B5SB -Chapter 26 Rumors

Grandma Gu carried a small stool and deliberately stretched out her feet under the tree at the village entrance—her feet were practically reaching into the lap of an elderly woman.

This elderly woman was Liu Zhaodi’s mother-in-law.

Old Lady Zhou saw Grandma Gu wearing a pair of “liberation shoes” and said, “Aidang’s Mother, you actually wore these shoes? Aren’t they expensive?”

Everyone around was now staring at Grandma Gu’s shoes.

Grandma Gu immediately straightened up and said proudly, “Ah, it’s all thanks to my Hanhan. She bought a pair for me and a pair for my old man.”

“I told her not to, but she insisted, saying it was for her grandma and that spending money wasn’t a problem.”

The team leader Baoqing’s daughter-in-law looked at Grandma Gu with envy: “That Hanhan really is a filial child, isn’t she?”

“Of course! People always say raising a granddaughter isn’t as good as raising a grandson, but this granddaughter isn’t any less filial than a grandson. Those jealous people even said letting her study was foolish,” Grandma Gu said, deliberately stretching her feet so everyone could see. “A girl working at home can’t usually afford shoes this expensive.”

The surrounding women all complimented Grandma Gu: “Your child really has potential. The eldest grandson became a city man, and the youngest granddaughter is still so devoted.”

Grandma Gu’s vanity was thoroughly satisfied. “Of course, life’s comfortable like this.”

After showing off, she said, “It’s time. I have to go home and cook for my little granddaughter. She came back after a long time, so I’ll make something good for her.” With that, she picked up her small stool and happily went home.

Jiawang’s wife watched Grandma Gu’s retreating figure and sneered, “Bah, who knows what she’s been up to outside? How could a student afford such expensive shoes?”

Old Lady Zhou nodded in agreement. “Exactly! Our village has kids in middle school too. They’re all at school, so why is she home?”

She gestured, and the women around instinctively gathered in front of Old Lady Zhou.

“Think about it. That Hanhan has never worked in the fields. Her skin is snow-white. Once she goes to the city, wouldn’t everyone fawn over her?”

One of the aunts said, “You’re right. In these ten or so surrounding villages, no one can compare to her.”

Widow Zhao was also standing not far from the crowd. She already had a grudge against Gu Aidang and now relished in criticizing Gu Yihan even more.

“That girl might not even be pure. Who would dare marry my neighborhood’s little granddaughter? Just wait, she’ll be married off soon enough,” Widow Zhao interjected.

The people around went silent, not responding to her.

Widow Zhao, knowing the village women disliked her, scoffed: “You all should watch your own husbands. Why come to me for validation? What kind of skill is that?” She then twisted her waist and walked away.

“Bah, she’s just a cunning fox. She won’t end well,” Jiawang’s wife said through gritted teeth.

Village rumors spread faster than expected. After Gu Yihan returned to the village, she never left home again, nor did she go back to school.

Villagers speculated that she might be doing something improper at the commune, or that the girl was no longer “pure.”

Every time Grandma Gu went out, she noticed villagers giving her awkward, hesitant looks, which left her confused.

Meanwhile, Gu Yihan was in the courtyard explaining middle school concepts to Gu Meng. She had already received her elementary school diploma and was very studious.

Looking up, she saw Gu Aidang storming toward her. Before she could react, Gu Aidang slapped her hard, sending her sprawling to the ground.

Pointing at her, Gu Aidang shouted, “We sent you to school so you wouldn’t cause trouble outside, but you’ve ruined the reputation of the Gu family!”

Gu Yihan raised her hand to her burning cheek, her eyes flashing with the first real hatred she had ever felt for this person.

Seeing the look in Gu Yihan’s eyes, Gu Aidang was furious. “You are my daughter! I’ll kill you for embarrassing me like this!” He stepped forward, ready to grab her.

Grandma Gu, hearing the commotion in the kitchen, came out and saw Gu Aidang about to hit her granddaughter.

In a sharp voice she shouted: “Gu Aidang, dare touch her and see what happens! You heartless creature—you never raised her for a single day!”

She ran over, standing in front of Gu Yihan, and slapped Gu Aidang’s chest forcefully with both hands.

Gu Aidang, grabbing Grandma Gu’s hand, angrily said, “Mother, why are you protecting her? Don’t you know what the village is saying about her? That she’s not proper, flirting with men?”

Grandma Gu cried out: “You’re the problem! When others talk about your daughter, why don’t you punish them? You only act tough at home!”

“Hanhan is just a child! Those heartless people, they’re so despicable, even with sons… Who said such things? I’ll find them,” Grandma Gu said, ready to go out.

Gu Aidang immediately pulled her back. “Can you block the whole village? Everyone says girls don’t need so much schooling. You insisted she study. Now look, her reputation’s ruined!”

Grandma Gu trembled with anger, pointing at Gu Aidang: “You trust outsiders but not your own family. I pay for her schooling without touching your money!”

Gu Yihan stood up and, without saying a word, returned to her room, her gaze icy toward Gu Aidang.

Gu Aidang angrily said, “Mother, you see? That’s her attitude. Ungrateful! Wasting so many years raising her!”

Grandma Gu sighed in disappointment: “Second son, you’ll regret it someday.” She then left in a daze.

In the main house, Eldest Sister-in-law Gu, Wang Ni, looked at Gu Aiguo lying on the bed. “Do you think these village rumors are true? Will they affect our son’s chance of marrying?”

Gu Aiguo looked at his wife speechlessly. “True or not, I’m Hanhan’s biological uncle. Can’t I say anything?”

Eldest Sister-in-law Gu glared at him angrily: “If it were me, I wouldn’t have let her study. Look at our eldest daughter—never went to school, lived comfortably, had a healthy son in her first year of marriage, and immediately gained standing in her husband’s family.”

She sighed: “I wonder when Gu Hao will find a partner… he’s already 23.”

Gu Aiguo, annoyed, turned over in bed. “You want him to marry a village girl?”

Eldest Sister-in-law Gu hurriedly said: “That won’t do. Our son now eats city-grain food.”

Gu Aiguo squinted, yawned, and said: “Then let him find one himself. You don’t know any city girls. Fine, I’ll sleep now.”

Eldest Sister-in-law Gu watched Gu Aiguo fall asleep immediately and snorted: “Hmph, sleep tight.”

Grandma Gu wiped away tears in her room. “Old man, our granddaughter is promising, but she and daughter-in-law never got along. Now Hanhan and the second son are bound to grow apart.”

Grandpa Gu looked at her, puzzled: “She’s just a girl. When she’s of marrying age, she’ll go back to her parents’ home after getting married. What kind of ‘success’ are we talking about?”

Grandma Gu opened her mouth but then closed it. She had promised her granddaughter to wait until school started to discuss matters.

She could only mutter vaguely: “Even if I say, you wouldn’t understand.”

Grandpa Gu looked at her, confused, and didn’t press the issue.