Gu Lingling was so startled by the shout that she hid directly behind Gu Chunhai, timidly poking her head out and saying, "Grandma, please donât be mean to me, itâs not like I insisted she go."
"Auntie knew she canât read, and yet still made things difficult for my grandpa. My grandpa said that from now on, he wonât help with any of our familyâs matters."
"Mom, our family has me here; just tell me if anything comes up in the future. Thereâs no need to bother my in-laws anymore." Gu Chunhai felt deeply embarrassed when thinking about Wang Meiliâs actions earlier in the day.
"She wants to work as a temp no matter what, wants to get into the transformer factory, thereâs nothing we can do to stop her." Gu Chunhai continued, "But if she runs to the Yao Family for anything again, donât blame me for being rude."
"Come on, letâs go cook with Dad." Gu Chunhai took his daughterâs hand and went into the kitchen.
Wang Meili stood awkwardly at the doorway.
"Mom," Wang Meili called out ingratiatingly, "Look what I brought back for you?"
"Grandma, we went to the department store today and saw this dress thatâs just perfect for you. Youâll definitely look really beautiful in it, Grandma." Gu Juan, prompted by Wang Meili, cozied up to Old Mrs. Guâs arm playfully.
"Isnât your birthday coming up in a few days? My mom went especially to pick out a birthday gift for you today."
It wasnât as Gu Lingling said, going to the Yao Family to arrange a job.
"Yes, Mom." Wang Meili laughed, taking the dress out, "Please try it on quickly, see if it suits you?"
The matter about the transformer factory wasnât mentioned again.
"Oh dear, at my age, what do I need such fancy clothes for?" Old Mrs. Gu chuckled, her face full of wrinkles, "Just buy clothes for Juanzi."
"Mom, at first glance I knew this design was meant for you. Try it on quickly." Wang Meili laughed happily.
Luckily, she thought Old Mrs. Gu would be mad, so she gritted her teeth and bought an expensive one.
That dead girl Gu Lingling actually learned to tattle.
"Mom, it was only when I reached the transformer factoryâs gate that I realized they were hiring." Wang Meiliâs face looked utterly aggrieved, "I donât have any skills, Juanzi grew up without a dad, and sheâs strong-willed. Every time I saw her arguing with Yu Jiao, I blamed myself."
"You said it yourself, our family is poor. If I had been more literate back then, maybe Chun Sheng and I could have both gotten into the factory, and Chun Sheng wouldnât have had to..." Wang Meili wiped away a tear as she spoke.
"So, when I saw the job posting, I was tempted." Wang Meili said with a hint of helplessness, "I donât want my daughter to end up stuck in the countryside like me all her life."
"Mom, it was my mistake not to talk it over with you first." Wang Meili said through her tears, "Blame me however you want, but please donât abandon the two of us."
"Grandma, this is all my fault, Iâm the one who insisted that my mom go." Gu Juan cried while hugging Old Mrs. Gu, "I just want to be like Yu Jiao; I donât want to be looked down upon."
"What are you talking about?" Old Mrs. Gu burst into tears, "In the end, itâs the Gu Family that has wronged the two of you."
"Go ahead, Iâm still here at home." Old Mrs. Gu wiped her tears, "But just know being a temp isnât easy."
"Iâve heard temp jobs can become permanent positions." Wang Meili said in a low voice.
"Alright then." Seeing her determination, Old Mrs. Gu said nothing more.
"Sigh!"
In the kitchen, Gu Lingling let out a long sigh.
Wang Meili is too cunning, and Old Mrs. Gu too easy to pacify.
"So young, why the long sigh?" Gu Chunhai patted his daughterâs head, "Youâve got Dad here."
But itâs as good as not having one.
Gu Lingling didnât respond to him.
Gu Chunhai sighed quietly to himself, his resolve solidifying all the more.