Unlucky
“Divorce, you must divorce quickly!” Gu Ze’an contacted his younger son, Gu Sheng, and without any hesitation, he immediately scolded him mercilessly.
Gu Sheng had been missing since the end of the year, not communicating with his family. Gu Ze’an had learned from outsiders that this little rascal had gotten married. While he was spreading false information and secretly planning, he managed to get the matter resolved.
At first, Gu Ze’an had been somewhat bewildered when he heard about his youngest son from his old comrades. He even congratulated him, saying that his son Gu Sheng had met a girl in Shanghai, and they were in a hurry to get married. He had contributed to it, and the girl came from a respectable family with a clean background. It was rumoured that she was a former female soldier. Upon learning about his son’s desire to settle down, the higher-ups had given their special encouragement to expedite the matter.
Gu Sheng, this cunning kid, had been particularly clever. He had avoided discussing this matter with people he knew well, hinting that it was his father’s idea and suggesting that his four older brothers had not yet gotten married.
Indeed, his four older brothers hadn’t gotten married either. There were five bachelors in the family, and after removing him, there were still four.
Initially, when Gu Ze’an heard that his fifth son had gotten married without informing them first, he was actually quite understanding and not upset. His wife, Qin Ying, felt the same way. They didn’t have any particular preferences for daughters-in-law; as long as their sons were happy and willing to get married, it was fine.
The reason for this attitude stemmed from a few years ago when their eldest son had brought a girl home. At the time, Qin Ying, possibly being a first-time mother-in-law, had a somewhat unpleasant disagreement with the girl, causing a delay in their marriage.
Later, when the girl was on a work trip, she bravely saved someone’s life but lost her own in the process. Their eldest son went through a period of depression, and the elderly couple deeply regretted their earlier actions. That girl had been a good girl, and perhaps if they had agreed to their marriage back then, or if they had been planning the wedding at that time, or if the girl hadn’t gone on a business trip due to pregnancy… Would things have been different? Would everything have turned out differently?
The situation had already happened, and even if they regretted it now, it was too late.
Since then, Gu Ze’an and his wife had decided not to interfere in their son’s choice of a spouse anymore. According to Gu Ze’an, he would say, “Children and grandchildren have their own blessings; they should bear the consequences of their own choices in picking a wife.”
However, ever since that incident, it seemed like their family was under a spell. The eldest son was entirely focused on his work, and the second, third, fourth, and fifth sons…none of them had the intention of dating anyone.
…None of their sons brought a girl home to meet the parents or introduced a potential partner, and they didn’t interfere.
Fast forward to the present, Gu Ze’an and his wife could only sigh and lament. People of their same age had long become grandparents, and they had raised five sons and a daughter, all safely to adulthood. Their sons had grown up to be bachelors, and their daughter was fixated on another rascal who didn’t like her back, so she remained unmarried.
Now, hearing that their fifth son, this little rascal, had secretly gotten married, Gu Ze’an initially applauded and cheered. This was like a green shoot emerging in spring, allowing them to see sunlight during the cold winter.
Things were finally looking up; there was one less bachelor in the family, as he got married, and eventually, their other sons could follow suit.
“Good lad, truly takes after his dad!” Gu Ze’an praised at the time.
Qin Ying also chuckled, “Looks like me, but has the same mischievous personality as you.”
After waiting for so long, the couple finally had a daughter-in-law. As long as the daughter-in-law was a woman, it was perfect!
Unfortunately, the couple had celebrated too early with excitement. They inquired about the girl’s background, saying, “Comes from a respectable family? Wow, and she’s an outstanding former female soldier, a military doctor. My son really has good taste.”
“I need to go show off to our neighbour, Old Zhang. My youngest son has plucked a military flower.”
“She’s even studying medicine, that’s really reliable!”
“What’s the girl’s name? She’s going to be our first daughter-in-law.”
The person who was helping Gu Ze’an and his wife inquire about the girl replied, “Her name is Zhan Aiping.”
Gu Ze’an clapped his hands in joy, “Zhang Aiping? That name sounds very upright and respectable, like a proper young lady.”
He nudged his wife’s shoulder, “I told you to name our daughter Gu Aiyin back then, but you didn’t agree.”
Qin Ying, however, looked puzzled and felt that something wasn’t quite right, “Is this girl’s last name Zhang or Zhan? Is it the ‘Zhang’ from ‘Bow Length Zhang’ or…”
“She has the last name Zhan, as in ‘Big Aspiration Zhan,’ ‘Ai’ as in ‘unstoppable progress Ai,’ and ‘Ping’ as in ‘meeting unexpectedly Ping.’ This name sounds very noble, full of vitality!” the person on the other end pondered and tried to say positive things.
Gu Ze’an and Qin Ying, as a couple, paled when they heard the name.
Zhan Aiping, a female military doctor, in Shanghai…
In their minds, the image of a particular person simultaneously emerged.
Gu Ze’an was dumbfounded, “I… I didn’t hear that wrong, did I?”
Qin Ying was shocked, “Ping Ping? Ai Feihong, her daughter?”
Qin Ying would always remember that woman. She had once told her, “Life’s path is uncertain, much like a flying swan treading through the snowy mud.” Ping Ping was “an encounter by chance, like meeting a kindred spirit.”
— Life is unpredictable.
Qin Ying’s relationship with Ai Feihong was complicated, sometimes more like enemies than friends, often engaging in arguments. She had five sons and envied Ai Feihong’s eldest daughter, Ping Ping, almost wishing she were her own daughter.
Qin Ying spoiled Ping Ping. This child had been mischievous since childhood, much like her youngest son, Gu Sheng. They were close in age and often fought, with Qin Ying usually intervening, of course, siding with Ping Ping.
Gu Ze’an, on the other hand, was quite resentful. Ping Ping wouldn’t let him hold her, saying she preferred Aunt Qin, so this lively little girl, always chattering away, he found particularly annoying. He’d say, “Being this mischievous, whoever marries her in the future is in for a tough time.”
Gu Ze’an even secretly told Qin Ying, “Let’s teach our daughter like this in the future. If she turns out like Ping Ping, marrying an enemy would be quite satisfying, she could take her revenge like that.”
Qin Ying scolded him, “What are you saying? Why do you talk about Ping Ping like that?”
“I’m praising our Ping Ping. With this kind of personality, at least she won’t be bullied by those wild boys!”
…
Those events from the past were now vividly replaying one by one in the minds of Gu Ze’an and Qin Ying.
Zhan Aiping married their youngest son, Gu Sheng, and their youngest son, Gu Sheng, married Zhan Aiping.
… They didn’t meet by chance; they had grown up together since childhood. They couldn’t possibly have felt an instant connection; their relationship was more like casual acquaintances.
No, it could only be a past-life feud.
Gu Ze’an covered his head, “I must be dreaming. Has the sun risen in the west? How could Ping Ping possibly marry our youngest son?”
“It’s impossible. They couldn’t have gotten married; maybe there’s some mistake.”
“Is your son’s brain filled with water? Why did he marry Ping Ping?”
“Have they even seen each other in recent years?”
…
Gu Ze’an and Qin Ying felt that something was amiss.
Later, they inquired more carefully and learned about the history between Zhan Aiping and He Mingzhang, as well as the unexpected marriage with their youngest son, Gu Sheng. The couple fell silent.
Gu Ze’an asked, “Could they be in a fake marriage? Have they reached some kind of agreement?”
Qin Ying: “…perhaps.”
Gu Ze’an fell silent. “Well, my son seems to have a sense of loyalty. Such scoundrels deserve to be exposed. Why should he marry our Ping Ping?”
Qin Ying agreed, “You’re right, our youngest son, despite everything, still has a sense of loyalty.”
“But they actually got a marriage certificate. Even if it’s an act, there’s no need to get a real certificate.”
“Ah Ying, he’s your son. What do you think he’s really thinking?”
“He’s your son too. How would I know what he’s thinking?”
So, with this understanding, when they got in touch with Gu Sheng, as soon as Gu Ze’an had the chance, he scolded him mercilessly over the phone, “Divorce! Don’t keep a good girl waiting. Do you deserve your Aunt Ai? Did she treat you badly when you were a child?”
On the other end of the phone, Gu Sheng listened to the scolding without responding.
Once Gu Ze’an finished, Gu Sheng casually replied, “I won’t divorce.”
He had married out of his own choice, so why should he divorce?
Gu Ze’an exclaimed, “Your mother and I both suspect that you’re trying to repay a debt of gratitude. Damn it, you’re not being loyal. Even if you helped, it was just a child’s play. What are you really up to?”
Gu Sheng had been scolded for quite some time, and he was getting annoyed too. He retorted, “I don’t have any other intentions. I just wanted to see you in a tough spot, Old Gu. You said it yourself before, whoever marries Zhan Aiping will be unlucky. Well, now Zhan Aiping, it’s me, your son, who married her. Now you’re the unlucky one. Haha.”
Gu Ze’an was about to lose his temper with this mischievous kid. “If you were here with me, I’d beat you to a pulp, you little rascal.”
Gu Sheng chuckled, “But you can’t beat me, can you? Don’t forget, I might be your youngest son, but I’m the tallest in the family, and I’m the best at fighting.”
Gu Ze’an asked, “Have you grown wings or something?”
“They’ve been there for a while.”
“So, are you going to divorce or not?”
“I’m not divorcing. I won’t divorce at all. I’ll let her be your daughter-in-law.”
“I don’t have any other hobbies. Right now, I just want to see her as your daughter-in-law.”
Gu Ze’an muttered to himself, “This kid is asking for trouble. Could it be that he originally wanted to divorce but now he’s being provoked?”
Gu Ze’an asked him, “What are you really thinking?”
“Nothing much, just relax, both you and Mom. I’ll manage to get by with her, and it’ll give you another daughter-in-law,” Gu Sheng said with a smile.
“Get by… get by with her?” Gu Ze’an nearly choked on his own saliva. This little rascal could have chosen to get by with anyone, but he had to choose to get by with the eldest daughter of the Zhan family.
“Why did you have to get by with her, of all people?” Gu Ze’an asked.
“Haven’t you and Mom complained that we didn’t fight and argue enough when we were kids?” Gu Sheng replied. “I guess I’m going to get by with her.”
“Now that Zhan Aiping is my wife, I’ll gradually straighten her out.”
“As for me, I’ll make sure she behaves.”
After a few words, Gu Sheng confidently hung up the phone.
.
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Nomad: I’m back from my holiday!!
I had big plans to catch up on chapters, but surprise! I’m currently very sick. There’s a virus going around, and it has me so knocked out I could barely get out of bed today. Normally, I don’t get sick often, and when I do, it’s not too bad. But this one? This one is like the final boss of colds. I’ve heard others complaining about similar symptoms, even in other countries.
Anyway, I saw the lovely comments you all left!!! Words can’t express how happy they made me feel. And a huge thank you to those who made Ko-fi donations!!!! I plan to use them to cover the running costs of this site. Though I must admit, the recent donations went towards my medicine prescription. (づ_ど) No coffee for me until I recover from my holiday expenses and this sickness!
Wishing everyone good health!!!!
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