Gu Juan, after all, was just a little girl, and naturally, her mind wasn't as meticulous as Wang Meili's; everything was displayed on her face.
But Wang Meili was different.
Look at what she just said, apologizing for Gu Chunsheng's trust?
Isn't this clearly a reminder of the past events between Old Mrs. Gu and Gu Chunhai?
"What are you doing?" Old Mrs. Gu hurriedly shielded Gu Juan in her embrace, "If you're going to hit, you might as well just kill me."
How could Wang Meili dare, and in fact, she did it for Old Mrs. Gu to see, knowing fully that Old Mrs. Gu would definitely protect Gu Juan before making a move.
"Isn't he just some Wang kid? What's so special about him?" Old Mrs. Gu sympathized as she stroked Gu Juan's hit back, "Our Juanzi liking him is his good fortune."
The whole tone had changed.
"Mom, that's not what you said earlier," Gu Chunmei said angrily, "Good fortune? I think it won't end well and she might be dragged away for a scolding and education."
Luckily for them, their family had deep roots and a righteous lineage, otherwise, if it were someone else, the whole family would be in trouble.
"Grandma, I don't want to go. Let Gu Lingling go in my place," Gu Juan coquettishly said, snuggling into Old Mrs. Gu's arms, "I'm hurting all over."
Gu Lingling sneered internally.
Seeing this, Wang Meili was about to hit Gu Juan again, "You have no shame, what does this have to do with Lingling?"
"Yaya, I'm sorry you had to suffer," Wang Meili turned her head and said to Gu Lingling with a 'kind' smile.
Gu Lingling shook her head from behind Gu Chunmei.
"What suffering? I think it's just you indulging her all day," Old Mrs. Gu snorted coldly, "Look at how you've hit my Juanzi, one might think you're the stepmother."
These words were clearly meant for Gu Chunhai to hear.
However, although Gu Chunhai didn't respond, his face turned even darker.
"Yes, a real mother is a true mother." Gu Chunmei smirked sarcastically, only her old mother found Wang Meili so perfect.
"Chunhai, what do you think we should do about this?" Wang Meili said with a strained face, "How about... how about Juanzi stops going to school?"
Wang Meili's face was now burning painfully.
The harder she had tried to keep Gu Lingling from going to school earlier, the more it stung now.
"I don't want to," Gu Juan cried out, "Grandma, I want to go to school, I don't want to stay at home."
Their village, Nanshui Village, was on the outskirts of the city. While the current middle school was also suburban, if one had good connections, they could attend the transformer factory's affiliated high school.
Just look at those two educated youths in the village; they have an air of scholarly presence.
If she quits school, the guys she'd find in the future would be rural brutes, but if she gets into that high school, she could work in the transformer factory later.
Or find a soldier's son, but first, she has to go to high school.
"My Juanzi is good, don't be afraid, you'll definitely go to school," Old Mrs. Gu quickly and tenderly reassured.
"Dad, maybe I should quit school," Gu Lingling timidly said.
Retreating as a way to advance, she could do what Wang Meili could too.
"I promised Big Brother I'd take good care of you and your mother, and I won't break my word. I'll handle this," Gu Chunhai stood up and said, "Focus on your studies, Dad's salary is enough to support you and the household."
The last sentence was like a slap on Wang Meili's face again. As for Gu Juan, given Gu Chunhai's affection for Gu Chunsheng, he certainly would let her continue schooling.
His salary alone was enough to support the family, not to mention Old Mrs. Gu and Wang Meili's work points from the village.
"Second Brother, Lingling is a big girl now. It's not suitable to keep her hair short anymore, and about her clothes, Sister-in-law, if you're busy, I can take them back for a little alteration, just a few stitches, it won't take long," Gu Chunmei mocked.
"Then please do." Gu Chunhai frowned as he glanced at Gu Lingling's clothes.
"And Sister-in-law, why not call her Lingling like the rest of us? The nickname Yaya was given by my second sister-in-law." Don't think she didn't know what Wang Meili was up to.
She just wanted her second brother to dislike Lingling.
Sinister!
Gu Lingling felt she loved this little aunt of hers too much.
How hadn't she seen before how strong her aunt's fighting skills were, leaving Wang Meili with no place to interject?
And she knew exactly what Wang Meili was thinking.
Hearing Wang Meili call her Yaya made Gu Lingling sick to her stomach.
Now, looking at Wang Meili's constipated expression, what a relief!