Sheng Zexi: But I just have a bad feeling about this.
A father’s ominous premonition!
However, after being warned by Gu Jianing, Sheng Zexi didn’t dare say anything more.
But…
Qin Tian felt like someone was staring at him whenever he played with Yueyue.
Yet, whenever he turned to look, there was no one there.
That said, everyone had noticed Yueyue’s special fondness for Qin Tian.
Take Gou Dan, for example. Before, Xingxing, Yueyue, and Gou Dan used to play together all the time—the three little ones had even been through tough times together.
After Xingxing and Yueyue moved to the capital, they still wrote letters and called Gou Dan from time to time.
But it was obvious that Yueyue treated Gou Dan and Qin Tian differently.
She simply preferred being with Qin Tian—she loved hugging and kissing him.
And Qin Tian, in turn, doted on Yueyue endlessly.
Not just because she was Gu Jianing’s daughter, but also because Yueyue was adorable, with a sweet mouth that charmed everyone.
During meals, Yueyue always chose to sit next to Qin Tian.
While eating, Qin Tian took care of her, picking up whatever she wanted the moment her eyes lingered on a dish.
And Yueyue would sweetly say, “Thank you, Brother Xiaotian!”
She’d flash a bright smile and even occasionally serve Qin Tian some food in return.
Watching this, Sheng Zexi was practically drowning in jealousy.
You little brat, Yueyue, you’re so biased! You’ve never served your own father food before!
Yueyue remained completely oblivious to her father’s resentful gaze, still clinging closely to Qin Tian.
Qin Tian, however, sensed something was off.
He looked down at the piece of braised pork Yueyue had just given him. His master’s husband was staring at it so intensely it might as well have burned a hole through the meat.
Qin Tian had a strong feeling that eating this pork would lead to trouble.
So, he quickly picked it up with his chopsticks and offered it. “Uncle—”
But before he could finish, Sheng Zexi let out a light hum, ignoring him as he turned to Gu Jianing instead. “Darling, I want some braised pork.”
Gu Jianing: Are you a child? Why are you being so petty?
But since this 300-month-old “big child” was her husband, she had no choice.
She served him an extra-large piece of braised pork.
Sheng Zexi chewed on the pork while shooting a triumphant look at Qin Tian, as if saying, See? My wife gave me pork too. Who needs yours?
Wait—why was he even competing over this?
This silent war continued until Qin Tian had to leave.
When it was time for Qin Tian to go, Yueyue was reluctant to let him.
Her eyes reddened as she tugged at his sleeve, refusing to let go. “Brother Xiaotian, you have to come visit me often, okay?”
“Of course, I will. Be good at home, Yueyue.”
“Mm!”
Still unwilling to part, Yueyue gave Qin Tian one last kiss.
In the end, Qin Tian fled the courtyard as if escaping for his life-any longer, and he feared his master’s husband’s glare alone might kill him.
That stare was terrifying!
By the time Gu Jianing’s family had lived in the capital for a year, it was already the end of 1982, approaching 1983.
Over the past year, many things had happened.
For example, back in Huaihua Village, the approved homestead now had a three-story Western-style house fully built on it.
The Gu family had even chosen an auspicious day to move in.
They became the first household in the village to build such a house.
And it had to be said—the house was impressive. From the outside, it looked grand, and inside, it was spacious.
The entire village was envious.
Everyone worked hard, dreaming that one day they, too, could build such a beautiful, spacious Western-style home.
And honestly, it wasn’t just a dream.
In the nearly two years since then, the villagers had followed Gu Yunnan’s lead in contract farming, and their efforts were thriving.
Whether it was rice-paddy fish farming or cultivating medicinal herbs and fruit trees in the mountains, Gu Yunnan’s ventures had steadily turned a profit.
Others in the village who joined him in contract farming also made money, some more, some less.
With their pockets fuller, life had improved for everyone.
People walked around with smiles on their faces.
Newspapers had already begun reporting on “ten-thousand-yuan households.”
Even in the county town, small street vendors and businesses were popping up everywhere—the economic environment was becoming more and more open.
As for Gu Yunting, his three twenty-plus-story commercial residential buildings had also been completed.
These were the first of their kind in Haicheng, earning him a feature in the newspaper.
At first, many had been skeptical.
Who would buy such tall, expensive buildings?
But contrary to expectations, after Gu Yunting followed Gu Jianing’s marketing advice, the units sold out within days of going on the market.
Gu Yunting and his wife were overjoyed.
“Jianing said that ever since educated youth were allowed to return to the cities, the urban population has grown, and housing has been in short supply.”
“Plus, with the economy developing rapidly, people’s lives are improving, and families are having more children.”
“More children mean more need for housing.”
“So Jianing said commercial housing is worth building—in fact, we should build even more, because it’ll definitely sell.”
Truthfully, Gu Yunting had initially lacked confidence, but after talking with his younger sister, he felt reassured.
For some reason, he just knew she had more foresight than they did.
If she said it would work, then it would.
And reality seemed to prove her right.
“That’s why we should listen to Jianing more.”
“Exactly! From now on, I’m buying more land and building more commercial housing!”
Gu Yunting was brimming with confidence and ambition for the future.
As 1982 turned into 1983, Gu Jianing’s family didn’t return to Huaihua Village for the New Year—only the third brother, Gu Yunzhou, went back.
On this New Year’s Eve, Gu Jianing’s family gathered in the courtyard house, joined by Grandpa Sang, Grandma Sang, and even Sheng Xinhào.
Over the past year in the capital, their relationship with Sheng Xinhào had softened considerably.
So this year, Sheng Zexi had not only invited Grandpa and Grandma Sang but also Sheng Xinhào to celebrate together.
Sheng Xinhào was over the moon.
This meant his son’s attitude toward him had finally warmed.
Right now, Sheng Xinhào was in the courtyard, carrying Tuantuan on his back while playing “Eagle Catches Chicks” with Xingxing and Yueyue, filling the yard with laughter.
Grandpa Sang watched the old man with a quiet huff but didn’t say anything.
Truth be told, Grandpa and Grandma Sang still held some resentment toward Sheng Xinhào.
But most of that resentment stemmed from how Sheng Xinhào had neglected and mistreated Sheng Zexi after marrying Fang Wanrong.
As for their daughter, Sang Yǔwǎn…
She had passed away from illness, and that wasn’t Sheng Xinhào’s fault. After all, he hadn’t caused her death.
“If only A-Wǎn hadn’t followed that old man to the border back then… would things have turned out differently?” Grandma Sang murmured softly.
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