Chapter 27

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw a woman in her forties, wearing a shirt dress, walking in with Lu Xiaoxue.

The woman was Lu Xiaoxue’s teacher, Lin Xiuyin.

Seeing so many people in the courtyard, Lin Xiuyin was a little surprised.

Lu Baichuan walked over and greeted her politely, “Hello, Teacher Lin.”

“Hello, Professor Lu. I need to talk to you about something. Would it be convenient to go inside?” Lin Xiuyin asked, as if she had some reservations.

At this time, a young boy who was following behind them couldn’t help but suddenly speak up loudly, “Lu Xiaoxue brought a lot of money to school today and treated many classmates to snacks. Teacher Lin came to ask about the situation.”

“Mai Ergou, shut your mouth.” Lu Xiaoxue glared angrily at the boy.

After hearing what they said, He Shanshan was the first to react. She rushed to Lu Xiaoxue, grabbed her shoulder, and asked anxiously, “Did you steal my ten yuan?”

“I didn’t steal it.” Lu Xiaoxue looked unhappy and broke free from her grip. She didn’t show any remorse and said confidently, “You left it lying around. I found it.”

“You’re lying. I put it under my pillow. How could it be lying around?” He Shanshan was furious, glaring at her and shouting, “How much is left? Give it back to me.” As she spoke, she was about to rummage through her pockets.

Lu Xiaoxue rolled her eyes, pushed her away in annoyance, and said with a pout, “It’s not with me.”

At this time, Lin Xiuyin took out a wad of money from her pocket and handed it to He Shanshan, “There’s six yuan and ninety cents left. It’s all here. Count it.”

She originally wanted to tell Lu Baichuan privately, but the young son of the Mai family who followed her didn’t know better and shouted it out loud.

He Shanshan grabbed it and counted it twice. Seeing that there was indeed over three yuan missing, she became furious:

“You actually spent so much. You’re stealing things at such a young age. What will you do when you grow up? You’ll be robbing people.”

“I told you, I didn’t steal it. I found it. Are you deaf? Can’t you understand?” Lu Xiaoxue showed no sign of wanting to apologize and retorted directly.

“You found it? Go find another ten yuan for me!” He Shanshan was furious because her money had been spent. Now, seeing her attitude so arrogant, she couldn’t suppress her anger and started to curse, “You little brat, you were born with a mother but not raised by one…”

Before she could finish, Wang Mingfang stepped forward and quickly covered her mouth.

Lu Baichuan and Lu Jingzhe’s faces instantly turned cold, their anger evident in their eyes.

“You stinky girl, what are you talking about?” Before the Lu family could get angry, Wang Mingfang scolded her first, “Xiaoxue is your sister. What’s wrong with using a little of your money?” Then she squatted down, hugged Lu Xiaoxue, and said, “Xiaoxue, it’s okay. If you run out of money in the future, tell Auntie. Auntie will give you some.”

“Auntie is the best to me.” Lu Xiaoxue looked at He Shanshan provocatively, even sticking out her tongue and making a face.

“Lu Xiaoxue!” Lu Baichuan looked at his rebellious daughter, his blood boiling, “Go inside and stand there.”

Lu Baichuan was usually refined and gentle, but he suddenly got so angry that he really shocked Lu Xiaoxue. After hesitating for a moment, she immediately turned and ran into the room.

“Professor Lu, I’m here today because I want to talk to you about Xiaoxue’s education.” Lin Xiuyin said to Lu Baichuan.

“Okay, please come in. I’ll be right in.” Lu Baichuan said, then invited Lin Xiuyin into the house.

Now, things were clear. He Shanshan’s missing money was taken by Lu Xiaoxue. She had just been adamant that Xia Qingning had stolen the money, saying that she would even kneel down and apologize if she could prove that Xia Qingning didn’t take it. She never imagined that the slap in the face would come so quickly.

Lu Baichuan unbuttoned his pocket and took out four yuan, handing it to He Shanshan, “This is the money Xiaoxue spent.”

“Oh, Lao Lu, why are you doing this? I already said that you don’t have to return the money. It’s okay to buy Xiaoxue some snacks.” Wang Mingfang immediately stepped in to act generously.

“We’re family. We need to settle accounts.” Lu Baichuan didn’t show much emotion. He stuffed the money into Wang Mingfang’s hand and said in a low voice, “From now on, you’ll only be responsible for taking care of the eldest’s children. You don’t need to take care of Xiaoxue.”

Wang Mingfang was stunned. The situation she had carefully cultivated for four years had changed overnight.

“Dad, you can’t do this. Mom has treated Xiaoxue as her own daughter for all these years…” Lu Lidong immediately stood up to speak for his mother.

“Shut up!” Lu Baichuan reprimanded him, then turned to He Shanshan, “Now, go return the cloth coupons you borrowed from Qingning.”

He Shanshan had been thinking that she would just pretend to be oblivious and not give the cloth coupons to Xia Qingning. She didn’t expect Lu Baichuan to directly tell her to get them.

She had already said it. She couldn’t go back on her word in front of so many people. She reluctantly walked into the room, took out the cloth coupons, and handed them to Xia Qingning.

These cloth coupons were bought with her hard-earned money. Now, she had to give them all to Xia Qingning. She was furious but helpless.

Xia Qingning didn’t hesitate at all. She directly took the cloth coupons from He Shanshan’s hand and put them in her bag.

“If I find out that you’re taking advantage of Qingning and bullying her again, you’ll have to leave this place and go back to your own home.” Lu Baichuan said in a low voice, looking at Wang Mingfang and He Shanshan. Then he turned to Lu Lidong, “If you’re not satisfied with my handling of things today, you can leave now!”

Hearing the words “leave,” Wang Mingfang and her son were both silent. Lu Baichuan had been supporting Lu Lidong’s family for many years. If they really separated, they wouldn’t benefit at all.

After saying these words, Lu Baichuan didn’t look at them anymore. He turned and walked into the house.

Seeing that the family matters were settled, the onlookers were about to leave. Xia Qingning was also about to go inside, when Lu Jingzhe’s cold voice suddenly rang out:

“You gave back the coupons, but you haven’t apologized!”

Xia Qingning looked in the direction of the voice. She saw his cold eyes fixed on He Shanshan. These words were clearly directed at her.

He Shanshan was intimidated by his sharp gaze and said in a low voice, “She said she doesn’t need me to apologize.”

“She doesn’t need you to, but I do!” Lu Jingzhe said coldly, his tone firm, leaving no room for negotiation.

She had been forced to return so many cloth coupons and had been reprimanded by Lu Baichuan in front of so many people. Now, she was being forced by Lu Jingzhe to apologize to Xia Qingning, whom she had always looked down upon.

He Shanshan, who had always been pampered, couldn’t stand so much grievance. She became increasingly angry and sad, and she started to cry, “Wuwuwu…”

Seeing her cry so sadly and pitifully, Wang Mingfang immediately walked over, patted her back to comfort her, and started playing the victim in front of everyone, “Shanshan has already returned the coupons to Qingning. Qingning also said she doesn’t need her to apologize. Jingzhe, can’t you let her off?

Oh, we’re just a poor widow and daughter. We have no one to support us. We can only be bullied. Wuwuwu…”

As she spoke, she also started to wipe away her tears.