Chapter 37: Eyes Filled with Greed? Ma Yulian Wants to Sell Her Daughter!

“So, it seems you actually care a great deal about Chun Ya, don’t you? I thought you were desperate for the money. It turns out I misunderstood you. Given how well-off your family is, I suppose you wouldn’t bother with these two hundred yuan, would you?” Li Junsheng praised Sun Gui, killing him with kindness. Sun Gui was the type who would never lose face in front of others.

Indeed, with Li Junsheng speaking so highly of him, Sun Gui couldn’t bring himself to deny what he’d said before and could only go along with it.

“Of course, my family doesn’t need these two hundred yuan, but what’s meant for Chun Ya should go to her. It’s only right.”

“No one said she wouldn’t get it. Once she gives birth, I’ll hand her the money myself. You can rest assured,” Li Junsheng replied.

Sun Gui didn't know if Li Junsheng would actually hand over the money in the end, but for now, he had lost his chance to ask for it again. Chun Ya’s family was fierce and uncompromising these days; if they found out he’d gambled away the money, Sun Gui guessed he’d not only be beaten, but Li Junsheng would certainly refuse to give Chun Ya a cent.

“As long as Chun Ya isn’t wronged, I can do without the money myself,” Sun Gui said, sitting beside Chun Ya, forcing a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, saying what he didn’t mean.

He hoped Li Junsheng would believe him, that he truly didn’t care about the two hundred seventy-five yuan. The less he seemed to care, the more likely Li Junsheng would hand the money to Chun Ya.

That old man simply didn’t want Sun Gui to spend it himself.

As for the money being given after the child was born, Chun Ya had no objection. All the money at home was controlled by her mother-in-law; she didn’t get a penny. Chun Ya originally feared that after her child was born, she wouldn’t even have milk powder to feed it. If she could get the two hundred seventy-five yuan, life would be much easier.

After settling the matter of Chun Ya’s money, Li Junsheng turned to Li Xiaoyu.

“Xiaoyu, do you want to keep your money yourself, or shall I hold onto it for you and use it for your dowry later? You’re at the age for marriage now, and I want you to marry with dignity.”

Li Xiaoyu lowered her head in thought, not rushing to reply. She wondered if, once the money was in her hands, she’d be able to hold onto it.

Ma Yulian, however, grew anxious. She knew that if Xiaoyu didn’t let Li Junsheng keep the money, he wouldn’t give it to her, Ma Yulian, either. She nudged Xiaoyu with her elbow, giving her urgent looks, hinting for her to quickly take the money.

At this moment, Xiaoyu couldn’t figure out what was going on between her parents, why her father suddenly seemed like a different person. She didn’t know whether these changes were good or bad. After considering, she decided to take the money herself and observe what happened next.

“Dad, I’ll keep the money myself for now,” she said.

Hearing this, Ma Yulian finally breathed a sigh of relief. No matter what she said or did, once the money was in Xiaoyu’s hands, it would essentially be hers. Ma Yulian feared Li Junsheng wouldn’t want to give the youngest daughter her share, since he kept the third daughter’s money for himself.

“Alright, then you keep it. Don’t let anyone trick you out of it!” Li Junsheng reminded her, glancing indifferently at Ma Yulian as he spoke.

With the youngest daughter’s money handed over, Li Junsheng formally announced, “Good, today we’ve successfully divided the family. From now on, the eldest son’s family will eat separately. You two need not worry about me anymore, just take care of your own children!”

Except for unmarried Li Xiaoyu, the other three would manage their own affairs. It looked as though Li Guojun and his wife had been relieved of their duties, no longer needing to care for Li Junsheng and Ma Yulian. But in reality, it was Li Junsheng who was freed. He no longer had to wake up every morning and face Li Guojun and Wang Xiuhua, both in good health, waiting for him to cook their meals.

After a pause, Li Junsheng added, “Since we’ve divided, you two should move out soon. Guohua’s family already live outside.”

Li Guojun hadn’t expected Li Junsheng to be so ruthless—giving only ninety-five yuan and not letting them stay in the house. Who was he planning to leave the house to?

Li Guojun’s face twisted with anger, and no matter how sumptuous the dishes on the table, he had no appetite.

“Dad, you’re something else. Don’t expect anything from me in the future!” he exclaimed, pushing his bowl aside and storming out.

“Guojun, where are you going?” Wang Xiuhua hurried after him, not forgetting to take the ninety-five yuan Li Junsheng had given. If she didn’t grab it now, Li Junsheng might not give it to them later.

“Dad, shouldn’t we bring big brother back?” Li Xiaoyu asked cautiously. Li Junsheng shook his head, unwilling to pay attention to Li Guojun’s tantrum.

‘Don’t expect anything from me in the future?’ In his previous life, Li Junsheng had treated him better than any other child, but still, Li Guojun had only watched coldly.

Now, Li Junsheng looked at his youngest daughter with concern. In his previous life, she’d fallen in love with someone, and their feelings were deep. Xiaoyu was determined to marry him, but Ma Yulian, greedy for a high bride price, tried to marry her off to someone else.

In the past, Li Xiaoyu had fiercely opposed Ma Yulian’s arranged marriage, but could never outmatch her mother’s cruel determination. Ma Yulian forced Xiaoyu’s lover either to produce the same bride price or lose her to another family. Unable to meet Ma Yulian’s demands, Xiaoyu’s lover couldn’t pay, which ultimately led to Li Junsheng’s youngest daughter committing suicide with her beloved.

This was one of Li Junsheng’s greatest regrets from his former life. Now, he was determined to change everything.

“Eat, don’t mind him!” Li Junsheng said, scooping food for his youngest and third daughters and second son, urging them to continue their meal.

But the three clearly had lost their appetite, only Sun Gui continued to eat heartily, oblivious and carefree.

As the family dispersed from the table, Ji Xiaocui took it upon herself to wash the dishes. Li Xiaoyu wanted to help, but Ma Yulian quietly tugged her away into her own room.

“Mom, what are you doing? I wanted to help second sister-in-law!” Xiaoyu protested, uneasy about being alone with Ma Yulian, even resistant.

Ma Yulian always pressed her for money in private, even scolding and belittling her.

Ma Yulian glanced at her daughter arrogantly, “You’re not young anymore; it’s time to think about marriage. I went to your grandmother’s house today, and someone’s found a good match for you!”

“What good match?” Xiaoyu frowned, nervously twisting her hair.

She couldn’t trust her mother to find her a good family; after all, her sister had been married off to someone like Sun Gui. Xiaoyu didn’t dare hope for Ma Yulian’s judgment.

She’d thought that Ma Yulian had pulled her aside to talk about the two hundred seventy-five yuan.

Ma Yulian, holding onto Xiaoyu, spoke with exaggerated excitement, “Your grandmother’s family says that if you’re willing to marry, the groom’s side can offer a bride price of six hundred yuan! Isn’t that a good match? People search high and low for such offers!”