Two Thousand for Pocket Money

Qin Sheng didn't respond, simply picking up some bread and eating slowly. Lin Shuyia paid her no mind either, her expression cold and detached as she focused on her own breakfast.

"I'm full." Qin Sheng ate a few pieces of bread and then stood up from her seat, brushing crumbs from her hands.

Seeing her attire, Qin Hai frowned and turned to Lin Shuyia, "Didn't you prepare some clothes for Sheng'er?"

Lin Shuyia also furrowed her brows in confusion, her thoughts momentarily distracted. "I did ask the servants to deliver them."

Both Qin Hai and Lin Shuyia's gazes fell upon Qin Sheng, their expectations palpable.

Qin Sheng squinted her eyes, considered her words carefully, and then slowly said, "They're ugly."

All those clothes had been chosen by Qin Churuo. Having seen Qin Sheng's photos, she deliberately picked out outdated and bulky clothing, clearly aiming to humiliate her.

In her past life, Qin Sheng had been constantly ridiculed as a country bumpkin because of this. Qin Hai and Lin Shuyia had been too embarrassed to even acknowledge her as their daughter in public, often avoiding social events where she might be present.

Lin Shuyia's face darkened; Qin Sheng was certainly not as considerate and obedient as Churuo. Her lack of decorum and the perceived inconvenience she caused irritated Lin Shuyia further.

"Sheng'er, since you don't like them, why don't you pick out a few that you do like?" Qin Hai said, pulling out a card. "There's two thousand yuan on this."

Qin Hai believed that by giving Qin Sheng two thousand yuan, he had fulfilled his duty as a father. To him, this amount was more than generous, especially for someone who had just returned from a life in the countryside. He assumed that Qin Sheng, having grown up in such modest conditions, would be moved by this gesture.

Qin Sheng didn't take it but instead asked with a hint of sarcasm, "Does Qin Churuo also receive two thousand in pocket money?"

"Twenty thousand," Qin Hai admitted without hesitation, his tone matter-of-fact. He saw it as a necessary expenditure given Churuo's social circle and lifestyle.

"Father, as your biological daughter, do I not deserve at least as much as your adopted one?" Qin Sheng emphasized the word "father" heavily; it was the first time she had called him that since her rebirth.

She had already repaid their debt of gratitude in her previous life, and in this life, she was determined not to compromise for them. What was rightfully hers, she would reclaim, no matter the cost.

Just as she finished speaking, Lin Shuyia jumped in, "Qin Sheng, how can you compare yourself to Churuo? She has many friends and numerous expenses, unlike you, who just returned from the countryside. What do you need money for?"

Ignoring Lin Shuyia's attempt to belittle her, Qin Sheng looked calmly at Qin Hai, her gaze unwavering.

Qin Hai's smile faltered under Qin Sheng's intense stare, a wave of embarrassment and discomfort washing over him. He quickly changed his tone, "I apologize for my oversight. Sheng'er, from now on, your pocket money will be the same as Churuo's."

But Qin Sheng wasn't about to let him off so easily. "How much pocket money has Qin Churuo received in total over the past eighteen years?"

"Qin Sheng!" Lin Shuyia's face turned ashen with anger, her patience wearing thin. "Do you intend to take everything away from Churuo?"

"If it weren't for the mix-up, Qin Churuo would be the one living in the countryside as you say. Everything she has now never belonged to her in the first place. So how is it stealing?" Qin Sheng sneered, her tone cutting. She then asked Qin Hai again, "Father, I'm sure you wouldn't shortchange your own flesh and blood."

Qin Hai, keen to save face and not short on money, immediately responded, "I'll give you two hundred thousand yuan first, and I'll save the rest for you as a dowry."

Lin Shuyia felt a pang of pain at the thought. Qin Sheng was just a high school student; giving her such a large sum of money would only lead to it being wasted on frivolous things. Spending it on her was simply a waste of resources. Two hundred thousand could buy several sets of clothes for Churuo, which would be more fitting for her status.

She wanted to stop Qin Hai but withdrew her hand reluctantly after he glared at her. Her already low opinion of Qin Sheng worsened, viewing her as an unwelcome burden.

Lin Shuyia secretly felt relieved. Fortunately, they had mixed up the children back then. Otherwise, Qin Churuo wouldn't have become her daughter and the ideal child she had always desired.

Qin Sheng took the card and slipped it into her pocket, her expression indifferent.

Two hundred thousand was not much in the grand scheme of things, but she knew Qin Hai would not give her more, especially not without further pressure.

After finishing her breakfast, Qin Sheng left with the bank card, her mind already racing with plans. Unconsciously, she found herself standing in front of a villa, the reality of her new life beginning to take shape.

**(End of Chapter)**