C13 There Was No Time

Lin Manru let out a cold snort, clearly enjoying the drama. She thought Gu Yingchu was acting like she had nothing to lose, thinking that just because she could catch fish, life would be easy. Were the fish in the creek all fools? If others couldn't catch them, how could she?

Gu Yingchu didn't care what others thought. She turned to Dung Qiu and said, "Mom, let's go."

A crowd gathered outside the village committee's gate, craning their necks to see inside.

"What's going on with the old statistician? One problem after another."

"I think it's just bad luck running in the family. Look at them, raising someone else's child. It's shameless."

"Exactly, a shameless mother raises a shameless daughter. Who knows what kind of man Dung Qiu was with back then to end up with such a wild child."

These ignorant women with their big mouths made Gu Yingchu so angry she wanted to give them a piece of her mind. What nonsense they were spewing.

As Dung Qiu was about to leave, Gu Chengwang blocked her path. "I didn't say you could go."

"I never said I was staying," Dung Qiu replied, finding a newfound courage to stand her ground. She knew better than anyone that Gu Chengwang was two-faced. She was aware of every scar she bore. Gu Chengwang wouldn't change just because of a few words. If she went back with him this time, who knew what would happen next.

Lin Yan was so angry her face turned pale, her expression long and drawn. "Chengwang."

"Mom, I can handle my own affairs," Gu Chengwang insisted stubbornly.

Gu Yingchu frowned, eager to leave and not wanting to be held up.

"Mayor," Dung Qiu spoke up first.

"Is no one listening to me anymore?" Gu Hann's face was as dark as coal, tapping his pipe on the table. He glanced at the crowd trying to peek in and said coldly, "Don't you have fields to tend to? Get back to work and stop gawking."

Gu Hann's shout sent many onlookers scattering, though some lingered, eager for gossip.

Gu Chengwang declared, "Uncle, she's my wife."

"Your mom kicked us out. I won't live like a dog in your house anymore," Dung Qiu said, her eyes cold as she looked at Gu Chengwang. Even a moment of fresh air outside was better than returning to a home that didn't welcome her daughter.

"The mayor already said everyone needs to calm down," Gu Yingchu interjected, walking over. "So don't block our only way out. I need to find food; I don't have time for this nonsense."

Gu Yingchu was determined to go fishing immediately, with no concern for the Gu family's affairs. Gu Chengwang wanted to stop her, but Gu Hann's cold gaze silenced him, and even the elderly Mrs. Gu held her tongue, mindful of Gu Yanghui's reputation.

Yingchu had already started walking outside. As she looked up, she noticed people still standing there against the backdrop of white walls and gray tiles. Ignoring them, she turned to look at Dung Qiu, who stood with her face slightly lowered, seemingly embarrassed by the situation.

As Yingchu walked along the village path, she saw chickens in their coop, frantically running around in panic. She frowned and picked up a wooden bucket, intending to dig for worms. But to her surprise, the worms were already surfacing from the soil. Her frown deepened as she recalled the recent earthquake, suspecting a larger one might be on the way.