Chapter 378 Comparison
Shan Ao Village didn't even have paved roads; they were all dirt paths. Now, with the heavy snowfall, they were mud roads. A journey that should have taken three minutes by car took nearly half an hour. Finally, they arrived at the only household surnamed Mo in Shan Ao Village.
The dilapidated, low eaves of the house seemed on the verge of collapse in the vast expanse of snow.
However, a brand new BMW was parked in front of the door, appearing completely out of place.
Xue Chuan glanced at the BMW and chuckled, "Didn't you say this place was very poor? Why is there a BMW parked here? Could it be that Mo Xiaoxue took all the money she earned to improve her family's life?"
"That's not right. Mo Xiaoxue, that little money-grubber, is even more stingy than I am. How could she afford a good car?"
After saying that, Xue Chuan started scratching his head.
Chen Xuan shook his head and said, "This isn't the Mo family's car."
"How is that possible?"
Xue Chuan didn't believe it. After all, besides Mo Xiaoxue, he couldn't think of anyone else who could afford such a good car.
Chen Xuan didn't argue and pointed to the license plate.
When Xue Chuan saw that the license plate was from Guang Province, he knew that even if Mo Xiaoxue bought a car, she wouldn't get a Guang Province license plate. He immediately agreed with Chen Xuan's idea. But before he could think further, a quarrel erupted from inside the courtyard.
"Stop talking. It seems something has happened inside. Let's go in quickly," Su Yunxi said nervously, her long legs already stepping over the threshold as she walked in.
Chen Xuan and Xue Chuan also heard the arguing voices and followed closely behind, entering the house.
In the freezing cold, the dark room was lit only by a honeycomb briquette stove, with grayish-white smoke billowing from the chimney.
"Mo Xiaoxue, right? Your father has already used you as collateral to settle his debt with our Ge family. You'd better obediently come with us."
The speaker was a middle-aged man, thin and tall, with a goatee and dressed in branded Western-style suits covered by an overcoat. His eyes were as wide as bells, and his face was fierce.
Following his gaze, in a corner not far away, Mo Xiaoxue sat on a stool, wearing a brightly patterned jacket typical of elderly country folk, her expression blank, as if she had been stunned into silence by the middle-aged man's words.
However, those who knew her would realize that the look in Mo Xiaoxue's eyes was one of disdain.
The middle-aged man stared at Mo Xiaoxue, who said nothing, and stomped his foot in anger. He turned and cursed Mo Zhiqiang, who was smoking, "Mo Zhiqiang, you son of a bitch! My brother is waiting for my call. If you can't handle this, you'll give me your hands as interest today."
"Third Master Ge, please rest assured. This child is young and ignorant. We just need to persuade her. Don't worry, I'll give you a satisfactory answer today."
Upon hearing this, Mo Zhiqiang couldn't even smoke anymore. He put down his pipe and gave the middle-aged man a fawning smile.
He turned to Mo Xiaoxue and said, "Xiaoxue, you see, Dad has no choice. Just agree to it. The Ge family is wealthy and powerful. If you go there, you'll eat well and live well, which is much better than staying in this broken house."
Before the Lunar New Year, Mo Zhiqiang had caused a major safety accident due to some unforeseen circumstances, resulting in a death. Mo Zhiqiang owed the Ge family a mountain of debt and couldn't repay it.
Coincidentally, the boss, Second Master Ge, had only one son, who was intellectually disabled. Second Master Ge believed strongly in Feng Shui and metaphysics, and had consulted a Feng Shui master for a divination.
The Feng Shui master said that his lineage was facing extinction, and to break the curse, he needed to find a child bride for his son. Once the child bride grew up, she would bring good fortune to his son. Not only would he have grandchildren, but his intellectually disabled son would also recover his intelligence, and the Ge family's business would prosper.
Thus, the Ge family began looking for a child bride.
But who would willingly marry their daughter to an intellectually disabled person?
Even though the Ge family was powerful and influential, people refused when they heard this, and they couldn't find anyone willing for a long time.
While Mo Zhiqiang was at work, he was boasting about how beautiful and academically capable his daughter was, and how she would provide for him in his old age. When the Ge family learned of this, they gave Mo Zhiqiang two options: one was to repay the debt, and the other was to have his daughter become a child bride for the Ge family.
If he agreed to let his daughter be a child bride for the Ge family, not only would his existing debt be wiped clean, but the Ge family would also give him one million yuan!
That was one million yuan, an amount he wouldn't earn in his lifetime!
Mo Zhiqiang was tempted, but after his foolish mistake of selling his younger daughter years ago, he had pinned all his hopes on this one daughter to care for him in his old age.
He was still hesitating, but unexpectedly, Mo Xiaoxue returned. Mo Zhiqiang gritted his teeth and decided to give Mo Xiaoxue to them as a child bride.
"Eat well and live well, why don't you let my sister go?" Mo Xiaoxue asked expressionlessly.
Mo Zhiqiang instinctively replied, "Xiaoxue, you know, your sister is in high school now, and she's doing very well in her class. She has a bright future..."
Halfway through, Mo Zhiqiang quickly shut his mouth and changed his words, "Dad feels indebted to you and wants you to have a good life."
The first half was what Mo Zhiqiang truly thought. Mo Xiaoxue had returned now, and it was clear she hadn't even been to school. She had probably been wandering outside all these years. How could he rely on her?
A trace of coldness appeared in Mo Xiaoxue's eyes.
Seeing that Mo Xiaoxue neither agreed nor spoke, Mo Zhiqiang pleaded, "Xiaoxue, Dad is begging you, just agree to it."
At this moment, Mo Zhiqiang didn't forget to wink at Mo Xiaohuan beside him. Mo Xiaohuan quickly walked over and squatted beside Mo Xiaoxue, "Xiaoxue, you've been wandering outside for so long, you must not have lived a good life, right? You probably couldn't even afford to eat every day. If you go to be a child bride, you can eat delicacies every day."
Mo Xiaoxue saw endless selfishness in her own sister's eyes, "Why don't you go?"
Mo Xiaohuan's expression faltered, but she quickly regained her composure.
It had to be said, although Mo Xiaohuan was not old, only seventeen or eighteen, her mindset was extraordinary.
"Xiaoxue, you see the family's situation. Sister can't let you suffer anymore."
Mo Xiaohuan spoke earnestly, as if she were making a great sacrifice.
Mo Zhiqiang also persuaded her from the side, "Xiaoxue, Dad is sorry to you. I made you suffer back then, and now I can't let you suffer anymore."
However, Mo Xiaoxue's fair cheeks remained unmoved.
"Stop their nonsense. Is it a yes or a no?"
Third Master Ge's patience ran out. He cursed, and the bodyguard behind him drew a cleaver and struck Mo Zhiqiang's stool. Mo Zhiqiang's face turned pale, and beads of sweat rolled down his cheeks.
"Xiaoxue, sister begs you!"
"Xiaoxue, you can't watch Dad's hand get chopped off, can you!"
Mo Zhiqiang and Mo Xiaohuan, father and daughter, pleaded desperately, almost kneeling on the ground.
Mo Xiaoxue took a breath, "I agree."
Mo Zhiqiang and Mo Xiaohuan, father and daughter, were completely relieved, as if a great burden had been lifted.
"Xiaoxue, you are truly Dad's savior. We'll come to see you another day."
"Yes, sister, we'll come to see you."
Mo Zhiqiang and Mo Xiaohuan said this, their faces filled with joyful smiles.
After sending Mo Xiaoxue away, Mo Zhiqiang could get the one million yuan, and they wouldn't have to live a hard life in Shan Ao Village anymore.
The last trace of warmth in Mo Xiaoxue's eyes completely dissipated.
"Come with me!"
Third Master Ge was also delighted and quickly said to Mo Xiaoxue, reassuring her that life at the Ge family would be a hundred times better than here.
Mo Xiaoxue said nothing, obediently following behind Third Master Ge.
Mo Zhiqiang wanted to talk about the money, but Third Master Ge didn't mention it, and he was too embarrassed to speak. He could only look at Third Master Ge expectantly, "Third Master Ge, I'll see you out..."