Chapter 176: “both Whole And Partial”
Gu Family Courtyard.
Qian Bao quickly ate the egg custard steamed by Grandmother. The child was starving, couldn’t wait for the egg custard to cool, opened his big mouth and cried for food, “Milk, milk…” The childish milky voice was full of urgency.
“Don’t rush, don’t rush, it needs to be blown on, what if it burns your little mouth.” Gu Mu was full of love, wishing she could hold her little grandson in the palm of her hand.
She blew and blew, carefully feeding her grandson.
Gu Chenghuai: “…”
“Mom, I haven’t eaten either.”
Gu Mu didn’t even look up, spared a glance at her son, “Handle it yourself, Qian Bao’s little belly is the top priority.”
She touched her little grandson’s belly, it was soft and flat, immediately feeling heartbroken and not knowing what to do, “Look how flat this belly is, starved badly, right? This damn weather is too hot, making the food take forever to cool…”
Gu Chenghuai accepted the fact that his status in the family had continuously declined, looked at Huang Xiulan, “Eldest sister-in-law, stew the wild chicken for Alan, she lost so much blood, needs to replenish well.”
He also felt sorry for his honest niece, said: “Let Alan rest well, I’ll go buy her a can of milk powder tomorrow, and two pounds of brown sugar, to make up for the lost blood.”
Hearing this, Huang Xiulan was happy for her daughter, “Hey! Thanks, her third uncle.”
“What thanks, our family should thank her.” Gu Chenghuai was serious, “If Alan hadn’t risked her life to stall for time, Da Huang couldn’t have caught up, Zhaozhao and I sincerely thank her.”
“Family doesn’t say that, anyone who saw would stop it.” Huang Xiulan said.
She hadn’t left home, didn’t know Zhang Man Yue’s miserable end, still cursing a few times, then as if remembering something, asked: “Did you see that punching bag from Li Family? Didn’t slap her a few big slaps?”
Gu Yuanshan finally suppressed the nausea that surged up again, really didn’t want to think about it, but someone kept reminding him.
He darkened his face: “Don’t mention it, the person is all messed up.”
Huang Xiulan’s indignant expression froze, turned to shock, asked in astonishment: “How? Did you encounter a wild beast on the mountain?”
“…It was wolves, a small wolf pack.” Gu Yuanshan glanced at the fair and tender little Qian Bao, the little guy wolfed down the egg in the spoon, contentedly shaking his little feet, the whole little person showed no sign of fright aftermath.
Instead, he would have nightmares even sleeping at night.
He took a deep breath, cast his gaze at the meritorious one.
Squatted down, rubbed Da Huang’s head, reverently touched its paws, eyes shining.
“Da Huang is awesome, even beats wolves, every bite of food usually isn’t wasted, super badass, didn’t lose face for your mom, this is called a tiger father has no dog son.”
Da Huang bared teeth, “Woof woof… woof woof…”（ Who is tiger? Who is dog? You two-legged human, make it clear to this dog lord!
Huang Xiulan’s pupils contracted, shocked with mouth agape, “What?! Heavens! You encountered wolves?”
“…No.” Gu Yuanshan waved hand, threw an admiring look at his third brother, “By the time we arrived, the wolves were all killed by Chenghuai.”
“Third brother, your marksmanship is truly accurate.” This was said to Gu Chenghuai, expression full of admiration.
A helpless smile flashed in Gu Chenghuai’s eyes, “I’m a soldier, active duty.”
Isn’t being good at shooting normal?
“Still awesome.” Gu Yuanshan insisted.
In big brother’s simple cognition, third brother is the best!
At this time, the always silent Zhao Liuniang spoke, “Then, Zhang Man Yue is gone, the matter of her stealing Qian Bao… just let it pass like this?”
She felt uncomfortable inside, “If it passes so easily, what about the safety of village children? This is blatant child stealing, if those lazy bachelor men learn from it…”
The consequences didn’t need saying, Gu Family Members all understood.
Gu Mu’s expression twisted for a moment, “Want it to pass like that, no way!”
Qian Bao reached out to touch Grandmother’s face, instantly melting Gu Mu’s heart, she smiled full of kindness.
“Grandma’s good boy, open mouth.”
While feeding grandson, she said firmly: “Such a big matter, even caused a death, Li Family can’t play dead, I’ll go to their door right now!”
Her family’s child suffered fright, the time and energy spent at home, and the tears from Yu Bao and others… Li Family must compensate!
After feeding her darling little grandson, patted Da Huang’s head, instructed it to guard Qian Bao well, Gu Mu called the two daughters-in-law and stormed to Li Family.
Outside Li Family courtyard.
Li Family Members disliked Zhang Man Yue’s death too miserable and unlucky, stubbornly refused to let her body in.
People were determined not to open door, those carrying the stretcher back to village had no choice, could only put the grass stretcher at the door, called out a reminder, then hurried away from the troublesome place.
Inside the courtyard, Old Woman Li was about to die of anger, wanted to go out but couldn’t, anxious pacing in circles.
“You heaven-cursed harbinger of misfortune, can’t even die cleanly, so unlucky, does setting a coffin cost no money?”
The more she thought the more heartbroken, resented the son squatting in the corner.
“You’re a blockhead too! Followed to the mountain, knew she became… became that state, why bring the person back, better pretend not to see, this old mother can be angered to death by you. With coffin money, could get you another fertile wife!”
“Mom!” Li Ergou looked up, trying to defend, “That’s my wife, followed me for a while after all, I can’t, can’t ignore her, at least, at least give her a proper burial, let her rest in peace.”
He also feared his wife died with eyes open, turn into a fierce ghost haunting him.
He still wanted to remarry a fertile wife, didn’t want to be childless!
Old Woman Li spat, rolled eyes, “Only you are kind-hearted. You bring her back, our family works two months in vain, I really don’t know what to say about you.”
“At that time… so many people watching, I couldn’t pretend nothing happened, what would that make me…” The honest-faced cold-hearted man muttered.
“Mom, quickly bring Zhang Shi into the courtyard, left outside villagers will laugh and gossip.”
At this point, what he thought of was still only his own face.
Old Woman Li was uneasy.
She knew, daughter-in-law fell to this state, related to her own beatings and scoldings. She didn’t want a missing arm or leg corpse lying in her courtyard, feared nightmares at night… more feared being haunted.
“This…”
The Li Family eldest daughter-in-law standing beside pursed lips, hugged arms to state position, “…Can’t let her into courtyard, that’s a dead person, full of bad luck, what if it harms family members, I disagree!”
Other Li Family Members nodded in agreement.
Elder Brother Li said: “Second brother, your sister-in-law is right, there are still children at home, really not good to put a dead person. Like this, we won’t bother with coffin, later when it’s darker, you find a broken mat, wrap the person, carry on back to mountain, bury in any quiet spot, done.”
Li Er widened eyes, shrieked: “How can that be?”
“Why not, I think it’s fine.” Li Da’s wife gave her man an approving look, said to Li Er: “Now weather hot, anything left overnight stinks, let alone her… she’s not even whole.
If you bring her into courtyard, leave overnight, this courtyard guaranteed stinking to high heaven, then how do we live? Second brother, people can’t be too selfish, dead must give way to living.”
Li Er felt brother and sister-in-law made sense, hesitated a moment, nodded agreement.
The family reached consensus, no longer minded the “thing” at home door, just waited for dark.
However.
Didn’t wait for dark, waited for Gu Family people.
Gu Mu at her age, experienced warfare, what bloody scenes hadn’t seen, glanced at grass stretcher at door, calmly withdrew gaze.
Bang bang bang knocked on door.
“Li Family, open door for this old mother, cowards hiding in room like turtles, come out, I know you’re home, open door…”
The fierce loud voice like thunder, carried far.
Li Family left and right neighbors all alarmed, carrying rice bowls came out.
Caught sight of that grass stretcher in peripheral vision, turned back, hand gripping chopsticks quickly shoveled rice, smacked lips eating finish, gave bowls to kids at home, sent them home, don’t wander, themselves watched the excitement.
Kids wanting to approach Li Family gate grabbed by back of neck, little black hand holding a chipped porcelain bowl, boy raised head, disdainfully looked at biological father once, obediently went home.
Once home not settled, eyes turned, nimbly found wooden ladder, propped against mud wall, stealthily climbed up, arm over wall top, revealed pair of bright black eyes, watching commotion at Li Family main gate.
Same operation, several naughty children did.
Like dumplings off wall head, a string of big and small heads appeared.
Old Woman Li watched door banged clang clang, heartbroken gasping.
This Gu old woman how so strong, not her own door so doesn’t care!
“Mom, what to do? Gu Family Members came to door, what to do? Open door? What do they come for? Gu Family third son isn’t fine?” Li Da’s wife anxious stamping feet.
Outside door.
“Mom, rest your hand, I’ll knock!” Zhao Liuniang said, replaced Gu Mu bang bang bang knocking, swung arm hard smashing, mouth not forgetting loudly: “Mom, see how my knocking sounds, strength enough? You say one word, believe I can unhinge this door…”
This obviously scaring people, she didn’t have that strength.
In courtyard, Li Family Members really feared door unhinged, hurried to open.
Door bolt drawn, slick worldly Old Man Li rubbed hands, squeezed out smile.
“Aiya Yuan Shan’s Mother, all one village, no need make scene, come come come, hot outside, come in speak, talk slowly.”
“Hmph.” Gu Mu snorted cold laugh from nose, flung sleeve walked in, “If sensible earlier, no need waste so much time!”
Entered courtyard, saw heads on wall, her expression paused, almost broke character.
Tsk, all love joining excitement.
Old Woman Li couldn’t stand others watching her family excitement, grabbed gourd ladle, scooped full water, splashed toward both wall heads.
“Go go go, what staring at, watching others’ excitement lack virtue!”
Watching adults and kids splashed head of water, shrieked in surprise.
A boy sitting high wiped face, excitedly shouted: “Aiyo so cool! Li Grandmother, splash another ladle, really cooling hehe.”
Old Woman Li gasped in anger, spurt old blood stuck in chest.
“What broken child, scram scram scram!” She raised brows, face pulled long, looked extremely fierce.
Little boy his milk also fiery temperament, still protective of calf, he not afraid at all, even more infuriating stuck out tongue made faces, “I’m at my home, not your turf, why scram, I won’t! Nyah nyah nyah…”
Old Woman Li blood surged up, flushed red, old eyes full of rage.
Gu Mu and two daughters-in-law felt extremely comfortable, like drinking ice soda on hot day, whole body refreshed.
This family deserved it.
Best if angered to death.
Gu Mu unceremoniously sat down, Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang one left one right guarded at mother-in-law’s sides.
Li Family Members: “…”
Only heard Gu Mu calmly speak: “What standing stunned for, all sit. Sit down, we properly talk compensation matter…”
Hearing this, Li Family Members like struck heavy hammer, hearts poured with torrential rain.
This “golden age”, as they wished.
Gu Family Members… really came to door demanding compensation.
“Yuan Shan’s Mother…” Old Woman Li didn’t want to admit, “Look this matter, stealing third son was that woman Zhang Man Yue, has nothing to do with us, did you find wrong people?”
“Bang!” Gu Mu slapped table, table shook.
She narrowed eyes, sharp gaze swept Li Family Members, “What mean? You don’t want to admit?”
“Zhang Man Yue not Li Family daughter-in-law?”
“I come properly say you not listen, want my family third son’s wife personally come to door?”
Li Family Members: “…” No, we don’t want!
They knew too well how difficult that one from Chenghuai family was, if she came, their family not die also shed layer skin, even roof could be flipped!
“Talk properly, talk properly.” Old Man Li softened, no choice not to, after all their family at fault, he didn’t want to see house built hardship lifetime damaged.
“This matter you at fault, you have no qualification to haggle, understand?” Gu Mu frowned, felt Li Family Members couldn’t distinguish priorities.
Not waiting them chatter more, she unceremoniously made demands:
“Your family must compensate our family’s lost work points fee, mental damages, Alan and Qian Bao’s medical expenses… right, so many villagers helped search, we must give gifts of gratitude, this part money your family also pay, I roughly calculated, you need compensate forty-five yuan seven mao eight fen, plus one chicken, ten eggs. Just these, too much your family can’t afford.”
Hearing compensation list, Li Family Members like mourning.
These indeed Li Family compensation limit, any more can’t take out.
Old Woman Li eyes blackened, screamed madly, “So much, why not go rob!
Forty fifty yuan, our family where have forty-five yuan, how can lost work points fee demand so much, mental damages… what is that?
And medical expenses, Gu Lan’s we admit, third son body not one injury, what medical?
Want money, still want chicken and eggs, why not kill me!”
She glared angrily at Gu Family mother and daughters-in-law, heart furious.
This treating her family like mountain bandits extorting!
Gu Mu’s momentum stronger than hers, voice louder than hers.
“You calculate how many mouths in my family, per head calculate, how many work points lost, what I calculated all minimal!”
“And why Qian Bao no medical expenses, he’s full body of packages… you blind to not see!”
“As for chicken and eggs, that’s for my family Alan and Qian Bao to replenish bodies, two children one injured, one frightened, which doesn’t need supplement? You say, answer me! Which doesn’t!”
Huang Xiulan nodded beside, very serious:
“My mom didn’t calculate much, this we at home one by one calculated. For fellow villagers’ sake, calculated minimal.”
Li Family Members: Who believes! Didn’t even round down, where minimal?
Zhao Liuniang face with smile, looked like amiable young wife.
She said: “Eldest sister-in-law is right. If main party come, at least make you compensate one hundred yuan, third sister-in-law what temperament, you should know, when has she ever suffered loss? My mom really showed mercy.
Just these, you accept, we settle, not accept… wait for my third sister-in-law and her maternal family several brothers come also fine, see how you choose?”
This was threat.
Naked threat.
Old Man Li irritated, heart resented the harbinger of misfortune daughter-in-law causing family money loss.
He weighed pros cons, didn’t want continue argue, gritted teeth agreed.
“…We compensate.”
Words out same time, heartbroken twitching.
Gu Mu no longer pressed advantage, took compensation, brought two daughters-in-law home.
This matter quickly spread whole village.
Those “inspired”, secretly plotting crooked ideas, immediately straightened up, no longer thought shortcuts.
Gu Family brick and tile house.
Lin Zhao washed off body sweat, out bathroom door, nearly tripped by two kids at door.
Looked down, it was twins propping chins in daze.
“Yu Bao, Heng Bao, why sitting at door? Where your dad?” Lin Zhao lifted skirt hem half-squatted, long hair wrapped in towel.
Heng Bao saw mom not dislike them, little person in heart happily jumping.
He said: “Dad and big uncle second uncle went hunt wild boar, said to thank village uncles, invite everyone eat meat.”
Yu Bao also relieved, “Dad brought hunting rifle.”
Lin Zhao understood, today village mobilized many people search, indeed must thank everyone.
She guessed, Gu Chenghuai on way into or down mountain, saw wild boar traces, thus thought to deal with them.
Both solve potential harm, and thank villagers, kill two birds one stone.
