Chapter 640: Chapter 639: 639, Luoluo is after all my daughter.

“”I went to find you on the first day of the New Year, when I learned that this house had been mortgaged six years ago. The real estate agent said your grandmother kept demanding a high price and wouldn’t sell. So, I bought it.” Chu Xiuhuang said with casualness that reflected his wealth.

“How much?” Shi Huan asked instinctively.

“30 million.”

“That expensive?” Shi Huan was surprised.

Even though the price of land in Nancheng was prohibitive, a few years ago, this house would have cost only a few million at most.

At that time, the Shi family’s debt was 20 million. If this house had not been priced so high and had been sold at a lower price instead…

“If it had been sold at a lower price, your family’s debt could have been reduced considerably, and you wouldn’t have had to work so hard for years. Do you understand now?” Chu Xiuhuang’s voice followed.

“…” Shi Huan didn’t respond.

But she felt an intense pang in her heart.

“Your grandmother, valuing so-called “face” above all else, while you toiled and labored tirelessly for five years to pay off Shi family’s debts. Don’t be a fool, Huan. Don’t work yourself to death for the Shi family anymore. It’s not worth it…”

“Stop!” Shi Huan abruptly interrupted him.

There were things she knew, but…

She didn’t want to delve into it.

After all, she was the granddaughter of the Shi family. No matter how strained the relationship, she couldn’t sever these blood ties.

While the Shi family was in trouble, both Shi family’s Grandpa and eldest son had died, Shi Minyan was in jail, Grandmother was well over seventy, Qian Yulin didn’t have a job, even Shi Qingge had gone to study in France…

Only she, the granddaughter, could take the responsibility of repaying the debts.

She still vividly remembered what Grandma Shi said at the time.

“You haven’t done anything for the Shi family in more than a decade, now that the Shi family is in trouble, it’s time for you to step up! Remember who gave you life, who saved you from the orphanage, and who was killed by a car saving you!”

People are selfish, and Shi Huan sometimes felt she was too foolish. She had borne this heavy debt for five years, giving so much and receiving nothing in return.

But having someone point it out to her face, made her feel uncomfortable.

She felt like a fool…

“Why don’t you want me to speak.” Chu Xiuhuang looked down at her and said pointedly, “Do you think they took you back from the orphanage out of familial love? When all is well, they ignore you. When there is trouble, you are made to shoulder the responsibilities. This house, why didn’t your grandmother want to sell it? If she had the slightest consideration for your hardships as her granddaughter, as an elder, she wouldn’t be that heartless, and prioritize her so-called ‘face’, making you…”

Before he could finish, Shi Huan had already turned around and ran out.

Chu Xiuhuang stood there, surprised and chased after her.

“Mr. Chu, aren’t you going to sign the contract?” The staff called out.

“I’ll sign it when I come back.” Chu Xiuhuang replied.

When he rushed outside, he heard…

“Vwoosh”.

A black Cayenne started off with breakneck speed.

Chu Xiuhuang stood still, his handsome face turned dark, his eyebrows twitching irritably.

This must be a race, right?

It took him a while before he turned around and walked back into the agency.

**

Shi Huan slowed down as she joined the main road.

No matter how upset she was, she wouldn’t play with her own life.

Her stomach grumbled loudly.

She was starving.

She looked at the time. It was already three in the afternoon.

Frowning, she decided to head home, but ended up stopping at a shopping mall near the housing community.

After buying the children’s phone, it was already four o’clock.

Back in the car, she picked up her phone, intending to call Shi Minyan. However, Tu Youran’s name appeared on the screen.

“Huanhuan, I just spoke to Yiming, he said you two have been in contact, is that right?”

“Auntie, I…”

“Don’t refuse right away. You haven’t even tried to get to know him yet, how do you know that Yiming isn’t right for you? Give him a chance and give yourself a chance. Huanhuan, as your elder, I sincerely hope you can find your own happiness. These years haven’t been easy for you, due to the Shi family’s debt, you’ve worked non-stop. But things are better now, Minyan and I are settled here in Nancheng, and the debt is almost paid off. You should also consider your own personal matters.”

Tu Youran’s voice was gentle, and it was evident that she really cared.

Shi Huan felt weary at heart, “As I’ve said, I really…”

Tu Youran cut her off again, “I know a pretty good psychologist, Huanhuan, how about I give you her contact and you have a chat with her?”

“Fine.” Shi Huan changed the subject, “Speaking of which, Auntie, I’ve bought a new phone for Luoluo. Will you be home tonight so I can drop it off?”

“Don’t bother!” Tu Youran’s refusal was swift and direct.

Shi Huan was taken aback, “…”

“I’ll come over to you. I just happen to be out shopping.”

“Oh, that would work too.” Shi Huan didn’t overthink it.

After hanging up the phone, she drove straight home.

She prepared some food quickly, and when she got halfway through her meal, there was a knock at her door.

Shi Huan rushed to open it, “Auntie.”

Tu Youran walked in with a smile, “Do I need to change shoes?”

“No need.”

In the first place, the house didn’t have any extra slippers available, but who’d have known…

“Huanhuan, whose slippers are these?” Tu Youran pointed to the pair of blue slippers by the shoe cabinet.

They were men’s slippers, could it be that…

“Huanhuan, do you have a boyfriend?” Tu Youran’s expression suddenly changed.

All this while she claimed she didn’t want to meet men and even said she rejected them, and yet…

“No.” Shi Huan made light of it, “These slippers belong to Chu Xiuhuang.”

“So, you and him…”

“Don’t have any relationship. He just comes over occasionally to discuss some business matters.”

Tu Youran: “…”

Shi Huan didn’t elaborate further but quickly presented the new phone, “This is the new phone I bought for Luoluo, it’s exactly the same as the previous one.”

Tu Youran had just received the phone…

“Wait!” Shi Huan then went to her bedroom.

Tu Youran took the opportunity to scan the room.

This was her first time visiting Shi Huan’s home.

It was a small one-bedroom apartment, not too large, but quite comfortable for a single woman.

The room was tidy and bright, and a large window along one wall was adorned with many green plants, even some small green onions and leafy vegetables, creating a very homely atmosphere.

The living room furniture was rather plain, except for…

Tu Youran stared at the large couch.

It was utterly out of place in the room, a huge cream-colored couch, really wide and large, a notorious international brand, worth at least two to three hundred thousand, right?

“This is Luoluo’s violin.”

Hearing the voice, Tu Youran quickly turned around.

Shi Huan was holding an exquisite violin case, “I forgot to ask my uncle to take it back last time. Luoluo has violin lessons in her school now, and school’s opening soon, she’ll definitely need it.”

Tu Youran took it with a smile, “Huanhuan, I’m really sorry, how much does this violin and the mobile phone cost? I’ll make a transfer to you now.”

“It’s not necessary, they’re not that expensive.”

“How can it be not necessary? Luoluo has been living with you for several months, on top of those expenses, I’ll need to give you her living expenses too.”

Living expenses?

Shi Huan was speechless, “No need, really. I quite like Luoluo. Besides, I am her sister, it’s fine for me to spend a bit.”

“This makes me feel really bad. Yesterday, she was throwing a tantrum at home. This child is spoiled.”

“Actually, Luoluo is very well-behaved, and these things I bought willingly, not because she demanded them. Please don’t misunderstand.”

“I know you’re kind-hearted, but children shouldn’t be spoiled like this. She has been spoiled in just a few months and has become so delicate. Will she not think of herself as a little princess in the future? You’re aware of our family’s situation, your uncle just returned to the country and invested a huge sum in setting up the company again. I’m just a lowly finance worker, and my parents have retired…”

Shi Huan frowned, somewhat confused about what she was trying to say.

“I know you have done excellently in your work these years and must have earned a lot, but Luoluo is, after all, my daughter.” Tu Youran smiled, “So, in the future, please don’t buy anything for her anymore, don’t chat with her on WeChat either. You’re busy with your work, Luoluo won’t bother you from now on, it’s better if you two don’t meet anymore.”

Shi Huan bit her lip, “Auntie, what do you mean?”