“Also, the four hundred yuan bride price that Father and Mother deducted from our eldest branch’s account must be returned within half a month. Otherwise, I will go to your school and make a scene. Let’s see if you still care about your reputation.”
She had made up her mind. She no longer wanted to be entangled with this vicious couple.
Lin Baozhu had already wanted to split the family long ago. Once they separated, she would no longer have to endure the domineering eldest sister-in-law’s grievances. However, asking them to raise four hundred yuan in half a month was practically demanding for their lives.
Only then did she suddenly realize that her maternal family would not help her.
As expected, Gu Shicheng spoke next to her ear, suggesting, “How about we go ask your parents for some money tomorrow?”
Lin Baozhu shot him a sharp glare. “If you dare go ask them about this, just wait and see.”
Gu Shicheng thought about his mother-in-law’s face in his mind and immediately gave up on the idea.
After dealing with the fourth branch, Wang Lihua suddenly remembered what Li Wenxiu had reminded her before. She glared at Gu Shizhu, who was currently acting submissive in front of her, and said, “Father, Mother, I want both of you to be witnesses today. From now on, my eldest husband must hand over his entire monthly salary to me. If even one cent is missing, he can come back and do housework to serve the two of you, and I will go to the factory instead.”
“Also, tomorrow I will go to my maternal family to bring my two children back. Since the family has now split, you should also spend more time properly caring for your grandson and granddaughter.”
Father Gu and Mother Gu felt very unhappy after hearing their eldest daughter-in-law’s arrangements. The two grandchildren would be better off staying with their maternal grandmother anyway, and they would eventually recognize their grandparents in the end.
But things are different now. Since the family had split, they had lost authority and now had to rely on the faces of their sons and daughters-in-law.
Father Gu reflected seriously. When did everything start to change?
It was all because the fourth son insisted on marrying a troublemaker.
Father Gu now disliked the fourth branch deeply. Taking advantage of Mother Gu not reacting yet, he turned and went back into the house first.
As expected, Gu Shicheng next went to Mother Gu and pleaded, “Mother, you must help us raise that four hundred yuan.”
Mother Gu glared at him but ultimately softened.
When she returned to the room to open the money box, she found it completely empty.
She turned and stared at the old man sitting on the bed smoking. “Old man, did you take all the money?”
Father Gu did not respond. He only gave a faint “mm.”
Mother Gu erupted in anger. “Gu Dahai, how dare you! The fourth son is the most promising child of the Gu family!”
Her roar made everyone in the courtyard prick up their ears, listening to the old couple argue.
Father Gu glanced at her calmly. “Think about it carefully. After studying for so many years, the fourth son only got a job as a commune school teacher. What other promising thing has he actually done? Just name one.”
Mother Gu was left speechless.
Gu Shicheng, feeling too ashamed, turned and walked back into the room.
Lin Baozhu’s mind was in complete chaos. She had not expected that her impulsive revenge today would actually cause the old couple’s affection for them to completely disappear.
No, she could not admit defeat.
Gu Shiye walked over and took his wife’s hand. “Let’s go, wife. We should head back too.”
“Wait, third brother.”
It was Wang Lihua calling them.
She went inside and took out four eggs, placing them into Li Wenxiu’s hands. “Xiuxiu, thanks to you and your man for helping today. My big sister-in-law will remember your kindness.”
On the way back, Li Wenxiu chatted with the man beside her.
“Why do you think Ma Sufen and Gu Shizhu suddenly changed so much?”
Gu Shiye replied calmly, “Maybe the timing isn’t right yet. In the short drama timeline, Ma Sufen hasn’t been forced into desperation by that scumbag yet, and Gu Shizhu hasn’t fallen too deeply for her.”
Li Wenxiu smiled. “In my opinion, it’s because Lin Baozhu’s bad karma has caught up with her. Her luck is no longer on her side. Let’s go back and do our check-ins.”
Their spatial system allowed accumulated sign-ins, something Li Wenxiu had only recently discovered. The more Lin Baozhu stirred trouble, the better the rewards they received.
Fortune does not disappear. It only transfers.
The couple returned to the small courtyard in the village’s east end.
Tonight, Li Wenxiu wanted spicy boiled fish.
Gu Shiye went into the kitchen and took out a large grass carp from the space. It was one of the one-hundred-jin fish they had received from previous rewards, along with seasoning packets that made cooking extremely easy.
Li Wenxiu entered the space to sign in.
She had accumulated three days of sign-ins, meaning she could draw three times.
She eagerly inserted the first slip.
Soon, the reward appeared: twenty small gold bars, twenty jin of nationally usable grain vouchers, and two hundred fruit saplings with an automatic planting function.
She was delighted. She had been worrying about not having access to the wide variety of fruits from her previous life, so she immediately activated the one-click planting function.
Second draw: twenty small gold bars, two strength pills, and cotton cloth vouchers of twenty zhang plus twenty jin of cotton.
These were enough to keep them warm through winter.
What surprised her most were the two strength pills, as she had not expected the system shop to even provide stat-enhancing items.
Third draw: twenty small gold bars, two hundred yuan in cash, plus twenty jin each of milk powder vouchers, sugar vouchers, and meat vouchers.
She left the space holding the two strength pills and returned to the kitchen.
A large pot of spicy boiled fish had already been finished, and the entire kitchen was filled with a rich aroma.
Li Wenxiu took a deep breath. “Husband, you’re amazing.”
Gu Shiye felt embarrassed to boast, but he still said proudly, “I used spiritual spring water. It doubles the flavor. My cooking is almost better than the chefs at the state-run restaurant now.”
Li Wenxiu, in a very good mood after her rewards, smiled at him. “Husband, open your mouth. I’ll give you a small reward.”
Gu Shiye thought it was a kiss. He lowered his head and, noticing how fair and soft she had become under his care, felt even more accomplished.
He casually checked her pulse. “Xiuxiu, you and the baby in your belly are both doing very well.”
Li Wenxiu sighed inwardly at his endless self-satisfaction. “Close your eyes.”
Gu Shiye obediently closed his eyes. The next moment, something was placed into his mouth. It felt like a candy pill. He swallowed it instinctively, then leaned in as if to kiss her.