Back to the 1980s: Transmigrated as the Bigshot's Pampered Wife-Chapter 50: Being Alive Is a Mistake

Second Brother Gu pushed his cart, his mind focused on how much money he could make tomorrow, so he didn’t hear the gossip.

Mr. Su and Mr. Gu, two men of similar age, had plenty of common interests and were chatting away enthusiastically.

Su’s mother, meanwhile, had ridden her bicycle home ahead of them to start cooking. She wanted to make the most delicious meal for her daughter-in-law and her family.

Gu Jiaojiao pushed Su Shuochi’s wheelchair, listening to the gossip from the crowd behind them. Whether it was good or bad, it didn’t affect their mood in the slightest.

They were a young couple who had just fallen in love. Besides, most of the gossip was in their favor.

The people in the compound who knew Gu Jiaojiao had watched her grow up, seeing her as a frail girl who couldn’t take care of herself.

She had been a quiet and gentle little girl, and everyone assumed she would grow up to be poised and graceful.

Who would have thought she’d go off the rails at seventeen? Not only was she not graceful, but she also became unreasonable, throwing the Sheng Family into a complete uproar.

"Turns out we were all wrong. Gu Jiaojiao is still that same quiet and gentle girl. The Sheng family’s real heiress is the unreasonable one."

"What makes you say that? Do you know something?"

"My colleague lives right next door to the Sheng family. She said their house has still been in total chaos lately."

"Really? You don’t think we misjudged her, do you?"

"It’s the absolute truth. The Sheng family’s eldest son hasn’t been home in a week, and he used to come back every weekend."

An older woman, whose daughter had a crush on Sheng Shijing, spoke up unhappily.

"No way. Is your colleague the stepmother from the Dong Family? She’s Madam Sheng’s arch-nemesis."

"Even if they’re enemies, Ren Xiaofang wouldn’t just make things up. She said the Sheng family’s third son even secretly visited the Su family."

"Why go secretly? Couldn’t he just visit in broad daylight?"

"Tsk! You don’t get it. Didn’t they sever ties? It would be too embarrassing to go in broad daylight."

"The way I see it, it’s not about being embarrassed. He’s probably just afraid his birth sister would cause a scene."

At this, everyone’s opinion of Gu Jiaojiao skyrocketed. Many people chimed in to criticize the Sheng family’s real heiress.

"Watch your mouths! If you don’t know the facts, then don’t stand in the street spouting nonsense."

A girl’s furious shout cut through the gossiping crowd. Everyone turned to see.

Sheng Xinglian and a group of her followers were standing behind the crowd. She was fuming, looking like she was on the verge of tears but holding them back.

For the past two days, Xiao Yu had been getting snacks for defending Sheng Xinglian, and she had even gotten to try an egg yolk pastry.

The moment she put it in her mouth, the outer skin was flaky and crisp. With one bite, it crumbled into pieces. The savory, fragrant egg yolk and the sweet filling melted in her mouth, and she was reluctant to even swallow.

Sheng Xinglian and Song Zijin had tasted the forbidden fruit. Having just had his first taste, Song Zijin was now craving more, so he had generously bought her several egg yolk pastries.

"How are we spouting nonsense? Ren Xiaofang from next door to the Sheng family said it. If you don’t believe us, you can go ask her."

An older woman who didn’t recognize Sheng Xinglian retorted loudly.

"Back before the Sheng family’s real heiress returned, Ren Xiaofang never said the Sheng household was in an uproar."

"SOB... WAAAH... I never should have come back... I shouldn’t even be alive... My very existence is a mistake... WAAAH..."

This time, Sheng Xinglian’s tears were real. She had spent all afternoon sweetly waiting for Song Zijin to bring her some cold noodles.

It wasn’t that she was desperate for cold noodles. After all, she had lived ten years of luxury in her past life. What couldn’t she have if she wanted it?

What she wanted was Song Zijin’s infatuation and attention. But she waited until school let out and still didn’t see him.

Yesterday, after they had tasted the forbidden fruit, Song Zijin had waited for her at the school gate and reluctantly walked her to the entrance of her building.

This afternoon, they had another rendezvous in the small woods behind the school, and Song Zijin had promised he would skip class to buy her cold noodles.

She had waited all the way until school was over and still hadn’t seen Song Zijin. This left a sour taste in her mouth, and she was stewing with resentment.

Then, on her way home, she overheard all this nasty gossip about her. How could she not cry?

The gossips were just killing time; no one was actually trying to get to the bottom of things.

Seeing the Sheng family’s real heiress crying her heart out, everyone quickly scattered down different side streets.

A few people muttered defiantly as they walked away, "We didn’t do anything to you. You’re the one who decided to start crying."

"Exactly. We just said a few words of truth and she starts bawling. I bet you bully Gu Jiaojiao like this at home, too."

They couldn’t afford to cross the Sheng Family. That was precisely why they gossiped on the sly—it made them feel better.

And then there was the Song Family, who were basically their lifeline. The Song family managed the supply cooperative and the state-run restaurant in the compound.

But everyone knew there was safety in numbers. Gossiping as a group wasn’t a crime.

Getting caught alone, however, was a different story. And so, in an instant, the street was empty except for Sheng Xinglian and her posse.

Her followers were all teenage girls. As fierce as they usually acted, they didn’t dare get into a direct confrontation with the older women.

They frantically helped Sheng Xinglian wipe away her tears. "Ms. Lian, please don’t cry! When you’re like this... it makes me want to cry, too..."

"Gu Jiaojiao is coming back to school the day after tomorrow. We’ll settle the score with her then."

"Time flies. Gu Jiaojiao’s half-month marriage leave is already over."

"SOB... Just stop talking. I’m going home."

Sheng Xinglian stomped her foot and ran off, in no mood to listen to these idiots and their empty promises.

’I should go home and ask that fool if he’s dealt with Gu Jiaojiao yet,’ she thought. ’With how dumb he is, even if he didn’t beat her, he must have at least given that bitch a vicious tongue-lashing.’

By the time Gu Jiaojiao and the others got home, Su’s mother had already finished stir-frying several dishes. The chicken soup had been prepared by Mrs. Gu.

As was their habit, everyone quickly washed their hands, ate dinner, and then counted their money. Following Gu Jiaojiao’s instructions, Su Qinchun ladled a bowl of chicken soup for everyone.

The chicken soup with added ginseng wasn’t particularly delicious, but everyone knew ginseng was expensive and good for one’s health.

Two days wasn’t nearly enough time for Eldest Brother Gu and Old Sir Gu to recover fully. Their constitutions were severely depleted, and they still needed to slowly build themselves back up with medicinal foods.

Gu Jiaojiao had given them an infusion of an advanced nutrient solution, which was why their spirits were high and they had a great appetite.

"Jiaojiao, you’re too thin. Drink some more chicken soup." Mrs. Gu lovingly scooped a spoonful of soup from her own bowl into Gu Jiaojiao’s.

"Oh, don’t. This soup is just okay. We have to drink our designated portions, and I’m not willing to have a single drop more," Gu Jiaojiao teased.

"Haha... What do you mean? I think it’s delicious!" Old Sir Gu said, and he meant it.

"In that case, Grandpa, please help me drink my portion," Gu Jiaojiao immediately quipped.

"Jiaojiao, you’re the one who said drinking more or less than your share is bad for your health."

Su Shuochi was afraid his wife would drink even a single mouthful less. ’How could I let her skip any? It’s bad for her health!’

"Haha! Everyone just drink what’s in your own bowl," Mr. Gu said with a loud laugh.

The soup couldn’t be shared, but the other dishes could. Su’s mother had made more than enough, so even with sharing, everyone ate their fill. The Su family enjoyed their meal together in harmony.

Dong Qihua and his father had gone to work immediately after lunch, but not before making a detour to the Su family’s house for a delicious meal.

It wouldn’t be right to go freeload another meal at the Su family’s place for dinner. As they ate their own food, they found it hard to swallow.

Dong Qihua had saved some spicy strips to eat with his rice, and Father Dong could only watch with envy. ’Tomorrow at noon,’ he thought, ’I’ll have to ask my niece’s husband for some.’