Chapter 2: The Ungrateful Wretch Who Can’t Be Raised Right

“Siqing, come sit down, let’s talk about your marriage,” Gu Dakai said with a rare kind smile, motioning to Gu Siqing to sit. Beside him sat Bai Cuiyan and the grandparents, all silent.

Gu Siqing sat down, already knowing what was coming. Sure enough, Gu Dakai said, “Your parents died early. After you marry, we are your maternal family. Naturally, your bride price should come to us. If your husband treats you poorly in the future, we’ll have your back. So that 1,888 yuan betrothal gift — you don’t need to take it with you.”

“As for the dowry, it’s simple. We’ve already discussed with the Shen family — you’ll marry over with the two kids. The Shen family doesn’t have descendants now anyway. After you marry in, Dabao and Xiaobao will be considered their children.”

“They don’t have a father anyway, so it’s good for them to have one now. The Shen family is rich, and your husband is a retired soldier — the state’s compensation must be significant.”

“Your mother-in-law is a university professor, and your father-in-law is now a military commander. You’ll never have to worry about food or clothing. So, there’s no need to prepare a dowry.”

Gu Siqing’s expression was cold. “Oh.”

It didn’t matter. Even if they wouldn’t give it to her, she’d take it back herself.

“Also, it’s time to transfer this house. Transfer it to your cousin — he’s already an adult. Otherwise, once you get married, won’t your husband get half the house?” Gu Dakai said.

Gu Siqing replied calmly, “I won’t transfer the house. You can live in it for now, but the title must stay in my name.”

As soon as she said that, the grandparents and Bai Cuiyan were instantly unhappy.

“You silly girl! If you transfer the house, it becomes part of our Gu family. If you don’t, once you marry, your husband will get half of it! We are your real family — your maternal side. You’ll need us to support you in the future!” Bai Cuiyan scolded angrily.

Grandpa chimed in, “Exactly! Splitting half the house is outrageous!”

Grandma nodded. “You’re still young and don’t understand. In the end, men can’t be as reliable as your own family. And that husband of yours… he won’t truly treat you as one of his own.”

Gu Siqing curled her lips into a mocking smile. Back then, they used the same excuse to trick her into transferring the house.

“Grandpa, Uncle, Auntie, this house is my parents’ inheritance. It’s my personal pre-marriage property. It won’t be divided with my husband. Only property gained after marriage is considered joint.” she said.

The Gu family members were stunned. Was that true?

They were all uneducated. Only Gu Siqing and Gu Wanrou had good schooling, and property division wasn’t exactly a topic casually taught in school. After all, at that time, marriages were about living life together. Divorce rates were extremely low, and very few even talked about how to divide assets in a divorce.

“You all can stay in the house, and you can keep the bride price too. But I won’t transfer the house. You’ve said it yourselves — men can’t be relied on. Dabao and Xiaobao aren’t his biological children. I still need to leave them something for the future. This house is for the kids.”

Upon hearing that, they panicked.

In their eyes, Dabao and Xiaobao were outsiders — father unknown, illegitimate kids, and soon to be surnamed Shen. They didn’t care whether the Shen family would treat them as their own. What they cared about was: The house must remain in the Gu family’s name! How could it go to Dabao and Xiaobao?!

But Gu Dakai gave them a subtle signal to calm down, then smiled. “Alright then. We’ll do it your way for now.”

After all, the 1,888 yuan was already in their hands. That was enough to buy another house. They could always figure out how to get this one from Gu Siqing later — this niece was usually easy to talk to.

“Oh right, Sis,” Gu Siqing said, “on my wedding day, I want to wear the necklace Mom left behind. Where did you put it?”

Hearing this, Gu Wanrou looked reluctant. “Siqing, you really want to wear that necklace? It’s not that pretty. Didn’t the Shen family send a new jewelry set? You should wear theirs. Otherwise, they might think you don’t value them—”

“No need. They won’t care. I just want to wear Mom’s necklace for the wedding. I want her to watch me get married. I believe she’d be happy too.” Gu Siqing looked at her with tears in her eyes. “Sis, I gave you my university admission slot, and I’m even marrying in your place. The bride price is staying here too. You wouldn’t still refuse to give me back Mom’s necklace, would you?”

Gu Dakai immediately gestured at Gu Wanrou: It’s just a necklace. Give it to her.

They were terrified Gu Siqing would back out. They’d already taken the bride price. If she didn’t marry, only Wanrou could — and there was no way Wanrou would agree. The Shen family was well-off, yes, but that man was crippled — completely useless. Marrying him would mean becoming his caretaker. She was a university student! No way she’d stoop to being a nursemaid for a disabled man! Only a brainless fool like Gu Siqing would do that.

“Oh… fine. I’ll go get it,” Gu Wanrou said grudgingly.

She slowly got up to fetch the necklace. By the time she returned, Gu Dakai had already finished outlining the wedding arrangements. Because the groom had mobility issues, there would be no rehearsal. The ceremony would be held nearby, and she would be picked up and taken home afterward.

Wanrou reluctantly handed over the necklace, and Gu Siqing took it, then said, “I’m not feeling well. I need to rest. Dabao, Xiaobao, come with Mommy.”

She picked up one child in each arm and walked back to the room. Only then did she realize how light the children were — they hadn’t been eating properly in the Gu household. Her heart ached at the thought.

As she closed the door, Bai Cuiyan muttered sarcastically, “She doesn’t look sick at all. Picked up two kids like it was nothing. She just doesn’t want to cook!”

Grandma scoffed, “Ungrateful brat — just looking for an excuse to be lazy. Wanrou, go make dinner.”

Gu Wanrou was annoyed. She may have avoided marrying a cripple, but now she’d have to cook every day! Luckily it was just the holidays — she normally stayed on campus.

Once she earned enough money, she’d definitely move out. No way she’d keep serving this family that valued sons over daughters!

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