CHAPTER 274: CHAPTER 271: CINDERELLA’S TURNAROUND 16 (BONUS CHAPTER FOR SEPTEMBER MONTHLY TICKETS)

Anning’s family found a hotel to stay in.

Mrs. Gu was worried about Anning staying in a room by herself, so she shared a room with Anning and let Mr. Gu have his own room.

When it was time to lie in bed after freshing up, Mrs. Gu couldn’t sleep at all.

She began talking to Anning.

"Ningning, the things you said today were so satisfying. For so many years, your grandma has always looked down on you and me. I can’t count how many times I’ve put up with her attitude. I initially thought since she is your father’s mother, I should endure it for his sake. I never thought that today my daughter would stand up for me."

Mrs. Gu was genuinely pleased.

After years of suppressed frustration, a part of it was finally released, and Mrs. Gu excitedly talked non-stop.

"Ningning, no matter how much your grandma looks down on you, you’re still more outstanding than Ankang. Gu Ankang is spoiled by your Uncle Gu and his family. He’s failing in his studies, and he’s useless at work. Despite the fact that our family isn’t that well off, he lives in luxury as if he’s some Eldest Young Master. If this goes on, they will be the ones to suffer in the future."

Anning listened with a smile as Mrs. Gu vented, "Mom, it doesn’t matter if Grandma is good to you or not. As long as Dad and I treat you well, that’s enough. We’ve bought a new house now, and in a while, you and dad will refurbish your shop and open for business. By then, customers will flood in like water, think about how much money we will make. Also, I’ll study hard, so in the future, you and Dad can be proud of me, and others will respect you when they mention your names, okay?"

Mrs. Gu, thinking about that beautiful life, nearly laughed out loud with joy, "Alright, I’m looking forward to living the good life with you. I’ll definitely have a talk with Grandma and ask her where on earth my Ningning falls short."

The mother and daughter talked a lot throughout the night, and Mrs. Gu eventually fell asleep from exhaustion.

Mr. Gu in the next room couldn’t sleep either.

He thought about the words Grandma Gu had said and how they were driven out of the home in the middle of the night, which completely chilled his heart.

Even though Anning had confronted Grandma Gu, everything she said was correct. If Grandma Gu hadn’t incessantly praised Ankang while belittling Anning, Anning wouldn’t have been so upset to talk back to Grandma Gu.

Mr. Gu thought, if Ankang and Grandma Gu had argued today, she definitely wouldn’t have gotten angry. She might have even smiled and agreed with Ankang, let alone drive his older brother’s family out.

They had rushed home from picking up Anning after school. Because they were in such a hurry, they hadn’t eaten much for dinner. They were all exhausted when they got home, but there was not a hot cup of Water, not a word of greeting. They had a home, yet they had to stay in a hotel, which made Mr. Gu want to cry.

He realized that Grandma Gu truly didn’t care about her son.

Mr. Gu lay alone on the bed for a while.

He thought to himself there was no point in having expectations; he had never been the favorite since he was little. He was already of considerable age, with a daughter in high school; what else could he hope for?

He no longer hoped for that elusive affection from his mother, his brother, and his sister.

Now, he had a wife and a daughter, and going forward, they were his family, they were the closest people to him.

Mr. Gu also thought about the years of grievances Mrs. Gu had suffered from Grandma Gu.

He felt quite guilty towards Mrs. Gu.

Since they got married, he had never given Mrs. Gu a good life. She always had to put up with scolding and grievances because of him.

Mr. Gu’s eyes welled up with tears, he vigorously rubbed them, and forced a smile.

He thought he must treat his wife and daughter better in the future; he could not let them suffer with him anymore, not even from his mother.

That night, there was no peace for Anning’s family.

When they got up early, Mr. Gu was already washed and ready. He didn’t suggest going to Grandma Gu’s for a meal but instead took Anning and Mrs. Gu for a good breakfast at a diner.

After eating, the family packed up and went to Grandma Gu’s place.

Seeing Anning’s family arrive, Grandma Gu put on a sour face, "I didn’t make any food for you all."

Mr. Gu chuckled, "We’ve already eaten before coming here."

Grandma Gu turned and went inside the house.

Mr. Gu, along with Mrs. Gu and Anning, headed to the room where their family used to stay in the past years. After putting down their belongings, Grandma Gu called out to him from outside.

Mr. Gu hurried out.

Grandma Gu began instructing Mr. Gu: "You’re not busy anyway, so hurry up and go buy some groceries. Remember to get some ribs to stew in rib soup – Ankang loves that. And make sure to get chicken and fish as well, and buy a bottle of good liquor, your brother loves to drink... Hurry and go buy them, then come back and start cooking early."

In the past years, it was always Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu who bought the groceries and slaved away in the kitchen for half a day, while Uncle Gu’s family just showed up to eat.

This year, Grandma Gu instructed them the same way.

But Anning did not want her parents to work so hard anymore.

If it just meant spending a bit more money, making a bit more effort to receive some praise, then that would be fine.

The key issue was that Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu both spent money and effort, yet in the end Grandma Gu did not appreciate it, and they were also pricked by harsh words from Uncle Gu’s wife, Anning felt it was truly not worth it.

She came out with a smile, intercepting Mr. Gu.

"Grandma, you know my dad has always been unwell, and he was still taking medicine right before we came. At home, we usually don’t dare to let him do any work. If he gets worn out here, what are we going to do? You won’t be able to follow him back to Qing City to take care of him, right? In my opinion, since we are lacking everything at home, it might be better to dine out. When Uncle Gu arrives, we can just find a restaurant to eat together. Everyone can split the bill, AA style – much easier, don’t you think?"

Before Grandma Gu could speak, Mr. Gu laughed first: "Ningning really knows how to care for her dad."

He looked at Grandma Gu: "Mom, Ningning is right. You know we were coming back to tend to the graves, yet the house isn’t prepared at all. My brother as well, living so close, doesn’t think to come help out in advance. In my opinion, it’s better to eat out."

Hearing this, Mrs. Gu also laughed: "Mom, let’s go out to eat. If you want, I can ask around for which restaurant is good, and we can go straight there after visiting the cemetery."

Grandma Gu was nearly infuriated to death.

She wanted to save money for Uncle Gu, which was why she instructed Mr. Gu like that. Every year it’s been the same, and Mr. Gu never knew to rebel.

But this year, he was unexpectedly disobedient.

"Are you trying to kill me..."

Grandma Gu cursed angrily, crying as she did so: "Telling you to buy groceries and you won’t go, is this a rebellion? It’s because you think I’m old and easy to bully, just contradicting me like this... Old man, look at your son, how unfilial he is. If I had known it would be like this, I should have let you take me with you."

If this were in the past, Mr. Gu would definitely be anxious seeing Grandma Gu crying like this.

But after last night’s incident, Mr. Gu’s heart had already cooled, and no matter how furiously Grandma Gu rampaged, he would not be led by the nose by her anymore.

"Mom."

Mr. Gu spoke with resignation: "Can’t you stop doing this every time? If my dad really came to take you away, it would probably scare you to death. I didn’t say anything wrong. I just suggested we all go out to eat; what’s the problem with that? Nowadays, lots of people go out to eat; everyone is busy, and nobody likes cooking. Dining out is so much easier – you don’t have to cook, no cleanup needed after eating. We can save the cooking and cleaning time to chat together, isn’t that a better idea?"

Anning took out her phone and said to Grandma Gu: "Grandma, since we can’t convince you, and you like Uncle Gu so much, I’ll call Uncle Gu and let him discuss it with you."

Anning didn’t care whether Grandma Gu agreed or not, and dialed Uncle Gu’s cell phone directly.

After getting through, Anning spoke at length: "Uncle Gu, Grandma is making a fuss at home. You know my dad’s health isn’t good, and he just can’t do the work now. Dad suggested that when you guys come later, we all go out to eat together. Grandma is insisting against it. What do you say? Should you and Auntie come over and cook, or should we all go out to eat?"

The moment Anning made that call, Uncle Gu’s face instantly flushed upon answering.

He knew that every year when it was time to tend to the graves, it was his brother’s family who did all the hard work. He was just a bit lazy, particularly averse to cooking and cleaning. He didn’t want to do it, and there were others to do it, so he just played lazy and kept quiet.

But this year, Anning had brought it up right to his face, and he began to feel embarrassed.

They intentionally arrived late, hoping Anning’s family would have the meal ready, so they could enjoy some peace.

It seemed that plan wasn’t going to work out now.

Uncle Gu thought for a moment and then said: "You talk to your grandma first, we’ll be there in a bit. This year, let’s go out to eat."