Anning hung up the phone and showed Grandma Gu a smile.
When she smiled, she revealed eight teeth, each as white as jade, shimring with a cold light in the sun.
Grandma Gu felt inexplicably afraid upon seeing this smile.
She patted her buttocks and stood up: "You little brat, you..."
"Grandma, Uncle Gu said he will be here in a while, and he also ntioned going out to eat. If you’re not happy with that, how about we go out to eat and bring so takeout back for you?"
Grandma Gu certainly didn’t want to stay at ho alone.
"Why should I stay ho? I want to go out to eat too."
"Then you seem quite willing, so what was all the fuss about just now?"
Anning ca close to saying that Grandma Gu was just making a scene because she had too much free ti.
Mrs. Gu watched Anning talking back to Grandma Gu and couldn’t help but snicker, even secretly giving a thumbs-up to Anning in approval.
After waiting for about fifteen minutes, Uncle Gu’s family arrived.
Then after a while longer, Aunt Gu and Uncle Gu also showed up.
With everyone gathered, they tidied up and went to the cetery to pay their respects. Once the ancestral worship was complete, it was ti for lunch.
Uncle Gu suggested with a smile, "Let’s go eat at Ju You Pavilion."
Ju You Pavilion was one of the more upscale restaurants in the county, with a nice environnt and good food, though a bit pricey.
If it had been earlier on, Mr. Gu certainly would have been reluctant to go there since it would cost a fair amount of money.
But this year, he was more confident financially and agreed without a second thought.
For Aunt Gu, there was even less of an issue since, after all, she was the richest among the siblings.
So, the large family group went to Ju You Pavilion.
They were reasonably early, and private rooms were available, so Uncle Gu requested one.
Once they were seated inside, Aunt Gu began to inquire of Mrs. Gu, "Sister-in-law, didn’t my older brother say Ningning is going to First Middle School? He even borrowed money from earlier. In my opinion, Ningning is doing just fine at Shengzhe; why switch schools? As long as the studies are good, isn’t it the sa everywhere?"
After she finished addressing Mr. Gu, she turned to Anning and said, "Ningning, Shengzhe is a good school, full of kids from wealthy families. You could make many contacts there. Your dad isn’t in good health, and your mom doesn’t have a proper job. Rember to cozy up to those classmates who co from powerful and influential families. If you flatter them well, you might just help your parents land a comfortable and respectable job. Don’t you think I’m right?"
Aunt Gu laughed upon hearing this: "Exactly, with Ningning’s looks, even without studying much, she won’t have any troubles in the future. With her appearance, she could marry into a good family, and then she’d never have to worry about food or clothes for the rest of her life."
Mr. and Mrs. Gu’s faces turned unsightly in an instant upon hearing this.
Aunt Gu and Aunt Gu’s words were like needles piercing their hearts.
The words were so insulting that Mr. Gu couldn’t ignore them even if he wanted to.
"Our Anning is focused solely on studying and doesn’t bother with other things."
Mrs. Gu chuckled dryly, "In our family, we don’t care about appearances, and we don’t want our child to grovel for a job. We are not snobs."
Aunt Gu sneered, "You can’t say that. What I’m suggesting is a shortcut. Nowadays people scorn the poor rather than the prostitutes. If you have money, everything is good. Your family is poor, with no impressive heritage, and it’s almost impossible for Ningning to marry into a wealthy family. But with her looks, she’ll definitely have plenty of admirers. Maybe Ningning could beco a star and make so money, or being soone’s mistress isn’t bad either..."
Mr. Gu felt like flipping the table upon hearing this.
Is this sothing an elder should say? Anning is just a kid, a minor, and Aunt Gu doesn’t mince her words, spewing such pointed remarks. Mr. Gu couldn’t stand it anymore.
He was about to retort at Aunt Gu when Anning smiled and spoke up.
Anning picked up the water pitcher and filled a cup for Aunt Gu: "Aunt, those must be your own thoughts, aren’t they? Hey, Aunt, you’re quite attractive too. Why did you marry Uncle Gu back then? Why didn’t you think of marrying into a wealthy family or becoming a wealthy man’s mistress? If you had money, would you need to grovel? Just a little support from you, and my parents wouldn’t have any worries."
Anning sighed with a smile, "It seems my Grandma didn’t think it through. Grandma, why didn’t you co up with this idea?"
She looked at Aunt Gu with a tsk-tsk sound, "But it’s not too late. Aunt, you still look young and beautiful. If you were to find another man..."
Uncle Gu’s donkey face had already fallen, his expression dark and grim.
Aunt Gu was also furious, "What kind of way is that to talk as a child?"
"I’m speaking the truth."
Anning smiled innocently, "Didn’t Aunt say we should find soone rich and powerful? Since you said that, you must have thought about it."
Aunt Gu laughed awkwardly to smooth things over for Aunt Gu: "Your aunt ans well for you. Nowadays, pretty young girls are so pragmatic. Your aunt just wants your family to have a better life so your father can relax a bit."
"Oh, is that so."
Anning nodded with a smile, "Then I should really thank Aunt."
She took a sip of water from her cup, "It’s such a pity that your family has a son but didn’t have a beautiful daughter like . If you had a daughter, that would definitely be less worry for you."
Anning turned to look at Aunt Gu: "Aunt, you don’t know, but my Grandma had such a temper last night. She kicked our whole family out in the middle of the night. We almost ended up holess on the streets. Grandma also said she has a grandson, Brother An Kang is so good to her, she won’t be depending on in the future."
Aunt Gu’s smile beca quite awkward: "How can she say that? You are her granddaughter. If she doesn’t count on you, who can she count on?"
Anning shrugged, "Then you should have a good talk with Grandma. You can’t be so biased towards males. Oh, that’s not right. You should tell Grandma this, eggs shouldn’t be put all in one basket. You have to be careful in case the chickens fly away and the eggs break. Sure, Brother An Kang is filial, but who can predict the future? What if Brother An Kang doesn’t live well in the future, and he himself can’t even afford als, how could he spare the energy to take care of you? And let’s say Brother An Kang does live well, but what if he marries a harsh wife? By then, both you and Aunt Gu might have to beg on the streets. Could you say you won’t ask for a bite of food when you pass by my door?"
With just this conversation, both Grandma Gu and Aunt Gu slamd their fists on the table.
Especially Grandma Gu, she pointed at Anning’s nose and scolded, "You little wretch, why do you have such venomous thoughts? Are you cursing your brother or what? I always said there’s not a single good one in your family..."
Anning was unbothered and replied with a smile, "I’m just stating the truth. Who knows what the future holds? What if... Grandma, can you guarantee that Brother An Kang will definitely make a fortune and definitely marry an extrely filial and patient daughter-in-law?"
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