“Manman, you bought this watch too? Why didn’t you get a camera as well? A new watch deserves a photo to commemorate it. Is the camera no good?”
“Oh, the camera is probably too expensive, costs several hundred. It’s fine—Gu Xu bought me one. When I get bored of it, I’ll lend it to you.”
Shen Man, of course, knew that Gu Xu had bought a camera for Shen Li. She had spent so much effort exchanging industrial coupons just for this camera today.
But cameras showed signs of use. Gu Xu wouldn’t give it to her. Even if she borrowed it, the lighting at night was too poor to take pictures. She’d have to return it the next day anyway.
Hearing Shen Li brag about it now, Shen Man felt a pang of jealous bitterness.
Suddenly, a bright idea struck her.
“Sis, are you going to the kitchen to get something to eat? I just saw Mom made some meat buns. I’ll get them for you.”
Shen Li smiled faintly. “Okay, thanks, Manman.”
Shen Man went to the kitchen. The meat buns had been saved by Zhong Shuhua for tomorrow’s lunch, but Shen Man took them out and sprinkled some pepper powder on top.
Shen Man had a system—absorbing Shen Li’s luck and life force. Every day, she was quietly feeding on it.
She knew Shen Li would get the marriage certificate with Gu Xu soon, so she didn’t dare absorb too much luck, afraid it would bring Shen Li serious harm. Last time, she absorbed Shen Li’s fortune, and Shen Li almost drowned saving someone.
She was merciful to Shen Li, and in return, Shen Li started acting shameless.
If Shen Li dared to show off in front of her, she would teach her a lesson.
Besides, her own entrance into the Red Committee required a bit of luck.
Shen Man carried the meat buns upstairs and saw Shen Li take them without suspicion.
“Thanks, Manman. My clothes are dirty. I’ll change first, then eat.”
To Shen Man, Shen Li was just a fool. For so many years, she had been absorbing Shen Li’s luck, causing her to always be sick or injured, yet Shen Li remained oblivious.
After a long day, Shen Man was sweaty and smelly and needed a shower.
Shen Li hadn’t even thought about how to deal with the buns when she heard Shen Mingtang complaining loudly as he came upstairs.
“Shen Li is such a brat. Why does everything have to be for her?”
“She gets to eat all the good stuff, and I can’t even get a bite of meat.”
Shen Mingtang was frustrated. Before he even reached the second floor, he heard Shen Li speak.
“How nice—meat buns for a midnight snack! I’ll eat them after I change clothes.”
Then she slammed the bathroom door loudly.
Eating so well and still having meat buns at night—pfft, what a joke.
Since no one saw, Shen Mingtang tried to sneak the buns anyway.
He had originally planned to take two, but thinking of Shen Li’s earlier expression, he decided to take all of them.
He stuffed four buns into his clothes and ran back to his room.
Once Shen Mingtang closed his door, Shen Li leaned against the bathroom door, her lips slightly parted.
“Fool.”
In the middle of the night, Shen Mingtang’s screams woke everyone up.
Shen Liren and Zhong Shuhua lived closest, so they were the first to rush to his room.
The moment the door opened, a foul stench hit them.
Shen Mingtang’s bed and pants were smeared yellow.
Shen Li pinched her nose. “Why does it smell so bad? Ming Tang didn’t… poop in bed, did he?”
Shen Mingtang screamed at the top of his lungs. The neighbors across the street were awakened as well. Shen Li saw their lights turn on.
She had intentionally made it loud—Aunt Zhao next door had a loud voice, and news would spread quickly across the street.
Shen Mingtang cared about his reputation; after tonight, he probably wouldn’t dare leave the house for a long time.
“Shen Li, you did this to me!”
“Mom, Dad! Shen Li poisoned the meat buns! I’m reporting her to the police!”
He had eaten the buns, gotten a stomachache, had diarrhea repeatedly, and eventually fell, pressing on his stomach, and it all came out.
He wanted to report her to the police to teach Shen Li a lesson.
Her son was her precious treasure. Zhong Shuhua ignored Shen Liren’s words and angrily scolded, “Shen Li, you little slut! How dare you poison my son! I’m calling the police to have you jailed!”
Shen Liren was also angry but, considering the money involved, held back. He would settle the score with Shen Li later after securing the inheritance.
“Shen Li, your prank went too far. We’ll take Ming Tang to the hospital, and the medical bills will be on you.”
Shen Mingtang’s room was at the end of the corridor, near the window.
“Shen Li, what’s going on in your house?”
Shen Li had already opened the window to air the smell and give the neighbors a little show.
She sniffled, crying softly. “Auntie, my Ming Tang says I poisoned the meat buns and wants to call the police on me!”
“But the buns were on my table. I went to change clothes, and suddenly the buns were gone. I never gave them to Ming Tang.”
“How was I supposed to know they were poisoned? The buns were given to me by Shen Man for a midnight snack. Mom had made them for tomorrow’s breakfast.”
Shen Li looked tender, speaking softer and softer, seeming utterly aggrieved, evoking sympathy.
Aunt Zhao, hearing the scandal, was wide awake. She pitied Shen Li and hated Zhong Shuhua’s cruelty. “So the buns your mother-in-law made for you tomorrow were eaten by mistake by her son. Justice is served.”
“No wonder you’re always so frail and sickly.”
“I knew it! The girl taking care of her younger brother’s daughter seems to have brought the whole family here, as if they own the villa. I’ve wanted to say this for a long time.”
“Acting all high and mighty. If they report to the police, even better. Let the police take them all away.”
“Don’t be afraid, Li, Auntie will testify for you.”
Shen Li wiped imaginary tears. “Thank you, Auntie.”
“Don’t mention it—it’s all a misunderstanding.”
Aunt Zhao had connections in the police. Shen Liren, afraid she would actually report it, was preparing to escape to Hong Kong, so now he had to stay low.
At this moment, Shen Man sleepily appeared. “Dad, what’s happening?”
She had gone to bed early, waiting to absorb Shen Li’s good luck tomorrow, but was woken up and annoyed.
Shen Liren quickly slapped her.
Smack! Shen Man was fully awake, covering her face in disbelief.
She had never been hit by Shen Liren before and cried out, “Dad!”
“Your mom didn’t make buns today. Where did you get buns for Shen Li to eat? You’ve made her sick.”
“Even if you care for Li Li and buy her snacks, you must choose the store carefully. Luckily, it was your brother who got sick. Otherwise, how would I explain to Li Li’s parents?”
Shen Man finally realized. She turned to Shen Li. “You didn’t eat them?”
Shen Li hadn’t. That meant her good luck couldn’t be absorbed.
“Yeah, they were stolen,” Shen Li said, pouting.
Aunt Zhao commented in real time, “Tsk, little thief.”
Because her son had done something stupid, Shen Liren could only clean himself of it. Once they were in Hong Kong, no one would know.
Shen Liren said, “Li Li, see, it’s just a misunderstanding. Let’s leave it at that.”
Shen Liren’s words were completely different from what Shen Man had said before, which could ruin the good reputation Shen Li had been trying to build.
Shen Li feigned weakness. “But I won’t dare eat food at home anymore. Uncle, give me the dinner money, based on today’s meal.”
Aunt Zhao was shocked. “No, Li, all the money at home is yours. You even ask for dinner money? Your parents left you so much—it’s outrageous.”
“Miss Zhao, you misunderstood. My uncle doesn’t intend to take my parents’ inheritance. He just worries I won’t manage it well. But I’m 23, frugal, and careful with money.”
Aunt Zhao nodded. “Yes, I see. Li barely wears jewelry, a frugal girl. Plus, she went to college—this money is rightfully hers to manage.”
“Don’t worry. Auntie will help you fully today. If your uncle doesn’t give it, I’ll go with you to report to the police.”