Zhou Ye gazed calmly at Zhou Yuanyao and extended five fingers!
Zhou Yuanyao frowned deeply. He had just mentioned five hundred, so this clearly wasn’t five hundred. Was it five thousand then?
Hah… This little girl was truly greedy!
“Fifty thousand!”
Zhou Ye spoke indifferently.
Zhou Yuanyao nearly choked on his own saliva! Fifty thousand? Why not just rob someone?
“Xiao Ye, you’ve been staying at your uncle’s house for so long. Haven’t we treated you well? Demanding fifty thousand right off the bat—isn’t this extortion?”
Zhou Yuanyao began his moral kidnapping!
“Treated me well? Who knows! Uncle should think carefully—perhaps there really are things you’ve done wrong by me?”
Zhou Ye stared fixedly at her uncle.
A flicker of guilt passed through Zhou Yuanyao’s eyes, and he covered it with a cough. “Ahem… Child, why are you being so unreasonable today? Your uncle just had your sister buy you new clothes, and now you’re saying all these nonsensical things! How heartbreaking! Yes, asking you to marry a fool is somewhat excessive! But your uncle has been so good to you. What’s wrong with making a small sacrifice for him? It’s truly because your sister and cousin are too immature. Otherwise, how could your uncle bear to make you do this?”
Zhou Ye looked at her uncle with mockery.
Was this another scheme after the previous one failed?
Playing the sympathy card? Brainwashing?
Hah…
“I’m your own uncle—I wouldn’t harm you! The Song Family is your uncle’s superior, controlling the lifeline of our Zhou family! They have wealth and power, and they only have one son. Once you marry into their family, the Song family will eventually be yours! Your uncle is doing this for your own good! You have no maternal family to support you, so your uncle is wholly concerned about your future! After you marry into the Song family and your uncle’s job is restored, I’ll be your backing! Your sister is too proud and doesn’t know how to speak properly! If we offend the Song family, everything will be ruined! Not just my job—we might even be sent to the countryside! Your cousin is too young and not as pretty as you! So your uncle can only rely on you!”
“Xiao Ye, think about it. If your uncle really loses his job, how can I support your grandparents and parents in the countryside? Even if you won’t consider your uncle’s situation, won’t you think about your parents?”
Zhou Ye looked at Zhou Yuanyao—what an excellent performance, hah…
Yu Wen sighed and said, “Yes, Xiao Ye, your aunt knows you’re a good child. You’ll definitely agree to this marriage for your uncle’s sake! Besides, there are advantages to marrying a fool! After marriage, won’t you be the one in charge?”
“Fifty thousand!”
Zhou Ye didn’t waste words—still fifty thousand!
Zhou Zijiao was so angry she started talking nonsense: “Zhou Ye, don’t be so ungrateful! What kind of person do you think you can marry with that seductive face of yours?”
Zhou Ye’s face? Hah… It really could attract a good match!
It’s just that she’s too young, and many families are waiting!
Only beasts like the Zhou family would scheme like this!
“Hah… Sister, speaking so harshly probably means you think I’m asking for too little. Well then… sixty thousand!”
Zhou Zijun also stood up angrily, pointing at Zhou Ye as if to curse…
“Seventy thousand?”
Zhou Ye spoke again…
“Everyone, be quiet!”
Zhou Yuanyao shouted loudly!
He looked at Zhou Ye with disappointment: “Xiao Ye, must you really be so distant with your uncle?”
“Then must Uncle insist on marrying me off to a fool?”
Zhou Ye retorted mockingly!
Zhou Yuanyao and Yu Wen exchanged glances, seeming to sense that something was wrong.
“Xiao Ye, you weren’t like this before. What’s wrong with you today?”
Zhou Ye smiled and said, “What’s wrong? Did I not behave well today? Hmm?”
Zhou Yuanyao frowned, “Have you heard something? Or are the neighbors gossiping nonsense? Your parents left you with us without leaving a single cent! Taking care of you has been very hard on us! If you agree to today’s matter, consider it your way of repaying us! After this, your uncle won’t ask anything else of you!”
Zhou Ye stood up, slowly walked over to her uncle, tilted her head and said calmly, “Uncle, how can you be so shameless? Did my parents really leave nothing at all?”
Watching Zhou Yuanyao’s ugly expression, she continued, “You took care of me? Wasn’t it me who took care of your whole family? Tsk… truly a nest of snakes and rats, utterly shameless!”
The Zhou family stared at Zhou Ye in shock!
Zhou Ye looked around at everyone and asked strangely, “Why are you all looking at me like that? Are you angry? Then… kill me?”
It’s not like you haven’t tried before!
Zhou Zijiao pressed her lips together, “Are… are you sick?”
Yu Wen asked cautiously, “Zhou Ye, is this your true self?”
Zhou Zijun wanted to curse, but felt a chill down his spine and suddenly didn’t dare.
Zhou Yuanyao, however, thought nothing of it. He was sure Zhou Ye was just angry about the recent decision – what big waves could a young girl possibly make!
“Alright, that’s enough! Zhou Ye, go back to your room and sleep! We’ll discuss the marriage later!”
“Fine, uncle. Remember this – marriage comes with payment, then we’re even! I’m not easily fooled!”
Zhou Ye waved her hand lazily and walked away.
Zhou Yuanyao frowned as he watched Zhou Ye’s retreating figure.
Until she disappeared from sight…
Several people gathered in the study, whispering as they discussed…
“Mom, what should we do? Dad’s job can’t wait. If Zhou Ye doesn’t agree, are there other options?”
Zhou Zijun asked worriedly.
If his father lost his job, his own marriage would definitely be affected!
He’d rather die than marry a woman with no background!
“Yes, Mom and Dad, that little bitch Zhou Ye actually dares to ask for such an outrageous amount! Is she even worth that much money? Does she really think her parents left us money? Fifty thousand? If her parents had left us fifty thousand, our whole family would treat her like a queen! It’s not like we’re heartless beasts who would withhold it!” Zhou Zijiao complained discontentedly.
Hearing this, a complex expression flashed in Zhou Yuanyao’s eyes.
Yu Wen also looked embarrassed!
“She wouldn’t dare!” Zhou Yuanyao declared confidently.
“Don’t worry, if she still refuses tomorrow, we’ll think of another way! Given her personality, no matter how dissatisfied she is, she’ll compromise for my sake!”
Yu Wen, however, didn’t feel the same way.
She had a vague feeling that Zhou Ye had changed!
Early the next morning, Zhou Ye followed routine and prepared breakfast. She alone took the lead, taking an egg and eating by herself!
When the Zhou family came down and saw this, they were all astonished. Yu Wen frowned and said, “Xiao Ye, how could you eat first? That’s improper!”
“Heh…”
Their response was met with a cold laugh.
The Zhou family exchanged bewildered glances…
Just as they were about to sit down to eat, Zhou Ye suddenly said, “I bought the ingredients, I cooked the meal. If you want to eat… pay up!”
Zhou Zijiao: “Are you sick? This is my house!”
Without looking up, Zhou Ye said seriously, word by word, “This is my house!”
Yu Wen suppressed her anger and said, “Xiao Ye, don’t cause trouble. We need to look for your sister today – she hasn’t come back all night, and you’re here quibbling over a few dollars?”
Zhou Zijun said discontentedly, “Exactly, what could you possibly do with this breakfast money?”
Zhou Ye remained silent for a long while, making everyone think she was just acting on a momentary impulse…
Just as they were about to sit down…
“One yuan can buy a pair of scissors to stab your entire family to death!”
A soft, faint statement, like a small stone thrown into the ocean, stirred up towering waves!
“You…”
Zhou Ye slowly raised her head and looked at the Zhou family!
“Have you prepared the money? As for marrying the fool—I’m ready!”