Wang Meili had her back turned to the courtyard gate the entire time, so when Gu Chunhai came in, she completely missed him. She was eager to explain herself and salvage her image in front of the two elders of the Yao Family, not even noticing her daughter Gu Juan giving her eye signals.
"No, Chunhai, believe me, I didn’t say those things." Wang Meili hurriedly turned around and waved at Gu Chunhai.
"I didn’t lie." Gu Lingling said adamantly, sticking out her neck, "Grandma."
"Grandma believes you." Grandma Yao lovingly held Gu Lingling in her arms, "My little Yaya never lies."
"Mom says that kids who lie aren’t good kids, Yaya wants to be a good kid." Gu Lingling murmured softly while nestling in Grandma Yao’s embrace.
Even though her voice was quiet, everyone in the courtyard understood clearly.
Gu Chunhai suddenly remembered how his wife looked before she passed away, always speaking softly, raising their two children to be very polite.
Before, he always thought it was hard for the stepmother, and because of the nature of his work, he was often not at home.
Wang Meili had to care for the elderly and take care of the young ones, it was taxing.
Gu Lingling’s awkward temperament—he simply assumed it was due to her losing her mother and thus drastically changing her personality.
He hadn’t thought that Wang Meili was teaching the children behind his back.
"Why are you here?" Gu Chunhai asked coldly.
He remembered once Wang Meili told him she didn’t want to work in the village, also wanted to get into the transformer factory, asking if Yao Zhenjiang could pull some strings to help.
At that time, he sternly told Wang Meili not to bother Old Sir Yao.
The old couple only had Yao Ruanqian as their daughter and truly loved her as their own. Her passing was a profound blow to them.
He didn’t want anyone from the Gu Family to disturb them again, stirring up their painful memories.
But clearly, Wang Meili hadn’t taken his words to heart.
"Chunhai, I’m really out of options, did you know the transformer factory is recruiting? This time it’s open to the public." Wang Meili cried while wiping her tears, "I want to be a worker too. I don’t want Juanzi to be looked down on with me."
"Not being a worker means being looked down on?" Gu Chunhai said angrily, "Wang Meili, that kind of thinking is dangerous."
Gu Lingling watched Gu Chunhai calmly, to say she wasn’t disappointed would be a lie.
So, he just changed the topic like that?
"What can I do?" Wang Meili lowered her head and cried miserably, "Every time Chun Mei comes back, she’s cynical and sarcastic towards me. Do you think I enjoy this?"
If only she had given up the position to her back then.
Actually, it wasn’t the Gu Family being biased; Wang Meili barely knew a few words, whereas the transformer factory surely wanted someone like Gu Chunmei, a junior high graduate.
As for Gu Chunmei’s sarcasm, it’s not because of work, it’s due to a long-standing conflict between the two.
What she’s saying is simply unreasonable and tangled-up nonsense.
"Dad, it’s my fault for not managing the family well." Gu Chunhai cast a cold glance at Wang Meili, then said apologetically, "I haven’t paid enough attention to Lingling; Lingling, Dad is sorry. Dad doesn’t ask for your forgiveness. Just watch Dad’s actions from now on."
His words made the originally disappointed Gu Lingling light up.
So he’s not changing the topic?
Does it mean this dad can still be saved?
Wang Meili, however, had a bad feeling, wondering if today she’s losing on both fronts?
Why does this Gu Chunhai feel unfamiliar to her?
Perhaps the once sharp Gu Chunhai has returned?