TFRLTOP Chapter 46 Part 4

Bored, Ming Ming sat on the steps, chin in her hands, waiting for them to finish.

“Old Chen, are you stupid? I heard you set your daughter up with an educated youth. Be honest—did you pull some shady trick?” Yuan Chenglong asked in a low voice.

Chen Weiguo stiffened, then waved to Ming Ming. “Juanzi, go inside. Grown-ups need to talk.”

Ming Ming: “…”

And what is it that your ‘distinguished member’ isn’t allowed to hear?

She pouted, but went inside anyway—while secretly turning on the system to livestream the conversation.

…

Yuan Chenglong sneered. “Let’s not kid ourselves—we’re both no saints, so don’t go looking down on me. I know what you’re plotting. You just want your daughter to have someone solid to rely on. But come on, Old Chen, think for a second. We’re both men—don’t we know what men are really like? You think any guy is truly reliable?”

“When your wife died giving birth to your girl, you regretted it so much you wanted to make it up to her in every way. You’ve been playing the devoted father all these years, but you honestly believe all men are worth a damn? You’re not dependable yourself, so how can you expect another man to be?”

Chen Weiguo stayed silent. Yuan Chenglong spat on the ground. “If Juanzi were my daughter, I’d raise her properly, not spoil her like you do. I’d make sure she could earn her own money, not live off someone else’s.”

Ming Ming’s eyes welled up with tears. Finally! That’s what I’m talking about! Why aren’t you my dad?!

Yuan Chenglong let out a long breath, softened his tone, and patted Chen Weiguo’s shoulder. “Let your daughter keep the money. Old Chen, listen to me—depending on anyone else will never be as reliable as depending on herself. You’ve played your tricks and forced your son-in-law to toe the line, but you don’t think he holds a grudge? Do you even know if he’s being good to her for real, or just putting on an act? Sure, right now you’ve got him under your thumb, but what about later? What if he gets ahead in life? What if you’re gone someday? How can you guarantee he’ll always be her support?”

Those words hit Chen Weiguo right where it hurt. His body gave an involuntary shudder. After a long silence, he finally relented, rasping, “…Fine. I’ll thank you on her behalf.”

“There you go.” Yuan Chenglong grinned, satisfied. “Your daughter’s tougher than you think. Just a few words from her saved my dad’s life back then, and now she’s helped steer my boy clear of disaster. Honestly, I think she might be a reincarnated immortal. Hey—would you let me take her as a goddaughter?”

Chen Weiguo shot back, “Aren’t you my grandson already? Have your kid come kowtow to me as his great-grandpa, and then maybe I’ll let her be your god-daughter.”

“Go to hell! …But you know what, you reminded me—I’ll bring my boy over in a couple days to bow to our girl.”

“Forget it. The kid’s been through a scare, don’t put him through more.”

Yuan Chenglong lit a cigarette and offered one to Chen Weiguo. He waved it off, so Yuan didn’t insist. After a couple of puffs, the smoke made Chen Weiguo cough.

“You’re really that weak now, just the smell of smoke gets you coughing?” Yuan frowned and quickly stubbed the cigarette out. “Anyway, I’ll say it again: better to invest in your daughter than your son-in-law. A son-in-law doing well doesn’t guarantee your daughter will. But if your daughter does well, that’s real security.”

Chen Weiguo gave a small nod.

Once Yuan Chenglong had said and done what he came for, he happily went off to find Ming Ming.

“Daughter—no, I mean, Chen Po! Come on, your dad agreed. Put this away, quick. Listen, kid, even between husband and wife, there are things you shouldn’t share. This money is yours. Keep it safe. Don’t let your man find out how much you’ve got.”

Ming Ming nodded furiously, beaming as she held the bundle. Yuan Chenglong rubbed his hands together ingratiatingly and asked, “So… Chen Po, what about my family’s future?”

“Relax. No disasters, no troubles, smooth sailing all the way.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful!” Yuan Chenglong’s smile nearly split his face.

“But…” Ming Ming hefted the bundle in her hands. It was so heavy she actually felt a twinge of guilt. She hesitated, then said, “I know your family’s loaded, but giving me this much at once… isn’t it too much? Honestly, just a few hundred would’ve been enough.”

“People call me a ten-thousand-yuan household, but that doesn’t mean I only have ten thousand.” Yuan Chenglong grinned smugly.

Ming Ming: “…”

“Don’t worry, girl. I’ll make this money back in a week!”

Ming Ming: “………………”

Damn! Should’ve squeezed him for more while I had the chance.