After a long while…
Only then did Wu Chunhua react. She started ranting with anger in her eyes, "I knew she wasn't a good person. If the mother is no good, how can her daughter have good character?"
"How shameless of them! They clearly knew about your marriage arrangement with the Liu family. When your mother was still alive, Deputy Factory Manager Liu and his wife personally came to arrange the marriage. But now they…"
Wu Chunhua's chest was heaving up and down in anger. Her rage was so intense that it was burning her heart and causing her much discomfort. She was only halfway through her sentence that she couldn't continue due to her vexation.
"An'an, let's go. I'll bring you to the factory to look for Uncle Yang and have him stand up for you!" As soon as she finished speaking, she couldn't even be bothered to get water for her guest and was going to drag Gu An'an out of the house.
"Auntie, listen to me first."
Gu An'an held her hand and quickly said, "I'll be going to the countryside to be enrolled as an educated youth tomorrow morning. I don't know how long I'll be away, so before I leave, I want to break off the engagement with the Liu family and demand justice for myself!"
"What? You are leaving for the countryside?" Upon hearing this, Wu Chunhua's eyes widened in surprise. "This must be that vicious woman's doing again, am I right?" As she spoke, she gritted her teeth and said, "That evil widow. See if I don't tear apart her filthy mouth!"
After a round of angry words, Wu Chunhua turned around and stormed off to grab a broom from the side.
However…
"Ahem…"
Gu An'an raised her hand to her forehead while trying to hold back her laughter. With a light cough, she said, "Auntie, don't be angry. It's not worth getting upset over that kind of person. Please let me finish what I have to say, and then we can discuss this further, alright?"
She removed the broom from Wu Chunhua's hand and placed it aside. Then, she pulled her to the wooden sofa so that she could sit down.
"Ever since my mother fell sick and passed away, you have seen how I spent my days in the Gu family, the hardships I've endured, the abuse I've suffered, and also the humiliations I've had to withstand."
"In the past, I was too silly. I thought that if I behaved sensibly and helped out in the household, my father and Auntie Liu would see the good in me eventually."
"Unfortunately, I was wrong. My submission and concessions not only failed to earn the love of my biological father and stepmother, but also led to even more mistreatment from them. Instead of fostering a better relationship with my step sisters, it only encouraged them to find new ways to bully me…"
Then, she paused for a moment and continued, "If it weren't for this incident, where she awakened me with that blow to my head, I might have foolishly endured their abuse for the rest of my life!"
"Now, that family is no longer worthy of my remembrance!"
"From now on, I am cutting all ties with them. That's why I plan to go to the countryside to sign up to be an educated youth. When I go there, my household register will be moved to the countryside too. This way, I can leave the Gu family and break free from their control and influence."
Wu Chunhua looked at her and frowned. "But girl, life in the countryside is really hard! Your Sister Yang has written back more than once, saying that they have to get up before six every day to do farm work.
"The work in the countryside can be tough and exhausting. Many girls were tired out and often broke down in tears because they couldn't complete their tasks."
Hearing this, Gu An'an showed no signs of wavering. On the contrary, her eyes were filled with determination. "I know that life in the countryside might be even harder than now, but as long as I'm willing to work hard, it'll definitely get better!"
"Besides, Auntie,do you think I will have a good life if I stay in the Gu family instead of going to the countryside?"
As soon as she finished speaking, she looked at Wu Chunhua calmly.
"Well…"
After hearing her words, Wu Chunhua was unable to respond.
After a while, she reached out to hold both of Gu An'an's hands and asked with a sigh, "Have you thought it through? Just like you said, it will be difficult for you to come back once you leave for the countryside!" Wu Chunhua's daughter had gone to the countryside for over three years, and until now, she hadn't found a way to return to the city.
"Yes, I have thought it through, and I know what I'm doing!" Gu An'an nodded with a resolute attitude. "But Auntie, I would like to ask for your help with a few things after I leave for the countryside tomorrow…"