The 1970s: Married First, Fell in Love Later-Chapter 48 - 47: Severing Ties

"We came here for justice, and for our money," Mr. He said.

The village chief looked at all the injured people on the ground. "You don’t need to hurt this many people to get justice, do you?"

"This wasn’t a one-sided beating, it was a brawl. Both sides started it. The Guo Family just wasn’t good enough to win."

The village chief’s mouth twitched as he looked at the injured people sprawled on the ground and heard them call it a ’brawl’.

Wang Guihua clutched her swollen face and said, "We didn’t borrow that money. Our daughter gave it to us out of respect. Why on earth should we give it to you?"

Mrs. He cursed, "That’s a load of bullshit! Who gives away their entire family’s savings to honor their parents? That was my son’s money, why should it go to you?"

"It *was* for us. If you don’t believe me, ask my daughter." Wang Guihua pointed to Guo Jinfeng, who was still crying in the corner.

With her eyes red and puffy from crying, Guo Jinfeng scrambled over to He Nan and threw her arms around his leg.

"He Nan, I’ve been with you for over a decade. Isn’t our relationship worth more than a hundred yuan? Can’t we just let this go? You’ve already beaten my family this badly, isn’t that enough?"

He Nan looked down at Guo Jinfeng. "So even now, you still think you’ve done nothing wrong? That it was okay for your family to beat me like this?"

Crying, Guo Jinfeng shook her head. "That’s not what I meant. I just mean... you’ve already gotten your revenge. Can’t we just drop it now?"

He Nan forcefully pried Guo Jinfeng off him and said coldly, "I’m giving you two choices. Either you get the money back and we try to make this work for the sake of our children, or we get a divorce, and I’ll forget the money ever existed. Choose."

Crying, Guo Jinfeng shook her head, clutching at He Nan’s leg. "I won’t get a divorce! I don’t want a divorce!" He Nan ignored her. She turned to Wang Guihua. "Mom, I don’t want a divorce! Just give the money back! Brother, Second Brother, please, give the money back to me! I can’t get a divorce!"

Guo Erzhu cursed at her, "You worthless girl! They beat your parents and brothers like this and you still won’t divorce him? Have you no shame? Let me tell you, we don’t have the money. It’s all gone."

Wang Guihua berated her as well. "You spineless girl! A few little words and you’re terrified? Let me tell you, there are plenty of fish in the sea! So what if you lose He Jianhan? There’s still Zhang Jiahan and Li Jiahuan! What are you so afraid of?"

Wang Guihua’s speech stunned everyone in the courtyard. Furious, Mrs. He lunged forward and slapped her again.

"I’ve never seen a mother like you! Tearing your own daughter’s family apart for money! You’re the most selfish person I’ve ever met!"

"You bitch..."

Wang Guihua screamed a curse and tried to get up to hit Mrs. He, but the village chief stopped her.

"Members of the Guo Family, since you took their money, just give it back."

Wang Guihua jutted out her chin. "We have no money. Not a single cent. You might as well just beat me to death, because I have no money either way."

Everyone frowned. Reasonable people were always at a loss when faced with a shameless scoundrel.

He Ze said to Mr. He, "Dad, what now? If this doesn’t work, should we go in and search the house?"

Xue Xingzhou chuckled. "What’s so hard about this? Just call the police."

"Call the police?" The words stunned both families into silence.

Xue Xingzhou nodded. "That’s right. A married couple’s money is considered joint marital property. According to the law, both spouses have an equal right to manage it. By secretly giving money to her family, Sister-in-law Guo violated Brother He’s property rights. That’s a police matter. If the amount is large enough, it can even lead to a prison sentence."

Many of these villagers didn’t know much about the law, nor did they ever have to use it. Sometimes, throwing a tantrum and acting shamelessly was enough to solve a problem.

But they were all afraid of the police.

Wang Guihua’s eyes darted back and forth. "You’re lying. The police don’t get involved in family matters like this."

Xue Xingzhou smiled. "We’ll find out if I’m lying when the police get here."

He Lang seized the opportunity. "Dad, I’m a fast runner. I’ll go get the police. Let their whole family go to jail."

The village chief quickly stepped in. "Let’s all talk this over calmly! Guo Fugui, hurry up and give them their money back! Do you really want your whole family to go to jail? You’ll bring shame to the entire village!"

Guo Fugui remained silent, clearly wavering.

Wang Guihua looked at Guo Fugui. "We can’t, dear. I’ve already arranged it with the matchmaker. She’s bringing the girl over in two days."

Although Wang Guihua was scared, this was 180 yuan they were talking about. With that money, their grandson could finally get a wife.

Guo Fugui gritted his teeth and turned to Guo Jinfeng. "Jinfeng, my dear, Awei is not getting any younger. Your mother has already made arrangements with the matchmaker, and she’s bringing the girl to our home any day now. Can you really bear to see Awei unable to find a wife? He’s your nephew, the eldest grandson of the Guo family. Shouldn’t you, as his aunt, help him out? Your father knows this is hard on you, and we’ll make it up to you in the future. You’re my daughter, and I hope you can understand the difficult position we’re in."

At this point, Guo Jinfeng seemed to be on the verge of a breakdown, muttering over and over, "No divorce... no divorce..."

’Good heavens, this is just blatant brainwashing, making their selfishness and favoritism sound so high and mighty.’ Xue Yue thought.

She looked at Guo Jinfeng with a complicated expression. ’Growing up in an environment like this, it’s no wonder she’s so easily manipulated.’

Mr. He asked He Nan, "What are your thoughts?"

After all, this was He Nan’s life. No one else had the right to make this decision for him.

He Nan looked at Guo Jinfeng’s pathetic state and felt a pang of pity. ’She’s been with me for over a decade, she’s the mother of my children. Most importantly, what would happen to our kids? To suddenly be without their mother... Tuanzi is only six.’ He had overestimated the Guo Family’s character. They weren’t afraid of a divorce for Jinfeng’s sake; it was the two children who would suffer.

"Guo Jinfeng, do you want this divorce or not?"

Guo Jinfeng shook her head violently, hugging He Nan’s leg even tighter. "No! I won’t! I can’t leave you and the kids."

He Nan nodded. "Fine, we don’t have to get a divorce. I won’t even ask for the money back. Consider it a payment to buy you out of your family. If you agree to cut all ties with them, starting now, and never contact them again... will you do it?"

Guo Jinfeng froze. "Cut... cut ties?"

"That’s right. No divorce means you cut ties with them. This is your last chance. Think carefully."

Guo Jinfeng turned to look at the Guo Family, her eyes filled with confusion and despair.

Wang Guihua tugged on the corner of Guo Fugui’s shirt.

Guo Fugui gave Guo Jinfeng a bitter smile. "Daughter, don’t you worry about us. Your mother and I are old, we won’t be around for much longer anyway. You just take care of your own family. I’m just worried... when your mother and I are gone, if your in-laws bully you, who will be there to stand up for you? Oh, my poor, pitiful daughter."

As he spoke, he even wiped at the corner of his eye.

"What a perfect ’white lotus,’ so pure and noble," Xue Yue muttered. "I just never expected to see a male one." He Lang, standing beside her, heard this, and the corner of his mouth twitched.

Crying, Guo Jinfeng shook her head. "Dad..."

Guo Fugui waved his hand dismissively. "Go on. Don’t worry about us."