“There’s…”
Just as Li Fuan was thinking about how to answer, Old Madam Qing spoke directly, "At least three to five million would be appropriate."
"Three to five…?"
Zhao Ruolan was stunned, her tears instantly stopping.
She looked back at Old Madam Qing, daring not to speak but forcing a smile and nodding, "Old Madam is right, absolutely right."
Li Fuan ignored everything else and lied, "Yes, that’s what I thought too. There’s about three million in there. This money is compensation for the child."
Two-faced as he was, he wished he could strangle Meng Jingwei on the spot.
"You…"
As Meng Jingwei took the card and was about to say something, she saw Old Madam Qing stand up and walk towards her. "Jingwei, child, give the bank card to Grandma. Grandma will check how much money is left in it for you."
With a fiercely protective stance, she was unusually assertive.
Her action clearly showed distrust towards the Li Fuan couple, a direct slap in the face.
Meng Jingwei was stunned at first, then filled with boundless gratitude.
Old Madam Qing was truly too good to her. She must have done something good in her past life, accumulating merit and virtue, to have met Old Madam Qing in this life.
"Old Chen, call and check how much money is in this card."
Old Madam Qing handed the card to a nearby servant and muttered, "This money matter, we must clarify it. Otherwise, if it's wrong, it'll be troublesome."
"Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes."
Li Fuan repeated 'yes' several times, but still nervously wiped the sweat from his forehead, regretting it too late.
The servant, Old Chen, took the bank card and went aside to check the balance.
Meanwhile, Old Madam Qing sat directly beside Meng Jingwei, affectionately holding her hand, showering her with pampering. "You’ve been tired all day, child. Are you hungry?"
Her concern for Meng Jingwei was exactly like a grandmother doting on her own granddaughter, loving her dearly.
The Li Fuan couple was tense about the bank card, but seeing Old Madam Qing’s affectionate interaction with Meng Jingwei, they exchanged glances, a flicker of something passing through their eyes.
This was the method Zhao Ruolan had suggested to stop Li Fuan earlier.
Li Fuan had prepared to get rid of Meng Jingwei, but Zhao Ruolan had said that since Meng Jingwei was so favored by Old Madam Qing, they might as well publicly announce Meng Jingwei’s identity and bring her back to the Li family. With Meng Jingwei as Old Madam Qing’s god-granddaughter, they would be even more closely connected to the Qing family.
In Lancheng, the Qing family was an invincible force. If they recognized Meng Jingwei, then with Li Yun’er being Qing Muye's fiancée and Meng Jingwei being Old Madam Qing's god-granddaughter, this double connection would naturally elevate their status in Lancheng.
The business and economic benefits that this would bring to the Li family in the future were immeasurable!
At the time, Li Fuan, hearing Zhao Ruolan’s analysis, immediately applauded and happily agreed.
He then announced Meng Jingwei’s identity to the media, saying he wanted to acknowledge this daughter, bring her back to the Li family, and 'make amends'.
"Old Madam, the bank says there is only fifty thousand yuan on the card."
The servant came over, handed the bank card back to Old Madam Qing, and said.
"Alright, I understand."
Old Madam Qing took the bank card. Although advanced in age, the slight sinking of her weather-beaten face conveyed a majestic presence.
She took the bank card and threw it directly at Li Fuan. "Just fifty thousand yuan, and that’s your compensation?"
"No, no, no, there was a mistake, a mistake. There was over three million in here before, but I donated it to the Red Cross. I was muddled, muddled."
Li Fuan hadn't expected Old Madam Qing to be so unyielding, but he also noticed her excessive concern for Meng Jingwei.
With his own calculations in mind, he took out another bank card and handed it directly to the servant. "Here, please check the balance on this one."
Zhao Ruolan didn't expect this turn of events and was very distressed about the money, but now she could only keep apologizing. "Old Madam, please don’t be angry. Fuan is busy with work, perhaps he made a mistake."
Old Madam Qing snorted, "Why are you apologizing to me? You haven’t wronged me!"
She reprimanded them without mercy.
Meng Jingwei was so touched she almost cried. "Grandma, you’re so good to me."
She hugged Old Madam Qing’s wrist, leaning against her for a rare moment, and pouted playfully, "I’m truly so moved."
"Jingwei, it was my mistake. Don’t be angry with me."
"Yes, Jingwei. Your father is busy with work, and sometimes he makes mistakes. Please don’t hold it against him."
The couple sang a duet, playing along.
But Meng Jingwei didn’t fall for it at all. "I only have one father, and he’s in the countryside!" she retorted ruthlessly, completely embarrassing the couple.
Meng Jingwei displayed her newfound confidence with perfect flair.
"Hmph, what’s wrong with you two? Jingwei just returned, and you’re already upsetting her." Old Madam Qing scolded again.
At this moment, the servant walked over and said, "Old Madam, there are three million one hundred and thirty thousand yuan in this card."
Old Madam Qing took the card and looked at Meng Jingwei. "Jingwei, child, Grandma knows you don’t have money, but you can’t accept their money."
After saying that, she directly threw the bank card onto the table and exchanged a look with the servant.
The servant immediately brought over Old Madam Qing’s bag. Old Madam Qing took out a bank card from her bag and slipped it into Meng Jingwei’s hand. "You are my Mu Lihua's granddaughter now. What would it look like if you used someone else’s money? Here, Grandma has thirty million for you. From now on, Grandma will give you a hundred thousand yuan a month as allowance."
While it was true that the rich were willful, Old Madam Qing’s actions were akin to rubbing the Li Fuan couple’s faces on the ground and then stomping on them hard.
Meng Jingwei was so moved she didn’t know what to say, but glancing at the Li Fuan couple’s expressions, she saw they were as displeased as they could possibly be.
Just then, Qing Muye and Li Yun’er walked in.
Qing Muye had heard everything. "How can you accept Grandma’s money?"
Li Fuan repeatedly chimed in, "Yes, yes, Jingwei, even though you’re Old Madam’s god-granddaughter, you can’t be too greedy."
"Fuan is right. Although three million isn’t a lot, we will give you more when you return to the Li family. If we give you too much at once, you’ll think earning money is too easy, which isn’t good for you."
The couple seized the opportunity to lecture her, their demeanor suggesting: it’s not that we’re stingy with three million, it’s just for Meng Jingwei’s own good.
After all, she was a country bumpkin. Seeing too much money at once might make her arrogant.
"Grandma, I know you’re very good to me. It’s just this money, I…"
Just as Meng Jingwei was about to refuse Old Madam Qing, she saw Qing Muye walk over and ask condescendingly, "Before coming to the old residence, didn’t I give you a card? Isn’t it enough?"
Meng Jingwei frowned and took out the bank card from her pocket. "Is this it?"