"Mom, what are you doing again? I've told you countless times not to hit people with your cane. If you do this again, I won't let you watch TV for three days!"
Upon hearing this, Wu Guifen's face immediately fell, and she retracted her cane.
In recent years, Wu Guifen's health had not been good. However, because Zhao Shuyao had the means, she insisted that her father must take good care of Wu Guifen, otherwise, she would immediately divorce Qin Yusheng.
Le Haitian reluctantly accepted Wu Guifen.
Although they lived in the same house, it was evident that Le Haitian did not care about Wu Guifen.
Zhao Shuyao felt an unnamed rage surge up from her stomach.
"Sister, it really is you! I got promoted today, and Mom and Dad took me out for a meal. I didn't expect you to be home. When did you get back? You didn't even tell me, Mom, or Dad."
Zhao Shuhui walked towards Zhao Shuyao with a smile.
Zhao Shuyao, with a cold expression, watched Zhao Shuhui approach her.
Zhao Shuhui was wearing the latest designer luxury dress, and the necklace around her neck was worth tens of thousands.
Then she looked at her maternal grandmother, Wu Guifen, who was still wearing clothes brought from the countryside, patched in many places.
If one didn't know better, they would think she was an old servant of the Zhao family.
A few years ago, the Zhao family went bankrupt. Her stepmother, Li Huiyun, and Zhao Shuhui had sold almost everything they could. Her father, Le Haitian, begged everyone he could, but he still couldn't cover his debts. Her father and stepmother came up with a terrible idea: to send her to Qin Yusheng's bed.
They succeeded.
Three months later, she was pregnant with Qin Yusheng's child.
However, at that time, Qin Yusheng already had a girlfriend whom he deeply loved, Shen Xueer.
Her father and stepmother found the Qin family and caused a huge scandal that spread throughout the city.
Under public pressure, Qin Yusheng, full of reluctance and unwillingness, married her.
After the marriage, the Qin family provided many benefits to the Zhao family.
Not only in terms of assets, but even the Zhao family's company flourished with the Qin family's support.
She lived a life worse than death by Qin Yusheng's side, while they squandered the benefits and advantages gained through her.
It was truly ironic.
Zhao Shuyao moved her lips, "Sister, your clothes are so beautiful. It seems our family has been doing very well these years..."
"Yes, if it weren't for your sacrifice back then to save the Zhao family, how could the Zhao family have such a happy and prosperous present? We have you to thank for this."
Zhao Shuhui's gratitude seemed genuine as she grasped Zhao Shuyao's hand, her eyes looking at her as if she were a cash cow.
Zhao Shuyao almost felt like vomiting. She subtly withdrew her hand and, mimicking Zhao Shuhui's insincerity, said, "You don't need to be so polite. After all, we are family... It's just, Grandma hasn't bought a new dress in years, yet you keep changing your designer jewelry. Isn't that a bit unreasonable?"
Li Huiyun, afraid Zhao Shuyao would misunderstand, stepped forward and said, "You know how it is, the elder prefers to save money. She insists we don't spend money on her. We bought her many new clothes, but she didn't wear them, saying the old ones were more comfortable."
Zhao Shuyao raised an eyebrow, "Grandma, is that true?"
Wu Guifen glanced at Le Haitian, then at Li Huiyun, and said softly, "Child, don't worry about it. I won't starve at home."
Zhao Shuyao was furious. "How much money have I brought to the Zhao family over the years? If you're really unwilling to buy my grandmother a new set of clothes, I'll go divorce Qin Yusheng right now! None of you will get a single cent I've earned!"
Le Haitian and Li Huiyun both lowered their heads, remaining silent.
Wu Guifen tugged at Zhao Shuyao's sleeve, "Forget it, forget it. I lived like this in the countryside too. It doesn't matter..."
But Zhao Shuyao refused to back down. "Every penny you spend was hard-earned by me from the Qin family! If you continue to mistreat my grandmother like this, don't expect to get another cent!"
Zhao Shuhui was displeased. Today was supposed to be her promotion celebration, and everyone was supposed to be happy.
Zhao Shuyao's return had ruined the good mood!
Zhao Shuhui couldn't help but retort, "Don't put it so nicely. You're living the life of a rich lady in the Qin family, and now that you have status, you come back to insult your family. How have we mistreated your grandmother? She's well-fed, well-clothed, and she hasn't starved to death!"
Zhao Shuyao chuckled, "You're speaking so boldly now. Have you forgotten how poor and destitute we were back then? You almost couldn't pay your university tuition. If I hadn't married Qin Yusheng, how would the family have had the money to send you to the most prestigious art academy and raise you into a pampered young lady?"
Zhao Shuhui was instantly choked speechless.
"I want you to buy her a few new clothes, let her watch the TV shows she likes, and it's that difficult? If that's the case, then don't expect any more financial support from the Qin family!"
Zhao Shuyao was so angry her mind was spinning.
If it hadn't been for her grandmother, if it hadn't been for her grandmother to live a better life, she would never have married Qin Yusheng, even if she was pregnant!
She had repeatedly instructed Le Haitian to take good care of her grandmother, but she never expected to see this.
She was so angry she almost exploded.
So, being well-fed and well-clothed was their greatest charity to the elderly?
Zhao Shuyao pulled Wu Guifen's hand and was about to leave.
"Thump—"
Li Huiyun knelt before Zhao Shuyao, grabbing her arm and preventing her from leaving.
"It's our fault, our fault for not taking good care of your grandmother, for not even buying the old lady a new dress. Please don't be angry."
As Li Huiyun spoke, she slapped herself across the face.
"Mom!"
"Huiyun!"
Le Haitian and Zhao Shuhui cried out in concern simultaneously.
The next second, Le Haitian rushed over to pull Li Huiyun up.
Zhao Shuhui glared fiercely at Zhao Shuyao, "As soon as you came home, you turned the whole house upside down. I admit you've brought a lot of benefits to the Zhao family over the years, but we are the family. Don't come back here again!"
"Yanran! How can you speak to your sister like that! Quickly apologize to your sister! You don't know what your sister has sacrificed for this family over the years. Without your sister, our family wouldn't have been able to afford to send you to such a prestigious art academy."
"Mom, even now, you're still protecting her. She's not my sister at all! I've graduated now, and when I become a renowned designer, I'll pay her back all this money!"
Zhao Shuhui couldn't understand why her mother, Li Huiyun, always went to great lengths to protect Zhao Shuyao.
She wouldn't allow anyone to say a bad word about Zhao Shuyao.
But back then, clearly...
Zhao Shuyao heard this and found it utterly insincere.
These mother and daughter, one playing the good cop and the other the bad cop, were precisely why her father, Le Haitian, always felt she was too aggressive.
Before Li Huiyun married into the family, her relationship with her father had always been very good.