Chapter 186.1

Zhuzi peeked through the door crack, repeatedly confirming if it was indeed his Aunt Su who had said those words. After checking three times, it was clear—it was Aunt Su who had spoken.

Ma Xiaoli reacted quickly, not easily falling into Su Xiaoxiao’s trap. “What nonsense are you talking about? What money? I’m here to collect money; they still owe me.”

Su Xiaoxiao replied, “I’m not talking nonsense. You have an obligation to bear half of the debt incurred before your divorce. I see that Aunt Zhao’s family can’t come up with the money. Since it was a debt from before your divorce, naturally, I’m holding you accountable. You don’t have any objections, do you?”

Ma Xiaoli: “You…” How can someone who looks so decent talk such nonsense? What do you mean by holding me accountable? “

Ma Xiaoli struggled for a moment before finally saying, “Who wouldn’t object? We are already divorced. Their debt has nothing to do with me. Why are you holding me accountable?”

Su Xiaoxiao had been waiting for her to say that. Zhao Xinmei wasn’t foolish. Su Xiaoxiao had already paved the way for her. If she still didn’t get it, then she’d truly be foolish.

“Since you and my son are divorced, on what grounds are you trying to take our house? Do you think my son and I are easy targets? You’re banking on the fact that Tiantian is my son’s lifeblood, thinking we’ll comply with whatever you demand? Let me tell you, my son may be a pushover, but I am not. The house is under my name; you can’t take it. If you insist on taking Tiantian, then let’s see what the court and the judge have to say. I don’t believe it—back then, you were the one who abandoned your husband and daughter without a second thought. Now you want her back? What do you think Tiantian is?”

Su Xiaoxiao’s eyebrows and eyes curled. Aunt Zhao, who was a widow, personally took care of her eldest son on her own. Even if she was misled by her son at the time, once she regained clarity, there was nothing to worry about. Aunt Zhao was articulate and sharp-minded, which Su Xiaoxiao had realized during their long conversation at the kindergarten gate.

Ma Xiaoli was dumbfounded. The first time she came, Aunt Zhao was a teary-eyed, timid woman who agreed to everything. How had she become so formidable in just a few days?

Ma Xiaoli’s cousin tugged at her sleeve, signaling that he would handle it.

“Aunt Zhao, let’s be clear. The money you borrowed for your son’s marriage was borrowed before my cousin and her ex-husband got married. That has nothing to do with my cousin. You can’t pin this debt on her. My cousin married into your family and spent years of her youth. She even gave birth to a daughter. Even if there’s no merit, there should be some hardship acknowledged. You can’t expect her to leave with nothing.”

Ma Xiaoli’s cousin was a shrewd person. Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, he immediately played the emotional card.

Zhao Xinmei, being older, couldn’t react as quickly as the younger ones. She seemed to be getting swayed again. Su Xiaoxiao interjected, “Your cousin dared to claim the house that existed before her ex-husband was born. What’s the issue with the debt before marriage? If I remember correctly, Aunt Zhao borrowed the money after you got your marriage certificate. Don’t say it has nothing to do with you. In any case, if they can’t repay, then you will. Pay up!”

Su Xiaoxiao was straightforward—she wanted the money and would hold them accountable.

Ma Xiaoli’s cousin was at a loss for words. “What’s wrong with you? We’ve said it has nothing to do with my cousin!”

Su Xiaoxiao smiled and said, “What? You can share wealth but not hardship. If you all want to run when disaster strikes, yet you still show up here, I won’t leave without the money today. Aunt Zhao, what do you say?”

Zhao Xinmei gritted her teeth, ran into the kitchen, and came out with a knife. “Xiaoxiao, it’s natural to repay debts. I don’t have the money right now. You can take the house and consider it as us renting it from you from now on. I’ll pay rent monthly until the debt is paid off. Will that work?”

“As for you,” Zhao Xinmei suddenly held the knife to her neck. “We don’t have money, but we have a life. Either take my life, repay my debt, or get lost!”

If it weren’t for the serious situation, Su Xiaoxiao would have wanted to give Aunt Zhao a round of applause. She had only given her a little push and set the stage, and Aunt Zhao had taken on the lead role, holding up the entire act.

Su Xiaoxiao gave Aunt Zhao a well-done look and said, “Aunt Zhao, don’t be impulsive. Don’t be impulsive. You know me, I’m a kind person and wouldn’t push you to death. How much can you repay today? If there’s no money, let’s see if there’s anything valuable at home that I can pawn. I really need the money urgently. Your ex-daughter-in-law looks well-off. Why don’t you tell me where she works? If she doesn’t want to repay now, I’ll visit her workplace every day. If that doesn’t work, I’ll speak to her boss. Every penny lessens the burden.”

Although Ma Xiaoli is greedy for money, she is still the type of bully who preys on the weak but is afraid of the strong. Otherwise, during her days in the countryside, she could’ve found a hundred ways to live better rather than wasting her youth and marrying a man she despised just to get by. It was the dumbest approach. Faced with Su Xiaoxiao, she had no defense.

Ma Xiaoli’s cousin knew this matter was over, but Ma Xiaoli felt unwilling. His man was still waiting for her to take the money back to open a shop and achieve great success. How could they let it go like this? But the thought of Su Xiaoxiao going to her workplace and causing trouble was too scary for her. She hadn’t even disclosed her divorce for fear of being looked down upon. If Su Xiaoxiao caused a scene, everyone would know. Given her personality, if she exaggerated things, she wouldn’t be able to stay at her job.

Su Xiaoxiao added: “Don’t worry, Aunt Zhao. I’ll elaborate on your ex-daughter-in-law’s deeds to her boss. Her boss will definitely side with you and might even fire her. Maybe out of pity, he’ll give you her job. You’re only in your forties, far from retirement age. Why don’t we go together? You get a job and can repay me more. I really need the money urgently.”

Su Xiaoxiao spoke sincerely, even using a negotiating tone, openly discussing this in front of Ma Xiaoli, whose face turned livid. What a situation!

“Are you out of your mind? I’ve told you this has nothing to do with me. Their debt is none of my business! If you dare to cause trouble at my workplace, I won’t let it slide!”

Su Xiaoxiao sighed, “Indeed, it’s the debtor who is the master. If you have nothing to do with them, then why are you standing here?” She pointed to Tang Tiantian, “That’s your daughter, right? And you say you have no connection? If you don’t pay up, I’ll cause a scene at your workplace and then at your daughter’s kindergarten. Let’s see if you still won’t pay!”

This really provoked Ma Xiaoli. Furious, she called Su Xiaoxiao a lunatic and left with her cousin, cursing as they went.

Xiao Zhuzi, who had been listening from the corner, realized there was nothing more for him to do. As the pair walked out, he pretended to pass by nonchalantly and turned back.