Su Weiguo’s brows were tightly furrowed into a knot. After pacing around once, his expression grew even darker.

Liu Qin shot him a look and was about to pull him aside to discuss the matter when Su You began to speak.

“Dad, Aunt Liu. Look at my situation now—don’t you have any savings you could take out to help me get through this? I just bought this apartment. Selling it now at a low price feels like such a pity.”

Su You sat on the sofa hugging Big Orange, the corners of her lips icy cold.

In her previous life, she had kept Su Weiguo alive for three years. Whatever family bonds or gratitude existed had long since been exhausted.

This time around, whatever she decided to do—she had no reason to feel guilty.

Hearing Su You’s words, Liu Qin had no choice but to turn back, forcing a stiff smile. “You know, Youyou, your father and I don’t have proper jobs. Even your brother’s tuition has to be borrowed from others. Don’t even mention any savings.”

“That’s right. What savings would I have? Didn’t I already waste it all on you, you money-squandering brat?” Su Weiguo chimed in immediately.

“Oh, I see…”

Su You slowly swept her gaze over the three of them. Even Liu Sheng wore a look of impatience, as though he’d had enough of being around her.

When he noticed her looking at him, he snapped viciously, “You made your own mess, so clean it up yourself. I still need to go to school. Don’t you dare even think about my college tuition.”

Looking at this stranger of a younger brother—who used to call her “sister” sweetly, coaxing her into giving him money for clothes, sneakers, and gaming credits—but now, seeing that she was penniless, revealed his true face, Su You’s last shred of hope for them died.

She turned to Su Weiguo. “In that case, I’ll go back to tidying up the place and call an agent to list the apartment for sale. You can all leave now.”

As she spoke, she picked up her phone, planning to find the real estate agent’s WeChat and make the call.

At the same time, she reassured them: “Don’t worry, I won’t drag you down. As long as the price is low, it’ll definitely sell. I’ll figure out the rest myself.”

At that, Liu Qin couldn’t sit still any longer. She immediately stood up, pressing down on Su You’s phone. “Oh Youyou, what are you saying? We’re family—how can we just abandon each other? Don’t make the call yet. How can such a well-renovated apartment be sold off so easily?”

This was prime real estate. Su You had been lucky to snag this court-auctioned property. How could they let someone else profit from it at a low price?

Liu Qin leaned closer, whispering, “Youyou, how about this—we do have some money on hand. Why don’t you sell this apartment to us at a discount? It’ll still count as family property.”

Inside, Su You sneered coldly, but on the surface she pretended to hesitate, feigning ignorance of Liu Qin’s little scheme.

Seeing her soften, Liu Qin quickly continued, “Youyou, don’t blame your father and me for keeping quiet earlier. You know how hard it is to earn money. We only decided to take this out because you’re in such a tough spot.”

“Right, old Su?” She nudged Su Weiguo with her elbow, giving him a look.

Su Weiguo immediately caught on. Better to let their own family profit than outsiders. So he pretended reluctance, saying, “Fine, I’ll bail you out this once. But don’t expect me to help again in the future.”

Seeing them relent, Su You knew the deal was sealed.

Though the apartment complex was in a good location, the building itself was old and run-down. Despite several renovations, many water pipes and facilities were still outdated.

In the early days of the apocalypse, when the torrential rains first came, the problems seemed minor—just some leaks. But later, when earthquakes and extreme cold arrived, the real troubles would begin.

Built decades ago, these old blocks had no seismic reinforcements. Before the extreme cold even hit, the earthquakes had already torn them apart, turning them into dangerous ruins.

She didn’t know exactly how much cash they had stashed away, but the fact they could cough up so much money was fine by her. Let them sink it all into a crumbling deathtrap and regret it later.

---

The Liu family had brought their bankbook with them, clearly with no intention of returning to their hometown.

Soon, both sides arrived at the Housing Bureau to complete the transfer procedures.

Seeing the extra 800,000 yuan in her bank card, Su You wore a sorrowful expression, but inwardly, she felt relieved.

Liu Qin said to her, “Youyou, you see we’ve got no savings left and no place to live. If the debt collectors come knocking, it’ll be trouble. To avoid misunderstandings, you should move out as soon as possible.”

Then she added, “It’s for everyone’s good.”

Su You gave them a cold glance. “I’ll pack my things today and move out tonight.”

Liu Qin’s eyes flickered. “Your father and I came all this way, and we haven’t even had a proper meal. Why don’t we eat first, and then we’ll help you move later?”

Su You sneered. “No need. A moving company will be much faster.”

Liu Qin agreed readily. With the apartment already in her hands—worth over 1.2 million yuan, but acquired for just 800,000—she couldn’t be happier.

“Well, that’s fine. We won’t be much help anyway. Your father and I will just stay at a hotel tonight. Don’t worry about rushing. Finding another place to live might take time.”

Su Weiguo added from the side, “Hmph, look at your Aunt Liu, how kind she is to you. Don’t be an ungrateful brat who bites the hand that feeds you.”

Su You retorted icily, “I grew up without a father’s guidance or a mother’s care. It’s no wonder I turned out this way. But you—what the hell are you to boss me around?”

Now that the money was in her hands, she saw no need to keep up the act.

Hearing this, Su Weiguo’s face turned green. He raised his hand high, ready to slap her—but Su You sneered and struck first, landing a slap square on his face.

Su Weiguo was stunned.

Su You said coldly, “Teaming up with an outsider to steal your own daughter’s home—who else could do something so vile? From now on, I have no father. From this day forward, we’re done.”

Without giving him a chance to explain, she turned and left first.

Everyone in the Housing Bureau who witnessed the scene looked on with contempt, murmuring among themselves.

An old woman muttered, “No wonder such a prime property was sold so cheap. Turns out she’s got a bloodsucking father.”

“Exactly. And that woman’s clearly a stepmother, letting an outsider bully the girl while she laughs about it. That’s her own flesh and blood! Doesn’t she know right from wrong?”

“That boy doesn’t look like her real brother either. Must be raising someone else’s kid. What a sin!”

Liu Qin and Liu Sheng lowered their heads in shame.

Su Weiguo’s hair practically stood on end with rage. “What’s wrong with me disciplining my own daughter? She’ll marry out one day—what’s wrong with leaving something for her old man? I raised her for years for nothing? And she dares hit me? I’ll kill her!”

Hearing this, the onlookers’ scorn deepened. Some even considered calling the police.

Realizing the situation, Liu Qin quickly exchanged a look with Liu Sheng and dragged Su Weiguo outside.

Once outside, she finally realized they’d been played by Su You and was furious.

But she was far more calculating than Su Weiguo. Hiding her ugly side for now, she said coolly:

“The apartment’s in our hands. After paying the mortgage, that girl doesn’t have much left. And she still owes loan sharks. If she wants to cut ties, fine by us. Hmph, if she can’t repay, I’ve heard what loan sharks do—they’ll carve out her kidney and sell her to northern Myanmar. When that happens, she’ll be begging us instead.”