C2 He Didn't Want to Go Back

In a time when life was simple and straightforward, just a few rumors could ruin a person.

When Gu Yingchu left decisively, her family didn’t give her anything. Well, except for some wild greens meant for pig feed. In her frustration, she threw them on the ground and stomped on them. That action got her accused by Lin Manru of wasting food, but she didn’t care anymore.

“Dear Ying, are you sure this will work?” Dung Qiu asked worriedly as she returned from the road behind them. The rundown house they were in had once belonged to the late Grandma Liu.

“Mom, it’s okay. I’ll give it a try; it should work.” In her past life, she was an orphan with only Qiuqiu by her side. Now, having Dung Qiu around felt comforting.

“How about I try to borrow some rice?” Dung Qiu suggested, though her voice lacked confidence.

Gu Yingchu looked at her empty hands, knowing she hadn’t been able to borrow any rice. There was no point in trying again. In these times, many people didn’t have enough to eat themselves, so she understood why no one was willing to help.

“No need, Mom. You just got back. Find a place to boil some water; I’m thirsty.”

“Oh, okay.”

Hearing that Gu Yingchu wanted water, Dung Qiu hurried into the shabby house. After searching for a while, she finally found something that could be used to boil water, even if it was a bit grimy.

Under the bamboo, leaves were scattered everywhere, making it easy to start a fire with just a quick sweep. Gu Yingchu's stomach growled with hunger, and the ground was already teeming with worms. The fresh air cleared her mind. She picked a large bamboo leaf, bent it into a pouch, and filled it with the worms.

Standing up, she noticed the wooden bucket beside Dung Qiu and asked, "Mom, can I have this bucket?"

"Take it if you want," Dung Qiu replied, though her face showed hesitation. She pursed her lips and asked, "Dear Ying, how about I go back and plead with your grandmother to let you return home?"

Gu Yingchu looked at Dung Qiu, puzzled by her suggestion. "Mom, since I've left, I won't go back, and I don't want to in the future. If you want to return, go ahead."

"You silly girl, wherever you are, that's where I'll be. If you're not going back, neither am I," Dung Qiu quickly assured her.

Gu Yingchu nodded, "Mom, if the family asks you to return, don't go back."

The thought of how the family had insulted Dung Qiu made Gu Yingchu feel it was unfair to her.

Dung Qiu shook her head, "I'm not going back."

Gu Chengwang never treated her with respect. Despite being married to him for so many years, he resented her for not giving him a son, and he would often beat her. Back then, she had no choice but to marry him.

Originally, she thought she could have a good life with Gu Chengwang. Who knew he had his own issues and couldn't have a son? Instead, he blamed her, accusing her of being infertile. But really, if she couldn't have children, where did their daughter come from?

Gu Yingchu glanced at the rundown house and said, "Mom, I'm heading out. Can you wash everything inside that can be cleaned?" Otherwise, the whole place would reek of mildew.

"Mrs. Liu passed away years ago, and no one has taken care of the house since. It's bound to have a bit of a smell, but I'll tidy it up."

Gu Yingchu didn't say anything more; she couldn't afford to be picky right now. Still, she couldn't believe that someone from a hundred years in the future would starve to death a century earlier.

She had planned to fish in the pond, but Dung Qiu told her it was leased out, so she couldn't just do as she pleased. It was frustrating.