Later that evening, Gu Xiaoxi’s eldest uncle rushed over. “Yimin, Mom and Dad want everyone to come over right away. There’s an urgent matter to discuss.”
Gu Yimin agreed to go. After the eldest uncle left, Gu Xiaoxi whispered to her mother, “Grandma and Grandpa are definitely calling everyone over to make us cover the financial losses from the fire.”
Jiang Xiuqing frowned. “Cover their losses? They didn’t lose our money, why should we pay?”
At the grandparents’ house, the family gathered in the dimly lit main room. The fire had burned through their hidden savings, leaving the old couple distraught.
Grandfather Gu spoke up in a heavy tone. “The fire destroyed our life savings. Your mother and I decided that the two daughters will buy us new bedding and blankets, while each of the three sons will contribute fifty yuan so we can rebuild the room.”
Before he could finish, Grandmother Gu chimed in harshly. “No! The second son’s family has three income earners, so they should pay at least two hundred yuan! And Yilan’s in-laws are well-off, so she should contribute two hundred yuan as well!”
Gu Xiaoxi’s aunt, Gu Yilan, turned pale, tears welling in her eyes. Her in-laws were strict, and she didn’t control the household finances. Her mother’s demand was practically pushing her into a corner!
Gu Xiaoxi couldn’t stay silent. “If someone set a fire, the person responsible should pay for the damage. If they refuse, we should report it to the authorities.”
Aunt Liu let out a sarcastic laugh. “Xiaoxi speaks so easily! But do you know who set the fire? It was your third uncle!”
Gu Xiaoxi feigned shock. “Third Uncle? But Grandma favors him so much; surely he wouldn’t be so ungrateful? Did Aunt Liu make a mistake?”
Aunt Liu grumbled, “I wish I were wrong!”
“If it was just some bedding that burned, why demand so much money from everyone?” Gu Xiaoxi asked innocently.
Aunt Liu quickly agreed. “Exactly! We can all chip in for a new blanket and clothes. That’s more than enough!”
Grandmother Gu glared at Gu Xiaoxi. “Without cash on hand, how am I supposed to live?! Are you wishing illness upon your own grandmother?!”
Gu Xiaoxi rolled her eyes internally. “If my family gives away all our money, I’ll fall ill too. I’ve been delicate since childhood. Is Grandma wishing an early grave on me? And Aunt Yilan doesn’t control her household’s money—where is she supposed to get two hundred yuan? Meanwhile, Third Uncle set the fire, yet he doesn’t have to pay a single cent.”
Aunt Liu immediately backed her up. “She’s right! Why should we pay for Third Uncle’s mistake?!”
Seeing the crowd turning against her absurd demands, Grandfather Gu coughed sternly. “Fine! Fifty yuan per household, and no need to buy extra items.”
Gu Xiaoxi calculated quickly. “Five households, fifty each… alright, two hundred and fifty yuan total!”
Grandmother Gu remained dissatisfied, but Gu Yimin and the eldest uncle agreed to fifty yuan, effectively settling the matter and saving their respective households from excessive demands.
Once the meeting concluded, Gu Xiaoxi grabbed a broom and offered to help clean the burned room. As she swept the debris, she deftly slipped a discarded antique inkstone resting under a table leg into her [Used Goods Storage].
The moment the item entered the space, it transformed into a flawless, valuable antique inkstone in the [New Products Showroom], along with a hidden stash of 1,700 yuan in cash and two small gold bars that had been tucked inside the old wooden furniture!
Gu Xiaoxi secretly smiled. Her grandparents were hoarding a small fortune while constantly leeching off her parents’ hard-earned monthly salaries!