Chapter 804 - 806: Nameless 2
Chapter 804: Chapter 806: Nameless 2
Gu Wenheng had long known about Gu Dashi’s repeated requests to accompany him to his new official post.
He didn’t really mind—at most, it meant allocating a courtyard and assigning a few servants to wait on him. However, he feared that Gu Dashi’s endless fussing would end up dragging everyone down with him.
Li Cuicui had been worried the moment she saw her sons enter the house. Standing at the door and overhearing this conversation, she scoffed, "Is there anything you know how to do in this life besides causing trouble?
"Or should I go fetch Third Uncle and the others to have a little chat with you, and see if they think you’re fit for a long journey?"
"You old hag, you only know how to use those old geezers as an excuse!" Gu Dashi retorted. "My son is already such a high-ranking official! Does he still have to listen to them?"
Having spent his days stewing in his room, Gu Dashi had long since realized that everyone was basically keeping him as a captive pet. He had no contact with the outside world, and the idea of tagging along to enjoy a life of luxury was completely out of the question. Old Seventh had rarely come back to visit, so Gu Dashi was determined to wear him down with persistent nagging. Who knew? Maybe Old Seventh had grown softhearted after all his years as an official.
"I dare you to say that again to Third Uncle’s face," Li Cuicui said, looking at him with utter disdain. "You should be secretly laughing in your sleep that you’re being served good food and living in comfort now.
"It’s only because our sons are capable. Don’t you know how elders who were paralyzed in bed used to live in the past?"
Gu Dashi struck his completely numb legs viciously. "I’d gladly trade this life to have my two legs back! I don’t even want to live anymore, having to spend every day walking on eggshells around you."
The Gu Family Brothers fell silent. They had heard this complaint far too many times.
Gu Wenheng was equally speechless, thinking, "It seems he hasn’t grown at all after all these years."
Li Cuicui, already accustomed to his usual routine, ignored him. She turned to the Gu Family Brothers and asked, "Aren’t you all busy? How do you have the free time to come over here?"
"I am their biological father. Shouldn’t they come to see me?" Gu Dashi complained.
"No wonder I always felt that my sons were so lukewarm toward me. It turns out you’re the reason behind it all!"
"Yes, of course," Li Cuicui replied sarcastically. "The sons are filial, so you should just count your blessings in secret."
"Mother, it’s been a long time since us brothers got together, so we plan to drink until we drop tonight," Gu Yuanshui said.
"Wenheng has already ordered a feast from Tianfu Restaurant. When the time comes, you can join us for a few drinks too, Mother."
Gu Wenheng walked over and supported Li Cuicui by the arm. "Mother, you’ve worked so hard all these years..."
Gu Dashi scoffed heavily. "What hard work? She has servants and maids at her beck and call, and she spends her days running around outside instead of staying home! I’m the one who toiled my whole life, yet she’s the one who gets to sit back and reap the rewards!"
"That’s because I deserve it," Li Cuicui shot back. "I raised these children single-handedly. I sacrificed far more than you ever did.
"Even though you’re bedridden, the family hasn’t treated you poorly. Don’t say such things again; it’s too damaging to our relationship."
Gu Dashi had heard the unspoken meaning behind Li Cuicui’s words no less than a hundred times in the past. This was a threat—if he wore out their goodwill, there would genuinely be no one left to stand up for him when the time came.
Clenching his fists, he demanded viciously, "Since you’re all planning to drink, count me in.
"I haven’t touched a drop of alcohol in over ten years. Whether I live or die is up to the heavens. Luo Gang, help me get ready. I’m attending the banquet today."
Luo Gang did not move immediately; instead, he looked toward Madam.
"Since he wants to court death, help him get dressed," Li Cuicui instructed.
"I just wonder if you’ll still be able to argue with me like this tomorrow after the alcohol goes down your throat."
Gu Dashi was at a loss for words.
Every time the doctors came over, the family didn’t even try to hide anything, letting the physicians list out the medical precautions right to his face. Alcohol and greasy foods were strictly forbidden for him. Would his already battered and broken body worsen because of a few drinks?
Hesitation crept onto Gu Dashi’s face, which only brought a mocking sneer to Li Cuicui’s.
The old couple battling it out right in front of their sons made things quite awkward for Gu Wenheng and the others, who all quietly shrank back into the corners of the room.
"Hurry up and make a decision," Li Cuicui urged. "If you really plan to take the seat of honor, I’ll have someone come over to help you wash up and change into some festive clothes. It’s a joyous day, so don’t bring any bad luck to it."
His wife’s utter disgust made Gu Dashi flush crimson with anger. He gasped heavily for air, startling Luo Gang, who hurriedly stepped forward to rub his back and help him catch his breath.
Gu Yuanjin and the others felt it wasn’t right to just stand by and watch at this point. He shot a look at his younger brothers, then personally walked over to help pat Gu Dashi’s back.
Gu Wenheng draped an arm around the old woman’s shoulders. "Mother, when we came back, weren’t you growing vegetables in the backyard? I want to see what you’ve planted."
A smile immediately broke out on Li Cuicui’s face. "I’ve planted plenty! Our family doesn’t farm for a living anymore, so I just grow some vegetables to pass the time.
"I don’t plant too much of any one thing—just a little bit of everything to try different flavors.
"Aren’t you all going to drink today? Come, I’ll take you to the backyard. If there’s anything you want to eat, we’ll just pluck it right out of the ground."
As the saying goes, distance makes the heart grow fonder. If any of the other brothers wanted to ruin her vegetable patch on a normal day, Li Cuicui would still give them some, but not before pinching their ears and nagging them for half the day. However, when it came to Gu Wenheng—the son who was rarely by her side—she was naturally much more generous. Forgetting all about giving Gu Dashi a hard time, she took the lead and headed toward the backyard.
As soon as his nagging wife left, Gu Dashi felt as though the air had become much fresher. He immediately opened his mouth to complain to his remaining sons, "If you want your father to live a few more years, then don’t make me live with your mother anymore.
"It’ll save me from having her control every little thing I do. I can’t do this, I can’t do that. What’s the point of me even being alive?"
Gu Yuanjin had heard these words so often that he didn’t take them to heart. If anyone here was the most terrified of dying, it was Gu Dashi. On a normal day, if he felt even slightly uncomfortable or had a minor ache, he would groan and moan for days. He would only find peace of mind after they called in several doctors to verify his condition. Bringing up death in every other sentence now was nothing more than an attempt to guilt-trip the brothers.
Gu Yuanshui brought him a cup of tea and said with a smile, "Father, have some water to quench your thirst. You’ve spoken quite a bit today. If you don’t moisten your throat now, Ming Tian will bring you nothing but an aching throat."
Gu Dashi took the cup and gulped down several mouthfuls before continuing, "Look at how bland this tea is! I know full well that the Gu family doesn’t lack these things, but your mother just loves to be harsh and stingy about everything.
"Anyone who didn’t know better would think we were still the same old mountain peasants living in absolute poverty.
"Just look at what you all eat on a regular basis—dried seafood, big fish, and heavy meats! So why is it that when it comes to me, I only get bland side dishes? Sometimes she can’t even bear to add a drop of oil! In no time at all, my stomach is growling with hunger again.
"If you truly want to be filial to your father, then don’t treat me so harshly when it comes to food. I am going out of my mind from this flavorless slop."
Hearing him become increasingly unreasonable, Gu Yuanjin quickly interjected, "Father, have you forgotten what the doctors said?
"Besides, even though your meals are a bit plain, they are all prepared with care. We’ve tasted the food ourselves, and it isn’t bad at all."