Wu Gudí wasn't truly foolish. During her years married to Zhang Liushui, she was well aware of how comfortable her life had been.
Now, her parents wanted to marry her off to a man inferior to Zhang Liushui in every way, and she couldn't accept it.
"Mom, of course, knows Liushui is your best choice. But didn't he reject you?" Otherwise, why would she go to such great lengths to find a new cash cow?
Indeed, in Mother Wu's eyes, her sons-in-law were cash cows, tools that could help their family live a good life.
However, among Mother Wu's several sons-in-law, Zhang Liushui was truly the best and had contributed the most.
Over the years, they had lived quite comfortably relying solely on Zhang Liushui. Therefore, if her daughter could continue living with him, she would gladly annul the current engagement.
But if her daughter couldn't stay with Zhang Liushui, she would definitely pack her off to an old man's house.
"He won't reject me. I'm going back right now to make Liushui live with me again. If he dares to reject me, I won't let him off easy." With that, Wu Gudí turned to leave.
At this moment, she had completely forgotten that the last time Zhang Liushui sent her back to Wu family village, she had even had her father summon many people to beat Zhang Liushui. Would he hold a grudge because of this? And did she still want to return to a good life?
Seeing her daughter leave, Mother Wu said nothing. If her daughter could go back, they would be happy, but she didn't know if Zhang Liushui would accept her daughter.
Would Zhang Liushui accept her? Of course not.
In the past two days, ever since Wu Gudí was gone, Zhang Liushui's life had been incredibly good.
His parents helped him look after their three sons, he had food when he came home, he received his salary at the beginning of the month, and he no longer had to deal with Wu Gudí, the troublemaker constantly causing him grief. The air felt much fresher.
Therefore, Zhang Liushui had absolutely no thought of Wu Gudí returning, nor did he consider reconciling and continuing their life together.
Thus, when Wu Gudí appeared at Daming Lake, he was somewhat bewildered. It wasn't until he saw Wu Gudí, like a hungry wolf, rush to the yet-to-be-served banquet table and devour food with abandon, completely disregarding any pretense of being an outsider, that he exploded with anger.
"Wu Gudí, what are you doing?" Zhang Liushui, seeing the table instantly in disarray, roared and rushed over, grabbing Wu Gudí to leave. But Wu Gudí, who hadn't eaten enough at home and had to work hard every day, acted as if she hadn't eaten in a long time. Even when he pulled her away, she clung to a plate of braised pork and refused to let go.
"Wu Gudí, we have no more relationship. Why are you here causing trouble? This isn't a completion banquet I hosted, it's for my third brother. Have some shame!" Zhang Liushui reached out to snatch the meat back, but Wu Gudí, in a few swift bites, had already swallowed it all, giving him no opportunity.
After eating quite a bit of good food, Wu Gudí finally seemed to come alive. Heaven knew what kind of days she had endured at her parents' house. Not enough food and constant work – it was truly not as comfortable as being at the Zhang family's. With that thought, she threw down the plate and looked at Zhang Liushui pleadingly, "Liushui, let's not argue anymore. Let's live our lives well from now on, okay?
I promise I won't oppose you anymore, nor will I oppose your third brother. Let's raise our three sons well. What do you say?"
Zhang Liushui listened, unmoved, and waved away her oil-stained hands. "We have no relationship anymore. From now on, we'll each marry and live our own lives, with no further involvement."
Wu Gudí stumbled as he pushed her aside, losing her balance. After steadying herself, she rushed forward again and grabbed Zhang Liushui's hand. "Liushui, think about our three sons. Can you bear to see them without a mother? When they grow up, no one will help them find wives."
Her words, rather than helping, only angered Zhang Liushui more. He raised his hand and shoved Wu Gudí away again. "With you as a mother who constantly subsidizes your parents, they'll be single their entire lives. Touch your conscience and tell me, how much have you given to your family over the years, and when have we ever had twenty yuan in our pockets?"
Wu Gudí became flustered by his words, her eyes darting. "It's not my fault. My Xiangxiang's life is too hard."
"Heh, his life is hard? Am I not enduring hardship? After so many years, nothing has been left in the house; it's all gone to your family. But that's not all; you even tried to poach my third brother's wife. You are truly vicious." Zhang Liushui could not tolerate Wu Gudí harming his own brother.
Her third brother treated them so well; how could she have the audacity to ruin his marital relationship?
"Your third brother, your third brother! You only think of your third brother. I am your wife. How can you abandon me for your third brother?" Wu Gudí couldn't stand hearing him mention Zhang Liunian. It was because of Zhang Liunian that she was now facing the prospect of being married to an old man. Every mistake, every fault, was Zhang Liunian's.
"Big brother?" Zhang Liunian arrived just in time to hear Wu Gudí's words and see her contorted expression.
Hearing Zhang Liunian's voice, Zhang Liushui immediately turned and apologized apologetically. "Liunian, I'm sorry. Big brother didn't manage things properly here, allowing Wu Gudí to come and ruin the meal."
Zhang Liunian, hearing this, glanced at the disheveled table among the more than a dozen tables and waved his hand. "It's fine. One table less is one table less."
Zhang Liunian didn't mind, but Zhang Liushui felt guilty. "This table's expenses are on me. Deduct ten yuan from my salary when I get paid."
The dishes on this table were all substantial, including meat, chicken, and fish. Ten yuan would cover it reasonably.
Zhang Liunian was about to refuse when Wu Gudí beside him shrieked, "What? Ten yuan? Why don't you just rob someone?"
Still fuming, after speaking, Wu Gudí rushed forward to Zhang Liunian, spitting with indignation. "Zhang Liunian, don't forget your place. As a brother-in-law, what's wrong with your elder sister-in-law eating a little from you? Do you really need to ask your elder brother for compensation? May you die of stinginess."
Zhang Liunian met the outrageously arrogant Wu Gudí, tugged at the corner of his mouth, revealing a cold smile, and with a swift movement, lifted Wu Gudí with his large hand. "I haven't settled accounts with you yet for helping Wu Xiaoxiang find my wife over the years. You shameless woman, are you getting more and more arrogant!"
Upon realizing she had been lifted by Zhang Liunian, Wu Gudí panicked completely. At the same time, she remembered Zhang Liunian's formidable strength, flailing her limbs wildly, trying to free herself. "Everyone, quickly look! My brother-in-law is bullying his elder sister-in-law! My brother-in-law is bullying his elder sister-in-law!"
Hearing this, Zhang Liushui stepped forward to draw a clear line. "Wu Gudí, we have no relationship whatsoever. You are not Liunian's sister-in-law."
His words were clearly to protect Zhang Liunian.
The latter naturally understood. It was just that in his past life, his elder brother hadn't shown this much support for Zhang Liunian. This life was indeed somewhat different.
After a silent sigh, Zhang Liunian stared at Wu Gudí as he lifted her higher and higher, then threw her to the ground. "Ah!" A piercing scream immediately echoed to the heavens.