Reborn as a Happy Wife in a Rural Family-Chapter 30: Climbing the Mountain

Thinking of all the people, Gu Qingli asked, "Mom, if we invite Second Grandpa and the others, should we have Yunjing help move a set of tables and chairs over?"

Ms. Wu shook her head. "No need. It will just be your Second Grandpa, a few village elders, and your family."

Ms. Wu was deeply relieved that the Xiao Family had treated Li’er so well since her marriage.

Oh, Gu Qingli thought, guessing it would be the ones who had helped repair the house.

As expected, around noon, the few elderly men and the three Xiao brothers arrived. The brothers took turns entertaining the guests.

Ms. Wu cooked the midday meal. The dishes were, of course, delicious, and everyone ate to their heart’s content, making for a joyful occasion.

After everyone else had left, Gu Chang’an stayed behind. He personally handed the severance document, land deed, and household registration to Gu Dalin.

"Second Brother," Gu Chang’an said, patting Gu Dalin’s shoulder earnestly, "from now on, focus on your own family. Dashuang and Xiaoshuang are intelligent children; pay more attention to them."

Previously, Gu Dalin had always prioritized his brothers and nephews, so Gu Chang’an worried he might revert to his old muddled ways.

Gu Dalin, a tall and imposing man, was now crying like a child. He felt so bitter and wronged. Seeing Gu Chang’an was like seeing a true relative. He wiped his tears, nodded, and took Second Uncle’s hand. "Second Uncle," he said, "rest assured, I won’t be muddle-headed anymore."

The onlookers were all moved, especially Ms. Wu, who started wiping her tears again.

Gu Qingli sighed inwardly. Gu Dalin was just a child starved for affection. All his past actions were simply a desperate attempt to gain approval and a little care from Old Master Gu and his wife. Living in an environment where they barely had enough to eat, under the tyranny of that heartless couple, and being an adopted child, Gu Dalin’s simple desire for affection had become an unattainable luxury. She hoped this harsh life lesson from Master Gu and his wife would truly teach him to be independent and strong. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

Gu Chang’an sighed. This child has also had a bitter fate, he thought. He then said, "Then Second Uncle can rest assured. Remember, your life was saved by Xiaoli. She also saved many lives in our village. She is our village’s lucky star, so no one should dare to treat her lightly again."

"Yes, yes, I understand! If anyone dares to slander our Li’er, I’ll fight them to the death!" Gu Dalin clenched his fists. He knew that while he was drifting in and out of consciousness, it was Li’er who had fed him a large mouthful of water, saving his life.

"Second Grandpa, Dad, when we grow up, we’ll protect Sister!" Dashuang declared, standing before the bed with his small chest puffed out resolutely.

"Go on, your sister has me to protect her. You go protect your own wife in the future," Xiao Yunjing said, patting Dashuang’s head from behind.

Light laughter rippled through the room, and the initially heavy atmosphere instantly eased.

Gu Chang’an couldn’t help but smile as he looked at Dashuang’s flushed face. "Yes," he said, "in the future, you must protect your parents and your wife."

"That’s for sure, but I still have to protect my sister," Dashuang insisted stubbornly.

"Alright, you can protect your sister. Grow up quickly, Dashuang." Gu Qingli felt a warmth spread through her as she gently ruffled Dashuang’s hair.

"Mhm!" Dashuang nodded vigorously, his hand gripping Gu Qingli’s tightly.

"Ah, this is how it should be," Gu Chang’an said with a smile. This harmony and warmth—that’s what a family should be.

When he thought of Master Gu’s family, Gu Chang’an felt an urge to curse.

Seeing it was getting late, Gu Chang’an rose and took his leave.

Ms. Wu and Gu Qingli saw him out.

Afterward, Gu Qingli chatted with Ms. Wu and the others for a while before she and Xiao Yunjing headed back.

After they left, Gu Dalin handed the three documents to Ms. Wu. "Dear, keep these safe."

Ms. Wu accepted them, her eyes brimming with tears. "Don’t worry, Husband. These are what our family will depend on to live and thrive."

From now on, they would be their own masters. They would no longer be subject to their parents-in-law’s whims, nor would they need to serve others daily or toil like beasts of burden for them.

The couple let out a long sigh, as if expelling years of pent-up frustration.

「Five days passed by in a simple routine of eating and sleeping.」

One day, after breakfast, Xiao Yunjing prepared to go up the mountain. The snow had stopped that day, and he wanted to go up the mountain to take a look. Mostly, though, he missed his wife’s cooking.

When Gu Qingli came out and saw him, she asked, "Are you going up the mountain?"

"Yes, just to take a look."

"I’ll go with you."

Xiao Yunjing glanced at her. She’s not very tall, and her legs are short, he thought. She might sink into the snow and disappear. What would I do if I lost her?

"You don’t want me to?" Gu Qingli asked, tilting her head.

"Let’s go." Seeing her expression, he knew that if he left first, she would surely follow. It was better to take her with him; at least he could keep her safe.

Gu Qingli changed into a pair of leather boots, and the two of them started up the mountain from the back gate, Xiao Yunjing in front and her following behind.

Xiao Yunjing reached out to take her hand, but she refused; being pulled along would be more of a hindrance.

These past few days, Gu Qingli had been drinking Spiritual spring water daily. Her body had long since recovered; moreover, she had gained considerable strength and agility.

As a martial artist might say, her physique was extraordinary, a prime candidate for martial arts. Unfortunately, she was past the ideal age and, on top of that, a woman.

Now, such climbs and uneven paths were nothing to her.

Xiao Yunjing occasionally glanced back at her. He saw her keeping pace effortlessly, still full of energy, and couldn’t help but feel curious.

Such a delicate and petite frame, yet it holds so much power!

"Tired?" Xiao Yunjing asked, pulling her into his embrace once they reached the summit.

"Not tired," Gu Qingli replied, rolling her eyes at him. Can’t he see I’m not even out of breath?

Xiao Yunjing looked at her charmingly flushed face and couldn’t resist planting a couple of hearty kisses on her.

Gu Qingli pushed his face away. He was blocking her view of the snowscape. In her previous life, she had only ever seen such magnificent snowy vistas—that "northern landscape, a thousand leagues sealed in ice, ten thousand leagues of swirling snow"—on a computer screen.

Xiao Yunjing saw her looking around, captivated, and didn’t want to disturb her, so he simply held her as they admired the beautiful scenery.

Gu Qingli gazed down at the snow-covered village and the endless, silver-clad mountain range. Immersed in it, she felt as if she were about to merge with the ice and snow, to escape the complicated secular world.

Her spirit felt cleansed, utterly serene and ethereal.

If not for the warm body holding her, she would have loved to dance freely in this world of ice and snow.

"Seen enough? If we don’t head down soon, we won’t have any meat for lunch."

"Let’s go." Gu Qingli gathered her thoughts and followed Xiao Yunjing.

The snow on the mountain was thick, the only sound their footsteps crunching on its surface.

Gu Qingli mused silently. Making so much noise, could they really hunt anything? Perhaps only a truly foolish roe deer would wait around for them.

After walking for a while, Xiao Yunjing stopped. "Li’er, stay here and don’t move. I’ll be right back."

With the two of them moving together, any prey would have been scared off long ago.

Gu Qingli nodded. "Be careful."

"Mhm, don’t wander off. Wait for me here." With that, Xiao Yunjing circulated his inner energy, and his entire body soared up like a great bird taking flight.

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