Shen Qingyu’s expression changed rapidly. She parted her lips, appearing aggrieved as she said,
“Little sister, how could you say such things about me? We’ve always been close since childhood. Since you’re the birthday girl today, of course I’m happy for you and naturally wanted to dress up nicely.
I just never expected you’d mind my outfit so much?”
In this era, aside from important occasions like birthdays or weddings, few people wore red.
Because when women wore red, they’d be gossiped about behind their backs as being promiscuous and trying to seduce men.
Today, Su Jiaojiao, as the birthday girl, only wore a red wool coat, yet Shen Qingyu was clearly stealing the spotlight.
Su Jiaojiao covered her mouth with a light laugh and nodded, “No, no, sister, you look quite lovely dressed like this.” Like a proud hen holding its head high.
Shen Qingyu, “…”
Soon, Liu Dongmei emerged from the bedroom. When she saw Su Jiaojiao’s outfit, her brows slightly furrowed as she thought to herself,
“This fool really knows how to dress – she looks good even in casual clothes. If she goes out like this, she’ll attract every man’s attention. Just like her biological mother – nothing but a seductive slut.
Go ahead and dress up. In a couple of days when you’re sent to that remote, poor, and miserable village, you’ll get what’s coming to you.”
Turning her head, her gaze fell upon her daughter dressed like a red lantern, and her entire expression froze momentarily.
Quickly, Liu Dongmei whispered to Shen Qingyu, “Yu’er, what do you look like dressed like that? Go back to your room and change.”
If she went out like this, people would surely call her a slut behind her back.
Shen Qingyu was very satisfied with today’s outfit and protested discontentedly, “Mom, I like it this way. I’m not changing.”
Su Jiaojiao also covered her mouth, laughing as she said, “That’s right, stepmother, I think sister looks fine dressed like this.”
Liu Dongmei couldn’t tell whether Su Jiaojiao was being sarcastic or not. She said sternly to Shen Qingyu,
“No, you must change. Yu’er, today isn’t your birthday – it’s your sister’s. Dressing like this will steal the birthday girl’s thunder.”
As she said this, she kept making meaningful glances at Shen Qingyu, whispering, “The money, the money…”
Shen Qingyu immediately understood. She slapped her forehead lightly and chuckled, “Oh dear, today is little sister’s birthday. I really shouldn’t steal her spotlight. Little sister, I’ll go change my clothes right now.”
Let this fool have her moment first, hmph.
Shen Qingyu went into the room to change clothes.
Shen Jianguo emerged from his room, holding a document in one hand and an ink pad in the other.
Su Jiaojiao glanced at it – Power of Attorney.
Shen Jianguo wore a Mao suit, looking refreshed and energetic.
As soon as he saw Su Jiaojiao, he said, “Jiaojiao, today is your eighteenth birthday. From today onward, you’re considered an adult. Your father congratulates you on growing up – you’re a young lady now.”
With that, he handed the power of attorney to Su Jiaojiao and said, “Jiaojiao, didn’t you agree yesterday to entrust all your assets to your father’s care?
This is the power of attorney. You just need to sign and fingerprint this document, and your assets will be under my management.
Don’t worry, I absolutely won’t touch your assets until you find a husband.
When you get married and confirm that your in-laws have good character, I’ll return these assets to you.”
Listening to his words, Su Jiaojiao sneered inwardly.
She hadn’t expected Shen Jianguo to be so impatient.
Su Jiaojiao took the document and glanced at it, asking with some suspicion, “Dad, do I need to sign it now?”
Shen Jianguo appeared rather anxious as he replied, “Yes, Jiaojiao. Since it needs to be signed anyway, it’s better to do it early. This way we can celebrate your birthday with complete peace of mind.” Better to sign early and rest easy.
With that, he handed his fountain pen to Su Jiaojiao.
Instead of accepting it, Su Jiaojiao spoke very seriously, “Dad, I thought we were going to sign during my birthday banquet. That way, when Grandpa Luo sees me signing willingly, he definitely won’t have any doubts.”
“If I sign now, what if Grandpa Luo suspects I was forced to sign? That would surely put you in a difficult position.”
“After all, earlier at the State-Run Restaurant, in front of everyone, my sister introduced me to her boyfriend as the Shen family’s adopted daughter.”
“Grandpa Luo was there at the time and mistakenly thought you had treated me poorly. He even wanted to take me to confront you and demand an explanation. It took me a lot of convincing to make Grandpa Luo believe that you and your family have genuinely been good to me.”
“But if I turn around and immediately entrust all my assets to your care, how could anyone possibly find that convincing?”
Shen Jianguo narrowed his eyes, his gaze fixed on the frank and earnest Su Jiaojiao, his expression turning thoughtful.
He had learned about what happened yesterday at the State-Run Restaurant, but he hadn’t realized there was this additional complication.
That Old Master Luo, though retired, had descendants holding high positions in Hu City. If he were to truly intervene in this matter, Shen Jianguo would certainly come out worse for it.
Liu Dongmei looked at Shen Jianguo, her expression growing anxious.
For her, this matter was definitely better settled early – who cared about that troublesome old man Luo?
Liu Dongmei tugged at Shen Jianguo’s sleeve, then turned to Su Jiaojiao with a smile and said, “Jiaojiao, if you sign now, you can always explain it to your Grandpa Luo later.”
But Su Jiaojiao looked completely puzzled, “Stepmother, how could that be the same? Explaining afterward, to others, would always look like I was either deceived or coerced into signing!”
“Stepmother, Dad himself said this authorization needs to be signed sooner or later. Signing early raises doubts and isn’t convincing. Wouldn’t it be better to sign a bit later, so everyone can see how well you, Stepmother, and my sister treat me? Then they’ll understand I’m willingly entrusting my assets to Dad’s care, isn’t that right?”
Here, Su Jiaojiao paused for a moment, her beautiful eyes fixed intently on Liu Dongmei, “But Stepmother, why are you in such a hurry for me to sign? It’s only half a day later.”
Facing Su Jiaojiao’s beautiful and innocent gaze, Liu Dongmei felt inexplicably nervous.
After a moment, she laughed awkwardly, “Hehe, Jiaojiao, no, that’s not it. I just think family matters don’t need to be known by outsiders.”
“Grandpa Luo was good friends with my grandfather. He even held me when I was little. To me, he’s not an outsider,” Su Jiaojiao said very seriously. “Besides, the assets my mother left me – such a substantial fortune – being entrusted to Dad’s care will surely attract attention.”
“Not just from Grandpa Luo, but probably even some higher authorities might take notice. If they send someone to investigate, you and Stepmother could have ten mouths each and still not be able to explain it clearly.”
After hearing this, Shen Jianguo immediately adopted a serious expression and said, “Jiaojiao, you make a very good point. The assets your mother left you are, after all, not a small amount. Being open and aboveboard is more convincing. Alright, then let’s have you sign this power of attorney in front of everyone.”
“Okay, Dad, no problem.”
Su Jiaojiao said with a smile, “But, Dad, since the money Mom left me is to be my dowry, and you’re my father, shouldn’t you also prepare a dowry for me?”
“After all, I am your biological daughter. Everything you have now is for me, isn’t it?”
“Jiaojiao, what do you mean by that?” Liu Dongmei asked with a somewhat incredulous expression.