Shen Jianguo’s face darkened.
Liu Dongmei immediately smiled and said, “Yes, yes, Jiaojiao is right. With this money as a dowry, you’ll have more leverage in your husband’s family after marriage.”
She cursed inwardly, “This fool, how did she suddenly become so clever? Before, with her temperament, she would have suggested splitting the money in half as dowries for herself and Yuer, and would have handed it over to me for safekeeping. But now…”
“But then again, Jiaojiao, this is a huge fortune after all. If your in-laws find out, they might treat you well on the surface but secretly scheme to take this money from you.
Once they get their hands on the money, they might kick you out and find another wife for their son. Don’t you think so?”
After listening, Su Jiaojiao thought for a moment, then nodded and said, “Oh, Stepmother, I understand what you’re saying. What do you think I should do with this money then?”
Upon hearing this, Liu Dongmei and Shen Jianguo’s faces immediately lit up with joy.
Indeed, she was still that fool, so easily deceived.
A glint of shrewdness flashed in Su Jiaojiao’s eyes as her lips curved into a slight smile.
Here it comes.
“Ahem…” Liu Dongmei said with a smile, “Jiaojiao, when a girl gets married, the most reliable people are always her own family. Don’t you think so?”
Su Jiaojiao deliberately played dumb and said, “Stepmother, I don’t understand what you mean. Could you explain it more clearly?”
Liu Dongmei cursed inwardly, “Fool!” then gave Shen Jianguo a meaningful look.
She needed to maintain her image as a good stepmother, so of course she couldn’t directly ask her stepdaughter for the money.
But as her biological father, he could.
“Jiaojiao, let Dad explain it to you like this,” Shen Jianguo said bluntly. “We’ll keep that money for you and your mother. After you get married, once we confirm that your in-laws aren’t just pretending to be nice because of the money, we’ll return it to you.”
If it were the old Su Jiaojiao, hearing these words from the couple and trusting them as she did, she would definitely have given them the money.
After listening to Shen Jianguo’s words, Su Jiaojiao appeared to think carefully before saying,
“Dad, Stepmother, I think you’re right. With such a large dowry, if my in-laws find out, it would be hard to test their true intentions. It would be safer to leave it with you.”
Upon hearing this, Shen Jianguo and Liu Dongmei’s eyes lit up, and they exchanged a glance.
This fool was indeed easily deceived.
Once this huge fortune was in their hands, how could they possibly be willing to return it?
After they got the money, they would sell Su Jiaojiao to the most remote Shitou Village, and their whole family would go to Hong Kong City.
Shen Jianguo said excitedly, “Good, good, Jiaojiao, you really are my obedient daughter.”
Su Jiaojiao asked with feigned confusion, “But Dad, isn’t this money in the bank? How… how do I give it to you for safekeeping?”
Since she was playing the fool, she had to go all the way.
Shen Jianguo said excitedly, “Jiaojiao, don’t worry. Dad will prepare a power of attorney for you. Then, you just need to sign and fingerprint it, and Dad can manage, oh no, help you safeguard the money in the bank.”
“Oh, so that’s how it works.” Su Jiaojiao said with understanding. “Then Dad, please prepare the power of attorney. After tomorrow’s birthday, I’ll sign it. But…”
Su Jiaojiao still had doubts in her heart. She asked, “Dad, after I get married, once it’s confirmed that my in-laws aren’t pretending and genuinely treat me well, you’ll return these dowries to me, right?”
Shen Jianguo replied with a smile, “Of course I will. Jiaojiao, you’re my most precious daughter. As long as you live well, I could give you all the Shen family’s property as your dowry.”
“Oh, really? Thank you, Dad.” Su Jiaojiao said happily. “It’s getting late now. I’m going to rest. You should rest early too.”
“Rest early. Have a wonderful sleep.” Liu Dongmei said cheerfully. “Tomorrow you’ll be the beautiful birthday girl.”
As soon as Su Jiaojiao returned to her room and leaned against the door, her pretty face immediately turned cold.
Then she pricked up her ears to listen to the conversation outside.
Shen Qingyu had been listening to her parents’ conversation with Su Jiaojiao all along.
She had previously learned from her mother that Su Jiaojiao had a lot of money, and that Su Jiaojiao’s money would eventually become her, Shen Qingyu’s money.
She thought her parents would need to use more persuasion to get Su Jiaojiao to agree to let them manage the money.
She never expected that fool would agree with just a few words.
At this moment, she couldn’t contain her excitement.
She ran over and grabbed Liu Dongmei’s hand, saying excitedly in a loud voice, “Mom, did you hear that? After tomorrow, we’ll have money.”
Liu Dongmei immediately stopped her, saying, “Shh, Yu’er, keep your voice down.”
She also signaled with her eyes toward Su Jiaojiao’s bedroom direction.
Shen Qingyu immediately lowered her voice, “Mom, I’m so excited. Just thinking about how tomorrow Su Jiaojiao, that fool, will transfer so much money to Dad makes me thrilled. I’m afraid I won’t be able to sleep tonight.”
That was hundreds of thousands in wealth, and soon it would all be theirs.
Liu Dongmei said, “Not just you, I’m also so excited I’m afraid I won’t sleep tonight either.”
Then Liu Dongmei looked at Shen Jianguo and whispered, “Old Shen, after we get the money tomorrow, go find Master Zhou and deliver the money to him. With this much money, it’s better to go to Hong Kong City as soon as possible to feel secure.”
Shen Jianguo nodded, “Yes, I know. I’ll go call Master Zhou now and deliver the money to him the day after tomorrow, so he can make arrangements as soon as possible.”
Inside the room, a shrewd gleam flashed in Su Jiaojiao’s eyes.
Who exactly was this Master Zhou, to have such capability to help the Shen family go to Hong Kong City?
Could he be a spy arranged from Hong Kong City?
Su Jiaojiao thought for a moment and formed a plan in her heart.
…
The next day, Su Jiaojiao dressed herself beautifully.
She was tall with fair skin and long legs – even casual dressing couldn’t hide her beauty.
But as today’s protagonist, she had to be even more outstanding.
She wore a black sweater and black pants inside, with a red wool coat over them, and black high-heeled leather shoes on her feet. All these items were bought with the five hundred yuan from yesterday, making her look radiant.
Shen Qingyu was also wearing new clothes and shoes, but when she saw Su Jiaojiao’s outfit, she turned green with envy.
She muttered under her breath, “You wretch, enjoy your moment of pride while you can. The higher you soar now, the harder you’ll fall. Hmph.”
But on the surface, she said with a cheerful smile, “Sister, you look so beautiful today.”
Su Jiaojiao replied indifferently, “Well, I am the birthday girl today, so of course I should dress up. But you, sister, are dressed head to toe in red—red dress, red coat, red shoes. Are you planning to be a bride?”