Chapter 78: Ten Billion
“She’s definitely not a stepmother, don’t talk nonsense!” Zhao Menglian refuted immediately but then became upset. “What’s wrong with someone like me? Am I not worthy of picking you up?”
Xu Youyou looked her up and down. “You’re just an unimportant dog by her side. If it were something truly important, she wouldn’t have let you interfere.”
Although Xu Youyou was merely stating the truth, Zhao Menglian was furious. “You uneducated orphan! No wonder you were abandoned at the orphanage’s doorstep—”
Before she could finish her insults, Xu Youyou cut in, “I recorded that. If you’re calling me a ‘parentless orphan who should just die,’ I’ll make sure the Gu family hears it.”
Zhao Menglian was so shocked she nearly shrieked. “I only said ‘orphan’! I didn’t say all that! Don’t twist my words!”
Xu Youyou casually responded, “What a joke. Have you ever seen someone with parents being called an orphan?”
Zhao Menglian was about to scream again, but people in the tea house were already throwing strange looks her way.
She knew that the Gu family didn’t care much about Xu Youyou, but if word got to Madam Gu that an outsider had insulted their biological daughter, she wouldn’t escape unscathed either.
Xu Youyou had no patience for more of her noise and tapped her fingers on the table. “Go back to where you came from. And if you dare harass the landlord again, this recording will go straight to Madam Gu.”
Zhao Menglian, terrified, quickly nodded. But she couldn’t help asking, “Are you really not going to acknowledge your biological parents?”
Xu Youyou sneered. “Oh, I will.”
Zhao Menglian’s eyes lit up with expectation. “I’m your father’s cousin. I can still put in a good word for you. As long as you don’t send that recording, I’ll help you.”
Xu Youyou’s gaze turned scornful as she lazily leaned back. “Didn’t the Gu family think I was after their money? Go back and tell them—if they give me at least ten billion, then I’ll consider acknowledging them. Otherwise, don’t waste my time.”
Zhao Menglian was dumbfounded as she watched Xu Youyou walk away. “She’s crazy. How dare she demand so much! Does she really think she’s that important?”
She wanted to chase after her, but Xu Youyou’s bodyguards immediately blocked her path. All she could do was watch as Xu Youyou got into a luxurious car.
Just then, one of her nephews, who had been silent the entire time, suddenly spoke up. “Aunt, the tea house wants you to pay the bill.”
Zhao Menglian: ?!
Her nephew glanced at the departing luxury car and muttered, “That car is worth at least tens of millions.”
Zhao Menglian’s face twisted with jealousy. “Where the hell did that brat get so much money?”
Even after seeing it with her own eyes, she refused to believe that Xu Youyou was genuinely wealthy. She convinced herself it was either rented or a scam.
When she finally met with Madam Gu, she naturally didn’t have any good words to say.
“Aunt, that girl is exactly as Gu Fengchuan described—completely rude and unreasonable. It’s impossible to talk to her!” Zhao Menglian spewed complaints like they were free.
Madam Gu slowly trimmed the extra leaves from a flower with a pair of scissors, elegantly placing the stems into a vase.
“What did you say to her? She refused to come back to the Gu family at all?” Madam Gu asked.
Zhao Menglian, knowing Madam Gu well, could tell she wasn’t happy despite her calm expression.
She immediately replied carefully, “She didn’t completely shut the door, but she’s greedy.”
Madam Gu’s gaze remained on the flowers as she asked, “How greedy?”
Zhao Menglian hesitated before answering, “She said she’d consider it if she was given ten billion.”
Snap.
The rose stem in Madam Gu’s hand was cut clean in half. She turned, her sharp eyes locking onto Zhao Menglian. “She really said that?”
Zhao Menglian stammered, “Aunt, how could I dare lie about something like this? That girl is beyond arrogant. Those were her exact words, I swear!”
Madam Gu’s face darkened.
Zhao Menglian added, “She acts like she’s obsessed with money—throwing around a huge entourage of four bodyguards, driving a luxury car—but she’s incredibly stingy! She made me pay for tea!”
Madam Gu’s expression grew even more grim. A young, beautiful girl—where could she possibly have gotten this kind of wealth from? The answer was obvious.
She felt that Xu Youyou was tarnishing the Gu family’s reputation. “What a disgrace!”
After a pause, Zhao Menglian carefully asked, “Aunt, do you still want me to keep approaching her?”
Madam Gu refused. “Forget it. I have other plans.”
Although Zhao Menglian had lost her job in this matter, she wasn’t pleased. “Aunt, about the fireworks order for this year’s company event…”
Her family owned a fireworks factory, and every year, a subsidiary of the Gu family purchased a batch for a fireworks show.
Madam Gu, her expression now neutral, looked at her and replied, “I never involve myself in business matters.”
Zhao Menglian’s heart sank. She knew that was Madam Gu’s way of rejecting her, punishing her for failing the task.
She wanted to explain further, but Madam Gu cut her off. “I’m not feeling well and want to rest. See yourself out.”
Zhao Menglian had no choice but to leave, casting reluctant glances back at the Gu family’s villa.
Just as she stepped out, a pink Ferrari rolled into the driveway.
Gu Xueying got out of the car, her expression changing slightly when she spotted Zhao Menglian.
“Aunt Zhao, you’re here,” Gu Xueying said with a polite but distant smile.
Even though everyone knew she was the fake daughter, no one dared slight her. She was still the Gu family’s most beloved treasure.
Zhao Menglian put on a fawning smile. “Xueying, you’re back.”
Gu Xueying absentmindedly acknowledged her and then asked, “Aunt Zhao, did you meet my sister today?”
Zhao Menglian nodded. Knowing how to please Gu Xueying, she quickly added, “Xueying, you wouldn’t believe it. That girl is completely uncultured! She grew up in an orphanage with no manners at all. Unlike you—anyone can see that you’re the true noble daughter.”
Gu Xueying basked in the flattery but was still anxious that Xu Youyou might come back to take her place. “Did she refuse to acknowledge Mom and Dad?”
Zhao Menglian said, “She’s willing to consider it—but only if they give her ten billion.”
Hearing this, Gu Xueying finally relaxed. The more outrageous Xu Youyou’s demands, the more the Gu family would hate her, and the more secure her own position would be.
Still, she put on a worried face. “Sister is too greedy. Is Mom very angry?”
Zhao Menglian nodded.
Gu Xueying walked into the villa and went straight to Madam Gu. Her expression was now filled with concern.
“Mom, this is a peace charm I got from Jing’an Temple for Brother. Don’t worry, Brother will definitely recover.”
