Rebirth: She is Ready for a Counterattack!-Chapter 148 - 147: The Education of Daughters (Fourth Update)
Li Qinghai wobbled into the house.
Leaving the courtyard to Li Xuemei and Gu Ruhai.
Gu Ruhai stood up, walked over to Li Xuemei, who was washing her face. She had heard the previous conversation and was now wiping her face.
Gu Ruhai leaned in with a smile and said, "Wife, I was wrong, I’ve come to take you and the kids back home. From now on, watch how I behave and give me a chance."
Li Xuemei kept a cold face, wanting to make Gu Ruhai stew a little longer, unwilling to let him off so easily.
But when she turned her head and saw Gu Ruhai’s unshaven face and the dark circles under his eyes, her heart softened.
After so many years of marriage, Gu Ruhai was not a bad person, he just always yielded when it came to his parents.
The more he yielded, the more the whole family got pulled in.
Yesterday, in a fit of anger, Li Xuemei really considered just ending it, taking the kids away, and never dealing with the Gu Family again.
When would it all end?
Even if yesterday’s issue was resolved, there would always be future issues. Living in the same village, you couldn’t avoid running into each other.
It was almost impossible to really avoid them.
Could she really cut off all ties with the Gu Family?
That kind of talk was just venting during anger; real life wasn’t that simple.
Given time, Gu Rushan and the others would eventually humble themselves, coaxing Gu Ruhai, gradually improving relations, but there would always be family troubles sooner or later.
At this moment, Li Xuemei truly considered taking the kids elsewhere to live.
Leaving here.
Maybe it wouldn’t be a bad thing.
But it was just a thought—where would they go, having no knowledge of the land or people?
"Alright, remember what you said today. If you ever again mess with the kids, don’t blame me for being harsh. At that time, you’ll go your way, and I’ll go mine."
Li Xuemei’s harsh words were only just that.
Gu Ruhai hastily nodded, agreeing repeatedly.
"Yes, yes, I assure you there won’t be a next time, really."
Yesterday, Gu Ruhai was scared. The coldness at home was frightening; how could one live if left all alone?
He helped Li Xuemei empty the washing water.
Li Xuemei glanced inside the house and signaled Gu Ruhai to speak kindly to their two daughters.
It was only then that Gu Ruhai immediately understood.
Yes.
The kids must also resent their father deeply.
He lifted the curtain and walked inside.
Gu Xiaoqing was sweeping the bed.
Gu Xiaoying was already combing her hair in front of the mirror.
Upon seeing Gu Ruhai, both of them fell silent.
What to say?
This was their father. Yes, he was wrong and was somewhat hateful.
But it was also hard to hate him completely.
Such a conflicted life, such a tangled life.
Gu Ruhai felt nervous, feeling guilty when he saw his two daughters.
"Um, Xiaoying, Xiaoqing, I... I was really wrong this time. I shouldn’t have thought of marrying Xiaoying off to Feng Quezi’s family. Dad promises this is the last time, it won’t happen again. I’m going to properly protect you, letting you all live well."
Gu Ruhai was truly remorseful.
Unlike Gu Xiaoqing, Gu Xiaoying was still overly soft-hearted. Despite being the one most hurt this time, Gu Xiaoying couldn’t bear to criticize Gu Ruhai harshly.
In the village, whose marriage wasn’t arranged by their parents? The idea of romantic love hadn’t reached the advertised ideal; most were still arranged marriages, where if deemed suitable, both sets of parents would discuss and agree in principle.
If Gu Ruhai had truly disregarded Gu Xiaoying’s wishes and arranged her marriage, what could she have done—she couldn’t resist.
At most, she could just accept her fate.
Now that things were moving in a better direction, Gu Xiaoying quickly forgave Gu Ruhai.
This was a custom nurtured over a long period, insurmountable by anyone.
Gu Xiaoying wasn’t being saintly; it was just how the era was.
Most girls resigned themselves to such fates.
"Dad, don’t say more. I know you’ve really considered my best interests. If it weren’t for my grandparents, you wouldn’t have been able to bring yourself to harm me."
Gu Xiaoying, instead, comforted and reassured Gu Ruhai.
This made Gu Ruhai feel even more remorseful.
Such a kind child.
He then glanced at Gu Xiaoqing.
Gu Ruhai was a bit afraid of this daughter.
He knew Gu Xiaoqing was absolutely different from before. She might have been like Gu Xiaoying before, but now Gu Xiaoqing was the mainstay of this family, bold and full of ideas.
Had he said those words last night, Gu Ruhai knew Gu Xiaoqing was someone who could cut ties for justice.
This child was very determined.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have dared to expose the issues, nor would she have uncovered Mrs. Gu’s schemes.
This child would be successful in the future, with a firm heart, and wouldn’t soften just from an apology.
"Xiaoqing, I..."
How to say this.
Gu Ruhai spoke hesitantly.
Gu Xiaoqing sighed.
After all, this was my father.
"Dad, I don’t want to talk about this incident further. I just want to say one thing: in the future regarding matters at the old Gu Family house, if you want to be filial, I won’t oppose it, but do so within our means. You know the greed of those people without me saying anything, so you understand how to manage that.
But they shouldn’t expect anything extra, and you shouldn’t try. Otherwise, we may end up not acknowledging you.
Yes, you’re our father, but that comes with the responsibility of raising, caring for, and protecting your children. Look at Second Uncle and Third Uncle—they may be bad in our eyes, but at least they’re good fathers.
My sister has suffered enough for this family. I won’t say more, but I want to ensure she has a good life, marrying into a decent family of her choice. As long as she doesn’t want it, no one can force her to agree.
If something similar happens again, and you don’t stand up to protect us, then I’ll have to figure things out myself. Who knows what situations might arise then, and you shouldn’t complain."
Gu Xiaoqing was straightforward about her stance, to prevent Gu Ruhai from being indecisive.
This wasn’t helpful.
Who knew how many bumps and issues would arise until they moved the family to the city? During this time, nobody could predict what might happen.
Gu Xiaoqing didn’t want to endlessly maneuver with Gu Ruhai.
Dealing with the Gu relatives’ schemes daily was already exhausting. If her household became another layer of strategy, Gu Xiaoqing wouldn’t want to go through it all over again.
Gu Ruhai nodded after listening. His redeeming quality was his willingness to humbly accept logical and sound arguments, without asserting parental authority.
"From now on, I’ll listen to your mom and you." (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendation and monthly votes. Your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
