Chapter 170: Chapter 170

"They’re gone, they’re gone." Watching the carriage carrying Gong Dajiang and his wife leave, Gong Ruini and Gong Ruwen were overjoyed.

Gong Ruini, full of excitement, started dancing; these days had been too oppressive.

At home before, Gong Ruini laughed when she wanted to, jumped around as she wished, and could even ridicule Zhao Guangran however she liked.

After Zhang Lan arrived, Gong Ruini lived cautiously, not wanting to be targeted by Zhang Lan.

Unexpectedly, she was still noticed in the end, but luckily she retreated before Zhang Lan exploded.

"I hope she won’t come again." Gong Ruini kept praying that Zhang Lan, having suffered such a loss this time, wouldn’t think of coming to the Northeast.

Cai Meina also did not welcome Zhang Lan’s arrival, not only because of all the things she broke, but also because during her stay, Cai Meina was busily attending to her.

However, whether Zhang Lan and company won’t come again in the future, Cai Meina couldn’t be sure, "Unless your uncle can gain a firm foothold and solidify his position."

As for Gong Zheng, Zhang Lan felt there wouldn’t be much problem because he had some abilities, just too many little schemes.

As for Gong Qiang, absolutely someone who aims high but performs poorly, yet always thinks his skills are superior and believes his lack of promotion is due to constant suppression.

"Whatever, not getting the ginseng this time is good too; otherwise, if this time we took advantage, they might not stop causing trouble." Cai Meina didn’t care whether Gong Qiang would try to outsmart them in the future, as their stance had been communicated.

As long as there are no issues with Gong Dajiang and his wife, they can come to the Northeast, but there would be no special treatment.

Especially considering his father-in-law left in disgrace this time, would he come again?

At least he won’t show up in the next three to five years, fearing someone might bring up this embarrassing episode he doesn’t want to recall.

Cai Meina busily went to wash blankets and bed sheets, followed by a thorough disinfection.

Seeing Zhang Lan gone, Zhao Guangran shouted with joy, ready to go out and play. These days, cooped up at home, he almost developed roots.

Zhao Guangran knew the postponed studies were about to commence again, so he needed to hurry and have some fun first.

Zhao Xuran grabbed Zhao Guangran, who was about to dash outside, "Alright, review your homework, we’re starting tests this afternoon."

So much time had already been wasted, it couldn’t be delayed any longer; revision had to start promptly.

Come on, Zhao Guangran was dumbfounded, knowing his older brother was about to start lessons, but did he have to be in such a rush?

Zhao Guangran already had difficulty recalling lesson content, which made him anxious—not just for an afternoon test, he felt unprepared for an exam days away.

Got worried, huh? Previously advised him to pay more attention and read more books, didn’t listen, now realizing the seriousness of the situation, but it’s too late, "Good luck." Follow current novels on N0velFire.ɴet

Gong Ruini was indifferent; even without reading or reviewing, she could pass exams without pressure, especially considering she hadn’t slacked on reading these days, "Alright."

Ha ha ha ha, Zhao Guangran seemed doomed, but it was uncertain how many points he’d score this time; hopefully, it wouldn’t be an embarrassingly low score, or else Zhao Xuran might turn into Godzilla.

Gong Ruini had noticed several times Zhao Guangran stubbornly ignoring Zhao Xuran’s advice to study, seeing Zhao Xuran’s displeasure—now the reckoning might begin.

She hoped she wouldn’t be implicated, but secretly, Gong Ruini felt amused—let the difficulty be higher, it would showcase her abilities and make Zhao Guangran appear foolish.

At a crucial moment, an ally gave him a deep stab, and after a bitter glance at Gong Ruini, Zhao Guangran resignedly went back to his room to study.

No choice, Zhao Guangran knew Gong Ruini would pass the exams smoothly; only he might run into trouble, sigh, why did his elder brother have to be so smart?

Gong Tao was bursting with excitement, if not for the fear of Zhang Lan scolding, he would have sung a tune to vent.

Gong Tao was planning how to dig traps in the mountains, although few animals were hunted in spring, now it was still before spring.

And many tools needed repairing, to prepare for going up the mountain for clearing come spring.

He also had to take his son to school, in short, Gong Tao had a lot in mind.

Watching Gong Tao’s back, Zhang Lan hummed in dissatisfaction, for not bringing anything back from their visit, never seen such a stingy son.

"Come to the Northeast and return empty-handed." Zhang Lan fumed at the thought of spending so much money without completing the intended tasks or obtaining specialties, truly money spent for nothing.

They didn’t think of bringing anything for their family, only about how to withhold things from them, such thick skin, Gong Tao ignored and pretended not to hear.

After Zhang Lan spoke for a long time without reaction from Gong Tao, her anger flared, "Hey, Gong Tao, why didn’t you think of giving us anything?"

"I didn’t, I’m nearly begging with so many debts; it’s good enough that I’m not borrowing money from you, Mom."

"Moreover, did you give anything to the children when you came to the Northeast?"

"I assume, Mom, you give New Year money to Xiaoyu every year, did you give anything to Ni Zi and them?" Gong Tao didn’t usually care about such small money.

Come spring, the kids could earn money by working in the fields, no need to look at Zhang Lan’s mood, but Gong Tao also felt wronged; same son, same grandchildren, why such disparity?

"Now, you want something and remember I’m your son?" Gong Tao didn’t want to argue further, just looking at them was upsetting, so he whipped the ox cart to speed up.

"Once I drop you at the county town, I’ll head back; the team has a vehicle, and I need to work in the neighboring village." Initially, Gong Tao thought of escorting them until they boarded the train.

Now, Gong Tao had no such plan; whether they could buy train tickets was their own business.

Zhang Lan pouted, thinking all of Gong Tao’s talk was just to scare them.

Gong Dajiang lay in the carriage’s canopy, contemplating, uncertain if his sons would send money or not; he had to send an urgent telegram or else if Gong Tao received the money and didn’t return it, what then?

Gong Tao was already so poor, what if he embezzled the funds, worried Gong Dajiang even more, thus he felt it was okay for Gong Tao to leave first, "If there’s a village matter, Taozi going to work is normal."

Moreover, their journey was rushed without preparing food; if Gong Tao insisted on staying with them for the train, wouldn’t that mean provisions for him too?

Gong Dajiang winked repeatedly at Zhang Lan, who instantly understood, "Alright, go do your thing, you’re already married and a father, we old folks don’t expect much care from you, just don’t eye our money."

At this point, Zhang Lan remembered that not only was Gong Tao broke, but he also owed a lot; worried he might ask for money, she thought it better to hasten his departure.