Gu Chengchi arrived just in ti for dinner, and today his expression was markedly different from usual, showing a bit of excitent.
After everyone had set the table, Gu Chengchi, uncharacteristically, spoke before Mr. Gu, sharing the reason for his happiness.
"Dad! Doctor Li agreed to take as his apprentice. Starting tomorrow, I’ll officially begin learning dicine from him."
"What? Didn’t Doctor Li initially refuse? Why did he agree now?" He asked curiously. Everyone had heard about Gu Chengchi’s situation, after all, making multiple trips to Doctor Li’s house would pique anyone’s curiosity.
"Doctor Li said I’m earnest and persistent, which is why he accepted !" Gu Chengchi said with a shy smile, scratching his head as he explained Doctor Li’s reasoning.
"Xiao Bao! I won’t be learning characters with you anymore! Doctor Li said he would teach ." Because of the moving plans, learning characters had been put on hold, to resu after they had settled in their new ho.
"Fourth Brother! Congratulations! Your wish has co true! Uncle Li is a good man; since he agreed to teach you, he will do so wholeheartedly, so don’t let him down." Gu Chengyu was genuinely happy for them, believing that Gu Chengchi’s kind nature would ensure he took good care of their parents in the future.
"Fourth, it’s an unbelievable opportunity. You must treat Doctor Li well in the future. He’s only got one daughter, and since you’re his apprentice, you should take care of him in his old age and after his death — that’s your duty." In truth, Mr. Gu had been worried Doctor Li had taken a liking to Xiao Bao and would refuse, but unexpectedly, it worked out.
Gu Chengyu thought Doctor Li accepting Fourth Brother was likely because he was moved by Gu Chengchi’s persistence. Regardless, this was a good start. He believed that Fourth Brother would learn well since he truly loved dicine.
He muttered, wondering why such a good opportunity hadn’t co to her second and third sons.
"Today the village chief said that an official docunt ca down, and tomorrow the officials will arrive. Wife, prepare the silver; when the officials co, we will pay up." At this mont, Mr. Gu felt very fortunate that they had enough silver.
The whole village was in an uproar earlier; who could afford to pay eighteen taels? If not, they would have to send soone for labor, and everyone knew how dangerous this task of repairing the riverbank was, making it difficult to decide who to send.
It seed that many people from the village would be going for labor, though it was uncertain if they would all return safely.
"Mom! Didn’t Little Uncle say everyone in the family would get fabric? Take it out and let’s see!" He eagerly asked about the fabric after everyone’s matters were settled.
"Shouldn’t we wait until the dishes and cutlery are cleared? What if the fabric gets stained with soup?" Mrs. Lv snorted coldly at her impatience.
Once Mrs. Fang and the others cleared the dishes, Mrs. Lv took out all the fabric, asking He and Mrs. Fang to get scissors to asure everyone and prepare for cutting.
"Oh! This color is so pretty. Is it really for ? This color suits perfectly! Little Uncle indeed thought of , the second sister-in-law!" He admired the light purple fabric on herself repeatedly, unable to put it down.
Gu Chengyu twitched his mouth at those words; this second sister-in-law always had surprising things to say!
Mrs. Lv was enraged by He’s words, "Second family’s! You filthy-mouthed girl, what nonsense are you spouting? If you talk like that again, I’ll tear your mouth apart!" Her gaze was as sharp as an arrow, seemingly piercing through He.
Gu Chengyi was both amused and exasperated by this absurd woman; what was she saying? Could a second sister-in-law speak like this to her brother-in-law?
Receiving so many sharp looks, He finally realized, "Haha! Look at my mouth! I’m just praising Little Uncle!"
Saying that, Gu Chengyu felt bombarded again, wishing the topic would change.
Mrs. Fang glanced at He, focusing on the fabric in her hand. This was fine cotton cloth! She had never worn such material; indeed, Da Ya was right, following Little Uncle they might truly have better days ahead.
Er Ya and the others were also excited; they always had to wear adults’ altered clothes — when did they ever get to wear new clothing?
Once the fabric was cut, Mr. Gu estimated the ti, around early evening, and Gu Chengyu planned to practice writing for a bit. Although he had completed the teacher’s assignnts that afternoon, he needed more practice.
As the day darkened, the Gu family naturally latched the courtyard door; at this hour, no one would visit.
Just as Gu Chengyu spread out the paper, the courtyard door was suddenly knocked loudly, leaving Gu Chengyu puzzled about who the visitor might be.
"Oldest daughter’s family, go open the door!" Mrs. Lv shouted toward the east wing, since it was closer to the courtyard door.
"Alright! Coming!" At that mont, Mrs. Fang was on the kang sewing clothes for the family’s children. Country won may not know embroidery, but they all could sew clothes. The difference was only in whether the craftsmanship was fine and beautiful.
"I’ll go!" Gu Chengli saw that his wife and children were unusually joyful today, gathered on the kang discussing attractive clothing styles. This warm feeling seed absent for a long ti.
Reflecting on the past few years, Gu Chengli realized Mrs. Fang rarely smiled. Seeing her smiling face, he couldn’t bear to break the wonderful atmosphere.
"No idea who it is, go check!" Mrs. Fang noticed Gu Chengli going, then snuggled back onto the kang, focusing on making clothes again. The one in her hands was for Da Lang. Da Lang, a boy, grew fast; his clothes were already too short, exposing his wrists, so she made his first.
"Alright!" Gu Chengli stepped out of the east wing, noticing the west wing’s window was also open, yet the second family’s went unremarked. He recalled during the day, his second brother ntioned having lunch in the county city — they each only had two buns, totaling only four coins, yet the second brother gave him six coins, instructing him to hide it and not hand it to Dad.
When giving Dad the money, he truly hesitated, but ultimately didn’t give it. Keeping those six coins made him feel guilty, as if he was letting his parents down.
Touching the six coins in his pocket, Gu Chengli shook his head and quickly walked forward to open the latch.
"Big Brother!"
"Xi Zi? Why did you co back at this hour?" Gu Chengli was shocked to see Gu Xi outside the gate; it was almost dark, so why was Gu Xi returning at this ti?
"Big Brother! Let’s go inside first!" Gu Xi’s lips trembled, her face appearing quite anxious.
"Alright! Hurry in! I’ll call Dad and the others." Gu Chengli pulled Gu Xi into the courtyard and relocked the latch behind them.
"Dad! Xi Zi is back!" Gu Chengli called out while leading Gu Xi towards the main house.
Mrs. Lv, hearing the call, was puzzled. Xi Zi? Why co back at this ti?
"What? Quickly, let her in!" Mr. Gu was also a bit surprised upon hearing that his eldest daughter had returned.
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