Chapter 109: You Were So Disrespectful to the Clan Chief Just Now—Won't That Be a Bit Inappropriate?

Old Man Liu's face was full of worry: "Regarding the second son's matter, my wife and I truly didn't think it through, but now that things have come to this, even if we wanted to make it up we don't have the ability. Still, we can't just leave the eldest son to fend for himself—after all, we're counting on him to provide for us in our old age."

Chuxue said that if they wanted her to relent, they had to sever the family ties, and also compensate her with five hundred yuan.

"You all probably know my family's situation. Since the second son has already become estranged from us because of the injury, and now the eldest son and his wife have done something wrong by Chuxue, I'm afraid it'll be hard for us to get along properly in the future. So we might as well grant them their wish."

The clan chief's face darkened: "Old Five, you'd better think this through."

Old Man Liu packed a bowl of tobacco for himself, lit it, and took a hard puff: "It's not that I want to sever ties—it's that for the sake of the eldest son and his wife, severing ties is the only choice. As for the five hundred yuan, my family truly can't come up with it, so I'll have to trouble you all to help mediate."

Everyone understood now: Old Man Liu's meaning was that he could sever the family ties, but there would be no compensation—truly dreaming if he thought that would fly.

Still, it was the Liu clan chief who spoke up: "Old Five, making a trip to help mediate is no problem, but if you want her to relent without paying a single cent, we don't have that kind of ability. You'd better go negotiate yourself."

Old Man Liu flashed an awkward look: "Clan chief, you've misunderstood. Of course I meant the less the better."

Actually, the clan chief really didn't want to meddle in his nonsense, but with his status being what it was: "We understand what you mean."

Having said that, the Liu clan chief looked at the two village cadres, seeking their opinion with his eyes.

Seeing them nod, the few of them rose in unison.

But the moment they stepped into the second branch's door and exchanged a few pleasantries, they heard Liu Shanliang say: "I know what you've come for, but in our house Chuxue calls the shots now—she's gone off to school."

The clan chief said, somewhat exasperated at his inability to live up to expectations: "It's your leg that's hurt, not your brain—how can you let a girl run the household?"

Liu's father, however, let out a cold laugh: "When I was injured and hospitalized, it was my Chuxue who held up the sky for me. Without her, this leg of mine would've been lost long ago."

That one remark left the clan chief thoroughly embarrassed—after all, after Liu Shanliang's accident, the clan hadn't lifted a finger to help.

Since things had already been said to this point, they could only exchange a few more pleasantries and leave first, waiting for Chuxue to return before saying anything more.

After they left, Liu's mother said, her face full of worry: "Shanliang, you were so disrespectful to the clan chief just now—won't that be a bit inappropriate?"

"I was telling the truth. What's so inappropriate about that?"

Liu's mother still wanted to say something, but seeing her husband's stern face, she opened her mouth and ultimately said nothing.

As her husband, Liu Shanliang naturally knew what she was worried about, but his daughter had said to wait until she got back to discuss anything—so naturally he wouldn't undermine her.

During this period, he had naturally noticed the changes in Chuxue. Along with self-reproach, he also felt a sense of comfort. What he'd said earlier about Chuxue calling the shots in the house from now on wasn't just empty talk.

And at this moment, Chuxue had already arrived at school.

She didn't go straight to the classroom, but went to the office to find her homeroom teacher: "Teacher Xu."

Xu Shengli, who was looking over lesson plans, heard the voice: "Chuxue, you've come to class?"

As he spoke, he gestured for her to come in, and also asked about the situation at her home.

After they'd talked enough, Chuxue then said: "Teacher Xu, I came today because I want to discuss something with you."

"What is it, go ahead?"

Chuxue explained her family's situation: "Teacher Xu, although I've taken leave during this period, I've been studying on my own the whole time. I was wondering if I could continue studying at home and only come in for the exams?"