Chapter 567: Used as a Gun
Chapter 567: Chapter 546: Used as a Gun
Although Zhou Duo’er didn’t understand why Gu’er was calling for her, she went over happily. All that mattered was that Gu’er was willing to seek her out. If Gu’er was willing, it meant she could get closer to her in the future.
The others didn’t quite understand what Gu’er was up to either. Everyone knew she kept her distance from the Zhou family, so why would she seek out Du’er the moment she arrived?
“Du’er, you’re getting married soon, aren’t you?”
Gu’er asked Zhou Duo’er.
“Yes, that’s right, Big Sis. In about three or four months. You should come then, Big Sis. No matter what, I’m still your sister. If you come, Mom and Dad will be very happy.”
Zhou Duo’er wasn’t shy about it. While the family she was marrying into wasn’t wealthy, they were well-off enough. The man was two years her senior and fairly handsome. He couldn’t compare to Sun Jiaming, of course, but he was a world of difference from Zhang Da, so Du’er was quite satisfied.
Du’er also took the opportunity to invite Gu’er, because she knew Gu’er wouldn’t attend her wedding. By bringing it up now, she thought perhaps Gu’er might come for Li Hua’s sake. Then she could show off to her in-laws, and her husband’s family would think more highly of her.
Gu’er knew what Zhou Duo’er was thinking. ‘But in the past two years, Zhou Duo’er hasn’t really caused any trouble. She’s not as obnoxious as Zhou Feng’er. Du’er might have her own little schemes, but she’s never had the chance to act on them.’
“You’re getting married, and Mom needs to prepare a dowry for you. But as you can see, there’s a large family here, and Mom only has so much money. If she gives it to your sister’s family, there might not be any left for your dowry. But if she doesn’t give them money, they’ll just keep causing a scene at the front door, which looks bad to everyone else. I don’t think they’re trying to make things hard on Mom. They know you’re getting married, so I think they’re here to snatch your dowry money.”
Gu’er didn’t say whether she would attend Zhou Duo’er’s wedding. That wasn’t her goal. ‘I don’t want Zhou Feng’er, Zhang Da, and Zhang Juan making a scene at the door, spewing ugly words. But it wouldn’t look good for the Qin Family to get into a public fight. I don’t want to get into it with Zhou Feng’er and Zhang Da, and I especially don’t want to see that child, Zhang Juan. Letting Zhou Duo’er handle them is the best solution.’
Zhou Duo’er was no fool. She understood what Gu’er was implying. A moment’s thought was all it took for a plan to form in her mind.
‘I’ve been unhappy with Zhou Feng’er for a long time. It was a mistake for her to marry Zhang Da in the first place. Instead of trying to live a decent life after getting married, she just comes here to cause trouble and mooch off of us. Whenever I go out, people point and whisper, and it’s all because of Zhou Feng’er.’
Now Gu’er was asking her to confront them. ‘I know Gu’er is using me as a pawn, but I’m willing. If I can drive Feng’er and her family away, my stepfather’s family will be grateful. Then maybe Stepfather and Mom will prepare a larger dowry for me, give me more money. I’ll also be able to visit the Qin Family as a proper relative, unlike Zhou Feng’er. The Qin Family doesn’t even acknowledge her or let her in the house.’
‘Besides, if I do what Gu’er says today, maybe she’ll warm up to me a bit. As long as she’s willing to acknowledge me, I might be able to build a relationship with her in the future. Who knows, I might even get some benefits out of it.’
‘Anyway, no one likes Zhou Feng’er, so I’m not afraid of making an enemy of her. She wants to get her hands on what’s mine? Not a chance!’ With this in mind, Zhou Duo’er decided it was a win-win situation and immediately nodded in agreement.
“Big Sis, leave it to me. It’s not even about the money. The New Year is almost here, and it looks terrible to have a scene at our door. The way Second Sister is acting is embarrassing for everyone. I’ll go talk to her right now. You and brother-in-law just relax and wait here.”
After Zhou Duo’er spoke, she saw Gu’er nod and immediately headed out the door.
“Gu’er, is this going to work? Can Du’er really talk sense into Feng’er?”
Li Hua was worried. ‘Du’er has never handled anything like this before. Can she really do it?’
“Don’t worry, Mom. Let’s just wait.”
Gu’er, however, was quite confident. ‘When it comes to Zhou Duo’er,’ Gu’er thought, ‘I’ve been underestimating her. She’s just as calculating as Zhou Feng’er, if not more so.’
Qin Dali and Li Hua chatted with Gu’er and Sun Jiaming as they waited for news. The sounds of arguing and shouting drifted in from outside, but Gu’er didn’t budge. Though Li Hua was worried, seeing Gu’er so calm, she forced herself to be patient. About ten minutes later, Zhou Duo’er returned, beaming.
Gu’er knew it was settled. ‘Looks like Zhou Duo’er really knows Zhou Feng’er’s weakness. How else could she have gotten rid of them so quickly?’
Li Hua asked Du’er how she had managed to send them away, and as Du’er described the scene, Gu’er listened for a moment. She knew Zhou Duo’er wouldn’t be telling Li Hua the whole truth, but when Du’er assured them that Zhou Feng’er’s family wouldn’t be back anytime soon, Gu’er felt relieved. ‘Sending Zhou Duo’er out was definitely the right decision.’
Gu’er put the matter out of her mind. They had a happy New Year celebration, and soon it was March. When it was time for Zhou Duo’er’s wedding, she came to personally invite Gu’er. Gu’er had planned on attending if she wasn’t busy, but she unexpectedly couldn’t go. The reason? She was pregnant.
This child came a little later than expected. Jiji was already four by traditional age reckoning. According to Cao Qiu, they should have had a second child long ago, but Gu’er hadn’t conceived. After Wei Hong got pregnant from taking Doctor Cui’s medicine, Cao Qiu had turned her focus to Gu’er, insisting on getting her some medicine as well.
Gu’er didn’t dare take just any medicine. ‘There’s nothing wrong with me, it’s not like I’m infertile. Why would I need to take medicine?’ Unexpectedly, after the New Year passed, she missed her period. Another month went by, and she was almost certain she was pregnant. She and Sun Jiaming went to the hospital for a check-up, and sure enough, she was.
When the news reached the Sun Family, everyone was overjoyed, especially Cao Qiu. ‘Now both my daughters-in-law are pregnant! It’ll be more tiring for me, but with two of them, one is bound to give me a grandson, right? Then I’ll have two grandsons and two granddaughters. Of course, it would be even better if they were both grandsons. The more grandsons, the better! I’d be happy no matter how tired I get.’
Grandma Sun was also delighted. She said she never imagined the family would one day be so harmonious, with so many descendants. It was what she had always wanted to see.
Chen Fengjiao was even more ecstatic. Without a second thought, she dragged Aunt Zhao out shopping, eager to buy ten stewing hens to make nourishing soup for Gu’er. She felt she had found her purpose in life: to take good care of Gu’er and ensure she had a safe and healthy delivery.
That night, Sun Jiaming held Gu’er, gently stroking her belly.
“Gu’er, let’s have a daughter this time. A daughter who’s just like you. Then we’ll have our sweet little girl.”
Sun Jiaming’s voice was brimming with unconcealed joy.
“Alright, a daughter it is.”
Gu’er nodded, but for some reason, the image of Zhang Juan’s face flashed through her mind. She didn’t know why she was thinking of Zhang Juan right now, but she knew she had to stop. ‘My daughter with Sun Jiaming will never be like Zhang Juan.’
“What do you think we should name our daughter?”
Sun Jiaming was too excited to sleep, so he continued chatting with Gu’er.
“Anything is fine. Just not Juan.”
The words slipped out of Gu’er’s mouth subconsciously. Sun Jiaming’s hand froze. Gu’er quickly realized her mistake and added, “Isn’t that what Zhou Feng’er’s daughter is called, Juan?”
Gu’er explained to Sun Jiaming why their child couldn’t be named Juan.
——————————
Thank you to Xiuyun Qingcheng for the peace charm, and thank you to everyone for your support. I caught a cold as soon as I got home. It’s freezing, so I’m writing this huddled under my blankets.