Old Master Mo sat there and thought for a while before he said to Steward Zhong, “Go and give instructions that the Mo family is to be taken care of. Of course, Beihan’s career must be specially looked into. As for the Gu family, the third son in town should be promoted, as well as the second son.
“As for the eldest son, go and find out what his actual circumstances are and see if you can get them back. Even if you can’t, find some connections and get someone over there to take care of them.”
Steward Zhong immediately replied, “Yes, I’ll attend to it immediately.”
Grandma Mo looked at the information in her hand. “Do you have a photograph of the girl? Let me have a look at her.”
Old Master Mo laughed. “I don’t have a photograph. Beihan has been very secretive about her. But the other day, I secretly peeped at her. She’s very pretty. To be honest, just based on looks, the girls in the capital can’t hold a candle to her.”
Grandma Mo’s eyes brightened. “Really?”
“Mhm!”
Grandma immediately smiled. “No wonder Beihan likes her so much.”
Old Master Mo: “…”
Why did her words seem a little odd?
Winter arrived.
Gu Qingyao was already wearing a woolen jumper. She had just returned from Mo Beihan’s house and was carrying a basket with a lamb chop and a cabbage.
Today, Third Uncle and Third Brother were home early. They were both smiling and looked pleased.
They came home at the same time as Gu Qingyao.
Gu Jinlin looked at his family and smiled. “We both have good news. Let’s have something nice to eat to celebrate.”
He and his father had passed the grocery store on their way home and had bought a fish, and two kilograms of meat. They had ordered these yesterday, or they could not possibly have obtained such things at this time.
“What’s the good news?” Gu Qingyao looked expectant.
The two children and Zhou Ping were gazing at them, waiting for them to speak.
Gu Jinlin glanced at his father and said with a smile, “Father and I have both been promoted. We’ve also gotten a raise. Now Father’s salary will be seventy-six yuan a month and mine has increased to sixty-two yuan.”
Zhou Ping’s eyes immediately lit up. “That’s great!”
“Secondly, we have received reliable news that our school will reopen in the spring of next year. Little Seven and Little Eight, you will have to go to school next year.”
Gu Qingyao was elated. School was starting!
School was finally starting!
Of course, they had to celebrate such a wonderful development.
Gu Jinlin said, “Mother, cook a few more dishes. Father, I’ll go and invite Beihan to eat with us.”
Gu Yundong nodded. “Go ahead!”
It was great that school was starting. It was an opportune moment to get Mo Beihan over to discuss the current situation.
That night, there was mutton soup and mutton chop braised with cabbage and vermicelli. There was also fish, and pork that was cut into strips and stir-fried with the vegetables. There was still a piece of meat left over, which they reserved for another meal.
That night, Gu Jinlin, Gu Yundong and Mo Beihan stayed up late to talk and drink.
With Mo Beihan’s analysis, Gu Jinlin and Gu Yundong were filled with hope for their future.
It was the first snowfall of the winter. Recently, besides busying herself with her studies, Gu Qingyao had been teaching the two children. They were very intelligent and must be properly trained.
She had thought that she could continue with her peaceful existence. She had not expected that the snowy days would bring grievous news!
The weather was very cold, so she brought some coal for her teacher, Jiang Yiru. But when she reached Jiang Yiru’s house, she realized that the house had been smashed. Half of that ramshackle old kitchen had collapsed.
