Chapter 6: Writing an IOU

Chen Jinhua exploded like a cat whose tail had just been stepped on. “What? You want money? I’ve supported you all these years, and you still have the nerve to ask us for money?”

Song Jiajia was unaware of the three thousand yuan issue, even in her past life.

But if there really was three thousand yuan, wouldn’t that be enough to help Lu Hao start his business venture?

Song Jiajia snapped, “Sang Yu, are you out of your mind? You’ve eaten and lived in my house all these years, and now you want money?”

Song Zhenhua remained silent, clearly unwilling to give any.

Song Jiajia scolded, “Sang Yu, you’re so ungrateful. You’ve lived here all these years, eating, drinking, and wearing clothes for free. How can you even ask for money?”

Sang Yu looked at Song Jiajia, her eyes filled with silent mockery.

Eat, drink, and wear clothes?

Since she came to this family, she had done plenty of work, but never once had a full meal.

The clothes she wore were all hand-me-downs from Song Jiajia, which she picked up herself.

Often, because Song Jiajia was taller, Sang Yu had to cut the pant legs and sleeves to make them fit.

With such conditions, how could Song Jiajia even speak so shamelessly?

Chen Jinlan perhaps noticed Sang Yu’s obviously worn and ill-fitting clothes and showed a brief moment of awkwardness.

But so what? After all, they had supported her all these years.

Song Zhenhua cleared his throat twice. “Enough, stop talking!”

Looking at Sang Yu, he showed an apologetic expression. “Little Yu, it’s not that uncle doesn’t want to give you money, but you know, uncle had to handle many expenses for work in recent years, so that money…”

Sang Yu replied maturely, “It’s okay, uncle. I understand. I’m grateful that you and aunt took me in. If that money can help you, I’m happy too.”

Song Zhenhua smiled, thinking Sang Yu was simple-minded and easy to pacify.

“Good child.”

“Uncle can just write me an IOU for now, and repay me when you’re financially comfortable,” Sang Yu smiled at Song Zhenhua.

The smile on Song Zhenhua’s face instantly stiffened.

“An IOU?” Chen Jinlan snapped, “What IOU? That money belongs to us!”

Sang Yu shrank back fearfully. “Then… then maybe I won’t marry. Aunt Li said that if a woman has no money, she can’t escape if she’s bullied in her husband’s family.”

Song Zhenhua shot Chen Jinlan a sharp glance.

Then he comforted Sang Yu, “Little Yu, you still have uncle. With uncle backing you up, who would dare to bully you?”

“But I’m still scared. What if I can’t find uncle when I need help?” Sang Yu sobbed.

A trace of impatience flickered in Song Zhenhua’s eyes. When did Sang Yu become so difficult?

Song Jiajia looked at Sang Yu and sneered, “Don’t worry. Even if your man bullies you, it won’t last long.”

Moreover, Jiang Jingming wouldn’t be coming home at all.

---

Sang Yu looked at Song Jiajia innocently. “Cousin? What did you say?”

Song Zhenhua warned Song Jiajia sharply, “Jiajia, what nonsense are you spouting?”

Song Jiajia sneered.

Sang Yu pressed on, “Uncle, what does cousin mean by that?”

Song Zhenhua chuckled, “Little Yu, don’t listen to your cousin’s nonsense. I’ll write you an IOU.”

Sang Yu seemed distracted and said, “Okay, thank you, uncle.”

Chen Jinlan interjected, “Write an IOU? That money should be ours!”

“Enough, stop talking! Go prepare dinner!” Song Zhenhua barked coldly.

Chen Jinlan wanted to say more but was silenced by a look from Song Zhenhua.

She glared at Sang Yu before turning into the kitchen.

Song Zhenhua took Sang Yu to his study—her first time there.

How laughable—a study bigger than her own room.

“Little Yu, here’s the IOU. Keep it safe. When uncle has money, he’ll repay you.” A shadow flickered in Song Zhenhua’s eyes.

Sang Yu placed the IOU into her bag. “Okay, thank you, uncle.”

Having the IOU was enough. With it in hand, three thousand yuan was within reach.

Song Zhenhua was a man who valued his face above all else and was quite considerate of this niece orphan in front of others.

How could she not get the three thousand yuan?

That night, after dinner, Sang Yu’s mood improved considerably. She deliberately chose to eat the meat.

Chen Jinlan’s gaze sharpened as if stabbing her with knives.

After dinner, Sang Yu retreated to her room.

She no longer cared what the family of three said.

“You’re writing her an IOU? That money is rightfully ours. Are we really going to support her for nothing?”

One look from Song Zhenhua silenced Chen Jinlan.

Song Jiajia was confused. “Dad, mom is right. Even if we really don’t give it, what can Sang Yu do?”

Song Zhenhua snorted coldly, looking at the mother and daughter as if they were fools.

“You don’t understand anything. Even if we write the IOU, so what? Do you think she’d really come to ask for the money? Even if she did, a few words from us would scare her off.

Better to have a piece of paper to shut others’ mouths.”

Chen Jinlan and Song Jiajia realized the logic.

With Sang Yu’s timid nature, she probably wouldn’t dare to come knocking for money afterward.

---

“I’m asking you, is what you said true?” Song Zhenhua suddenly looked at Song Jiajia.

Song Jiajia answered, “Of course it’s true, Dad. Didn’t I prove it already?”

Chen Jinlan watched the father and daughter exchange veiled words and asked, “What exactly did you say? Why did you agree to the marriage change?”

Song Jiajia waved her hand. “Mom, don’t interfere.”

Chen Jinlan frowned in displeasure.

Song Zhenhua said, “Don’t ask nonsense. You’ll be told what you need to know when the time comes.”

Then he looked at Song Jiajia. “If you dare to lie to me, you know the consequences.”

---

The next day,

Jiang Jingming arrived with his belongings.

It was the weekend. Both Jiang Jingming and Song Zhenhua had the day off.

Chen Jinlan opened the door and saw Jiang Jingming standing there—tall, handsome, with a good profession. She was very displeased at the thought of such a fine man being given to that little wretched Sang Yu.

“Aunt,” Jiang Jingming greeted Chen Jinlan.

Chen Jinlan nodded coldly. “Come in.”

“Jingming’s here?” Song Zhenhua wasn’t meeting Jiang Jingming for the first time.

Jiang Jingming had visited once before when he was transferring jobs, but at that time, Song Jiajia, worried Sang Yu might seduce Jiang Jingming, had sent Sang Yu away.

So Sang Yu had never met Jiang Jingming.

Hearing the noise, Song Jiajia quickly came out.

The man in the living room was tall and upright, with wheat-colored skin and narrow, phoenix-like eyes.

His sharp eyebrows and features were stern; his buzz cut made him look somewhat fierce.

Nonetheless, his physique and face were top-tier.

In her previous life, Song Jiajia had been captivated by his looks.

Even now, thinking of giving this man to Sang Yu still felt a bit regretful.

But then she remembered his cold attitude towards her and that he’d be gone in a month, and the regret faded.

Jiang Jingming saw Song Jiajia and politely nodded to her.

Song Jiajia glanced at him and then sat down.