章 18: Chapter 18 Coercion
編集者: EndlessFantasy Translation
Qiao Xi widened her eyes in shock and disbelief. "D-d... D-divorce!"
Yun Yiyi calmly said, "Yes, Gu Jingyan and I are divorced so don't tell me to beg him for forgiveness again." After a brief pause, she added, "Even if we weren't divorced, I will never beg him for anything, not even in the next life!"
"You!" Qiao Qian was so angry that she slumped against the chair. "The Gu family is a wealthy… w-wealthy family..."
Song Zhuang stared at Yun Yiyi with her mouth agape. She could not believe Yun Yiyi had given up her position as the daughter-in-law of a wealthy family just like that.
Yun Qiao was similarly stunned. When he regained his senses, he looked at Yun Yiyi and gently said, "It's fine that you're divorced. As long as you're happy, you can do whatever you want."
"What do you mean it's fine that she's divorced?" Stimulated by Yun Qiao's words, Qiao Xi jumped up and furiously said, "Yiyi, how can you get a divorce? What about your brother? What about the house for the newlyweds? Are you going to let your brother stay unmarried his entire life?"
Yun Yiyi returned Qiao Xi's gaze and said, "Our house is a little old, but it'll look as good as new once it's renovated. It's a three-story house with a yard, and the location is good as well. Why do you have to buy a new house?"
Upon hearing Yun Yiyi's words, Yun Qiao began to persuade his mother again. "Mom, I think Yiyi's right. The city is noisy, and the suburbs are quiet and suitable for living. It's a good idea to renovate the house."
Song Zhuang was displeased by Yun Qiao's words. She said through gritted teeth, in a tone that left room for argument, "Yun Qiao, my family has made it clear to you. Without a new house, we won't be able to get married!" After she finished speaking, she turned around to leave.
However, Qiao Xi grabbed Song Zhuang's hand and tried to placate her.
After saying that, she turned around and was about to leave. "Xiao Zhuang, don't be angry. We'll definitely buy a new house. How can this old house be a newlywed's house?"
Song Zhuang's eyes reddened as she looked at Qiao Xi and said, "Aunt Qiao, you and my mother have discussed the matter about a new house. I'm the only daughter in my family. It's not like you don't know about Yun Qiao's leg. In the first place, my mother was opposed to us being together. If there's no new house, then, me and Yun Qiao can forget about ever getting married."
Qiao Xi continued to coax Song Zhuan. "Yes, of course. I understand. Don't worry. Don't worry."
Yun Yiyi shifted her eyes to Song Zhuang and said in a low voice, "Why must you have a new house? What's wrong with this house? Moreover, are you saying so many years of love between you and my brother can't compare to a new house? Love is priceless. How can you put a price on it? As long as you love each other, any house can be turned into a home."
Song Zhuang was further infuriated when she heard Yun Yiyi's words. "Don't stand there and talk nonsense. Nowadays, aren't brides given a house, a car, and betrothal gifts when they get married? My parents understand that your family isn't rich so they didn't even ask for a car or other betrothal gifts. They only asked for a house. By refusing this one request, it shows your family has no sincerity at all."
Song Zhuan did not want to live in the Yun family's rotten house. The neighbors were old men and women who were at the end of their lives. She was annoyed just thinking about it. How could it compare to living in the city? She could not wait to live in the city and show off her new home to her friends. Moreover, if she agreed to live in the damned house, would it not mean that she had to live with her mother-in-law? She did not want to serve anyone after she had gotten married.
Yun Yiyi was seething with anger, but she suppressed her anger and calmly replied, "You dare to talk about sincerity? Ask yourself if my brother treats you badly? He can't even bear to spend on food or clothes, but he buys you everything you want! How's that insincere?"
Yun Yiyi knew very well that Song Zhuang and Qiao Xi were peas from the same pod. They were both materialistic, prideful, and vain.
Song Zhuang retorted, "Isn't that something that all boyfriends do? Marriage is an important matter. We've already agreed to buy a new house. If there's no new house, there won't be a marriage. I'm too lazy to waste my breath on you!" Then, she turned to Yun Qiao and said, "Yun Qiao, what did you say to my mother back then? You better deal with this!"
Yun Qiao tried to persuade Song Zhuang. "Xiao Zhuang, I'll think of a way to buy a house. Don't talk too much."
"You'll think of a way?" Song Zhuang gave Yun Qiao a sidelong glance. "What way? Thanks to your sister, we've both lost our jobs. How can there be a way for us to buy a house now? We don't even have anyone to borrow money from!"
Qiao Xi said in a tone laden with blame, "Yiyi, you divorced Young Master Gu without even consulting us. Because of you, your brother and sister-in-law have lost their jobs. Now, the family has no income at all. You're the only one with an income so you're the only one who can buy a house."
"What?" Yun Yiyi looked at Qiao Qian in disbelief. "You want me to buy a house? Do you think I'm rich?"
"Aren't you?" Qiao Qian looked at Yun Yiyi coldly. "You said it yourself earlier your job pays quite well. Moreover, after your divorce from Young Master Gu, I'm sure you'll be given some of the Gu family's assets. I'm sure you have money to buy a house."
"I have no money!" Yun Yiyi said through gritted teeth, "I divorced Gu Jingyan and didn't take a single penny from him. Moreover, I just lost my job. I have no income now, and I certainly don't have the money to buy a house."
"Do you expect me to believe you?" Qiao Xi said, "When you married into the Gu family, Madam Gu gave you Luoxia Villa as a betrothal gift. The villa alone is worth tens of millions. I'm just asking you to fork out a little money to buy your brother a house, but you're unwilling?" She continued to say pointedly, "Have you forgotten that your brother became a cripple because of you? If your brother didn't risk his life to save you, would you be here now? How can you be so ungrateful?"
Yun Qiao chimed in at this moment and said in a stern voice, "Mom, she has already said that she left home with nothing. She has never had any savings since everything was given to you. Why don't you believe Yiyi?" Then, he looked at Yun Yiyi and comforted her. "Yiyi, don't listen to mom. I'll deal with the matter of a new house. You don't have to concern yourself with it."
"Believe her? I'm sorry, I don't believe she has no money at all!" Qiao Xi looked at Yun Yiyi's whose face was deathly pale. "Yiyi, like I said earlier, you can disregard me, but you can't disregard your brother."
Yun Yiyi said seriously, "I have no money!" How could she have money? Apart from having a car and a measly amount of money for living expenses, she had nothing. Moreover, she had lost her job. How could she buy a house?
"Don't lie!" Qiao Xi insisted. "The Gu family definitely gave you a lot of money. You only need to fork a small sum for a house. This is my only request!"
Yun Yiyi was so angry that tears were about to fall. "I don't have money. I told you that I divorced Gu Jingyan with nothing to my name. It's true that the Gu family gave me Luoxia Villa, but I returned it to the Gu family when I divorced Gu Jingyan! How many times do I need to repeat myself?!"
Seeing how obstinate and determined Yun Yiyi was, Qiao Xi took a deep breath to suppress her temper before she decided to negotiate with her daughter instead. "How about this? As long as you buy your brother a house, I won't bother you in the future. This is my only request. I'm begging you. Can you promise me this?"
-- 贈り物
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