Wang Guihua is just looking for an opportunity to stir up trouble. This woman is so poor, she will have to rely on Gu Junming for support in the future.
Yan Kai and Yang Hongying, as outsiders, couldn’t say much. Meanwhile, Gu Juntao was distracted, thinking about how to confess his own matters to his parents later, so no one stopped her.
Sun Chan wasn’t naïve; she could see that Wang Guihua didn’t like her. She smiled faintly and said, "Auntie, rest assured, I’m doing some small business now. Previously, I worked as a temp and a caregiver and have saved some money. I don’t expect anyone to pay my tuition. I can support myself."
Wang Guihua thought she was weak and easy to bully, but unexpectedly, she was met with such a firm attitude in return, and she couldn’t help but look in Gu Zishan’s direction, somewhat surprised.
Gu Zishan kept a stern face and said nothing. He was extremely dissatisfied with this daughter-in-law. However, his family’s manners and his status prevented him from saying anything unpleasant to the girl, so he remained silent.
Gu Dongfang smiled and said, "You’re a keen learner. So, what are you doing now?"
"I sell fruit," Sun Chan replied calmly.
Wang Guihua’s lips curled up, suppressing her inner contempt. But since she had nothing to do with Gu Junming, she decided not to say anything.
Gu Junming said, "There’s nothing shameful about doing business. Whatever she does, I support her."
"You’re quite something!" Gu Zishan sneered. "You know the high hopes we hold for you, don’t you? How have you acted? Who have you let down? Do you really have the nerve to say these things?"
Gu Junming replied calmly, "Do I have to marry the daughter of a high-ranking official to prove myself to the Gu Family? Has it become a tradition for the Gu Family to rely on women? If those officials’ daughters don’t marry into our family, will we starve? You look down on yourself and me too much. Unfortunately, I don’t have your good fortune with worthy families offering you their daughters."
Wang Guihua felt like she had swallowed something disgusting. Is this a direct insult?
"Shut up!" Gu Zishan, furious with embarrassment, stood up to strike again, but was stopped by Gu Juntao and Yan Kai.
Gu Zishan shouted, "Shut your mouth, you’re just asking for it!"
Gu Junming remained indifferent: "I brought someone here not to seek your acceptance, but just to inform you. Even if you don’t agree, I still plan to marry her."
Gu Zishan sneered and said, "Fine, you’re very determined, aren’t you? If you’re so resolute, I’ll say no more. You go ahead and marry Sun Chan; you’re not welcome here!"
"Alright, no problem. I’m leaving now."
With a swoosh, a teacup shattered on the ground.
Gu Junming looked calmly at his father, then took Sun Chan by the hand and walked out.
Gu Dongfang shouted, "Who told you to leave? Gu Zishan, are you pretending I’m dead? Are you really going to drive my grandson and granddaughter-in-law away like that? Are you planning to kick me out when you’re upset one day?"
Gu Dongfang rarely got so angry, his voice was deafening, and everyone around him was left with ringing ears.
Gu Zishan was too afraid to speak at that moment, having always feared this father.
Gu Dongfang said, "Come here, Sun Chan!"
Gu Junming tightened his grip slightly, and Sun Chan nodded to him to show he needn’t worry, then walked over herself.
She was calm and composed, showing no signs of fear or pandering, her expression steady. Sun Chan knew she couldn’t disappoint Gu Junming, who liked her so much, and needed to have confidence in herself.
Gu Dongfang looked at her for a while, then took out a small jade carving from his pocket and handed it to Sun Chan. It was a light green small jade tiger, exquisitely crafted and very lively. The tiger, about the size of a date, stood fiercely baring its teeth, incredibly lifelike, even the whiskers were clearly visible.
Gu Dongfang said, "The Gu Family used to have some good stuff, but it was all confiscated later. This piece was left by my mother, so I’m giving it to you. You’ll be the granddaughter-in-law of our family, so pass it on."
"Dad!" Gu Zishan and Wang Guihua exclaimed in surprise, Wang Guihua’s voice especially changed.
Gu Zishan thought his father had completely lost it; how could they accept such a daughter-in-law?
Wang Guihua had once had someone appraise this jade tiger; it was high-quality old mine jadeite, worth at least a hundred thousand yuan! She had always thought it would go to Gu Juntao and his wife, so how did it end up with Gu Junming?
But she couldn’t voice this out loud. Is a daughter-in-law allowed to covet her father-in-law’s assets?
Gu Dongfang said to Gu Zishan, "Our Gu Family may have a high status now, but we’ve weathered storms to get here. We can’t look down on people from humble beginnings. This young girl is sensible, reliable, and willing to sacrifice, and I like her very much. Gu Junming is in his twenties, not a child, and if he marries, and you approve, help him out. If not, don’t interfere, and don’t blame me if I’m not polite!"
Wang Guihua quickly said, "Dad..."
"No more on this matter!" Gu Dongfang scolded. "Gu Zishan, you came from a poor soldier’s background. When did you become so worldly, vicious, snobbish? It’s disgusting! Go read the works of Chairman Mao to cleanse your mind! How can you lead soldiers with this mentality?"
Wang Guihua quickly fell silent, and Gu Zishan gritted his teeth in silence. Confronted in front of so many people by his son and scolded harshly by his father, he had lost face completely.
Gu Dongfang turned again to Sun Chan: "Alright, you two take care of yourselves. That’s all I can do for you. In the coming years, live well. Since you’ve said you won’t need us in the future, we won’t intervene if any issues arise. Understood?"
The implication was that whatever problems might arise, they wouldn’t need to involve the family, and marrying for Gu Junming’s background would be wishful thinking.
Sun Chan nodded and said sincerely, "Thank you for the opportunity, sir, I will definitely get along well with him."
"Good, as long as you understand. We’ll have a meal together later."
"We should be going," Gu Junming said. "It’s getting late. I should hurry back to X City."
"Alright, probably no one else could eat much either." Gu Dongfang rubbed his forehead.
Gu Junming and Sun Chan bid farewell to everyone and then left briskly.
Gu Zishan took a deep breath, suppressing the anger inside him.
Wang Guihua sighed, "I really didn’t expect that. I thought the elder one would find someone... never mind, let’s leave it to fate. How about you, Juntao? Weren’t you going to bring your partner over today?"