The 60s Island: The Daily Life of a Capitalist Young Lady with the Army - Chapter 3: Money, Just Give Me Ten Thousand

Chapter 3: Money, Just Give Me Ten Thousand

Xu Jingjing’s gentle smile instantly froze on her face, a flash of venom and resentment quickly passing through the depths of her eyes before she forcibly suppressed it.

She strained to produce a smile uglier than crying, her voice still feigning weakness: Sister, you’ve misunderstood. Dad and Mom… they weren’t raising their voices at you, it’s just… just that counting these things is too exhausting, and they got a bit irritable for a moment.

Is that so? Xu Xiangsi sneered, her gaze slowly sweeping over the several boxes that had been rummaged into disarray, along with the few pieces of fabric and jewelry scattered on the floor.

My mother brought a lavish dowry when she married into the Xu family back then, so naturally she left behind plenty of valuable things. Working so hard to ‘take inventory,’ racking your brains to turn them all into your own possessions—no wonder you’re exhausted!

Upon hearing this, Xu Rongchang’s old face couldn’t hang on any longer, his eyebrows twisting into a knot.

Have you eaten gunpowder today?! he shouted sharply, spittle nearly spraying onto Xu Xiangsi’s face. Who provoked you to throw your Capitalist young lady tantrum again! Don’t forget, your grandfather has already been sent down! Who are you putting on that Capitalist young lady airs for now!

Hearing this, the mockery on Xu Xiangsi’s face grew even thicker, even carrying a trace of sorrow.

How could I forget? After all, after my grandfather was sent down, you and your dear wife did a complete one-eighty in your attitude toward me! Isn’t it just because you think I have no backing now, that I’m easy to bully, that you can push me around as you please!

Xu Xiangsi was much smarter than that foolish original host. With one glance, she could guess what schemes this family was plotting.

Probably, from the day they planned to go to Hong Kong, they had already schemed to have Xu Jingjing replace her identity and marry that Song Shengze!

After all, compared to her, the original host with her not-so-great reputation and wilful and spoiled nature, Xu Jingjing was Lin Jiaoyan’s own daughter, and she knew how to play the innocent victim, appearing obedient and sensible, wasn’t she?

Xu Rongchang was left speechless by her words, his face turning livid, his pointing hand trembling. He was just about to curse loudly and properly teach a lesson to this insolent, ungrateful daughter.

But Xu Xiangsi didn’t give him the chance at all, speaking up leisurely.

I’m not as heartless and ungrateful as you all. My grandfather is old and has been sent down to that kind of place. I can’t rest easy about him, so, I’m not going to Hong Kong.

At these words, Xu Rongchang immediately panicked!

You’re not going?! His voice rose an octave, almost screeching. If you don’t go to Hong Kong, what about your engagement to Song Shengze?! That was personally arranged for you by your grandfather back then! How are we supposed to explain this to the Song family!

Xu Xiangsi curled her lips into a meaningful smile. Easy solution.

She lazily glanced at Xu Jingjing, who had been silent but was all ears beside them, the girl now nervously twisting her fingers.

Dad, haven’t you always said that your stepdaughter Xu Jingjing is more obedient, more sensible, and more filial than your own daughter? Since that’s the case, Xu Xiangsi drew out her tone, why not have her marry Song Shengze instead?

As these words fell, Xu Xiangsi clearly saw Lin Jiaoyan and Xu Jingjing’s eyes light up simultaneously!

Especially Lin Jiaoyan—the suppressed smile at the corner of her lips wasn’t even concealed anymore!

This mother and daughter had long been waiting for this day!

Xu Jingjing was the first to react. She quickly lowered her head, pinched the corner of her clothes, and put on a pitiful, tearful demeanor. Sister, how could you say that? I… how could I steal your fiancé? That’s just not right… Mr. Song likes you, after all…

Xu Xiangsi almost threw up at the sight of her hypocritical act.

Song Shengze probably couldn’t even remember what the original owner looked like anymore!

Suppressing the urge to roll her eyes, she deliberately waved her hand magnanimously.

How could it be considered stealing? She smiled at Xu Jingjing, though her eyes held no warmth. Let me, as your older sister, ‘sell’ this marriage to you!

At the word sell, both Xu Rongchang and Lin Jiaoyan froze momentarily.

Xu Xiangsi paused, observing the trio’s rapidly shifting expressions, then continued unhurriedly, You know I can’t bear to leave Grandfather behind, so I’m definitely staying. Even if there’s no other choice, I’ll go to the countryside—somewhere as close to Grandfather as possible, so I can at least look after him.

But, she shifted her tone, sounding perfectly justified, as a young woman going to the countryside alone, unfamiliar with the place and the people, I’ll need some means to support myself, won’t I? You’re heading to Hong Kong in style to rely on ‘my’ fiancé and live in comfort—surely you can’t expect me to stay here eating chaff and drinking the northwest wind? That doesn’t make sense, emotionally or logically!

Xu Rongchang and Lin Jiaoyan exchanged a quick glance, both seeing undisguised interest and calculation in the other’s eyes.

If this troublesome girl didn’t go to Hong Kong, it would actually save them a headache! No need to drag along deadweight or worry about her causing trouble and ruining Jingjing’s prospects!

As for compensation… if it meant Jingjing could marry into the Song family and become the young madam, what did a little compensation matter?

Once Jingjing prospered in the future, would they ever lack money?

Xu Rongchang cleared his throat, suppressing his excitement, and asked with feigned composure, Then… how much compensation do you want?

Xu Xiangsi raised one finger, waving it slowly before them, then said deliberately, Money—ten thousand yuan.

Ten thousand yuan?!

Xu Rongchang and Lin Jiaoyan both gasped sharply! Xu Jingjing forgot to act pitiful and jerked her head up, her face full of shock!

This wretched girl was asking for the moon!

As if oblivious to their reactions, Xu Xiangsi continued, Also, all the household coupons—Food stamps, Cloth coupons, Industrial coupons, and the like—should go to me. After all, once you’re in Hong Kong, those will be worthless scraps of paper. Keeping them would be pointless. Consider this your compensation for buying out this marriage and for my decision to stay behind.