Gu Sang replied with a detached smile, her words laced with sarcasm: "My purpose in this world isn't to endure hardships or bear children. I'm here to find my own happiness and fulfillment."
"Moreover, consider Mr. Yuan, the father of hybrid rice; Mr. Qian, the pioneer of China's nuclear and space programs; Hedy Lamarr, the mother of WiFi; and Mr. Tu, China's first Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine..."
"They came into this world to benefit countless people with their innovations. You can't dismiss everyone's life as meaningless just because they didn't procreate."
Gu's mother arrived fashionably late, dressed in haute couture.
As soon as she entered, she overheard Gu Sang's perspective-shattering words.
Gu's mother immediately countered: "They were extraordinary individuals, Sang-sang. We're just ordinary people; we can't compare ourselves to such great figures."
"Besides, when you're old and sick decades from now, having no descendants will leave you vulnerable. You're still young, and I didn't want to discuss this, but Mu Fei is such an exceptional young man. You'll regret it if you let him slip away."
"Listen to your mother, marriage isn't as daunting as you think. No matter what, your children will always be your own. Without them, who will remember you or tend to your grave after you're gone?"
"Moreover, if you don't have children, and she doesn't, and nobody does, society will regress."
Gu Sang abruptly stood up, her voice tinged with mockery: "If you're so keen on making a contribution, why don't you take action? Have more children yourselves. After all, the Gu family isn't short on money."
"Tell me, do you remember your great-great-grandmother's name?"
"Where is your great-grandfather's grave?"
"If I become paralyzed, will having a descendant magically make me able-bodied?"
"Dad, Mom, I don't owe you anything. I despise this form of emotional blackmail disguised as concern for my well-being. If you truly care about me, you should respect all my choices because this is my life!"
With that said, Gu Sang stormed out without looking back.
Gu's mother, stunned by these words, turned pale and trembled, unable to utter a word.
Because—
She really didn't know her great-great-grandmother's name!
Nor did she know where her great-grandfather was buried!
But, but, but this was tradition! Who doesn't get married and have children?!
Gu's father angrily slammed the table: "Why are they both so rebellious? Without children, who will preserve the Gu family's assets when we're old?"
Gu's mother took a deep breath to regain her composure.
She felt a headache coming on and rubbed her temples: "Sang-sang's temperament comes from you. She's as stubborn as a mule. We'll have to persuade her gradually."
"Qing-qing already doesn't want to get married. She keeps showing me videos about domestic violence and women unable to divorce."
"Those are just isolated cases. It won't happen to us."
"If Sang-sang adopts the same mindset and follows suit, it'll be even more troublesome."
Gu's father sipped his tea, calming his anger, and said: "Old Lu and I are business partners. I know the Lu family's son well. He's academically brilliant and doesn't fool around."
"I've set my sights on this Lu boy. He must become our son-in-law."
"If he weren't significantly older than Qing-qing, I would have already..."
Gu Sang stormed out angrily, unaware of her classmates sitting by the entrance.
The two lowered their heads, afraid of being spotted by Gu Sang, and only dared to look up after she had walked away.
Xie Hansi pondered thoughtfully: "There were rumors that Gu Sang's family was wealthy. I didn't expect them to be true."
The other girl spoke with a hint of jealousy: "Who knows? I see Gu Sang taking the bus home every day after school. I've never seen her wearing any luxury brands. The labels she wears aren't even as good as mine. She's so pretty; who knows how these rumors started."
"Come on, don't be sour. Not every rich person cares about material possessions. Is it so hard to admit someone else's excellence?"
"Why can't you appreciate others instead of comparing yourself? We're all girls; there's no need for such passive-aggressive comments."
Meanwhile, the subject of their conversation, Gu Sang, was walking down the street, her face full of exasperation. She wished she had responded differently to her parents earlier, with more impactful words.
Indeed, after an argument, one always replays it in their mind.
Wishing they had been more articulate the next time.
Gu Sang sighed and took out her phone to call Gu Qing.
The call was answered within three seconds.
"You! You, you, you!!! Why are you calling me?!"
Hearing Gu Qing's flustered and incredulous tone, Gu Sang's frustration dissipated a bit.
"Come over to my place. Let's have a chat about life. Are you in?"
Gu Qing exploded: "Holy crap!!!"
"I mean, yes! Yes! Which building, which floor, which apartment, what's the address? I'll be right there!"
Hearing the rapid-fire sounds from the other end, Gu Sang worried she might rush and fall, so she said: "No hurry, take your time. I'll text you the address."
"Okay, wait for me!"
After hanging up, Gu Qing's heart was brimming with excitement.
Hearing that Gu Sang had invited her over to chat about life, Gu Qing felt incredibly lucky.
Gu Sang actually invited her to her home!
Chatting definitely involves drinking, right? And drinking means you can't drive, so she'd have to stay the night at Gu Sang's place!
"Hahaha!"
"Genius! I'm a genius with both beauty and brains!"
So, rounding up, could she interpret this as: Gu Sang inviting her over to sleep?!
Wait, did Gu Sang encounter something upsetting and need to talk about life?
If anyone dared to bully Gu Sang, she'd track them down and give them a piece of her mind. How dare they pick on her sister?
Gu Sang bought some barbecue skewers and fried chicken from a nearby mall and ordered a few bottles of low-alcohol drinks to be delivered to her doorstep.
As soon as she reached the community entrance,
She ran into Gu Qing, who was just getting out of her car. Gu Qing had a massive canvas bag on her back, a small cake in her right hand, and was dressed casually.
Gu Sang approached her and, noticing the large canvas bag, raised an eyebrow and asked:
"Are you coming to seek refuge at my place? Why such a big bag?"
Gu Qing glanced around nervously, saying somewhat guiltily: "It's not much, just some change of clothes."
"I drove here. You wouldn't expect me to drive back late at night, would you? I've come all this way to keep you company, chat about life, and have a few drinks. Surely you'll let me stay the night at your place."
Gu Sang nodded: "Alright, if you want to stay, you can. But I don't have an extra bed, so you'll probably have to share mine."
After a pause, Gu Sang added, "Or you can sleep on the couch if you prefer."
Gu Qing followed Gu Sang upstairs, surprised to hear her suggest sleeping on the couch. She quickly made her stance clear.
"I'm not sleeping on the couch. I've never slept on a couch in my entire life. What if I wake up with a sore back? I want to sleep in a bed. Even sharing with you is better than sleeping on the couch."
Upon entering Gu Sang's home, Gu Qing looked around curiously.
The place had a cozy atmosphere. No wonder her sister didn't want to go back home.
Wait, was that Gu Sang's grandmother?
Gu Qing walked over to examine the framed photograph on the shelf.
So that's what her sister looked like when she smiled.
Her sister's grandmother seemed so kind-hearted.
"Gu Sang, where's your grandmother?" Gu Qing asked.
