Chapter 28: Zeng Sibo’s Plan (Part 4)

“A few days ago, I went to the market to buy a book at a bookstore. I didn’t bring enough money, so I asked the owner to hold it for me. But yesterday, my ex-fiancée bought it instead.”

Hearing the words ex-fiancée, Liu Suyu felt a little uncomfortable.

She asked, “So, you want to get the book back from her?”

Zeng Sibai nodded.

“Then why don’t you just ask her for it? At worst, just pay her for it. That’s basically buying it back from her,” Liu Suyu replied.

“You make it sound so easy. If I could’ve done that, I would’ve already. But she refuses to sell it, and she was really rude about it. I had no other choice but to ask for your help. I really need that book,” Zeng Sibai said, twisting the truth.

Sure enough, Liu Suyu was furious when she heard this. She rolled up her sleeves, ready to go confront Gu Leyou. Zeng Sibai pretended to stop her and kindly advised, “Don’t be angry, don’t stoop to her level. After all, she was my fiancée. For the sake of that relationship, let it go.”

Liu Suyu was the type to listen to advice, so she calmed down.

She said, “Let’s go to Mingyue’s place. As long as we talk to her, I’m sure we can figure out a good plan.”

So, the two of them walked side by side toward Gu Mingyue’s house.

Gu Mingyue’s house wasn’t far from Gu Hai Xiong’s. When the family split their property, it had already been agreed that the larger house would go to the elder brother, since their mother, Madam Liu, stayed with him. The younger brother and his family might also rely on the older brother, so he received more resources.

Liu Suyu knocked on the door of Gu Mingyue’s house, and it was Yang-shi who answered.

“Auntie, hello! We’re here to see Mingyue,” the two said in unison.

“Come in then. Mingyue is changing clothes. You can chat with her once she’s done.”

Once they entered the courtyard, Zeng Sibai whispered to Liu Suyu, “Remember, you should be the one to talk to Mingyue. It wouldn’t be right for me to say anything to her directly. Since you’re her close friend, it’ll sound better coming from you.”

“No problem, leave it to me,” Liu Suyu agreed happily.

After Mingyue finished changing, she came out and quickly walked over when she saw the two of them waiting.

“What are you two doing here? Do you need something?” Gu Mingyue asked.

“Your younger sister snatched his book. We want your help thinking of a way to get it back. Since your families are related, it’s better if you handle it,” Liu Suyu said.

Gu Mingyue found this hard to believe. That didn’t sound like Gu Leyou at all. Shouldn’t that girl be at home quietly preparing for her marriage?

Her parents had just returned from work today and said they’d seen her second uncle and aunt—probably out buying things for the wedding.

Sensing her disbelief, Liu Suyu earnestly added, “We’ve been friends for years. When have I ever lied to you? I’m telling the truth—your sister grabbed the book and won’t give it back, not even for money. Isn’t that unreasonable?”

Yang-shi, who had been washing clothes in the courtyard, overheard and stood up.

“Well, if that’s true, then that girl really is in the wrong. If you really want that book back, I’ll go ask for it. I have ways to make her hand it over.”

Zeng Sibai hadn’t expected the adults to get involved, but he also knew how fierce this aunt could be. Once she got involved, she usually got what she wanted.

At that moment, the old matriarch of the family, Grandma Liu, came out of the inner house.

Seeing the three of them, she asked, “Children, what are you talking about?”

Yang-shi saw her mother-in-law come out and immediately had an idea.

She stepped forward and helped her up. “Mother, something’s going on at Second Brother’s house. Let’s go take a look quickly.”

Liu-shi was skeptical. “Don’t talk nonsense. Just this morning, the second daughter-in-law told me they were going out to buy things for that girl’s wedding. There’s no way anything’s wrong. Don’t worry.”

But Yang-shi insisted with a serious face, “Mother, I swear something’s going on. Just come with me. Don’t ask questions.”

From Yang-shi’s expression, Grandma Liu sensed something was off.

So, a whole group from the elder brother’s family quickly rushed over to the second brother’s home.

Meanwhile, Gu Leyou was just about to head out when a kind aunt from the village, seeing a crowd heading toward the Gu household, rushed over to warn her.

She happened to catch Gu Leyou just as she was about to leave.

“Leyou, are you going out? Don’t come back too soon. I just saw your grandmother and your big aunt leading a whole crowd toward your house. Better hide. They’re definitely not coming for anything good.”

“Auntie, who all did you see? Do you know what they’re coming for?”

“I’m not sure, but I did see a familiar face in the crowd. Looked like your ex-fiancé. He was with them too.”

Gu Leyou started to piece it together. Maybe this was because of that book she bought—the one that guy had wanted. Could he have rallied everyone to come and pressure her?

The aunt saw she wasn’t reacting and waved her hand in front of her face. “Child, what are you daydreaming about? Go now! If you don’t, it’ll be too late!”

Gu Leyou snapped out of it and thanked the aunt.

Then she jogged toward the edge of the village.

She still needed to visit Brother Zhang’s house. She wouldn’t be back until later. Hopefully, if they found no one home, they’d eventually leave on their own.

At the edge of the village, she spotted a familiar little figure.

As she got closer, she realized it was Brother Lu’s son sitting there.

She squatted down and gently asked, “Xiao Yao, what are you doing here? Where’s your father? You’re still sick. How could he let you out alone?”

The little boy replied in his soft voice, “I was bored at home by myself. Papa went into the mountains to hunt, so I snuck out. I wanted to find some other kids to play with, but no one wanted to play with me.”

As he spoke, his tone turned a little sad.

Gu Leyou picked him up and comforted him, “Then how about sister keeps you company? Come with me, okay?”

At that moment, a few village aunties passed by and overheard her. They couldn’t help teasing, “Gu girl, this child should be calling you ‘mother,’ not ‘sister.’ Calling you sister messes up the seniority!”

Gu Leyou blushed instantly at their teasing.

These adults loved to gossip. No matter which girl passed by, they always had to say something.

“Don’t talk nonsense! His father and I aren’t married yet. He can’t call me that. If my parents heard, they wouldn’t be happy,” she explained quickly.

The grown-ups laughed heartily at her flustered response.