Meng Qiuju had never spared words calling Gu Xiaoqing a loss for the family, and Gu Xiaoqing had long understood what made Meng Qiuju harbor a thorn in her heart. At first, she might have been a bit hurt, but later, she came to understand that no matter how Meng Qiuju cursed, she still cared for her in her heart, and hearing such words became easier to dismiss.
In the village, wasn’t it common for people to call their daughters a financial loss? The more one heard it, the more accustomed one became.
But this time was different. Her dad had stormed out with a stick, and even though he wouldn’t kill Wang Shun, if by chance he injured him and delayed the marriage proposal, that would be terrible.
So no matter what, she had to go out and see for herself!
"Mom, step aside, I can’t listen to you this time!"
Gu Xiaoqing forcefully pulled away Meng Qiuju’s arm, which was blocking the door!
Meng Qiuju cursed angrily, "When have you ever listened to me? Didn’t I tell you just this morning? I told you not to go out, but look at you, running off while I was boiling water, and even... even making your dad drag you back. You won’t be staying in this house much longer, can’t you just give it a rest?"
"I... sigh! I can’t explain it to you, just let me through. You all may have no shame, but I still have dignity!"
"You have dignity? If you had dignity, would you have done such a thing with that poor boy?"
Outside, Gu Lao’er had opened the door, and before Wang Shun could even speak, Gu Lao’san, who came up behind with a stick, swung at him without a word. Thankfully, Wang Shun dodged quickly, turning his head to avoid the blow. The stick still hit his shoulder hard, causing intense pain.
"Gu... Uncle Gu, why are you hitting me?"
Wang Shun rubbed his shoulder as he stepped back outside.
Seeing Gu Lao’san raise his stick for another strike, Gu Lao’er quickly stepped forward to stop him.
He said, "Lao’san, what are you doing? Why are you hitting Shunzi?"
The last time Gu Lao’er’s daughter had a face injury, it was Shunzi who had gone to the town to fetch the doctor, and they hadn’t even thanked him yet.
"Brother, step aside. I must beat him to death to see if he dares to come to our house again!"
"Hey! Lao’san," Gu Lao’er yanked the stick from Gu Lao’san’s hand and looked around cautiously.
Fortunately, it was the busy farming season, and everyone was out picking corn in the fields. Otherwise, the commotion would have drawn the neighbors.
"If you have something to say, just say it. Why hit someone for no reason? If you injured him badly, wouldn’t the medical expenses have to come out of the public fund?"
Hearing the noise outside, Gu Feng also came out and, seeing Gu Lao’er and Gu Lao’san fighting over a stick, thought they were brawling and scolded, "What are you two doing? I’m still alive. Are you trying to kill one another to fight over the inheritance?"
Both were startled and immediately let go of the stick, which fell to the ground.
Gu Lao’er hurriedly explained, "No, Dad, it’s not that I’m fighting with Lao’san. He just started beating Shunzi without any explanation. Shunzi came to us in such a hurry, he must have something important, and before he could even open his mouth, Lao’san went at him with the stick. I was afraid Shunzi might really get hurt, so I snatched the stick away."
Gu Feng frowned and asked, "Lao’san, why did you hit Shunzi?"
"I..." Gu Lao’san didn’t know what to say.
Elsewhere, seeing the head of the Gu Family come out, Shunzi hurriedly said, "Grandfather Gu, I have urgent business with your family."
Everyone looked at Wang Shun, who seized the moment to speak. Gu Lao’san’s face darkened, and he quickly took a few steps forward to stop him but was intercepted by Gu Lao’er.
Sensing something, since he had heard some rumors about Xiaoqing but couldn’t be certain until now, seeing Gu Lao’san’s demeanor, he figured it was probably true.
Seeing a commotion involving Gu Lao’san was rare, and Gu Lao’er couldn’t help feeling very smug about it.