Rebirth: She is Ready for a Counterattack! Chapter 97: Sis-in-law, Don’t Leave

Next, the children began to pay New Year’s greetings to their elders.

Gu Xiaocheng was the first to bow and greet Gu Ruhai and Li Xuei. As a college student, he was quite eloquent, "Happy New Year, Uncle and Aunt, wishing you a prosperous year with booming business."

He’s really got a way with words.

Gu Xiaoqing pursed her lips.

Such treatnt was unheard of in previous years.

The outburst from Gu Ruhai last night must have made Gu Xiaocheng see things differently.

This college student isn’t the type to speak nicely easily.

Gu Ruhai and Li Xuei didn’t mind.

After all, he wasn’t their own child. How could they, as his uncle and aunt, react when he was slightly nice to them?

It was all about appearances anyway, not like they were feeding or clothing him. It was just a matter of courtesy.

They gave him a five-cent new year’s money.

Originally, Gu Ruhai intended to give one yuan, but Li Xuei stopped him.

Gu Ruhai thought the children only got new year’s money once a year, so they should be treated equally. Even Zhang Zijie, an outsider, was given one yuan by Li Xuei, let alone his own nephew.

It would logically be one yuan, of course.

But Li Xuei wouldn’t allow it. She stubbornly took a five-cent note from another pocket.

Li Xuei was no fool, though she was as honest as Gu Ruhai.

She thought more than him, not as straightforward.

Just looking at the Gu Family patriarch and matriarch’s deanor, a child was only given one cent, but Li Xuei knew that was for Gu Xiaoying, Gu Xiaoqing, and Gu Xiaojie. When it ca to Gu Xiaocheng, Gu Xiaofeng, and Gu Xiaomin, it would likely be more.

In past years, others’ children received their red envelopes early. When it ca to Gu Xiaoying, Gu Xiaoqing, and Gu Xiaojie, each got only two cents. Obviously, it wasn’t Mr. Gu who gave those; such disgraceful acts were left for Mrs. Gu to do.

You couldn’t dispute that, could you?

The old couple didn’t seem to have much spare money either, probably only giving fifty cents as new year’s money.

If the elders gave fifty cents and Gu Ruhai’s family gave more, it wouldn’t be seen as gratitude but as disrespect for the elders. Who gives more than the elders’ new year’s money?

Besides, Li Xuei didn’t want to be rembered by the second and third siblings. If they gave more, it would be like openly telling others they had money to spare, co and take it.

So Li Xuei, regardless of what Gu Ruhai thought, solidified the situation.

Gu Ruhai couldn’t say much.

He gave Gu Xiaofeng and Gu Xiaomin each fifty cents of new year’s money.

But these two didn’t give the auspicious words like Gu Xiaocheng, just said in a low voice, "Happy New Year,"

and that was it.

They didn’t even call out to him.

Particularly, Gu Xiaofeng occasionally cast a glare at Gu Ruhai, as if afraid others wouldn’t know he was still holding a grudge over being kicked by Gu Ruhe because of Gu Ruhai last night.

Gu Rushan and Gu Ruhe each gave Gu Xiaoying, Gu Xiaoqing, and Gu Xiaojie one cent.

Gu Ruhai originally had a grievance with Li Xuei giving fifty cents to his brother’s children, but now, he said nothing and kept quiet.

They had seen him give fifty cents, and still handed out one cent. There wasn’t much to say.

Even if Mrs. Gu instigated it, one shouldn’t approach social interactions this way.

Suddenly, Gu Ruhai felt intense admiration for Li Xuei. His wife indeed foresaw the outco.

It’s better to be observant and less talkative.

Jiang Xiulan called out eagerly, "Big Brother and Sister-in-law, you’ve indeed earned a lot this year, handing out fifty cents just like that. It’s just that we only have one child."

That implied they felt wronged, saying it was too little.

Gu Ruhai couldn’t respond, his mind unable to keep up.

Li Xuei remained silent, benefiting from the situation.

Xiao Xue was displeased, "Second Sister-in-law, what are you insinuating? Is there so limit on how many children a family should have? If you’re not happy, you could have another one. No one’s stopping you."

As if their two children were taking great advantage.

Jiang Xiulan pursed her lips, glanced sidelong at Xiao Xue, but dared not provoke her. Xiao Xue’s family held governntal power, and her own Gu Xiaocheng might need favors from there.

She was fuming inside.

With a quick eye roll, she said to Li Xuei, "Big Sister-in-law, those atballs and braised pork you brought yesterday were really delicious, and the oiled tofu too, but just a little wasn’t enough for everyone. The old folks didn’t even have two bites. Why don’t you bring so more today, Sister-in-law?"

Li Xuei almost laughed.

They could really keep track of everything.

Gu Xiaoqing asked puzzled, "Second Aunt, my family of five didn’t have New Year’s Eve dinner at Grandma and Grandpa’s yesterday, so how is it not enough? We didn’t eat there at all. I thought we’d have so today. Didn’t my mom say half was left yesterday?"

Jiang Xiulan, caught in her intention, awkwardly retorted, "Oh, this child, yes, you weren’t here yesterday, but this is a big family and so many people. Your grandparents don’t eat? Plus there are three kids. It’s just not enough; how could there be leftovers?"

Actually, Jiang Xiulan secretly took half the leftover atballs and braised pork ho yesterday.

So she was planning to coax so more out of Li Xuei today.

Li Xuei dusted off her clothes, "I brought everything from ho yesterday. I thought the second and third families would bring sothing too, but only we did, so no one’s family is wealthy. The leftover should suffice for today’s al."

Her words accused Jiang Xiulan and Xiao Xue of coming empty-handed.

All daughters-in-law, why should Li Xuei and Gu Ruhai always play the fool?

In fact, Li Xuei initially thought the children never had enough at Mr. Gu’s, so she brought so food, hoping to at least fill the children a bit. Who knew it would set a precedent where not even a bite was left for them yesterday.

If she had known, she would rather have fed the dogs than these ingrates.

So none are fools here.

Jiang Xiulan and Xiao Xue were dissatisfied; her remarks weren’t supposed to hold deeper scrutiny.

Mr. Gu saw the three daughters-in-law were about to start fighting and said sternly, "Alright, stop it. It’s New Year’s. Don’t be competitive. Eldest’s wife, no need to say more. I know you an well. If anybody can contribute sothing, do so; if not, it’s fine. Your mother and I aren’t fighting over food."

Though it seed like fair speaking to everyone, it was actually blaming Li Xuei for stirring trouble.

With her father-in-law speaking, Li Xuei naturally didn’t argue and kept silent.

Gu Ruhai looked around at the atmosphere; his two brothers didn’t speak, seeming to agree with the reasoning.

This al could not be eaten.

Standing up, "Mom and Dad, we’re heading back."

He led his family to leave.

Jiang Xiulan panicked since if Li Xuei left, who would cook?

At least yesterday, Li Xuei helped her prepare the als.

If she were alone today, Xiao Xue certainly wouldn’t step into the kitchen.

That left her to handle everything alone.

"Sister-in-law, don’t leave. Mom and Dad love your cooking."