Gu Xiaoqing followed behind Li Weimin and Li Weiqiang, with an expression of pride.
This was our discovery.
In the afternoon, Li Weimin took the wild beehive to the supply and marketing cooperative's recycling station. It weighed fifty-two pounds in total, at two yuan per pound, making it exactly one hundred and four yuan.
The whole family was overjoyed.
After returning from the recycling station, Li Weimin and Li Weiqiang couldn't stop smiling.
Actually, according to Gu Xiaoqing's idea, if these wild beehives were taken to the city, or even just to the town, they would probably fetch more money, with potentially higher returns.
But given the current situation, Gu Xiaoqing knew this was the safest way.
At least the villagers were already aware of it.
It was better to let everyone know openly and save the trouble of speculations.
Seeing others make a fortune can indeed stir envy and heat in the heart.
Li Weimin handed the one hundred and four yuan to Li Xuemei, "Xuemei, this beehive was discovered by Xiaoqing, so you should take this money."
With this gesture, the atmosphere at home immediately changed.
Gu Xiaoqing sensitively noticed that the faces of the two aunties, Liu Fen and Han Xue, changed color, darkening then lighting, but despite opening their mouths for a long time, they didn't utter a word.
Ah.
Gu Xiaoqing understood that the two aunties were good people, unlike the two aunts. If it were the second and third aunts, they would have perhaps already voiced their opinions, without considering their uncles' feelings.
This family is genuinely kind.
After all, they cared about their uncles' thoughts towards a sister, and the two were not people who would take advantage of others.
After all, it was Gu Xiaoqing's discovery, so taking this money was reasonable.
Grandfather Li Qinghai also nodded, "Yes, this money should be taken by Xuemei, because Xiaoqing is going to school soon and the tuition hasn't been covered yet, right?"
Aware of his daughter's situation.
The old man knew very well his daughter-in-law was uncomfortable, yet he said it anyway.
For Li Xuemei, taking it also felt inappropriate.
For Li Xuemei, the money was indeed discovered by her daughter, so it's rightful to take it.
But these are her own two brothers, without whom the wild beehive wouldn't have been brought back.
What should she do?
Li Xuemei had never felt so conflicted.
Gu Xiaoqing looked at the tense atmosphere and sighed; she had to step in.
Her own mother might get explosive at times, but when things like this happen, she can't think of a solution right away.
Gu Xiaoqing stepped forward and snatched the money from Li Weimin's hand.
Han Xue and Liu Fen's eyes turned red, then fiercely glared at Li Weimin and Li Weiqiang.
Li Weimin and Li Weiqiang pretended not to notice.
"Uncle, Second Uncle, this wild beehive was my discovery, so it's most suitable for me to distribute the money, right?"
Gu Xiaoqing asked her uncles.
Li Weimin and Li Weiqiang nodded.
"Right!"
"Well then, I think, this money should be divided into four parts: Uncle, Second Uncle, Grandpa, and our family, one share each, perfectly twenty-six yuan per family.
Yes, this wild beehive was my discovery, but without Uncle, Second Uncle, and the brothers' help, my small arms and legs couldn't have managed to bring it back even if it exhausted me.
If someone else discovered it, it wouldn't be just mine alone. So let's split it this way."
As soon as Gu Xiaoqing finished speaking, both Auntie Liu Fen and Auntie Han Xue had a noticeable change in their expressions, giving Gu Xiaoqing a deep look.
Li Weimin and Li Weiqiang quickly stood up.
Shaking their hands, they said, "No, that won't work. This was discovered by Xiaoqing, and as elders, we cannot take advantage of a child. It would be shameful."
Looking at the honest uncles, Gu Xiaoqing said, "Uncles, you've always helped our family; we haven't mentioned it, but it doesn't mean we're not grateful or don't realize it or care. This time, consider it a niece's way of repaying your kindness. If you don't accept, it means you don't like me, and won't want to help us in the future."
With words like these, Li Weimin and Li Weiqiang knew they couldn't refuse any more.
"Alright, good child, Uncle and Second Uncle accept this kindness and will divide it into four shares as you said, but we get twenty-five each, and your family twenty-nine, that's right."
Li Weimin slapped his thigh, saying.
Gu Xiaoqing nodded, not declining further, and handed the money to her uncles, leaving the division of money to them.
"Uncle, Second Uncle, there's still something to say about this money."
Li Weimin was stunned, still something to say?
Liu Fen and Han Xue were also surprised, were there conditions?
Gu Xiaoqing smiled and said, "Uncle, Second Uncle, you know what kind of people my grandparents are, so to outsiders, say this money was discovered by you two, and you gave my mom some money for my schooling.
This way, my grandparents won't make things difficult for my mom and can't take money from us."
Li Qinghai nodded, "The child is right; do it like this, don't let the old Gu Family figure out a way to take money from them."
He patted Gu Xiaoqing's head, sighing at how such a young child's mind was so quick.
Forced by that family indeed, which other child this age would start thinking about explaining things for the family and not dare to claim money is their own?
It's a sad affair.
Liu Fen and Han Xue, upon hearing this, were all in favor.
"Alright, alright, let's listen to Xiaoqing. This child is really smart."
Feeling a wave of guilt, as they had previously thought too much, but in reality, the child hadn't had a single thought about monopolizing the money.
Looks like they should reflect too.
Gu Xiaoqing cheerfully watched as the money was handed to Li Xuemei, feeling at ease.
This means our family has had some savings.
At least there's now provision for my school expenses.
Even if the grandparents wanted to squeeze us, the money for my schooling came from the uncles, so they wouldn't feel right to think of taking it, right?
Besides, Gu Xiaoqing's plan today was actually to guard against Gu Ruhai, though her own father claimed strong determination.
But judging from the experience of the previous life, Gu Ruhai hadn't managed to resist to the end.
At least when facing the grandparents, Gu Ruhai was absolutely lacking confidence.
With such a large sum of money, wasn't his first thought to honor the grandparents?
How much our family could actually end up with was uncertain.
Therefore, to be on the safe side, Gu Xiaoqing could only proceed this way.
Li Xuemei was also overjoyed.
With this money, the previously difficult borrowing issues were solved.
No need to ask her sisters-in-law, and the money problem was resolved, that's a good thing.
Plus, her daughter handled this matter so well, putting her at ease.
All these years, she always borrowed money and food from her brothers, and this time, finally she could stand tall, not needing their family's support, which indeed allowed Li Xuemei to hold her head high.