Chapter 64: What a Calculated Scheme

Chapter 64: What a Calculated Scheme

Xiao Jiliang pressed her thumb against her philtrum.

She screamed, "So, the money of our Zhao family, the money I've been scrimping and saving for half my life, was taken by you, this jinx, to subsidize your mother's family!"

"Wuwuwu, oh heavens! You good-for-nothing bitch, you're driving me crazy!"

Zhao Xiaoyu looked at her mother, who was sobbing desperately in her arms, and glared at Su An.

"Mom, this money may not have been completely spent. Since it's with the Su family, we can just get it back. This matter is unreasonable on their part. If we take this to the police, they will have to give us back our money!"

With suspicion written all over her face, Zhao Xiaoyu then said, "Besides, whether this is true or not remains to be verified. It's possible she deliberately incited us to make a scene at the Su family. The money might still be with her."

Hearing this, Su An jumped up and fiercely started yelling at Zhao Xiaoyu.

"I'm telling you, I married into the Zhao family, and the Zhao family's money is mine. I can spend it however I want. If I want to give it to my mother's family, what business is it of yours? You're a married-out daughter, spilled water. Are you bored and looking for trouble?"

"I warn you, no one is allowed to make a scene at my mother's family, hurt my parents, or harm my siblings. In my heart, my family is more important than my own life. If anyone dares to hurt them, I'll flip your Zhao family upside down!"

Zhao Xiaoyu and Xiao Jiliang were so angry they felt like smoke was coming out of their noses.

Well, well, well, she acts like a tyrant in our Zhao family, full of herself, claiming her family is more important than her own life. I guess we'll have to deal with this shrew's lifeblood.

Su An continued to shout and threaten Xiao Jiliang and Zhao Xiaoyu, perfectly displaying her arrogant and domineering attitude, as if she owned the Zhao family.

After stirring up enough anger and confirming that Zhao Xiaoyu and Xiao Jiliang wouldn't let this go easily, Su An didn't bother to stay and play along. With her head held high, like a victorious rooster, she proudly walked past them.

The look of disdain in her eyes made the veins on Xiao Jiliang's forehead twitch uncontrollably.

Looking at the out-of-control expressions of the others, Su An thought to herself that Xiao Jiliang, like Su Jianjun, was quite resilient. She's still not having a breakdown after all this.

She would have to push a little harder.

So, she took Xiao Jiliang's past tactic of smashing pots and bowls to the extreme, slamming the door so hard that the two women in the living room trembled with fear.

It wasn't just Xiao Jiliang who felt humiliated; even Zhao Xiaoyu was angry enough to feel a sharp pain in her chest.

"This is too much, too much! She's completely arrogant. What kind of trash raised such a daughter and sent her out to harm others? She's taking everything to her mother's family, thinking of her mother's family as her real home. What a dream! Ugh!"

"Mom, don't worry. Tomorrow, I'll call your son-in-law over, and we'll bring along two uncles. We'll go to the Su family to demand an explanation. We spent over a thousand in bride price and brought back this piece of trash?"

"If the Su family doesn't give us a proper explanation, I'll smash their house to pieces!"

Su An was organizing her books in her room while outside, Xiao Jiliang was crying loudly, holding her eldest daughter.

She really had been living too miserably. Which mother-in-law lived like her?

The next day.

Su An slept until the sun was high in the sky, took out the watch she had borrowed from Ji Qingqing, and checked the time.

It was already 9:30. After washing up, she noticed there wasn't a soul in the house, and even the broken front gate hadn't been fixed.

Su An's eyes flickered with excitement.

"Mother-in-law~"

"Sister-in-law???"

Nobody's answering; are they all out?

Had they gone to the Su family's place?

Su An was instantly brimming with excitement. She quickly tied her hair up, didn’t even bother to make food, and dashed toward the bus stop outside.

When she got downstairs, she was met with one piece of good news and one piece of bad news.

The good news: the bicycle was gone, likely taken by Zhao Xiaoyu and her daughter.

The bad news: the bicycle was gone, and she had nothing to ride.

She sprinted toward the bus stop outside.

On the way, she bought a wrap to serve as her breakfast.

Meanwhile, Xiao Jiliang and her daughter had arrived at the cannery family housing area bright and early.

Zhao Xiaoyu, who bought and sold pigs daily, had developed a bit of street smarts.

After a night of calm reflection, she still doubted what Su An had said.

So, early in the morning, Zhao Xiaoyu called the village committee to inform her husband to head to City A, while she and Xiao Jiliang went ahead to scope out the situation at the Su family’s place.

In the early morning, the cannery family housing area was bustling with activity—people going to work, children heading to school, others buying groceries, and some out for a stroll.

Zhao Xiaoyu led Xiao Jiliang over to a group of old ladies sitting together.

“Oh, the benefits at the cannery are really good. Look at the groceries you’ve bought—eggs, tofu,” Zhao Xiaoyu remarked.

“Unlike our small factory, where it’s a struggle to make ends meet.”

When Zhao Xiaoyu chimed in, the old ladies glanced up. “Which factory do you work for?”

Zhao Xiaoyu’s eyes lit up, and the conversation flowed.

“We're from the XX Umbrella Factory nearby. Our place is tiny compared to yours.”

“Well, every place has its perks. I have an old friend whose son works at your umbrella factory. I heard that during the Mid-Autumn Festival, they not only gave out mooncakes but also fruit. The benefits are quite good.”

Zhao Xiaoyu, recalling what Su An said about her brother having good food, clothes, and spending money, pretended to look envious.

“When it comes to wealth, this area still belongs to the cannery families. I often see your kids buying things on the street without any adults around. They spend money so freely.”

“Oh, like us, we haggle over every penny when buying vegetables, asking for an extra scallion. Unlike your kids here who spend money without even blinking!”

The old ladies exchanged looks. “Anyone around here spend that much?”

Zhao Xiaoyu probed, “There's a kid in your courtyard, about seven, surnamed Su. He spends money like it’s nothing.”

She had seen Su Lei at a wedding banquet when he was the groom’s sister.

The old ladies immediately understood. “Oh, you mean the Su family? They’ve got cash. The kid throws around ten-yuan bills, spending over 2,000 yuan. Oh my, it hurts just hearing about it!”

As Xiao Jiliang and her daughter left the housing area, their faces were set in hard lines.

Over 2,000 yuan... spending lavishly... freely spending big unity notes...

Xiao Jiliang’s eyes flashed with hatred. “Everything Su An said was true. Over 2,000 yuan, and they claim the kid already blew through it. Do they think I’m a fool? Who would believe that?”

“Where did they get over 2,000 yuan from? They must have planned this in advance, spreading the word that the money was already gone, so even if we came looking for it, there would be nothing left. Are we supposed to take it out on the kid? What are we going to do, demand his life?”

“What a cunning plan!”

Xiao Jiliang’s lips trembled with anger. She gritted her teeth and waved her hand fiercely. “Xiaoyu, go to the station to pick up Da Bin. I’ll go to your uncle’s house to get people. We’ll bring tools. If they don’t give us the money, I’ll make sure the Su family never gets a moment’s rest!”