Chapter 208 - 207: Goodbye, Scumbag (Part 3)
Li Xuemei quickly said, "Well, there’s no need to worry. We know what our elder is like, and besides, the old master is still around. Don’t worry, he’s changed a lot now and won’t let the old lady cause trouble.
It’s just eighty yuan a month, see if that’s suitable for you."
This needs to be spoken of nicely.
They’re doing this because of personal ties.
Aunt Zhang felt a bit embarrassed, "Oh, come on, why are you talking about money? We’re from the same town. How could I just watch you struggle without lending a hand?"
Aunt Zhang is a clear-minded person. She knows that their two sons are earning high salaries there, so helping out is also a way to gain favor.
And it might even help their two sons get on Gu Ruhai’s good side, which is why she didn’t bring up money.
Li Xuemei grasped Aunt Zhang’s hand and said, "Sis, please, if you don’t take the money, then I won’t dare to hire you. By then, Gu Ruhai will scold me to death. Even close-knit brothers have to settle accounts clearly, let alone when you’ve done us such a big favor. If we don’t pay, we’d be like Huang Shiren."
This made Aunt Zhang laugh.
"Alright, alright, whatever you say. Now we’re even talking about Huang Shiren. How could I not take the money? Not taking it would be harming your Gu Ruhai."
After all, hoping to gain favor is one thing, but if they really didn’t pay, she’d feel uncomfortable, yet being paid out in the open makes everyone feel at ease.
"Sis, you have such a sharp tongue."
Li Xuemei laughed as she tidied up the tableware.
The two of them chatted and laughed their way to the kitchen.
Having resolved this major issue, both Li Xuemei and Gu Ruhai felt much relieved.
In the afternoon, Gu Xiaoqing took two boxes of snacks, one of peach crisps and another of city-made cakes, to Gu Juying’s house.
Just as she entered, she bumped into Gu Juying coming out of the yard with a man.
Seeing Gu Xiaoqing, she laughed and rushed over, hugging Gu Xiaoqing’s neck fiercely, "You little ingrate, leaving big sister here without a thought for me. Every time it’s me who writes to you with long letters, and you? You reply with less than a page each time. Come clean, do you have a boyfriend and have forgotten me, your childhood friend?"
Her fingers were already tickling Gu Xiaoqing’s underarms with a two-fingered jab.
Gu Xiaoqing cleverly twisted away from Gu Juying’s grasp, smiling as she replied, "Big sis, spare me, I was wrong. I came to see you, and you treat me like this? Who’ll dare to come see you next time?"
She raised the box in her hand, knowing the foodie would take this as a bribe.
As expected, when Gu Juying saw the two boxes, she snatched them and praised, "Smart move, knowing to bring me good stuff to bribe me. Otherwise, hehe."
The man standing nearby seemed a bit uneasy. He glanced at Gu Juying, then walked over, placing a hand on her arm and asking, "Juying, this is..."
His voice was pleasant, with a slightly deep allure.
Gu Juying was a bit embarrassed and said, "This is Gu Xiaoqing, my best friend. She lives in the city now and got into Shanghai University this year. Her family is also one of the wealthiest in our village."
This introduction had a hint of bragging, making Gu Xiaoqing blush. It was over the top.
The man kindly smiled and extended his hand, "I’m Feng Shichao, I work at the county’s Public Security Bureau. I’m Juying’s friend. Nice to meet you."
Gu Xiaoqing’s face didn’t change, but she was startled inside.
Feng Shichao?
Wasn’t this the person who, in the previous life, caused Gu Juying’s tragic end?
She always thought that this time Gu Juying went to the army and entered a military school, and there would be no connection to people or things from the past life so that she could escape those tragic events and experiences. At least in this life, Gu Xiaoqing hoped for Gu Juying to live happily, find a good family, and have a happy life.
But this Feng Shichao was still lingering, meeting Gu Juying like this. Could this be fate?
Gu Xiaoqing shivered.
Was this hinting that her encounters with Fu Guoqiang couldn’t be avoided either?
Gu Xiaoqing’s daze brought a hint of joy to Feng Shichao, who thought she was attracted by his handsome appearance and demeanor. Such young girls being captivated by his charm was not uncommon.
Gu Juying, somewhat puzzled, nudged Gu Xiaoqing’s hand and said, "Xiaoqing, what’s wrong? Why are you spacing out?"
Gu Xiaoqing snapped back, forcing a slightly strained smile, "Nothing, just a bit tired after coming back."
Gu Juying glanced at Feng Shichao suspiciously and felt slightly annoyed, wondering if Gu Xiaoqing was interested in Feng Shichao.
She hadn’t known him long, but he was witty, articulate, and graceful, and Gu Juying had thoughts of developing into a romantic relationship with him.
But seeing her friend’s expression made her uncomfortable.
"Brother Feng, you should go ahead. I’m not going today; my friend is here, and I can’t leave."
Feng Shichao nodded, nodding to Gu Xiaoqing and smiling, "Alright, you two have a great chat, I’ll catch you another time for a meal with you and your friend."
Then he drove away.
Gu Xiaoqing looked complexly at Feng Shichao’s departing figure. She hadn’t expected this.
Gu Juying, a bit upset, looked at Gu Xiaoqing, "You fancy him?"
Gu Xiaoqing was taken aback, then giggled, "What are you thinking? I’d be interested in him? He looks about twenty-seven or eight, probably already a father. I’d be interested in a married man?"
She used these words to hint at the issue she saw.
Gu Juying relaxed a bit but was taken aback.
Yes, the issue Gu Xiaoqing just mentioned was indeed a concern. Feng Shichao was already twenty-nine, surely at that age, he’d have several children.
Yet, Feng Shichao claimed he wasn’t married. Why was that?
Gu Juying subconsciously defended, "Feng Shichao isn’t married; what child father? You’re getting bolder with your words nowadays."
Gu Xiaoqing led Gu Juying into the house. When Gu Juying’s mother saw Gu Xiaoqing, she immediately invited them to sit, bringing out sunflower seeds and apples, leaving the friends to chat while she went to do work in the east room.
"If he’s not married, something’s up. A grown man, not missing any limbs, at his age unmarried, who would believe that? He might be using that as an excuse to con young girls."
Gu Xiaoqing preemptively warned. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)