CHAPTER 479: CHAPTER 479: OLD STORIES FROM THE PAST

Gong Zhuang thought about the hardships he had endured in the past, and he felt all sorts of discomfort.

Who would want to endure Gong Qiang’s attitude and listen to the gossip of his eldest brother and former sister-in-law just for a bite to eat and drink?

But for the sake of his stomach, even if he was unwilling, he had to endure it. Now that he had finally had his moment, how could he not be in a good mood?

"Big brother, you’ve forgotten the look you had when you said that to me back then, right." Gong Zhuang knew he was showing a bit of smugness at the moment.

Why shouldn’t he be smug? After all the effort to find a way, why not be a little boastful?

"Fourth brother, did you know that back then you had a great job opportunity? Originally, our class recommended Xiao Yu to the munitions factory." Gong Zhuang normally wouldn’t mention this; some things once passed should stay in the past.

Especially because later Gong Zheng developed quite well, Gong Zhuang wouldn’t want to be the villain, and besides, Gong Zheng wouldn’t care.

Now that Gong Zheng was struggling, learning such news might devastate him.

When Gong Zhuang learned about it, Gong Qiang was in a panic. When he learned about Dad’s intentions, he became anxious in various ways.

He was worried that Dad only had that one connection. If used for the fourth brother, how could Gong Xiaoyu use it in the future?

Indeed, Gong Qiang knew that after the old man refused to help him get into the munitions factory, he thought of saving the opportunity for his son later, never expecting that before his son could use it, it would go to the fourth brother. Gong Qiang was not happy to see such a scene.

"You, you’re talking nonsense, I would never do such a thing." Gong Qiang was naturally anxious. In the past, he wouldn’t have minded if Gong Zhuang mentioned it, but now it’s different.

Gong Zhuang would definitely not support him, but isn’t there still Gong Zheng? Although Gong Zheng was struggling, didn’t he have his father-in-law to rely on? Eventually, he’d make a comeback.

"Nonsense, I’m talking nonsense." Gong Zhuang looked at Gong Qiang’s panicked expression and felt relieved, "If the fourth brother had gone to work back then, who knows, he might have already found his footing, and at least Xiao Yu’s job could be settled."

Gong Zhuang was singing praises for Gong Zheng without pause, but it was just talk; he never thought Gong Zheng would be so generous to help a brother.

People said Gong Qiang lacked brotherly affection, but Gong Zheng wasn’t much better. But now was not the time to dwell on that since Zhang Lan favored either Gong Zheng or Gong Qiang; just say something she’d like to hear.

Zhang Lan had long forgotten about this incident, and hearing Gong Zhuang bring it up suddenly startled her. She nervously looked at Gong Zheng, worried he’d be displeased, but instead of being displeased, he seemed moved by what Gong Zhuang said.

Gong Zheng had been quietly sitting aside, his mind filled with chaos, feeling useless for not getting into college.

Gong Zheng genuinely couldn’t understand how a useless person like Gong Tao could get into college. He had no idea.

Regarding what Gong Zhuang said, he didn’t immediately grasp it, but once he understood, he saw his eldest brother and Gong Zhuang arguing.

Gong Qiang initially tried to explain, but he noticed Zhang Lan seemed moved, making him anxious; he couldn’t afford to offend Gong Zheng after having already upset Gong Tao and Gong Zhuang.

"Mom, don’t you think I’m right? My factory is good, the fourth brother’s factory is good, but is it better than the munitions factory?" Gong Zhuang was much more perceptive than Gong Qiang.

Upon seeing Zhang Lan a bit swayed, he swiftly changed his target and started persuading Zhang Lan instead.

If Zhang Lan relented first, no matter how fiercely Gong Qiang kicked up a fuss, it would be futile.

What? Entering the munitions factory? He once had a chance to work in the munitions factory? Gong Zheng was stunned to realize his elder brothers were fighting over this, and he was the subject in question.

Back then, he had asked Zhang Lan if she could talk to Dad about the opportunity to work at the munitions factory, but the response was that Dad said it wasn’t possible to get in. Gong Zheng had complaints at the time, but even Gong Dajiang had no way to help, so he had none either.

He couldn’t believe the reason he couldn’t go to the munitions factory was actually his own mother, the one who kept saying she loved him.

"Mom, answer me."

"Answer me." Gong Zheng grabbed Zhang Lan and loudly demanded an answer.

"I, I...," Zhang Lan, seeing Gong Zheng so frantic, panicked, "Fourth brother, don’t be like this, don’t be like this."

Seeing Gong Zheng grabbing Zhang Lan, Gong Zhuang felt glee, humph, let them tear each other apart; they used to connive in taking advantage of him and Gong Tao, now let them fight like dogs.

Feeling satisfied, Gong Zhuang knew he should urge caution, "Alright, Fourth brother, doing this will make Mom faint."

Humph, why not cause this old woman trouble? As long as Zhang Lan was around, Gong Qiang would keep stirring things up.

Gong Qiang also came to his senses and helped pull Gong Zheng away, "Fourth brother, are you mad? How can you treat Mom like this?"

Of course, Gong Qiang couldn’t bear to see Zhang Lan in harm’s way; Zhang Lan had a pension, and the family’s expenses depended on it.

Moreover, the reason they lived peacefully in this house was largely due to Zhang Lan’s presence; without her, Gong Qiang knew the other brothers except Gong Tao would definitely move back in.

Not to mention as long as Zhang Lan was there, she could go to the other brothers asking for favors, like Gong Tao.

Mad? Yes, "I am mad." Seeing Gong Qiang’s face condemning him, Gong Zheng felt all sorts of anger.

The matter wasn’t just caused by Zhang Lan, but if it hadn’t been for this good big brother, would his mother have refused to support him?

"I should hit you."

"With a brother like you, not seeing our worth, thinking it was only second brother who set you up, turns out I’ve been set up by you all along."

How could Gong Zheng swallow this? If Dad had sent him to the munitions factory, with his friend’s connection, he would’ve done much better by now.

"How can someone like you be called a big brother?"

"I’ve never seen someone so devoid of brotherly love, unable to stand seeing his other siblings succeed." Gong Zheng, being young and often working on the shop floor, naturally had more strength than Gong Qiang.

Plus, Gong Qiang was initially slow to react, allowing Gong Zheng to land several punches before realizing he’d suffered greatly.

Zhang Lan hadn’t yet caught her breath and saw her two favorite sons fighting, throwing her into a panic, "Stop fighting, stop fighting."

"Gong Zhuang, don’t just stand there dumbly." Zhang Lan saw Gong Zhuang pretending not to notice, standing aside, and felt frustrated.

If it hadn’t been for this kid, the fight wouldn’t have started, now he started the trouble and won’t clean up afterward, "They’re your brothers."

Looking at Zhang Lan, who was shouting for them to stop without doing anything to intervene, Gong Zhuang sneered.

Brothers? Hmph, such brothers he didn’t want, "Of course Fourth brother is angry, Mom, think about how Fourth brother will feel once he calms down."

Let them tear each other apart, if it weren’t for the parents’ favoritism and indulgence of Gong Qiang, how would the family have ended up like this? Glancing back, Gong Zhuang left without any regret.