“It’s a good thing that you’ve taken on the mountain land, both your uncle and I are happy for you. But you, child, are truly unthoughtful. Returning home and not even visiting your grandmother, then buying a horse-drawn carriage and horses when the team was keeping livestock and tools, and buying two at that, without even asking your grandmother. You don’t have her in your heart at all. With so much land at home, can you bear to see her work so hard?”
Zhang Chunhua sighed with feigned solemnity, “This time, even your uncle and I can’t stand it, so don’t blame us for being heartless and refusing to sign the contract. It’s truly because what you, the younger generation, have done has gone too far.”
Chen Li Shu feigned surprise, “Aunt, my grandmother is already so old. How many years does she have left? Can you and Uncle really bear to make her work in the fields?”
“You little brat, are you cursing me to die early?” Old Mrs. Chen angrily slapped the edge of the kang twice. Chen Li Shu was certain that if she hadn’t been sitting far away, those slaps would have landed on her.
From what Chen Li Shu had gathered from their conversation since she entered, the reason Old Mrs. Chen and Chen Mancang’s family refused to sign was simply to extort a set of horse-drawn carriages as leverage, but they had found numerous excuses. They truly wanted to have their cake and eat it too.
“With the New Year approaching, if you genuinely came to see your grandmother, we welcome you. Otherwise, leave quickly. As for anything else, if you don’t have me, your uncle, in your heart, then don’t blame me for not giving you face,” Chen Mancang said, his face somber and his attitude rather firm.
“Alright then, since I’ve seen Grandma, I’ll be going back now,” Chen Li Shu said, standing up and walking towards the door.
Old Mrs. Chen and Chen Mancang, seeing that Chen Li Shu hadn’t even bothered to ask about signing since she arrived, were suddenly unsure of her purpose for visiting today.
“Stop right there!” Old Mrs. Chen hurriedly called out, stopping her.
“Now that you’re capable and can afford to lease mountains, you certainly aren’t short of money to buy carriages. Since you bought them for your parents, buy a set for this family too, otherwise, don’t expect us to sign that contract of yours.”
Although she had known their intentions all along, hearing Old Mrs. Chen state them so directly made Chen Li Shu laugh in exasperation. She stopped and turned to look at Old Mrs. Chen, “Grandma, are you getting old and forgetful?”
“I am not short of money to buy carriages, but why should I buy them for your family? My parents gave birth to me and raised me. If I remember correctly, I haven’t eaten a single grain of rice from my uncle’s house since I was little. Do you really think that just because I politely call you Uncle and Aunt, you mean something to me?”
“Chen Li Shu, what do you mean by that?” Chen Bao Zhu suddenly stood up from his stool, glaring as if he were ready to physically discipline her at any moment.
“Chen Bao Zhu, you’re quite the tough guy, aren’t you? You want to hit me, what’s going on? Look at yourself, you’re almost thirty years old and still hiding behind adults like an unweaned child, showing off your might? What good does it do you being the eldest grandson of the Chen family? You’re useless at everything, but number one at bullying within the family. I, a woman, look down on someone like you.”
“Also, am I not speaking the truth? Aren’t you refusing to sign because of the horse-drawn carriages? You harbor dirty thoughts but are too ashamed to say them directly? You’re using Grandma’s name for what?”
As Chen Li Shu spoke, she looked at Chen Mancang and Zhang Chunhua, “If you had said it directly, I might have thought more highly of you. But this behavior is truly disgusting.”
“You’ve gone too far! Who are you talking to, you insolent child!” Chen Mancang slammed the table in anger, his entire face as dark as if it could drip water.
“When did your family start differentiating between elders and juniors? It’s laughable. Do you really think everyone owes you something? If you want carriages, why don’t you buy them yourselves? Just because we are relatives, does that mean I have to pay for your greed? Let’s be realistic, all of you combined are hundreds of years old, and you spend your days doing such mindless and foolish things.”
“You slut, is that how you talk to your elders? Watch me teach you a lesson today!” Chen Bao Zhu said, raising his hand.
Chen Li Shu’s gaze shot towards him like sharp arrows, “If you want to die, try touching me!”
Her eyes were as sharp and cold as ice picks, causing Chen Bao Zhu’s raised hand to freeze in mid-air. He stubbornly said, “Who are you trying to scare? Today I will teach you a lesson, let’s see who can help you.”
Chen Li Shu looked at him and a cold smile flickered at the corner of her lips, “Think carefully before you act. You know what kind of temper my in-laws have. If you dare to touch me, see if they’ll let you off.”
Gu Shou Fu didn’t need to say anything. Anyone who dared to touch a member of the Gu family, even a finger, would be dealt with severely. His younger sons, while not causing trouble, were also not to be trifled with. Most importantly, they were united and protective of each other.
Chen Mancang frowned and said with feigned sternness, “Bao Zhu, what are you doing? You’re almost thirty, and you’re always resorting to violence. Li Shu is your sister, after all. If she can be unfilial, you shouldn’t follow suit and be ill-mannered.”
Damn it!
Chen Li Shu couldn’t help but curse inwardly and then looked at Chen Mancang with a half-smile.
People like them, who were utterly shameless, should be kept in check, made to act according to her wishes. Otherwise, who knew when they would come up with some scheme to disgust her again.
With that thought, Chen Li Shu spoke as if nothing had happened, “I originally came today to discuss some work matters with Hu Si’er and to see Grandma. Seeing that her complexion is good and she’s scolding with plenty of energy, I’m reassured.”
Zhang Chunhua, hearing this, sensed something was amiss. Hu Si’er was a five-guarantee household. What work matters could Chen Li Shu discuss with him? It was only for watching the mountain before…
That’s right, how could she forget this? Chen Li Shu was going to lease the mountain, and she couldn’t manage it all by herself. Furthermore, she still had to attend school and wouldn’t be able to stay in the village for long. With such a large mountain, people would definitely be needed to tend to it. Hu Si’er had experience protecting the forest before, earning one hundred and fifty yuan a year plus one hundred jin of grain.
Just as Zhang Chunhua could figure this out, Chen Mancang also realized it. His expression towards Chen Li Shu softened considerably. However, given the tense situation just now, he subtly signaled Zhang Chunhua. Understanding his intention, she stepped forward, pulled Chen Li Shu, and said with a smile to smooth things over, “Your elder brother just has that kind of temper, don’t take it to heart.”
“By the way, are you going to talk to Hu Si’er about continuing to protect the forest?”
Chen Li Shu’s face remained cold, but she replied, “Once the mountain land is contracted, I will definitely need to hire people. I’ve even obtained proof of employment. Hu Si’er has experience in this regard. I don’t have much grain, so I promised him thirty yuan a month to start.”
Thirty yuan a month?
Old Mrs. Chen suddenly stood up from the edge of the kang, “You prodigal daughter! You’re willing to spend thirty yuan to hire someone else, but you don’t think of your elder brother and uncle? With that money, you’d rather let outsiders earn it. Have you been kicked by a donkey or had your head caught in a door?”