Chapter 35: To whom should the biological mother's dowry be given?

Zhou Li's expression changed drastically as she glared through gritted teeth at Lu Qiaoge standing before her.

She felt as if her life had turned dark; even a young girl could bully her now.

She hugged the old black cat tightly, but she was truly speechless.

Because Lu Qiaoge was right.

Whether in the countryside or the city, it was always like this.

Lu Qiaoge did not continue speaking. Instead, she tried asking the old black cat in her mind: "Xiao Hei, what did Zhou Li's biological mother leave for her? If you tell me, I will help your little mistress reclaim what belongs to her."

The old black cat had already realized just now that Lu Qiaoge could understand its speech.

At this moment, there was no surprise, only excitement.

Humans always said dogs were loyal ministers and cats were treacherous officials, saying cats only cared for those who fed them, but it wasn't like that.

【I know. It's in a hidden compartment in the dressing table drawer. The old master said it was intended as a dowry for the little mistress.】

Lu Qiaoge asked, "Is it possible Luo Guixiang discovered it and took it long ago?"

【No. The old master's father was a very skilled carpenter; he made it himself. Without finding the mechanism, one wouldn't find it even if they smashed it to pieces. Even Old Zhou didn't know about it.】

Lu Qiaoge didn't press further about what was inside, but instead looked at Zhou Li: "Comrade Zhou, this is both the rule and the custom. You must accept it!"

Despair filled Zhou Li's eyes.

It was true—as long as Luo Guixiang didn't agree, it was impossible for her to move in with her husband and child.

Lu Qiaoge stopped looking at Zhou Li and instead looked at the crowd, asking with a bright smile, "However, I have a question I would like to pose to the comrades here."

Lu Qiaoge pointed to the first floor behind her: "As everyone knows, Comrade Zhou has no right to live in this house because this house was left to Comrade Luo by Master Zhou; it has nothing to do with Comrade Zhou."

Hearing this, Luo Guixiang immediately burst into laughter.

The two young men and women beside her also looked at Zhou Li triumphantly.

*Hmph, threatening people with medicine is useless. This house has nothing to do with you.*

*Even the street office cadres have said so; it's set in stone.*

Someone in the crowd nodded: "Yes, it has nothing to do with Zhou Li."

Lu Qiaoge immediately asked, "But in this house, does Comrade Luo have the right to claim the things left behind by Zhou Li's biological mother, such as her dowry?"

The crowd erupted as if about to explode.

People began shouting all at once: "Of course she doesn't have the right!"

"Zhou Li is Yu Xiu's only daughter. If there is anything, it definitely belongs to Zhou Li."

"But didn't Luo Guixiang marry Master Zhou?"

"What does her marrying Master Zhou have to do with Yu Xiu? Master Zhou's things can go to Luo Guixiang, but Yu Xiu's things should go to Zhou Li!"

Lu Qiaoge raised her hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.

At this moment, Luo Guixiang's face flushed red: "You, comrade, what nonsense are you talking about? There is nothing of Yu Xiu's in my house. When I first moved in, Old Zhou had already packed all those things away."

Zhou Li wiped away her tears and looked at Lu Qiaoge suspiciously. Why did she feel like this young cadre was trying to help her?

*What did Mom leave behind? Which items belonged to Mom?* Zhou Li began to think intensely.

Lu Qiaoge spoke up: "Comrade Luo, I need to enter your home to confirm this. If there truly isn't even a blade of grass, I guarantee I will take Comrade Zhou and leave, never to disturb you again."

A flash of panic crossed Luo Guixiang's eyes.

*How could there be nothing? I heard that old ghost Old Zhou say the bed in the bedroom was made by Old Yu himself.*

Just then, Auntie Sun rushed over. She first slapped Zhou Li and complained, "You foolish girl! You have a husband and a child, yet you're still thinking about taking medicine? Have you lost your mind? Do you want your son to grow up having a stepmother just like you did?"

Luo Guixiang's face turned ashen, but since Auntie Sun hadn't named her specifically, she didn't dare respond.

She could only stare at her with venomous eyes. *That damn old woman. If she hadn't taken Zhou Li in, Zhou Li would have probably been kicked back to the countryside long ago.*

Auntie Sun said to Lu Qiaoge, "I know which items were Yu Xiu's dowry. I can testify."

Lu Qiaoge asked, "Are there any other comrades who can witness this?"

Upon hearing this, more than a dozen people came forward.

Thus, a group of people entered Luo Guixiang's house.

Auntie Sun first pointed at the bed: "That was made by Old Yu for his daughter."

"The dressing table was also made by Old Yu. It was the latest style back then; many people came to the Zhou house just to see the design."

"That's right, that's right. Old Yu was a famous master carpenter. It's a pity he passed away so early."

"This pair of red-lacquered chests as well."

"The clothes rack too."

"The eight-person dining table as well. Look, Old Yu's mark is even here."

"The large wardrobe too."

"Sigh, Old Yu loved his daughter so much; he gave her so many things."

Luo Guixiang couldn't take it anymore and stopped pretending. If she continued, not only would her belongings be emptied, but she would also become a laughingstock.

"Even if Old Yu gave them to Yu Xiu, he gave them to Old Zhou. Therefore, these are all mine and have nothing to do with Zhou Li!"

Auntie Sun was about to start cursing.

Lu Qiaoge intervened in time: "Everyone, please calm down. Comrade Luo is right; since Yu Xiu married Master Zhou, those items are communal property of the couple, so they naturally cannot all be moved away."

Lu Qiaoge turned to Luo Guixiang and said gently, "However, the point I want to emphasize is that while these items are the communal property of Yu Xiu and Master Zhou, they are not the communal property of you and Master Zhou. Therefore, Comrade Zhou Li has the right to reclaim the portion that belongs to her biological mother."

Lu Qiaoge then looked at Cadre Liu and Shao Le: "What are your opinions?"

Cadre Liu and Shao Le were stunned by Lu Qiaoge's logic and naturally had no objections.

Auntie Sun spoke directly on behalf of Zhou Li: "Xiao Li and I have no objections. Comrade Lu is right. Let's split them in two. Since the three cadres from the street office are here, let's discuss how to divide them now."

Luo Guixiang's face was as dark as water, but aside from her and her son, everyone else was in agreement.

Whether by custom or tradition, there seemed to be no logic that allowed her to inherit Yu Xiu's property, unless everyone else was dead.

Zhou Li was still holding the cat. She pressed her face against its fur. Just now, Auntie Sun had whispered to her that her biological mother must have come to help her, and told her not to do anything foolish and to live well.

Zhou Li's mind was a mess, yet she was very lucid. She said in a raspy voice, "I don't want the bed, but the other things belong to my mother. Luo Guixiang, aren't you afraid of having nightmares in the middle of the night using my mother's things?"

Lu Qiaoge quickly cut her off: "Given that Comrade Zhou Li has lost both parents and comes from a poor family—and most importantly, that she responded to the call to build the countryside during her best years and wishes to continue contributing to her hometown—therefore, Comrade Zhou Li has the right of first selection. Comrade Zhou, you choose."

Luo Guixiang immediately objected.

Cadre Liu became displeased, and his tone grew heavy: "Comrade Luo, your thinking is problematic. It has been made very clear: the house is yours and you may live there as you wish, but these items are Yu Xiu's dowry. It is wrong of you not to return them to her biological daughter."

Auntie Sun sneered, "Some people shouldn't push their luck. Even if Zhou Li has no right to live in this house, does your son? He doesn't carry the Zhou surname. I advise you to stop while you're ahead."