CHAPTER 35: CHAPTER 35: LEARNED FROM SECOND UNCLE

Gu Rushan saw that there was no way out; this little girl was sure he wouldn’t dare bring the matter to the captain.

He gritted his teeth and gave Jiang Xiulan a look.

"Big brother, I’ll let Xiulan think of a way now. We can’t let my family’s difficulties delay the child’s schooling."

Gu Rushan could suddenly speak sensibly now.

Gu Ruhai stood there, feeling resentful in his heart, knowing his younger brother was taking him for a fool.

If Xiaoqing hadn’t come with him today, he would likely have been fooled by his younger brother as well, because some people have money but are unwilling to give it to you.

Is this what brothers do?

Gu Ruhai really had been dealt a hard blow these past few days, and had developed a strong resilience to setbacks.

Gu Xiaoqing pulled Gu Ruhai to sit down and smiled, "Alright, second uncle, we’re waiting. Thank you, second aunt. If it weren’t for you and second uncle being so kind as to repay us, I wouldn’t have money for tuition."

These words made Gu Rushan glare angrily, but he couldn’t say anything.

Jiang Xiulan shot Gu Rushan a look, lifted the curtain, and went inside the house.

About ten minutes later, Jiang Xiulan came out and handed Gu Ruhai a wad of cash, "Big brother, count it, here’s sixty yuan. We’re settled, no one owes anyone else."

She raised her voice, ensuring those outside in the yard could hear.

Gu Xiaoqing accepted it with a smile, counted it, exactly sixty.

With a smile, she said, "Thank you, second uncle, thank you, second aunt."

Jiang Xiulan glanced at the silent Gu Ruhai, then shot a look at Gu Xiaoqing, before speaking indifferently, "Big brother, we’ve cleared the money, but as a sister-in-law, I must say a few words, whether you like it or not, don’t take offense."

Gu Ruhai nodded repeatedly, after all, Jiang Xiulan was a transparent person, and Gu Ruhai knew, they couldn’t be compared, she was smart.

"Sister-in-law, whatever you have to say, say it. We’re family, there’s nothing too pleasing or not pleasing to hear."

Gu Xiaoqing found it amusing; her father hadn’t realized that the second aunt was holding in her anger, unwilling to let it go.

Yet here he was inviting words, wasn’t this asking for a scolding?

Just as she was about to intervene, she saw Jiang Xiulan look at her; no way, this was directed at her.

Oh, Gu Xiaoqing understood, perhaps she had interrupted several times, leaving Gu Rushan speechless, so the second aunt was unwilling to let it go, and wanted to lecture her as a pretext.

"Big brother, Xiaoqing is already not that young, she’s a twelve-year-old girl, she can’t be without discipline. It seems sister-in-law is too busy every day to properly teach the children. No wonder such a grown niece dares to contradict her own uncle, it’s so badly mannered, who would dare to marry such a girl in the future?"

The words were truly vicious, and their clarity was intended for those nearby to hear.

Gu Xiaoqing laughed, already anticipating what was coming.

But Gu Ruhai wouldn’t have it. Saying such things about his child was not acceptable to Gu Ruhai.

Stammering, he pointed at Jiang Xiulan, "Sister-in-law, you, you’re speaking too, too..."

He couldn’t continue.

Jiang Xiulan smirked triumphantly, knowing that Gu Ruhai could only stammer in response to her, already aware he was no match, yet dared to come to their home to demand money.

Fine, since you wanted the money today, I, Jiang Xiulan, won’t be easy to bully. I’ll ruin your girl’s reputation, let’s see what the villagers will say about your family, the gossip behind your back could kill someone.

Let’s see who has the last laugh.

Jiang Xiulan continued smiling, "Big brother, you need not thank me, as an aunt, Xiaoqing ought to call me aunt, I can’t see Xiaoqing’s issues and not speak. The child is still young, she needs guidance, otherwise when she’s older, there’s nothing more to say about her. Xiaoqing, don’t you agree?"

These words leave you speechless while obliging you to be grateful.

Gu Xiaoqing chuckled audibly, and the people outside the yard were dumbfounded; could the child have been laughed at stupidly, laughing after being scolded for having no manners? This was a serious matter; in villagers’ eyes, it was a defect, genuinely making someone not want such a daughter-in-law.

Many even resented Jiang Xiulan in their hearts, thinking she was too malicious. Even within family conflicts, one should not speak such ways about a young girl.

This was seeking to thoroughly ruin Gu Ruhai’s daughter’s reputation.

Seeing Gu Ruhai rendered speechless with anger.

People only felt sympathy for this family.

Gu Xiaoqing stifled her laughter, pointing at Jiang Xiulan, "Second aunt, when you said I contradicted second uncle, were you referring to the matter earlier about wanting the captain to intervene? Sure, I did indeed contradict second uncle, but this wasn’t due to my mom not teaching me well.

It was second uncle who taught me this two days ago. Two days ago, second uncle not only contradicted my dad but also slapped my mom, as the eldest sister-in-law. If a younger brother dares to challenge the eldest brother, I, as a niece, of course, ought to learn a bit.

Since Xiaocheng is a university student in our village, the second uncle and aunt who raised a university student certainly have better family upbringing than my parents, so I must learn well.

Yet second aunt, you say today my family upbringing is problematic; are you saying second uncle and aunt were wrong? Then, second aunt, do explain very well, so I can learn."

The crowd outside the yard burst into laughter, and many thought to themselves, this girl is truly clever.

Look at how she spoke, neither accusing the aunt nor explaining for herself; she just spoke the truth, letting everyone know what happened the day before, also letting them know she learned it from her second uncle.

Cursing without using foul language.

Great.

What a truly capable girl.

Many secretly gave a thumbs-up in their hearts.

Jiang Xiulan was livid, her face turning green.

The laughter outside the courtyard wall made it obvious to even a fool that everyone had been listening with ears pricked.

Intending to ruin Gu Xiaoqing’s reputation, yet ended up exposing Gu Rushan’s behavior of slapping the eldest sister-in-law and contradicting the elder brother.

Letting so many hear it.

When Gu Xiaocheng returns, wouldn’t they poke his back?

What a mess.

Originally, Gu Rushan was hoping his own wife could teach this insolent girl a lesson, but who would have thought his own scandals would be revealed instead.

All the ugly things he did were exposed.

To know most didn’t exactly understand the situation from two days ago, since only Gu Xiaoqing said so, nobody saw, plus Gu Ruhai’s desire to make peace ensured it was left unresolved.

But today, due to what the girl said, he couldn’t refute, unless claiming not to have hit.

Truly embarrassed himself thoroughly.

Glaring fiercely at Jiang Xiulan, he barked, "Stupid woman, get back inside. If you can’t speak, don’t."

Turning his head, he said to Gu Ruhai, "Big brother, I’ve given the money, I have matters to attend to, you should head back first."

That was a way of chasing them away.

Gu Xiaoqing pulled Gu Ruhai up and left, who would want to stay in their house anyway.