Chapter 219: Downright Laughable
Chapter 219: Chapter 219: Downright Laughable
At school, Shen Lan was in the middle of her afternoon gym class when she saw a video call request from Shen Lu. She hesitated for a moment but answered it anyway.
A large, familiar, and detestable face pressed up against the lens, filling the entire screen.
"Xiao Lan, is that you, Xiao Lan?" Liu Qiang stared at the girl in the white athletic suit on the screen, a bit dazed. ’Is this really the adopted daughter who lived with him for over ten years? She seems like a completely different person.’
Shen Lan frowned unconsciously and minimized the video window. "Why is it you? Isn’t this call from Shen Lu?"
Only then did Shen Lu come into frame. "So, Miss Shen is in class?"
Seeing the two of them on the screen, the corners of Shen Lan’s mouth curled upward.
’How do you like it, Shen Lu? Do you like the gift I sent you?’
’A pair of biological parents who favor sons over daughters, plus a troublemaking brother who’s a petty thief and doesn’t treat his sister like a human being. A family like that is just so wonderfully heartwarming, isn’t it?’
"Have you and Uncle Liu had your reunion?" Shen Lan asked with a smile. "It must have been so difficult for your family, being separated for all these years. Shen Lu, you’re capable and have money now. You’d better take good care of Uncle Liu and the others."
Shen Lu saw through Shen Lan’s hypocrisy at a glance, which only confirmed her suspicions.
’The "kind-hearted" person who told the Liu Family the news was definitely arranged by Shen Lan.’
’She really went to a lot of trouble, racking her brains at home for so many days to finally come up with a reasonably clever scheme.’
’I have to admit, the appearance of the three members of the Liu Family has indeed caused me a great deal of trouble.’
"Of course. Although they never raised me for a single day, they did give me life," Shen Lu said with a beaming smile, playing along. "But you, on the other hand, Miss Shen... you ate our family’s food for so many years. Aren’t you going to show any gratitude at all?"
Previously, Shen Lu hadn’t known if Shen Lan had visited the Liu Family after the switch was revealed, but based on Liu Qiang’s reaction just now, it seemed she hadn’t.
Shen Lan vaguely sensed something was wrong. "How dare you say that? What kind of life did you have in the Shen Family, and what kind of life did I have with the Liu Family? For as long as I can remember, I never had enough to eat!"
"That’s not the right way to look at it. My family’s circumstances are what they are—certainly not comparable to the Shen Family’s. But at the very least, they raised you, right? Otherwise, how would you be enjoying this good life now?" Shen Lu sighed softly. "Alas, your reputation isn’t very good to begin with. What do you think would happen if people found out you have no gratitude for the parents who raised you?"
"Shen Lu!" Shen Lan lost control and shrieked, drawing the stares of all the surrounding students.
Her face flushed red, her nails digging into her palms. She took several deep breaths, barely suppressed her anger, and forced a stiff smile as she apologized to the classmates she had startled.
Shen Lan hurried to an empty corner, her tone fierce. "Shen Lu, what the hell do you want?! I’m warning you, don’t go spreading rumors, or I’ll sue you for defamation. You can just wait to go to jail!"
"My, my. I was just showing a little concern, and you’re already this worked up," Shen Lu said unhurriedly. "Also, don’t just throw around a new word you’ve learned. Defamation is deliberately fabricating and spreading falsehoods. Since I haven’t said anything untrue, a defamation charge will never stick to me."
"Enough. I don’t have time to argue with you about this," Shen Lan cut her off impatiently. "You didn’t call just to spout this nonsense. What do you really want?!"
Shen Lu held up a hand. "You’ve really misunderstood me. I’m not the one who wanted to talk to you."
She stepped aside and shot Liu Qiang a look.
Liu Qiang immediately understood and once again pressed his face to the camera.
"Xiao Lan, your brother’s arm was broken by some thugs last night. We’re at the hospital now. Can you transfer some money over? Otherwise, your brother’s arm will be crippled."
Shen Lan almost laughed out loud when she heard him.
"What does this have to do with me? Why should I transfer money to you? I’m not your daughter anymore. If someone has to pay, it should be Shen Lu!"
"I’d love to, but I don’t have the means," Shen Lu interjected at the perfect moment. "You don’t really think I opened that shop, do you? I’m just an employee on a fixed salary, and I still have debts to pay."
"Who are you trying to fool? The business license is in your name!"
"It’s true that I’m the manager, but I have bosses behind me; they just prefer not to show their faces." Shen Lu didn’t want to get tangled up with Shen Lan on this topic. The more she said, the more likely she was to slip up. "Dad, we can’t delay any longer with Brother’s arm."
Shen Lu said the word "Dad" reluctantly, but she had no choice. This body was, after all, related to them by blood.
Liu Qiang pleaded, "Xiao Lan, please, have a heart. No matter what, we’re the ones who raised you."
Shen Lu chimed in from the side, "That’s right. If Miss Shen is truly unwilling, I’ll just have to take Mom and Dad to the Shen Family to beg for help. Uncle Shen is a kind-hearted man; I’m sure he’d be willing to lend a hand."
Liu Qiang and his wife didn’t have access passes, but Shen Lu did. Better yet, she could have Bai Wanwan get her two more. Then their whole family could go to the Upper City District.
Shen Lan really wanted to curse them out.
’She was the one who brought the Liu Family here to torment Shen Lu. How, in the blink of an eye, had Shen Lu turned the tables and used them to torment her instead?’
’The Liu Family absolutely cannot appear before Shen Changrong. In other words, she couldn’t cause a single shred of new trouble for her family.’
After weighing her options, Shen Lan could only obediently transfer the money to Shen Lu.
"How much do you need?" Shen Lan asked through gritted teeth. "Don’t get greedy, or I’ll take you down with me!"
Shen Lu glanced at the payment form. "The examination fee is 1,000 Star Coins. We don’t know the treatment cost yet."
"I’ll transfer 1,000 for now. Message me again when you get the final cost."
"Sounds good. Miss Shen isn’t going to hang up and block me, is she?"
"I won’t!" Shen Lan didn’t want to exchange another word with Shen Lu and furiously hung up the video call.
Liu Qiang asked cluelessly, "Little Deer, did Xiao Lan agree?"
"She did. The money’s already here." Shen Lu scanned the barcode on the form, paid the examination fee, and said, "Go take Brother for his examination."
"Okay, okay, okay, we’ll go right now."
Liu Qiang nodded repeatedly, then cheerfully went with Yang Jing to push Liu Yaozu toward the examination rooms.
The hospital was expensive, but it was also efficient. In less than half an hour, the results and treatment plan were ready.
Liu Yaozu’s entire right arm had a comminuted fracture and required surgery. All the various fees added up to about 10,000 Star Coins.
The exorbitant medical bill gave Liu Qiang and his wife a huge shock. The two of them looked helplessly at Shen Lu, hoping she could come up with a plan.
Of course, Shen Lu called Shen Lan again, but this time Shen Lan didn’t answer. She would only communicate via text.
Shen Lan: Stop calling me over every little thing! It’s so annoying!