Her third brother was only two years older than her.
Now, she, the younger sister, already had three children.
The oldest was over three, almost four years old.
Yet her third brother was not only unmarried but didn’t even have a girlfriend.
If it weren’t for him studying in Jing City, had he stayed in their hometown, their parents would probably be pressuring him to get married.
She remembered when she last went back to their hometown, her parents had expressed some worry about her third brother not being married yet.
Although they believed that children would have their own fortunes, and Old Man Gu and Yao Chunhua weren’t the type to pressure their children, still, Gu Yunzhou’s age was relatively advanced compared to others in the village.
They worried that he might end up alone for life.
They still hoped someone would be by his side.
They knew from experience how wonderful it was to have a partner to walk through life with.
Gu Yunzhou listened to his little sister’s teasing: …
He couldn’t help but recall his parents’ inquiries when he’d last returned home.
Well, after breaking the news to them this time, they’d probably have mixed feelings.
And that was indeed the case.
That evening, Gu Yunzhou found time to call home and tell them about the government-funded study abroad opportunity.
“This is wonderful news. Go, you must go.” Initially, Yao Chunhua hadn’t thought too deeply about it.
She just felt that being selected by the school, going to learn skills at public expense without having to pay—how great was that? He must be so talented and gifted to have been chosen.
She remembered that in the old days, if you wanted to learn a trade, you’d become an apprentice. Not only did you not get paid, but you sometimes had to pay the master. You might even work like a slave for years without learning anything substantial.
Now, the school was funding him to go to other countries to learn skills—how wonderful was that?
Although Yao Chunhua and her husband had never been abroad, they knew that certain countries had advanced technology.
Since it was advanced, he should go learn it and then bring it back to develop their own country.
Then, the next thing Gu Yunzhou said left them stunned.
“… I’ll be gone for at least four to five years!”
Yao Chunhua was speechless.
After Gu Yunzhou said this, both Yao Chunhua and Old Man Gu fell silent.
A heavy silence hung over the phone line.
After a long while, Yao Chunhua finally seemed to make a decision and let out a deep sigh. “Alright, go ahead, go. Just remember to call us often.”
“And also, don’t go bringing home a foreign wife…”
She hesitated, her face showing a struggle, then added, “Forget it, forget it, even if it is a foreign wife, that’s fine too. As long as you’re happy…”
Gu Yunzhou had already been surprised that his parents had agreed so readily.
Then his mother started talking about foreign wives, leaving him caught between laughter and tears.
“Mom, you and Dad were worried about me getting married before. Now that I’m going away for four to five years, aren’t you going to pressure me anymore?”
Yao Chunhua sighed. “What good would pressuring you do? Would you listen?”
“Besides, a good marriage can’t be forced.”
“Your parents have come to terms with it. No more pressuring, no more rushing. Let it happen naturally.”
“Actually, your father and I don’t mean to pressure you. We just don’t want you to grow old alone.”
“But later, I figured—even if you stay single, as long as you’re safe and happy, that’s enough.”
Not everyone has to follow the same path as others to be considered normal or successful.
What matters most is how you feel.
If it feels right to you, then it’s truly right.
If you compromise because of certain people or circumstances, the outcome is unlikely to be good.
Gu Yunzhou was stunned, then deeply moved.
In truth, Gu Yunzhou had always known that his parents, though not highly educated, had always been wonderful parents.
They had been so good and open-minded with all their children.
They never pressured them, only loved and protected them.
That was why, for him, his younger sister, and the rest of the Gu family, family was so important.
Because they were truly that wonderful.
Gu Yunzhou blinked, hiding the slight redness in his eyes, and said in a lighthearted tone, “Mom, Dad, don’t worry. Your son isn’t someone who swears off marriage.”
“I just haven’t met anyone I like yet. When I do, I’ll bring them home to meet you.”
Hearing this, Yao Chunhua and her husband finally felt reassured.
“That’s good to hear.”
“By the way, when do you leave for this study abroad program?”
“In about a month. But before that, I’ll come back home for a visit.”
“You can come home? That’s great, that’s great.”
After all, he would be gone for four to five years, and it was unlikely he’d get time off to return during that period. So before leaving, the school would let the students go home to spend time with their families.
After hanging up, Yao Chunhua immediately got busy with her husband.
Their third son was coming home soon.
He would be going to Country A for four to five years.
He’d be in a completely unfamiliar place—what if he had trouble adjusting to the climate or the food?
Yao Chunhua knew she was skilled at making pickled vegetables and some local snacks.
All her children loved the food she made.
So she planned to take this opportunity to prepare a large batch.
Most of it would be for her third son to take with him to Country A.
She wasn’t sure if packages could be sent once he got there.
So she needed to prepare everything in advance, making enough for him to bring along when he left.
She’d also set some aside for Ningning and her eldest son.
Meanwhile, Gu Yunnan and Su Miao, who had returned home after working in the orchards and herb gardens in the mountains, also heard the news about Gu Yunzhou’s government-funded study abroad opportunity.
They also learned that Yao Chunhua and her husband planned to make pickled vegetables and snacks for him to take along.
So they immediately joined in to help.
—
The news about Gu Yunzhou’s government-funded study abroad wasn’t something Yao Chunhua and her husband kept to themselves; they would mention it casually from time to time.
They didn’t treat it as a major event.
But in the eyes of the villagers and others, it was a big deal.
After all, in recent years, the Gu family had increasingly stood out in everyone’s eyes.
So any news about the Gu family was considered significant.
Gu Yunzhou getting into Jing City University had already been a major event.
Now, with him going abroad on a government-funded program, it was an even bigger deal.
“That third son of the Gu family is just too impressive! Government-funded study abroad—his grades and abilities must be outstanding.”
“Of course. Otherwise, would the school have chosen him?”
“Exactly. He’ll be gone for four to five years. Gu Yunzhou will be in his thirties by the time he comes back.”
“Yeah, he’s already a bit older now. Do you think Chunhua will make him go on blind dates and get married before he leaves?”
“No way. I already asked Chunhua about it. She said she’s not pressuring him, not forcing anything—just letting fate take its course.”
“Letting fate take its course? How can she do that? What if Gu Yunzhou never gets married, or ends up marrying a foreign wife?”
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