Chapter 3: My Grandfather is Called Gu Qianshan

Chapter 3: My Grandfather is Called Gu Qianshan

As the wardrobe was pulled open, it revealed neatly arranged clothes, most of which were fashionable styles very popular among young girls.

One look at these clothes showed they were bought from the supply and marketing cooperative; even the girls in the village who had already married didn't have such things, yet Gu Xue had a whole wardrobe.

Looking at those women's jealous expressions and Heiya's look of disbelief.

In reality, the reason everyone held such hostility toward Gu Xue was simply because she lived too well.

She dressed beautifully every day, and her grandfather at home was a revolutionary veteran who had reportedly been awarded a first-class merit, receiving many subsidies every month.

She didn't even have to come out to work; she was fair-skinned and clean, making her very likable, but also very much a target for jealousy.

Everyone saw that the entire house was spotless, with no trace of a man whatsoever.

There was nothing left to see by staying, but Heiya still looked unwilling to leave.

She wanted to continue looking around to see where that educated youth had actually gone.

Just as everyone was about to leave, a deep, powerful voice suddenly came from the doorway.

"What are you all doing crowding around my doorstep? Are you trying to bully my Ah Xue?"

Accompanying the voice was an elderly man wearing a military-green short-sleeved shirt, looking extremely majestic.

At this moment, he was riding a bicycle, exuding an aura of natural authority.

When he saw Gu Xue standing there with teary eyes, his aura surged instantly. Before he had even brought the bicycle to a complete stop, he had already reached Gu Xue's side.

"My good Ah Xue, what happened to you? Did someone bully you? Tell Grandpa, and Grandpa will chop up whoever bullied you."

As he spoke these words, Gu Qianshan's face was filled with a murderous air; he didn't look like he was joking at all.

The few people standing in front were instantly frightened by this aura and fell to the ground.

Heiya, standing at the very front, was the first to be terrified.

Gu Xue was also surprised by Gu Qianshan's aura. One could tell just by looking that this man had truly seen blood; otherwise, he wouldn't possess such a terrifying presence.

Recalling Gu Xue's memories of Gu Qianshan, he had always been a very gentle grandfather, speaking softly and tenderly, as if afraid of scaring her.

From her memories, it was clear that Gu Qianshan truly loved Gu Xue.

By this time, the Brigade Captain had finished arranging his matters and finally arrived at the Gu family home. Seeing several people sitting on the ground and Heiya crying incessantly.

"Huff, huff, huff... what... what on earth is going on?"

Everyone remained silent, merely making a path. When the Brigade Captain saw Gu Qianshan, he immediately knew things were not good.

The others might not know what kind of man Gu Qianshan was, but as the Brigade Captain, he knew exactly how much Gu Qianshan cared about his granddaughter, Gu Xue.

"Qianshan, calm down. Ah Xue is fine, isn't she? Don't be so angry."

Gu Xue regained her senses, took her grandfather's hand, and pried the wood-chopping knife from his grasp.

"Grandpa, I'm fine!"

Looking at his granddaughter's red and swollen eyes, Gu Qianshan's heart ached with every beat.

It was all because this old man was useless, allowing a crowd of people to bully his precious granddaughter.

Watching Gu Qianshan's pained expression, Gu Xue felt a bit amused and a bit envious.

It was so good to have a grandfather like this.

However, now was not the time for the grandfather and granddaughter to chat; now was the time to wash away the filth cast upon Gu Xue and deal with the trouble that was Heiya.

She stood in front of the crowd, her gaze fixed directly on the people around her.

She first addressed Auntie Gu at the front: "Auntie Gu, you all came here because Heiya said that I was doing *that* kind of thing with a man, is that right?"

Auntie Gu was also afraid of Gu Qianshan now, standing behind Gu Xue like a minor deity of misfortune.

"Yes, it's all because of this brat. I don't know where she heard these rumors, but she ran into the fields talking nonsense."

Auntie Gu didn't mention at all how eager she had been to hear the gossip, nor did she mention how she had instigated everyone to come and watch the spectacle at Gu Qianshan's house.

Gu Xue naturally knew that most of the villagers were very jealous of the Gu family.

After all, they were in the same village, yet Gu Qianshan's house was built of blue bricks and large tiles, while everyone else lived in earthen houses.

When everyone was hungry, Gu Qianshan would occasionally bring meat back from the town.

Gu Xue knew this, but now was not the time to discuss it; now was the time to turn around the public perception of this incident.

After all, if this matter wasn't cleared up, Gu Xue's reputation in the village would be spread however people wanted.

"Heiya, you said there was the sound of a man in my room. Have you found him now?" Gu Xue looked at Heiya sternly, secretly exerting mental pressure on her.

Heiya was, after all, the female lead; when the pressure fell upon her, it was neutralized by some unknown force.

But at this moment, Heiya knew nothing and simply continued to cry.

She cried while looking at Gu Qianshan, her eyes trembling with fear at his gaze.

Just standing there, Gu Qianshan was a source of intimidation.

Heiya had originally started to back down, but seeing the way Gu Xue looked at her, and seeing the floral print top Gu Xue was wearing, then looking at herself—her clothes were patched together from two of her brother's old rags.

She was dark and dingy, her original color no longer visible. Thinking about the future difference between herself and Gu Xue, the jealousy in her heart overcame her fear.

"Sister Gu Xue, I clearly... I clearly... heard a man and you..." As she spoke, she bashfully covered her face.

Unfortunately, Heiya was too dark; one couldn't see the blush she was trying so hard to force out.

Gu Xue looked at Heiya and sighed inwardly.

As expected, when people do bad things, their IQ is truly high; they can even force out acting skills.

Everyone watched Gu Xue curiously, wanting to see what she would say.

"Since you say that, do you have any evidence? I won't accept you just talking nonsense and slandering my purity."

Heiya looked around, muttering, "Who knows if you've hidden someone away? Maybe he's right here in the courtyard."

The Brigade Captain stood in the back, wanting to say something, but was blocked by Gu Qianshan.

At this moment, the way he looked at Gu Qianshan was a bit off, his eyes fixed deathly on Heiya.

Gu Xue said nothing and looked around; everyone felt that what Heiya said made sense.

"Since that's the case, you can search the courtyard. But let me say this upfront: if nothing is found, you cannot let this slander against me go unpunished."

As Gu Xue spoke, a frostiness surged in her eyes; she truly felt a murderous intent toward this Heiya.

"Fine! If it really is that I'm slandering you, I'll pay you 10 yuan as compensation!"

What!

10 yuan??

Everyone was nearly stunned looking at the 10 yuan in Heiya's hand.

One must know that in the entire village right now, fewer than half of the households had 10 yuan.

(End of Chapter)