Chapter 105: Chapter 105: Uneasy Feelings
Liu Mei was thick-skinned. Even after being told off by Gu Xiaoqing, she just smiled and continued eating her chicken leg, nonchalantly saying, "Sister-in-law, your daughter is really something."
She gave Li Xuemei a sidelong glance and stubbornly refused to leave.
She had this shameless look on her face as if daring anyone to do something about it.
Li Xuemei was just about to step in to smooth things over but was stopped by Gu Xiaoqing.
"Auntie, whether I’m amazing or not is not for you to say. But as for your skills, we’ve all experienced them. You’ve already started the meal before anyone else; I can’t match that. Please, have the first seat."
This was outright refusing to let Liu Mei stay there.
Such a troublesome person, Gu Xiaoqing had no intention of indulging.
There are so many aunts in the village. If you set a precedent, everyone will start thinking about sneaking some food away, and then, will the feast even continue?
The villagers aren’t exactly particular; although they all care about face, once someone sets an example, everyone else might just follow suit, and then it would really be hard to manage.
No one is born bad or stingy; but people learn from each other. Once someone leads, others think it’s no big deal.
That’s human nature.
Gu Xiaoqing did not intend to tolerate it.
With such a troublesome person disturbing the feast at her new home, probably no one would be happy in the end.
Liu Mei realized that this girl, Gu Xiaoqing, wasn’t going to let it go.
Feeling uneasy, she had originally come just to freeload, not intending to make things difficult for Li Xuemei. But she couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable seeing other people’s things.
She had toured the whole house, inside and out, and it was definitely the best in the village, which naturally made Liu Mei uncomfortable.
That’s why she said those things, feeling that everyone wasn’t shameless enough to call her out directly, so she dared to be so brazen.
Now that Gu Xiaoqing had called her out, her eyes immediately filled with tears, and those flickering eyes seemed to paint a picture of her being bullied by Gu Xiaoqing.
However, anyone would likely burst out laughing seeing Liu Mei with a chicken leg still in her mouth.
So out of character.
Aunt Zhang came over and started pulling Liu Mei away, as this was not appropriate. Anyone else would feel embarrassed and try to hide after being scolded by the host like this.
But not her, she had no sense of realization.
"Come on, Liu Mei, what are you quarreling with a little girl for? She wasn’t wrong. Imagine anyone explaining that the host hasn’t even opened the feast and here you are, already eating. Does that make sense?
You’re grown up; stop crying. Look, your chicken leg is about to fall out of your mouth. If anyone saw you, the elders in the village would drive you away. Stop it."
This was equal parts coaxing and scaring, and they finally managed to drag Liu Mei away.
Li Xuemei noticed everyone looking at Gu Xiaoqing, understanding that her words were indeed sharp. If this got around with all the aunts, Gu Xiaoqing’s reputation for being fierce would be set.
She quickly explained, "Ladies, my daughter is spoiled; she just can’t stand seeing our home disrespected. She might have gone too far; don’t take it to heart. Xiaoqing, go finish your work. Stop messing around here."
Gu Guihua pursed her lips and cast a sideways glance, "Sister-in-law, enough is said. We understand. As for Liu Mei, one can’t even bother to say much about her. Such an adult behaving shamelessly, not even considering that this is a housewarming feast. You can’t just waltz in and start eating like that. Let’s keep busy and forget about her. The guests might be arriving soon."
This was to help Li Xuemei out of her predicament and to give her a favor to acknowledge.
Gu Xiaoqing chuckled and dashed off.
Her duty done, she returned to her tasks.
The villagers gradually arrived; indeed, most of them did come because, in a close-knit village, Gu Ruhai was well-liked.
When they came, no one came empty-handed. Rural folk don’t bring extravagant gifts; typically, they’d bring twenty or thirty eggs, a towel, or some patterned buns, just as a token.
The tables filled up quickly.
In the courtyard, at the head table sat the village chief, team leader, and various village heads, all present. Gu Xiaoqing set a box of cigarettes and a bottle of strong liquor on each table as they prepared to start the feast.
But, Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu still hadn’t shown up.
Gu Rushan and Jiang Xiulan had arrived early, yet made no offer to help.
Instead, the couple wandered leisurely around the yard, upstairs and downstairs.
Only then did they take their seats.
Jiang Xiulan felt uncomfortable inside. When she heard that Gu Ruhai had built a house, she didn’t think much of it—it’s just a house, after all. Didn’t everyone have one?
They themselves had a five-room tiled house.
The villagers who would be envious had long been so, and she didn’t covet Gu Ruhai’s house.
To Jiang Xiulan, it was just a brick house. No big deal.
But recently, as the villagers talked more, claiming that Gu Ruhai’s house was remarkably nice, a two-story building, Jiang Xiulan started feeling less composed.
Gu Ruhai must have really improved.
No way!
Jiang Xiulan knew Gu Ruhai’s capabilities, contrary to what others might think. Over the years, the tricks Gu Rushan had used on Gu Ruhai were no secret. The couple often used Gu Ruhai’s family as free labor.
Who wouldn’t want free labor?
But when it came to earning money, Jiang Xiulan didn’t believe Gu Ruhai had the skills.
Today, however, seeing the house shook her.
The house was truly impressive.
Its grandeur made Jiang Xiulan feel envious.
She gave Gu Rushan a hard glare; this Gu Rushan, what on earth was he doing every day? Instead of figuring out how to get money from such a wealthy brother, he was just messing around at home.
She vaguely considered that perhaps Gu Ruhai’s business was really doing well.
An idea began to form. Within just a few months, they should figure out how to make Gu Ruhai share his business secrets. It was said to be a family secret of Li Xuemei.
If she and Gu Rushan also went into business, wouldn’t a big tiled house be within reach within a year?
Her mind was made up in an instant.
Unfortunately, for some reason, Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu had not appeared yet.
This was their eldest son’s housewarming feast; it made no sense for them to be late.
Even Gu Rushan, the younger brother, didn’t help. But appearances needed to be kept up, lest outsiders gossip.