She exclaimed loudly, “How dare that fool Su Jiaojiao blabber everything? Where does that leave your father’s dignity? Don’t worry, I’ll teach her a lesson when she returns.”
Shen Qingyu buried herself in Liu Dongmei’s embrace, weeping bitterly. “Mom, now that Brother Xiang Dong knows I’m the Shen family’s stepdaughter and that Dad is a live-in son-in-law, will the Song family still want me?”
Liu Dongmei comforted her, “It’s alright, Qingyu. If Song Xiang Dong doesn’t want you, we’ll find you a better family than his.”
“But what man could compare to Song Xiang Dong?” Shen Qingyu said resentfully.
Liu Dongmei walked to the main door, glanced outside, then firmly closed it. She spoke seriously to Shen Qingyu, “Listen carefully, my dear. Su Jiaojiao belongs to the Su Family, who were once a prominent wealthy clan in Hu City with power and influence. However, due to national circumstances, Grandpa Su surrendered the family’s banks, silver mines, and other assets.”
“Ten years ago, that wretched Su Yingxue, on her deathbed, handed over the last textile factory to the state. All your father got was the position of deputy director, while that foolish daughter of hers receives 5% annual dividends from the factory.”
“These dividends have been deposited in Hu City’s Longguo Bank – this is the eighth year now. According to Su Yingxue’s will, Jiaojiao can only access this money after coming of age. Do you know how much has accumulated?”
Shen Qingyu widened her eyes in surprise. “How much?”
“Your father calculated it’s at least over a hundred thousand yuan,” Liu Dongmei revealed.
“What? Over a hundred thousand?” Shen Qingyu’s voice rose in astonishment.
“Shh, keep your voice down,” Liu Dongmei cautioned. “That’s not all – there are also antique paintings the Su family hid without surrendering. Their estimated value is at least three to four hundred thousand yuan.”
“Mom, are we this rich?” Shen Qingyu whispered. “Why are we still scrimping and doing everything ourselves? We should hire servants to take care of us!”
Liu Dongmei tapped her forehead. “Do you think this is the old society where we can have maids and servants everywhere? Nowadays, wealthy families must conceal their wealth, or we’ll be denounced as capitalists exploiting the working class. Do you want your father dragged out for public criticism?”
Shen Qingyu complained discontentedly, “What’s the point of having so much money if we can’t use it?”
Hearing about the family wealth, she longed to live as a wealthy young lady – why couldn’t she?
Liu Dongmei said impatiently, “Child, you only hear half of what I say. That money still belongs to Su Jiaojiao. It’s all Su Jiaojiao’s!”
“What? All that belongs to that fool?” Shen Qingyu felt deeply aggrieved. “Why does that idiot have all the luck despite sharing the same father? Even with her mother dead, she still gets money.”
“Shh!”
Liu Dongmei immediately covered Shen Qingyu’s mouth, scolding in hushed tones, “You must never again say you share the same father with Su Jiaojiao. Remember – you’re the stepdaughter, the stepdaughter!”
Shen Qingyu bit her lip and said, “Why? We share the same father, yet Su Jiaojiao is the legitimate daughter while I can only be the stepdaughter.”
Liu Dongmei spoke with reluctant resignation, “You’re three months older than Su Jiaojiao. If your true identity is exposed, your father would be accused of adultery. Everything your father and we mother-daughter possess now was given by Su Jiaojiao’s grandfather and biological mother. If your father’s affair comes to light, we’ll lose all claim to the Su Family’s assets. Your father might even lose his position as deputy director of the Textile Factory, or worse, be arrested and criticized for promiscuity. Xiao Yu, listen to me – you must never reveal that you’re your father’s biological daughter, understand?”
Shen Qingyu’s face paled as she nodded, “Alright.”
Liu Dongmei gently tidied her stray hairs, her heart aching as she said, “My daughter, you’ve suffered so much. But don’t worry, you won’t have to keep this stepdaughter identity much longer.”
“Mom, what do you mean?” Shen Qingyu asked in confusion.
Liu Dongmei explained, “Tomorrow is Su Jiaojiao’s eighteenth birthday. According to her mother’s will, starting tomorrow, she can access that bank money. Your father and I plan to coax her into entrusting the funds to your father for management. Once we secure the money and take the Su Family’s antique paintings, our family of three will go to Hong Kong City. There, you can become the true Miss Shen instead of enduring that fool Su Jiaojiao’s condescension. Xiao Yu, it doesn’t matter that Song Xiang Dong rejected you. I’ve heard Hong Kong City has many talented young men. When we arrive, your parents will carefully select a good husband for you.”
Hearing this, Shen Qingyu’s tears turned to smiles as she hugged her mother, saying, “Thank you, Mom and Dad.”
Liu Dongmei added sternly, “So, Yu’er, before Su Jiaojiao hands over the money, you must endure and continue serving her obediently. When we’ve confused her sufficiently, she’ll surely surrender the funds willingly. I’ll also tell you – your father and I registered her for the Youth Going to the Countryside Quota, assigned to the poorest, most difficult Yangcheng Stone Village. She’ll depart after the Lantern Festival. She won’t bother you anymore. Barren mountains and turbulent waters breed troublemakers – once she goes there, she’ll never leave. After we get the money and contact our connections in Hong Kong City, we’ll escape there and never have to endure local gossip again.”
“What? You registered her for the countryside quota?” Shen Qingyu exclaimed with mixed surprise and delight. “Hehe, that’s wonderful! Mom, don’t worry – I’ll pamper her properly when she hands over the money.”
She thought to herself, “Haha, Su Jiaojiao, you fool deserve this! While you suffer in the countryside, I’ll be spending your money, living in your house, and enjoying life!”
Outside the door, hidden in the corner, Su Jiaojiao listened to the mother-daughter conversation, clenching her fists with fury in her eyes.
In her previous life, she had indeed been naive and foolish, easily swayed by their sweet words into believing they were one harmonious family, that her stepmother and stepsister genuinely cared for her.
Thinking they were family, she assumed her money belonged to everyone, and handed it over without suspicion.
However, the malicious couple Shen Jianguo and Liu Dongmei, along with Shen Qingyu, not only coaxed her into handing over her money but also deceived her into suffering hardships in the countryside.
The moment Su Jiaojiao recalled the misery she endured in Shitou Village in her past life, all of which stemmed from them, she wished she could tear them to pieces.
Liu Dongmei, Shen Qingyu, just you wait.
By tomorrow, we’ll see who ends up deceiving whom when it truly matters.
With that thought, she turned and left again.