CHAPTER 46: CHAPTER 46: ARROGANT THREATS

Before Gu Changhai could speak, Gu Rushan spoke up first.

Actually, Gu Rushan wasn’t trying to play the big boss; it was mainly because of what Li Weimin said. Yesterday, the eldest came to ask for money, and many people saw it at the time, and his wife made a loud fuss about it, intending for others to see.

Now, being pointed at and told that the old man went to ask for money for them—not being able to hold their heads up.

So Gu Rushan didn’t even think before stepping forward.

"Brother-in-law, how could the Gu Family do such disgraceful things? It must be a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding."

He came over, trying to persuade Li Weimin to sit down.

Li Weimin shook off Gu Rushan’s hand coldly and asked, "You’re Gu Rushan, right? Your old man clearly told me just now that he came to ask for money for your family’s Gu Xiaocheng’s tuition. If you don’t believe me, ask the old man—I’m not lying."

This time, if he didn’t deal with the Gu Family people, Li Weimin felt it wouldn’t be right.

Otherwise, this family would think they have no one to back them up.

Bullying others without any restraint.

Seeing Li Weimin ignoring him, Gu Rushan got a bit embarrassed and angry. In this village, for the sake of the family producing two college students and considering the third, Gu Ruhe, being the accountant at the supply and marketing cooperative, people from miles around would come to them for weddings and funerals, buying a bicycle, a watch, clothing material, tobacco, alcohol, candy, and the like.

So people generally showed respect, although privately they looked down on Gu Rushan, publicly they praised the children’s achievements and capabilities.

But today, someone like Li Weimin, who had no money or power, dared to disrespect him in front of everyone, ruining his reputation—that’s trouble.

Gu Rushan whispered a threat to Li Weimin, "Hey Li, don’t be shameless. Someday your family will have to seek help from ours; then you’ll regret it!"

Li Weimin laughed loudly, making everyone in the courtyard bewildered.

Was Li Xuemei’s brother going crazy? There was nothing funny in the courtyard.

Only Gu Xiaoqing, who knelt beside them, heard it, feeling a twinge of mockery inside—is this man really the cunning uncle he thought was as sly as a fox in his past life?

Did he have a fever and became muddled after rebirth?

In this situation, instead of calming people down, he tried to show them a good day.

His mind must be full of holes.

The whole village watched Li Weimin in shock.

Li Weimin stopped laughing and said, "How should I talk about you, Gu Rushan? Should I say you’re rich and arrogant, or that you don’t know the depth?" Listen, everyone, to what my brother-in-law’s brother, Gu Rushan, just told me."

Gu Rushan got anxious—how could he dare say this in front of everyone?

He was thinking that as long as his sister-in-law wanted to continue living with his big brother, Li Weimin wouldn’t dare to reveal what he just said. If he did, it would make Li Xuemei look bad, at least showing everyone that it was tearing her family apart.

Only those planning to divorce would do such things, and divorce wasn’t looked upon well.

No matter the divorce reasons, people didn’t have nice things to say.

Even if the families argued fiercely, they still maintained appearances with outsiders—preserving dignity and in-law relations.

But Li Weimin completely disregarded conventions today, ready to tear apart the familial façade.

Gu Rushan never expected this outcome, upon seeing Li Weimin trying to say it, he hurriedly smoothed things over, "Folks, this is our family’s private matter, no need for everyone to watch the show. Doesn’t every family have troubles?

Let’s disperse now. We’ll solve this ourselves."

Unfortunately, everyone’s strong curiosity made them reluctant to leave.

The result was people in the courtyard started gossiping, "Gu Rushan, what is Li’s brother-in-law saying? We’re curious to hear."

"Coming to our Gu Family Village, you can’t just brush it aside, or else the whole village suffers disgrace."

"Exactly, we heard today that it’s all because of your family’s Gu Xiaocheng, otherwise the old man wouldn’t push the eldest’s family to the brink."

"This is a matter of life and death, not just your family’s private affair. Didn’t you see that even the leader is here."

"Right, Gu Rushan, you should persuade your father. In old age, he shouldn’t be doing foolish things. Heaven’s watching."

"Your family isn’t starving, why insist on doing this?"

These words sounded horrible since five people were kneeling in the courtyard.

No one was blind.

It was plain to see.

Gu Rushan also knew these words lacked justification.

He stomped his feet in urgency.

Signaling Jiang Xiulan fiercely.

Jiang Xiulan immediately recognized the trouble Gu Rushan must have caused and came over, speaking politely to Li Weimin, "Brother-in-law, the kids are young, my big brother and sister have been good people for many years, we all know that—surely this is a misunderstanding. Didn’t we just give the money to big brother? How could we ask the old man to take it back?

We’re not ignorant; we understand the stakes. Big brother still has a family to feed; why make it difficult for big brother?

Brother-in-law, calm down and hear us out—the kids are pitiful."

Li Weimin didn’t really want to tear relations; he got angry at Gu Rushan.

He knew he couldn’t go too far, it wouldn’t help Li Xuemei, rather it’d harm her.

He didn’t say anything, just crouched under the eaves.

Jiang Xiulan hurried to Li Xuemei, trying to help her up while persuading, "Sister-in-law, the ground’s cold, stand up with the children. Our father didn’t mean it; you all live well, we’ve divided the family, your money is yours to keep, spend on Xiaoqing, Xiao Ying, and Xiao Jie, as their aunt, I’d be glad."

Unexpectedly, Li Xuemei didn’t get up.

Staying firmly kneeling without getting up.

Not saying a word.

Jiang Xiulan’s face stiffened, turning to Gu Ruhai, saying, "Brothers, stand up. Father didn’t mean it."

As long as Gu Ruhai stands, it’s easier to handle.

Unfortunately, Gu Ruhai also didn’t move an inch today.

Jiang Xiulan realized, unless the old man spoke, this wouldn’t end.