CHAPTER 429: CHAPTER 431: DON’T WANT TO BE THE CAPTAIN ANYMORE

"Of course, I will make sure the needle goes in, filling the head’s acupuncture points. Old Lady Gao’s health has been getting worse lately, and there’s a problem with her vitality. It’s a good time for me to treat her."

As soon as Xianghong finished speaking, Lin Xuebi said, "What if you end up killing mom?"

"Then I’ll pay with my life. Happy now?" While saying this, Xianghong reached for a silver needle and aimed at Old Lady Gao’s temple.

Someone else said, "Isn’t that the temple? Wouldn’t stabbing there kill her?"

Just as Xianghong was about to insert the needle, Old Lady Gao couldn’t hold back any longer and jumped up, "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Even ten of your worthless lives wouldn’t equal mine."

Speaking, Old Lady Gao quickly said to Gao Guofu, "Guofu, quickly pull out the needle from mom’s head."

Gao Guofu hurriedly removed the needle from Old Lady Gao’s scalp, and Xianghong laughed, "See? Just one needle and the old lady is cured."

Gao Guoqiang said, disappointed, "Mom, how could you do this? I’ve always been filial to you—every day visiting when you were at the production team, and even in the city, I visited you every time I went downtown. But why do you treat us like this? We live peaceably, yet you’re always causing trouble. It must be that I owed you from a past life, which is why I’m repaying this debt by being your son in this life."

Old Lady Gao said, "I’ve said it before, it’s her who depleted your dad, your elder and second brothers. Since this woman married into our family, your elder and second brothers and your dad died one after another. She’s an unlucky star. You are my son, yet you don’t listen to me. Gao Guoqiang, you’ve been blinded by this unlucky star. Because of her, you’re always at odds with me. Listen to me; this kind of woman is not to be kept—it’s high time for a divorce.

Let her leave since she wants a divorce anyway. Let her take Jiazhi and leave with his family. You have Jiaxing, and that’s enough. After all, Jiaxing looks like you while Jiazhi doesn’t. It’s very likely he isn’t yours. Also, wasn’t her sister-in-law the one who came knocking, saying they’d left a son at her doorstep years ago? Jiazhi must be that child. Don’t be fooled by her; divorce her quickly and send her packing."

Tears streaming down her face, Xianghong said, "Guoqiang, look, this is your family. For years, I’ve struggled to bear and raise your children, managing both inside and outside our home. You’ve always responded to every request from your mom and your brother. I’ve endured long-standing grievances, but now your relatives can’t stand me anymore. After all these years, our children are already in their forties, yet it’s still like this. If you don’t make a stand, we can’t go on like this. Let’s get a divorce."

Xianghong was truly heartbroken—otherwise, she wouldn’t have brought up divorce. Although Jiazhi’s situation had left her feeling guilty towards the Gao family, she didn’t think she had wronged the Gao Family. Old Lady Gao always blamed her for the deaths of her eldest son, second son, and husband, causing Xianghong immense grief and indignation. This time, she could no longer bear it.

Now, Xianghong felt empowered. Her children were grown, all married with kids of their own. Even if she divorced, she wouldn’t be afraid.

Xianghong was now forcing Guoqiang to choose—his mother and brother or her and their children. She firmly believed that her children would stand by her.

"Divorce, get on with it. Scram," Old Lady Gao wasn’t scared of Xianghong leaving; she had long wanted Xianghong out of the Gao family.

It was also a coincidence that Xianghong and Guoqiang got married. Old Lady Gao never liked this marriage arranged by the army, and though she couldn’t oppose it, after Guoqiang’s older and second brothers and even old man Gao passed away in succession—though Old Man Gao was already sick and died from the shock of his sons’ deaths—Old Lady Gao believed it was Xianghong’s doing. This belief had deeply ingrained itself in her mind over the years.

"Mom, Xianghong and I have been married for decades, Jiaxing is over thirty, and our grandchildren are nearly ten. I can’t agree to your demand for us to leave. If you think we are unfilial, there’s nothing I can do," Guoqiang would have to be out of his mind to listen to Old Lady Gao.

"Guoqiang’s mom, you’re wrong. Since ancient times, it’s advocated to mediate relationships, not to break them. Guoqiang and Xianghong have been married for decades with grown grandchildren, yet you still ask them to divorce. How is this reasonable?"

Guoqiang’s father and the fathers of Guo Cheng and Guo Qing couldn’t bear it any longer and spoke out. They too were disgusted by Old Lady Gao’s behavior—what kind of mother acts this way? Moreover, Old Lady Gao was becoming senile.

"Yeah, Guoqiang’s mom, have you gone senile? What kind of mother forces her own son to divorce? Are you out of your mind?"

Everyone chimed in accusing Old Lady Gao; they found her behavior outrageous, creating such a scene and stepping on their son’s dignity.

Secretary Cheng couldn’t hold back either, "Old Lady, even as an outsider, I can’t bear watching this. Guoqiang is the leader of our production team, and I’m the team’s secretary. Although I’m an outsider, I must say something about this. There’s no need for this—after the separation, just live your separate lives, which had been going well for you all in the city. Guoqiang is an outstanding team leader, and his achievements are well recognized. It’s all thanks to him that our production team has been excellent year after year."

As soon as Secretary Cheng finished, everyone nodded, and someone responded, "But that’s also because we all worked hard, Secretary Cheng, don’t forget to credit us too."

Hearing this, everyone felt it was true—after all, they were diligent workers too.

Secretary Cheng said, "So the people of the Red Star Production Team aren’t diligent?" At this, Secretary Cheng glanced at Wang Xueyong. The Red Star Production Team had turned things around for the better since Xueyong’s arrival.

Everyone fell silent, momentarily lost for words as they considered the state of the Red Star Production Team.

Guoqiang said, "Having been the production team leader for so many years, I’ve worked hard, always keeping everyone’s best interests at heart. But today, airing our dirty laundry has embarrassed us all. I no longer have the face to continue as team leader. I will apply to step down, and then you can elect a new team leader. My son has grown up and is doing well, and I don’t want to work so hard anymore. I’ll enjoy my time with my son and grandchildren."

When he spoke these words, it wasn’t that Guoqiang had long planned this; his achievements over the years had been enough to advance his position. However, Guoqiang had grown attached to Guangming Production Team and didn’t wish to leave, so he had stayed.

But now, Guoqiang felt increasingly weary and suddenly didn’t want to do it anymore. He wanted to rest.

Everyone gasped in surprise; they hadn’t expected Guoqiang to no longer want to be the team leader.

Old Lady Gao, Gao Guofu, and Lin Xuebi were also surprised, followed by Old Lady Gao’s rage. She felt that ultimately, Guoqiang had given up even his position as team leader for the sake of Xianghong.