Gu Yunshen would not be swayed. “Impossible. I certainly won’t divorce you. The elder uncles in the Gu family are well connected. With us, Qing Qing will be able to make a good match. If she depends on your Zhang family, her life will be ruined!
“We can get a divorce if you want, but you must wait for two years. When the two young girls have grown up and are married, then I certainly won’t stop you if you want a divorce.”
“You…”
“I must have a divorce now. Gu Yunshen, if you refuse to listen to me, I will make life difficult for your family…”
…
An argument slowly brewed in the room. Gu Qingyao, who was outside, could clearly hear everything. It looked as if her father was well aware of what had happened, and he probably had a plan.
Better that he refuse!
Of course, he could not give in so easily. He must first publicize Zhang Xiaohui’s scandal before he filed for divorce.
But looking at the Zhang family’s attitude, this would probably drag on for only a few more days, likely concluding before the new year.
Gu Qingyao relaxed when she thought of that. She would have a happy new year.
When she saw her third elder brother’s angry expression, Gu Qingyao hastily dragged him into the room to explain. She told him that her father actually had no objections. To retain a person like Zhang Xiaohui in the family would be detrimental to their grandparents in the long run.
If she really wanted to leave, they must allow her to leave. Or something bad would certainly happen.
After a while, Zhang Xiaohui found that she could not reach an agreement with Gu Yunshen. She was so angry she flung the door open and exited. The two of them said several more nasty things before they left.
Gu Qingyao watched them leave. When Gu Yunshen emerged, Gu Qingyao said, “Father, I heard everything!”
Gu Yunshen wanted to console his younger daughter, but she flew into his arms. “Will you still want me if you divorce her?”
Gu Yunshen was taken aback. He looked at the young girl in his arms. She batted her large eyes at him and did not look the least bit sorry. He tapped her little head. “Of course. You’re my daughter. I raised you myself.”
Gu Qingyao laughed. “Then I won’t worry. Actually, Mother doesn’t like our family. Just let her go! Anyway, she has never liked me. When I was young, she would find a chance to beat me or scold me whenever you weren’t around. I was especially scared of her then, and wished she did not belong to our family.”
Gu Yunshen’s lips twitched, but he did not know what to say.
Gu Qingyao did not need him to explain. She herself did not say anything else. She went to the courtyard entrance and waited until Zhang Xiaohui and Old Madam Zhang were almost at the foot of the hill. Then she turned to look at her old father and her third elder brother before clearing her throat and projecting her voice towards the foot of the hill. She screamed piteously, “Mother….”
Her voice was so piercing that both Gu Yunshen and Gu Jinlin jumped in fright!
After Gu Qingyao’s wail, she rushed out and a terrible shrieking and howling reached their ears. “Mother… don’t go, don’t divorce Father. Don’t abandon me, wuwuwuwu, Mother…”
Gu Yunshen and Gu Jinlin’s lips twitched violently. Their scalps prickled as they hurried after her.
The two of them rushed out of the courtyard only to see the little figure in front of them still screaming and wailing terribly. Her voice was incredibly piteous. She even fell twice. She was covered with snow as she partly rolled and partly crawled in her frenzied pursuit of Zhang Xiaohui and Old Madam Zhang.
“Mother… don’t divorce Father. Don’t divorce him… don’t divorce him. Wuwuwu, why do you want to divorce Father the moment he’s home? Don’t…”
Gu Yunshen: “…”
Gu Jinlin: “…”
It was the middle of winter. Everyone was huddled up in their homes and it was quiet in the brigade. The sudden piteous cries gave everyone a shock!
Many of those who lived near the foot of the hill ran out…