Chapter 77 - 27: The Sky Has Collapsed

Chapter 77: Chapter 27: The Sky Has Collapsed

Da Zai peeked quietly toward the door. It was silent—the Third and Fourth Child weren’t awake yet. He breathed a soft sigh of relief. "Should Er Zai and I eat outside?" he asked in a low whisper.

He wasn’t exaggerating. The twins had been quite fussy the last few days. It wasn’t their fault, though. Everyone else got to eat meat while they only had malted milk. The poor little babies felt so wronged.

"Go on." Lin Zhao waved her hand. "Don’t forget to share with the friends who helped you dig them up."

"We know!" Er Zai’s voice was brimming with happiness.

His joy was short-lived, as his older brother immediately shushed him. "Keep it down! The Third and Fourth Child are still sleeping."

Er Zai clapped a hand over his mouth.

Da Zai and Er Zai went outside with a full bowl of fried cicada pupae and generously shared them with the other children. Tie Niu, Yuanbao, and the rest went wild with joy.

"Da Zai, Er Zai, from now on, you’re my brothers—my real brothers!" Yuanbao declared loudly, his mouth slick with oil.

Tie Niu sidled up to Er Zai and proclaimed even louder, "Er Zai, you’re my best friend!"

The other children rushed over as well, with all sorts of flattering declarations tumbling from their lips.

"Da Zai, I’m going to be your number one best friend in the whole village!"

"Er Zai, we’re the absolute best of friends!"

...

In an instant, Da Zai and Er Zai became the kings of the neighborhood kids, the kind whose every call was answered.

The two brothers grinned until their eyes curved into crescents.

「That night.」

At the Gu Family’s old house, everyone was still savoring the memory of the day’s meat and soda.

As Huang Xiulan wiped down a cooling mat with a damp towel, she didn’t forget to remind Gu Yuanshan, "Don’t forget to fetch water for the third branch’s household tomorrow morning."

Remembering how happy her daughter was to receive the lunch box, she felt her third sister-in-law’s gift had truly touched her heart.

"I remember," Gu Yuanshan said.

Tie Dan rubbed his full belly and sighed, "It would be nice if we could eat meat every day."

Huang Xiulan gave her little rascal a swat and sent him to the other end of the mat as she continued to wipe it down. "Who do you think you are, someone from the city? Eating meat every day? You wish."

Gu Yuanshan added, "Even people in the city don’t eat meat every day. They’re lucky if they get it once a month."

Tie Dan sighed. "That’s still way better than us! At least they get it once a month. The last time I had meat was three months ago."

Tie Chui gave a simple, honest smile. "Not me. Third Aunt treated me to dumplings."

Huang Xiulan stroked her second son’s face and told her older son, "Other families in the village only get to eat meat once every six months. We’re doing pretty well, so don’t you be so ungrateful."

That shut Tie Dan up.

Mother Gu and Father Gu were also speaking in low voices.

"Our third son’s wife brought over some fabric today. She asked our second son’s wife to make me an autumn shirt, saying it was a thank-you gift for looking after the four children. They’re my own grandchildren; why would I need a thank-you gift for that..."

Father Gu was a laid-back man. His philosophy was to accept what the younger generation gave and not complain if they gave nothing. "If she gives it to you, just accept it."

"I know, I was just telling you. But I have to say, hearing her say that today really warmed my heart." Mother Gu felt an indescribable sense of comfort.

Father Gu just shook his head and smiled.

「The second branch’s household.」

Zhao Liuniang lit a lamp to work on her mother-in-law’s autumn shirt.

Worried she would strain her eyes, Gu Yucheng said, "Why don’t you work on it tomorrow? Go to sleep for now. It’s not like she needs to wear the shirt right away."

"I’m not sleepy." Zhao Liuniang didn’t look up, a smile playing on her lips. "Once I finish this for Mom, there’s enough fabric left to make a pair of pants for our Yu Yu. I’m bursting with energy!"

Gu Yucheng gave a resigned sigh, then brightened the lamp and sat down to keep her company.

"What are you doing? You should go to sleep. You have to be up early tomorrow. I’ll sleep in a bit," Zhao Liuniang said, looking at him with disapproval.

"I’m not sleepy either," Gu Yucheng replied with a smile.

Zhao Liuniang rolled her eyes at him, but a sweet warmth spread through her heart, and she began to sew even faster.

’In life, a considerate husband is what truly matters,’ she thought. ’My man might not earn as much as the third brother, but he respects me, treats me well, and is devoted to our family. I’m perfectly content.’

「Meanwhile, in a certain house at the village entrance.」

Aunt Gu felt as if her sky had fallen. She could never be happy again.

She glared fiercely at her snoring husband, gritting her teeth in a rage. She wished she could kick the deadbeat into the air and, while she was at it, use his useless body to smash Gu Xing’er to death in the next room.

’What a bunch of rotten people, doing nothing but making my life miserable!’

Aunt Gu’s resentment was so deep it could have nourished ten thousand demonic sword immortals. A sudden chill ran through Uncle Gu, and he slowly opened his eyes to meet her furious gaze.

Uncle Gu sat up quickly, the pattern of the cooling mat imprinted on his face. His eyes were filled with confusion. "What’s wrong? Did I do something to offend you?"

’Offend me?’

’That’s an understatement!’

Aunt Gu pinched him hard, so angry she started cursing. "And you have the nerve to ask me what’s wrong?"

"Why did you agree to let Gu Xing’er stay?"

Uncle Gu didn’t see the problem. "So she’s staying. What of it? Gu Yuanshan, Gu Yucheng, and their wives all brought their bedding over. Was I supposed to kick them out? Besides, Mother agreed to it, too."