Chapter 12: Gu Daddy, Gu Dajiang
As Gu Yundong gazed upon the towering city gates of Qing’an House, she allowed herself a moment’s respite. She pushed back a lock of unkempt hair, her appearance altogether disheveled. It was difficult for onlookers to discern at first glance her gender amidst the dirt and disarray.
Yet, it was this very disguise that shielded her sallow, emaciated features, which would have otherwise set her apart from the others.
“Older sister, do you think Dad might be inside?” Gu Yunshu, clutching her hand, asked with a soft voice beside her.
Over time, Gu Yundong had grown more comfortable with their touch, no longer fearing that the tender little hands grasping hers were fragile enough to break. She glanced at the city walls, her expression placid as she replied, “Perhaps.”
“Dad will be there, I’m certain.” Gu Yunshu’s grip tightened, his voice exuding a strong sense of conviction. “He promised to meet us, and he won’t break that promise.”
Gu Yundong cast her eyes down to his oversized head. Despite better nourishment this month, it was hard for the improvement to be conspicuous in a world where thinness was the norm. The young boy, worried they might run out of provisions, had been eating sparingly, which left him with a disproportion of a large head on a thin body.
She observed his tightly drawn lips and couldn’t bring herself to dispel his optimism.
Her father, Gu Dajiang, was indeed a man of great foresight. From the onset of their flight from famine, he had drafted a map of potential routes, painstakingly explaining each one to his children, be it Gu Yundong, the three-year-old Gu Yunke, or even to Mrs. Yang, who struggled to comprehend. He held hope that the smallest remembered detail might one day be of aid.
And indeed, many families on the run became separated, unclear of when they might find themselves alone.
His plan was for them to regroup and wait at Anqing Mansion, trusting in an eventual reunion.
His prediction was tragically accurate, though he never anticipated he would be the one left isolated.
To Gu Yundong, the likeliest scenario was her father’s enduring hardships, yet the other family members clung to the belief that their capable father (and husband) would find safety.
Clinging to a sliver of hope seemed beneficial, though the obstacles of communication and transportation made family reunification daunting.
“Let’s go and inquire about city entry,” she resolved. The city gates were firmly shut, but a multitude of individuals was gathered outside, some having e***ted tents or improvised shelters.
Their faces were ashen, their frames feeble, as if standing were a sustained effort.
Gu Yundong took her brother by the hand, leading the way as Mrs. Yang trailed with young Gu Yunke on her back. They advanced a few paces before pausing before an elderly man who bore a kind countenance despite his weathered features.
The man was seated on the ground, trembling as he cast longing glances at the city gate and let out a heavy sigh.
“Sir, may I inquire when this gate might open, and how we could gain entry into the city?” Gu Yundong asked.
The man turned a surprised gaze upon her and her companions. After a brief examination, he shook his head sadly, dispelling any hopes. “Enter the city?” he scoffed, waving dismissively. “Forget about it, they stopped even giving out porridge days ago, and the gates haven’t opened since.”
A slight frown creased Gu Yundong’s brow as she thanked him and straightened up. Surveying the throng of people, she understood the improbability of entering the city.
“Sister, look,” Gu Yunshu suddenly tugged at her sleeve and pointed in a certain direction. “Isn’t that…?”
✧˚·̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥·̩̩̥͙✧·̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥˚·̩̩̥͙✧ 𝑔𝓇𝒶𝓋𝒾𝓉𝓎𝓃𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁𝓈 ✧˚·̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥·̩̩̥͙✧·̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥˚·̩̩̥͙✧
