Chapter 98: Asking for a Favor

Chapter 98: Chapter 98: Asking for a Favor

The Gu family had long been expecting the Lin Family to show up, so no one was surprised when Lin Kangshun and Yu Xiuying arrived together. In fact, they all let out a collective sigh of relief. The suspense was more nerve-wracking than the confrontation itself.

Gu Wu felt deeply ashamed of what his eldest son had done, so he made sure Gu Lihui wasn’t around to be an eyesore. If Yu Xiuying hadn’t come along as well, he wouldn’t have even allowed Chen Suxiang to greet their guests.

Lin Kangshun and Yu Xiuying harbored a deep-seated hatred for the Gu family. Although this visit was ostensibly to "ask for a favor," they weren’t without leverage. So, upon entering, even Lin Kangshun, who was typically tactful and socially adept, dispensed with the usual pleasantries. As soon as they sat down, he got straight to the point with Gu Wu. "Let’s cut to the chase. We’re here today for one thing: a letter of forgiveness, handwritten by your eldest son."

"What about the medical bills? And your son disfigured mine! You haven’t said a word about how you’re going to compensate him for it!" Gu Wu had just started to nod, but before he could speak, Chen Suxiang blurted out. Gu Wu shot her a fierce glare and barked, "Shut up."

"I will not! That money is owed to us, why shouldn’t I demand it? Go on, hit me! Hit me right here in front of them!" Chen Suxiang stood up, pointing to her own bruised and swollen face. Her words were fearless, as if she had nothing left to lose, but her feet subconsciously shuffled a few steps back, away from Gu Wu.

In truth, the bruises on her face weren’t entirely from Gu Wu. Some had been inflicted by her most cherished eldest son.

’A bellyful of anger stewed inside her as she recalled what had happened. The moment her eldest son got home, he’d become convinced that she had taken his secret stash of money. He’d relentlessly demanded she hand it over, and when she couldn’t, he’d actually struck her. Of course, he regretted it immediately after, even kneeling to beg her forgiveness, and she had forgiven him in her heart just as quickly. Still, the memory was a source of deep sorrow and pain.’

’What a bitter fate I have,’ she thought. ’Being beaten by my husband my whole life wasn’t enough, and now my own son lays a hand on me.’ The thought chilled her to the bone, but it also brought a strange sense of relief. ’Thank goodness I chose to submit to Gu Wu instead of taking the money. If my eldest son could get this violent over a few hundred yuan, what would happen if both my sons found out that the money I’ve skimmed from them over the years is far, far more than that? Would my younger son start hitting me, too?’

With that, Chen Suxiang concluded that money was what she could truly count on—more reliable than any child. Unfortunately, Gu Wu had cut off her usual source of income, so she had to find a new way. For instance, she had already made a deal with her eldest son that if she helped him secure this payment, he would have to give her at least half.

Money was courage, and for the sake of money, Chen Suxiang felt there was nothing she wouldn’t do.

"Heh, you’ve really thrown all shame out the window for money. No wonder you raised a son who’s just as shameless."

Watching Chen Suxiang’s outwardly fierce but inwardly weak act, Yu Xiuying sneered. ’Get money from us? Not a chance in hell.’ "You say we have to pay for your son’s medical bills and disability? Fine. In that case, shouldn’t you first reimburse us for the expense of raising the two children we brought up for your family?"

"What children? I have no idea what you’re talking about." Chen Suxiang had already decided to deploy her usual tactics: play dumb and cause a scene. She would just talk past them and stick to her story, no matter what. She was a master of this strategy, having used it to great effect against her neighbors for years. Unfortunately for her, she had underestimated the Lin Family. They were not her usual neighbors or local vendors, who would rather not get bogged down in a fight with her over trivial matters. The Lin Family held a massive grudge against her, and her plan was doomed to fail.

"Fine. If that’s your attitude, then there’s nothing more to discuss." Lin Kangshun stood up. He addressed Gu Wu, but his words were clearly aimed at Chen Suxiang. "Frankly, that forgiveness letter isn’t as critical as you seem to think. By now, doesn’t everyone at the police station know why my son was taken in? Is there anyone there who doesn’t pity him? We didn’t want to come today at all, because no matter how this plays out, your family comes out ahead. But since you’re so keen on having your eldest son go to prison to keep mine company, I’d be more than happy to make that happen."

With that, he didn’t linger for a second. He took Yu Xiuying by the arm and made to leave. The swift, decisive action left Chen Suxiang stunned, her mouth hanging open in disbelief.

"You idiot, stop them! Or do you really want our eldest son to rot in prison?" Gu Wu knew there was a high chance Lin Kangshun was bluffing; if they truly didn’t care about the letter, they never would have come. But he had no intention of calling them on it. Instead, he kicked Chen Suxiang to snap her out of her stupor, while he himself remained perfectly still.

’This woman is hopelessly stupid,’ he thought.

"Mom, they’re almost at the door, hurry and stop them!" Gu Lihui, who had been eavesdropping from outside, burst into the hall, shouting at Chen Suxiang. Seeing the Lins actually about to leave had given him a terrible fright. He already knew from Gu Wu that both the Lin Family and the Zhang family could press charges for "hooliganism" and have him sent to prison. Since his own freedom was on the line, he was more terrified than anyone.

"Wait, wait—" Snapping to her senses, Chen Suxiang saw the Lins were nearly at the main door. The shock nearly gave her a heart attack. She scrambled over, planting her back against the door to block their exit, panting as she complained, "We can talk about this! Isn’t there a saying about haggling? You’re supposed to name your price, and I make an offer! Who just walks out without even bargaining?"

"We don’t have time to haggle with you," Lin Kangshun said firmly. "You’re not getting a single cent. If you insist on money, this conversation is over."

"We don’t want it, we don’t want it," Chen Suxiang conceded. She rolled her eyes, silently cursing, ’The richer they are, the stingier they get.’ At the same time, she had no choice but to force a smile, patiently heaping praises on them until she finally coaxed them back into the main hall. Seeing them finally relent after a tense standoff, Gu Lihui let out a breath of relief and quickly ducked out of sight. He had given up all hope of getting any money out of this.

Once they were seated again, Lin Kangshun looked at Gu Wu, who had remained calm and seated the entire time, and let out a dry laugh. "You’re a patient man, Brother Gu."

"My boy is a disappointment," Gu Wu sighed, speaking apologetically. "Perhaps learning a lesson wouldn’t be such a bad thing for him. What our eldest did was completely out of line. I’m truly sorry. As for the letter of forgiveness, I’ll have him come out right now, write it on the spot, and you can take it with you."

With that, Gu Wu rose and bellowed toward the doorway, "Get out here!"

Gu Lihui shuffled in with a pen and paper, his head bowed in shame. He was resentful that he had to write this damned forgiveness letter when none of his family’s demands had been met, but he didn’t dare defy his father. He did as Lin Kangshun instructed and quickly wrote out the letter.