Chapter 5: Exes Are Mostly No Good

"Today's incident, I apologize on behalf of our Yingqi; he's still a child, don't take it to heart."

"Du Yingqi is twenty-eight, four years older than me, how can he still be 'a child'? What kind of talk is this, treating us like we're mentally challenged?" Gu Xia immediately became angry.

Liang Yufang didn't bother with Gu Xia and continued to speak to Gu Jian Country, "I've already advanced the medical expenses. You should stay in the hospital and recover first. We'll keep an eye on things going forward and won't dodge paying your medical bills."

"Does having money make you so great? Even if you beat me to death, will it all be settled just because you compensate with a million?" Gu Jian Country deliberately squeezed her with his question.

Liang Yufang didn't answer but sat on the chair in front of Gu Jian Country, slowly taking out her designer handbag and then pulling out a brown paper bag.

"Here's a hundred thousand in cash, take it first."

"What do you mean?" Gu Jian Country lifted his head, looking at the woman who felt both familiar and strange in front of him.

"This money is given to you for free; besides... I'll talk to my husband and tell him to give you an equivalent area for your house, meaning, no matter the housing price, you'll get a new house equivalent to the area of this old one after the Du Family's new area is built... Once you sign the agreement, we'll give you another two hundred thousand. All in all, you'll have three hundred thousand in cash plus a new house. That should satisfy you, right?"

Although the terms she offered were indeed tempting and much better than before—the Du Family had previously offered neighbors a price of four thousand yuan per square meter—it was important to know that, in the currently inflated housing market of G city, four thousand per square meter wouldn't even buy you a toilet. Liang Yufang's tone throughout was oppressive, making Gu Xia feel very uncomfortable.

"Is it the same for everyone?" Gu Jian Country asked her.

Liang Yufang smirked disdainfully, "Old Gu, it's been so many years... How come you're still the same... What era are we in now? Everybody only takes care of their own doorstep snow; why bother with frost on someone else's roof? Just understand your own situation, why worry about others?"

"Four thousand per square meter is too little, where are the old neighbors supposed to move to after leaving? They can't just sleep on the streets, can they?" Gu Jian Country persisted.

Liang Yufang didn't speak, simply took out a mirror and lipstick from her bag, and touched up her makeup.

"I can't manage what happens to others, but due to the slight marital affection we had before, I can only fight for these terms for you... If you don't agree, then in three days, once the formal papers are in place, we'll start forced demolition... At that time, whether you live or die, I really can't manage. Don't blame me for speaking unpleasantly, today it's just a head and foot injury, but if you keep opposing the Du Family, who knows, you might lose even your life. Why bother?"

Having said that, Liang Yufang glanced at Gu Jian Country disdainfully and impatiently rose to her feet...

"Hold on..." Gu Jian Country called out.

She sneered, thinking he had changed his mind, believing that there's nothing money can't do in this world.

But she had no idea; Gu Jian Country picked up the brown paper bag and harshly flung it at her.

"Take this and disappear from my sight immediately... and in the future... don't ever let me see you again."

"You... are so ungrateful? Heh, no wonder you're destined to be poor all your life..." Liang Yufang replied irritably.

"Right, we're destined to be poor all our lives, so this poor temple can't sustain a precious Buddha like you. Please leave, you're not welcome here."

Those were Gu Xia's words; she couldn't stand listening any longer, knowing that she shouldn't speak to a former elder like that, but the woman spoke of considering marital ties when in reality it was all for the Du Family's benefit. Moreover, to insult her father like that was unbearable for her.

"Xiao Xia, why waste so many words with her? Just let her go." Gu Jian Country was genuinely disheartened as well, looking at his once-wife who now behaved so high and mighty, with every word a mockery and disdain. He felt that whatever had been between them was truly in the past.