Chapter 32: Chapter 32 Compensating Money Chapter 32: Chapter 32 Compensating Money Li Chunhua was furious, twenty yuan, why didn’t Bai Xiao just drop dead?
How come the reservoir didn’t drown that waste of space back then.
Now she had to let this plague gouge her heart out.
But everyone was watching her, Wang Meihua was watching her too, could she say no?
If she dared to say she wouldn’t give it, Wang Meihua would spill the truth afterwards.
She felt cowardly, she was afraid.
Liu Baoguo looked at Li Chunhua and sneered, this old lady just refuses to repent, it seems he needed to stir the pot a little, since he had to help Bai Xiao, might as well do it thoroughly.
“Li Chunhua, you are Bai Xiao’s grandmother, and you’ve taken her living expenses! Now that the child is living on her own, it’s not too much for you to give her twenty yuan for living expenses, don’t say you don’t have it! Otherwise, I’ll have to properly calculate how much money Bai Xiao has spent over these years!”
Li Chunhua lowered her head, gasping for breath as if she were about to breathe fire, and answered through clenched teeth, “Fine, I’ll give it, she’s my granddaughter, can I not give it? I should!”
Liu Baoguo, satisfied, turned his head to Bai Jianguo, “The belongings of Bai Xiao’s home that should be returned must be sent back to her. After all, the child has her own parents, and the things were also provided by her parents. It’s not good for you to have a reputation for having taken advantage of your niece’s estate. Also, look at Bai Zhuang, he’s destroyed quite a few things, things that were borrowed from the villagers. Later on, gather it all up, see how much you should compensate others, and compensate them. It’s clear that Bai Zhuang started the trouble, you won’t deny it, right?” This matter wasn’t over yet.
He had to make sure the young girl was satisfied.
Bai Jianguo’s mouth was full of bitterness; this time he had really suffered a huge loss.
But what could he say? Could he reveal Bai Xiao’s background, and have the whole village pointing fingers at him, calling him names? And Bai Xiao would be completely out of his control. It was all because of Bai Xiao, that wretched girl. Who would have thought that a silent dog could bite so painfully? Grinding his teeth, Bai Jianguo pinched his nose and accepted it.
“Fine, village chief, after all, this mess was caused by our family’s child. We can’t skimp on everyone’s money. Rest assured, I will compensate! But as for the belongings in Bai Xiao’s home, you also know, it’s been several years, many items’ whereabouts are unknown, we didn’t take them, and this house can hardly keep people out, it’s been unknown where things have gone for a long time, what’s left are just some tables and chairs and such, nothing else.”
Bai Xiao sneered, Bai Jianguo really knew how to spout nonsense. Back in the day, her own parents were well-known for their competency in the village, possessing medical skills, and they supplemented the household income by gathering herbs. Their family was definitely not in ruins, especially the furniture at home, which was made from fine wood, and wouldn’t be easily damaged by wind or sun. But now, in Bai Jianguo’s mouth, it had turned into having nothing left.
But that wasn’t the main issue; it was pointless to argue over this right now. If Bai Jianguo wouldn’t admit it, could they really go through his house to search item by item? This was a dead-end dispute, and she endured.
As long as she got those twenty yuan, at the very least, part of her travel expenses would be covered, and she finally felt a sense of relief.
“Uncle, whatever furniture you can find, just bring back what you can,” she said. Pressuring Bai Jianguo was of no advantage to her; in just three days, Bai Jianguo was already pushed to the edge, she had to be cautious of him becoming desperate.
Bai Jianguo lowered his eyes and ordered Bai Zhuang and Bai Mei, “Clean up the yard for your sister, then get lost!” It was these two unmanageable kids that had caused trouble. He had clearly said not to provoke Bai Xiao these few days, to wait until they had arranged everything. But they ended up causing so many problems for him this time.
Bai Xiao had received another fifty yuan as well as the furniture, and he had to compensate her on top of that, for all these bowls and dishes, they all cost money.
Bai Jianguo wanted to kill Bai Zhuang.
Bai Zhuang and Bai Mei didn’t dare say anything, and honestly lowered their heads to start cleaning up.
Liu Baoguo nodded, “Alright, disperse everyone. Bai Xiao, just go collect the twenty yuan your grandmother promised you after this. If she doesn’t give it to you, tell your uncle. I refuse to believe someone can cover the sky with one hand. As the village chief, I am responsible for the trivial matters of the villagers’ households. If anyone dares to cause trouble, don’t blame me for dealing with her!” This was a warning for Li Chunhua to behave herself and not stir up trouble.
Li Chunhua glared fiercely at Bai Xiao, huffed angrily, and pushed through the crowd to leave.
The villagers all dispersed.
Auntie Wang and Wang Meihua comforted Bai Xiao, telling her to call for help if she needed it, that everyone would be there to assist.
Bai Xiao examined Wang Meihua carefully. The woman’s gaze was always gentle and pitying. In her past life, she had thought Wang Meihua was like this with everyone, a kind-hearted person. But now she hesitated; perhaps Wang Meihua’s pity stemmed from knowing some inside information; otherwise, she wouldn’t treat her this way.
Yet, in her previous life, Wang Meihua never revealed her true identity. Knowing that she was to be married into such a family, Wang Meihua would rather advise her to run away than disclose this secret. So, in this life, it was likely that Wang Meihua wouldn’t say anything unless absolutely necessary.
How was she going to find a breakthrough?
Liu Baoguo and Li Chunmei also greeted Bai Xiao, assuring her that she could come to them with any problems. Everyone else had left.
Bai Xiao sat on the threshold of the covered walkway, watching Bai Zhuang and Bai Mei mutter and grumble as they tidied up. They didn’t dare to do otherwise.
Then, the two of them also left.
The fragments were still piled up there; the two barely cleaned up.
Bai Xiao didn’t feel like moving either. After all, she wasn’t short on time. Her mind was a bit foggy, many events from her past life swirling in her head, scene after scene flashing like a movie. There was a lot she didn’t understand, many things she couldn’t explain. Li Chunhua and Bai Jianguo’s attitudes indicated that they both knew her true background.
What about her brothers and sisters, though?
Did they know as well?
She had decided; she wanted to find her eldest sister Bai Yue and her second sister Bai Ju. Bai Yue had married one hundred miles away in Shili Village, and Bai Ju had married in a town ten directions south, neither place being close by. In the past, they were also busy with their own affairs and saw her very rarely! Every encounter was hurried, they would give her some money and things like food and clothes they bought for her. In fact, if taken seriously, the two sisters had no obligation to her once they were married. Every bit of help signified potential displeasure from their in-laws, yet they still took care of her despite such scrutiny, which was already treating her too well.
She must remember her sisters’ kindness. In those days, her sisters suffered terribly because of her, so she didn’t want it to be the same this time.
She wanted her sisters to live well.
But the admission notice hadn’t arrived yet, and she was worried that Li Chunhua might steal it again. Therefore, she couldn’t leave now, she could only wait.