Su Jiaojiao immediately spoke with grievance, “Sister, did… did I say something wrong? I was just telling the truth. Or are you saying that you want me, Father’s biological daughter, to admit that I’m the adopted one? And that you, the stepdaughter, are Father’s real daughter?”
Upon hearing this, Shen Qingyu panicked and said, “Su Jiaojiao, what nonsense are you talking? Father is only my stepfather, and I’m just his stepdaughter.”
If she admitted to being Shen Jianguo’s biological daughter, then Shen Jianguo wouldn’t just have the disgraceful status of a live-in son-in-law—he would be utterly disgraced. By then, everything she possessed would be lost.
Shen Qingyu had no desire to return to those difficult days.
Su Jiaojiao nodded and said, “Hmm, Sister is very clear about her position in the family. Then why did you introduce me to this comrade as the adopted daughter?”
As she spoke, she blinked her beautiful, clear, and innocent eyes, filled with confusion and doubt.
Beside them, Song Xiang Dong also asked with puzzlement, “Yes, Shen Qingyu, why did you introduce your sister that way?”
Clearly, Shen Qingyu was the one living under someone else’s roof in the Su Family, yet in her words, it became the legitimate Su Family eldest daughter who was dependent on others.
“I… I…” Shen Qingyu stammered, unable to explain.
She couldn’t very well say it was to prevent Song Xiang Dong from taking a liking to Su Jiaojiao.
Under everyone’s gaze, Shen Qingyu’s face turned a mixture of colors from shame. Covering her face, she ran out in tears.
Once Shen Qingyu was out of sight, a shadow of determination flashed in Su Jiaojiao’s eyes.
Shen Qingyu, in this lifetime, don’t even think about living a glamorous life by clinging to the identity of the Shen Family’s young lady.
Old Master Luo had been observing Su Jiaojiao all along, his eyes thoughtful.
Old Master Luo asked, “Child, are you doing well in that household?”
Su Jiaojiao nodded and replied, “Grandpa Luo, I’m doing just fine. Please don’t worry.”
But Old Master Luo frowned and asked sternly, “If you’re truly living well, how could anyone dare to claim that you, the legitimate Su Family eldest daughter, are an adopted daughter?”
“Hehe, Grandpa Luo, it’s a misunderstanding,” Su Jiaojiao said, stepping forward to tug at the old man’s arm as she explained. “It really is a misunderstanding. Grandpa Luo, my stepmother is truly good to me. She’s never shortchanged me in terms of food, clothing, or daily necessities. She steams brown sugar eggs for me twice a month, buys me a new set of clothes every season, and gives me two yuan in pocket money each month.”
For an ordinary family, such living conditions would be considered quite good.
After all, in this era, most common households could hardly afford a new set of clothes each year, let alone every season, not to mention monthly pocket money.
Hearing about such living conditions, the younger generation’s eyes lit up.
This stepmother was truly wonderful—she might as well be a biological mother.
But Old Master Luo knew the Su Family’s situation best.
As he listened to Su Jiaojiao describe her circumstances, his face darkened.
Before he could speak, Song Xiang Dong exclaimed in surprise, “What? You only get one new set of clothes each season? I’ve noticed that Shen Qingyu gets new clothes every month. And I’ve heard her say that her monthly pocket money is over ten yuan, with expensive snacks and treats available to her all the time. Three months ago, for her eighteenth birthday, her mother gave her six hundred yuan to buy herself a gift. Compared to her, you…”
As soon as he finished speaking, Song Xiangdong covered his mouth, realizing his words were entirely inappropriate.
After all, he clearly had the suspicion of trying to drive a wedge between the two sisters.
However, upon hearing Su Jiaojiao’s words, his blood boiled, and he felt the stepmother was being unfair to Su Jiaojiao, which led him to blurt out in her defense.
Song Xiangdong didn’t know that every cent Shen Qingyu spent now belonged to Su Jiaojiao.
In the restaurant, some of the patrons present naturally recognized Shen Jianguo and his wife.
“I heard Liu Dongmei treated her biological daughter and stepdaughter equally, but now it sounds like there’s still favoritism.”
“Yes, it sounds like she lacks nothing in terms of food, clothing, or daily expenses, but compared to her biological daughter, it’s still inferior, isn’t it?”
…
Old Master Luo grew furious upon hearing this and declared loudly, “You receive a monthly living allowance of forty yuan and don’t spend a single cent of their money, yet Shen Jianguo and his wife dare to treat you so differently? Let’s go back to the Su Family. I want to ask Shen Jianguo where he’s been spending your money all these years.”
Hearing Old Master Luo’s words, everyone present was astonished.
“What? This young lady actually receives a monthly living allowance of forty yuan? She doesn’t spend a single cent of the family’s money, yet Shen Jianguo and his wife still treat their two daughters so differently?”
“The stepdaughter gets a new set of clothes every month and ten yuan in pocket money, while the biological daughter only gets one set of clothes per quarter and a mere two yuan. This… this is clearly favoritism.”
“This Su girl is truly kind-hearted. Despite the obvious disparity in how the two daughters are treated at home, she harbors no resentment or bitterness and even speaks up for them. If it weren’t for others pointing it out, no one would have known about the unfair treatment she’s been enduring in silence all this time.”
…
Listening to the discussions, Old Master Luo immediately took Su Jiaojiao’s hand and said, “Come on, girl, let’s go back to the Su Family. I want to confront Shen Jianguo and ask him clearly. He made a solemn promise to us old folks back then that he would treat you well.
It’s one thing for him to remarry not long after Xue’s passing, but to use your money to raise another woman’s daughter? That’s going too far, absolutely too far!”
“Grandpa Luo, please calm down first. My dad and stepmother said they’re saving my money for me. They promised to return it to me for safekeeping once I come of age.”
Su Jiaojiao quickly tried to pacify Old Master Luo.
She couldn’t let him go to the Su Family just yet, or it would ruin her plans.
Hearing this, Old Master Luo paused, full of suspicion, and asked, “Is that true?”
Su Jiaojiao nodded in response, “Yes. How about this, Grandpa Luo? Tomorrow is my eighteenth birthday, and my stepmother is organizing a celebration. Why don’t you come too?”
Old Master Luo thought for a moment and said, “Alright, Su girl, I’ll come tomorrow to celebrate your birthday and your coming of age. Where will it be? At home or at the State-Run Restaurant?”
“At the State-Run Restaurant,” Su Jiaojiao replied happily. “Thank you, Grandpa Luo.”
…
Su Family
Shen Qingyu returned home in tears.
The moment Liu Dongmei saw her in such a state, her heart ached with concern.
She immediately asked, “Xiao Yu, what’s wrong? Weren’t you on a date with Song Xiangdong? Why are you crying?”
Shen Qingyu said with great grievance, “Wuwu, Mom, we were eating at the State-Run Restaurant when Su Jiaojiao came over and said in front of everyone that Dad is a live-in son-in-law and I’m Shen’s stepdaughter. Mom, how am I supposed to face Brother Xiangdong from now on?”
Upon hearing this, Liu Dongmei’s anger surged.
How dare that idiot Jiaojiao do such a thing?