Flash Marriage

Chapter 13: Toxic Family

Grandmother Gu eyed the pile of expensive items on the floor, pursing her lips disdainfully. "Don't think giving me a few pieces of trash makes up for the shameful thing you've done! You might not feel embarrassed, but I do! Zhenzhen’s real in-laws are coming tomorrow to propose. If anything goes wrong because of you, you can all get out of the Gu family! We can't afford this disgrace!"

Gu Xixi didn’t want to listen to her grandmother’s scolding, but she hadn’t yet achieved the purpose of her visit today. She took a deep breath. "Grandmother, I came back today to discuss my marriage. These things are gifts from your grandson-in-law to show his respect. The man who just left was his driver."

Gu Xixi’s words first stoked her grandmother’s anger, then instantly extinguished it.

A grandson-in-law who could afford such lavish gifts and have a driver was undoubtedly wealthier than that Zhao Zegang fellow before.

Grandmother Gu’s eyes flickered as she instantly calculated in her heart. "That child is quite thoughtful. However, discussing marriage requires both families to be present, doesn’t it? Surely his family wouldn’t lack such basic courtesy?" Her gaze never left the pile of gifts.

"Yes, I’m just here to discuss it with the family first. I believe they will come to formally visit very soon," Gu Xixi replied, lowering her head.

Her cousin, Gu Zhenzhen, who had been standing nearby, suddenly piped up. "This man sure spends freely! You’re quite the operator, Gu Xixi, snagging a rich guy so quickly. Is this future brother-in-law a bald uncle or some flat-nosed ogre?"

"You’ll see for yourself when he comes to propose, won’t you?" Gu Xixi retorted coldly.

Though Assistant A wasn’t inside the room, he heard everything happening within clearly. He promptly reported all of it to Yin Sichen.

Yin Sichen looked at the message from Assistant A, his eyes flickering with unfathomable shadows. He directly dialed Assistant A’s number, listening in real-time to the events unfolding inside the house.

Inside the room, Gu Xixi’s retort made Gu Zhenzhen seethe. "Grandmother! Gu Xixi is getting married, but so am I! Besides, shouldn’t there be order? My fiancé is coming tomorrow to propose! You promised me, Grandma, you’d see me married first! The dowry prepared at home is for me! You can’t give any to Gu Xixi!" Gu Zhenzhen turned and clung to her grandmother, showering her with pleas, terrified that Gu Xixi’s marriage would steal her dowry.

Grandmother Gu’s favoritism was blatant. Hearing this, she said to Gu Xixi, "Xixi, since your in-laws are so wealthy, this little bit of dowry probably isn’t worth your notice. As the elder sister, don’t fight with your younger sister over it. This dowry is what your uncle and aunt have painstakingly saved for all these years. Your parents... well, they lack means. If you want a dowry, just ask the groom’s family for a larger bride price."

Gu Xixi felt a cold laugh inside, but her expression remained unchanged. "I never had any intention of competing with Zhenzhen for it anyway."

She didn’t covet a single thing from the Gu family!

"Good. That’s settled then," Grandmother Gu said with satisfaction. "Zhenzhen’s in-laws are coming tomorrow to propose. Since you don’t have anything else pressing, you and your mother can do more of the work. Only if the Gu family doesn’t lose face will Zhenzhen marry well. Zhenzhen has never done chores since she was little; she wouldn’t do these things properly! As the elder sister, you should help your younger sister."

The dowry she prepared for Zhenzhen absolutely could not be given to Gu Xixi. That adopted bastard wasn’t worthy of a single cent of her dowry money! She didn’t care if the man Gu Xixi was marrying was deformed or handsome, as long as he was willing to pay a hefty bride price.

A bitter sneer echoed in Gu Xixi’s heart. As if I could refuse even if I wanted to? She saw it clearly now: every single person in this family was a leech! They wouldn’t stop until she and her mother were utterly drained.

Assistant A faithfully relayed everything happening inside the house to Yin Sichen. Holding a crystal wine glass, Yin Sichen swirled the liquid inside as he spoke into the phone: "The Young Madam of the Yin family cannot possibly appear shabbier than others. Make the arrangements. Tomorrow, we must make a grand show of it when we arrive!"

The next day, before dawn had even broken, Gu Xixi and her mother were roused by Grandmother Gu to sweep the courtyard and prepare for the guests.

Gu Xixi didn’t argue. Silently, she got up, fetched water to wash her face, and began helping her mother with the chores. If she didn’t help, the entire burden would fall on her mother’s shoulders alone.

Not a single soul from inside the house came out to lend a hand, even though today was the day Gu Zhenzhen’s in-laws were coming to propose. Her uncle and aunt showed no intention of getting up early to help prepare.

If everything went well, the credit would belong to others.

If anything went wrong, the blame would fall entirely on Gu Xixi’s mother.

Gu Xixi had long seen through the true nature of this family. If it weren’t for her mother stubbornly clinging to this place, she truly wished she could take her mother and leave this vipers' nest right now!

Just as Gu Xixi set down the mop she was using, the sudden bang of firecrackers erupted outside.

Firecrackers just for a proposal visit? As if they want to announce it to the whole world.

Grandmother Gu shot out of the house like a whirlwind, jabbing a finger at Gu Xixi. "What are you standing there gawking for? Hurry up and go greet the guests! If you ruin Zhenzhen’s engagement—get out of this house!"