Rebirth: She is Ready for a Counterattack!-Chapter 422 - 421: Simply Cowardice

There was still much more to say; the paper was densely covered with words. Fang Shaohan had a lot to say too, but he couldn’t include too much, or else it would be discovered.

The paper was dark and ink-stained in many places, indicating that the environment Fang Shaohan was in wasn’t very good either.

The fact that he could find a way to send a letter back already demonstrated his will to resist and his concrete actions.

No matter how helpless he felt, Fang Shaohan had done what he could. Even though it was just a letter filled with words, it still gave Gu Xiaoqing the strength to continue.

Sometimes, a certain action or phrase can become a source of infinite power for people.

"It’s time to go to the United States."

Gu Xiaoqing packed her things. She went to the company and her painstakingly managed milk tea shop, sending off the past months’ wages to the family of the Li Sisters.

It was to ensure she owed them nothing.

Then she made a call to Guo Donghua, informing him that she was going to the United States.

She tidied up the house thoroughly and left a letter as a farewell.

At the old house in Gu Family Village, Li Xuemei sternly reprimanded Gu Ruhai, "Well, Gu Ruhai, you’ve grown bold, learned to deceive. Saying something about Xiaoqing coming back to handle some matters and not telling me they were making her leave?!"

"Xiaoqing’s mom, calm down. Anyway, Xiaoqing won’t return after getting married. Maybe today will be the last time, so why make it awkward for everyone?"

Gu Ruhai thought that he considered their daughter’s feelings, hence he told a white lie.

"You’re a great saint, the most capable person in Gu Family Village. Gu Xiaoying, Gu Xiaojie, when something happens in the family, you immediately distance yourselves. How are you different from those Second Uncles or Third Uncles? If this is the case, then let’s not say anything, let’s split this family sooner rather than later."

Li Xuemei looked at her children and felt her heartache. Back when Second Uncle Gu Rushan and Third Uncle Gu Ruhe nearly drove their family into a desperate situation, if it hadn’t been for Gu Xiaoqing helping the family out step by step, who knows what situation they’d be in now!

But now...

She discovered the historical tragedy seemed to be repeating itself. Now that Gu Xiaoqing was down and out, none of the children went to support her, instead, they stood by idly and watched.

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

Gu Ruhai slammed the table, questioning why they were suddenly discussing splitting the family. He thought he handled the situation well, considering both the village’s feelings and Gu Xiaoqing’s. He didn’t do anything wrong!

"Nonsense? Look at how Big Brother split the family, why? Don’t you get it? Gu Xiaoying, you’re an adult now, and Gu Xiaojie, weren’t you clamoring to quit school? Fine, today we’ll split this family. What each deserves, they’ll get their rightful share, not a cent less. What they don’t, they won’t get extra either."

Li Xuemei tried hard to control her anger. Honestly, splitting the family breaks hearts. But to avoid past tragedies in the future, she would rather take decisive action now, splitting the family to prevent their small fortune from being coveted by their own people.

"No way!"

Gu Ruhai disagreed. Nothing major happened, why the sudden fuss about splitting the family? If it were the children wanting this, it would be bearable, but he’d never seen a wife initiate it.

"Gu Ruhai, is this family yours? Think back with a clear conscience, when Xiaoqing and I were up early selling buns, where were you? What were you and your good buddies doing? If not for Xiaoqing getting back that sixty yuan, you’d still be living off the food my Big Brother and Second Brother provided!

Xiaoying, without Xiaoqing secretly helping you, Shang Wenming would have ruined your hot pot shop. Have you forgotten? When you got married, wasn’t it Xiaoqing who made sure you had a grand wedding? Have you forgotten?

Xiaojie, tell me, what do you do besides loafing all day, playing on the computer, and hanging out at internet cafes? Your Sister Xiaoqing wants you to go to the United States, hoping you’d learn the most advanced knowledge. Was she wrong for you? Now look, don’t go to the United States. Do you want to be idle? Fine! We won’t rely on you, and you won’t need to feed us. I’d rather live to sixty and jump into the river at the edge of the village to save myself the grief of watching you."

Gu Ruhai hurriedly spat three times, "What are you saying about life and death?"

Gu Xiaoying: "Mom, why are you like this!"

Gu Xiaojie kept his head down, not saying a word.

It was the first time he considered the issue.

"While Liu Ming is away, let’s plan a direction and split the family when he returns. You think Xiaoqing is a burden, isn’t dividing the family the perfect solution? In my view, everyone should save some mental effort, and no one should burden anyone else."

Li Xuemei finished speaking and looked at Gu Ruhai.

Gu Ruhai was taken aback. Li Xuemei’s words felt like a moment of enlightenment. He had been so clever, how could Gu Xiaoqing, being so smart, not have seen through what was going on then?

His so-called perfect solution turned out to be a choice that seemed to take care of both sides but actually abandoned both.

This approach wasn’t out of love for his daughter, nor a father’s tenderness, just plain cowardice!

Gu Ruhai had always been doing this kind of thing; if he had abandoned his younger brothers and mother’s side earlier, the family side would’ve been well cared for.

If he had abandoned the village earlier, Gu Xiaoqing wouldn’t have needed to come back, and it wouldn’t have emboldened these people.

Gu Ruhai tragically realized that what seemed like a choice taking both sides into account actually lost both sides. The village gossip continued, Gu Xiaoqing’s reputation couldn’t be redeemed, and he, Gu Ruhai, remained an unqualified father.

Here, Li Xuemei, for the sake of her daughter, suggested splitting the family. If everyone feels justified, Li Xuemei thought they should let them experience life without Gu Xiaoqing’s support.

"Dad, does it really have to be this way?"

Gu Xiaoying, having been lectured, felt reluctant as she saw the family really about to split.

Li Xuemei was right. Gu Xiaoying had always blamed Gu Xiaoqing for dragging everyone down, but thinking about Gu Xiaoqing’s contributions over the years, she hadn’t even grasped what was really going on.

Gu Xiaoqing wasn’t one to lie, having managed things so well over the years, she had never done anything unjust.

In fact, Gu Xiaoqing always maintained the quality of the Gu Family hot pot.

Back then, many who copied the Gu Family’s hot pot eventually closed down because Gu Xiaoying had always insisted on maintaining the hot pot’s quality and service. She would rather earn a bit less than compromise on portions.

Gu Xiaoqing herself said she had a clear conscience, and Gu Xiaoying found herself muddled by recent hardships, constantly blaming her sister.

Now, being so decisively addressed by Li Xuemei, everyone realized they had been somewhat excessive recently.

"Split!"

Gu Ruhai gritted his teeth and made his decision.