Chapter 767: Pull Them Off Me
Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The housekeeper handed a food box to Gu Zi, saying, “This is something the lady of the house asked me to bring over for the children. It’s all cut and arranged nicely on three plates. Don’t think she’s being petty, it’s just that this braised meat is something she loves so much that she can hardly bear to eat it herself. It was brought by a student of my master who came to visit him a couple of days ago.”
She continued, “Speaking of which, I must tell you a bit more about this braised meat. It’s said to be bought from a place called Pingshui Town. The shop has even been featured in the newspaper. Nowadays, many city folks go there to buy gift boxes of braised meat for their leaders and elders. Because of this, the shop has stimulated the development of the town.”
Upon hearing this, Gu Zi realized that the housekeeper was talking about her family’s shop. It seemed that her sister-in-law and the others were running the shop very well, and the business was stable.
She accepted the braised meat and thanked the housekeeper, saying, “Please thank Grandma Gao for me. If the shop is doing so well, they might open a branch in the city in the future, which would make it more convenient to buy.”
Gu Zi brought the braised meat inside and placed it on the long table under the flower shelf. She didn’t cover it with a mosquito net because she wasn’t worried about insects crawling on the meat. Ever since they moved here, Su Shen had purchased a regular pest control service from the property management center. It was rare to see a single fly or mosquito in their home now.
At one o’clock in the afternoon, parents had already started dropping off their children. The first to arrive were the three members of the “Iron Triangle” group from Su Li’s class. They were stunned by the stylish and large house in front of them. Gu Jun was so impressed that he immediately asked his mother if they could move.
“Mom, when can Dad let me live in a big house ? Our house is too dirty, and so is the neighborhood. Look at this neighborhood, every villa is so grand and large.”
A frown appeared on Gu Jun’s mother’s delicate face as she angrily grabbed her disobedient son’s ear and scolded him, “So you think our house is dirty because you’ve seen a bigger villa? Fine, Gu Jun, if you dare, don’t come home with me this afternoon. And when your father comes back from his official duties, I’ll definitely tell him about this. Let’s see if he beats you or not.”
Gu Jun curled his lips, a bitter taste in his mouth. “So, you two had a son just to have someone to beat up? It’s been since I was a kid. You hit me, your husband hits me. I get in trouble, I get hit. You two have a fight, I get hit. I’ve had enough. Just go. Seeing you makes me sick. I even doubt I’m your real son.”
With that, Gu Jun and his two friends dashed into the Su family house.
Gu Jun’s mother, unbothered by her son’s harsh words, turned on her heel and climbed into her small sedan. To her driver, she said, “Pick up this brat this afternoon. He’s a disgrace, but make sure you come early. I won’t need the car.”
Because Gu Zi was busy in the kitchen, it was Su Li who greeted the guests. He had heard the entire exchange between Gu Jun and his mother. Looking at Gu Jun, his eyes softened with sympathy. “Gu Jun, I never realized. You’ve had it tough all these years.”
Gu Jun waved a dismissive hand. “It’s fine. They’re my parents after all. I know they love me. They just both have bad tempers. You wouldn’t believe it, but once on my birthday, they got me a cake. I complained it was too small, and they both beat me up. My grandma had to pull them off me…”
Liu Shi and Zhang Liang, hearing this story for the first time, clutched their stomachs in laughter. “Gu Jun, you’re hilarious! Celebrating your birthday and getting beaten up, hahaha…”
But Su Li couldn’t find the humor. He realized that even this was a form of love. He rushed to the kitchen to ask his mother, “Mom, Gu Jun says his parents hit him a lot, but he knows they still love him. Why don’t you and Dad ever hit me and my brother? Is it because we’re not your real children?”
Gu Zi was in the middle of cooking a steak. With twelve students confirmed to come, plus Su Bing and Su Li, she had to prepare at least fourteen servings. Even with her expertise in the kitchen, it was a daunting task. She didn’t turn around when Su Li entered, continuing to cook.
But when she heard Su Li’s question, she paused, her hands stilling. She turned to look at Su Li, her eyes filled with a tender sadness. She knew Su Li didn’t ask out of malice, but because he had rarely experienced parental care in his past.