Rebirth: The Courtyard Bride Is Cool and Radiant

Chapter 147: Chapter 147: Has Someone Bullied You?

Yunyi looked at the candies in her hand that she hadn’t managed to give away and couldn’t help but smile.

After all, as it was just the two of them, a man and a woman alone, she didn’t invite Gu Xibei inside. Instead, she turned, went into the kitchen to pour a bowl of water, and brought it out to him. ”Have some water.”

The moment she saw Gu Xibei, she had been wondering: If she told him about the situation in Tang City, would he believe her and help her?

But if she didn’t tell him, and things didn’t work out with Huo Jingrui, what then?

Steeling her resolve, she looked up at Gu Xibei. ”Comrade Gu, I have a favor to ask of you.”

Gu Xibei, seeing her serious expression, assumed she had been bullied. ”Has someone been bullying you?”

Yunyi quickly waved her hands. ”No.”

Gu Xibei stood up. ”Just call me Big Brother Gu from now on. If there’s anything you need, just tell me. Don’t talk about asking for favors.”

He felt that his Gu Family owed this young woman; she was his responsibility.

Yunyi thought for a moment, walked to the main door, peeked outside, then returned. Lowering her voice, she repeated to Gu Xibei what she had told Huo Jingrui about Tang City.

But upon hearing it, Gu Xibei looked utterly incredulous.

Yunyi sighed inwardly. It seems he doesn’t believe me, but that’s to be expected.

After a long moment, just as she was about to tell him not to worry about it, Gu Xibei said, ”I’ll relay the message back, and then I’ll return to the Capital as quickly as possible.”

Yunyi was momentarily stunned before understanding dawned on her. He’d agreed to help!

The matter was urgent. Gu Xibei’s detour to see her had already caused a delay. He pulled a wad of coupons from his pocket. ”I know you’re not short of money, but take these. Don’t refuse.”

Yunyi was reluctant to accept them, but she understood his intentions. Even if she firmly refused, Gu Xibei would still leave the coupons. So, to ease his conscience a little, she took them. ”Thank you.”

Gu Xibei didn’t stay any longer. Many people had seen him come over, and he didn’t want to cause any gossip that might trouble her.

After seeing him off, it was time to go to work.

In the afternoon, Yunyi was juggling several things at once, with the result that when she finished her tasks and clocked out, she was only half an hour ahead of the others.

Seeing her leaving work early, Deng Xiaojie remarked, ”Nothing so special after all.”

Nearby, Li Rongjuan, who disapproved of Deng Xiaojie’s tendency to stir up trouble for no reason, said, ”Deng Zhiqing, if you keep slacking off, you won’t be finished even by nightfall.”

In the clinic, Xue Linfang was looking at her mother with a triumphant expression. ”Mom, what did I tell you? With the team leader backing our family, no one can take this cushy job from me.”

Her mother’s smile suddenly vanished as a thought struck her. ”Those Gong Family members really don’t know how to appreciate kindness. I just went to their place, and Doctor Gong said he can’t see patients for the time being—he’s really putting on airs!”

Xue Linfang abruptly stood up. ”Did Doctor Gong really say that?”

Her mother was startled by this. ”Would I lie to you?”

Xue Linfang’s expression grew grave. ”This isn’t good for me. If Doctor Gong really stops seeing patients, what will the villagers do if they get sick? Won’t they end up blaming me?”

Her mother also began to worry. ”I don’t know what got into you today, making you say those things.”

Xue Linfang’s eyes darted around as she spoke. ”I never intended to drive her away; she was the one who didn’t want to stay. Besides, that Chu Zhiqing clearly isn’t someone I can control. If I provoked her and she managed to oust me, I’d be at a complete loss.”

Her mother nodded. ”You have a point. But what should we do now?”

Xue Linfang thought for a long while. ”Have my Third Sister-in-law go with me to the team leader’s house later. He still needs to intervene in this.”

Her mother thought her daughter took after her in cleverness. ”Alright, we’ll do as you say,” she agreed.

However, when Xue Linfang and her Third Sister-in-law, Xu Hongzao, went to the team leader’s house to explain the situation, the team leader didn’t grant her request. ”Lin Fang, it might not be appropriate for me to intervene in this matter. After all, what you did today was a bit too aggressive, and you’ve certainly offended her. She’s unlikely to agree easily.

”As for Doctor Gong, the Gong Family already said that he needs to recuperate for a while after returning to the village. The village hasn’t provided much for his medical expenses, but it was agreed that as compensation, from the day he got injured, he would receive four work points a day until he returns to the clinic and resumes his previous ten work points. You know the Gong family’s children are filial. They wouldn’t disregard Doctor Gong’s health for a few work points. If we go and press the issue now, I’m afraid we’ll just be met with their scorn. I can’t agree to your request.”

At this, Xue Linfang was dumbfounded, her spirits sinking completely.

The team leader had spoken this way partly because it was the truth, and partly because Xue Linfang had come all this way to ask for a favor empty-handed, without even a small token of courtesy. Naturally, he wasn’t inclined to step in for her.

Hearing her uncle’s words, Xu Hongzao interjected, ”Uncle, we’re close relatives. You can’t just stand by and watch. If something serious happens, won’t the villagers end up making a fuss here at your door?”

Ma Jiuxiang had always disliked this niece, who never thought of her uncle during good times but came running empty-handed for these troublesome messes, acting completely entitled, as if their family owed her. ”Hongzao, it’s not easy for your uncle to be the team leader. He can’t keep going back on his word; how would he manage village affairs then? To be frank, you approached the wrong person today. I think you still need to talk to Doctor Gong. As long as he agrees, the problem will be solved. Lin Fang studied under Doctor Gong for so long; he’ll surely give her some consideration.”

It had to be said, Ma Jiuxiang had a sharp mind; with just a few words, she had effectively kicked the ball back into Xue Linfang’s court.