The atmosphere inside the room was deathly silent, so oppressive that it was hard to breathe, as if an invisible hand was tightly gripping everyone's throat.
Chen Guihua secretly glanced at her son, who was bowing his head and remaining silent. Her heart was filled with helplessness and worry. She leaned closer to Xie Daguo and lowered her voice, saying anxiously, "Husband, you really need to think carefully about what we should say to others."
"You can fool your own children, but what about strangers?"
"Look at this, the food has suddenly dropped so much. People are bound to get suspicious. Those people are all gossipy, and who knows what nasty things they'll say."
"Moreover, when I was buying groceries today, someone already asked us why we've been eating so lightly these past few days!"
He finished speaking and let out a long sigh.
Xie Daguo frowned, remained silent, reached into his pocket, took out a cigarette, and lit it with a "click".
He took a deep breath, the smoke swirling before his eyes and blurring his face.
After finishing his cigarette, he slowly spoke, his voice low and hoarse: "Just say that Xie Yan asked for a sum of money."
Before Chen Guihua could ask, Xie Daguo continued, "Just say that he owed money from gambling, and people threatened to kill him if he didn't pay it back."
"After all, he is our own child. Even if he is heartless, we as parents can't just stand by and do nothing."
Anyway, Xie Yan is already useless and can't be relied on in the future. He raised Xie Yan all these years, so it's only right that he contributes to the family now.
Upon hearing this, Chen Guihua hesitated for a moment, her eyes filled with conflict: "Isn't this a bit inappropriate? Would saying this......"
Xie Daguo took another deep drag of his cigarette, and through the smoke, looked directly at Chen Guihua, his tone tinged with weariness and ruthlessness, "Then you should come up with a foolproof plan?"
"What other options do we have now?"
"You must make a choice between the two of them; don't be soft-hearted."
Chen Guihua bit her lip, lowered her head, remained silent for a long time, and finally sighed and said softly, "Alright."
After saying that, she turned and went into the inner room, and soon called Xie Yuanyuan out.
Chen Guihua stood in the middle of the room, looking at her family, took a deep breath, and slowly recounted the fabricated story of gambling at the thank-you banquet.
Sitting to the side, Xie Ting's previously gloomy eyes suddenly lit up, as if he had seen a savior. The heavy stone in his heart was instantly lifted, and he seemed to feel much lighter all of a sudden.
Yes! It was prepared by Xie Yan.
This money was also lent out by Xie Yan, and thinking this, his eyes gradually hardened.
Upon hearing this, Xie Yuanyuan exploded like a lit firecracker.
Her eyes widened, her face flushed, and she shouted, "Why? Why should he accept the banquet?"
"That good-for-nothing has already disowned you, why are you still giving him money?"
"And they even used my dowry. Did you ask for my opinion?"
"Did I agree?" The voice was sharp and loud, so loud that the windowpane next to it shook a few times.
This roar was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly causing a huge uproar.
The neighbors living upstairs and downstairs, who were all busy with their own things, stopped what they were doing when they heard the noise. The more experienced people quickly opened their doors, took their bowls and chopsticks, and squatted down at their doorsteps to eat, just like they always do when watching a spectacle.
Before long, the building was filled with people.
They craned their necks, listening intently to the Xie family's argument, occasionally whispering to each other about the "information" they had gathered, their faces full of curiosity and gossip.
They ate while listening to the argument, and found that the food tasted much better than usual.
Some parents who have finished eating don't want to go back to get more rice, so they direct their children instead.
Kids love a good listen to lively music!
But under the pressure of their parents, they had no choice but to reluctantly go back and serve them rice.
It was lively outside, and equally lively inside; the Xie family's "war" had reached a fever pitch.
Xie Yuanyuan's eyes were red and swollen with tears welling up in them; she simply couldn't accept this outcome.
Not only was the food terrible, but it also included her dowry, something Xie Yuanyuan simply couldn't tolerate.
She shouted emotionally that she was going to ask Xie Yan for money. Judging from her expression, you could tell she was determined to go find Xie Yan.
Xie Daguo's eyelids twitched, and he secretly thought to himself that something was wrong. He knew his daughter's temper well and was afraid that she would really write to Xie Yan asking for money.
Moreover, they might even buy tickets to find Xie Yan. If they attract Xie Yan's attention, wouldn't all the lies they painstakingly fabricated and everything they did be for nothing?
In a fit of extreme excitement and worry, he didn't think twice and slapped Xie Yuanyuan across the face.
He shouted, "If you dare take this money, I'll disown you as my daughter!"
The slap was crisp and loud, like a thunderclap, instantly stunning the entire Xie family.
Xie Yuanyuan, in particular, stood frozen in place as if she had been frozen in place.
She slowly raised her hand to cover her slapped cheek, her eyes filled with disbelief, tears welling up in her eyes, and she choked out, "Dad, you actually hit me!" Her voice was full of grievance and shock.
She didn't hear what Xie Daguo said after that; she only felt a burning pain on her face.
Half of her face was numb.
When Chen Guihua saw her daughter's cheeks swell up instantly, she felt heartbroken and tears immediately streamed down her face.
She shoved Xie Daguo hard, her voice trembling with tears, and said, "Why are you hitting the child! She's still young and doesn't understand. Can't you talk things out?"
After saying that, he hurriedly ran over, wanting to see Xie Yuanyuan's face.
However, at this moment, Xie Yuanyuan's heart was filled with anger and grievance.
From childhood to adulthood, Xie Daguo and Chen Guihua doted on her and never laid a finger on her.
But this time, he actually hit her because of Xie Yan.
The main problem was that she was hit in the face; how could she accept that?
A wave of immense grievance and shame washed over her, leaving her feeling utterly ashamed.
She shoved Chen Guihua away forcefully, sneered, and said with a hint of determination, "You all said you were good to me and didn't discriminate against girls. You're all liars, liars who keep lying!"
"I will never trust you again!" After saying that, she covered her face, turned around and ran out.
As soon as I opened the door, I saw a crowd of people surrounding me, three layers deep. I immediately felt even more embarrassed, as if I were being publicly executed under a spotlight.
Her face flushed red to her ears, and her eyes were filled with humiliation.
She forcefully pushed away Aunt Niu, who was about to ask her a question, and ran downstairs without looking back. Her back view was full of dishevelment and sadness.
Chen Guihua, who chased after them, was immediately surrounded by her neighbors.
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