Chapter 28: Breaking Ties

Shitou ran while shouting, “I’m not lying, you said it yourself!”

Seeing that the child was about to be caught by Gao Suhua, Luo Qiao, tired of the charade, pulled the boy behind her and shouted, “Enough!”

Gao Suhua and the onlooking villagers were stunned. Luo Qiao then said, “I don’t care what your Zhao family is thinking. When you didn’t want me before, I could understand since we have no blood relation.

I, Luo Qiao, would never cling to you shamelessly. That’s why I signed a document in front of the captain and the respected elders of the village, stating that I have no further relationship with the Zhao family.”

Looking around at the villagers, Luo Qiao continued, “I don’t know why your Zhao family later changed your mind and kept sending people to harass me.

For the sake of reputation, I didn’t want to think the worst of you, but I certainly don’t believe you’re acting out of kindness.

Today, this child spoke the truth. If you dare say otherwise, then what are your true intentions? Don’t tell me you feel guilty for taking the two hundred yuan from the Luo family and genuinely want to take me back.”

Gao Suhua, seeing Luo Qiao exposing her in front of so many villagers, knew that if she completely broke ties now, it would ruin her family’s reputation. Suppressing her anger, she said, “Of course, we feel uneasy about taking the Luo family’s money and not taking care of you.”

Luo Qiao laughed and said, “If Aunt Zhao truly feels uneasy, then give me those two hundred yuan. This way, I can live better, and you won’t have to feel guilty. How about that?”

Gao Suhua couldn’t maintain her false kindness any longer and scolded, “You’re really heartless. We were thinking of looking after you a little, and you want to take all the Luo family’s money. You have quite the ambition for someone so young.”

Luo Qiao loudly declared, “Let me reiterate that I have no relationship with the Zhao family. The money for treating my head injury was left by the Luo family with the captain, so I’ve had nothing to do with the Zhao family from the beginning.

Your daughters came today under the pretense of helping me with my private plot but ended up stealing my things, claiming that I’m closer to your family in this village. Are you trying to threaten me?

Do you think the elders, uncles, and aunts in the village are as calculating as you? My private plot is right by the road; anyone can see it’s already been tidied up.

Asking if I need help, do you take me for a fool? Since we have no relationship and signed an agreement back then, we are unrelated. Stop coming to my house at every turn.”

I don’t have the time to waste on you all. I need to take care of myself. Zhao Xiaomei has been coming to my house, claiming to be my second sister, which makes people uncomfortable. It’s better to be straightforward.

I trust the captain will handle today’s matter fairly and believe that all the villagers are reasonable people. Everyone’s eyes are sharp; black cannot be turned into white.”

After finishing, Luo Qiao looked at the captain, Gao Jiefang. She had to take a stand today. Previously, the original body’s physical weakness and the need to leave a good impression when she first arrived in the village had held her back.

Now, in front of so many villagers, she had to establish her position. Otherwise, anyone could step on her in the future, especially since she was an outsider.

Gao Jiefang asked, “Zhao Pulin, what do you have to say?”

Zhao Pulin hadn’t expected his daughters to do such things. He had been an honest man all his life, and now his daughters had ruined his reputation.