“Elder Sister did not come back in the afternoon to cook and Mother was angry. We thought that Elder Brother Mo would bring Elder Sister to the state-run restaurant to eat and Mother said we should wait. She said that when Elder Sister finished eating, she would bring food back for us.
“But Elder Sister didn’t come back and Mother slept until two o’clock. Then she cooked some noodles for us. There were so few noodles. I’m so hungry! Elder Sister did not come back at night to cook either, and Mother was angry again.
“Father, I’m starving! There was only a little bit of noodles!”
Little Seven reached out his finger and drew a circle to show how few noodles there were, and that he was not full.
The Gu family’s children were all very intelligent. Although these two children had not been raised very strictly, they were still very clever and clear-headed and could communicate clearly.
When Gu Jinlin and Gu Yundong heard that, they understood everything.
Gu Qingyao had been out all day and the two children had gone hungry at home all day.
It was almost eight o’clock but they had not yet had dinner.
And Zhou Ping had just been waiting at home.
Gu Jinlin and Gu Yundong’s expressions immediately grew ugly, but Mo Beihan was present, and they could not say anything.
Gu Yundong said, “Beihan! I suppose your house isn’t ready yet! Since you’ve already eaten, why don’t you go and rest! You’ve had a busy day.”
Gu Jinlin also said, “That’s right. Moving is exhausting. Yao Yao, why don’t you wash up and go to bed!”
Zhou Ping did not realize how serious the situation was. She said angrily, “I’m talking to you! This girl has been out all day and didn’t come back to cook. It’s so late, and a young girl like her…”
“Shut up!” Gu Yundong roared. “Since the children haven’t eaten, you had better hurry up and cook. Why are you making a fuss over nothing?”
Zhou Ping was taken aback. “I… I… My leg isn’t better yet. I…”
“Rubbish. Your leg really can’t move? Aren’t you standing here with no problem?”
Gu Yundong was no fool. Now that the situation had blown up, he saw it all clearly.
This woman had recently gotten used to being waited on, and she treated Yao Yao like a maid, to be ordered around.
Yao Yao had just gone out for the day and she immediately felt that something was wrong.
The girl was from his own family. Others had not said anything, but she had started slandering her first.
Yao Yao and Mo Beihan were engaged. Since she had gone to help him move, it was only right for Mo Beihan to bring her for a meal before sending her home. He was showing respect to the Gu family.
Surely he could not expect Yao Yao to come back and cook after working hard all day?
Gu Yundong had not realized what his wife was like previously. Now that he had made this sudden discovery, he was so angry he almost cursed.
The Gu brothers had always gotten along well. The three of them lived in the city. They had families, children, jobs and salaries. They had never needed to farm and they lived well.
Only Fourth Brother remained at home to take care of the old folks and now his girl had come to help with the children. She had only gone out for a day and Zhou Ping was showing this kind of attitude. This made Gu Yundong very angry!
Gu Qingyao glanced at Mo Beihan. Mo Beihan looked at Gu Qingyao somewhat worriedly but she shook her head, meaning that it was not a big deal.
Mo Beihan said to Gu Yundong, “In that case… Uncle Gu, I’ve brought Yao Yao home. My house is ready now, so I’ll go back.”
Gu Yundong knew that it was awkward for Mo Beihan to remain in the house at this time, but he still had to deal with this family issue.
The Gu family lived well and they got along well. They could not allow Zhou Ping to create unhappiness among them.
Gu Yundong simply said, “It has only just gotten dark and it’s still early. Why don’t you bring Yao Yao somewhere nearby for a walk? Have some exercise after dinner before coming home to sleep.
“Little Seven, Little Eight, go with your older sister.”