Gu Xiaohua was also timid. In the past, although the whole family bullied Gu Qingcheng, she never bullied Gu Qingcheng because she was timid.
However, she wasn't too close to Gu Qingcheng either.
But at least, compared to the harm the rest of the family had inflicted on Gu Qingcheng, the current Gu Xiaohua was undoubtedly a bridge of friendship to mend her relationship with Gu Qingcheng.
Therefore, Grandma Gu asked Gu Xiaohua to go and find Qingcheng, to evoke her sympathy.
How dare Gu Xiaohua disobey?
Even if she was unwilling, she could only go find Gu Qingcheng.
"Qingcheng, our grain is all gone, and we're starving. Can you give us a wild rabbit? I heard you caught many!"
Seeing the sallow, timid girl, Gu Qingcheng couldn't deny feeling a bit of sympathy.
This girl's situation was similar to her own past, perhaps even worse. She at least had parents who doted on her.
But Gu Xiaohua, being a daughter, was not favored by Zhang Manzhi. Whether she was right or wrong, she would be scolded to vent anger, which made her timid as a mouse, always appearing anxious and restless.
"Xiaohua, who sent you?"
Gu Qingcheng asked calmly.
Gu Xiaohua looked at Gu Qingcheng, who was sitting on a stump, sharpening a stick with a kitchen knife. For some reason, she felt Gu Qingcheng's imposing aura was even more terrifying than Grandma's.
Gu Xiaohua shivered and said tremblingly,
"Qingcheng, Grandma sent me!"
"I guessed as much. Hey, tell Grandma that we've already split the family and don't owe her anything.
Besides, all the game we caught was given to the commune. We don't have any on hand now, so we can't fulfill your wish."
In fact, Gu Qingcheng's hunting was purely out of a whim.
Along the way, seeing wild animals run past, how could she not hunt? It would be too disrespectful to her bow and arrows.
It was this playful mindset that led her to catch over 20 wild animals.
Then she thought, her family couldn't possibly eat so many wild animals. Wild game was too "heaty," and after eating roasted wild rabbit that day, their mouths had developed sores.
So, having wild game on hand that couldn't be eaten was useless.
Gu Qingcheng's mountain cat supermarket had inexhaustible food, so she didn't care about these wild animals.
If they spoiled, it would be a waste of food.
Therefore, Gu Qingcheng decided to hand over the caught wild game to the commune. Moreover, she deliberately made a big show of it, announcing that all the game was given to the commune.
This way, even if the Gu family wanted to take advantage of her, they couldn't.
As expected, the Gu family was indeed shameless and wanted to take advantage of her wild game, sending Gu Xiaohua as a messenger.
Gu Qingcheng personally had no issues with Gu Xiaohua, but she couldn't indulge the Gu family any longer.
If she didn't give, she didn't give!
Gu Xiaohua, upon hearing this, didn't immediately leave in disappointment. Instead, she said with a mournful expression,
"Qingcheng, you've grown capable now and can hunt wild game. But they are your grandparents after all. Even if they didn't raise you, they gave birth to you. You should show some filial piety, shouldn't you?"
"Gu Xiaohua, you're wrong there. They gave birth to me, but didn't raise me?
Are there not enough filial sons and virtuous grandchildren in front of Grandpa and Grandma?
Are my eldest, second, to fifth uncles all dead? Do I, a girl who has split from the family, need to talk about filial piety?
Ha, if you want to talk about filial piety, then wait until all my father's brothers are dead, and then we'll naturally be filial."
Gu Qingcheng's words were sharp and ruthless, making Gu Xiaohua dare not respond.
Her face was filled with sorrow. Fearing she would have her ears pulled by Grandma Gu if she returned empty-handed, she tried another tactic:
"Qingcheng, then pity me. I'm also very hungry!"
"Pitying you is useless. Even if I gave you a wild pheasant, what would you be able to eat when you took it back?
Chicken feet? Or chicken butts? I'm afraid you wouldn't even get to drink the soup?"
Gu Qingcheng's words were harsh, but they hit the mark.
Gu Xiaohua's heart ached.
Admittedly, Gu Qingcheng's words, though piercing, were the honest truth.
Both she and Gu Qingcheng were types of people who were not favored in the Gu family.
When there was food, no one would ever think of including them, and they could only eat leftovers.
Alas, knowing she couldn't persuade Qingcheng, Gu Xiaohua drooped her head and dejectedly walked back.
Gu Qingcheng shook her head and called out to Gu Xiaohua's retreating figure,
"There are so many wild vegetables on the road. Can't they pick some themselves? They're so lazy, they deserve to starve to death!"
Gu Xiaohua's body trembled upon hearing this, almost tripping over a protruding tree stump.
Admittedly, Gu Qingcheng's words made a lot of sense.
The Gu family was truly that lazy.
Upon returning, seeing that Gu Xiaohua had returned defeated, Grandma Gu indeed grabbed her ears and spanked her backside hard.
"You little brat, you're useless for anything except eating."
Gu Xiaohua started crying from the beating. Perhaps it was the pain in her ears, perhaps it was hunger, or perhaps it was Gu Qingcheng's current vibrant and energetic appearance that stimulated her.
Gu Xiaohua suddenly cried out,
"After Uncle Liu's family split, their lives haven't been bad. I see they eat well, have rosy complexions, and are full of energy.
Qingcheng used to be more listless than me, but now she's full of vitality.
Dad, Mom, let's split the family too, or I'm going to starve to death!"
This outburst was like a bolt from the blue, and everyone was stunned.
Old Man Gu and Grandma Gu were flustered.
Some things are like celestial secrets that cannot be revealed. Once a celestial secret is exposed, it will produce powerful subsequent effects.
Gu Xiaohua's suggestion of splitting the family suddenly felt like a nail driven into everyone's hearts.
Everyone thought: That's right! After the sixth child's family split, their lives became more comfortable. They walked with a spring in their step.
Most importantly, everything they had could be used by their small family and wouldn't be snatched away by their parents. The best things were kept for themselves, and the worst were divided among them.
It turned out that this Gu Laoliu was the most clear-headed person in their family!
For a moment, everyone felt a profound sense of "I'm the clown here."
"You little brat, what nonsense are you spouting? If you say that again, I'll throw you into the river to feed the fish!"
Grandma Gu said, grabbing a branch from the side and starting to whip Gu Xiaohua indiscriminately.
Gu Xiaohua cried out as she was beaten, constantly hiding behind her elder brother, Gu Mi.
Gu Mi, of course, protected his sister. Grandma was truly putting in a lot of effort; even the branches hitting him hurt.
"Stop hitting her, you'll kill Xiaohua!"
Gu Mi said, snatching the branch from Grandma Gu's hand.
The Gu family descended into chaos.
Grandma Gu didn't expect Gu Mi to dare stop her. She panted heavily, pointed at Gu Mi's nose, and was so angry she couldn't speak.
Old Man Gu walked forward with a dark expression and slapped Gu Mi across the face.
Gu Mi didn't expect his usually doting grandfather to hit him. He couldn't dodge in time, and five finger marks appeared on his face.
The entire family froze.