Shen Mianmian posed several questions very astutely. She didn’t express any ingratitude toward Zhou Siyu for helping her, nor did she directly accuse Zhou Siyu of lying. Instead, she merely pointed out a few key issues. Orıginal content can be found at 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩⚫𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢⚫𝔫𝔢𝔱
Shen Jianhua hadn’t attended school, so he was unaware of these procedures and therefore believed what Zhou Siyu said. But after Shen Mianmian’s remarks, he also began to harbor doubts.
Something about this situation didn’t seem quite right.
Both Yang Guifang and Zhou Lanfang were taken aback by Shen Mianmian’s words, having never doubted Zhou Siyu before. Now, after Shen Mianmian’s comments, they also felt that something was amiss.
"Sister, are you doubting me?" Zhou Siyu saw everyone beginning to doubt her and immediately felt aggrieved, "I meant well by trying to cheer you up. What do you mean by raising these questions?"
"It means nothing, I’m just voicing the doubts in my mind. If it really was your help, then thank you." After speaking, Shen Mianmian turned and went back into her room.
She had intentionally raised suspicions without exposing anyone, knowing that ultimately their family had benefitted and Shen Jianhua was unlikely to confront the principal.
Brother He aided the school anonymously, which showed he didn’t want to draw attention to himself or there may be other hidden reasons. She didn’t feel it was appropriate to bother him over this trivial matter.
So, no matter how much they argued, it would lead nowhere. Shen Jianhua, who had preconceived notions, was more inclined to believe Zhou Siyu after all.
All she needed was to plant a seed of doubt in Shen Jianhua’s mind.
Zhou Siyu, seeing Shen Jianhua looking suspicious and the doubt in his eyes, panicked a bit. Having been involved in a conflict just the day before, she dared not cry.
"Uncle, I never thought my good intentions would be doubted."
Zhou Lanfang and Yang Guifen were also coming back to their senses and started casting resentful blame on Shen Mianmian.
Shen Jianhua was unsure who to believe. He thought the questions raised by Shen Mianmian remained unanswered by Zhou Siyu, seemingly pointing to discrepancies, yet he didn’t believe Zhou Siyu would lie.
Besides, it was a fact that their family didn’t meet the criteria for financial aid.
Unable to come to a conclusion after much thought, he simply gave up thinking about it. In any case, his family had profited from the situation, and that was certain.
Irritated by the argument between Zhou Lanfang and Yang Guifen, he glanced at the clock on the wall, "It’s almost four o’clock. You should head back earlier. Don’t wait until it gets dark. It’s not safe."
"Four o’clock?" Yang Guifang jolted up from her chair, no longer concerned with criticizing Shen Mianmian, and urged Zhou Lanfang hurriedly, "Lanfang, you and Siyu should pack up and get ready to leave."
Her husband had asked her to return early when she left at noon. She had forgotten about the time in the heat of the conversation.
"Siyu, go change your clothes. We’re leaving," Zhou Lanfang told Zhou Siyu to change into a different outfit before they departed. People in the city were always well-dressed, and her niece couldn’t be an exception.
Zhou Siyu no longer dwelled on her feelings of being wronged. She went into her room, rummaged through her belongings for a set of clothes she usually didn’t dare to wear, combed her hair, and left cheerfully.
Shen Mianmian, observing the mess Zhou Siyu had made of the room, quietly began to tidy up.
"Mianmian," Shen Jianhua’s voice called from outside, "come out for a moment."
Shen Mianmian was startled, put down the clothes she was halfway done folding, and went outside.
"Dad, what did you want to talk about?"
Shen Jianhua sat in the living room, smoking a cigarette made from old book paper. He motioned for Shen Mianmian to find a stool and sit down.