Meng Shining thought for a moment and nodded. “It’s really gone.”
“Are you sure? Meng Shining, I’ll give you one last chance.” Meng Ci’an’s gaze was cold and sharp.
Meng Shining racked her brain but still couldn’t remember. She had admitted to everything, so how could there be more?
“Brother, I drank too much last night. No, it’s not that, taking care of Jiang Wenyan was exhausting. I didn’t sleep all night, and my brain is just a mess. Can you show some mercy and give me a hint?” Meng Shining looked at Meng Ci’an pitifully, trying to awaken whatever shred of conscience he had left.
“Group!” Meng Ci’an spat out a single word.
Meng Shining recalled suddenly last night she had mistakenly added Meng Ci’an to a group chat, then immediately kicked him out.
Patting her head, she said, “Ah, brother, you see how forgetful I am. Last night, when I was setting up the group, I accidentally added you. To avoid disturbing you, I immediately kicked you out, that’s all!”
Meng Ci’an furrowed his brows and spoke in a low voice: “What kind of group is it that even your own brother can’t join?”
Meng Shining waved her hand. “It’s just a temporary game group, nothing important. Brother, it’s better if you don’t join too much fun can make one neglect responsibilities.”
Meng Ci’an got up from the sofa and gave Meng Shining another sharp smack. “If you add me to a group in the future, you’re not allowed to kick me out at will.”
After saying this, Meng Ci’an opened the door to leave. “By the way, death penalty forgiven, living punishment unavoidable. All your cards, plus your allowance, are suspended for a month!”
Meng Shining froze. “All cards? Does that include phone cards too?”
Are all bosses this strict? How can you suspend a phone card? Who would pay my bills then?
Thinking of this, Meng Shining burst out laughing.
Seeing her act like nothing could touch her, Meng Ci’an’s expression turned colder. “Two months!”
He left, opening the door, and reminded her again: “Remember to add me to the group.”
“Brother, could it be that you’re so eager to join the group because Lin Siqing is in there?” Meng Shining suddenly realized why he was so persistent.
“Chatterbox!” Meng Ci’an shot her a cold glance and left.
Meng Shining didn’t take the punishment seriously at all. After all, she wasn’t limited to just cards; there were all kinds of payment apps. A living person can’t be starved of money!
But Meng Ci’an’s efficiency was extreme. When he said the cards were suspended, it was done in less than half an hour.
How did Meng Shining discover this?
After sleeping, she idly played with her phone, scrolling through shopping apps, and spotted a plush frog toy that looked exactly like her avatar and it was life-sized!
She immediately decided to place an order but payment failed!
Wait, she was a prestigious heiress, the younger sister of the book’s male lead. Did she really have no money in other accounts?
No private card? No allowance?
She searched through all her apps, and every single one displayed a big fat zero.
This didn’t make sense. The original Meng Shining, being the family favorite, shouldn’t be this powerless just because cards were suspended.
“Bao Linglong, what’s going on?” Meng Shining asked in confusion.
The system spoke up: [Host, you have the memories of the original. If there’s a problem, can’t you solve it yourself?]
Meng Shining rolled her eyes. “I can handle everything myself. What do I need you for?”
Bao Linglong was exasperated. It didn’t understand how someone like her could have been chosen as a host. Seriously, anyone could be picked?
After venting, Meng Shining began recalling the original’s memories.
The original Meng Shining had money—shares, dividends, family payouts, etc. But these funds weren’t directly in her hands. A financial manager managed investments, letting money grow, and only when she turned 25 would she be able to control it directly.
As for monthly allowance and occasional extra money from the family, it had all been spent by the original.
Her day-to-day spending relied on Meng Ci’an’s secondary card and other family secondary cards.
Meng Shining was dumbfounded. She had transmigrated into a wealthy heiress, yet here she was, worried about money!
She got out of bed, now completely penniless.
Boldly, she knocked on Meng Ci’an’s study door.
After knocking for a while with no answer, Wei Guifen passed by. “Are you looking for a Young Master?”
“Yes, isn’t my brother in the study?” Meng Shining nodded.
“The Young Master went to the company. He won’t be back until tonight. If it’s urgent, call him,” Wei Guifen saw Meng Shining’s sullen expression.
Meng Shining waved her hand. “It’s fine, Wei Yi. I just wanted to check if my brother was here.”
Not finding Meng Ci’an, she returned to her room dejectedly, played a couple of game rounds on her phone, but quickly grew bored. Everyone had fancy skins; she was stuck in the default outfit the game had given.
Her mind lingered on that plush frog toy. She suddenly thought of her parents. They doted on her so much that if they knew her cards were suspended, they would be upset and probably order Meng Ci’an to restore them, maybe even transfer money directly.
Thinking this, Meng Shining relaxed. Her parents should be back tomorrow, and she will surely succeed.
After finishing his work, Meng Ci’an called Ji Yao.
“Mom, my sister made a mistake. I suspended her cards. Don’t give her any money when you get home. Once she realizes her error, I’ll lift the suspension myself.” Meng Ci’an wanted to preempt any attempts by Ji Yao and Meng Deyou to spoil her.
Ji Yao was immediately displeased. “Ningning is still young. As a girl, she has many expenses. Just scolding her would have been enough. Suspending her cards is too harsh. She’ll be upset.”
Meng Ci’an said coldly: “Mom, Meng Shining is getting engaged in a few days. Still young? You pampered her all her life, look at her temper now it’s gotten out of control. If you don’t manage her now, who will once she’s married?”
Ji Yao was speechless. “But—”
Meng Ci’an interrupted: “You said to let me manage her. If you have objections, I’ll stop. If you want me to continue, follow my instructions.”
Ji Yao reluctantly agreed.
After hanging up, Meng Deyou held Ji Yao close and softly asked, “What did our son say? Why do you look like that?”
Ji Yao repeated Meng Ci’an’s words, and Meng Deyou frowned. “No, I don’t agree. I want—”
“Enough. You always thought our son was cold to the Shining. This is a chance to nurture their relationship. Let’s not interfere,” Ji Yao cut him off.