Lu Ting’s expression suddenly turned displeased.
It wasn’t because he was being asked to make up for the dowry, but because he had already seen through his daughter’s purpose for returning home today.
She wasn’t genuinely homesick, nor did she truly want to bring Junzai back to let her father see him; she had returned home solely for the dowry.
Her so-called change wasn’t a genuine transformation but a desire for money.
Although it was only right for Lu Ting to provide a dowry for his married daughter, Lu Ting’s temper was such that he disliked feeling manipulated.
Moreover, it was such a clumsy manipulation that was obvious at first glance.
If she had been more sincere, perhaps by directly asking when she first returned home or after the meal, he wouldn’t have been so angry.
What was this now? Using the matter of calculating money during mahjong to needle him?
Playing these tricks in front of him… when he was strategizing with others, she didn’t even know where she was.
Lu Ting remained silent. After shuffling the cards again, he drew them.
Su Jiaobai, who couldn’t get a response, became a little anxious.
But just as she was about to speak again, her foot was kicked.
Su Jiaobai looked at Gu Xingmo, who was sitting opposite her, in confusion. Gu Xingmo only reminded her, “Draw cards.”
She understood that Gu Xingmo was giving her a hint, so she didn’t bring it up again.
After the four rounds of mahjong ended and the game dispersed, Su Jiaobai quietly pulled Gu Xingmo aside and asked, “Why did you kick me during the game and stop me from continuing?”
Gu Xingmo was helpless. He hadn’t expected her to be so impatient, casually bringing up the dowry issue at the mahjong table.
Everything required strategy and timing, and clearly, she had chosen the most inappropriate moment.
Gu Xingmo was silent for a few seconds before patiently saying, “Do you think Chairman Lu can’t see through your little schemes?”
Su Jiaobai replied, “But I came back today to get the dowry.”
Gu Xingmo continued, “Even if you had asked directly and sincerely, it would have been better. Your tricks made me feel awkward, let alone Chairman Lu.” He added, “Let’s not mention the dowry today.”
Su Jiaobai was unwilling.
But she was willing to listen to Gu Xingmo’s words to some extent now.
So, despite her unwillingness, she didn’t bring it up again.
Not planning to stay for dinner, and with Junzai having woken up from his nap, Gu Xingmo suggested they go home.
He called Zhou Yue, and within a few minutes, Zhou Yue’s car appeared at the villa entrance.
She had woken up early in the morning, hadn’t napped at noon, and coupled with the unsuccessful attempt, Su Jiaobai was in a bad mood. So, as soon as she got into the car, she leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes to rest.
There were things that were inconvenient to say in the car. After they returned home, Gu Xingmo said again, “You don’t need to be so dejected. This matter isn’t completely without hope. There’s plenty of time in the future, so there’s no need to rush it now.”
Hearing this, Su Jiaobai’s eyes lit up again.
“What are Mr. Gu’s brilliant insights? I’m all ears.”
Gu Xingmo didn’t have any brilliant insights; he was simply an outsider who could see the situation more clearly.
“Madam Lu is a perceptive person, and she’s also very willing to get close to you. Since you brought up the dowry today, she’ll definitely mention it to Chairman Lu in private. Chairman Lu is angry not because of the money, but because the timing of your request today was inappropriate. After some time, when his anger subsides, and Madam Lu can subtly influence him, this matter will be settled.”
Gu Xingmo’s words were like a revelation to Su Jiaobai, and she suddenly felt enlightened.
“Okay, I’ll listen to you,” Su Jiaobai agreed readily.
Gu Xingmo had work matters to attend to and was about to go upstairs when Su Jiaobai called out to him.
She hesitated for a moment, then ultimately, with a thick skin, she asked him.
“That… what about the betrothal gifts?”
She felt that although her relationship with Gu Xingmo was still strictly business, their relationship had undoubtedly eased considerably after these two or three days of interaction, no longer being as confrontational as before.
He wasn’t a stingy person, so she didn’t need to shy away from discussing money with him.
Although he had promised to make up for the betrothal gifts, their relationship hadn’t developed to the point where she could blindly believe his verbal promises.
It was better to have money in hand.
But Gu Xingmo began to play the diplomat again. “I’ll definitely give you what I promised. But this matter can’t be rushed.” With that, he went upstairs directly.
In other words, her efforts over the past two days were all in vain?
In the end, she ended up with nothing, neither betrothal gifts nor dowry.
But fortunately, there was still room for maneuver.
And today’s events had served as a lesson for her, a newcomer to society. In similar situations in the future, she would definitely remember “never be too hasty.”
Su Jiaobai also returned to her room, planning to continue preparing her lessons after a brief rest.
It was already late August, and in two days, she would have to report to school in advance.
Back in her room, Su Jiaobai opened WeChat and sent three words to Lu Yuanyuan: “Poke poke poke.”
Lu Yuanyuan replied almost instantly: “How’s it going?”
Su Jiaobai: “Unsuccessful.”
This time, Lu Yuanyuan didn’t reply immediately. Su Jiaobai could see “The other party is typing…” displayed at the top of the chat interface.
She guessed she was thinking about how to comfort her, writing and deleting, deleting and rewriting.
Su Jiaobai was actually in a good mood, so she didn’t want her best friend to worry about her and proactively typed: “I’m actually in pretty good shape. Although it’s not settled yet, it’s still in progress, so it’s not necessarily impossible.” Then, she told Lu Yuanyuan about Gu Xingmo giving her 200,000 yuan in pocket money each month.
This time, Lu Yuanyuan replied very quickly, immediately typing: “!!!”
Then she followed up with: “How much?” as if she couldn’t believe it.
Soon after, she typed again: “Baibai, you’re really a rich woman now! Rich woman, hug me, I’ll be your little accessory.”
She and Lu Yuanyuan had been best friends since junior high. Lu Yuanyuan’s parents were very good to her. When she had money, she would definitely take care of Lu Yuanyuan.
“From now on, all your spa treatments and beauty care will be on me.” Rich woman Bai was very generous.
But she also set a condition: “You can’t go to high-end places like Liyan too often, but places with an average cost of three to four hundred yuan are fine for frequent visits.”
But it was also possible that after she received that huge sum of money later, she might also frequent places like Liyan.
What a person does still depends on the money they have in hand.
Speaking of this, Su Jiaobai grabbed her phone and went into the bathroom, looking at herself in the mirror.
Thinking of Lu Leyao’s radiant beauty, Wu Yichun’s elegant and refined demeanor, and their well-dressed and exquisitely made-up appearances… Su Jiaobai felt that her own life was too rough.
When she still lived at the Lu family’s house, she had inadvertently learned from the Lu family’s helpers that both Lu Leyao and Wu Yichun were extremely meticulous about their figures and skin.
Their daily meals were arranged by a dedicated nutritionist, and they ate high-quality, balanced, and perfectly portioned food.
In addition, they were regular patrons of high-end beauty salons.
Even Lu Leyao, amidst her busy schedule, would take out thirty to forty minutes to go hiking or lift weights.
Behind their radiant and beautiful appearances were layers of wealth and effort.
Su Jiaobai thought that if she didn’t divorce Gu Xingmo, she would have to attend various events as Mrs. Gu in the future.
Before, she had a “broken pot, broken behavior” attitude and didn’t care. But now, she wanted to live her own life well, so she had to consider all aspects.
Looking at the “love handles” that bulged out when she sat down, and the double chin she could feel when she lowered her head… Su Jiaobai’s desire to change was stirring.
She was 1.68 meters tall and weighed nearly 130 pounds. At the very least, she needed to lose ten to twenty pounds, bringing her weight down to 110 pounds first.
With this thought, she sat down at her desk, took out paper and pen, and listed these items in her plan.
At the same time, she went downstairs and told Liu Ma that she wanted to lose weight and asked her to prepare fish, shrimp, crab, and vegetables for her dinner.
In the following days, Su Jiaobai and Gu Xingmo were both busy with their own affairs. Gu Xingmo was busy with work, social events, and negotiating projects to earn money, while Su Jiaobai was busy with weight loss and lesson preparation.
Until the 28th of August, Gu Xingmo returned home early in the afternoon. After spending some quality father-son time with Junzai, Gu Xingmo went to the dining room to see the dishes on the dining table, which were very different from the usual style. He curiously asked Liu Ma, “Has Teacher Su’s taste changed?”
Liu Ma replied, “Teacher Su has been watching her diet these past few days, saying she wants to lose weight and specifically asked me to prepare low-carb, high-protein meals for her three meals a day.”
Gu Xingmo was somewhat surprised that she had started dieting.
It was indeed a significant change.
Liu Ma suddenly remembered that Mr. Gu had returned early today and would surely be eating at home, so she asked, “What dish would you like to eat, Sir? I’ll make it.”
Gu Xingmo shook his head. “Just follow Teacher Su’s requirements.” What he ate was not important.
Gu Xingmo was not born into wealth like Lu Ting. He came from a poor background, so in many aspects, especially food, he never had many preferences.
Good or bad, expensive or cheap, he accepted it all.
“Where is Teacher Su?” Thinking it was time for dinner and she hadn’t come downstairs yet, Gu Xingmo casually asked.
“Her students are starting school soon, so she went to the school today.”
As soon as Liu Ma finished speaking, there was movement at the entrance.
Then, Su Jiaobai’s voice rang out, “Liu Ma, quickly pour me a glass of water. It’s so hot outside.”
Su Jiaobai didn’t have a car herself, and she didn’t trouble Gu Xingmo to send a driver. Instead, she took a taxi.
However, outside cars couldn’t enter the residential compound, so she had to get off at the entrance and walk in.
What’s more, she had released a new book today, and she was carrying over twenty pounds of heavy items in her hands.
It was equivalent to carrying Junzai all the way back, and she was exhausted.
The pot on the stove was still hot. Liu Ma was about to turn off the heat before pouring water.
Gu Xingmo told her not to bother, saying, “You continue with your work, I’ll pour it.”