Chapter Twenty-Eight: Decadence Cannot Be Stopped

Old Man Gu was instantly slapped in the face by Gu Dacai's words. Whether it was the people inside the courtyard or the villagers outside, none of them believed Gu Dacai would ever change. Some villagers, upon hearing what he said, even thought that someone like him, blessed with a wife and son, must have accumulated enormous good karma in his previous life.

There were couples in the village whose relationships were poor, but none as bad as Gu Dacai—he hit people while eating three meals a day. Such a person was simply a cancer in the village. Outsiders might even think that Shuitang Village only produced such blights!

“Grandpa, did you hear what he said? I hope you won’t deceive yourselves any longer.”

“You can see how crazed he is now. Perhaps, after some time, he’ll even start hitting you. Grandpa, Grandma, you’d better worry about your own safety.”

Gu Xiaoyao had no hope for someone like Gu Dacai; a person who had no bottom line as a human being.

“So, the divorce must happen. I will take Xiaoshu with me.”

“Grandpa, Grandma, I know it’s hard for you to accept right now. It’s alright—I’ll give you three days to think it over.”

“In three days, I’ll come back. But for now, I need to take mother to the medical hall. After that, I’ll bring them back to Lotus Village.”

Dealing with someone like Gu Dacai was a waste of time—it was like talking to a stone.

He had his own twisted logic, never easily accepting other people’s thoughts, always believing he was right.

“Yes, Grandpa, Grandma, Mother needs to see the doctor. You know how badly Father has beaten her...”

When Gu Xiaoshu heard his sister was taking mother to the medical hall, he immediately took off his basket and dumped the firewood he’d gathered in the corner.

Old Man Gu and Madam Yang hesitated for a long time after hearing their eldest grandson’s words. They feared that once they left, they would never come back.

“Alright, Grandma will go with you.”

Madam Yang felt guilty towards Li and didn’t want to say anything hurtful at this moment.

She thought she’d go along, and if they wanted to follow their granddaughter back to Lotus Village, she could try to persuade them.

“Grandma, you don’t need to. I can manage taking mother, and Chu Chengjin can help. If you go, who will keep an eye on Gu Dacai?”

Since the moment she entered, Gu Xiaoyao had never called Gu Dacai ‘Father’—always addressing him by name.

Madam Yang looked at her granddaughter’s cold expression, opened her mouth a few times, but didn’t know what to say.

“Alright, but you must come back soon.”

Gu Xiaoyao saw the hopeful look in Madam Yang’s eyes. Her heart was always hardened; some things were better severed sooner than later.

“Grandma, I’ll bring them down the mountain in three days. Rest assured, I keep my word.”

Helping Li to her feet, Gu Xiaoyao used her frail body to carry her mother on her back, since the Gu family had no ox cart.

Outside, the villagers saw her carrying Li and thought how difficult it must be for her.

“Xiaoyao, I have an ox cart at home. I’ll take you to the medical hall. It’ll take you ages to walk there.”

The villager who squeezed out of the crowd was Uncle Da Tou, the one who had brought Gu Xiaoyao back to the village. He had just unloaded all the firewood from his cart and had time to help.

“Thank you, Uncle Da Tou. I really appreciate it.”

Gu Xiaoyao thought it would be too troublesome to walk all the way and was genuinely grateful for the offer.

She carried Li onto the ox cart that Uncle Da Tou brought. Looking back, she saw Chu Chengjin clutching his chest, hesitating for a moment, then walked over and gently supported his arm.