Chapter 23: It was the Liu family who were unfeeling, not that the second branch was unfilial

Old Man Liu looked up at Chu Xue. He hadn't expected that the calmest person at a time like this would be this granddaughter. Listening to her words, it truly was a case of appearances being deceiving.

Recalling what the doctor had said yesterday, he took a deep breath and made a decision in his heart: "Second wife, you know the situation at home; we truly lack the means to help."

Upon hearing this, Mother Liu was overcome with grief: "Father, is Dongzi's job really more important than my husband's legs?"

Old Man Liu's expression darkened. "You heard the doctor. Even if we go to the city, it's impossible for him to fully recover. Since that's the case, the family can only look forward and look ahead. Only when Dongzi is well can our whole family be well."

Chu Xue suppressed the anger in her heart. "Since this is Grandfather's choice, we have no objections. Therefore, we will rely on ourselves and find our own way to solve the problem. But what did Grandma do? She chased after them, making a scene to obstruct them. Is that what a mother should do? I truly wonder if my father is even your biological son."

She said this intentionally, then stared unblinkingly at Old Man Liu's face.

The old man was quite the actor; after a brief moment of panic, he immediately regained his composure. "Your grandmother was just momentarily confused and couldn't think straight. She was just afraid that your brother Dongzi's job would fall through."

Chu Xue cursed inwardly: *A real old fox.*

She wouldn't give him a chance to change the subject. "So, Grandfather's meaning is that if we borrow money from families we get along well with, you agree, is that right?"

Old Man Liu hadn't expected Chu Xue to be so difficult. "Since you are willing to try, the family naturally shouldn't stop you."

Striking while the iron was hot, Chu Xue pressed him directly: "Then regarding the money my mother borrowed, will the communal funds repay it or not?"

She wanted to force him to make a choice in front of the people outside who were watching the spectacle. To put it bluntly, she was forcing him—no, forcing the Liu family—to demand a formal separation of the household.

Granny Liu was the first to take offense. "The money was borrowed by you; what does it have to do with the communal funds?"

"So, you and Grandfather truly don't intend to look after my father's legs and will just let him fend for himself?"

Ge Xiulan was terrified that her father-in-law would agree to this debt just to save face under pressure. "Your father's legs will be a bottomless pit in the future. With the old and the young in the family, it wouldn't be right to ignore everything else and focus solely on him, would it?"

At this moment, the Third Aunt, Su Hongjuan, who had remained silent, offered what seemed like kind advice: "Sister-in-law, my second brother's legs cannot be delayed. Given the current situation, it might be better if your branch just split off and lived independently. That way, you can do as you please and make your own decisions without wasting time."

As soon as she spoke, Granny Liu quickly shot an eye signal to her eldest daughter-in-law.

Ge Xiulan understood immediately and said pointedly, "What kind of talk is that, Third Sister-in-law? If we split the second branch off at a time like this, won't the villagers say our Liu family is unkind? Stop making trouble here."

Originally, she had been unwilling to split the second branch off at this time, especially since her nephew's plans had not yet been fulfilled.

However, when she saw Chu Xue appear alongside Xia Qiu, she realized they had been working in vain. Forget about plotting for her nephew; even any attempt to ruin that girl's reputation would likely fail. It seemed they would have to find another way.

Hearing the conversation between the sisters-in-law, Mother Liu knew the plan had succeeded. The reason they hadn't cut the knot decisively earlier was to ensure everyone saw that it was the Liu family being heartless, not the second branch being unfilial.

Since the goal had been achieved, what was there to wait for?

Her daughter was right; they had to take this opportunity to settle things clearly with the Liu family so they could live a peaceful life in the future.

(End of Chapter)