Chapter 773: It's a Good Thing
“No wonder Teacher Zhou said that nowadays, any riff-raff can get into your school,” a fashionable woman remarked with disdain. “I understand now. Xiao Tian, you are not to associate with this family’s child. In class, act as if you don’t know him. You come from high society, and we can’t let these people drag you down. Let’s go!”
As she spoke, she hurriedly pulled her son, Xiao Tian, away. Her hurried steps seemed as if she feared the very ground beneath her feet would lower her worth.
Xiao Tian, however, looked back with a reluctant gaze, seemingly wanting to resist but not daring to speak up. He could only be led away.
Gu Zi watched this unfold, noticing a hint of genuine envy in the boy’s eyes. She shook her head, finding the woman’s behavior unreasonable. Yet, she felt no need to retaliate. After all, with such a mother, the one who would be led astray in the future would be her child.
Gu Zi was not one to meddle in others’ affairs. Moreover, if this woman could maintain such a good relationship with Teacher Zhou, she was not someone worth associating with. It was a good thing that her child would not be associating with Su Li.
However, the woman’s words were too classist, even the good-natured An Yun couldn’t stand it. Unable to hold back, An Yun said to Gu Zi, “Such a mother could corrupt her child. Look at the poor boy.”
Just as the fashionable woman was about to step out of the door, she bumped into Gao Ming’s grandmother, the elderly Mrs. Gao. The woman’s eyes lit up. This was the wife of her husband’s mentor, Elder Gao. Her husband owed much of his success to Elder Gao’s guidance, so she naturally held the couple in high regard. “Aunt Gao, what brings you here?” she asked.
Mrs. Gao had arrived just in time to hear the woman’s disparaging remarks. She was taken aback. The woman who had been so respectful and polite during their last encounter was now spouting such words to Gu Zi’s mother.
The elderly lady did not hide her displeasure. Her face darkened as she coldly replied, “I’m afraid you’ve mistaken me for someone else, madam. I’m a neighbor of this rural family. How could I possibly know you?”
Dressed in a cheongsam and stepping lightly in her lace-up shoes, the elderly Madam Gao was as elegant as ever. She briskly walked past a woman, heading towards Gu Zi and her mother.
The fashionable woman stood frozen in place, wondering if the old lady had lost her mind. She was being so dismissive towards her, a lady of high standing, all for a family of country folk. It was outrageous!
She climbed into her car with her son, still seething with anger. “It must be because your father has been too busy these days to visit Madam Gao,” she muttered resentfully. “She must think your father has been neglecting her, that’s why she’s so angry with me…”
Inside the house, Gu Zi introduced her parents to Madam Gao. “Grandma Gao, this is my mother and father. They just arrived from our hometown today and plan to stay here for a while. They brought a lot of good things from the village. When I have some free time tomorrow, I’ll bring some over for you.”
Grandma Gao and Gu Zi had a comfortable relationship, always exchanging pleasantries and gifts. Gu Zi’s gifts were always accepted with pleasure, no matter what they were. The Gao family believed in reciprocating kindness and would never let Gu Zi be at a disadvantage. “Thank you for your kind intentions, and thank you both for bringing these wonderful things all the way from your village. I can tell that you are good people, especially since you have such a good daughter.”
An Yun and her husband were somewhat embarrassed by the praise. Seeing that Grandma Gao had come over specifically, An Yun assumed she must have something to discuss with Gu Zi. She stood up with her husband, “Madam Gao, you flatter us. You two have a chat, we’ll go check on our grandson.”
Grandma Gao watched An Yun and her husband leave with a smile, then turned to Gu Zi. “Your mother is quite polite. I did come to ask you something, but it’s not a secret. You mentioned that the braised meat shop might open a branch in the city. Where did you hear this news, and is it reliable?”
Gu Zi raised an eyebrow, surprised that Grandma Gao had come for this matter. The housekeeper at Aunt Gao’s house certainly had a quick tongue. However, she didn’t plan to reveal her relationship with the gourmet food shop to Grandma Gao just yet. She had plans this year to help her sister-in-law open a branch in the city, but she didn’t want too many people to know about it too soon.
She organized her thoughts and replied, “I didn’t hear any news. I just think that this shop, despite its remote location, is very popular. It was even featured in the newspaper. It must have potential for growth. Perhaps the owner will consider opening a branch in the city. After all, there are more people in the city, which means more business. Who doesn’t want to make money, right, Grandma Gao?”