Chapter 7: Uncle and Nephew Meet

Gu Leyou was the first to break the silence.

“Father, Mother, if you have something to say, please just say it.”

Gu Haixiong asked in a calm tone, “Besides going to your uncle’s house, where else did you go today?”

“I also went to Brother Lu’s house. His child isn’t well, so I went to check on him.”

Lin Shi immediately grew worried and said, “My daughter, how careless you are. You’ve just had your engagement broken off, and before anything is settled with that hunter, you’re already visiting his house again. Aren’t you afraid of what people might say?”

Gu Haixiong followed up, “We’re your parents, and we’re only thinking of your reputation. That’s why we agreed to the match with that hunter. But since things aren’t confirmed yet, it’s best you two don’t see each other again. It’ll only lead to gossip.”

Gu Leyou nodded.

Then she took out the silver coins she had retrieved from her aunt’s house and handed them to her mother.

“Mother, this is the money I managed to get back from Aunt. Please keep it safe so they can’t take it again.”

“I understand,” her mother said.

“Father, Mother, since you’ve spoken your minds to Sister, let’s eat,” Gu Leshu added.

At the dining table, the family of four sat together.

Gu Leyou thought things over and decided to bring up the matter of the betrothal gift. Her parents were honest people and probably didn’t even know.

“Father, Mother, do you know how much of a bride price Aunt demanded from Brother Lu?”

She tested the waters carefully, unsure if she was overthinking.

Gu Haixiong took a few bites of rice, then looked up and asked, “How much did your aunt ask that hunter boy for?”

“Ten taels of silver,” Gu Leyou replied.

Lin Shi and Gu Leshu were so shocked they nearly dropped their chopsticks.

Gu Haixiong stared at his daughter in disbelief. “Are you serious?”

Gu Leyou nodded solemnly. “Absolutely true.”

Her parents were furious upon hearing this. Lin Shi complained bitterly, “That sister-in-law of mine, always trying to pocket money for herself. She didn’t even mention it to us! Just because she has Mother backing her, she does whatever she wants. We’re always the ones being bullied.”

Gu Leyou sighed, “Father, Mother, why should outsiders meddle in our family matters? If word gets out about this bride price, people will think you’re selling your daughter, not marrying her off.”

Gu Leshu agreed, “Yes, Father, Mother. I think Sister’s right. We need to toughen up and stop letting others walk all over us. We should demand an explanation from Aunt.”

With that, he stood up and tried to drag his parents to confront their aunt.

But Gu Haixiong didn’t move at all.

Seeing this, Gu Leyou sighed and said, “Since Father doesn’t want to go, then let me handle this myself. I won’t trouble you.”

She got up to leave.

But Gu Haixiong finally spoke.

“Stop. Marriage matters are always decided by the parents and matchmakers. When has it ever been the daughter’s job to settle these things?”

“Father, I just don’t want you to be put in a difficult position. I know what Aunt and her family are like—well-known bullies with Grandma backing them. There’s nothing you can do against them.”

“Sis, do you have a plan then?” Gu Leshu asked.

Gu Leyou nodded confidently. “Of course I do.”

“Then tell us. We’ll do whatever you say,” Lin Shi said, visibly moved.

“Father, Mother, since Aunt wants the money so badly, we mustn’t give it to her. You are my parents, not them. Why should they get the bride price? Have Brother Lu come here to talk with you directly. That should solve things.”

Gu Haixiong immediately grew unhappy, thinking she wanted to visit the hunter again.

“No. You’re not going to his house again—it’ll damage your reputation.”

“…”

It seemed their reputation, especially that of their daughter, still meant a lot to them.

“Father, Mother, I didn’t say I was going. You can have Ah-Di go. He knows where Brother Lu lives. Just make sure to talk things over kindly. He’s a man raising a child alone—it hasn’t been easy for him. We should be understanding.”

“We understand,” Gu Haixiong replied.

Gu Leshu sat down to continue eating and teased his sister, “Sister, you’re not married to Brother Lu yet, and already you’re speaking up for his family. You really are growing up.”

Gu Leyou blushed and replied shyly, “Oh hush, don’t talk nonsense. If people overhear you, it won’t be good.”

Lin Shi also scolded her son, “Watch your mouth. There are ears everywhere. Don’t make trouble for your sister.”

Only then did Gu Leshu quiet down and finish his meal.

After lunch, Gu Leshu headed out.

He walked for a long time before finally arriving at Lu Yan’s house.

He was about to knock but noticed the door was ajar. He hesitated for a moment but eventually pushed it open and stepped inside.

The courtyard was empty.

“Brother Lu?” he called.

No response.

Thinking he hadn’t spoken loudly enough, he called again, louder this time.

Still no reply.

Assuming no one was home, he was about to leave when Xiao Yao came running out of the house with a curious look on his face.

“Are you looking for my dad?”

“Yes, is your father not home?” Gu Leshu asked.

“He went out on some errands and told me to wait for him at home.”

“Then I’ll come back tomorrow.”

He was about to leave when Xiao Yao tugged on his sleeve and asked with wide, innocent eyes, “Are you that sister’s little brother who’s going to become my mom?”

“Yes, I am,” Gu Leshu replied patiently.

“Then that makes you my uncle, right?”

Seeing how adorable the boy was, Gu Leshu nodded.

Since his sister would eventually marry Brother Lu, he might as well accept it now.

Xiao Yao immediately knelt down and gave him a formal bow.

“Hello, Uncle. Nice to meet you. Please take care of me from now on.”

Gu Leshu was both amused and touched. He crouched to help the boy up—but just then, Xiao Yao suddenly collapsed in his arms.

Panicked, Gu Leshu looked around, but there was no one nearby. He couldn’t just leave the boy there alone, so he scooped him up and brought him back home.

What he didn’t expect was that this act of kindness would soon bring even more trouble to their family…