“Society has changed now. Everyone is equal. I earn my living through my own labor. I’m an honorable working person, not some maid from the old society for you to order around.”
Gu Li shot back.
Su Baozhu’s eyes widened in disbelief. Someone of such low status actually dared to challenge her.
Humiliated and furious, she snapped, “What a joke. You’re nothing more than a servant who waits on others. What’s the difference between you and an old society maid? And you dare lecture me? Believe it or not, I can have you thrown out right now!”
Raising her voice, Gu Li spoke each word with unwavering conviction.
“You’re completely wrong. No one is born to serve anyone else. I’m correcting your flawed way of thinking. And let me remind you, this is the Fu Family home, not yours.”
Hearing their exchange, Zhao Yaqin turned deathly pale. The repeated phrases “old society maid” and “flawed thinking” made her inwardly groan in despair. She never should have invited these little ancestors over today.
Although the times were not as strict as before, being reported could still mean being dragged away for a serious ideological education session.
They were speaking far too recklessly. If today’s conversation spread beyond these walls, the consequences would be unimaginable.
What if it affected Old Fu’s prospects for promotion?
And what nonsense was Su Baozhu spouting? Since when did matters in the Fu Family become hers to decide?
Hurriedly stepping forward, Zhao Yaqin grabbed Su Baozhu’s arm.
“Baozhu, say less. Both of you, say less. Do you want to be taken away for a lesson?”
Seeing her daughter being slandered by Gu Li, Li Liping could no longer remain seated. If Baozhu really ended up being disciplined because of today’s incident, she would never forgive this vixen.
The thought instantly ignited her anger.
Jumping to her feet, she pointed at Gu Li’s nose and shouted, “You wild girl from the countryside, how can you speak to my daughter like that? Throwing accusations around so casually, what malicious intentions do you have?”
“Working in someone else’s home yet still acting so arrogantly. This is absolutely outrageous!”
Turning to Zhao Yaqin, she added, “Yaqin, if you don’t give me an explanation today, then our friendship ends here.”
After speaking, she shot Gu Li with another glare.
Perhaps this was the perfect opportunity to drive this country girl out of the military compound. Out of sight, out of mind.
“Oh, my dear sister, everyone calm down. Let’s stop here. Whatever was said today stays in this room. No one is allowed to repeat it outside.”
Then Zhao Yaqin turned to Gu Li.
“And you too, Gu Li. You’re just a country girl who barely attended school. What do you understand? Stop talking nonsense!”
Fear gnawed at Zhao Yaqin’s heart. The three of them were truly her living ancestors.
Only because circumstances had eased somewhat had she dared hire a temporary housekeeper to help with grocery shopping and cooking.
If today’s incident exposed the fact that she’d employed domestic help, even a lecture would be the least of her worries. What terrified her most was the possibility of affecting Old Fu’s promotion.
Which family in the military compound didn’t hire some kind of help? Everyone simply turned a blind eye. As long as no one spoke up, everyone lived in peace.
Of course she understood Li Liping’s intentions. She simply didn’t want to keep seeing someone who resembled her so closely.
Besides, Aunt Liu would return soon enough. A few more days wouldn’t matter, and this girl would naturally leave the military compound.
“I’ve merely stated the facts. If all of you truly believe there’s nothing wrong with her way of thinking, then by all means, let’s open the door and invite the neighbors in the military compound to judge for themselves.”
“If I’m wrong today, I, Gu Li, will apologize to her in front of everyone.”
“But if her thinking is the problem, then shouldn’t she apologize to me as well?”
A mocking smile curved Gu Li’s lips.
Barefoot people weren’t afraid of those wearing shoes.
“You wretched girl, with that sharp tongue of yours. Can’t you settle down for even a moment?”
If today’s incident posed no risk to her own family, Zhao Yaqin would have happily watched this mother and daughter make fools of themselves. After all, opportunities to see them embarrassed were rare.
“You shut up!” Su Baozhu snapped. “You country bumpkin, who do you think you are? Do you really think the people in the military compound will come running just because you ask them to judge? What gives you the right?”
Panic surged within her.
If Gu Li truly went outside to seek public judgment, how would the residents of the military compound view her?
What if the men who admired her changed their opinions? What if they all became attracted to this seductive-looking Gu Li instead?
What would happen to her then?
Though she maintained a composed facade, inwardly she was terrified. She could only try to maintain her imposing manner in hopes of intimidating Gu Li.
“Then I’d really like to see whether the people in this military compound can distinguish right from wrong.”
With that, Gu Li strode toward the front door.
Just as her hand reached for the doorknob, someone grabbed her wrist.
Turning around, she found herself face-to-face with Li Liping, the original owner’s biological mother.
Then came the sharp sound.
Smack!
A burning pain spread across Gu Li’s cheek.
Damn it!
This was the first time in her life she had ever been slapped across the face.
Gu Li pressed her tongue against the inside of her cheek, tasting the faint metallic tang of blood.
Very well.
A casual smile tugged at her lips, but her eyes were icy cold as she stared directly at Li Liping.
“I… I warned you already. You refused to listen. You can’t blame me.”
Li Liping instinctively staggered backward several steps.
The look in Gu Li’s eyes made her scalp tingle. Her tongue felt twisted, and she nearly lost the ability to speak coherently.
“Mom, what are you afraid of? This is the military compound. It’s our territory! If this country bumpkin dares to…”
Smack! Smack!
Two crisp slaps echoed throughout the Fu Family’s living room.
“Ahhh!”
Su Baozhu clutched her rapidly swelling cheeks in disbelief, shrieking repeatedly.
Gu Li’s gaze was sharp as blades, her voice cold and detached.
“Madam Su, out of respect for your age, I won’t strike you. The two slaps your daughter received today were taken on your behalf.”
“If there is a next time, I hope you’ll think carefully before acting.”
Lifting her chin slightly, Gu Li radiated authority.
The only reason she hadn’t struck Li Liping herself was out of consideration for the original owner. After all, Gu Li now occupied her body, and regardless of Li Liping’s faults, she had given the original owner life.
But if Li Liping dared hit her again, Gu Li wouldn’t let the matter pass so easily.
Li Liping trembled with fury as she pointed accusingly at Gu Li.
“You madwoman! How dare you hit my daughter!”
Yet despite her outrage, she didn’t dare step forward again.
“You bitch! You actually dared hit me?”
Only now did Su Baozhu fully process the fact that she had been slapped twice by a country girl.
Like a woman possessed, she lunged straight at Gu Li.
Caught completely off guard, Gu Li had no time to evade and was tackled directly to the floor.
Wasn’t Su Baozhu supposed to be the star performer of the troupe?
Why was her combat ability this terrifying?
In an instant, the two became entangled in a chaotic brawl.
One scratched while the other clawed back.
One yanked hair while the other pinched thighs.
Having grown up in an orphanage, Gu Li had fought plenty of battles while protecting Gu Panpan, and the difference in experience soon became apparent.
Seeing her daughter losing the upper hand, Li Liping rushed forward as well.
She pinched Gu Li’s arm forcefully, attempting to pull Su Baozhu free, only to have a large clump of her own hair ripped out in return.
Zhao Yaqin was utterly horrified.
If they wanted to fight, couldn’t they do it outside?
What kind of heroes picked a fight in someone else’s house?