"Grandma?", in Gu Anans impression, Tang Lanzhi was a sent-down youth back then, and all these years, she had never contacted her maternal family. Now that the New Year is approaching, she suddenly said she would go to her grandmas house for the New Year, but only brought Gu Wanwan with her, which seemed suspicious no matter how you looked at it.

  "Yes, mom is taking me to grandmas house to take a look, maybe Ill be studying in the provincial city." Gu Wanwan had a smug expression on her face. After all, she was a 15-year-old girl, and no matter how clever she was, in front of her sister of the same age, such a great thing would naturally have to be shown off.

  Gu Anan didnt notice the expression on Gu Wanwans face, but instead was thinking to herself, if they went back, would they still be able to return to this mountain village? She asked tentatively, "Will we come back?" As she spoke, she stared intently at Tang Lanxi, not missing any expression on her face. Ever since she had accepted the memories of her original body, she knew that the thing her original body feared most was happening - Tang Lanxi was going to return to the city. Over the past two years, policies had gradually relaxed, and sent-down youths could now return to the cities. This news was like a timely rain in a long drought, making all the sent-down youths restless with longing.

  They have left their homes in Gus village for good, abandoning their families and children, just to return to the city and live a better life.

  Gu Anans sharp words hit the nail on the head, especially with her clear and calm eyes, making Tang Lanxi feel a bit uneasy and guilty. After all, she had obtained the proof of returning to the city by taking advantage of her husbands absence while he was out running long-distance, and had privately asked Gu Anans second uncle, Gu Weifu, for it. Gu Weifu was the most beloved son of the old master of the Gu family and also the head of the village team, so getting a proof from him was naturally not a problem.

  Tang Lanqis silence made the atmosphere in the house even more depressing.

  Gu Anan was sad not because the woman was leaving, but because she didnt care about anyone in this family, especially her eight-year-old son, and Tang Lanxi didnt care either.

  Her face turned pale, she closed her eyes, "Dong Dong? You dont want Dong Dong?", this is a piece of meat that fell from Tang Lanzhis belly, and its still attached.

  Tang Lanxi was a bit flustered, and the cloth bag in her hand was unconsciously clenched tightly. She stuttered, "I... Ill be back..." This sentence, she herself didnt believe it. Tang Lanxis hometown was in the provincial city, where her parents worked at an iron and steel factory with high positions. However, years ago, to keep her two younger brothers from being sent to the countryside, she was abandoned by her family. Later, she followed the factorys assignment and came to Gus Village, which was the most remote place.

  She has grievances against her family members, and for over a decade, she hasnt returned home even once. In the past, it was because of lack of means, but later on, when conditions improved and her children grew up, she simply lost interest in doing so.

  But this time Gu Weiqiangs warning thoroughly hurt Tang Lanzhis heart, in her view, all the best things at home should be given to her little daughter.

  Her husband has to take care of this family, okay!

  She accompanied him.

  But!

  Nowadays, the quota for going to school in the city can only be given to the eldest daughter, not the younger daughter. Isnt this cutting flesh from her heart?

  Tang Lan Zhi then moved her thoughts, the educated youth returning to the city could have a family quota, she thought and thought, this quota was given to her youngest daughter. Although she also loved her youngest son, but Xiao Erzi Gu Dongdong was the root of the Gu familys fourth house, the old lady at home would not let her take him away.

  Instead, she took away her youngest daughter, and the old lady would not see her anyway, but rather turn a blind eye.

  As for Gu Weiqiang, this man, when he privately warned her not to fight for Anans school quota, when he handed over his salary to the old lady time and again, when he wronged her little daughter, their fate was exhausted.

  Gu Anan opened her eyes, her gaze clear and calm. Her body shook violently as she spoke in a firm tone, "You can leave, but leave the tickets behind. I need to go to the city for school next year, and Dongdong needs to start elementary school, all of which will cost money." If she wasnt mistaken, Tang Lan Zhi had just stuffed all the tickets from their four rooms into her cloth pouch.

  Tang Lanji hesitated, but Gu Wanwan glared at Gu Anan, thinking she was being too outspoken.

  Gu Anan took advantage of the situation, "Weve already lost our mother and are the laughing stock of the village. If we lose the last bit of money and tickets we have left, well have to drop out of school."

  The three words "lost her mother" became the last straw that crushed Tang Lanxi, making it hard for her to breathe. She could no longer deny the fact that Gu Anan and Gu Dongdong were also flesh of her flesh.

  It seems like Tang Lan Zhi is about to agree.

  Gu Wanwan stood up straight and said, "I can give it to you, but you have to take us to the village entrance."

  "Its all right," An said, and without another thought, she took the quilted jacket from the bed and wrapped it around her soft body, then headed out.

  It wasnt until she came out that she realized the entire Gu family was eerily quiet, without a single sound. Even the usually rambunctious Gu Dongdong was nowhere to be found. She stared at the tightly closed door and asked, "Where did Dongdong and the others go?"

  It seems that she is about to leave this house, Gu Wanwan was somewhat excited, she rolled her eyes and replied in a rare good mood, "Gu Erma is getting married today, grandma and the others went to help out, Dongdong also went."

  Upon hearing this, Gu Anan tightened her coat and smiled wryly, "No wonder...". No wonder she chose to leave home at this time. She must have thought that with her own mother and sister watching over the house, it was safe to go out.

  Gu Wanwan was suddenly annoyed, no wonder what?

  She glared at Gu Anan with hatred in her eyes.

  The footsteps under her feet also quickened with Tang Lanxi.

  The Gu familys house is in a good location, because Old Man Gu is the village head, and when it was the turn of the second son of the Gu family, he was also the team leader of the big team of Gu Village. Therefore, the location of the house is right in the center of the village, but Tang Lan and her mother are guilty!

  Afraid of running into acquaintances, what if we cant walk away, what to do?

  She took a detour, and it was snowing, the road was slippery, and it was not easy to walk. Gu Anan had never walked on such a muddy and slippery road before, and she fell several times along the way.

  She was determined to follow Tang Lanzhi, and after they reached the village entrance, she took all the tickets and money from them. That was the foundation for her brother and sisters future survival.

  After a long and winding road, they finally arrived at the village entrance. Gu Anan, who had been silent all along, suddenly shook his body, stretched out his hand, and grunted, "Give me money."

  Tang Lanji lowered her head and was about to untie her cloth bag.

  Gu Wanwan pressed down on her bundle, turned around and said, "Sister, we still have a long way to go to the provincial city, and there are quite a few places where well need to spend money."

  "So?"

  Gu Wanwan stomped her foot, "This wooden big sister of mine is getting more and more out of touch with reality," she continued, "You and Dongdong are at home with Dad taking care of you, without spending any money. But its me and Mom who went to the provincial city, what if Grandma doesnt like us? At that time, this money and ticket will be our lifeline."

  Tang Lan heard this and thought it was reasonable.

  Her parents were originally biased towards her two younger brothers. Now that shes bringing her daughter back home, they naturally have to make some calculations.

  Thinking of this, her grip on the cloth bag also loosened a bit, apparently unwilling to give it away.

  Gu Anan wouldnt fall for their nonsense. "You go to the city and enjoy yourselves, but leave me and Dongdong in the village to suffer. And on top of that, you want to take away all our family property without leaving us anything? What kind of logic is this?"

  "Just say whether youll give it or not. If you wont, Ill shout," she said, her hand directly reaching into the pouch on Tang Lanxis body.

  As expected, once Gu Anan said she wanted to shout, Tang Lanxi and Gu Wanwan immediately wilted. They were secretly leaving with the people from the Gu family, and if Anan continued shouting like this, it was very likely they wouldnt be able to leave.

  Tang Lan Zhi was straightforward this time, directly undoing the bundle and pulling out five or six tickets, as well as a considerable amount of loose change.

  Gu Anan didnt refuse and directly took it over, holding it in her hand, and spat out two words, "Not enough."

  Gu Wanwan watched as Tang Lanxi handed the money and ticket to Gu Anan, her heart aching. She hadnt expected that Gu Anan would be so presumptuous. She opened her mouth and said, "Dont go too far."

  "Am I overdoing it? Is abandoning my husband and child not overdoing it?", In theory, she was supposed to go inform the Gu family members, but instead blocked Tang Lan Zhi and Gu Wan Wan from leaving. To be honest, she didnt have a good impression of Tang Lan Zhi and Gu Wan Wan, their hearts were no longer in this home, whats the point of staying in Gu Village?

  Its inevitable that they will leave sooner or later, and without these two troublemakers, the family might be more at peace.

  Gu Anan said so, Tang Lan Zhis attitude softened again, and she took out some more from the cloth bag. Gu Anan accepted them without hesitation.

  "Alright?"

  A familiar voice came from behind, causing Gu Anans face to stiffen. She turned around, and tears fell like broken pearls, "Dad!", she said, throwing herself into Gu Weiqiangs arms like a swallow returning to its nest, sobbing, "Dad, Mom doesnt want us anymore."

  Gu Weis body was a bit stiff, An Ans personality had always been dull and rarely cried like this. Even when she wanted to give up her spot for Wan Wan in the past, she chose the most foolish method by kneeling in the courtyard, but never gave in easily.

  The more it was like this, the more unbearable Gu Wei Qiangs heart felt. This child must have suffered a great deal of injustice!

  Its not bad to say that Gu Weiqiang is quite good-looking, with a standard Chinese face, and he often drives outside for years, carrying an air of dignity that village people dont have. He raised his eyes to look at Tang Lanzhi, and indeed, she had a burden on her back.

  Even little daughters body also carried a big bag, packed with bulging packages.

  "He said in a low voice, Where is this going?"

  At this time, Tang Lan Zhi also came back to her senses, stuttering, "Wei Qiang, you... how did you come back?", didnt you go for a long run?

  The question didnt get asked after all.

  "Where is this going?" Gu Wei Qiang repeated again.

  Gu Wanwan pulled Tang Lanxis arm and whispered, "Mom, I miss Grandma, lets go visit her."

  Gu Wei comforted Anan in his arms, then looked up at Tang Lanzhi and asked, "Lan Zhi, are you coming back?"

  Life in rural areas is difficult, and among the educated youth who returned to the city, there isnt a single one willing to go back to the countryside.

  Even Tang Lanzhi is no exception. She didnt leave before because she couldnt bear to part with her children, but now she has become heartless. As the saying goes, "A poor couples hundred troubles", her feelings for Gu Weiqiang have long been consumed by the mundane tasks of supporting a big family, like cooking and providing for them.

  Tang Lanji was silent.

  But it is the best answer.