Back to the 60s: The Struggle Career of a Charmed Wife-Chapter 1691: Withered Wood Meets Spring 3

Dr. Gu’s attitude towards his niece-in-law was very different from that towards his daughter-in-law. He smiled and said, "She’s my elder brother’s student, called Feng Qingxue, also a military doctor temporarily assigned from the Capital Military District. The wild mountain goods I brought to you were her tokens of respect to me. I just ran into her today and found out she came here. I thought I’d have her visit our home so you might recognize her and avoid passing each other unawares in the future."

"Hello, sister-in-law, I came on short notice, hope I’m not imposing." Feng Qingxue handed over the fruit she originally bought for herself.

"Oh, you’re the doctor, you look so nice! Please come inside and have a seat. There’s no need to bring anything, you’re too thoughtful." Although Xu Xiaoman felt embarrassed to accept, Dr. Gu took it and hung it on the wall.

While Xu Xiaoman was pouring tea for Feng Qingxue, Feng Qingxue inadvertently noticed a photo of Station Master Gu in the frame.

They both have the surname Gu. Could they be related?

The Station Master Gu looked about thirty years old and didn’t seem like Gu Tian, the nephew mentioned by Dr. Gu.

Suppressing her doubts, Feng Qingxue sat on the sofa and asked about the situation in Dr. Gu’s family, the conflict between the daughter-in-law and mother-in-law, and the elder living at a nephew’s house, which seemed quite a mess.

Dr. Gu sighed deeply, she felt it was a terrible situation too.

Her only son, named Gu Qing, is forty years old this year, stationed locally in the navy, currently a deputy regiment commander. He used to be honest, simple, and filial, never giving her any worries. But ever since he got married fifteen years ago, he’s become a henpecked husband, obeying his wife unquestioningly, and spending his salary to honor his mother-in-law’s family.

Shen Xiufen is a person who not only values sons over daughters but also wholeheartedly dedicates herself to her maternal family. Her entire purpose seems to be supporting her brother, managing his meals, clothing, housing, marriage, and the basics of life for his entire family.

Of Gu Qing’s nearly two hundred yuan salary each month, plus allowances, about one hundred and fifty yuan is spent on Shen Xiufen’s maternal brothers.

To support her maternal brothers, Shen Xiufen treats her two biological daughters extremely harshly. Fourteen-year-old Gu Mei and eight-year-old Gu Min have never worn new clothes and have never had a full meal at home, being a target of beating and scolding like clockwork. The only reason they haven’t starved is due to nephew Gu Tian and his wife Xu Xiaoman secretly providing for them in appreciation of Dr. Gu’s nurturing of Gu Tian.

Dr. Gu had been busy working for years without returning home, and only after retiring did she realize everything, and even then Shen Xiufen shut her out of her home. Today, when visiting her granddaughter, she happened to witness Shen Xiufen’s abuse of the granddaughter for not doing homework for her maternal nephew.

Dr. Gu couldn’t tolerate her daughter-in-law’s behavior, and thus ensued the argument Feng Qingxue witnessed.

"This nephew of mine didn’t have parents since childhood. When my husband and I got married, he was only seven years old, skinny as a monkey, so he grew up with us, sometimes starving, sometimes full, joining the military at sixteen. When the navy was formed, he was assigned to it by the country, diligently and earnestly working, now a full colonel. His whole family is here; his eldest son, Gu Zheng, works at the procurement station, already married with children. His second son, Gu Jing, joined the army, currently in the Baozhou division of the Capital Military District, and his youngest son, Gu Fang, is at the aquatic products company."

As Dr. Gu spoke, she rubbed safflower oil on her granddaughter and continued, "In my lifetime, I’ve raised a good nephew, a good niece-in-law, and the grandnephew and grandniece are also good kids. I’ll introduce you to them another day."

Turns out Shen Xiufen is not only a malicious daughter-in-law but also a ’brother-supporter’!

Feng Qingxue consoled her, "Every family has its difficult Chapter to read. Please take it easy. You still have your pension, and if you continue working, you’ll have a salary, plus you have the respectful Gu Tian and Xu Xiaoman. You surely can enjoy a peaceful retirement."

The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel