“Jiaojiao, taking out a loan means paying tens of thousands in extra interest. I think it’s better to buy it outright. Since you don’t have any immediate expenses, consider that forty-eight thousand as a loan from Dad. I’ll definitely pay you back, okay?”
Shen’s father pleaded in a low, humble voice, looking rather pitiful.
Shen Jiaojiao sneered inwardly, but on the surface, she appeared troubled. “I deposited all forty-eight thousand into a fixed-term account yesterday. It’s a five-year term, and the interest alone is several thousand. It would be a huge loss to withdraw it now.”
“Jiaojiao, you can’t just ignore your brother. How about withdrawing the money first?”
“Dad, the interest is five or six thousand. Withdrawing it now would be a big loss.”
Shen Jiaojiao’s expression grew even more troubled. After thinking for a moment, she said, “How about this, Dad? You compensate me five thousand for the interest.”
“How could the interest be that much? Jiaojiao, I’ll give you one thousand.”
Shen’s father tried to bargain, unwilling to part with five thousand.
Shen Jiaojiao’s face darkened as she sneered, “Dad, you keep saying both hands and feet are your own flesh, but in the end, you still favor your son. If you won’t compensate the interest, forget it. Whether Shen Ming can get married or not is none of my business. Let him stay single.”
“Jiaojiao, don’t be upset. Dad agrees. I’ll cover the interest.”
Shen’s father had no choice but to agree. After deducting five thousand, he’d still net forty-three thousand. Later, he could just demand a few thousand more for this rebellious daughter’s bride price—no loss there.
“Then you have to write an IOU,” Shen Jiaojiao demanded.
“Fine, Dad will write it.”
Shen’s father agreed to everything. Once he got the forty-eight thousand, he’d find a match for this rebellious daughter, and the IOU would become void anyway.
Neither father nor daughter trusted the other, so they agreed to exchange the money and transfer the funds simultaneously.
Shen’s father went to the bank to withdraw five thousand, then gave his bank account number to Shen Jiaojiao and accompanied her to the bank to make the transfer.
Shen Jiaojiao took her time, slowly pulling out her household register and bank card. Inside was a note that read:
“Don’t transfer the money. My dad has dementia, and I’m just humoring him.”
The bank clerk opened the household register, paused at the note, glanced at Shen’s father standing beside Shen Jiaojiao, and immediately understood, feeling deep sympathy for her.
The old man did seem a bit slow. Fortunately, this pretty daughter was filial enough to play along with her foolish father.
“Comrade, I’d like to transfer the money to this card. Thank you for your help.”
Shen Jiaojiao was very polite and even gave the clerk a meaningful look.
The clerk was a young man who blushed slightly and nodded, indicating he understood the situation.
“Fill out the form first. How much are you transferring?”
“Forty-eight thousand.”
Shen Jiaojiao filled out the form and handed it through the window. The clerk pretended to process the transaction while occasionally observing Shen’s father. Seeing how intently he watched without blinking, the clerk sighed inwardly.
This dementia case must be quite severe. Poor, pretty girl, stuck with such a foolish father. What a tragedy.
After signing, Shen Jiaojiao deliberately asked, “Comrade, will it take three business days for the funds to arrive?”
“Yes, tomorrow is the weekend, so it will take five days for the funds to arrive,” the clerk cooperated fully.
“Why so long?”
Shen’s father grew anxious. He’d already given the rebellious daughter five thousand, but the forty-eight thousand hadn’t arrived yet. He felt cheated.
“Dad, don’t worry. That’s just how the bank’s procedures work. The money has already been deducted and is in your account. You just can’t withdraw it until five days later.”Shen Jiaojiao patiently comforted him, and the bank staff also persuaded him a few words. Only then did Shen’s father dispel his suspicions, but he still felt uneasy inside.
“Can you return that five thousand to Dad first?”
After leaving the bank, Shen’s father asked for the money back.
Shen Jiaojiao’s face darkened as she sneered, “Dad still doesn’t trust me? I dared to lend you forty-eight thousand, yet you don’t even have this little bit of trust in me. Hmph, I was being too sentimental. In Dad’s heart, only sons matter. As a daughter, I’m nothing. Forget about the loan.”
Her outburst made Shen’s father feel somewhat reassured again. He thought Shen Jiaojiao probably wouldn’t have the nerve to cheat him out of his money. Besides, the bank wouldn’t help her deceive people either.
“It’s Dad’s fault. You keep the five thousand. I’ll write the IOU once the money arrives. Will it really arrive in five days?”
“If you don’t believe me, go wait at the bank. That’s how everyone else’s transfers work.”
Shen Jiaojiao grew impatient, and Shen’s father didn’t dare ask any more questions, so he left.
After he left, Shen Jiaojiao went to a nearby fruit shop, bought a watermelon, and carried it to the bank. It was noon, and there were no customers inside—only staff resting.
“I’m sorry for causing you so much trouble. Even before my dad got sick, he was obsessed with money. After falling ill, he became even more fixated on it. He comes to the bank every few days to transfer money, and if we don’t do it for him, he throws a tantrum. I really have no choice. I’m so sorry.”
Shen Jiaojiao insisted on giving the watermelon to the handsome guy who had cooperated with her earlier. He didn’t dare accept it, but a few older colleagues eventually took it.
“It was no trouble at all. You’re too kind, miss. Having a father like that must be tough for you.”
“He raised me, after all. I can’t just ignore him. Your bank is really great. When I went to other banks, they ignored me. Only your bank was willing to help. Thank you so much.”
Shen Jiaojiao bowed deeply and even gave them a compliment.
The bank staff felt very pleased, their expressions tinged with pride. The public’s judgment was indeed sharp—they could tell at a glance that this was the best bank.
“My dad might come back here to ask questions. I’m sorry to trouble you again.”
“Don’t worry, we know what to say.”
“Thank you.”
Shen Jiaojiao expressed her gratitude once more before leaving.
Even if Shen’s father went to the bank to make a scene, it wouldn’t matter. When have ordinary people ever been able to challenge a bank?
The past couple of days had been quite peaceful for Shen Jiaojiao. Both Shen’s father and the Xi Family had quieted down. She and Xiao Yueyue were getting bored staying in the hotel and decided to go out for a stroll.
They had lunch at a restaurant near the hotel. Shen Jiaojiao ordered two stir-fried dishes. At the next table sat three men, likely migrant workers from the area, chatting while they ate.
“Are you going to the stadium for the lottery? Someone won a Santana yesterday—worth a hundred thousand!”
“There are eight grand prizes, and only seven are left now. If I win the Santana, I won’t take the cash. I’ll drive it myself.”
“You’re an idiot. What’s the use of a car? With a hundred thousand, you could buy an apartment in the city and still have plenty left over.”
“The first prize is fifty thousand, and there are fifteen of those. The odds are better for that.”
The three men spoke loudly, and other customers joined in the conversation. Even the restaurant boss came over to join the excitement. Clearly, everyone was interested in the big lottery draw.
“Excuse me, how does this lottery work?” Shen Jiaojiao asked curiously.
The men were momentarily stunned by her pretty face. They straightened up a bit, lowered their voices, and patiently explained the lottery rules to her.”Right at the gymnasium, two yuan for one lottery ticket, buy and scratch on the spot. The grand prize is a Santana sedan—if you don’t want the car, you can exchange it for a hundred thousand yuan. First prize is fifty thousand yuan, second prize is a motorcycle, and what was the third prize again?”
“It’s a Changhong color TV. Fourth prize is a washing machine, fifth prize is a mountain bike, and there’s also a stainless steel hot pot.”
“I spent a hundred yuan and won six bags of laundry detergent and a men’s shirt.”
“At least you got something. I spent fifty yuan and didn’t win a thing.”