Chapter 51: His Father Was Right—This Is Self-Destructive Behavior

“It’s you.”

Just as Lu Jiaor was coming downstairs, preparing to bid farewell to the old master and head home, Madam Gu spotted her. With a highly critical gaze, she scrutinized Lu Jiaor from head to toe, flaring her nostrils in disdain before letting out a proud snort. Angrily, she glared at her.

Madam Gu had never met her youngest daughter-in-law before, for she refused to acknowledge her. This was their first meeting, and it was the same for Mr. Gu and Gu Mingzhi as well.

Upon seeing Lu Jiaor for the first time, Mr. Gu and his daughter found that she was unlike what they had imagined. She was by no means unattractive, though not as pretty as Lu Xiaoning; rather, they seemed to represent different kinds of beauty. Lu Jiaor was of the kind that grew more appealing the longer one looked, a beauty that revealed itself gradually.

Moreover, Lu Jiaor possessed an indescribable aura—something elusive and subtle—perhaps best described as a serene, detached elegance.

Suddenly, Mr. Gu felt that she was not at all unworthy of his youngest son. She didn’t seem like a countryside girl at all; her entire demeanor surpassed even that of his own daughter.

“Xiao Lu, this is your father-in-law and mother-in-law, and your little sister-in-law. We’re all family here, and Xiao Lu is truly a good person,” the old master said with a gentle tone when facing Lu Jiaor, a marked contrast to Madam Gu’s attitude. Although he did not smile, his voice was kind.

“Hello,” Lu Jiaor greeted faintly, aware enough not to call them father-in-law and mother-in-law as they did, nor to address the little sister-in-law in such a familiar way. She simply offered a polite nod, careful not to appear rude or ill-bred.

Mr. Gu and Gu Mingzhi exchanged surprised glances at how she addressed them. They were even more shocked by the old master’s approval.

Lu Jiaor hadn’t seized the chance to call Madam Gu “mother-in-law,” which left Madam Gu both displeased and somewhat pleased. No matter how beautiful this woman was, she would never acknowledge her.

“The old master, it’s getting late. I should be going,” Lu Jiaor said before anyone could respond, beginning to take her leave.

Her home was nearly an hour’s walk from here, though a car ride would take less than ten minutes.

“I’ll have Xiao Lin see you off,” the old master offered.

Sensing that Lu Jiaor had no intention of warming relations with the Gu family and feeling exhausted, the old master had no choice but to call a guard to drive her.

“Thank you, but no. I plan to walk back—it’s good exercise,” Lu Jiaor replied, having decided to stroll all the way home to get some physical activity. Since arriving in the capital, her movement had decreased; life is movement, after all, and she thought she should walk more.

“Then be careful,” the old master said.

It was already summer, and the days were longer. Though it was past seven in the evening, the sky outside was still bright. The old master felt reassured that Lu Jiaor was going home alone—after all, he had witnessed her strength firsthand and knew she often ventured alone into Xiangshan to gather herbs. A young woman without some means of self-protection wouldn’t dare roam freely.

Lu Jiaor nodded, then acknowledged Mr. Gu, Madam Gu, Gu Fengrui, and Gu Mingzhi with a nod before slinging her bag over her shoulder and departing.

“Dad, look at her—so indifferent and disrespectful. She clearly doesn’t take us seriously,” Madam Gu complained bitterly. She felt ignored by this rural daughter-in-law, believing Lu Jiaor showed no respect for her as a mother-in-law.

Anger and frustration overwhelmed her, and she couldn’t help but report Lu Jiaor’s behavior to the old master.

“Did you ever consider whether you’ve shown her any respect? When Xiao Ji told you to send someone to pick her up, did you? When Lu Jiaor found her way here by herself, did you let her in? You ignored her from the start, and now you expect her to fawn over you? Frankly, you’re just making a fool of yourselves,” the old master retorted sharply. His temper, which had nearly cooled, flared again at Madam Gu’s complaints. How audacious his daughter-in-law was to speak up like that.

There’s a saying: whether it’s mud or something else, once it’s fallen into your pants, it’s still a mess. The old master believed that at his age, there was no use holding back—his health was his own, and he intended to live long enough to see even more great-grandchildren.

Mr. Gu remained speechless.

Gu Mingzhi was also silent.

Madam Gu’s face flushed white and red at the old master’s unyielding words.

Unaware that the old master had defended her after she left, Lu Jiaor walked steadily toward home, her mind occupied with plans for the coming years: university, career, buying property.

This era was a golden opportunity, an age of prosperity where even pigs were being hyped up. From now on and for nearly twenty years, there would be a mass wave of people seeking to go abroad.

Many were desperate to leave the country, which meant a glut of properties on the market. Lu Jiaor was eager to buy these houses, to accumulate original wealth, aiming to live comfortably and leisurely by middle age.

Such a life had been her dream in two past lives—no, three, counting this one—and this time she was closer than ever.

Though nearly eight o’clock, the streets were still busy. Some hurried home, while others, like her, strolled leisurely. Small vendors lined the roadside, mostly selling food.

Compared to other places, the capital had far more individual businesses and clearer policies. Lu Jiaor felt it was best to keep things small and steady for now, to survive the next year or two before truly making her mark.

Not long after Lu Jiaor left, Mr. Gu, Madam Gu, and Gu Mingzhi also departed. They had come without having eaten dinner and, with things having reached this point, there was little left to say.

The couple took their daughter home to eat.

“Old Gu, did you see that? The old master is backing her up, and that countryside woman is getting more and more brazen,” Madam Gu grumbled to her husband once they were in the car, still fuming.

“Just say less. If she pays attention to you, you think she’s flattering you. If she doesn’t, you say she’s disrespectful. Dad’s right—what exactly do you expect from her?” Mr. Gu sighed, feeling worn out. Their eldest son’s matters were still unsettled, and now his wife was displeased with their youngest son’s situation.

His father was right; it was just despicable.

“You…” Madam Gu was stunned by her husband’s words and instantly felt hurt. Who was she doing this for, if not for the family, for their two sons?

In the end, she found herself unappreciated by all. Too angry to speak, Madam Gu fell silent.