"Okay, Principal Lin," Li Bing replied, and led the way in driving Sun Lijun away.
Gu Xiang helped Lin Shanshan up and gently persuaded her, "Shanshan, don't be angry. These people are just being unreasonable. Let's ignore them. It's cold outside, let's go back inside and warm up."
Lin Shanshan is now seven months pregnant and is getting a little tired of standing. She nodded and went back with Gu Xiang.
Bai Lusheng and Sun Lijun brought their family from Hongyun County, but instead of receiving the money, they were met with a cold shoulder. They were unwilling to give up, but even more afraid of going to jail, so after discussing it, they decided to go back.
In previous years, Bai Xue gave them a lot of money and supplies, and they managed to save some of it. By living frugally, they were able to make a living in Hongyun County.
As the group was preparing to return home, Zou Ping'an, who had been hiding behind a big tree at the school gate and had witnessed the entire incident, came out.
"Gentlemen, do you want to get your money back?" Zou Ping'an walked out, his face beaming with a chaotic smile.
Zou Ping'an was already calculating in his mind. If he ruined Lin Shanshan's reputation, the big pharmaceutical companies would definitely not choose to cooperate with a company led by someone with questionable character. Then, Jianning Pharmaceutical Factory could extend an olive branch to Lin Shanshan, and the cooperation would be finalized.
Bai Lusheng looked at the strange man in front of him warily and asked, "What do you mean?"
Zou Pingan said with a smile, "I can help you get the alimony. Principal Lin has made a lot of money recently. You may not know this because you come from a small county, but I know it very well. Xinghuo University of Science and Technology's artificial heart was featured in the newspaper a while ago."
"She's very famous, and Xinghuo Technology exports a lot of its robotic vacuum cleaners, so she must have made a lot of money. With so much money, it's only natural for her to support her grandmother."
Bai Lusheng was somewhat persuaded and asked, "Why do you want to help us?"
Zou Ping'an said, "Just consider it me helping someone in need. My name is Zou Ping'an, and I just can't stand those rich people who don't help their poor relatives."
Bai Lusheng's eyes darted around, and he thought for a moment with his not-so-bright brain. They didn't have anything to be fooled. Just as he was about to agree to let Zou Ping'an help him, Sun Lijun tugged at his sleeve, signaling him to calm down.
Having aged a generation, Sun Lijun was still worried about being arrested. She waved her hand and said, "Zou Ping'an, right? We appreciate your kindness, but let's just let it go. We don't want to take the money and end up in jail."
Zou Ping'an chuckled, shook his head, and said, "Old lady, you're just too kind-hearted. You were scared by Principal Lin with just a few words. Don't worry, you're innocent. If you were really guilty, wouldn't Principal Lin have called the police?"
“You’ve all been fooled by her!” Zou Ping’an sighed, then added, “I can understand, after all, she comes from a small town.”
Some people feel very resentful when they are looked down upon, and those with bad tempers may even get into fights.
Some people, when looked down upon, will actually feel that the person is right and will have more respect and trust for those who look down on them.
Sun Lijun and Bai Lusheng, mother and son, were just that kind of people. After hearing what Zou Pingan said, all his doubts disappeared.
Only Jia Hongmei weakly asked from the side, "But with security guards blocking our way, we can't even get into the school. How can we ask for money?"
Zou Pingan chuckled, adopting a profound and inscrutable expression, and said, "To deal with someone as famous and influential as Principal Lin, we need to use public opinion to crush her. Then, she'll be begging you to take the money, without you even having to ask."
Bai Lusheng's eyes lit up as he asked, "Really?"
Zou Pingan boasted, "Of course it's true. When I, Zou Pingan, take action, I'm as good as two."
"Alright, come with me. I'll contact a few newspapers I'm on good terms with right now. Once the papers are published tomorrow, you can expect Principal Lin to send you money."
Zou Ping'an's Jianning Pharmaceutical Factory frequently advertises for jobs in newspapers, so it is indeed somewhat related to them.
Moreover, newspapers love sensational news. Xinghuo University of Science and Technology has been quite a hot topic these past few months. Now that news has broken that the university president is not supporting the elderly, the newspaper will definitely sell a lot of copies.
Zou Pingan led Sun Lijun and her group to several homes, but one or two refused to help when they heard that the family was criticizing the grandson and his wife for not supporting him in his old age.
They can't write news like this, with their eldest son and daughter-in-law right there by their side, yet they expect their grandson and granddaughter-in-law to support them in their old age. They can't go against their conscience to write such news.
Of course, there are also those who disregard professional ethics in pursuit of sales and performance.
Writers are masters at manipulating readers' emotions. They embellish the whole story, adding details and emotional flair. When the article is published, even those unaware of the truth will feel sympathy for the elderly grandmother and condemn Lin Shanshan and Gu Yiye for being heartless and refusing to help her in her time of need!
Lin Shanshan had no idea she would be in the newspaper the next day; it was already dinnertime.
Li Bing arrived with fruit; Gu Xiang had already prepared the meal. Four adults and a little girl named Gu Ai'ai sat around the table, ready to eat.
Gu Yiye looked at his former comrade-in-arms, Li Bing, who was about to become his brother-in-law, and was quite satisfied. He poured wine for himself and Li Bing and said, "Li Bing, it's been a long time since we drank together. Come on, have a drink."
Li Bing picked up his glass and said, "Old platoon leader, I'd like to toast you."
After finishing their drink, the two began to eat. Gu Xiang's cooking skills had improved significantly since she arrived in Shanghai.
Li Bing placed a piece of braised pork rib on Gu Yuanyuan's plate and said, "Yuanyuan, Uncle remembers you like to eat this, eat more."
"Thank you, Uncle," Gu Ai'ai said obediently.
Seeing the familiar interaction between Li Bing and Gu Ai'ai, Lin Shanshan and Gu Yiye understood that Li Bing and Gu Xiang had been together for some time.
Gu Yiye knew that Gu Xiang's horizons had broadened after coming to Haishi, and that this older sister could make her own decisions about her own affairs.
Moreover, Gu Yiye knows Li Bing well and considers him a good person. Gu Xiang likes him, and Li Bing and Gu Ai'ai get along well, so it seems good days are just around the corner.
The family enjoyed a pleasant meal, drinking and chatting until the stars began to appear outside, at which point Li Bing took his leave.
It looks like tomorrow will be a good day. Unlike the north, the snow in Shanghai will melt away with the arrival of the bright sun.
After washing up, Lin Shanshan rested her head on Gu Yiye's arm and asked, "Sun Lijun, have Bai Lusheng and the others gone to the army?"
These people were not worthy of being called "grandmother" and "uncle" by Lin Shanshan, so she addressed them by their given names.
When Gu Yiye heard his wife ask this, he knew they must have been to the school. He asked directly, "Did they cause you trouble? Tell your husband, and I'll get revenge for you."
Lin Shanshan told Gu Yiye everything that had happened at the school gate.
Gu Yiye clenched his fists in anger: "These scoundrels, I didn't cause them any trouble because of my mother, and they still dare to turn around and blame me."
“Next time they come, honey, call me right away and I’ll teach them a lesson.”
Lin Shanshan said, "I had the security guards kick them out, they probably won't come back."
However, for some reason, I feel uneasy. Maybe it's because I'm becoming more sentimental in late pregnancy?
Lin Shanshan didn't pay much attention. Gu Yiye's embrace was so warm that she yawned repeatedly and soon fell asleep.
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