Chapter 35: Who Should Get Mom’s Dowry?
Zhou Li’s face changed dramatically, gritting her teeth as she looked at Lu Qiaoge standing in front of her.
She only felt life was dim; even a little girl could bully her now.
She hugged the old black cat tightly, yet truly had nothing to say in response.
Because Lu Qiaoge was right.
Whether in the rural area or the city, it was all the same.
Lu Qiaoge didn’t continue speaking, but instead tried asking the old black cat in her heart: “Little Black, what did Zhou Li’s biological mother leave for Zhou Li? If you tell me, I’ll help your little master take back the things that belong to her.”
The old black cat had already known earlier that Lu Qiaoge could understand its speech.
At this moment, there was no surprise, only excitement.
Humans always say dogs are loyal ministers and cats are treacherous ministers, saying for them cats that milk is mother, but it wasn’t.
【I know, it’s in the hidden compartment of the dressing table drawer; the old master said it was dowry for the little master.】
Lu Qiaoge asked: “Won’t it be discovered and taken away by Luo Guixiang long ago?”
【No, the old master’s father was a very skilled carpenter; he made it himself personally, no one can find the mechanism, and even if smashed to pieces it might not be discovered; this Old Zhou doesn’t know either.】
Lu Qiaoge didn’t continue asking what was inside, but instead looked at Zhou Li: “Comrade Zhou, this is the rule and also the habit; you must accept it!”
Despair filled the depths of Zhou Li’s eyes.
Yes, as long as Luo Guixiang didn’t agree, it was impossible for her to move in with her husband and child.
Lu Qiaoge no longer looked at Zhou Li, but instead looked at the crowd, smiling brightly as she asked: “However, I have a question to consult with the comrades.”
Lu Qiaoge pointed to the first floor behind her: “Everyone knows that Comrade Zhou has no qualification to live in this house, because this house was left by Master Zhou to Comrade Luo, and has no relationship to Comrade Zhou.”
Luo Guixiang, hearing this, immediately burst into laughter.
The two young men and women nearby also looked smugly at Zhou Li.
Hmph, threatening people with medicine is useless; this house has nothing to do with you.
Even the neighborhood committee cadre said so; that’s nailed down.
Someone in the crowd nodded: “Yes, it has nothing to do with Zhou Li.”
Lu Qiaoge immediately asked: “But in this house, the things left by Zhou Li’s biological mother, such as dowry and the like, does Comrade Luo have the qualification to take them for herself?”
The crowd erupted like it was about to explode.
Chattering voices: “Of course she has no qualification.”
“Zhou Li is Yu Xiu’s only daughter; if there are any, they should definitely go to Zhou Li.”
“But didn’t Luo Guixiang marry Master Zhou?”
“What does her marrying Master Zhou have to do with Yu Xiu? Master Zhou’s things can go to Luo Guixiang, but Yu Xiu’s should go to Zhou Li.”
Lu Qiaoge raised her hand, signaling everyone not to speak.
At this moment, Luo Guixiang’s face flushed red: “You comrade, talking nonsense; my home has none of Yu Xiu’s things; when I came in, Old Zhou had cleared all those things away.”
Zhou Li wiped away her tears, looking suspiciously at Lu Qiaoge; how did she feel this little cadre was going to help her?
What did Mama leave? Which things were Mama’s? Zhou Li began to think hard.
Lu Qiaoge spoke: “Comrade Luo, I need to enter your home to confirm; if truly not even a blade of grass is left, I guarantee to take Comrade Zhou away and never disturb you again.”
Panic flashed in the depths of Luo Guixiang’s eyes.
How could there be none? She had heard that dead ghost Old Zhou say the bed in the bedroom was made by old Yu.
Just then, Grandma Sun hurried over, first patting Zhou Li with resentment: “You foolish girl, you have a husband and child yet still think of drinking medicine; is your brain unclear? Do you want your son to have a stepmother in the future and live the same days as you?”
Luo Guixiang’s face turned ashen at once, but since Grandma Sun didn’t name her, she didn’t dare respond.
She could only glare venomously at her; that damned old woman; if not for her taking in Zhou Li, Zhou Li would have rolled back to the countryside long ago.
Grandma Sun said to Lu Qiaoge: “I know which things are Yu Xiu’s dowry; I can testify.”
Lu Qiaoge said: “Is there any other comrade who can testify?”
With that, more than a dozen people came forward.
Thus, a group of people entered Luo Guixiang’s home.
Grandma Sun first pointed to the bed: “That was made by old Yu head for his daughter.”
“The dressing table was also made by old Yu head; at the time it was the newest style, many people came to the Zhou home to see it.”
“Yes, yes, old Yu head was a famous master carpenter; pity he passed early.”
“This pair of red-lacquered boxes too.”
“The clothes rack too.”
“The Eight Immortals Table too; look, there’s still old Yu head’s mark here.”
“The wardrobe too.”
“Sigh, old Yu head really liked his daughter; gave so many things.”
Luo Guixiang wouldn’t have it, so she stopped pretending; continuing to pretend not only would empty the home of things, she’d become the joke.
“Even if old Yu head gave them to Yu Xiu, they were also given to Old Zhou; these are all mine, and have nothing to do with Zhou Li.”
Grandma Sun was about to curse.
Lu Qiaoge promptly stopped her: “Everyone calm down; Comrade Luo is right; since Yu Xiu married Master Zhou, they are couple joint property, so naturally they can’t all be taken away.”
Lu Qiaoge faced Luo Guixiang, mildly saying: “But the point I must emphasize is that these things are joint property of Yu Xiu and Master Zhou, but not joint property of you and Master Zhou, so Comrade Zhou Li has the right to take back the share belonging to her biological mother.”
Lu Qiaoge looked at Cadre Liu and Shao Le again: “What are your opinions?”
Cadre Liu and Shao Le were stunned by Lu Qiaoge, naturally having no opinions.
Grandma Sun directly spoke for Zhou Li: “Little Li and I have no opinions either; Comrade Little Lu is right; then split them in half. Luckily the three neighborhood committee cadres are all here; now let’s discuss how to divide them.”
Luo Guixiang’s face was ashen as water, but now besides her mother and son trio, everyone else was full of agreement.
Whether habit or tradition, there seemed no reason for her to receive Yu Xiu’s property, unless they all died off.
Zhou Li was still hugging the cat, pressing her face to the cat’s body; just now Grandma Sun had quietly said it must be her biological mother come to help her, telling her not to do foolish things, to live well.
Zhou Li’s mind was very chaotic, yet also very clear; her voice hoarse, she said: “I don’t want the bed, but the other things are all my mom’s; Luo Guixiang, aren’t you afraid of nightmares in the middle of the night for using my mom’s things?”
Lu Qiaoge hurriedly cut in: “Given that Comrade Zhou Li’s parents are both deceased, the family is poor, and most importantly, in the prime of her life, she has actively responded to the call for rural construction, and now still needs to contribute bricks and tiles to her hometown’s construction, so Comrade Zhou Li has priority selection right. Comrade Zhou, you choose.”
Luo Guixiang immediately objected.
Cadre Liu was unhappy, this time speaking heavily: “Comrade Luo, your thought has problems; this has been made very clear; the house is yours, live as you please, but these things are Yu Xiu’s dowry; it’s wrong not to return them to her own daughter.”
Grandma Sun sneered: “Some people shouldn’t get inch and advance foot; even if Zhou Li has no qualification to live in this house, does your son? He doesn’t even have the Zhou surname; I advise you to quit while ahead.”
Gratitude for caroletu treasure’s reward; begging treasures to continue supporting!
