Grandma Su was already angry. At the end of the day, her granddaughter was still just a child; how could being rescued involve questions of her purity?
Now that they knew the Yu Family had orchestrated all of this, letting them off the hook was even more impossible.
As the argument raged, the Brigade Leader arrived.
“What’s going on here? Not working properly, are you all too full and have nothing better to do?”
At the shout from the Brigade Leader, many people subconsciously took two steps back, but they were still determined to stay and watch the show.
Since the Brigade Leader was a member of the Su Family, Grandma Su naturally did not hold back and laid out exactly what the Yu Family had done.
“Nephew, tell me, this Yu Family is truly despicable! On one hand, they let their Xiaolian cause my granddaughter to fall into the water, and on the other, they use it as leverage to demand Work Points as compensation from us. I think the Yu Family has wicked hearts!”
Brigade Leader Su Guoan frowned slightly. “Aunt Yu, tell me yourself, is this true?”
Granny Yu was stunned for a moment, her eyes darting around. She knew it was impossible to completely deny it, as everyone present had clearly heard what Yu Xiaolian had just said.
“Guoan, how could we possibly harm someone? It was just that Xiaolian accidentally caused Soft Girl to fall in the water; it’s not a big deal. Besides, our two families are In-laws. We can settle this privately without causing you any trouble.”
Granny Yu intended to appear weak, but Grandma Su was not having it.
“Who is your in-law? I’m telling you, I disagreed with this Marriage when it was first arranged. Now that your Yu Family is scheming against people like this, this Marriage cannot happen!”
Granny Yu panicked internally. Everyone knew the Su Family lived comfortably. Although they lived in an Earthen house, the Su Family had money and several Strong Laborers. They absolutely could not let this engagement end.
“Sister-in-law, please calm your anger. I was just confused in the moment. How about this, let’s sit down and talk properly, alright?”
“No!”
Grandma Su already looked down on the Yu Family, always thinking this bunch was lazy, greedy, and rogue. Now that she had this excuse, she was determined to force the Marriage Withdrawal.
Of course, Grandma Su subconsciously glanced back at her granddaughter, knowing that her granddaughter was deeply devoted to that Yu Zhansong.
However, since her granddaughter hadn't come out to stop her, did that mean she also intended to Break off engagement?
“Sister-in-law, it’s such a small matter! Look, Xiao Ruan just fell into the water; don't let her get sick. Let her rest well first, and we’ll be heading back now.”
Saying that, she pulled her Eldest grandson’s hand and tried to walk back.
Unfortunately, she was blocked by Su Jianye’s tall figure.
Su Jianye hadn't spoken earlier because, as a Man, he felt it was improper to argue with a group of women.
Now that the truth was out, he couldn't let these people just slip away.
They bullied his Daughter, and they expected to walk away unscathed?
Dream on!
Seeing her son stand up straight, Grandma Su felt even more confident.
“Old Yu Family, we need to settle this account slowly. First, let’s talk about your granddaughter pushing my granddaughter into the water. I won’t say much else—the Medical expenses, lost wages, and such—you have to pay, right?”
Granny Yu glared. “Why are there lost wages too?”
As soon as she finished speaking, Su Xiaoruan coincidentally sneezed twice over there.
Tsk, she caught a cold!
Grandma Su was delighted but put on a worried expression. “Look, my Eldest granddaughter is sick, she can barely stand steady. Do you still expect my granddaughter to Go to work?”
Granny Yu was choked up, not knowing what to say.
“We won’t extort you. Since the child is sick, she needs to eat something good to recover, and she’ll miss work, maybe even miss school. Just compensate us with ten yuan and twenty Eggs, and we’ll call it even.”
Granny Yu shrieked; this sounded like she was asking for her life.
“What did you say? Ten yuan? No way!”
Grandma Su’s face darkened. “No?”
“No!” Granny Yu stubbornly refused to yield.
“Fine then, Nephew. It’s not that I’m not giving you Face, but the Yu Family is too much. We won’t ask for this Compensation anymore. Jianye, go to the Town and report this to the Public Security Bureau. Tell them someone attempted murder, and let’s see how the Public Sector handles this matter.”
Granny Yu’s face turned pale with fright.
Yu Zhansong, standing nearby, quickly came over and whispered, “Grandma, we can’t let them report it. If our Yu Family’s Reputation is ruined, how will I be able to study!”
Granny Yu immediately shuddered.
In those days, Reputation was far more important than money.
“We’ll pay, we’ll pay!”
The moment she thought about affecting her Eldest grandson’s future, Granny Yu dared not refuse to pay.
However, as soon as she agreed, she started hating Yu Xiaolian.
“Since we’ve reached an agreement, pay up first. Right here in front of the Village Head and everyone, let’s clear the accounts.”
Granny Yu was unwilling to part with the money, but she had no choice.
“You wretched girl, hurry back and bring the Eggs!”
Granny Yu’s heart was bleeding!
Twenty Eggs!
How many chickens did their family even raise? The chickens had only just started laying eggs since spring began. She had planned to save them up to sell at the Purchasing Station, but now they were going to this family!
One Egg could sell for two cents; twenty Eggs meant forty cents!
Granny Yu felt terrible, but her hands didn't stop moving to pay.
She didn't dare refuse!
The ten yuan was carefully wrapped layer after layer by Granny Yu with a small handkerchief, and then she counted out ten one-yuan notes.
In those days, being able to carry ten yuan on one's person meant one was relatively well-off.
Grandma Su showed no courtesy, snatching the money and carefully counting it before tucking it securely into her pocket.
Granny Yu’s eyes had been fixed on those notes. When she couldn't see them anymore, she felt like the sky was falling.
Yu Xiaolian reluctantly brought over twenty Eggs. Grandma Su had Zhao Hongmei count them one by one and move them into their own basket.
“Alright, the Compensation for my granddaughter falling into the water is settled. Next, let’s talk about the Break off engagement.”
Granny Yu’s eyes widened. “Didn’t we just pay the money? Why are you still breaking off the engagement?”
Grandma Su sneered. “If I don’t Break off the engagement, am I giving your family a second Opportunity to Scheme against my granddaughter?”
Granny Yu was momentarily helpless and quickly nudged her Eldest grandson behind her back.
Yu Zhansong understood his grandmother’s intention, then stepped forward somewhat awkwardly, his eyes constantly darting toward Su Xiaoruan.
“Xiao Ruan, my Younger sister didn't mean it. The money has been paid; you should rest well. We’ll get married after I graduate from High School.”