Shu Lu felt she’d grasped some truth.
Perhaps Second Uncle Wen Dongrong also wanted their family to repay the money but was too embarrassed to say so, sending Chen Ru and Wen Ying instead.
Without Wen Dongrong’s approval, how would Chen Ru and Wen Ying dare act so ruthlessly?
Wen Ying didn’t miss Shu Lu’s resentful glare.
Young and scheming, she couldn’t fully conceal it.
Wen Ying feigned劝说, “Mom, let it go, we’re all family, don’t make things so ugly. Coming to Aunt’s doorstep to demand money today is enough, don’t go to her school in a few days, Cousin’s about to meet new classmates and needs to save face.”
Her words made Shu Lu cry harder.
Wen Hongyan’s head ached from the crying.
She wanted to dodge the debt, but Chen Ru and Wen Ying weren’t easily fooled.
For years, Wen Hongyan was the least accomplished in the Wen family, even her own mother scorned her behavior as shameful.
Who was born wanting to be humiliated? It was all forced by life!
Chen Ru had a charmed life, born in the city, educated, with a good job and a college-educated husband like Wen Dongrong.
Over the years, Wen Hongyan’s jealousy of Chen Ru burned, in her youth, she was no less attractive, but lacked Chen Ru’s luck, marrying a useless man.
Envious and jealous, Wen Hongyan took Chen Ru and Wen Dongrong’s money while jabbing at Chen Ru.
Now, with Shu Guobing backed by a benefactor and succeeding in middle age, Wen Hongyan was eager to show off.
If repaying the money let her mock Chen Ru and flaunt her success, Wen Hongyan, though pained, felt an urge to overwhelm Chen Ru with cash.
It was time to show Chen Ru, her daughter, and the Wen family who lived best.
Wen Hongyan glared, “Fine, fine, you little brat, don’t point fingers at me. Second Sister-in-Law, name a number, how much is it? I’ll pay!”
Wen Ying sneered inwardly, Zhao Dong was really generous to prop up the Shu family, not only funding Shu Guobing’s business but clearly giving plenty of cash, or Wen Hongyan wouldn’t be so bold.
No, Zhao Dong’s real goal wasn’t Shu Guobing but to target her, and ultimately Xie Qian.
Every cent Zhao Dong spent on the Shu family was aimed at a bigger return from Xie Qian!
Chen Ru shook her ledger, “Thirty thousand!”
The list totaled just over twenty thousand, plus some Wen Dongrong gave privately, since he wouldn’t cooperate, Chen Ru rounded up.
Thirty thousand was fair, and Chen Ru demanded it confidently.
“What? Thirty thousand, why don’t you rob a bank!”
Wen Hongyan, the “boss’s wife,” had never seen thirty thousand, whether at the Qingshiqiao aquatic shop or the night market diner, Shu Guobing was the nominal boss, but Little Cai handled the big money.
Thirty thousand exceeded Wen Hongyan’s limit.
Teary, Shu Lu tugged Wen Hongyan’s sleeve, stopping her from saying more harsh words.
Shu Lu just wanted this settled, to stand tall before Wen Ying.
The humiliation from Chen Ru and Wen Ying, she’d never forget!
The days ahead were long, they’d see who’d have the last laugh!
Wen Ying smiled, “Uncle’s business is so big, is thirty thousand a lot?”
Wen Hongyan choked.
She’d boasted about the business, and if she couldn’t back it up, Chen Ru and Wen Ying would mock her endlessly!
Chen Ru was considerate, “Businesspeople don’t keep much cash at home, not having thirty thousand on hand isn’t odd.”
Unsure why Chen Ru was helping her, Wen Hongyan nodded eagerly, grasping the lifeline, but Chen Ru’s tone shifted, “We’ve got nothing to do tonight, we’ll wait at the entrance. You may not have thirty thousand, but Guobing surely does, we’ll wait for him to bring it.”
“…!”
Wen Ying quickly flattered her mom, “Mom, you’re so right, that’s how it is at Auntie’s house, they don’t keep much cash, but Uncle can pull out tens of thousands anytime.”
Shu Guobing held a grudge against Deng Shangwei, always comparing the Shu family’s lifestyle to his.
If Deng Shangwei could produce tens of thousands anytime, but Shu Guobing couldn’t, what kind of boss was he?
Wen Hongyan glared at Wen Ying, dragged Shu Lu into the neighborhood, and snapped, “Then wait at the entrance!”
Shu Lu, who’d just offered to show them the house, stayed silent. Wen Ying never overestimated the depths of shameless people, fearing Wen Hongyan would make them wait pointlessly, she added, “Aunt, don’t rush to gather the money, we’ll wait here. This neighborhood’s nice, the neighbors seem friendly, Mom and I can chat with them while we wait!”
Wen Hongyan pulled Shu Lu faster.
Chat, my foot!
It was a threat, if the money wasn’t delivered soon, Wen Ying and Chen Ru would gossip about the Shu family’s unpaid debts.
Wen Hongyan had planned to let them feed mosquitoes at the entrance, but now cornered, she called Shu Guobing before reaching the building.
Shu Guobing cursed over the phone, calling Wen Dongrong spineless, failing to raise his daughter or control his wife.
“Wait there, I’ll call and chew him out!”
Shu Lu grabbed the phone, sobbing, “Dad, don’t curse, you did it days ago, and Second Aunt and Cousin came to our neighborhood. Curse again, and they’ll probably go to my school or Qingshiqiao to find you. You’re a boss now, the business isn’t even established, if people know we don’t repay debts, who’ll deal with you?”
Shu Lu’s logic was clear, and Shu Guobing was always more patient with his daughter than with Wen Hongyan.
Wen Hongyan was dim and uneducated, but Shu Lu inherited his intelligence.
Shu Lu’s words made sense.
Imagining Chen Ru and Wen Ying causing a scene at Qingshiqiao, Shu Guobing felt his boss’s reputation would crumble.
Something felt off.
Back when he had nothing, he cursed Wen Dongrong’s family freely, now with money, he had more concerns.
For a moment, Shu Guobing almost sighed that being broke was freer.
What frustrated him was that Chen Ru and Wen Ying’s tactics were familiar, he’d been just as shameless before, now others used shameless moves on him, and he couldn’t retaliate, utterly stifled!
Thirty thousand wasn’t a small sum.
It wasn’t for business growth but the Shu family’s private debt, would Boss Cai cover it?
Shu Guobing, ever clueless, had been spoiled by Cai Youlun’s generosity.
Hmph, Boss Cai valued and courted him, he’d surely pay the thirty thousand.
Shu Guobing confidently reassured his daughter, “You and your mom wait at home, I’ll have Little Cai bring thirty thousand to throw in Chen Ru’s face, let’s vent this anger!”
“Daddy, you’re the best!”
Shu Lu’s tears turned to smiles.
