630 Why Not
Not to be outdone, Old Madam Li stood up and pointed at Auntie Dong as she said, “Who do you think you are! It’s none of your business when I’m teaching my own daughter a lesson! Get lost!”
“How dare you! Do you have a pass from the village office! How did you come into our village! Chase her out quickly! Can any Tom, Dick or Harry come to our village!” Auntie Dong shouted as she stood between Old Madam Li and Li Gui with her hands on her hips.
She was determined to get involved in this matter!
“That’s right! Quickly get lost!” everyone said in unison.
“I treat Qiao Mei like my own daughter, so she’s my goddaughter! That means Li Gui is my godsister! I’m definitely getting involved in this matter!” Auntie Dong said.
Unexpectedly, after Auntie Dong said this, Old Madam Li did not get angry. Instead, Old Madam Lee looked at her with a smile and said, “If you acknowledge my daughter as your godsister, then aren’t I your godmother? Not only are you not filial to me, but you still insult me. How do we settle this? You have to kneel down and kowtow to me and admit that you’re in the wrong!”
“You! You! You’re going too far!” Auntie Dong pointed at Old Madam Li and was so angry that she could not speak. She did not expect this old lady to have such a quick comeback. Why did she not think of this!
Qiao Mei stood at the entrance of the courtyard and said with a smile, “Why should she be filial to you? You’ve never even looked at me after I was born. I can make the choice not to acknowledge you as my grandmother, can’t I?”
When Auntie Dong saw Qiao Mei, it was as if she had seen her savior. She quickly ran to Qiao Mei’s side and said, “Yes! That’s right! Why should I be filial to you!”
Old Madam Li looked at Qiao Mei unhappily and thought to herself, “Qiao Mei is such a jinx! Why is it that nothing good happens every time I meet her!”
“Pfft, a dog bites on the strength of its master…” Old Madam Li muttered softly.
No matter how soft her voice was, it did not escape Auntie Dong’s ears. If not for her good vision and sharp hearing, she would not have discovered so much gossip about other people and be called the “know-it-all” of the village.
“What did you say! Watch your mouth!” Auntie Dong pointed at Old Madam Li and shouted angrily.
“What’s all the fuss about!” Zhao Liang shouted angrily from the back of the crowd. The people around quickly made way for him.
Old Madam Li did not panic at all when she saw Zhao Liang. Instead, she looked a little arrogant.
“Didn’t I tell you not to come? Why are you here again? Do you have a pass?” Zhao Liang asked with a frown.
Old Madam Li calmly took out a crumpled piece of paper from her lapel and handed it to Zhao Liang. He opened it and took a closer look, and realized that it was indeed a pass issued by the village office. There was even an official seal on it!
“Look! Look! Isn’t this proof! What are all of you making so much noise!” Old Madam Li said smugly.
Since everything was done according to the rules, Zhao Liang could not kick Old Madam Li out. After all, this was Li Gui’s family matter and even if he was a cadre in the village, he had no right to interfere.
Auntie Dong also looked at Qiao Mei nervously. They had nothing to hold against Old Madam Li now. Were they really going to let her do whatever she wanted here?
If Old Madam Li stayed in the village tonight, Aunty Dong would be too ashamed to face anyone in the village in the future!
“This is my daughter! This is my daughter’s house! I have a pass and I’m her biological mother! Why can’t I spend the night in this village!” Old Madam Li said.
“I lent my mother the money to build this house. Before my mother pays off her debts, I have the right to decide who can or cannot live in this house. You come to my house without informing me in advance. It’s useless even if you have a pass. If I refuse to let you stay, no one can say anything,” Qiao Mei said indifferently.
“You little brat! I’m your mother’s biological mother! Your biological grandmother! How dare you treat me like this! My current situation is all caused by you! It’s all your fault that your mother divorced the man from the Zhang family, and now the Zhang family members come to my house every day to cause trouble! What do you think we should do!” Old Madam Li said.
“Why don’t the Zhang family members come here to cause trouble after the divorce, but go to your house instead? Don’t tell me you owe the Zhang family something?” Qiao Mei asked curiously.
Back then, the entire village knew about Li Gui’s second marriage to Zhang Gui. Even a woman marrying for the first time would find it impossible to get 500 dollars as betrothal gifts, as well as so many large household appliances and a bottle of good wine. For a widow like Li Gui, she was considered to have done well for her wedding to have such a display of extravagance!
