Chapter 266 - 266: I’m Very Lucky
“Why?” Gu Zi hugged his leg, her voice soft and curious.
Su Shen straightened up, his tall frame casting a shadow over her as he blocked the sunlight. “Whether our parents’ generation was rich or poor wasn’t a choice they had. Not every era had the opportunity for reform and openness, and we didn’t always live in peaceful and stable times,” he explained.
Su Shen understood the value of peace better than most. He knew that it was a rare and precious commodity. For a country to prosper and its people to be happy, a peaceful environment was a necessity.
Unfortunately, since the fall of the Qing Dynasty, the fate of the country had been tumultuous. Now, it seemed like things were finally settling down. In their parents’ time, given the national circumstances, most people lived in poverty, and they had little chance of escaping it. It wasn’t due to a lack of effort, but rather the country’s need for development.
Gu Zi couldn’t help but ask, “So, do you believe our country will prosper in the future?”
Su Shen replied confidently, “Why not? Most of our parents were ordinary people, and we don’t expect them to provide us with much. They couldn’t even if they wanted to. But our generation lives in a time filled with opportunities. We can work hard and create better lives for ourselves. There’s no reason to doubt our country’s potential for prosperity.”
A smile spread across Gu Zi’s face as the worries that had clouded her mind since Aunt Yang’s ordeal began to dissipate. “You have such wisdom, Su Shen. It’s no wonder you’ve risen above adversity. I’m truly grateful that I had the chance to meet you,” she said.
Gu Zi resonated with Su Shen’s perspective. The fate of a nation had a profound impact on the destinies of families and every citizen. Family and country were intricately connected, and their fortunes were often intertwined. When the country thrived, so did its people. Sometimes, personal abilities couldn’t overcome the constraints of poverty.
Gu Zi recognized that this was why Su Shen, as a soldier, always prioritized his military duties above all else. He understood that as long as the country was strong and stable, its citizens wouldn’t suffer unduly. It was his way of protecting those he cared about.
Su Shen couldn’t fathom why Gu Zi suddenly broached this topic, but her words put him at ease. He realized that, in her heart, his position as her husband now held more significance than her past love. The tension he had been carrying over the past few days gradually dissipated, replaced by a deep sense of honor in being Gu Zi’s husband.
“I’m heading back to the pig farm. I’ll be back for lunch,” Su Shen announced before leaning down to kiss Gu Zi. She, in turn, continued her task of cleaning wild onions and headed to the kitchen to wash them.
Just as she had begun cooking rice, a commotion erupted outside. Curious, she went to investigate and found a woman in her fifties kneeling at the doorstep, with Su Jing and a few villagers as witnesses.
Upon seeing Gu Zi, the woman burst into tears and even kowtowed before her, pleading, “You’re Gu Zi, aren’t you? I beg you, please have mercy and let our Tian Hai and the old man go! Show us a way out!”
Gu Zi exchanged a look with Su Jing, whose demeanor remained composed, not indicating any involvement in this situation. It didn’t seem like she had incited Tian Hail s mother to cause a scene, especially after their previous reconciliation.
There was only one plausible explanation – Tian Hails mother had insisted on coming, and Su Jing had merely followed along as she was still a part of the Tian family. But Gu Zi couldn’t comprehend why Su Jing hadn’t severed ties with Tian Hai. Was her attachment to him so deep that she couldn’t let go?
Nonetheless, Gu Zi had no intention of prying further. Su Jing was an adult, and she had the autonomy to make her own choices.
Facing the woman kneeling before her, Gu Zi replied coolly, “You make it sound as if I’ve harmed your son. If you’re here to beg for leniency, you’ve come to the wrong place. You should go to the police station. And if you’ve come to apologize, I don’t believe there’s any need for that.”
She then turned her attention to Su Jing, who calmly stated, “Don’t worry about me. I just came back to take a look.”
Gu Zi, being straightforward, didn’t beat around the bush. She said plainly, “I wanted to invite you inside. You’re Su Shen’s sister, after all. How could you not come home? But if you’re here to echo Tian Hai’s mother, then I don’t welcome you here..”