Chapter 3: Catching a Slap Barehanded

Gu Congshuang skipped home like a giddy girl, but the moment she reached the doorway, a wave of claustrophobia washed over her.

Her family lived in a dilapidated shophouse, one of many families squeezed into a six-story building. The narrow alleyway, lacking sunlight, resembled the cramped “handshake buildings” of today.

The Gu family was an ordinary working-class family with meager income.

Gu Qinshan, her father, was a mechanic at an auto factory, earning a mere thirty-five yuan a month. Her mother had no steady job, eking out a living by making cardboard boxes and selling vegetables, earning at most eight yuan a month.

Her older brother, Gu Congjun, had joined the army, leaving her father to support her younger brother, Gu Congli, making their finances extremely tight.

Their mother, Li Yuqin, was openly biased towards her sons. Gu Congshuang did all the housework and waited on the family hand and foot, while her brother lived like a pampered prince, criticizing her at the slightest inconvenience.

Despite her excellent academic record, her family almost forced her to drop out of school and marry to save money for her brother’s education and living expenses. Only after a fierce argument and intervention from her homeroom teacher did Li Yuqin, ashamed, relent.

After the restoration of the college entrance examination, Gu Congshuang immediately took it, but failed. She had to find work in a city factory. Her childhood lack of affection, coupled with her exam failure, fueled her obsession with Lin Wanxing, hoping marriage would free her from her biased family.

However, Mo Wanwan’s appearance shattered her hopes, twisting her feelings into something dark and twisted.

Gu Congshuang entered the house, intending to slip into her room to change, but her brother, just home from school, caught her.

“Mom! Look what Sister’s done again!”

“I heard from school that Sister had another fit, trying to force Brother Lin to break up with his girlfriend. When he refused, she jumped into the river. It’s actually true!”

Gu Congli, carrying a green satchel and sporting a crew cut, had a malevolent glint in his dark eyes.

Li Yuqin, wearing an apron, emerged from the kitchen. Seeing Gu Congshuang’s disheveled state, she exploded.

“You ungrateful, disloyal wretch! I’ve raised you for years, and now you’re acting like a cheap hussy! If this gets out, how will you ever get married?”

Li Yuqin raised her hand to slap Gu Congshuang.

In the past, Gu Congshuang would have endured it silently, but her gaming skills were top-tier. As Li Yuqin struck, Gu Congshuang caught her wrist. (￣_,￣ )

Li Yuqin was stunned. Her usually docile daughter was fighting back.

“You shameless, good-for-nothing! You’re defying your mother!” Li Yuqin tried to pull away, but couldn’t.

“Mom, what kind of talk is that? If I’m shameless, what does that make you?” (¬‿¬)

The retort stunned Li Yuqin. Accustomed to her own harsh words, she was speechless.

“You dare fight back? I…” Li Yuqin raised her other hand, only to have it firmly grasped by Gu Congshuang.

“Don’t you have any respect for your mother?” Li Yuqin’s face twisted with rage.

“Mom, do you even treat me like your daughter? I do all the laundry, cooking, and even tutor my brother. Are you aware of his grades? He’s always last in his class, and you’ve paid for him to repeat grades multiple times. He’s almost eighteen and still in middle school, constantly demanding money.”

“What’s it to you that I’m last? Don’t think you’re so great just because you’re top of the class.”

Gu Congli, enjoying the spectacle, pulled them apart. His height and strength easily sent Gu Congshuang sprawling.

Gu Congshuang landed hard, scraping her palm. She hissed in pain, then coldly laughed, “Mom, look at that. Does he even act like a brother? Your favoritism is extreme.”

Li Yuqin, hands on her hips, declared, “I bore you, so I can do as I please. Why are you complaining? If you don’t like it, fine. I’ll marry you off to Liu Guoqiang tomorrow!”

Gu Congshuang’s heart sank. Liu Guoqiang was the abusive husband from the book!

She thought Ye Bei’s appearance had changed the plot.

“I won’t marry him!”

“It’s not your choice. I’ve already received his bride price – 666 yuan, plus a bicycle and radio. I was going to tell you later, but you’re backtalking. If you don’t want to stay here, then leave!”

“Liu Guoqiang is a divorced man with two sons. I heard he beat his wife so badly she almost died. Mom, you’re marrying me off to someone like that?”

Gu Congshuang, though she’d read the book, only felt frustrated then. Now, experiencing it firsthand, she felt horror and disgust. Could parents really be like this?

“Those are rumors. ‘Spare the rod, spoil the child.’ If he was abusive, why did she have several sons? Is she stupid? Liu Guoqiang says the abuse is a lie, jealous neighbors spreading rumors. He’s a fine man, good enough for you. He owns several restaurants and has connections. If you don’t want to marry, plenty of girls would.”

Li Yuqin, initially hesitant, grew arrogant. This was a good match! She’d raised Gu Congshuang for twenty years, and this was the best she could do.

She was doing this for Gu Congshuang’s own good, finding her a wealthy husband. It was better than a life of poverty with Gu Qinshan.

Gu Congshuang remembered the later plot – Liu Guoqiang beating her senseless. She wouldn’t let that happen. She’d just transmigrated, the original owner had no money, and this place was like a beginner’s village. Even if she wanted to escape, she couldn’t without money.

She thought of something and steeled her resolve.

“I won’t marry him. Because I’m already married. My husband is a navy second lieutenant!”

The statement stunned everyone. Gu Congli’s eyes gleamed with malicious excitement.

Li Yuqin grabbed a feather duster and slammed it on the table. “You’ll be the death of me! Who is he? Your household registration book is with me. How did you get married?”