Chapter 231 Gong Wentao's Past
The Gong family were descendants of imperial chefs who had made mistakes, while the village chief's family were the legitimate heirs. Only his family passed down the imperial chef's recipes. It was just that not many people were willing to learn, so Gong Wentao had only followed his grandfather for a period in his childhood.
Gong Wentao was favored because he was very talented. As long as he had seen a recipe, he could cook the dish to a passable standard. However, the most favored are often the most rebellious.
He was supposed to have a good job, but he ran off to join the army, and he was gone for over ten years. He didn't even return when his grandfather passed away. No one knew what had happened to him outside.
All they knew was that his face was disfigured and he no longer served in the army. But after his face was ruined, he didn't go home. He only heard that he had suffered a great disaster and was saved by someone.
The village chief only knew a little, only that Zi Yisheng was the benefactor who saved his son, and his son had followed him for the next few years.
"Look at how biased your mother is. Er Mao and San Mao never got such good things before, but today they're all brought out."
Zhang Yuan, the second daughter-in-law of the village chief's family, felt uneasy. She was seeing her husband's younger brother for the first time. She immediately saw who her mother-in-law favored. Now, even her grandchildren were not as valuable.
"Shut up. My younger brother hasn't been home for so many years and can't eat one good meal? And don't forget, for all these years, you've had food and clothes because of the money my brother earned. Who do you think you are to dare to dislike my younger brother?"
The village chief's eldest son, Gong Wenliang, turned his face instantly. He knew that his mother cried every day, feeling distressed for her younger brother who was working hard for the family outside. He also felt distressed for his brother and would never let anyone with poor judgment hurt his brother's feelings.
"I, how did I dislike him? I just felt that Mother was usually frugal, and today she's used up all the good things at home. Won't the children be deprived later?"
"Zhang Yuan, I know very well what kind of person you are. I can tolerate your greed, but I absolutely cannot tolerate you disliking my brother, nor will I let you spend the money my brother earned with his life and still hurt him.
I'm putting it on the line today. As long as you dare to give my brother a cold shoulder or say anything hurtful to him, I will definitely divorce you. You can try if you don't believe me."
Zhang Yuan was startled by her husband's fierce expression, and a chill suddenly ran through her body, making her heart grow colder.
"You're actually saying this to me for a brother? Who am I doing this for? Isn't it for our small family and our sons? Gong Wenliang, you are heartless."
Gong Wentao, seeing his wife speaking louder and louder, quickly covered her mouth. He also looked out the window and heaved a sigh of relief when he saw no one in the yard.
"If you don't want to live like this, then get out. If you cause more trouble, I'll send you back to your maiden home right now. Our family doesn't lack food or clothes for you. Stop looking for trouble for no reason, especially today!"
After saying that, Gong Wenliang opened the door and went out. He'd rather spend this time chatting more with his brother.
Meanwhile, in the adjacent room where the eldest son, Gong Wenxing, was changing, he glanced at his wife after hearing the commotion.
Fan Wenli, seeing her husband's gaze, rolled her eyes.
"What are you looking at me for? Am I that short-sighted? I entered this family the earliest and watched my younger brother go from a handsome young man to being disfigured. I know even more about what he has sacrificed for our family, especially the grain he sent back during the drought these past two years. I'm not ungrateful."
"Hehe, I didn't say anything. I know my wife wouldn't be as inconsiderate as the second son's wife."
"Hmph, at least you have some conscience. Alas, now my younger uncle is almost forty and doesn't have any children. What will happen to him in the future?"
Fan Wenli was very grateful to her younger uncle. Her children's education was all thanks to him. Especially her eldest son, after graduating from high school, he was also arranged to work in the city, all thanks to her younger uncle.
Even her daughter had graduated from junior high school and became a primary school teacher in the village. She could be considered a winner in life, with her children's futures all bright. All of this depended on her younger uncle.
Therefore, she only had gratitude and thankfulness towards her younger uncle. She also worried about her younger uncle's future.
"As long as he stays alive, it's good. If Wentao really doesn't find a wife, then our two children will take care of him in his old age."
Fan Wenli nodded. She really didn't mind her children taking care of her uncle in his old age.
"My younger uncle's life has been too difficult. He still needs to find a soulmate. If he truly has no children, let Da Mao take care of him until his final days."
The eldest son, Gong Wenxing, gratefully took his wife's hand, feeling fortunate that he hadn't married a white-eyed wolf like the second son's wife.
Suddenly having her hand held by her husband, Fan Wenli blushed and impatiently slapped his hand away.
"What are you being so weird for? Go and chat with your younger uncle quickly. I still need to be busy in the kitchen."
Fan Wenli walked out of the room and knocked twice on the door of the adjacent room. She wouldn't indulge this sister-in-law.
"Zhang Yuan, get out and cook."
The village chief's wife took all the good things from the cabinet to the kitchen and then held her younger son tightly. She closed the door to her room and hugged her younger son, weeping uncontrollably.
Gong Wentao also hugged his mother tightly, his eyes red.
"My son, what kind of suffering have you endured!"
"Mom, it's okay, it's all in the past."
The village chief's wife was still crying when the village chief returned.
"What are you crying for? Isn't it good that our son is back?"
The village chief sat on a chair and scolded his wife. If not for his constantly trembling hands betraying his emotions, one would really think he was very calm.
The three sat together, their voices low.
"Wentao, are you not leaving anymore?"
Gong Wentao looked at his parents' hopeful eyes and nodded.
"I won't leave for the next few years. When Young Master Zi leaves, I must also leave."
The village chief's wife immediately became anxious.
"Then how long can they stay? Can't you not follow them?"
"What nonsense are you talking about? Our son is following Young Master Zi for his future."
"I don't want him to pursue his future. I just want him to stay by my side safely."
Gong Wentao took his mother's hand, which was thin and rough.
"Mom, I won't be in danger anymore. Once Young Master Zi leaves, everything will be stable, and then it will be a peaceful life."
The village chief understood. His son was accompanying a leader through a transition.
"Good, as long as there's no danger, that's good. Dad doesn't ask for much success in the future, as long as you can take care of yourself."
Gong Wentao smiled. How could his accumulation over the years only amount to a little success? Did they really think he was just a cook? However, it was not convenient for him to say too much.
"Yes, I will. You all can rest assured."
The village chief's wife wiped away her tears and looked at her son's disfigured face, her heart aching.
"My son, can you find a wife these past few years you've been home?"
Gong Wentao's expression turned a bit ferocious when the topic of a wife was mentioned. He had a wife, but that woman had betrayed him and ruined him.
"No, I don't need one."
Gong Wentao's tone was very harsh, and even the village chief's wife could tell something was wrong.
The village chief quickly patted his wife, signaling her not to say too much.
Gong Wentao quickly regained his composure and sighed at his mother.
"Mom, I used to have a wife, and a son."
Before the village chief's wife could express her joy, she saw her son pointing at his face.
"This was ruined by that woman."
"What? Then where is the child?"