Rebirth: She is Ready for a Counterattack!

Li Xuemei and Gu Ruhai exchanged glances, realizing this wasn’t the way to handle it.

Even if they were going to give money, it shouldn’t be done like this.

Gu Xiaoqing saw the troubled expressions of her parents and understood that they were uncertain of the consequences, momentarily without a good solution.

It’s also embarrassing; if they brought in people from the village to testify to this shameful incident, the family’s reputation would be gone.

Gu Ruhai consistently cared deeply about face and couldn’t bring himself to act shamelessly.

Gu Xiaoqing stepped forward and said, "Dad, Mom, since Grandma and Grandpa have said so, we as the younger generation cannot disobey. However, our family can’t just come up with three thousand yuan immediately. Could Grandpa and Grandma give us some time?"

Mrs. Gu gave Gu Xiaoqing a sideways glance. This troublesome girl had always been a thorn in her side, always jumping out to stir things up.

"Gu Xiaoqing, I’m talking to your father. Why are you jumping in? Does it mean you run this household now?"

If it weren’t for the three thousand yuan, Mrs. Gu would have slapped Gu Xiaoqing twice right then, which no one would criticize since it’s a grandmother disciplining her granddaughter.

Mrs. Gu had been holding in anger, waiting for an opportunity to release it.

Gu Xiaoqing smiled at Mrs. Gu and said, "Grandma, even though you and Grandpa won’t acknowledge us anymore, we cannot neglect our duty of filial piety. But this is a substantial amount of money, not a small figure. I’m the one in charge in our family, so I understand best. Please allow my dad and mom to gather some funds and borrow a little.

How about this: give my parents two days. After two days, you and Grandpa can come to collect the money. It’ll also give us a chance to wrap things up and write a note, to prevent future confusion."

Gu Xiaoqing was trying to buy time.

Mrs. Gu wasn’t afraid; she trusted they couldn’t come up with any tricks.

However, she didn’t want to wait two days. Rising her voice, she said to Gu Ruhai, "I don’t care who is in charge in your house, but I’m giving you just one day. Tomorrow, your dad and I will come to collect the money. Be ready. We’ll consider this matter settled."

Mrs. Gu hoped Gu Ruhai couldn’t borrow the money so that the house could serve as collateral.

Gu Ruhai felt a pang in his heart, "Alright, Mom, I understand."

He couldn’t say anything more.

Mrs. Gu got off the bed and swayed her hips as she walked away.

Gu Ruhai and Li Xuemei sighed in unison.

"Xiaoqing, you know we can’t give Grandma the money. If we do it once, Grandma will keep coming back to ask for money. Her real target is this house, I know."

Gu Ruhai felt he needed to explain clearly to Gu Xiaoqing. She was still young and couldn’t see the long-term consequences.

Li Xuemei nodded; they both understood the severity of the situation.

If the money was given, it would be a never-ending problem.

Gu Xiaoqing spoke for a long time in a soft voice to Gu Ruhai and Li Xuemei.

The two exchanged a surprised look, and Gu Ruhai showed some disagreement.

Seeing Gu Ruhai’s reluctance, Gu Xiaoqing said, "Dad, think about it. Who is orchestrating this behind the scenes? Grandpa and Grandma are forcing you and Mom without regard for face. You know well the implications of this, but what are you holding back for? Are you going to end up giving Grandpa and Grandma all the house and land?

Since Grandpa and Grandma are insisting on cutting ties, why not use this opportunity to resolve the matter thoroughly, to avoid future troubles, and no one would be able to say anything against it?

Dad, you don’t want our family to live in tension forever, right?"

Worrying that Gu Ruhai would soften.

Gu Ruhai was also uncomfortable when he thought of the matter.

Fine then, since the decision was made by the parents, it wasn’t him being unfilial. If they were going to cut ties, so be it.

In the future, if the elderly had some ailments, he still wouldn’t be able to just stand by. He’d help if he could.

So, Gu Ruhai nodded.

That day, the couple went to the town savings bank and withdrew three thousand yuan.

Early the next morning, Mrs. Gu and Mr. Gu arrived, much to Gu Xiaoqing’s surprise at their urgency.

Gu Ruhai and Li Xuemei welcomed the elderly to sit down.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Gu started, "Alright, we’re not here to sit. Bring the money; we want it quickly and then we’ll leave."

Gu Xiaoqing had already dashed outside.

Gu Ruhai saw Gu Xiaoqing leave and felt somewhat secure.

He said, "Mom, Dad, so early—did you have breakfast? I’ve just prepared some. Have a bite. Besides, money can’t be gathered so quickly. I talked with the child’s uncle yesterday, and he said he’d bring it today. Please wait a little."

Li Xuemei served two bowls of sweet syrup to Mrs. Gu and Mr. Gu.

Mr. Gu said nothing and didn’t look at Gu Ruhai, as if Gu Ruhai wasn’t his son.

Seeing his father like this, Gu Ruhai felt pain inside.

There was noise at the gate.

"Brother-in-law, are you up?"

It was Li Weimin and Li Weiqiang.

They had strong voices.

Gu Ruhai hurried over to greet them, "Brother, second brother, here you are. Have a seat."

Gu Xiaoying moved two stools for Li Weimin and Li Weiqiang.

Li Weimin and Li Weiqiang noticed Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu sitting like two grand statues and quickly greeted them, "Oh, good day. How are you, Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu?"

It’s said that one can’t hit someone with a smiling face, especially when they are relatives.

Mr. Gu finally pulled out a smile, "We’re doing well. How’s your father?"

Li Weimin said, "My father’s doing alright. Hearing Gu Ruhai said that you needed three thousand yuan and wanted to borrow from me, I’ve spent all day borrowing from the whole village to gather enough money and came quickly. How are you planning to use such a large sum?"

Without letting Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu speak of cutting off relations, Li Weimin would absolutely not give out the money.

Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu certainly couldn’t say it was a one-time parenting fee for cutting ties.

These words could be privately exchanged with Gu Ruhai, as their son wouldn’t go about announcing them. But telling others would be too disgraceful.

Mr. Gu chuckled awkwardly, "Just a small matter at home, and us two old folks can’t come up with so much money at once, so we asked the eldest to help gather it."

Li Weimin smiled knowingly and said, "Uncle, your skills with words are impressive. Gathering can mean needing three thousand. Whose troubles could be worth so much in our village?"

Mr. Gu felt upset, but borrowing money from the brother-in-law wasn’t illegal. Why shouldn’t they?