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Chapter 21: Very Satisfied (Part 1)

Gu Hai Xiong’s gesture made Lu Yan feel extremely undeserving. He quickly stood up to help his future father-in-law.

“Uncle, please don’t do this. We’re about to become family soon—it’s really okay,” Lu Yan said calmly.

The four of them then sat down and continued their conversation.

“As I said earlier, we are marrying off our daughter, not selling her. So instead of ten taels for the bride price, just give half. And that’s to our family, not my sister-in-law,” Gu Hai Xiong said.

“Uncle, whatever amount was agreed on, that’s what I’ll pay. You don’t need to make any concessions. I can afford ten taels,” Lu Yan replied.

Gu Le You thought he was just trying to save face and forced himself to agree, so she chimed in, “Brother Lu, our family is reasonable and would never use the bride price to pressure you. As for the amount, we’ve already discussed it. Just follow my father’s decision.”

“That’s right,” Madam Lin added. “We know it’s not easy for you to raise a child alone, and we don’t want an excessive bride price to make life harder for you. If your life becomes difficult, our daughter will suffer too.”

Hearing this made Gu Le You’s eyes tear up slightly.

Her parents truly loved her and always considered her well-being. But the matter was already decided, and she had to follow through.

“Auntie, Uncle, I understand your intentions. I solemnly promise here and now—your daughter, as my wife, will live a happy life. My child will also treat her like his own mother, with the utmost respect,” Lu Yan vowed sincerely.

Hearing this promise from the honest hunter, the parents believed him. After all, Lu Yan had lived in the village for quite a while and never had any bad rumors. He seemed like a decent, steady man. As parents, they decided to trust their daughter’s judgment.

Just then, a loud and aggressive knock came from the door, followed by a harsh voice shouting:

“All of you in the second household, get out here! If I don’t get an explanation today, no one’s going to have a peaceful day!”

That voice was unmistakable—Aunt Yang.

Why was she showing up now?

Whenever the aunt came, nothing good ever followed.

Gu Le You suddenly remembered that Gu Ming Yue had visited in the morning and caused a ruckus. She had gone out afterward and didn’t know how it was resolved, but Gu Ming Yue had already gone home when she returned. She hadn’t expected the aunt to show up so soon after.

Oh well, let the storm come. They would deal with it.

But this had nothing to do with Lu Yan and his son, so before opening the door, Gu Le You picked up Lu Yao and pulled Lu Yan toward the inner room.

Once inside, she said, “No matter what happens later, do not come out. If my aunt finds you two here, it’ll be a big mess.”

“What’s there to be afraid of? We haven’t done anything wrong. Let’s go face her together,” Lu Yan replied righteously.

“I can’t explain it all now, but please, don’t come out or speak. Let us handle the rest.”

With that, Gu Le You left the room and gently closed the door behind her.

Her aunt was a troublesome person. If she found out Lu Yan and his son were here, she’d probably demand money and stir up even more trouble.

She didn’t want the extra drama.

Heading into the courtyard, Gu Le You said, “Father, just open the door. Let’s see what Aunt wants now.”

Gu Hai Xiong quickly opened the door.

As soon as the door opened, Aunt Yang barged in and started yelling in the courtyard.

“You’re all the same in this house! My daughter came over kindly, and you actually hit her. You act nothing like elders!”

“Hit her?” the couple was completely confused.

They hadn’t laid a hand on anyone!

Their niece had been unreasonable, and even after being paid, refused to leave. A kind neighbor eventually persuaded her to go. How did it suddenly become their fault?

Gu Le You didn’t know what happened while she was out, but she didn’t believe a word of it.

“Aunt, everything you said, and the injuries on cousin—those are all things you said and you saw. You say my parents hit her, but you weren’t even there. How can you be so sure it was them?”

Her words gave her parents some confidence.

Clearly, her aunt was just here to extort money.

Gu Hai Xiong cut straight to the point: “Sister-in-law, let’s not beat around the bush. Just tell us your real reason for coming.”

Aunt Yang, seeing through was pointless, dropped the act.

“My daughter’s medical expenses, and what you owe us—eleven taels of silver in total. Pay up. Once I get the money, I’ll leave and never bother you again.”

Gu Le You was stunned. The audacity of asking for eleven taels! She sneered.

“Aunt, are you really that sure we’ll give you the money? And what’s your basis for demanding eleven taels?”

Aunt Yang explained, “One tael is my daughter’s medical expense. The other ten are for my own medical costs, supplements, and the fact that I haven’t been able to work these days. No income for the family.”

Gu Le You found this laughable. If that’s how she wanted to calculate it, then they should sit down and tally up all the debts the aunt’s family owed them too.

She turned to her mother and said, “Mom, go get the abacus. I want to settle this debt with Aunt—both old and new.”

Gu Hai Xiong saw his daughter meant business and tried to act like the peacemaker again.

“My dear daughter, even though we’ve separated from your uncle’s family, he’s still my own brother. There’s no need to fall out like this. These are adult matters, no need for a young girl like you to get involved.”

“…”

Gu Le You retorted, “Father, you know the saying: Even brothers settle accounts clearly. Since their family refuses to let us be, there’s no reason for us to play nice either.”

Madam Lin stood frozen, unsure whether to listen to her husband or her daughter.

Seeing her hesitation, Gu Le You urged, “Mom, hurry up! Don’t keep Aunt waiting.”

Madam Lin quickly ran into the house.

Lu Yan, seeing all this unfold, stepped forward and asked, “Auntie, would you like some help?”

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