Family came back, their relationship with the Lai Family, how they grew envious of his family, and their intentions to take over their livelihood.

Gu Dashan, upon hearing this, broke into tears: "What do they want? Just what do they want?!"

Gu Jin’an looked at his father, who was shedding tears, and chuckled sarcastically: "What do they want? Naturally, they want to seize our livelihood, continue to bully us, and treat our entire family like servants."

Gu Dashan said: "But we’ve already severed ties, and this is our livelihood. What right do they have to snatch it?"

As soon as he finished speaking, there was suddenly a thud, and turning back to look, they saw that Mrs. Cui had fainted.

Gu Jin’an was quite frightened and hurriedly rushed over to support Mrs. Cui: "Mom, mom, what’s wrong with you?"

Gu Dashan also hurriedly rushed over, looking at Mrs. Cui helplessly.

Gu Jinli quickly took out the medicine bottle she carried with her, opened it, and let Mrs. Cui smell a whiff of pungent odor, bringing her back to consciousness.

But Mrs. Cui’s condition was very poor, trembling all over, her lips blue, unable to speak a word, only shedding tears and gripping Gu Dashan’s hand tightly.

Having been married for so many years, Gu Dashan naturally knew what she wanted to say, and he embraced her, saying: "Don’t cry. Rest assured, I won’t let mom and dad bully Good Brother An and the rest again."

Mrs. Cui was the one most tormented by the Old Gu Family, and hearing about their return frightened her to faint. But what she feared wasn’t her own suffering but that her children might suffer... Among the four children, three were at marriageable age, and she truly feared that the Old Gu Family would haphazardly pair off her children with unsuitable matches.

Gu Jinli comforted her: "Mom, we’ve all grown up now, and there’s no way we’d let the Old Gu Family bully us again. Don’t worry; if they dare bully us again, it will be the Old Gu Family that ends up in prison."

Knowing her daughter’s capability, Mrs. Cui felt somewhat reassured by her words and started regaining her speech ability.

She looked at Brother Cheng, who was hiding in Gu Jinxiu’s embrace, and reached out to him: "Brother Cheng, don’t be afraid. Come to mom."

Brother Cheng had tears welling up in his eyes for a long time. Hearing these words, he rushed over and burst into tears.

The little guy didn’t say anything, just cried, and cried so fiercely as if he was venting all the grievances he had suffered since childhood.

Gu Jin’an felt very uncomfortable watching this. Ever since they settled down, he had been personally teaching Brother Cheng, hoping he wouldn’t be affected by the Old Gu Family and grow up well.

But the Old Gu Family was too despicable, too tormenting to people that even he would tremble upon hearing of their return. How could Brother Cheng not be affected?

He gently patted Brother Cheng’s head, comforting him: "Brother Cheng, don’t be afraid. You always said Big Brother and Second Sister are the best. With Big Brother and Second Sister around, we won’t let the Old Gu Family bully you again."

He used to share a room with Brother Cheng, and sometimes Brother Cheng would wake up in the middle of the night crying or cry out in his sleep, begging Grandma not to hit him, claiming he hadn’t stolen any food and pleading not to hit Big Sister.

Gu Jinli didn’t go over to comfort Brother Cheng but instead went to Gu Jinxiu’s side, holding her hand: "Big Sister, with me and Big Brother here, everything will be fine."

Though Gu Jinxiu was trying to stay strong, her pale face betrayed the fear she felt, as Gu Jinli could tell.

Gu Jinxiu smiled: "Yeah, Big Sister believes in you two... I’m not afraid of them anymore."

Watching their family, Third Grandma started crying again.

Third Grandpa, however, asked Gu Jin’an: "The Old Gu Family are a greedy bunch. Now that they know your family has such a profitable business, they’ll definitely try to take it. What do you plan to do?"

Gu Jin’an said: "We’ve already severed ties. If they dare try to seize the business, I’ll go to the government office and sue them."

Third Grandma anxiously protested: "No, you can’t! How can you sue your own grandfather? People will curse you to death."

Gu Jin’an reminded her again: "Third Grandma, we’ve already severed ties with the Old Gu Family."

"Third Grandma knows, but people won’t care whether you’ve cut ties or not. They’ll only say you don’t recognize your grandfather now that you’re rich. If you’re planning to take exams, a bad reputation will prevent you from even sitting for them." Third Grandma had been through similar situations and knew of cases where people severed ties with their parents, only to have them come back asking for money after the separated party had become successful.

If you don’t give them money, everyone will curse you, making the whole family afraid to even step outside.

That person couldn’t bear the insults and eventually had to reconcile with his parents, providing them with money and supporting siblings.

But Gu Jin’an had already made up his mind not to compromise, looking at Gu Dashan: "Dad, I’ve already thought it through. Even if it means giving up titles and fortunes, I’ll go all the way against the Old Gu Family; I won’t let them hold us back for a lifetime!"

No matter what, everything comes down to reason. Gu Jin’an didn’t let Gu Jinli poison Elder Gu firstly for Gu Dashan, secondly because he didn’t want to become a beast himself, and lastly, because he believed that reason prevails in the world and that there must be a place where justice can be sought for his family.

After a moment of silence, Gu Dashan finally spoke: "Good Brother An, if it comes to a lawsuit, let Dad handle it. You’ve worked so hard to become the county top scorer and are close to becoming a Scholar. Dad can’t let the Old Gu Family destroy you... I’m the one who disowned Elder Gu as a father and severed ties; it has nothing to do with you. If it comes to court, I’ll go!"

The last two words were spoken with great firmness and strength, making Gu Jinli completely relieved, as she’d feared that Gu Dashan might go soft on Elder Gu. As long as he could stand strong, she’d be free to handle the Old Gu Family without restraint.