Chapter 143: Chapter 143: Asking for Money

Chen Fulai shrank into the corner without saying a word. To him, a mother who was no longer of any use had no value—so why keep her around?

Xia Shuhua had long known things would come to this, but actually reaching this point still left her heart cold.

She could ignore the others, but Chen Fulai was her own son. She had loved him for more than ten years. Even after remarrying, the only reason she was willing to let the Chen family threaten her into giving them living expenses was so her son could have a better life.

She never expected that, after learning she had no more money, he could be so cold and heartless.

Fine! Fine! He takes after her, after all!

“You know exactly why I’m here. Over the past few years, I’ve spent at least a thousand yuan on you. Now I’m here to collect. You need to give me at least five hundred yuan—I know you have it. If you don’t, I’ll go to the police and tell them that every cent I spent on you was dirty money from Gu Yunchuan’s embezzlement, and it all needs to be handed over. If that happens, none of you will get away unscathed.

So, it’s up to you. I’ve got all the time in the world to wait you out.” Xia Shuhua made it clear she wasn’t going anywhere.

Old Lady Chen was so angry she pounded her chest and stomped her feet.

“You poisonous woman! Where would our family get five hundred yuan? Chen Kuan needs medicine every month, and the money’s already all gone. Now Fulai’s getting married and we can’t even scrape together enough for that, and you still come here trying to squeeze us dry!

You might as well let the police take me away for labor reform—because there’s just no money!”

Old Lady Chen was obviously playing the poverty card. She was the one who managed all the Chen family’s money.

Her son Chen Kuan might be disabled, but the factory had paid out enough compensation to cover all his medical expenses.

Over the years, the family had saved up more than 1,500 yuan. They’d spent 200 on Wang Xiaowei’s incident, leaving 1,300 yuan. That money was set aside for Chen Fulai’s wedding and absolutely could not be touched.

Chen Fulai also tried to persuade her. “Mom, just look at our situation—where could we possibly get five hundred yuan for you?”

He actually knew his grandmother had savings, but that was the family’s last resort—they couldn’t touch it.

“I don’t care. If you really can’t give me the money, then sell that job and give me the money. I was the one who got your dad that job in the first place, so it’s only fair I take it back now!”

Xia Shuhua was determined to squeeze money out of the Chen family today, even if her own son tried to talk her out of it.

Old Lady Chen, furious, slapped Xia Shuhua across the face, leaving her stunned.

Lately, she felt like even drinking water would get her choked—was everyone taking turns bullying her now? That damned old woman!

“Xia Shuhua, you shameless hussy! Back then, your own family didn’t want you, your own son didn’t want you, and you insisted on running off with someone else. Now you’re back to ruin Fulai’s life? Don’t even think about it! As long as I’m alive, no one is taking Fulai’s job!” Old Lady Chen nearly spat a mouthful of phlegm in Xia Shuhua’s face.

Xia Shuhua was furious. She wanted to hit back, but with her son sleeping in her arms, she was forced to restrain herself.

After all these years, this old woman still wanted to bully her? No way!

“Old hag, you think being loud makes you right? Just you wait—I’m going straight to the police station. If I have to go down, I’ll make sure you all go down with me. All these years, your Chen family has bullied me to death. If it comes to it, we can all go down together!”

As for Chen Fulai, she might as well pretend she’d never given birth to him. He was useless anyway.

“Mom, where are you going?” Chen Fulai called after her.

Xia Shuhua stormed out, carrying her child and walking quickly, fueled by anger. She didn’t care about anything else now—she just wanted to drag the Chen family down with her.

Seeing that she was serious, Chen Fulai panicked and shouted to Old Lady Chen, “Grandma, just give her the money! At least we’ll still have half left, and I can keep my job. If you don’t, we’ll lose everything—not just the money, but my job too! How will I ever find a wife and support a family then?”

Chen Kuan sighed and said to his mother, “Give it to her! Just make her promise never to come back. Fulai will have nothing to do with her from now on.”

Only then did Old Lady Chen relent. “You’re all cowards! Fine, I’ll get the money. You go and bring her back.”

Chen Fulai hurried after Xia Shuhua and managed to persuade her to return.

As soon as Xia Shuhua stepped out, she regretted her outburst—she should have waited a bit longer. Luckily, she’d won her gamble and Chen Fulai had chased after her.

Old Lady Chen handed over the money, but made her sign a statement severing all ties with Chen Fulai—never to have anything to do with the Chen family again.

Xia Shuhua agreed without hesitation. With Old Lady Chen spoiling Chen Fulai like this, who knew who would end up supporting whom in the future? If she had to rely on Chen Fulai, she’d never see a good day in her life.

Sometimes, you can’t put all your hopes on someone else—you’ll only be disappointed. Only your own abilities can be relied upon.

After signing the statement, Xia Shuhua took the five hundred yuan and left the Chen house.

With this money, she could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

She found a place to stay near her daughter.

Unexpectedly, before the money had even warmed in her hands, Chen Zhaodi came by every few days to borrow some. For the sake of a better future, Xia Shuhua could only grit her teeth and hand it over.

But that’s a story for another time.

—

Gu Qinghuan and Xu Huaian arrived at their appointment on time.

Since it was her first time meeting Xu Huaian’s superior, Gu Qinghuan naturally prepared some gifts.

She stuck to the usual: specialties from the Northeast—hazelnuts, pine nuts, and other dried fruits harvested from her own stash, all of which were very good for one’s health.

She also brought a few boxes of tea leaves, since most middle-aged and elderly people are fond of tea.

Add a few health supplements, and that was about it.

Not long after they arrived at Quanjude, Tang Zhenye showed up in plain clothes, accompanied by a young security officer.

The four of them found a private room, ordered a roast duck and some other dishes, and sat down to chat."