What a joke. The eldest son's family thought the treasure was still at their in-laws' house, so all they had to do was split up, and their little family could continue to depend on the treasure to live in the lap of luxury. But when they got home, they realized that the things were gone. They had no form of security and they still had to support the two old folks who were paralyzed. Of course they were unwilling.

No way!

This was no longer a matter of whether they were willing, but rather that the eldest son's family would have a hard winter without adequate food.

Next year, they would have to wait until the autumn harvest before they could get new food rations. The eldest son's family had four sons and a daughter, Sun Mei. And then there was himself and his wife. With such a large family, they certainly would not have enough food. Next spring and summer, they would have to depend on wild herbs and tree bark to get by…

That thought made Gu Qingyao feel better!

Gu Fangting clapped. “That means that regardless of the reason, Sun Mei's family will certainly be at a disadvantage. That's great! I'm delighted if her family loses out. Hahaha! Let her boast!”

Gu Fangting thoroughly disliked Sun Mei. In the past, Sun Mei had tried to curry her older cousin's favor. Of course she knew what Sun Mei was up to!

Hehe!

Now that Brother-in-law's family had six children, Sun Mei had not visited them for many days!

Time crept by. Over at the Sun house, they continued quarreling every day, and there was no peace.

Meanwhile, besides studying, Gu Qingyao was preparing for the new year.

The Gu family would have a lively new year celebration this year. Although not everyone could come back, no one was in the same situation as Eldest Uncle's family had been in last year. So everyone was in high spirits.

Meanwhile, in the Mo house, although Jiang Yingqiu felt the pressure of having another two grandchildren, she was ultimately happy. She was even happier to know that her son had plenty of money and that her daughter-in-law was not going to run off.

The only surprise came around the twenty-ninth. A group of people suddenly arrived in the brigade. With them were Old Master Guo and an old lady. Their expressions were hostile as they headed towards the Qing River Brigade.

Old Master Guo and the old lady were in chains and badly injured. It was winter, but the two of them trudged through the snow barefoot. By the time they arrived, they were almost finished.

Gu Qingyao was shocked to hear the news!

“Grandfather Guo? Are you sure?”

Mo Beihan said, “Of course I'm sure. But they've already left. The brigade leader, w.a.n.g Mingtao, hosted them for a while. It's cold now and tomorrow is the new year, so they did not stay for long. Hurry up and go to the cowshed to take a look. The Old Master is badly injured.”

Mo Beihan had gone to the black market with Gu Qingyao and had met Old Master Guo, so of course he recognized him.

He had been at the cowshed attending some lessons with Gu Qingyao's older cousins and had been present during the incident.

Gu Qingyao packed up her medical kit and headed over immediately.

With her teacher there, medical care was not a problem. But unlike her, her teacher had no medicine.

By the time Gu Qingyao and Mo Beihan arrived, her grandfather, Gu Chonghua, had also heard the news and had hurried over.

Old Master Guo was lying in the straw shed, more dead than alive. Gu Chonghua looked at him for a long time before recognizing him.

“Is it you, you old fool? Haven't you died yet?”

Gu Chonghua looked astonished. He had not expected to meet an old friend here.

Especially not this old friend.

Old Master Guo had been lying on the ground, half-dead. But when he heard the voice, he hesitated and opened his eyes. When he saw who was standing in front of him, he almost leapt to his feet.

“It's you, old b.a.s.t.a.r.d!”