Shen Shiyu sat at the dining table with her arms folded haughtily, relishing the surprised looks cast her way by Yang Wan and Shen Yuliang.
"Yu'er, you didn't exchange counterfeit money, did you?"
She curled her lips in disgust. "I just withdrew it from the bank this morning. They said they didn't have that much cash when I went yesterday afternoon, so it was delayed for one night. They're genuine new bills with serial numbers."
Yang Wan deliberately flipped through them, her excited voice turning shrill.
"Oh, it really is! How capable my Yu'er has become! You've really impressed your mother!"
After saying that, she couldn't help but glance at the person beside her. "Unlike some people who ran around several times and even ended up in the police station but didn't bring back a single cent."
Shen Yuliang snorted. "Do you think I wanted to? Bo Siming has been stalling and now doesn't even answer my calls! Bo Jingyu said there were cash - flow problems and asked me to wait for many days."
He rubbed his chin, smiling lewdly.
"Yu'er, Dad is a bit short on money recently. Lend me two million, okay?"
Shen Shiyu's eyes widened. "Two million? Do you think this money grows on trees and doesn't need to be repaid? I don't even know how to repay Ruirui's favor, and you're really being greedy!"
"She lent you once, so she can lend you a second time. Besides, her company is so big that it can turn over billions in a day. Lending us a few million or tens of millions is just a drop in the bucket, right?"
Shen Yuliang's attitude really annoyed her.
But considering they were still family and lived under the same roof, it didn't make sense to fall out completely.
"I can only give you one million. I still have to take care of Mom. The dresses, shoes, and bags we ordered will be delivered today. If we don't change them, they'll go out of style."
Shen Shiyu took out the spare card and handed it to him.
"Tsk, fine, fine. You women always have so many things to do."
After getting the card, Shen Yuliang couldn't wait for a second. He quickly changed his clothes and ran out grinning, the joy on his face hard to hide.
Yang Wan shouted at his back, "Come home early! If you come back drunk again, no one will take care of you. Do you hear me?"
The only response she got was the slamming of the door.
"Look at your father. Such a good - for - nothing!"
Shen Shiyu sighed. "Don't worry about it. It's already good enough that we can make ends meet now. I've made an appointment with the counter. We'll go try on the clothes in two hours."
"My good daughter. I didn't raise you in vain!"
The mother - daughter pair hugged each other, savoring this moment of joy.
As soon as Shen Yuliang reached downstairs, a woman brushed past him.
He instinctively grabbed her arm, his nerves on edge.
"You, you!"
Shen Ximan was also visibly startled and frowned at him.
"You're still alive?"
This doubtful yet somewhat certain question from him almost made her lose her composure, but her well - honed disguise helped her force herself to stay calm.
"Sir, can I take this as you cursing me?"
Shen Yuliang didn't care about such formalities. He reached up to pull off her mask.
A beautiful and delicate face left him completely spellbound.
She really looked like Shen Ximan!
Especially those eyes. They were like they were carved from the same mold. The only difference was that one was more lively and the other more cold.
"Sir!"
Shen Yuliang came to his senses, blushing in embarrassment as he let go of his hand and forced out a few awkward laughs.
"R - really sorry. You look so much like my daughter who passed away not long ago, so I was a bit dazed for a moment. It's all my fault."
"Mr. Wen, you also live in this apartment building?"
"Do we know each other?" Shen Ximan pretended perfectly.
"Oh! We're very familiar. You know Yu'er, right? She's my daughter. Aren't you two good friends? I'm her father. Pleased to meet you!"
He shamelessly stretched out his hand, waiting for her response.
Shen Ximan glanced at his hand, feeling extremely disgusted inside.
She shook her head with a faint smile. "I'm really sorry. I just came back from my morning exercise and I'm all sweaty. It's not convenient for me to shake hands with you."
"I see. I understand!"
Looking at Shen Yuliang's obsequious look, her expression was as cold as the icy wind from a glacier, exuding an aura of not wanting to get close to others.
"Since you have such a good relationship with Yu'er, you shouldn't mind adding my contact information, right? Don't get me wrong. I'm just thinking that as neighbors, it would be good to look out for each other in case something happens!"
His smile grew even wider. "Moreover, you've been so kind to my third daughter. As her father, I feel really guilty and helpless for not being able to accompany her."
Shen Ximan played along with his words.
"Third daughter?"
"Yes, it's the little girl An Ruo who was sitting in the passenger seat of your car the last time I almost crashed into it. She's my third daughter! I'm also ashamed. I chased you for half a street but you didn't even pay me any attention. I don't know if you did it on purpose or..."
No wonder he was so obsequious. There was an ulterior motive behind his words.
When it came to acting skills, Shen Yuliang was still too inexperienced compared to her.
Shen Ximan covered her lips in surprise, her eyes full of shock.
"My goodness, it was you that day! I thought I met a highway robber, so I was too scared to stop the car!"
Seeing his face gradually turn dark, she was quite satisfied.
"I had a business meeting with Young Master Bo that day. He had something to do and left first, so I took care of the child for a while. I didn't expect it was your third daughter, the one involved in illegal detention?"
Shen Yuliang was so embarrassed that his face turned red. "Um..."
"I'm a straightforward person and say what's on my mind, but I mean no harm. Don't take it to heart." Shen Ximan brought the topic back.
Giving and taking was the key to controlling people's hearts.
Shen Yuliang's thoughts were so easy to guess that Shen Ximan didn't even need to ponder.
"Hehe, Mr. Wen is really straightforward. I, I still have something to do. Come to our house as a guest next time if you have the chance." He forced a laugh and tried to slip away.
Since he couldn't get the better of her in words, he didn't want to make a fool of himself further.
She was the female president of A Hairui, with a high status and great influence. It wasn't possible to win in just a few rounds.
Shen Yuliang muttered to himself that he should avoid direct confrontation if possible.
He had nothing now and no capital to fight.
Shen Ximan didn't make things too difficult for him. "I hope we'll meet again."
Watching him scurry away with his tail between his legs, she felt a strange sense of satisfaction.
This feeling of being superior and stepping on others was quite nice.
This "chance encounter" today was deliberately arranged by her.
The morning exercise was real, but waiting for Shen Yuliang to appear at the right time was also real. He went out to play cards and drink at a fixed time every morning and usually came back drunk in the early morning after playing for a whole day.
Shen Ximan's goal was to make the three people in the Shen family believe in her whole - heartedly and hold on tightly to this cash cow.
She quickly changed into a simple outfit when she got back to the apartment and then drove out.
In the high - end shopping mall in Yancheng, Shen Shiyu and Yang Wan were beaming.
This kind of treatment made them feel as if they had returned to the old days.
Respect, luxury, and much attention.