Chapter 303 - 304: Will It Work?
Chapter 303: Chapter 304: Will It Work?
Ever since their divorce, Li Cuicui had wanted to take the children with her. But the moment she brought it up, Gu Yuanfeng just cried and sobbed, saying she couldn’t support them.
Even if Li Cuicui had been determined to bring the children back, she would have needed her sons’ approval.
She never expected this source of trouble to reappear, and by the looks of it, they had come prepared.
"Impossible! How can our He Family’s own flesh and blood change their surname?"
"If you can’t bear to see the children suffer, then give them some compensation. Let them live carefree lives, just like the young masters and ladies here. That would truly be a reflection of the Gu Family’s prestige."
He Tuliang finally revealed his true colors. ’The Gu family is so wealthy,’ he thought. ’If they were willing to set up an estate for the two children, the He Family would be the ones to benefit.’
He may have thought he was clever, but he shouldn’t have treated everyone else like a fool.
The moment he spoke, everyone understood his intentions. They all watched his family with scorn, wondering just how thick-skinned someone had to be to say something so shameless.
Gu Yuanjin and his brothers knew it was best to resolve this matter now. Otherwise, as long as the two children were involved, these entanglements would never end.
Gu Yuanjin looked at Gu Yuanshui. ’Fourth Brother usually has the most devious plans. Why is he so quiet this time? He’s just watching the drama unfold.’
Li Cuicui knelt, taking one of each child’s hands in hers. Seeing their bony little fingers, she silently gritted her teeth in anger. But when she faced the children, she wore a smile. "Do you remember your grandma?"
He Chuncao nodded. Of all her relatives, her grandma had always treated her the best.
In the past, she not only gave her things to eat but also new clothes.
"How about Grandma has someone take you inside to wash up and get something to eat?" Li Cuicui wanted to get the two children settled before confronting the He Family.
At the mention of food, Ni Ni’s eyes lit up, and she nodded her head repeatedly.
He Chuncao glanced cautiously at Li Cuicui, then looked back at the He Family.
The He Family, desperate for the children to get closer to the Gu Family, secretly gestured for her to agree quickly.
Once He Chuncao nodded, Li Cuicui summoned a maid to lead them inside. The moment the children disappeared through the doorway, her expression hardened.
"If you think you can’t raise the children properly, then they’ll be in our care from now on. The He Family is not to interfere ever again."
"How could we agree to that?" Mrs. He Zhou’s expression changed, and she looked like she wanted to rush in and drag the children back out. "We raised them all these years! You think you can just take them with a single sentence? There’s no such easy deal in this world!"
"Then what is it that you want?" Xie Ruyi, along with several of her sisters-in-law, stepped up right behind Li Cuicui, her voice even louder than Mrs. He Zhou’s.
Seeing Gu Yuanfeng turn and slip quietly into the house, the Gu sisters-in-law all sneered inwardly. ’The person at the center of all this is the first to run away.’
Clearly, the Gu Family’s presence had overwhelmed them. Mrs. He Zhou discreetly nudged He Tuping. "Hurry up and say what you came to say."
"I..." He Tuping saw Mrs. He Zhou’s sharp glare, squeezed his eyes shut, and recited the lines he had practiced dozens of times.
"I want Yuan Feng to come home. I don’t mind that she remarried.
The children and I both need her. I swear I’ll never let her suffer again.
I..."
"Stop." Li Cuicui couldn’t listen anymore. With so many people watching this spectacle, she thought, ’What is he trying to pull?’
’Does he actually expect Gu Yuanfeng to get divorced a second time?’
"Don’t even think about it. She fought hard to escape your den of wolves. Only a fool would go back.
So many years have passed. You need to stop dwelling on this.
I’m making this crystal clear: it’s never going to happen between you two.
For the children’s sake, you can leave them here for me to raise..."
"How could we agree to that?"
"And why not?" Before Mrs. He Zhou could finish, she was cut off by a voice from behind.
The He Clan Leader, He Cao Gen, was standing there—it was unclear for how long—glaring at them furiously.
"Fourth Master, mission accomplished. I intercepted the He Clan Leader on the road," Gu Kaishan said with a grin as he walked over to Gu Yuanshui.
Gu Yuanshui replied, "Uncle Kai Shan, if my mother heard you call me that, I’d get a beating for sure."
"Don’t worry, don’t worry. Your mom’s getting older now; she can’t outrun you," Gu Kaishan joked as he watched the drama. "You’re really something else, kid. A moment ago, their Clan Leader was fuming, saying he was going to drag them back and punish them according to clan rules."
Gu Yuanjin was speechless. ’As expected,’ he thought. ’These troublesome younger brothers of mine are more ruthless than the last. Each one of them knows exactly how to hit where it hurts.’
"Why are you causing trouble for me again?" He Cao Gen was so furious with this family he could have coughed up blood. Everyone was trying to curry favor with Gaoling Village right now; they couldn’t even build relationships fast enough, yet this bunch was here making a scene.
"Uncle, you know that my two granddaughters are also the Gu Family’s grandchildren," Mrs. He Zhou said, her eyes darting around. "Their maternal uncle became the top scholar, so I brought them over to offer our congratulations."
He Cao Gen looked at them. "I was outside and heard most of it. Stop causing trouble here.
The two families have nothing to do with each other anymore. Don’t burn the last remaining bridge between you."
’He desperately wanted to crack their heads open and see what on earth was inside.’
’Don’t they realize the Gu Family is on a completely different level now? They have an official in the family! If Lao Gouqi keeps this up, it wouldn’t be impossible for him to become a First or Second Rank official. After all, he’s so young and started his career as the top scholar.’
’It was such a simple concept. He couldn’t understand why these people failed to grasp it and insisted on stirring up trouble.’
"It’s perfect that the He Clan Leader is here," Li Cuicui said, her back ramrod straight. "This was supposed to be a joyous occasion for my son. Since they’ve come knocking on our door, we might as well settle this matter for good today."
"Madam, please don’t let them upset you," He Cao Gen said to Li Cuicui. He no longer dared to put on airs as he had in the past, and instead offered a placating smile. "Living in the same village, we know the children truly suffered a great deal in their home. If they can stay here, it would be a blessing for them."
"But ultimately, this isn’t a decision the He Clan Leader can make," Gu Yuanshui said, strolling out with his hands clasped behind his back. "The main problem is that this family is just so revolting. Coming to our door to stir up trouble like this... do they really think the Gu brothers are easy to bully?"
"Fourth Uncle, your words are a bit harsh," He Tuliang said. "What’s wrong with us bringing the children to visit their mother’s family? Are you so rich now that you won’t even acknowledge your own nieces?" He nudged He Tuping. ’This blockhead,’ he thought. ’He practiced his lines so many times at home, but now he’s just standing there like a mute.’
Gu Yuanshui replied, "I never said we wouldn’t acknowledge our nieces. I just said I don’t want to see any of you from the He Family.
Our two families have nothing to do with each other anymore. You should be glad we haven’t become sworn enemies. You come to our home day after day making trouble... do we look like pushovers to you? Are you trying to test our patience?"