“Dad, I don’t want to go. Please just let me off the hook! Waaaahhh…”
“Hmph! You stubborn girl, why are you crying? Why can’t you be more reasonable? How can you meet people acting like this? Zhang’s son just came back from working on the boat—he’s got money to spare. If you marry him, the bride price alone will be 100,000! I raised you this big, is it really that hard to just go on a blind date? If not for me, then at least think about your younger brother! Besides, he might not even take a liking to you anyway!”
“Alright, alright, stop crying! Keep crying and I’ll beat you until you can’t!”
“Dad, then just kill me already! I… I already have someone in my heart!”
“What? Someone in your heart? Who?”
“Waaaahhh…”
“Oh! I get it now—you must be fond of that Shui Miao kid, right? Impossible! That bastard, how could my daughter possibly marry him? He lived off us for years, and now he wants to steal my daughter away? What a ridiculous dream!”
“No! Shui Miao Ge never freeloaded. He gave you money, and I’ve worked so long, haven’t I earned you a lot of money already? Now you want to sell me off—Are you even my real father!?”
“You… You dare talk back to me… I’ll beat you to death!”
“Go ahead! Kill me! I’ve had enough! All these years, you’ve never treated me like your daughter. You only care about money and your precious son. I’ve paid you back with all the money I’ve earned. Why are you still trying to sell me off? I absolutely won’t agree!”
Chen Jianguo and Chen Xiang argued fiercely. Seeing her father insult Shui Miao, Chen Xiang finally couldn’t take it anymore and stood up defiantly.
Chen Jianguo, only thinking about money, naturally didn’t want to push his daughter to the edge.
Chen Xiang had had enough. This father of hers was no longer human—he had no trace of humanity left.
Seeing Chen Xiang’s firm stance, Chen Jianguo couldn’t help but feel a bit frightened. He paused, then nodded and said, “I get it now—you must’ve conspired with that Shui Miao kid and plan to run off with him!”
“So what if I do? Haven’t I sacrificed enough for your precious son already?” Chen Xiang glared at him furiously. She had completely given up on this heartless father. She was ready to die rather than make any more sacrifices for this cold, heartless family.
Chen Xiang was ready to die, but Chen Jianguo still thought about selling his daughter, still thinking about bargaining. “Hmph! You think it’s that easy? I raised you, do you think a little money can repay me…”
Chen Jianguo was still speaking when suddenly he noticed a car speeding straight toward him…
Lin Haiyang drove around, aiming the car directly at Chen Jianguo.
When Chen Jianguo saw Shui Miao sitting in the passenger seat, his face turned pale with fear. “Ah! No… don’t hit me…”
He was so scared he jumped backward and fell flat on the ground.
“Screeeek!”
With a sharp screech of the brakes, the car stopped right in front of Chen Jianguo. His legs trembled, and his pants were wet again. It was so humiliating. Every time Chen Jianguo saw Shui Miao, he wet his pants in fear. His face turned red and white alternately, deeply embarrassed, yet too scared to even get angry.
Shui Miao and Lin Haiyang got out of the car. To scare Chen Jianguo, Lin Haiyang deliberately carried a large wrench and stood in front of him, shouting viciously, “Old man, you dare block my way—you want to die, huh?”
“N-no… I didn’t mean to…”
Chen Jianguo was a coward who feared the strong. Seeing the driver, his spine went limp, and he couldn’t even speak.
Seeing Shui Miao, Chen Xiang was overjoyed and rushed into his arms, crying bitterly, “Shui Miao Ge, he wants to sell me off. Take me with you, I don’t want to stay here even one more day!”
“Don’t be afraid, I’m here!”
Shui Miao glared fiercely at Chen Jianguo twice. Once Chen Xiang calmed down, he asked what had happened.
After hearing Chen Xiang’s story, Lin Haiyang got angry. He kicked Chen Jianguo once and pointed the wrench at his face, shouting, “Old bastard, you want me to run over your precious son instead?”
“I… I…”
Chen Jianguo stammered, unable to speak.
He wasn’t stupid. He knew Lin Haiyang was threatening him, but to avoid getting beaten up, he kept mumbling and dared not say much, just sitting there with his legs tightly clenched.
This time, Shui Miao didn’t get angry. He calmly looked at Chen Jianguo…
After a while, Shui Miao stepped forward and quietly asked, “How much did the Zhangs promise you? You better tell the truth.”
“Speak up!”
Lin Haiyang kicked Chen Jianguo again.
“A-after it’s done, 100,000.”
Chen Jianguo dared not hide anything. Eventually, everyone would find out anyway.
“Good! I’ll give you 100,000, and from now on, Chen Xiang has absolutely nothing to do with you anymore.”
Shui Miao turned to get his backpack…
Chen Jianguo was stunned, unable to believe Shui Miao actually had so much money.
Chen Xiang was also shocked.
Lin Haiyang quickly ran to Shui Miao’s side and whispered, “Shui Miao, where did you get so much money? 100,000! What’s going on with you?”
“I went to Old Li Dafu’s house with Grandpa. I got lucky and won a bit.”
Shui Miao took out the 100,000 yuan and placed it in front of Chen Jianguo, then looked at him and said, “Swear that from now on, Chen Xiang has nothing to do with you, and this money will be yours.”
“Okay, I swear…”
Looking at the 100,000 yuan in front of him, Chen Jianguo quickly knelt down to swear, but just halfway through his oath, Shui Miao kicked him over. “Monster! Scum! She’s your own flesh and blood. Your actions are worse than those of beasts! No need for your oath—Chen Xiang will never recognize you again!”
After shouting, Shui Miao turned and took Chen Xiang into the car.
There were still 60,000 yuan left in the bag…
Shui Miao touched the bag that had once been full of money, shook his head with a faint smile, and said lightly, “Grandpa’s fortune-telling was really accurate. I’m destined to never keep wealth. Money slips through my hands quickly. There’s still 60,000 left. Sister, take it. Spend it as you need. I’ve learned Grandpa’s qigong now. I can earn money by doing feng shui readings.”
Shui Miao gave the money to Chen Xiang, who was practical and knew how to manage money—she could hold on to it.
Chen Xiang didn’t speak, but her heart was extremely excited. Suddenly free from pressure and restraint, she felt a unique sense of lightness.
Lin Haiyang gave Shui Miao a thumbs-up, “Bro, I truly admire what you did today. Although I feel a bit sorry about the 100,000 yuan, it was worth it. It was the right thing to do.” Lin Haiyang sincerely felt that Shui Miao’s actions were far more mature than his own. There was a difference between giving the money and not. Only by giving it would Chen Xiang feel at peace and truly be free.
“Hehe, go back and pack some stuff. Let’s invite everyone to go downtown and have some fun?”
Shui Miao suddenly felt like relaxing. All his life he’d played poor, now it was time for a change.
“Great! Let’s go out and have some fun today!”
Lin Haiyang readily agreed, deeply moved. Shui Miao was a friend worth treasuring for life—so loyal and unhesitating in helping Chen Xiang.
Shui Miao smiled gently at Chen Xiang, deciding first to buy his sister some nice clothes. After all these years, it was time for her lifestyle to change.
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