Chapter 2: A Changed Person

The rain outside had stopped, but the sky remained overcast.

“It’s outrageous! Even if the Qin family is wealthy, they shouldn’t come to demand money like this. How will her daughter hold her head up high in her husband’s family?”

“She’s used to living a comfortable life, and now that she doesn’t have money, she can’t cope.”

“Exactly. She used to eat fish and meat every day, so naturally she can’t stand eating plain porridge and salted vegetables now.”

…

“Even a skinny camel is bigger than a horse. Your short-lived husband should have left behind a lot of money when he died, and your son who’s in the army also gets a decent monthly allowance. Even if your family ate fish and meat every day, you’d have enough. But you’re always eyeing our Qin family’s money – have you no shame?”

“You’re the shameless one!”

“You ungrateful wretch, you dare scold me? I’ll teach you a lesson today.”

With that, Qin’s mother took two large strides forward and raised her hand to slap Gu Yunyang.

Gu Yunchi quickly shielded Gu Yunyang, and the slap landed on her face, instantly reddening half her cheek.

Failing to hit her intended target, Qin’s mother, enraged and humiliated, slapped Gu Yunchi again. Seeing her older sister slapped twice, the furious Gu Yunyang charged out from behind Gu Yunchi and forcefully bumped into Qin’s mother.

Qin’s mother fell backward, landing in the mud. Trying to get up to hit Gu Yunyang, she had just lifted her bottom when her eyes darted around and she sat back down. “Ouch! I’ve broken my bones!”

“Are you sure you broke your bones?”

A cold voice rang out from the doorway.

Everyone looked towards the sound, only to see Jiang Yiyi standing at the entrance. Due to a fever, her face was still flushed, her hair was disheveled, and she exuded a weak aura. Her eyes coldly fixed on Qin’s mother on the ground.

Qin’s mother’s heart sank under her gaze. She had met Jiang Yiyi before; she was beautiful but had a meek personality. Even if someone scolded her, she wouldn’t dare retort. But today, she seemed like a completely different person.

“Of—of course.”

“Yunyang, bring the cart. Take her to the hospital for a check-up. If her bones are really broken, we’ll get them treated and compensate her. If not, we’ll go straight to the police station and report her for extortion.”

As soon as Jiang Yiyi appeared, Gu Yunyang glared at her like she was an enemy. If she hadn’t stolen their mother’s only money, their mother wouldn’t have asked his older sister for a loan, Qin’s mother wouldn’t have come to their house to yell, and his sister wouldn’t have been beaten. It was all because of her!

Hearing her words, he didn’t react immediately and stood there motionless.

“Go!”

Gu Yunyang reacted and turned to fetch the cart. He had just seen the old woman’s bottom leave the ground, and there wasn’t a hint of pain on her face. It was clearly an attempt to extort their family.

Hearing that she would be sent to the police station, Qin’s mother was stunned. She wanted to say that she hadn’t broken any bones, but everyone in the courtyard had heard her earlier words. If she said she hadn’t broken anything, she would be slapping herself in the face. How could she show her face again? But if she didn’t say anything, it would be even more embarrassing if the Gu family really sent her to the police station. In a moment of panic, she yelled at Gu Yunchi, “You blind fool, don’t you come and help me up!”

Gu Yunchi wanted to help her up, but Jiang Yiyi stopped her. Gu Yunchi wanted to say something, but Gu Mu suddenly started coughing violently. Gu Yunchi immediately forgot about Qin’s mother and rushed to support her mother along with Gu Yuncan, who was already trembling with fear.

As Gu Yunyang pulled the cart over, Qin’s mother got up herself. Rather than be sent to the police station, it was better to just lose face. She could vent her anger on Gu Yunchi later and deal with her properly at home.

“I was in so much pain just now, I thought I’d broken a bone. I touched it and it’s fine. We don’t need to go to the hospital.”

The onlookers burst into laughter.

Qin’s mother’s face turned crimson. She wanted to scold them, but when she met Jiang Yiyi’s gaze, she swallowed her words and stiffened her neck. “Even if I didn’t break a bone, that little brat pushed me. They’re a family of ungrateful ingrates!”

“If I remember correctly, the money Qin Gang used to start his business came from our family – a thousand dollars. Later, he said he needed to grease some palms and took another thousand from us. He hasn’t returned a single cent. Who’s the ungrateful one?”

The courtyard fell silent.

“Also, you said our family are all burdens who constantly ask for money from you. Tell me specifically, what day did we ask for money, and how much did we ask for?”

Qin’s mother opened her mouth but couldn’t answer.

Although the Gu family was poor, they had never asked for money before. This was the first time they had borrowed money, and she was afraid that the Gu family was a bottomless pit, so she had made a scene to prevent further borrowing.

“As you said, my father-in-law left behind a lot of money after his death, and Yunze sends money home every month. We don’t lack money. It’s just that the money is all in my hands. Yesterday, I got caught in the rain, developed a fever, and fainted. My mother was in a panic, so she asked my younger brother to borrow money from your family.”

…

“So that’s how it is. I said that Mrs. Gu wasn’t the type to take advantage of others. Why would she let her child endlessly borrow money from her in-laws?”

“This Qin family is too bullying.”

“More than bullying, they’re ungrateful. They got started with their father-in-law’s help, and after his death, not only did they not help out, but they also wanted to crush them. I think whoever marries into their family is cursed.”

“Yes, yes. Isn’t her daughter of marrying age? We should spread the word. Absolutely don’t marry her daughter.”

“Exactly, exactly. Didn’t you see how hard she hit Yunchi? She used so much force in front of so many people. I wonder how she abuses them behind closed doors. Her daughter will be no better.”

…

Qin’s mother’s face turned pale.

Jiang Yiyi looked at Gu Yunchi. “The money?”

Gu Yunchi quickly pulled out a handful of money from her pocket – one-dollar bills, two-dollar bills, and a five-dollar bill. There wasn’t even a ten-dollar bill; it didn’t look like it was borrowed from the Qin family, but rather her own savings.

Jiang Yiyi counted it and raised it towards Qin’s mother. “Apart from this fifty, your Qin family still owes us one thousand nine hundred and fifty. I’m going to the hospital. Please bring the money back to us.”

Qin’s mother naturally didn’t want to pay it back. Although they claimed to be millionaires, she knew they didn’t have that much money. If they took out that much money at once, their family would be empty. But in front of so many people, she couldn’t say no. So, she angrily yelled at Gu Yunchi, “Are you dead? Don’t you go home and cook?”

“My mother and I both need someone to take care of us. My younger sister won’t be going back for now. Please bring the money quickly. I have a bad temper, and if you’re late, I might do something.”

Qin’s mother left in disgrace.