Chapter 4

When this was brought up, Su Daqiang’s expression turned a bit unnatural. Ever since he got married, he had only been giving Yao Xiaojun 20 yuan a month — the rest of his wages he kept tightly in his own hands.

Su Nian’s gaze flicked between the two of them and instantly saw through their little game.

Su Daqiang was simply too selfish. Handing over his late wife’s passbook to his new wife made it look like he trusted her, but in reality, he hoarded his own money separately. Wasn’t that just a way of guarding himself?

After all, every withdrawal from the passbook left a trace — he knew exactly where the money went.

“Nian Nian, the money’s already been spent. Why don’t we just let it go?” Su Daqiang suggested. “Besides, you still have this big house, and there’s over two thousand yuan left in the passbook!”

Su Nian wanted to laugh.

“Dad, this house was mine to begin with. Have you forgotten what you said back then? Don’t forget, you haven’t even gotten your promotion yet. Better be cautious.

I will get back that 3,000 yuan. There’s no negotiating.

Just thinking about how I’ll be sent to the countryside to suffer soon makes me feel sorry for myself. But if I have this money as backup, maybe life won’t be so hard out there.

All this, thanks to your lovely wife and wonderful daughter.

I’ve heard that old director of yours has zero tolerance for shady stuff. If word got out that you married a new wife and supported her, her children, and even her mother using my mom’s money…

The implications would be… disturbing.

After all, my mother’s background wasn’t exactly politically clean, and Auntie Yao doesn’t even have a job. Why don’t you just repay the money on her behalf?”

Su Daqiang’s eyes were red. He was clearly distressed about his wallet, but what Nian Nian said made sense. If he got promoted, his salary would increase by more than a dozen yuan every month.

But if anyone found out he still had ties to “capitalist” resources, his future would be doomed.

“Good girl, I know you’re doing this for my own good. Don’t worry, I’ll make up for it,” he said, heading to his secret stash.

Su Nian watched him fiddle around in his wardrobe for a while before he finally emerged with a cloth bundle stuffed with money and ration coupons.

“Nian Nian, these are the tickets I’ve been saving. I have work and can’t go shopping with you. Buy whatever you need.”

Su Nian rolled her eyes inwardly.

He was asking her to use her own returned money to buy things — this stingy father of hers sure was calculating.

“Dad, you’re so kind to me! It’s just… I noticed my younger siblings all have new watches, but I don’t. I’m really jealous. Kids with moms are like precious gems, while kids without moms… we’re just weeds.”

Su Nian had discovered that, while Su Daqiang was stingy and selfish, he was also highly susceptible to emotional manipulation — sometimes even guilt-tripping himself.

So, she decided to lay on the charm thick and see what she could get.

Su Daqiang looked at his daughter with guilt and affection. She had been wronged lately. Yao Xiaojun could be dealt with later — making it up to his daughter was more urgent.

He turned back, rummaged again, and brought out another 500 yuan.

“Nian Nian, this is really all I have left — just this month’s wages now. But don’t worry, from now on I’ll give you 50 yuan every month.

Even in the countryside, you won’t suffer. I’ll make sure you’re well-fed and comfortable, and I’ll do everything I can to transfer you back when there’s an opportunity.”

Satisfied, Su Nian took the heavy cloth pouch and headed to Su Yue’s room.

“I’m sleeping in this room tonight. You go sleep on the couch. And don’t even think about entering my room. If anything goes missing, you’ll pay for it.”

Su Yue was already miserable. She had upset their father and had to move into a smaller house the next day. She hadn’t expected Su Nian to act so swiftly.

“Nian Nian, we’re still sisters! How can you be so heartless? Mingjun is a person too — who he likes is his own choice.

You can’t take all your anger out on me!”

Su Nian picked up a table leg by the door and struck her without hesitation. Su Yue dropped to her knees in pain and wailed.

“Ah! Dad, help me!”

Su Nian sneered. “You think Dad has time to care about a stepdaughter with no blood ties? He’s busy teaching your mother a lesson right now!”

That was exactly why she’d gone to Su Daqiang first — to clear the way for this.

In the end, Su Yue was forced out of the room under Su Nian’s cold gaze and a firm kick.

Once she locked the door behind her, the first thing Su Nian did was stash away the newly retrieved passbook with over 2,000 yuan, the 3,500 yuan in cash, and all the ration coupons into her space.

Su Yue’s wooden trunk was perfect — great for storing money.

Although Su Nian was lazy, she had mild OCD. She liked everything to be organized and tidy.

Before the move, she turned the whole room upside down. The new wristwatch, pretty new clothes, brand-new bedding, spare cash and coupons — even some gold beans she didn’t know how Su Yue got.

All of it, she moved into her space.

After all, this stuff was bought using her mother’s money. Reclaiming it was only right.

Once she was done, Su Nian finally had time to soak in a hot spring bath inside the space. As expected, just like the novel said — her skin noticeably brightened.

She looked left and right in the mirror.

She realized this face was actually more beautiful than her original one — it just used to be too dark to notice.

No problem. She had spiritual spring water now!

She wondered how surprised Yao Xiaojun would be when she saw her lighter skin tone the next day — after all, those “poisons” she fed the original Su Nian were specifically meant to ruin her good marriage prospects.

That night, with Su Yue’s sobbing and Yao Xiaojun’s howls echoing through the house, Su Nian slept soundly.

No soft mattress, but when she woke up, her back didn’t even ache.

The next morning, Su Gang’s knock finally came:
“Su Nian! Get out here and make breakfast — I’m starving!”

Usually, by this time, Su Daqiang would already be at work. So naturally, Su Gang came to bully Su Nian into cooking. What he didn’t know was that today, Su Daqiang had taken the day off to help with the move.

“You little punk! Calling your sister to cook first thing in the morning? Go ask your mom if you’re so hungry!”

Su Nian stepped out of the room wearing the new clothes Su Yue had just bought.
“Dad, you didn’t know? I’m the one who’s been cleaning, cooking, and doing laundry around here. Stepmom said girls should get used to it early, or they’ll never get married.

She must have really high hopes for me. She’s never once worried about Su Yue’s marriage prospects — Su Yue can’t even wash her own underwear.”

Su Daqiang’s defenses were crumbling again. He never realized that his own daughter had been forced to act like a maid in her own home.

“Yao Xiaojun! You’re unbelievable!

From now on, Su Yue does all that work — fair’s fair. Since you care so much about your daughter, you can supervise her. Otherwise, there’s no way Fu Mingjun will ever marry her!”

Yao Xiaojun’s face was bruised and swollen, but she didn’t dare argue.

Su Yue watched as Su Nian wore her new clothes, grinding her molars in rage.
“Why should I, Mom? Mingjun said he doesn’t care about that stuff. I won’t do it!”

As soon as the words left her mouth, she got a resounding slap across the face.

“What, Su Daqiang’s daughter can do it but you can’t? Oh right — you’re not a Su, are you? You’re a Li.”