CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 37 FORCED TO SERVE LABOR

Gu Chenglian’s body was kneeling, and he couldn’t even straighten his back after hearing this.

"What’s the matter? Second son’s house, this silver is family money. Our family hasn’t split up, and the third son’s affairs are family matters. Why can’t we use this silver? Besides, was this money earned by just your second son? The Gu family’s money is not for you to decide! Stand aside, or I’ll send you back to your room, and you won’t even get to eat tomorrow." Having lost ten taels of silver, Mrs. Lv was heartbroken, but the third son was her biological son after all, and she couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. She was extremely annoyed at He’s constant fussing.

As soon as He heard about the no food threat, she stopped. Not eating but still having to work, missing even one meal makes her hungry, let alone a whole day, wouldn’t that starve her to death?

Gu Chengyu looked at He’s figure speechlessly. Every time He had to rush out to cause trouble, she was always threatened with no meal, and of course, it was very effective, but his second sister-in-law just wouldn’t learn. He was especially greedy, always sneaking food from the kitchen and cooking for herself, and he had caught her several times. At the dining table, he had seen her skills; otherwise, she couldn’t maintain such a figure.

Turning his attention to his third brother, learning from mistakes is good, but hitting him too hard won’t do; after all, he is still a boy.

"At the time, I saw that man didn’t look like an ordinary fellow. The fabric on him was not common, and he spoke in a bold manner, as if he didn’t care about sixty taels of silver. I thought this guy was not short of money, so I tried to see if I could make a big knife. If it worked out, maybe I could finish my apprenticeship early. I’ve been with Yu Daitie for more than half a year, and he teaches me nothing; I learn by spying from the side, and he knows it. When going to the big families, I’m just his assistant, and I’ve never received a monthly salary, and I’m anxious! He just wants a free laborer, but I’m already fourteen this year, and I can’t be an apprentice forever. I want to finish my apprenticeship early; even taking small jobs at home is better than staying in the workshop. Who would have thought that man would run away?" Gu Chenglian said hoarsely, explaining the sequence of events.

"Third brother, do you remember the man’s appearance? And did he run away immediately after taking the knife?" Gu Chengyu wanted to know if there was any other hidden reason.

"Full of stubble, weather-beaten face, but the fabric of the clothes was really good, even if I’ve never seen it before, I know it’s fine material, just a bit dirty. He took the knife and said I did a good job but complained about the poor material, saying it couldn’t make a good knife. I noticed he reached into his arms, but unexpectedly, he glanced forward, said nothing, and ran. As soon as I saw him run, I chased, but after just a few steps, he disappeared; he was really fast." Gu Chenglian recalled.

Gu Chengyu analyzed it, as his third brother said, it shouldn’t be a lack of money, it seemed more like he was fleeing from something, but he couldn’t be sure. Anyway, he ran away, cleanly and quickly, without returning afterward.

"I think third brother shouldn’t dwell on it. Nobody knew that guy would run. Even if reported to the authorities, chances are the silver wouldn’t be retrieved; the government might not even accept it! Think of ways to earn more money in the future!" Gu Chengyu didn’t think much and comforted him.

Just as he finished speaking, he felt everyone’s eyes on him. Ah, he had forgotten that he was just a child. Gu Chengyu felt a bit unnatural under their gaze but soon thought it through. If he wanted to get rich in the future, he had to overturn his previous image and offer opinions during major family decisions, letting everyone get accustomed to his advice and raise his status so that people would listen to him.

"Third son! Since you know your mistake, you won’t be punished this time, but remember this, never act recklessly again, or you’ll suffer the consequences of your actions. The family can’t help you forever. Not to mention the loss of money, you used that piece of raw iron without your master’s consent; taking without asking is theft. Even if your master has no use for that piece of iron, it’s still his property, and you shouldn’t have taken it without permission. Think about it, am I right?" Mr. Gu said sincerely to Gu Chenglian.

"Father, I understand, I won’t dare to do it again." Gu Chenglian genuinely admitted his mistake. He knew it was wrong, and when he took it, he hesitated a lot, just thinking he’d pay his master back with the money earned from selling the big knife, thinking his master wouldn’t mind and would be happy. But, what if he couldn’t make the big knife? Wouldn’t that be a huge waste of iron? He was also wrong in overestimating himself.

"Da Lang, help your third uncle up." Mr. Gu pondered for a moment, then decided to speak about another matter.

"Also, about Fourth, Fourth won’t be going to Lin Lizheng’s family to apprentice anymore, I’ve brought the money back, and Fourth got hurt, he needs to recuperate at home for a while."

"What? Why not go? Isn’t it a pity not to take up such a good opportunity? Maybe let the second son go? Study for a few years and just in time to finish the apprenticeship, that’s a valuable skill!" He thought it was a pity to miss such a good chance.

Mr. Gu ignored He and briefly explained the situation at the Lin family, omitting the part about buying the Scar Removal Ointment; today was not suitable for that.

Gu Chengchi listened quietly, not considering the matter of the Scar Removal Ointment. Since they just lost ten taels of silver, there was no money to buy it. After all, it was on his leg, and nobody would see it.

"Oh dear! Child’s fourth uncle, how come you even lose to a girl? So silly, if it were me, I’d shame her back into her mother’s womb! I say, that Lin family girl Liuliu isn’t anything special, flaunting her riches with her fancy clothes, looking down on our village. Hmph! And her father hasn’t even bought a house in town, still living in Shangling Village like us." He snidely criticized Lin Liuliu and thought it a waste that the apprenticeship wouldn’t happen.

As for the injury, she didn’t care, as long as it didn’t cost the family money. Just hearing that three taels of silver were given to Doctor Li was a bit of a waste. Treating a burn for three taels, too expensive.

"Dad, I’m hungry, can we eat now?" Gu Chengyu had no patience to listen to his second sister-in-law finish; if allowed, she could go on for a day, and people would starve.

"Alright! Let’s eat! Eat and rest early, everyone is tired." As soon as Mr. Gu finished speaking, they all picked up their chopsticks. He immediately started, piling greens and leeks into the bowls of the second and third sons, ignoring the skinny Gu Mei, and picked several big chopsticks for herself, making a mess on the table. The serving dish had only a few chopsticks of vegetables left. She devoured it with steamed buns, smacking her lips, causing Gu Chengyu to grimace.

"Dad!" Everyone had just eaten a couple of bites when Gu Chengyi called out to Mr. Gu. Mr. Gu paused his meal to look up and planned to ask what was the matter.

"It’s time for labor service." Gu Chengyi said softly.