Chapter 344: Chapter 344

Gong Zhuang watched Gong Tao and his family board the train with a smile, feeling quite content.

"Second Brother is Second Brother, no matter where he goes, he’ll make a name for himself."

Don’t be swayed by Gong Zheng and the others saying all sorts of things about Gong Tao’s life in the Northeast, claiming he’ll have no chance to succeed anymore, but Gong Zhuang doesn’t believe it.

Just look at Gong Tao constantly getting promotions through his own efforts; if it weren’t for Gong Qiang, who knows how far Second Brother would have climbed.

Even in the Northeast, Second Brother will make sure he lives well, that’s what a capable person does.

As for those of us who stayed behind in the hometown, our progress is just so-so, especially the fourth one; he used to act all high and mighty, but now what’s become of him?

No advancement for five years; time flies in five years, but once your promotion slows down for a few years, future prospects become uncertain.

Moreover, the Wu Family might just abandon Gong Zheng, otherwise, how could no one attend such a major event like a funeral of the in-laws?

Wu Zhen is busy with work, but his wife isn’t here, looks like Gong Zheng’s heart will not be at peace in the future.

Going home, Gong Zhuang kept thinking all the way, while Gong Ruini felt great after boarding the train, especially since it’s New Year’s Eve and there aren’t many people onboard.

"So empty." Gong Ruini, who had traveled on two train rides after crossing over, gazed at the empty train, feeling quite good.

Fewer people mean they have ample space to rest.

Fewer people mean the air in the closed compartment will be better, "Dad, do you think the sleeper section will be just as empty?" Although the family can rest quite comfortably, it’s never as comfortable as a sleeper berth.

Gong Tao didn’t know if the sleeper was empty, but their rank was not high enough to buy sleepers.

Gong Tao was uncertain how to explain the concept of the sleeper to his daughter, he hesitated for a while, "I’ll ask the train attendant later."

Having been busy since early morning, he originally hoped to rest well today and tomorrow, but didn’t expect this to happen. If the family could lie in comfortable beds to rest, that would be nice.

Thinking this, Gong Tao started brainstorming and then abruptly stood up to find the train attendant.

"You." Cai Meina tapped her daughter’s forehead, "You always put your dad in a tough spot."

Cai Meina thought that if possible, resting all the way lying down would be nice, but would the train attendant agree?

Not mentioning their presumably hard looks, what if they insist on the rules, sigh.

Is this a tough spot? Sigh, there’s no choice, in this era without internet ticket snagging, where people are so rigid in following rules, making a change is truly not easy.

"Doesn’t matter, what if it works?"

"We have two kids after all."

"Yes, mom, the train must be quite empty." Gong Ruwen stood firmly behind Gong Ruini.

The train being empty and the staff willing to give them sleeper berths are two different things. Seeing the hopeful faces of her children, Cai Meina didn’t say anything to dampen their spirits. What if it really worked out?

Gong Ruini and the others’ ideas were good, but the rules were too strict in those days, Gong Tao returned empty-handed, "No way."

"Ah." Gong Ruini couldn’t hide her disappointment, "Could it be that all the sleepers are taken?"

It can’t be, right? Back then, only people of certain ranks could buy sleeper tickets; would they really risk going on business trips during New Year’s Eve?

Yes, it must be for business trips; who would want to personally spend on tickets that cost more than twice as much during personal travels?

It was thanks to Gong Tao’s significant income increase over the past year that they were financially padded, alongside recent busy schedules that wore them out, otherwise Gong Tao, not to mention even Cai Meina, wouldn’t have spent so much money.

"Exactly." Gong Ruwen wasn’t extremely disappointed but seeing his sister disappointed, he felt down as well.

Seeing the disappointed look on his daughter’s face, Gong Tao also felt guilty for his inability, but it’s not as if he could demand from the train attendant, "Well, I’ll go and check the dining car for something tasty, I’ll bring some good food back."

"Since today is New Year’s Eve, we have to eat something good." Gong Tao said, even though he couldn’t get sleeper tickets, he definitely wouldn’t skimp on spending for good food for the kids and making sure it’s a prosperous New Year’s Eve.

"Hooray, Gong Ruini was fully supportive of Gong Tao’s decision, "Dad is the best, Ni Zi loves Dad the most."

"I love Dad too." Gong Ruwen, despite understanding the situation, was equally excited at the thought of good food.

Seeing both daughter and son with eyes only for their father, Cai Meina felt quite heartbroken and couldn’t help but cough a few times.

The head of the household’s cough meant something big was happening, Gong Tao gestured towards Cai Meina, indicating for the kids to go cheer her up.

Gong Ruini swiftly turned and pounced on Cai Meina, "Ni Zi loves Mom too."

Thinking about today, Gong Ruini genuinely felt that without these two, she wouldn’t have cared about the gravestone matter, "Thanks, Dad and Mom, if not for me, you wouldn’t have to travel back on New Year’s Eve."

If Gong Tao hadn’t stepped up, the matter might not have escalated to such a dramatic departure that moved Gong Ruini deeply.

Why did Zhang Lan dare to act this way? They reckoned she was just a liability, and Gong Tao and his wife wouldn’t become disgruntled over such a trivial issue.

Little did they expect that Gong Tao would actually stand up and argue, eventually leaving overnight.

"Shouldn’t a father seek justice when his daughter is wronged?"

"Their disdain for Ni Zi also reflects their disdain for me; they all see me as a mere farmer with no future prospects."

Gong Tao was very clear about his brothers’ thoughts, "Each of them only thinks about petty gains, hoping to save some money by skimping a few characters."

"Then they might as well not inscribe Gong Lili’s name." Gong Ruini retorted with a small dissatisfaction, wrinkling her nose.

"I saw Lili and her siblings snickering at me." Originally Gong Ruini didn’t notice this but couldn’t resist it being brought up and exposed.

The faces of the nephews and nieces were all too familiar to Gong Tao recently, "Their tough days are ahead, their father wouldn’t care for those kids."

A money-minded Gong Qiang, only thinking about securing a virgin bride with his riches, would he truly care for those kids?

Furthermore, once the new wife enters and they have kids, would he see Gong Lili favorably? The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the novel[f]ire.net

"Lili and the others are spoiled rotten." Gong Tao was not very optimistic about Gong Qiang’s kids, all selfish with no semblance of sibling affection.

"Being stingy and scheming against their own siblings, don’t even mention towards you, their cousins; they’ll only learn from losses." Gong Tao casually assessed.

"Alright, alright, why discuss these things." Cai Meina didn’t like Gong Lili and the others at all, all stuck-up sorts.

"Let’s see what good food there is, get some for our daughter." After all, buying food on the train doesn’t require a ticket; as long as you have money, you can buy it. Cai Meina naturally hoped to let her daughter properly recuperate after these bitter days endured by them both.