Adored by Him: My Blissful Days as the Girl Next Door-Chapter 409 - 408: Trouble at the Old Home

The next evening, Zhao Meimei took the gifts she had bought and went with Shi Yang to her parents’ house for dinner.

Zhao Meimei lowered her head and pursed her lips, trying to contain the exuberance that was almost overflowing from her face, and handed the gifts over separately: "Dad, Mom, these are gifts I bought for you with money I earned working during my vacation, see if you like them."

Liu Xiue and Zhao Dazhuang opened the gifts separately, one holding cosmetics, the other a belt, both with smiles spreading across their faces, praising her repeatedly: "Wow, my Meimei is really impressive, so thoughtful!"

Liu Xiue held the cosmetics, glanced at the brand, and her eyes widened before squinting with a smile she couldn’t contain, filled with excitement and pride: "Meimei, this brand of cosmetics costs at least a few hundred, right? Such good stuff, it’s a waste if I use it, take it back for yourself."

Zhao Meimei’s mouth curved into a smile, her tone revealing smugness: "You should keep it and use it. This is my filial gift to you. When I start working, I’ll buy you something even better."

Zhao Dazhuang examined his belt carefully, unable to part with it: "Daughter, did you spend all your earnings to buy us gifts?"

Zhao Meimei’s smile brimmed with confidence, her chin raised: "Of course, I earn money to spend on you. As long as you like it, the money isn’t wasted — that makes me happy."

Liu Xiue listened, feeling both touched and concerned about the money, and couldn’t help but nag: "You didn’t have to spend all of it, over sixteen hundred, almost two thousand yuan! You could have kept some to buy yourself clothes. Your dad has gained so much weight, he doesn’t need a belt to keep his pants from falling off."

Zhao Dazhuang immediately retorted: "Why wouldn’t I use it? I’m going to tuck my shirt in my pants and wrap the belt outside — this is a gift from my daughter, I need to show it off to Old Liu and the others."

Zhao Meimei followed: "This is my heartfelt gift, besides, if I want to buy clothes, I’ll just ask my brother for money."

Zhao Meimei always felt it was only right and proper to spend Shi Yang’s money.

Shi Yang liked Zhao Meimei’s reliance on him; hearing this, he grinned proudly and helped persuade Liu Xiue: "Aunt, just accept it, it’s rare for Meimei to be so thoughtful of us."

Liu Xiue beamed with happiness, feeling incredibly gratified: "Good, good, my Meimei is indeed thoughtful, it makes mom happy, I especially like it."

In the evening, Liu Xiue prepared a table full of good dishes, and the four of them happily finished dinner together. Zhao Meimei actively showed her willingness to help: "Mom, put it down, I’ll do it. Tonight, I’ll wash the dishes. You and Dad rest; no one is allowed to enter the kitchen!"

As Zhao Meimei spoke, she secretly signaled Shi Yang: Brother, remember to handle the important matter!

Shi Yang chuckled and nodded in agreement, waiting for Zhao Meimei to collect the chopsticks and bowls into the kitchen and close the door before turning to chat casually with Zhao Dazhuang and Liu Xiue. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Shi Yang was straightforward in conversation with Zhao Dazhuang and Liu Xiue, directly asking: "Uncle, I heard from Meimei that something happened back home? Is there anything I can do to help?"

Zhao Dazhuang hadn’t been back for years, except for the time when his mother fell sick and stayed in the hospital until she passed away, which kept him in the hometown for over a year. He hadn’t returned since then.

After returning from home, he and his sisters occasionally called to greet each other, but as time passed and the distance was great, their lives didn’t intersect, and gradually it reverted to just a phone call during festive seasons.

He maintained more frequent contact with his eldest sister, and although he didn’t communicate much with the other two sisters, he still cared a bit deep down. After all, they grew up together; though calls were few, emotions always ran high, recalling the past fondly while caring for each other.

Mentioning his younger sister’s situation, Zhao Dazhuang couldn’t help but sigh, confiding in Shi Yang: "A while ago, my younger sister, Meimei’s aunt, called saying her husband recently switched jobs. The job’s pay is good and it has great potential. Who would’ve thought half a month later, my sister called crying, saying she wanted a divorce because her husband invested all the family money and even got relatives involved."

Shi Yang said: "Aunt’s husband wants to start his own business, isn’t that a good thing? Why doesn’t Aunt agree? Is the project bad?"

Zhao Dazhuang said with a grim expression: "It would be nice if it was truly starting a business. My sister said she went to the workplace to look for her husband once. When she arrived, she found out that the so-called company was just a residential house, with people inside chanting slogans that could be heard through the door. My sister was so scared she didn’t dare to knock. When her husband got home, my sister confronted him and they ended up fighting. In a rage, my sister wants a divorce, and the situation escalated."

Shi Yang listened to Zhao Dazhuang’s words, his brow furrowing more and more, asking: "Uncle, why does it sound to me like Aunt’s husband isn’t actually starting a business, but more like one of those pyramid schemes that emerged a couple of years ago?"

Zhao Dazhuang said: "What? No way!"

Shi Yang said: "But listening to you, it really seems to have signs of it. Why don’t you contact Aunt later to find out the details? If it’s true, it’s best to report it to the police — you going there might not help."

Liu Xiue interjected: "But my sister-in-law didn’t accompany her husband, isn’t pyramid schemes supposed to start with family first?"

Shi Yang said: "Uncle, it’s best not to go yet. Aunt said not to contact your eldest sister and the others, which I find odd. After all, distant water can’t quench near thirst. They’re family and closer than anyone. Aunt has troubles but doesn’t first seek out her sisters, instead calls you from afar asking for money and wanting you to go personally, which seems strange to me."

Zhao Dazhuang previously hadn’t thought much of it, but listening to Shi Yang’s analysis, he suddenly realized something was amiss.

Liu Xiue had blamed before simply because Aunt was rushing too much.

Both she and Zhao Dazhuang couldn’t just drop their work and leave, plus Shi Yang was setting up an early childhood education center, and Qu Chaozong had to care for the old man in the hospital, everything coincided and manpower was scarce. They thought of negotiating with Aunt to delay a couple of days, but Aunt cried over the phone, making Liu Xiue somewhat resentful.

But resentment aside, hearing Shi Yang’s words, Liu Xiue couldn’t help but speak on behalf of Aunt: "No way, my sister-in-law is usually quite perceptive, though not always pleasant, she’s very upright and wouldn’t want to harm Old Zhao; they are siblings, no matter how little contact there is, they are still family."