Zhong Shuhua doted on Shen Man, but only as long as Shen Man didn’t interfere with Shen Mingtang.
Now that Shen Man had spent Shen Mingtang’s money, Zhong Shuhua wouldn’t let it slide.
Shen Li watched the spectacle with great amusement, wishing she had some sunflower seeds to snack on.
This family had always acted like a perfect picture of filial piety and virtue in front of her, deliberately excluding her.
But now, when money was involved, each of them revealed their true selves, showing their beastly, ugly faces.
“This money was for handling work matters,” Shen Man said, covering her face, looking utterly wronged.
“You can’t touch your brother’s money for anything.” Zhong Shuhua had saved it with great effort. Shen Mingtang had stubbornly refused to return from the hospital. They would need to rent a new house and buy new furniture, costing even more. If not for Shen Man, how could Shen Mingtang have suffered an upset stomach and lost face? How would they even need a new house?
In that instant, Zhong Shuhua’s resentment exploded.
Shen Man’s “job” benefited everyone in the family. Shen Liren didn’t reprimand her but instead made Zhong Shuhua say less.
“Wait, I’ll get the money.”
“Want money? Then don’t make trouble.”
Shen Liren warned Zhang Tiezhu and, after confirming he wouldn’t blab, returned to his room.
Opening the safe, it was empty.
No money. No passbook.
Even Shen Li’s household registration book was gone.
Who?
Who stole it?
Shen Li?
The girl was usually easily fooled and somewhat foolish—she didn’t seem capable. Besides, she couldn’t know the code.
Could it be…?
Shen Liren’s mind flashed to Gu Xu’s face. When he first came, Gu Xu had helped stop Shen Li from calling the police.
Now it seemed possible he was afraid of the authorities.
That could explain Gu Xu’s earlier secrecy.
But Gu Xu couldn’t know the safe’s code. The only ones in the room who might know were Zhong Shuhua, Shen Man, and Shen Mingtang.
Once this matter was settled, he would have to question them carefully.
“Uncle, is the money ready? The patient is waiting for it at the hospital. If your delay makes things worse, what then?”
“I don’t want you paying for him again, Uncle. People like him don’t deserve it,” Shen Li said angrily.
Zhang Tiezhu heard this. Apparently, he could still come back for more.
Shen Liren didn’t know if Shen Li was truly foolish or pretending. Her words only made Zhang Tiezhu greedier.
No, he had to get rid of this man quickly.
“Xiao Xu, you hurt him. Why not just pay the money first?” Shen Liren wanted to save face, but he couldn’t admit he had no money.
Gu Xu had already given the two hundred yuan he carried to Shen Li. His face flushed slightly. “Uncle, the moment I heard Li Li needed help, I ran over. I forgot to bring money with me.”
“So you’re tricking me again?” After being deceived twice, even a Buddha would be angry—let alone Zhang Tiezhu, a thug.
“Fine. You forced my hand. Don’t blame me later.”
Zhang Tiezhu threatened, his face twisted, eyes bulging, his body covered in blood and bruises, radiating violent menace.
Shen Liren feared he would escalate the situation, wanting to pay him—but everyone was broke.
He hadn’t imagined he’d one day be penniless, as if back before moving into the small Western-style house, when the family couldn’t scrape together money even for a minor expense.
He could only look at Shen Li. “Li Li, can you lend Uncle two large notes?”
Shen Li smirked internally. Shen Liren felt embarrassed now—but this was only the beginning. Since he had forgotten the past, she would make him return to a time of utter poverty and repent properly.
Gu Xu opened his mouth, calling Li Li. He also wanted to persuade her to give the money.
“Gu Xu-ge, I know this is my dowry. I should take it back to the Gu family. My uncle understands that—it’s not that he’s taking my money; he’ll use something of equivalent value as collateral, like a pocket watch.”
Shen Li acted first. The money had to be lent anyway, but she couldn’t ruin her image, lest Shen Liren grow suspicious.
Her household registration book was also missing, which would make Shen Liren slightly suspicious.
The more she acted foolish and spoiled, the more reassured Shen Liren would feel.
But she couldn’t let them off cheaply. Lending money in exchange for collateral was fair.
Shen Liren’s pocket watch was an antique, a gift he bought for himself to commemorate Shen Ming’s death—a symbol of luck and value. He didn’t want to give it up.
“Li Li, Uncle will return it tomorrow.”
“What? Uncle, you want to use a Soviet pen as collateral? Isn’t that too valuable?”
The Soviet pen was even more precious than the pocket watch.
“If you won’t give money, then give me the item.” Zhang Tiezhu’s eyes lit up at the word “valuable.” He no longer wanted money—just the items.
Giving the pocket watch to Shen Li meant Shen Liren could reclaim it. Giving it to Zhang Tiezhu would be a total loss.
Shen Liren soon decided and handed the pocket watch to Shen Li.
Shen Li weighed the watch, dissatisfied. “I’m only helping Uncle. Otherwise, I wouldn’t want this secondhand junk.”
Shen Liren’s face turned blue and red, embarrassed and angry. “Li Li, the money?”
Shen Li put the watch away, then tossed two large notes at Zhang Tiezhu with a proud, teasing tone. “Hmph, take your money and scram.”
Zhang Tiezhu shrieked—the notes hit his face, stinging painfully.
Gu Xu’s heart burned with disdain. Shen Li could be reckless and wild, but how strong could a young lady be? Zhang Tiezhu was wailing in pain.
This man had taken advantage of her, and Gu Xu wanted to kill him.
Only Shen Li knew she had drunk the spirit spring water and eaten the fruits from her space, boosting her strength. Just now, she had exerted all her might. No wonder Zhang Tiezhu was hurt.
Zhang Tiezhu’s face throbbed. Seeing Gu Xu’s murderous glare, he hesitated. After being beaten earlier, he was frightened.
Clutching the money, he ran past Gu Xu. “Here’s your money. Keep your mouth shut. If tonight leaks, I’ll come for you.”
Zhang Tiezhu ran off.
The farce finally ended. Shen Liren felt drained.
Shen Li yawned, ready to rest, and shooed everyone out of her room.
Shen Liren had many questions but, thinking of Gu Xu’s odd behavior today and tomorrow’s important matters, he let Gu Xu leave first.
He would properly question Zhong Shuhua and her daughter himself.
Zhang Tiezhu, clutching two large notes, barely noticed his injuries.
He spat on his hand and began counting—though only two notes, they were large!
He walked into an alley, elated.
But before he could warm the money in his hands, a burlap sack covered him. A hard iron rod struck him, bone-crushing force. He screamed for mercy, but the blows kept coming, brutal and relentless.
Zhang Tiezhu thought he had survived—now he feared death.
His attacker said nothing, beat him, and snatched the two large notes.
Zhang Tiezhu fell to the ground, vomiting blood. He noticed a twin-knot charm on the ground—dropped by the man who had just beaten him.
He recognized it: the man from the small Western-style house who had beaten him and taken his money.
He was going to be exposed.