Shen Jianguo and Liu Dongmei walked to a corner outside the State-Run Restaurant, glancing around cautiously.
Liu Dongmei said, “Old Shen, do you think there might be any issues with signing the power of attorney? I keep feeling there’s something odd about that girl Su Jiaojiao. Could she have discovered something?”
Shen Jianguo narrowed his eyes thoughtfully and replied, “We raised Su Jiaojiao together. We know her temperament best—she’s an innocent, simple-minded girl who knows nothing of the world. All these years, she’s depended on us and trusted us completely. If there’s any change,” Shen Jianguo shot a sharp glance at Liu Dongmei, “it probably started yesterday at the State-Run Restaurant when Xiao Yu introduced her to Song Xiangdong as the adopted daughter. Do you think that might have created resentment in her?”
Before Liu Dongmei could respond, Shen Jianguo scolded harshly, “Liu Dongmei, how many times have I told you? During this critical period, you and Xiao Yu need to coax her and keep her steady, just like before. And Xiao Yu too—usually acting like loving sisters, yet telling outsiders in front of Jiaojiao that she’s the biological daughter while Jiaojiao is adopted. If it were you, how would you feel? It’s all your fault. I’ve said it countless times: even if you despise Su Jiaojiao, you must maintain appearances. Otherwise, all our efforts will be wasted, and we’ll be finished.”
Shen Jianguo was furious, his heart filled with irritation.
Liu Dongmei’s expression darkened slightly. “Don’t worry, Old Shen. You and I raised Su Jiaojiao together. She’s simple-minded and soft-hearted. As long as Xiao Yu coaxes her properly, she probably won’t hold a grudge.”
“Enough. Just make sure Xiao Yu apologizes properly. And,” Shen Jianguo added impatiently, “Jiaojiao is unhappy that we didn’t invite other guests to celebrate her birthday. Think of a way to call some people over while there’s still time. Let’s arrange for two tables.”
“But it’s so last-minute—where can I find that many people?” Liu Dongmei raised her voice slightly.
“I don’t care,” Shen Jianguo said with a stern face. “Today, before she signs the power of attorney, we must keep her happy. At worst, go to the workers’ dormitory at the factory and randomly call a few workers to put on a show.”
Liu Dongmei’s eyes lit up, and she responded, “Alright, I’ll go now. You go book the tables.”
Shen Jianguo waved his hand. “Yes, yes, I know. Hurry up.”
When Shen Jianguo returned to the restaurant, he saw Su Jiaojiao and Shen Qingyu sitting opposite each other like strangers. In the past, the two sisters would always sit close together, arm in arm.
Shen Jianguo frowned slightly, then found a waiter and said, “I’d like to reserve two tables.”
The waiter’s eyes brightened as he took out a pen and paper. “What about the dishes?”
Shen Jianguo said, “Two cold dishes, three vegetable dishes, three main courses, and one soup. The banquet starts at noon.”
During this era, banquet dishes were typically arranged by the restaurant.
After noting it down, the waiter said to Shen Jianguo, “Alright, Mr. Shen. Please have a seat.”
When Shen Jianguo returned, Su Jiaojiao looked around and asked curiously, “Dad, where did Stepmother go? And wasn’t it one table booked earlier? Why has it become two tables now?”
Shen Jianguo said, “Actually, we originally planned to book two tables. I was just joking with you earlier—I never expected you to take it seriously. Now your mother has gone to pick up the guests.”
Upon hearing this, Su Jiaojiao nodded and said, “Oh, I see. Dad, you and my stepmother are really thoughtful. Thank you for organizing this coming-of-age ceremony for me.”
Thoughtful indeed—they hadn’t actually invited any guests but were just trying to placate her and make her happy by hastily finding people to act as guests.
Heh… What a wonderful father and stepmother I have, going to such “lengths” for my money.
Then, she glanced at Shen Qingyu across from her and said to Shen Jianguo with a smile, “Dad, since it’s still early for the meal, my sister and I will go for a stroll.”
Shen Jianguo nodded. “Alright, you two go ahead.”
“Sister, let’s go.”
Su Jiaojiao smiled as she pulled Shen Qingyu to her feet.
Shen Qingyu moved stiffly, forced to follow along with Su Jiaojiao.
She had no desire to walk alongside Su Jiaojiao—the other girl made her feel like a mere accessory, a green leaf next to a flower.
Now that Su Jiaojiao had dressed up specially, she made Shen Qingyu look like a complete clown.
She resented Su Jiaojiao’s beauty and despised her status even more.
Why was it that, despite both being Shen Jianguo’s daughters, Su Jiaojiao was the legitimate child while she had to remain a hidden illegitimate daughter?
Since childhood, her mother had told her she was Shen Jianguo’s biological daughter.
When her mother married into the Shen family, she was already ten years old—old enough to understand things.
Her parents repeatedly warned her to maintain a good relationship with Su Jiaojiao and never reveal her true relationship with Shen Jianguo in front of her. Otherwise, her father would be arrested, and both mother and daughter would be driven out.
As a child, she never understood why she couldn’t disclose that she was Shen Jianguo’s biological daughter.
But to avoid being cast out, she kept it buried deep inside, all the while glaring at Su Jiaojiao with hatred when she wasn’t looking, wishing she would die.
That way, Shen Qingyu could take Su Jiaojiao’s place, becoming her father’s only daughter and the sole young lady of the Shen family.
To vent her resentment, Shen Qingyu would take scissors and cut up Su Jiaojiao’s dolls and pretty clothes, or even play malicious pranks like tossing bugs onto her bed.
Seeing Su Jiaojiao cry heartbrokenly gave her an indescribable sense of satisfaction.
However, every time Su Jiaojiao was upset, her own mother, Liu Dongmei, would comfort her and even sleep beside her.
Fearing that Su Jiaojiao might steal her mother’s attention entirely, Shen Qingyu had no choice but to suppress her dark impulses and follow her parents’ instructions—to play the role of a loving sister until Su Jiaojiao turned eighteen.
Now that Su Jiaojiao had come of age, the waiting was finally over.
But she never expected that even on the last day, she would feel so stifled.
Su Jiaojiao linked arms with Shen Qingyu as they stepped out of the State-Run Restaurant.
Su Jiaojiao said to Shen Qingyu, “Sister, how about we go look at some jewelry? Yesterday, Dad and my stepmother gave me five hundred yuan, and I still have some left. I’d like to see if I can buy a few more pretty pieces.”
Shen Qingyu lost her composure and shrieked, “What? Mom gave you five hundred yuan yesterday?”
That was five hundred yuan—enough to buy so many new clothes and shoes, and they just gave it to this wretched girl!
Her parents—didn’t they say they were only giving her a few yuan for pocket money? How could they give away such a large sum all at once?
A flicker of anger crossed Shen Qingyu’s face.
“That’s right, sis, didn’t you know?” Su Jiaojiao asked, “Dad said to your mom that since they gave you five hundred for your birthday three months ago, they should give me five hundred for mine too. That way it’s fair and impartial.”
She deliberately said Shen Qingyu had received five hundred instead of six hundred, just to let Shen Qingyu feel pleased with herself for a while.
Remembering this wasn’t the time to show her true feelings, Shen Qingyu forced a stiff smile and said, “Yes, they gave me five hundred too.”
Hmm, but Mom secretly gave me six hundred and told me not to let Jiaojiao know.
Why did I just tell Jiaojiao about it?
Still, compared to her, our parents do care more about me.
So what if Jiaojiao is Dad’s biological daughter? I’m still the one Dad favors more.
Shen Qingyu felt extremely smug inside.
“How much money do you have left?” Shen Qingyu said, “I know a jewelry store. Let me take you there.”
Releasing Jiaojiao’s hand, Shen Qingyu walked ahead.
Jiaojiao’s eyes followed her retreating figure, a sharp glint flashing in their depths.