Chapter 1550 - 1508: The Evil Mother-in-Law Arrives 35

Xiao Tong seized the opportunity while Xiao Yuan took Xia Man and Xi Jingchen to the study, pulling Anning out of the room.

As soon as they stepped out, Xiao Tong’s expression changed.

"Weren’t you supposed to cooperate with me? What’s going on now..."

Anning stood there with her arms crossed: "Cooperate? Did I agree? Besides, if I do cooperate, there has to be some benefit for me, right? Why would I help you if there’s nothing in it for me?"

"Didn’t I say I’d give you that education company?" Xiao Tong lowered her voice and questioned Anning.

"Heh." Anning chuckled, patting Xiao Tong’s shoulder: "Are you stupid? Brain filled with water? Just that startup company, and you expect to get help from me like a blank check for a white wolf? I don’t lack money; I have the funds to run a company. What I need are the Xiao Family’s connections and resources."

Anning whispered in Xiao Tong’s ear: "Besides, if I can swipe it for myself, why would I share with you?"

"You, you." Xiao Tong was furious.

"What about me?" Anning raised an eyebrow: "You aren’t my biological granddaughter, and Li Wanping holds a grudge against me. Why would I expend energy to prepare a wedding dress for you? I have my own children and grandchildren, and naturally, I need to consider them."

Xiao Tong took out her phone: "Heh, I recorded what you said earlier. What do you think will happen if grandpa hears it?"

Anning laughed even louder: "Recording, huh? I’m not afraid. Go ahead and play it for the old man."

Xiao Tong was truly taken aback.

She had thought recording Anning’s words would panic Anning, allowing her to extort Anning’s help in the future. But she hadn’t expected Anning to be unaffected.

Anning turned and walked back indoors: "Fool, listen to what you recorded."

Anning went inside, and Xiao Tong played the recording on her phone.

Upon playing it, she was so furious she almost threw the phone away.

What she recorded wasn’t their conversation but a cacophony of bird calls and pig grunts.

What does this mean?

Is Anning mocking her, saying she’s no better than a pig, and her brain’s even smaller than a bird’s?

Xiao Tong didn’t know how Anning did it or how Anning knew she was recording, but she realized her step-grandmother was highly skilled with deep thinking, far from her match.

Xiao Tong felt a bit scared, yet more enraged.

In the study

Xiao Yuan proudly showed his collection to Xi Jingchen and Xia Man.

"This Guanyin statue was curated with the finest jade and crafter by the best artisans for the mother of the Grand Secretary during the Jing Dynasty. These Doucai teacups took me immense effort to find, and as for this crown, I outbid Old Xu from the Capital and won..."

Xi Jingchen and Xia Man felt bedazzled.

Each exquisite jade piece, each antique and painting was indeed remarkably crafted, and just by hearing the history, one could tell how extremely valuable they were, not just ordinarily expensive.

Xiao Yuan carefully took out the crown to show Xia Man: "Didn’t your grandma say earlier you should wear it when you marry? Take a look and see if you like it. If you do, I’ll keep it for you. It’s crucial to preserve such items well; you young people don’t understand this much, so it’s best to leave it with me until your wedding, okay?"

Xia Man was frightened.

"You keep it, I can’t accept it; it’s too precious, I..."

Xiao Yuan laughed heartily: "Precious or not, once it’s bought, it’s meant for the family. Even if it were more expensive, I’d be happy smashing it to hear the sound. In truth, the crown’s price is just inflated; the value isn’t that high. It’s just the name sounds grand."

"But..." Xia Man still hesitated.

"These are just material possessions. Take it, and in the future just make sure to dutifully honor me and your grandma."

Xiao Yuan placed the crown on the table: "Take a good look, let me know if you’re not satisfied, and I’ll have it adjusted."

"I am satisfied; the crown is exquisite." Xia Man didn’t dare let Xiao Yuan have it altered. As she examined it, she said: "It’s truly beautiful, especially that diamond in the center."

Xiao Yuan smiled and offered a watch to Xi Jingchen: "This was bought with my first earnings, possessing great sentimental value beyond its worth, but for me, it’s extremely precious. I’m giving it to you now."

Xi Jingchen dared not refuse. He reached out and took the watch.

Xiao Yuan offered another: "Wear this one daily."

Xi Jingchen removed his watch and donned the one given by Xiao Yuan, carefully storing the other into a box, planning to preserve it well at home.

Xiao Yuan encouraged Xia Man to select other items.

Xia Man quickly said: "The crown is already excellent; I don’t know about or like anything else, so let’s leave it at that."

Xiao Yuan said with a smile: "Alright, after all, everything in this room is reserved for you both. If you fancy anything, let me know. Anything missing, we’ll simply buy it."

That wealth, that generosity, all the more made Xia Man feel terrified.

Neither she nor Xi Jingchen lingered; after receiving the gifts, they sat downstairs for a while before promptly leaving.

As they departed, Li Wanping’s face turned green watching their retreating figures.

When Xiao Zhe returned, Li Wanping pulled Xiao Zhe upstairs.

Entering the bedroom, Li Wanping started venting: "Why did you come back so late? You... do you know, Xiao Zhang and I were almost bullied to death."

She recounted the card incident and her humiliation at the auction to Xiao Zhe: "You didn’t see earlier how the old man gave that crown to Xia Man. I’d asked him several times for it as betrothal for Xiao Zhang, but he refused. Now he gives it to an outsider. No matter how good the outsider, can’t be closer than a grandson. And..."

"Alright, I’ll talk to the old man later."

Xiao Zhe grew increasingly exasperated.

After soothing Li Wanping for a bit, he went to find Xiao Yuan.

Xiao Yuan was still in the study reviewing documents.

The Xiao Family was transitioning towards high-tech under Xiao Yuan’s lead, keeping him very busy.

Xiao Zhe knocked and entered.

"Dad, why did you freeze Wanping and Xiao Zhang’s cards?"

Xiao Yuan didn’t even look up: "Don’t think I don’t know your tricks. When Anning and I registered, did Li Wanping attempt to hire a hitman? She just got distracted by that fight with Tongtong so it went unpunished. Not doing it doesn’t mean she wasn’t wrong. Her intent alone is unacceptable. And Xiao Zhang, he shamelessly tried to steal his brother’s wife, utterly disgraceful. So, I cut their cards to make them reflect."

These words left Xiao Zhe speechless.

"But, you can’t leave them without a penny."

Xiao Zhe pleaded with Xiao Yuan.

Xiao Yuan set one document aside and picked up another: "They’re your wife and child, you support them. I’ve raised you for over forty years approaching fifty. Now, it’s not only you still living off me, but your wife and kids too, expecting me to provide. I’m your father, not indebted to you. I have no obligation to keep supporting your whole family. If you’re dissatisfied, I might as well freeze your card too."

These words made Xiao Zhe too scared to continue pleading.

"Well, haha, freezing their cards is justified, rightful."