Lei Qianqian shook off Gu Dabao’s arm and said, "Aren’t we supposed to be splitting the family assets? Am I supposed to just watch you squander everything?"
Huang Xiangwen rushed over and pushed Gu Dabao aside, declaring, "Qianqian is right. Since you’re here to snatch the property, what else is there to say? If they come as a family, we naturally form a united front as well. Besides, we’re fighting over these things for Bin Bao, and Bin Bao must be here."
It was then that Gu Youyou looked over at the child Lei Qianqian had run off with.
The child was very calm, but that look in their eyes... seemed somewhat off.
"Mom, Qianqian!" Gu Dabao said helplessly.
Gu Youyou really didn’t want to push Gu Dabao, this honest child, but what could she do? He had Huang Xiangwen for a mother and had married Lei Qianqian as his wife. His weakness would only do him harm. There are some things he must face.
Gu Youyou spoke solemnly, "Dabao, you should sit too. Let’s discuss the division of the family assets calmly."
Gu Dabao looked at Gu Youyou with guilt, but ultimately didn’t sit down; instead, he stood between Lei Qianqian and Huang Xiangwen.
Huang Xiangwen had no reservations about sitting down, facing Gu Youyou squarely.
"Since Dabao is now in charge of the household, I will not stand on ceremony. From now on, the Gu Family’s assets will be distributed by me, Gu Youyou. After our family’s affairs are settled, we will invite the local official over."
"You dare!" Huang Xiangwen stood up abruptly, slamming the table.
Gu Youyou simply looked over indifferently and said, "Auntie, are you not very clear on whether I dare? I just hope you can bear the blow and not do anything hasty, not like Third Auntie who took her own life."
Huang Xiangwen paused for a moment, then scoffed coldly, "Don’t worry, if you can live well, I surely won’t die before you. It doesn’t matter if you take over the Gu Family assets, or even if the sky falls, as long as my son and daughter are doing well, I’ll never follow the useless Meng Qiuju."
Gu Youyou nodded and smiled, "That’s good to hear!"
Gu Youyou gave Jin Zijin a meaningful glance, who then clapped his hands towards the door. After a moment, there was a knocking sound outside.
Huang Xiangwen knew that many people were waiting outside to revel in the Gu Family’s misfortune, and thinking the knock was from the gossipy women, she cursed, "What are you knocking for? No one here is dead."
"I’ll go open the door, it seems like the villagers have something to discuss," Gu Dabao said, heading toward the door.
Huang Xiangwen cursed, "Come back, don’t you dare open it! Are you keen on letting those gossip-mongers have a laugh at our expense? Haven’t we lost enough face already?"
Gu Dabao stopped for a moment, gave Huang Xiangwen a cool look, then turned and continued towards the door.
This time, Gu Youyou could clearly see that Dabao was truly... upset with his mother.
Alas, although Dabao was honest, his heart was in the right place. He had come to understand much truth, and it was time for him to grow up. But not having realized that she had earned her own son’s resentment, Huang Xiangwen was clearly oblivious.
When the door opened, there stood a strange young man. His long hair was tied up, and he wore a blue longshirt that made it clear he wasn’t a farmer from the village but someone from the town.
Gu Dabao was taken aback and asked, "Who are you looking for?"
The young man bowed his hands in greeting and said, "My name is Jing Wen from Anqing Town, and I am here to look for a maiden named Lei Qianqian."
"Qianqian?" Gu Dabao’s expression grew stern, and he sized up the man before him. Although he did not know who he was or why he was searching for Lei Qianqian, telling him straight off wouldn’t be a wise move.