Faced with Li Qiuhua’s taunts, Gu Huanxi didn’t react strongly. She simply lowered her head, murmuring as if dejected yet restrained, “It’s all for the child’s sake. Otherwise, why would I endure such hardship…”
Li Qiuhua curled her lip. “Just a little girl—is she really worth all that attention?”
Then, as if remembering something, she put on a sympathetic and understanding expression, exaggerating her tone. “Look at me, I almost forgot. Doctor Jiao said your body was too badly injured—you’ll never be able to have children again. So that little girl is the only one you’ll ever have. I suppose you should value her a bit more.”
Gu Huanxi, “…”
If she weren’t currently maintaining her persona and cooperating with the act to deceive the Xu family, she’d really want to unleash her temper and give Li Qiuhua a taste of a debate champion’s crushing superiority.
For now, though, she could only endure the frustration.
Xiao Zhaoshi seemed to remember the purpose of her visit and offered a perfunctory remark. “Where’s the child? I haven’t even taken a look as her aunt. On the day you went into labor, Third Sister-in-law, I happened to be away visiting my parents and couldn’t help…”
Her words sounded affectionate, but she remained seated.
Li Qiuhua inwardly scoffed—always putting on a hypocritical show with sweet talk.
Gu Huanxi weakly raised her hand and pointed toward the inner room. “A’Li is sleeping on the kang…”
Xiao Zhaoshi had no interest in seeing the child anyway, so she seized the opportunity. “Then I won’t disturb her. It’s good for children to sleep more—they grow faster. Oh, you just called her A’Li—is that her nickname?”
Gu Huanxi gave a faint “Mm.”
Xiao Zhaoshi asked casually, “Does she take your surname, Gu, or Third Brother’s surname, Xu?”
Before Gu Huanxi could answer, Li Qiuhua sneered disdainfully. “She’s just a little girl—what difference does the surname make? She can’t carry on the family line anyway. Whether she’s surnamed Gu or Xu, what’s the distinction? It’s not like she’ll follow her mother’s example and take in a live-in husband in the future, is it? What kind of promising man would ever agree to be a live-in son-in-law?”
This attack was utterly unsubtle. Gu Huanxi pondered silently—Li Qiuhua’s attitude was practically on the verge of tearing off all pretense. Had something else happened in the old Xu family? And was it related to the two of them, so she was venting her anger on their heads?
“Second Sister-in-law!” Xiao Zhaoshi pretended to scold her in an attempt to stop her.
Li Qiuhua gave a half-smiling snort. “Am I wrong?”
Xiao Zhaoshi seemed anxious. “Second Sister-in-law, we’re all family. As sisters-in-law, we ought to help each other. Third Sister-in-law is already having a hard enough time—why must you, why must you twist the knife in her heart?”
Li Qiuhua chuckled twice, thick with sarcasm.
But Gu Huanxi felt the mockery wasn’t directed at her. She glanced thoughtfully at Xiao Zhaoshi, who smiled stiffly. “Third Sister-in-law, don’t take it to heart. Second Sister-in-law and I didn’t mean anything by it…”
Gu Huanxi nodded perfunctorily. “I understand. The two of you came to see me out of concern—what other meaning could there be? Thank you both!”
The words carried an odd tone. Xiao Zhaoshi awkwardly changed the subject. “I heard Third Brother went up the mountain a few days ago. Did he catch anything?”
Gu Huanxi sighed with a look of despair. "The mountain has been dug through like a sieve. Even if there were any living creatures left, your third brother wouldn't have a chance to catch them. After searching for half a day, he only managed to dig up half a basket of wild vegetables. We barely managed to scrape by these past few days, just enough to avoid starving. It's nothing like back at home, where at least we could have a solid meal at noon…"
Upon hearing this, Li Qiuhua immediately stared at her nervously. "You're not thinking of going back, are you?"
Gu Huanxi twitched her lips. Was she crazy? After finally breaking free, would she go back to be treated like a beast of burden? Still, the act had to go on. "Would Second Sister-in-law be willing to let our family of three return?"
Her tone and expression were filled with cautious probing and anticipation.
Li Qiuhua was taken aback for a moment, then quickly replied with a sarcastic tone, "What does my willingness matter? It wasn't me who drove the three of you out. Listen, Third Sister-in-law, don't think the family is heartless, and don't keep hoping to return. This is fate. Who told you to be surnamed Gu? Your father only had one child, and he was afraid the family line would die out, so he insisted on finding you a live-in husband. Since neither you nor Third Brother are part of the Xu family anymore, how can you still cling to staying with the Xus?"
"No matter where you go, this doesn't make sense! Besides, the family is almost out of food with so many mouths to feed. How could there be any extra grain for outsiders?"
"All those little ones in the family are crying from hunger. As their third aunt, how could you have the nerve to take their food? They're all boys who can carry on the Xu family line. You…"
"Second Sister-in-law!" Xiao Zhaoshi called out again, this time louder, her expression uneasy and guilty.
Li Qiuhua rolled her eyes. "Think I'm being too harsh? Then are you willing to give up your own food for their family?"
If you can't do it, don't pretend to be the good person! Making her look like the heartless one—what nonsense!
Every single one of the Xu family, who would welcome Third Brother's family back?
None of them are good people, pushing her out to play the villain. They've already been driven out, yet they still aren't satisfied and have to test the waters. Well, she might as well make her words final—wouldn't that suit their intentions better?
Xiao Zhaoshi seemed unable to sit still any longer. Her face flushed red as she stood up. "Third Sister-in-law, you should rest. We'll head back now and come see you another day…"
Gu Huanxi pretended to be too shocked to react, letting out a dazed "Oh," then struggled to get up, only to fall back helplessly.
After several attempts, she still couldn't stand.
Li Qiuhua couldn't bear to watch, waving her hand impatiently. "Alright, no need to see us off. Save your strength to take a few more looks at your daughter."
With that, she stood up and left.
Xiao Zhaoshi hurried after her.
Only after the two had left the courtyard did Gu Huanxi slowly stand up. She first went to the inner room to check on her daughter, who was sleeping soundly, completely undisturbed. Fondly, she leaned down to give her a kiss, then picked her up and slipped into the RV.
On the large bed lay several down jackets that Gu Huanxi had dug out earlier, intending to modify them into something wearable for the current season. Otherwise, it would be a waste.
She felt a pang of regret at the thought of cutting them up—they were brand new, bought from a well-known brand. Back then, she had thought spending a little more to buy something expensive would be worth it, as it could last for years. Who would have thought…
She hadn't even worn them for a single winter before having to cut them apart.
As she worked, she reflected on her earlier performance. Had her acting been natural enough?
Weak and powerless, with no hint of resistance—surely the Xu family would be reassured now?
Gu Huanxi pondered that it was likely because Xu Huaiyi's previous behavior had deviated from their expectations and control, making them feel uneasy and threatened. Although they hadn't stopped them from leaving, they were still uneasy. Today's visit was to test them—first, to see if they were still alive; second, to probe their situation; and third, to warn them not to think about returning to the Xu family anymore.
It had to be said that every one of her speculations hit the mark.
At the Xu family home, as soon as Li Qiuhua entered the gate, she was called to the main room for questioning before she could even discuss things with her husband. Xiao Zhaoshi was with her.
However, Xiao Zhaoshi, ever the tactful one, gave her the chance to take the spotlight, quietly playing the role of a supporting character.
Li Qiuhua spoke with great enthusiasm, meticulously recounting the course of events almost word for word.
To relay a message with such precision was truly a talent.