Chapter 157: Chapter 157: Xu’s Parents Come Knocking

That rascal Xiao Zhuo—not to mention finding a wife, he gets impatient just seeing a woman. Last time, they finally thought something might happen between him and Gu Qinghuan, but it turned out she was already married.

Xiao Fengying has truly worried herself sick over this.

As for Qu Hanwen, it’s even worse. His peers already have grandkids old enough to run errands, but he’s still all alone—not to mention grandkids, he doesn’t even have a son. It’s pitiful.

So he decided: first win over his son, and then a wife and grandkids won’t be far behind.

The two of them doted endlessly on Dabao and Beibei, the more they looked, the more they liked them.

Gu Lanting and Ming Ruxue simply hid inside the house—the couple’s eager, burning gazes were too much. The longing of elders for grandchildren is not to be underestimated.

Meanwhile, Xiao Zhuo was off to the side, whispering secret things to Youran that only the two of them understood.

Zhong Luoning’s eyes grew moist. If only Xu Jianguo could treat his child with the same patience as Xiao Zhuo—even if he went too far, she’d accept it.

She’d heard Xu Jianguo was criticized in a struggle session yesterday, but she hadn’t gone.

It was all in the past. From now on, that scumbag would no longer exist in her life.

Gu Qinghuan brewed a pot of fine tea, and after sitting together for a while longer, the guests finally left.

Most of what they brought were tonics and medicinal herbs—apparently, the Xiao family had been in that business for generations.

It was all good stuff, and Gu Qinghuan racked her brains to find suitable gifts in return.

She gave Xiao Fengying a silk scarf and a wool sweater.

For Xiao Zhuo and Qu Hanwen, she prepared some tea leaves and a tea set.

This tea set was from the villa’s storage room.

She’d have to go through the storage room another day—there might be more good things in there that should be used before they go to waste.

Xiao Fengying was a natural at making friends. Even though they hadn’t known each other before, after just one meal, she acted as if they were already close. She even asked Gu Qinghuan to introduce any suitable girls she knew to Xiao Zhuo.

Just like those mothers in later generations who are obsessed with marrying off their children.

Xiao Zhuo could only shake his head helplessly.

Xiao Fengying loved the silk scarf Gu Qinghuan gave her, praising it non-stop and immediately wrapping it around her neck, asking her husband and son how it looked.

Qu Hanwen and Xiao Zhuo didn’t say anything, but Dabao and Beibei jumped in to flatter her, saying Grandma looked beautiful.

Their antics made Xiao Fengying laugh so hard her eyes disappeared. She immediately pulled out three big red envelopes, one for each of the children.

As they were leaving, she told the kids to come visit their home whenever they had time.

—

The day after the dinner, early in the morning, the door was pounded on loudly.

Gu Qinghuan thought Xu Huaian had come back and happily went to open the door.

She never expected to see Xu’s mother again.

She had no idea how Xu Jianguo’s parents had found out where they lived, but here they were, showing up at their door.

This time, Xu’s mother was clearly much softer in attitude than before.

“Is her cousin, Luoning, here?” she asked.

Gu Qinghuan made as if to close the door. “She’s not here. Please leave.”

Xu’s father braced himself against the doorframe. “Miss, we really have something important to discuss with her. Please, help us.”

Xu’s mother kept banging on the door and shouting, “Luoning! Zhong Luoning! I know you’re in there!”

Gu Qinghuan frowned. These people were like ghosts that wouldn’t leave—truly annoying.

Upstairs, Zhong Luoning heard Xu’s mother’s familiar voice and couldn’t help but tremble all over. Xu Youran quickly shrank into her arms in fear.

“Lanting, come quick! Someone’s trying to break in—call the police!” Gu Qinghuan shouted for Gu Lanting while blocking the door.

“What do you want? The divorce has already been finalized. From now on, our families have nothing to do with each other.”

Xu’s father was a sly one.

He suddenly dropped to his knees with a thud and shouted, “I’m begging you, let me see Zhong Luoning. I have something important to tell her!”

Seeing this, Xu’s mother gritted her teeth and knelt down too. “Please, I’m begging you.”

The people living near the villa were all wealthy or powerful. Passersby saw the scene and gathered around, curious about why the elderly couple wasn’t being let in.

Xu’s father lied through his teeth: “Everyone, come look! What kind of daughter-in-law is this? Us old folks just want to see her, but it’s harder than reaching the sky!”

Gu Qinghuan was so angry she could explode. How could people like this exist?

“Your son brought his mistress home and you said nothing. What will it take for you to leave my cousin alone?”

At this point, Gu Lanting charged over like a bull and started hitting them.

Xu’s father seized the opportunity to shout, “Look, everyone! They’re hitting us! The young are beating their elders!”

The onlookers started criticizing, saying they shouldn’t treat the elderly like this.

“What kind of elders are you?” Gu Qinghuan wished she could kick Lanting for being a pig-headed teammate—being forceful now would only backfire.

“Go call the police! Leave this to me.”

Xu’s mother clung to Gu Lanting’s leg, refusing to let her go.

Gu Qinghuan kicked Xu’s mother’s arm, finally freeing Gu Lanting.

“They’re hitting us! They’re hitting us!” Xu’s mother wailed, clutching her leg.

“Go ahead and cry all you want. As long as I’m here, let’s see who dares to get in.”

“Zhong Luoning, you viper! You even harmed your own husband!”

“You ruined my son! You fox! I curse you to suffer for the rest of your life!”

“Zhong Luoning, why don’t you just die!”

…

The two of them started cursing at the door, their language filthy and unbearable.

Upstairs, Zhong Luoning couldn’t take it anymore.

She came downstairs with Youran.

Xu’s mother, seeing her finally appear, immediately got up. “Luoning, dear Luoning, we just had no choice. We just wanted to see you, but your cousin blocked us.”

Zhong Luoning’s face was cold, her fists clenched tight. She refused to show weakness—everyone was watching, and she had to stand tall, not letting Qinghuan’s efforts go to waste.

“What do you want from me?”

“Luoning, we were wrong before, we admit it. But you and Jianguo have been married for years, and you have Youran. You can’t just watch him die!

If he gets sent to the northwest for labor reform, he won’t survive. For the sake of the child, please help him! You don’t want Youran to grow up without a father, do you?”

Xu’s mother, agitated, tried to grab her arm, but Gu Qinghuan blocked her.

“I can’t save him. He brought this on himself—no one else is to blame.”

“You can save him! We asked—the police said if you’re willing to write a letter of forgiveness, he’ll get a lighter sentence. We’ll pay some money and it’ll be fine,” Xu’s father said excitedly.

“Yes, just write the letter and we’ll get Jianguo out. We’ll live well as a family from now on.

Even if you can’t have more children, we won’t force you—just having Youran is enough.

There’s no grudge that lasts overnight in a family. Please, save him! I’m begging you!” Xu’s mother was at her wits’ end—she’d do anything to save her son.

So that’s what they were after.

Zhong Luoning clenched her teeth. “Dream on! Even if I could save him, I wouldn’t!

When you locked me and my child in a room without food or water, trying to starve us to death, did you feel any guilt?

When Xu Jianguo brought other women home—almost, just almost, Youran could have died—where were you?

When he beat me and brought people to hurt me, where were you?

When he acted like a monster, where were you?

And now you want me to forgive him? Impossible!

I will never forgive him as long as I live!”

“Aren’t you standing here just fine? Youran’s fine too! Couples fight, but it’s nothing serious—why take it so seriously with your own husband?” Xu’s mother said, completely lacking empathy.

“Luoning, think carefully. Now you’re all alone—no family, no in-laws, no money. How will you support yourself and Youran?

You can’t live at your cousin’s house forever. A woman alone with a child, no job, no money—how will you survive?” Xu’s father’s words hit Zhong Luoning right where it hurt.

This was what she worried about most. She’d already troubled her cousin’s family too much lately, and she felt deeply guilty.

Xu’s father laid her predicament bare for all to see.

Gu Qinghuan couldn’t believe how shameless they were.

“Shut up! If it weren’t for you, would things be like this?

You sold my cousin’s house and used the money to buy a new one in your names! What a scheme.

I’m warning you, you’d better not mess with us. If you push me, I’ll settle all the scores with you!

All these years, you spent my cousin’s money and still bullied her—how black is your heart?

Heaven is watching. You’ll get what you deserve.

Sis, don’t be afraid. I have plenty of money. I’ll support you and Youran for a lifetime if I have to.

You two don’t need to worry. Go home and take care of Xu Jianguo. The northwest is no place for him—don’t let him die there without anyone knowing.” Gu Qinghuan shielded Zhong Luoning behind her.

It was only during the property settlement that Gu Qinghuan learned the Xu family had completely cut Zhong Luoning off—she couldn’t get a penny from them.

But she never told Zhong Luoning, not wanting to upset her.

The house the Zhong family bought for the marriage had been sold after the political campaigns, supposedly for being too extravagant, and the Xu family quickly bought a smaller one and moved in.

At the time, Zhong Luoning had just finished her postpartum confinement and had been through so much—she couldn’t pay attention to these things and didn’t guard against them.

Only later did she discover the new house was in Xu’s parents’ names.

Their calculations were clear: if the house was in their names, it belonged to the Xu family. If it was in Xu Jianguo’s name, it would have to be split with Zhong Luoning.

You had to hand it to them—they planned ahead and did every bad thing possible."