Chapter 36 – Cutting Ties (Part 2)

“Old sister-in-law, I know why you’re here. I hope you don’t make a scene. This is your biological son — you’ve already hit him, so please just go home now.”

But Liu Shi (Madam Liu) yelled in front of everyone, scolding Gu Lao’er (Second Brother Gu):
“You heartless brat! Do you know I nearly lost my life giving birth to you? And now that I’m old, you don’t even show me any filial respect?”

The neighbors who had come to help couldn’t stand to hear this anymore. Granny Wang spoke up for Gu Hai Xiong:
“Little sister, you have three sons, but only this second one is truly filial. I remember when you were gravely ill and the doctor said you didn’t have much time left — it was this second son of yours who tried everything to save your life. And you still say he’s unfilial?”

“That’s not true! Don’t make things up!” Liu Shi replied, looking a bit guilty.

Granny Wang didn’t back down.
“Don’t lie with your eyes wide open. Everyone in the village knew you were seriously ill back then. Ask around if you don’t believe me. Let’s see if I’m lying or if you just don’t want to admit the truth.”

The neighbors watching chimed in to confirm:
“She really was very ill back then. If not for the care of her second son’s family, she might not even be alive today.”
“That’s right, old sister-in-law. As an elder, it would be reasonable for you to come and help. But if you’re just here to stir up trouble, then don’t come causing grief. Go home. I’m sure your son will invite you to his daughter’s wedding banquet.”

The village chief waited for Liu Shi’s response.

But unexpectedly, it was Gu Lao’er who answered first:
“Village Chief, there’s no need to say more. When she refused to help save my daughter, I no longer considered her my mother. My mother died years ago — to me, she’s now just a stranger.”

Everyone was shocked to hear this from the famously honest and good-natured second brother of the Gu family — even Liu Shi herself was stunned.

When she came to her senses and tried to hit her “filial” son again, the village chief stopped her.

“Old sister-in-law, you want to hit your son again? While I’m here, don’t even think about it.”

Then the village chief turned to Gu Lao’er:
“Second Brother Gu, why do you want to cut ties with your mother? Tell us the real reason. If she’s wrong, I’ll stand by you.”

Gu Lao’er didn’t want to ruin his daughter’s reputation again, so he only said:
“She knows exactly what she did wrong. If she and the others don’t agree to cut ties today, then I’ll have no choice but to publicly expose the disgraceful things my brother and sister-in-law did.”

Liu Shi panicked upon hearing that. If her son really revealed everything in front of everyone, they’d never be able to hold their heads up in the village again.

Fine — if this brat wants to sever ties, let him. She still has two more sons. Even if this one abandons her, she can rely on the others.

So she took the initiative and responded in front of the crowd:
“You little brat! After all I’ve done raising you, you actually want to sever ties? Fine! With all these people as witnesses, I agree. From now on, don’t come begging your mother for anything!”

And with that, Liu Shi stormed off.

Everyone watching laughed out loud at her obviously guilty retreat.

But now it was Gu Lao’er who started to cry.

After all, she was still his biological mother, and he had just ruthlessly cut ties with her. If others in the village didn’t know the full story, they might start gossiping.

So he decided to explain everything to the village chief the next day — just in case this issue escalated. For now, his priority was helping his daughter get ready for her wedding.

He went into the house to check all the items they’d prepared.

There was the wedding dress, a bronze mirror for Gu Le You to use while dressing up, hair tools like combs and picks, as well as bedding like quilts and pillows, and kitchenware — ceramic bowls, plates, and pots.

Unsure if it was enough, he called in someone knowledgeable — Granny Wang — to take a look.

After inspecting everything, Granny Wang nodded with approval.
“Second Brother Gu, don’t worry. This is more than enough. We’re just ordinary folk — this is a solid dowry. Once we finish decorating outside, everything will be perfect.”

At that moment, Lin Shi walked in, a little worried.
“Do you think that young man might miss something important in the preparations? Should we go help?”

Granny Wang responded:
“Before the wedding, the groom’s family will carefully decorate the bridal room. They’ll set up the wedding bed and scatter red dates, peanuts, longans, and lotus seeds on it — symbols of fertility and prosperity. They’ll also hang red curtains to create a festive atmosphere.

As for the wedding attire, the groom usually wears a long red robe with auspicious patterns. They’ll also prepare ceremonial items like red candles, the character ‘Double Happiness’, and mats for bowing during the wedding ritual.”

Gu Hai Xiong added:
“You’re overthinking it. Our son-in-law has been married once before — he knows what needs to be done. And even if he forgets something, the neighbors will help him out.”

“You’re right,” Lin Shi said. “We’re just worrying too much. Let’s focus on our side of things. There’s still a lot to prepare for tomorrow.”

“You should spend these couple of days with our daughter,” Gu Hai Xiong told his wife. “Teach her some life lessons — that’s a mother’s job. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me as her father.”

Granny Wang chimed in again with a smile,
“You two are really too cautious. If you run into any trouble or questions, just come ask me — I’m always happy to help.”

Then she went back outside to keep helping, and the couple followed her out.

At lunchtime, Gu Le Shu (the younger brother) came home. Seeing the joyful atmosphere in the house, he suddenly felt a bit sad.

He hadn’t even spent much time with his sister yet, and now she was about to get married.

At that moment, Gu Le You was helping in the kitchen. When she heard someone calling her brother’s name outside, she knew he was back from school. She quickly dropped what she was doing and ran out.

The moment Gu Le Shu saw his sister come out, he couldn’t hold back his emotions any longer — he burst into tears.