B5SB -Chapter 98 Scheming (Part 2)

Gu Aidang sized up Zhou Jianguo carefully—he knew this guy never spoke the truth.

Yet, the thought of 250 yuan made him hesitate slightly.

Feigning nonchalance, Gu Aidang asked, “What do you mean by that?”

Zhou Jianguo went on to explain that someone wanted him to help prove Gu Yihan’s identity so that the recognition would succeed—and that he would get 500 yuan for it.

He didn’t mention the 300 yuan he was keeping for himself, but that was rightfully his.

Looking at Zhou Jianguo’s smug face, Gu Aidang sneered, “Do you think I’m an idiot? Just because you say you’ll pay, I’ll believe you?”

Seeing Gu Aidang still unconvinced, Zhou Jianguo directly pulled five large-denomination notes from his pocket and placed them in front of him.

Grinning proudly, he said, “See? This is the deposit. Once it succeeds, the other party will give another 450 yuan.”

“So? We each get 250 yuan. What a sweet deal, right?”

Seeing the money, Gu Aidang felt tempted. You couldn’t really blame him—Gu Yihan had never once shown filial piety to him.

She was a thankless daughter; taking some money from her wasn’t a loss.

Noticing Gu Aidang’s changing expression, Zhou Jianguo sensed a chance and decided to go all in.

He pulled out three of the large bills and handed them over. “This is the deposit. After it’s done, I’ll give you 220 more.”

With Zhou Jianguo’s reluctant gaze on him, Gu Aidang accepted the three bills and asked, “What’s your plan?”

Knowing Gu Aidang had agreed, Zhou Jianguo explained, “You just need to step forward and prove that Zhang Cuihua switched the child.”

“That way, Gu Yihan becomes a member of our Zhou family.”

Gu Aidang’s eyes flickered. Shaking his head at Zhou Jianguo, he said, “No, that’s not worth it. Gu Yihan sends money home every year.”

“The little you’re offering me? Before long, the money she sends will surpass it.”

Zhou Jianguo looked at Gu Aidang, frustrated at his stubbornness. “Aren’t you being dumb?”

“The money Gu Yihan sends is for your mother, not you. Can you compare the two?”

“What I’m giving you—that’s completely yours. Spend it however you want. The money Gu Yihan sends your mother? That’s hers. If you want to use it, you have to see if she’ll give it to you.”

Gu Aidang had thought the same way himself. Ever since that ungrateful Gu Yihan sent money to his mother each month, his standing at home had improved—but he had to constantly keep his mother pleased.

One wrong word, and she’d find some excuse, saying raising him was a waste—better to raise a granddaughter who could show filial piety.

Seeing that Gu Aidang still didn’t respond, Zhou Jianguo assumed it was because the amount was too small.

He gritted his teeth and said, “I’ll give you another 50. That makes 300 in total. If you don’t agree, I’ll find someone else.”

A smile lit up Gu Aidang’s eyes. Looking at Zhou Jianguo, he said, “Alright, I agree. First, we need to figure out how to get a letter of introduction from the team leader to Kun City.”

“Then we’ll go to Kun City together to verify the child’s identity.”

After agreeing on the next steps, the two parted ways and returned to their respective homes.

Meanwhile, in the Cultural Troupe Dormitory, Qi Yanran looked worriedly at Du Xiao, who was lying on the bed. “Du Xiao, do you really think the Zhou family from Gujia Village will come to recognize Gu Yihan?”

Du Xiao looked at Qi Yanran shyly and said, “Didn’t you say that the people in Captain Lu’s family hate bloodsucking relatives the most?”

Qi Yanran nodded. “Yes, Aunt Lu absolutely hates someone who leeches off others.”

Du Xiao smiled gently at Qi Yanran. “Then that’s perfect.”

“As long as the Zhou family succeeds in recognizing her, Gu Yihan and Captain Lu will definitely divorce.”

Qi Yanran couldn’t understand the connection between recognition and divorce.

She looked at Du Xiao in confusion. “Why are you so sure they’ll divorce?”

Du Xiao’s face was filled with confident smiles, meeting Qi Yanran’s puzzled gaze.

She said, “Yanran, there’s truth to the saying, ‘hard places produce cunning people.’ Once Gu Yihan is recognized by the Zhou family, they’ll cling to her—it will be a burden she can never escape.”

“And she’d have to support an entire family. If she doesn’t, the Zhou family could even sue her for failing in filial duty.”

“Do you think the people in Captain Lu’s family would accept that? The inevitable result is divorce.”

Qi Yanran pondered for a moment, then suddenly realized. “Of course! How did I not think of that?”

She immediately looked at her friend Du Xiao with admiration.

Moved, her eyes slightly red, she said, “I’m so glad I have a friend like you, giving me advice.”

“Otherwise, I’d have parted ways with Lu Huailin for life.”

Du Xiao smiled gently at Qi Yanran, but inwardly, she despised her.

She silently thought, Why can Qi Yanran be the troupe’s star while I can only play the supporting role?

I’m just as capable as her. Why should I be crushed under this foolish girl’s superiority?

If that’s the case, don’t blame me for stepping over your corpse to climb up.

Qi Yanran continued chattering, “As long as it makes Gu Yihan and Lu Huailin divorce, I don’t care how much money it costs.”

Looking at Du Xiao triumphantly, she said, “Anyway, I’m the only child in my family. Everything will be mine in the future.”

“Money is nothing to me. Du Xiao, don’t worry—after Lu Huailin divorces, you won’t be left out.”

Du Xiao clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms, hating Qi Yanran’s condescending attitude.

With a stiff expression, she said, “Yanran, don’t worry. You’ll marry the Captain you love.”

Qi Yanran was overjoyed and immediately took a box of Pechoin cream from her vanity and handed it to Du Xiao.

Du Xiao pretended to refuse. “Yanran, this is too expensive. I can’t take it.”

Qi Yanran’s face turned cold. “Stop talking nonsense. If I give it to you, it’s yours.”

Only when she saw Du Xiao accept it did Qi Yanran finally smile happily.

Back at the Family Compound, Gu Yihan had finished tidying up at home and was about to head up the mountain to look for plants she could use for dyeing fabrics.

She slung a basket over her back and, just as she opened the door, saw Xiao Wu standing at the courtyard gate.

He was panting heavily. After a moment of catching his breath, he said, “Sister-in-law, Captain Lu was injured during a mission. He’s now undergoing surgery at the military hospital.”

Gu Yihan’s head went blank. Hearing that Lu Huailin had been injured and was in surgery, she didn’t even lock the door.

She ran straight toward the military hospital.