Chapter 59 Leaving

Chapter 59: Departure

Gu Yu’s father, Gu Haoting, had only met Xie Xinyi’s mother, Wen Shuhua, once—at Xie Xinyi and Gu Yu’s wedding. During her stay at the Gu residence, Gu Haoting would already be off to the military base by the time she woke up, and by the time he returned in the evening, Wen Shuhua would have long since retired to her room.

Her impression of Gu Haoting remained fixed on his stern, unsmiling demeanor from the wedding day, and on her younger daughter’s offhand remark that he seemed difficult to get along with.

Now, seeing the man standing in the entrance hall with a long, angry face, shouting orders to someone outside about who needed to be disciplined, she froze, stunned, unable to react for quite some time.

Xie Xinyi hadn’t expected Gu Haoting to return at this hour either.

Having been part of the Gu family for over two years, she had encountered Gu Haoting even fewer times than she had interacted with their neighbor, Zhang Xin.

Xie Xinyi had known since marrying into the family that Gu Haoting was perpetually busy—especially toward year-end. He typically left home before dawn and didn’t return until late at night, long after everyone else had fallen asleep.

She’d spent little time with him, so her impression of him came almost entirely from what Gu Yu and Gu Ying had told her.

Whether Gu Haoting was easy to get along with, Xie Xinyi didn’t know—but today she learned, for the first time, that when he got angry, he would even discipline his own son.

She watched as Gu Haoting stood rigidly in the entrance hall, his expression severe. As he instructed the guard outside to summon Gu Kai to his office the next morning, his entire body trembled with rage.

What major offense had Gu Kai committed? she wondered.

Just as the thought crossed her mind, Gu Haoting issued another order to the guard: “Tomorrow, before Gu Kai arrives at the office, compile all documentation concerning the allegations against him—abuse of power for personal gain, acceptance of gifts and bribes—and place it on my desk. Also, investigate everything he’s done behind my back as quickly as possible.”

“Yes, sir.”

The guard’s reply came from outside, followed by the sound of a car starting and driving away. Gu Haoting let out a contemptuous snort, then turned—and noticed Xie Xinyi and Wen Shuhua standing at the far end of the living room. “Oh… our in-law is here.”

Wen Shuhua, awakened by Gu Haoting’s loud voice, had just emerged from her room. “Who were you so angry with just now? Mom’s already asleep—you’re still making such a racket.”

She scolded Gu Haoting, then spotted Xie Xinyi and her mother standing by the staircase—and remembered Gu Haoting hadn’t yet been told Wen Shuhua had arrived today.

“Oh—Gu Yu picked up our mother-in-law early this morning. I haven’t had a chance to tell you yet.”

Wen Shuhua was straightforward by nature. Smiling warmly, she explained the situation to Gu Haoting—completely unaware of Xie Xinyi’s mother’s awkward expression as she stood by the staircase.

As for Gu Haoting—caught mid-outburst—he responded somewhat uncomfortably after hearing her explanation: “I’ve been extremely busy lately. Please accept my apologies for the poor hospitality—and don’t take offense, in-law.”

Xie Xinyi’s mother, still reeling from the severity of his earlier demeanor, paused a moment to collect herself before nodding. “No, no—not at all.”

One moment he was issuing stern commands; the next, he was greeting Xie Xinyi’s mother with polite warmth. The stark contrast left her flustered—and utterly at a loss in the face of his sudden cordiality.

Xie Xinyi’s mother was the youngest child in her natal family. Before marriage, her older siblings shielded her from most worries and responsibilities. After marrying Third Xie, he doted on her like a child—often not even letting her fret over three daily meals. Over time, this nurtured her simple, honest, and unassuming nature.

It was precisely because of that simplicity and honesty that, after Third Xie’s death, she was bullied by the Xie family to such an extent that she couldn’t even muster a word of protest when her husband’s martyr’s certificate was taken away. In daily life, she lived timidly and cautiously—plagued by insecurity.

Xie Xinyi’s mother disliked burdening others—even at home, let alone while staying at her in-laws’ house. Having witnessed Gu Haoting’s “ferocity” firsthand, she now understood her younger daughter’s comment about him being hard to get along with far more deeply.

Even after returning to her room—where Xie Xinyi smiled reassuringly and described the incident as a one-time occurrence—the impression that Gu Haoting was difficult to get along with had already taken root in Xie Xinyi’s mother’s mind.

Gu Haoting had no idea he’d caused such a misunderstanding. That night, he collapsed onto his pillow and fell asleep instantly—and rose early the next morning to head straight to the military base to deal with the mess Gu Kai had left behind. He didn’t even stay for breakfast.

When Wang Ma rose to prepare breakfast, Xie Xinyi’s mother was already awake.

Knowing Gu Yu had brought Xie Xinyi’s mother over to care for Xie Xinyi, Wang Ma intuitively sought her advice on everything—from breakfast through dinner.

“I won’t call you ‘Xinyi’s mother’—it sounds too distant,” Wang Ma said, taking the sauce Xie Xinyi’s mother had prepared and pouring it into the pot. “You look only a few years younger than me. How about I call you ‘younger sister’ from now on? It sounds much warmer.”

Wang Ma affectionately shifted how she addressed Xie Xinyi’s mother. In the kitchen, the two called each other “younger sister” and “Sister Wang.” Outside, Xie Xinyi finally stopped vomiting at the smell—and savored the chili pancakes Xie Xinyi’s mother had made herself.

Wen Shuhua took a bite of the spicy pancake, enduring the burning sensation in her throat. Seeing how much Xie Xinyi enjoyed it, she couldn’t help but wonder, “First you craved sour soup—now spicy pancakes. Could it be this pregnancy is like mine was back then—boy and girl twins?”

When she’d been pregnant with Gu Yu and Gu Ying, her cravings had swung wildly—one moment sour, the next spicy.

Given that twins ran in the family—and given that Xie Xinyi’s cravings mirrored her own so closely—Wen Shuhua reasonably suspected her daughter-in-law was also carrying twins—most likely a boy and a girl.

Right there at the table, she began discussing heredity with Xie Xinyi. Grandma Gu, however, felt gender made no difference. Turning to Gu Yu—who was serving Xie Xinyi food—she said, “Children are gifts from heaven. Whatever you’re given, you should gratefully accept.”

Whether twins, a girl, or a boy—as long as the child was healthy, that was the greatest blessing.

“I’m only thinking that if it’s twins, Xie Xinyi won’t have to go through this again,” Wen Shuhua explained quickly, noticing her son frowning in her direction.

She truly didn’t care whether Xie Xinyi bore a grandson or granddaughter. As Grandma Gu said—you accept whatever gift you’re given. She simply hoped, having seen how much Xie Xinyi had suffered during pregnancy, that she might deliver both at once—so she wouldn’t have to endure it all over again. There was no intention of favoring one over the other.

Xie Xinyi knew Wen Shuhua meant no harm. Having been part of the Gu family for so many years, she’d never doubted Wen Shuhua’s goodwill toward her.

She also sensed Wen Shuhua’s hope sprang from genuine consideration—for her.

“I hope I’m as fortunate as you, Mom,” she said with a smile, linking arms with Wen Shuhua and openly expressing her hope that this pregnancy would get it all done in one go.

In this era, family planning policies had not yet been implemented—and most families had as many children as they could support.

Xie Xinyi hadn’t given much thought to this issue before. Only after becoming pregnant—when her younger sister casually asked how many children she planned to have—did she seriously consider it.

“Probably two,” she’d told Xie Xinhuan at the time.

Though in her previous life she hadn’t been particularly fond of neighbors’ children, ever since learning she was pregnant—whether due to hormones or something deeper—she could keenly feel a tiny life growing inside her.

It was a strange and wondrous feeling—one even Xie Xinyi herself struggled to put into words.

With a gentle smile, she discussed the joys of raising a daughter (“little cotton-padded jacket”) and a son (“leather jacket”) with Wen Shuhua and Grandma Gu. Beside her, Gu Yu watched and listened quietly—his lips curving into a faint, unconscious smile. It wasn’t until Gu Ying noticed and teased, “Look—big brother’s smiling to himself!” that everyone realized Gu Yu had been caught off guard—and for the first time, he didn’t deny it.

Because of Xie Xinyi’s pregnancy, the Gu family largely refrained from visiting relatives and friends during the New Year celebrations.

Everyone stayed close to the expectant mother—including the Zhang siblings next door.

Upon hearing the news of her pregnancy, Zhang Xin prepared a gift for the baby in advance. Zhang Juan, meanwhile—set to leave for Shanghai after the New Year to marry Ma Dakui—gave her gift to Xie Xinyi ahead of time.

“I may not return to Beijing for a while after this trip,” she said, handing Xie Xinyi a round box. “This is my gift for the baby. I hope you won’t find it lacking, sister-in-law.”

Ever since learning Xie Xinyi had quietly helped investigate Gao He’s case, Zhang Juan had grown increasingly comfortable addressing her as “sister-in-law.”

The initial awkwardness had vanished—replaced by relief and sincerity.

Her relationship with Ma Dakui had been settled by her family before he returned to Shanghai. This trip to Shanghai was partly intended to expedite their marriage—after all, neither was young anymore, especially Ma Dakui, who had faced relentless pressure about marriage since returning to Shanghai. Even Zhang Xin joked that Ma Dakui feared his sister might change her mind—and was thus pressuring him, her elder brother.

After marrying Ma Dakui in Shanghai, Zhang Juan would likely remain there as a military spouse.

According to Zhang Xin, the last time Ma Dakui was suddenly recalled to Shanghai for a mission, he had accomplished something significant. His application for promotion had already been submitted—and was expected to be approved after the New Year.

In the Shanghai Military District, just like in Beijing, those at the deputy battalion level and above are eligible for family relocation benefits.

Before the New Year, Zhang Juan had already resigned from her job at the department store. Her father and Aunt Luo (her stepmother Luo) had also made all the necessary arrangements for her in Shanghai. Once she arrived after the New Year, she would be able to establish residence in Shanghai immediately after getting married.

Xie Xinyi was happy she was moving forward, but as for the gift she gave the child, "It's too valuable, we really can't accept it," she said.

"This is from us to the child. If you refuse, Sis, it would mean you're disrespecting me and Dakui."

Zhang Juan grasped her hand, stopping her from pushing the gift back. To reassure her, she even brought up Ma Dakui, who was stationed elsewhere.

Xie Xinyi still wanted to refuse, but then she remembered the serious military salute Ma Dakui gave when they first met...

She didn’t want Ma Dakui to write her another formal letter insisting she accept the gift, so she carefully put it away.

"Alright, I’ll take it, but let’s agree that next time you can’t buy such an expensive gift."

Gifts were about social obligations. Zhang Juan recognized this gesture, so Xie Xinyi accepted it for now, planning to pick an equivalent gift for Zhang Juan and Ma Dakui when they got married later.

After all, social obligations should be reciprocal.

She didn’t refuse the kindness but instead, after Zhang Juan mentioned she would leave for Shanghai on the eighth day of the New Year, joined Gu Ying in teasing Zhang Xin about his future.

"Someone who can’t even cook—I bet you'll starve after Zhang Juan leaves."

Gu Ying shot him an exaggerated eye-roll and even bet with Xie Xinyi on how many days it would take for the man to starve at home.

"Three days, three days tops."

She held up three fingers without hesitation, but Xie Xinyi thought three days was underestimating him too much.

"Exactly, that’s seriously underestimating him."

Zhang Xin used Xie Xinyi’s words to argue back, but before he could make his point, Xie Xinyi took over and declared solemnly, "I think four days at most. If it’s more than four days, I’ll buy you ice cream all summer long."

Zhang Xin: "..."

Sometimes it’s not that I don’t want to speak, but what the other person says is just too damn accurate, and I really don’t know how to argue back.