283 The Gu Family (1)
The Gu family of Sea City had a deep foundation and a legacy of more than a hundred years.
However, the Gu family had a thin population. Other than Gu Qingming’s great-grandfather’s father’s generation which had three brothers, the Gu family’s direct line of descent had only one descendant from his great-grandfather’s generation. Until Gu Qingming, it had already been five generations.
On the other hand, there were many branches on the side. As the collateral branches grew stronger, many people began to covet the wealth of the direct line. Of course, this also required actual ability.
Although the Gu family only had one direct descendant, each of them had outstanding abilities. Any successor who inherited the family business would have a leap in development.
Therefore, in Gu Jianguo’s generation, he had already become the richest man in Sea City.
A huge amount of wealth made one’s eyes turn red and stirred up unsavory thoughts!
Although those collateral branches had some achievements, they were nothing compared to the direct descendants.
When Gu Jianguo only gave birth to one daughter and let this woman be the successor of the family, the thoughts of those collateral relatives completely came alive.
The Gu family had a hundred-year-old family business and a huge fortune. Why should they hand it over to a girl?
This daughter was going to get married in the future. What would happen after she got married? Would the Gu family change its name?
Since Gu Jianguo did not have a son, he should father one. Alternatively, he could adopt one from the side family or he could hand over the Gu family’s hundred-year-old family business to the male descendants of the collateral families to manage. How good would that be?
Of course, these lively thoughts were hidden in the past.
However, this time, they planned to take advantage of the opportunity to test the waters on the second day of the Lunar New Year, at the Gu family’s old residence!
No matter how dilapidated the old residence was, the only people who were qualified to live in the Gu family’s old residence were the direct descendants of the Gu family!
Usually, the Gu family lived in the Sea City villa area. Now that they were going to worship their ancestors, they had to return to the old residence to stay.
However, the Gu family would repair the old residence every year. They would also hire someone to guard the old residence. Every time the Gu family returned, it would be cleaned up.
On the second day of the Lunar New Year, members of the Gu family from all over the world gathered at the Gu family’s old residence.
On both sides of the road to the Gu family’s old residence, there were trees planted for shade. It was quiet.
Everyone drove forward and saw an ancient iron gate that was painted red. On the flat side of the gate were the words “Flourishing and prosperous”. Below that, there was a word denoting luck.
When the car arrived at the door, someone honked. A moment later, a man in his forties or fifties who looked like a butler opened the iron door.
When the driver saw the butler in the car, his attitude was a little casual. He called out, “Butler Zhou, is Big Brother here?”
Butler Zhou did not seem to mind their casual attitude. He nodded and said, “Young Master Tang, Old Master and Master are waiting for everyone in the living room!”
Upon hearing the butler’s words, Gu Shaobai drove into the house expressionlessly.
The first thing he saw was a courtyard with a few large parasol trees.
Even though the weather was cold and there might be someone serving them carefully, the leaves of these trees were still lush and swayed in the wind.
Then, an ancient-looking building appeared in front of everyone.
This was a courtyard house with three entrances and three exits.
This courtyard house stood resolutely, representing the past glory of the owner of this courtyard.
After Gu Shaobai and the others drove the car to the parking lot, they saw this courtyard that had experienced a hundred years of vicissitudes but still stood resolutely. Envy, jealousy, and unwillingness flashed in their eyes.
A hundred years ago, they were also the grandsons of the Gu family. Why were there direct descendants who could live in this courtyard as the masters while they, the collateral branches, were casually given some money and sent away?
But every year, they had to return here to pay respects to their ancestors.
However, perhaps the direct line of descent had enjoyed too much, causing the direct line of descent to be thin. Until now, there was only one girl in this generation.
Hehe, it was good to have a little girl.
The little girl was no longer qualified to inherit the entire Gu family business.
The Gu family’s hundred-year heritage could not be lost to a girl.
This time, he had gathered all the Gu family members from all over the world to the old residence. His motive was…
The decorations in the living room of the Gu family’s old residence looked solemn.
There was a mahogany offering table with some antique porcelain on it. A famous painting of mountains and rivers hung on the central wall.
The living room was symmetrically arranged with chairs, coffee tables, and so on. Other than the main guests, people sat on both sides in order of age.
At this moment, Grandpa Gu and Father Gu were sitting on two armchairs in front of the offering table. They were holding a cup of tea and drinking it carefully.
Granny Gu and Mother Gu sat next to them. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law looked relaxed and happy.
They had set off from Stoneback Village yesterday afternoon and only arrived home at two or three in the morning. Even so, they did not look tired at all!
Mrs. Gu said to Grandma Gu, “Mom, I see that you’re getting younger and younger. Just by looking at your skin, it looks more delicate and fair. You’re getting prettier!”
Grandma Gu touched her face and said happily, “Really? I’ve realized that my skin is getting better and better recently! Even if I don’t use cosmetics, it looks better than using cosmetics!”
She paused for a moment, then smiled and said, “I don’t know if it’s because I’ve stayed in your family for a long time! I haven’t seen your mother and father until recently. They look more youthful than ever!”
Mrs. Gu smiled and said, “That’s right, I noticed it too!! When we went back two years ago, they still had a lot of white hair on their heads. This year, they don’t have as much white hair!”
Grandma Gu nodded and said, “They don’t look like people in their early seventies now. Those who don’t know better would think that they’re only in their fifties or sixties!”
“Haha, Mom, this means that our Stoneback Village supports people! In the future, when you and Dad don’t travel out anymore, go to Stoneback Village. The mountains and rivers there are good, and it’s conducive to nourishing your body!”
“Even if you don’t tell us, your father and I are still thinking about it. But now, your father and I still want to walk around while we can,” Grandma Gu said.
“Okay, just discuss it with Dad!” Mrs. Gu had no objections.
When they were young, they worked hard for this family. When they were old, they could go wherever they wanted.
While the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were talking, a group of people from the Gu family’s side branch walked into the living room.
In the Gu family’s ancestral worship, the people who came were all the heads of the side branches.
Even so, twenty to thirty people still came.
Some people brought their wives and children over, while others came over on their own.
The entire living room was filled with people.
“Aiya, Eldest Uncle, Eldest Brother, I’m sorry. There was a traffic jam on the road, so I’m a little late!” Gu Shaobai said apologetically, but there was no apology on his face. “Next time, we’ll definitely leave early!”
At present, this group of people seemed to be led by Gu Shaobai.
Gu Jianguo said indifferently, “Do what you deem fit!”
Grandpa Gu and Father Gu slowly put down their teacups.
Gu Jianguo stood up and said, “Since we’re already here, let’s go to the ancestral hall now!”
The ancestral hall was filled with records and memorial tablets of the Gu family’s ancestors.
Gu Shaobai was stunned. “So soon?”
They had not even had a sip of water.
Gu Jianguo glanced at him with his sharp eyes and said with a serious expression, “It’s better to pay respects to the ancestors early than late!”
With that, he turned around and walked towards the door without waiting for his reaction.
Gu Shaobai and the rest could only follow in a daze!