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Chapter 431: Estrangement

“There are all sorts of rumors,” she began, “But that’s just how it is in places like this. Lin Laoyao and his wife have been spreading word that we’ve shown them no mercy, claiming that we’ve deliberately set their son, Lin Jie, up for prison. They say we want to ruin their family. Not everyone believes it needs to go this far, so many have begun to distance themselves from us.”

Mother Lin had indeed heard many idle comments, some of them spoken directly to their faces. Their sarcastic undertones were clear to anyone who listened.

Most of the villagers couldn’t understand why Lin Jie had to be sent to prison.

After all, the saying goes, ‘one man’s imprisonment ruins three generations.’ They claimed that the Lin Lao’er’s family was too harsh, showing no mercy even to their own kin. They concluded that it was safer to keep their distance from such a ruthless family, lest they too end up in Lin Jie’s predicament.

Some even suggested that Lin Lao’er had changed. Now that he had a wealthy son-in-law, he had become prosperous himself. His attitude, they said, was naturally different. He now looked down on his poorer relatives and was unwilling to help them. Instead, he took the opportunity to ruin them, thus eliminating any potential threats.

The villagers found this horrifying. No wonder they say that money corrupts.

Gu Zi responded, “So that’s how it is. What do you think, mother, sister-in-law?” Gu Zi had always been open-minded. She believed that if Lin Jie wasn’t properly punished this time, he would only become more demanding. Lin Laoyao’s family would never be willing to settle down, and instead, they would stir up more trouble, making things even more complicated.

She didn’t care what others thought of her, but since she had chosen to acknowledge her biological parents and family, their opinions mattered to her. Therefore, she needed to know how they viewed the consequences of this matter.

Seeing Gu Zi’s face gradually harden, Mother Lin and Li Hua fell silent for a moment. Setting aside their work, they finally spoke, “We really don’t know how to deal with this situation, but Gu Zi, none of us, including your brother and your father, believe that sending Lin Jie to prison was a mistake. We are a family, and we can bear any consequences together.”

“Yes, sister,” Li Hua added, “Don’t worry about the gossip behind our backs. It’s only temporary. Once this blows over, those who want to associate with us will still do so. Most people are like grass on a fence, swaying from side to side. After going through so much, we’ve come to understand that forgiveness and leniency are useless to some people.”

Hearing their words, Gu Zi finally felt her heart settle. In truth, she should have foreseen that not forgiving Lin Jie’s actions like a saint would lead to such consequences. Many people were like this, adept at using familial or friendly bonds to manipulate others, never considering the harm their actions might inflict.

In their eyes, even if relatives and acquaintances were at odds behind closed doors or found each other disagreeable, they must never openly break ties. This was the so-called social etiquette they firmly adhered to. They had their beliefs, and Gu Zi had her principles. After all, one doesn’t feel the pain until the needle pierces their own flesh.

Moreover, it wasn’t just the conservative mindset of people in this era that led to such phenomena. Gu Zi was well aware that even decades into the future, there would still be plenty of gossip when relatives, especially blood relatives, quarreled like this. If they didn’t gossip, it would be rather contrary to societal norms.

However, amidst such a vast environment, Gu Zi was still afraid that Mother Lin and the others might waver in their hearts. Conducting business required a strong mentality, one that could withstand isolation from those around them. Therefore, Gu Zi took the opportunity to instill some business acumen into the two. She said, “With every gain, there is a loss. We are here to do business, and the most important thing is to manage well, sell good products, and make money.

“We may lose some things, such as the alienation of our neighbors and fellow villagers. In fact, those who alienate us now, even if not because of Lin Jie’s affairs, will likely feel the same way when they see our business thriving in the future. I won’t overthink it, and I hope you can also strengthen your mentality.”

Upon hearing this, Mother Lin and Li Hua suddenly understood. Although they had sincerely expressed their attitudes to Gu Zi just now, they indeed harbored an inexplicable sense of guilt deep within their hearts.

But Gu Zits words eased their minds considerably. Indeed, in life, one cannot have everything and please everyone. It’s enough to do what needs to be done

well..