Chapter 35: Severing Ties (Part 1)

Gu Leyou was at home helping with the wedding preparations.

The first task was to hang the red double happiness symbols. Neighbors from all around came to lend a hand.

So today, the courtyard of the second Gu family household was especially lively.

“Auntie Li, Auntie Zhang, Granny Wang, thank you all so much for helping out. Don’t go home tonight—stay and have dinner with us. Uncle Li and the others have already gone to town to buy groceries.”

By noon, the courtyard was bustling, with two large tables set. But a few uninvited guests showed up—none other than the eldest uncle and aunt’s family.

As soon as they stepped into the courtyard, Cousin Gu Mingyue started with a sarcastic tone.

“Well, well, little sister is getting married. So many people helping out—how come no one asked big sister to help? Are we being treated like outsiders now?”

Having already heard the whole story from her father, Gu Leyou was furious when she saw this trio.

“What are you doing here? You’re not welcome in our home. Please leave before we’re forced to throw you out.”

Aunt Yang couldn’t tolerate that and immediately raised her hand to slap her.

Gu Leyou had said those words on purpose to provoke them.

She expected the slap—it wasn’t surprising at all.

The moment Gu Leyou got slapped, the neighbors rushed to surround Yang.

Granny Wang scolded, “You heartless woman! Don’t you know she’s about to be a bride? You hit her—how do you expect her to show her face on her wedding day?”

“That’s right! Granny Wang is right. No matter what grudges you hold, this is not the time for it. The child’s wedding is the day after tomorrow. You bruised her face—how is she supposed to go out and meet people?”

Everyone chimed in, one after another.

But Yang, known for being fierce, wasn’t fazed by their scolding. She dropped to the ground and started making a scene.

“You bullies! Ganging up on me? None of you could take me one-on-one. What, are you looking to fight? Bring it on! I’m not scared of you!”

Seeing her act like that, no one knew what to do.

If someone accidentally touched her, she’d make a big deal out of it and extort them.

So although the crowd was watching like it was entertainment, nobody dared make a move.

Gu Leyou wanted to step forward, but Madam Lin stopped her, afraid she’d be bullied again.

At that moment, someone in the crowd shouted, “Quiet! The village chief is here!”

The neighbors quickly made way so the chief could come through.

Without a word, the village chief yanked Yang up from the ground and scolded her in front of everyone.

“Go home right now and stop embarrassing yourself. I didn’t want to interfere with your family’s affairs, but if you keep making trouble like this, I have to step in. I don’t care what grudges you have—just stay quiet these next few days.”

The chief was so angry because someone had told him the full story.

Even though he didn’t want to get involved, with the county magistrate already aware, he had no choice. He knew the saying: “One level higher in office, one level more powerful.”

Then Yang shouted, “Village chief, their son-in-law owes me money! Ask them when they’re going to pay me back!”

The chief looked doubtful and turned to the second Gu family.

“Is what she said true?”

The three members of Gu Leyou’s household immediately shook their heads, and Second Gu explained:

“Village chief, don’t believe my sister-in-law’s nonsense. She’s just greedy. That money was supposed to be the bride price for our daughter. Since we’re rushing the wedding, we agreed to forgo it. But she was the one who arranged the proposal and now wants to scam us.”

Second Gu was known in the village for being kind and honest, so everyone believed him.

The village chief, therefore, blamed Yang.

He called over Gu Dacheng (the eldest son) and gave both husband and wife a scolding:

“You two stay home. Don’t come out and make a scene. Their family is having a wedding—don’t ruin it. If you have any unresolved issues, settle them after the wedding.”

Yang realized the chief’s involvement might cost her the money she wanted.

Gu Dacheng, cowardly by nature, didn’t dare oppose the chief.

He whispered to his wife, “Let’s go. No need to suffer here. If the chief loses his temper, we won’t be able to leave.”

Yang grudgingly left with him.

But back at home, she twisted the story completely to stir up trouble. When the mother-in-law Liu heard it, she was furious and stormed off to confront Second Gu’s family.

She didn’t get far before her son tried to stop her.

“Mom, don’t go! The village chief is still there. If you show up, he might not give you any face. Don’t bring trouble on yourself. Just stay home.”

But Liu wouldn’t listen and scolded her son.

“I’m still Second Gu’s mother! He can’t possibly stop his own mother from entering the house. And I’m also that girl’s grandmother! She’s getting married, shouldn’t I be there?”

Yang chimed in to stir the pot:

“Mom, I told you—Second Gu’s family doesn’t care about you at all. They’re marrying off their daughter and didn’t even invite you to the feast. Are they trying to sever ties with you?”

Liu was livid. “That ungrateful brat! He wouldn’t dare sever ties with me, not even if I gave him ten lives!”

Gu Mingyue added fuel to the fire: “Grandma, you think that—but Second Uncle’s family already cut you off. Whether you want it or not, it’s done.”

With their constant instigating, Liu ignored her son’s objections and stormed toward Second Gu’s house.

Meanwhile, the family was still busy with the wedding preparations, completely unaware of the storm brewing.

When Liu barged into their courtyard, it was clear to everyone she wasn’t there to celebrate.

Seeing his mother, Second Gu and his family went to greet her, only for Liu to slap him across the face without saying a word—leaving the entire crowd stunned.

Today really was a spectacle at the Second Gu household.

Sensing things might spiral out of control, the village chief once again had to step in.

Thankfully, they had kept him around after kicking out the eldest brother’s family, or things might’ve gone completely off the rails.