OBS Chapter 535: Sit Down and Negotiate
Chapter 535: Sit Down and Negotiate
"Both Zao Hua and Rui Nian are at fault here, and if word gets out, it will bring shame to us in Qinghe Bay. As the village chief, I cannot let your two families harbor such deep resentment. Since both Xu Jin and Mr. Gu are here, and both family patriarchs are present, let’s sit down and have a proper discussion."
Liu Tieshan suggested that both sides sit down to negotiate only after Xu Dabao and Xu Erbao had given Gu Ruinian a beating.
Gu Ruinian indeed needed a lesson. If the Xu Family didn’t vent their anger by beating someone, it would be more troublesome if, in the future, Mr. Gu and the others secretly killed him when they returned to Qinghe Bay.
"You’ve smashed the shop and beaten the person. You’ve vented your anger. If you don’t sit down and talk, are you really going to beat someone to death? Isn’t that mutual destruction?" Liu Tieshan stopped Xu Dabao and Xu Erbao, who still wanted to hit someone.
At this point, the Gujia Clan Leader and the Xu Family Patriarch, Mr. Xu, began to persuade them alternately, and Xu Jin, with bloodshot eyes, agreed to sit down and communicate.
As long as they’re willing to communicate, that’s good.
Liu Tieshan let out a sigh of relief.
The Xu Family’s conditions were the same as last time when Liu Tieshan came to Pingchuan: they wanted Gu Ruinian to kowtow three times to the Xu Family as an apology and for the Gu Family to pay the Xu Family 500 taels of silver.
Tong Huaqiong thought to herself that the Xu Family must have changed. They only put forth these two conditions.
From her multiple interactions with Xu Jin, he didn’t seem like a compassionate person.
Tong Huaqiong couldn’t help but glance at the second branch of the Gu Family, seeing everyone there except for Gu Xiaoxue.
Earlier, she encountered Second Uncle Gu at the doorway, and from him, she learned that after their last interaction with Mr. Gu, they had dismissed Xu Jin’s idea of having Gu Youtian compensate with a daughter upon returning to Qinghe Bay.
When Second Uncle Gu came in, to prevent Xu Dabao from developing any inappropriate thoughts about Gu Xiaoxue, he deliberately sent Gu Xiaoxue out.
Tong Huaqiong thought Second Uncle Gu was being too optimistic; she didn’t believe that Xu Jin could be swayed by a few words.
Given Xu Dabao’s mischievous nature, as long as Gu Xiaoxue wasn’t in his line of sight, he wouldn’t have inappropriate thoughts? Second Uncle Gu thought too highly of him.
"Rui Nian, give your Uncle Xu three kowtows."
After hearing Xu Jin’s two conditions, Mr. Gu let out a slight sigh of relief.
Thankfully, these two conditions were acceptable for him.
Rui Nian would suffer some humiliation, but at least he would keep his life. As for the silver, he could owe it for now. After all, if they killed him, the Xu Family wouldn’t get a penny. If Xu Jin was smart, he wouldn’t force him to come up with the silver immediately.
Gu Ruinian, supported by the Gujia Clan Leader’s grandson, Gu Dahu, gritted his teeth, unwilling to kneel.
It was too humiliating.
Seeing his stubbornness, Xu Dabao stepped forward and kicked him in the knee, causing Gu Ruinian to fall to his knees in front of Xu Jin with a thud.
Xu Erbao stepped forward and forcefully pressed Gu Ruinian’s head to make him kowtow.
Old Lady Gu was trembling inside, thinking the Xu brothers were like a pair of wolves.
Mr. Gu, on the other hand, closed his eyes in pain.
Gu Ruinian was forced to kowtow three times.
Gu Ruinian, dizzy, raised his head and stared at the Xu brothers, flames of hatred burning in his eyes.
"Rui Nian has received the punishment he deserved." Mr. Gu slowly spoke, "I will acknowledge the 500 taels of silver, but if you ask me to pay now, even if I pawn everything I own, I still won’t have enough. But this doesn’t mean I will default; I will pay you 100 taels first and issue an IOU for the remaining 400 taels."
Xu Jin’s eyes were gloomy.
Mr. Gu added, "I will settle it by the same time next year. With the village chief and both family patriarchs here as witnesses, the Gu Family will certainly not default."
Xu Jin sneered and slowly said, "You say you’ll repay by this time next year, but why should I believe you?"
Mr. Gu hesitated for a moment.
He now regretted how he had treated his eldest son’s family in the past. If he had handled his favoritism more tactfully, his daughter-in-law might have willingly paid this amount.
For her, 400 taels wasn’t a large sum.
Mr. Gu said, "I still have land and property. If I can’t repay it, these can be used as collateral on the IOU."
At this moment, Gu Xiaoxue entered with tea.
Originally, Gu Xiaoxue was instructed not to come in, but when the two families sat down to negotiate, Old Lady Gu sent Gu Honglian to serve the tea. Gu Honglian, too lazy to do it herself, sent Gu Xiaoxue instead.
Gu Xiaoxue lowered her head, refilling each tea cup.
Tong Huaqiong scrutinized Gu Xiaoxue carefully: fair skin, a high nose bridge, big eyes, and the slightly small garment that enhanced her graceful figure.
Even in the entire Ning City, Gu Xiaoxue’s appearance was striking.
The young men of the Xu Family were captivated by Gu Xiaoxue’s presence, with one young man blushing as he took a cup from her hand.
"Aunt, have some tea." Gu Xiaoxue approached Tong Huaqiong, lifted her head, and said softly, "I brought you a new cup."
Tong Huaqiong smiled at Gu Xiaoxue.
Looking up, she noticed Xu Dabao’s gaze lingering on Gu Xiaoxue.
When Gu Xiaoxue poured tea for Xu Dabao, he accidentally brushed her elbow, spilling a cup of hot tea on himself.
"Xiao Xue, how can you be so careless?" Mr. Gu scolded.
This granddaughter was indeed trouble.
What if Xu Dabao got scalded and the Xu Family took the opportunity to blackmail them?
Gu Xiaoxue, after being reprimanded by Mr. Gu, lowered her head even further, taking out a handkerchief to nervously help Xu Dabao wipe the tea off.
Xu Dabao’s eyes were fixed on her snow-white neck, smiling suggestively, holding onto her handkerchief, saying, "Xiao Xue, no need to trouble yourself; I can wipe it off myself."
Tong Huaqiong felt utterly disgusted.
"Xiao Xue." Tong Huaqiong placed her teacup heavily on the table, calling out, "My tea has gone cold. Come and pour me some fresh tea."
Gu Xiaoxue pulled the handkerchief from Xu Dabao’s hand, lowered her head, and went to Tong Huaqiong’s side, refilling her tea.
"This is none of your business, child; you and Sister Taohua should leave." Tong Huaqiong said to Gu Xiaoxue.
Gu Taohua, who had noticed Xu Dabao’s inappropriate gaze as well, pulled Gu Xiaoxue out of the room.
Xu Dabao’s eyes trailed behind Gu Xiaoxue as she left.
Tong Huaqiong’s eyes darkened.
Mr. Gu and Xu Jin continued to argue logically, with Xu Jin yet to demand using Gu Xiaoxue as collateral.
Tong Huaqiong didn’t believe Xu Jin would give up on this demand.
If Xu Jin did make this demand, Mr. Gu probably wouldn’t refuse under pressure.
After all, in this era, in every village and town, daughters were sold for the sake of their brothers.
The notion that daughters should sacrifice for their brothers was universally accepted.
Often, the family didn’t feel undue hardship or guilt.
As the negotiations reached a deadlock, Xu Jin suddenly said, "Mr. Gu, let everyone leave. I have something to say to you alone."
Liu Tieshan and Second Uncle Gu initially thought Xu Jin wouldn’t bring up the idea of using Gu Xiaoxue as collateral, thinking he’d truly listened to what they’d said.
"Xu Jin, what did you say in the village?" Liu Tieshan said with a stern face.
Second Uncle Gu’s expression wasn’t good either.
Xu Jin smiled and said, "Village chief, Second Uncle, you’re mistaken. I really have something to say to Mr. Gu."
Soon, under Xu Dabao’s lead, the Xu Family exited the room.
The Gu Family followed the patriarch outside.
Only Xu Jin, Mr. Gu, and Gu Ruinian remained inside.