Shao Zhenggang had initially wanted to avoid the spotlight, but to his dismay, Su Ding directly threw the question his way. He was in a difficult position.
If he were to directly speak up for his elder brother, Xiao Xu would surely be unhappy.
But if he didn't help his elder brother this time, his mother and elder brother might hold a grudge against him, and their attitude towards him might not be as close as it was now…
“Xiao Xu…”
Shao Zhenggang was truly conflicted, his mind a complete mess.
Shao Qingqing suddenly spoke, her voice low, “Five million is not a small sum. How could Xiao Xu possibly have so much money? I think Eldest Brother should think of another way.”
Su Ding was somewhat surprised that it was this aunt who spoke up for her first.
When Shao Zhengchang heard this, he was instantly enraged!
This younger sister was clearly trying to step on him to curry favor with Shao Xu. It was simply too much.
He immediately retorted, “Little Sister, you’ve been spending the family’s money all these years and understand nothing. Just eat your meal obediently.”
Shao Qingqing was rebuffed, and on a point she cared about most. She felt very hurt.
What she cared about most was that she only spent the family’s money without giving back. But this wasn’t her intention. Everyone else had the family provide money to find connections and resources, but what about her?
Her elder brother, the others, and their mother—none of them had ever cared about her dreams. She didn't resent anything.
She had always wanted to repay them, and she had already tried her best.
Shao Qingqing stopped speaking. Her eyes reddened, and she lowered her head.
“Eldest Brother, what do you mean by that? Little Sister has been in school all these years. What’s wrong with spending the family’s money?” Shao Zhengkang, harboring resentment towards his elder brother, spoke up in Shao Qingqing’s defense.
Shao Zhengchang’s expression changed. “That’s not what I meant!”
Shao Jun also spoke up in defense. “Third Uncle, you’ve misunderstood. Xiao Xu can casually spend two million on gifts, so five million should be nothing to her, which is why she spoke up. But Little Sister’s words, while sounding like she was considering Xiao Xu, never considered that such words completely disregard us as family.”
“Perhaps Xiao Xu doesn’t care about five million at all, and she’s willing to help us. Besides, if the Shao family company improves with this five million investment, Xiao Xu will also benefit.”
Old Madam Shao also glared at him. “Alright, we’re all family. What bad intentions could there be? Second Brother, what do you think?” She directly tossed the topic back to Shao Zhenggang.
After much hesitation, Shao Zhenggang finally spoke. “Xiao Xu, if five million is nothing to you, perhaps you could help your uncle? Just for Father’s sake?”
Although his words were not entirely firm, the meaning was already very clear.
Su Ding’s heart immediately sank.
As expected, she shouldn’t have held any hope for Shao Zhenggang. He had lived for so many years. Couldn’t he see that these people were approaching him with ulterior motives?
He could see it.
But he still spoke up for them. Why? It was simply for the sake of their flattery and fawning.
“Five million is nothing to me? Heh heh…” Su Ding let out a cold laugh, showing no intention of being tactful. She said directly, “Who told you that?”
Shao Zhenggang’s face instantly froze, a look of astonishment and awkwardness.
His mouth opened and closed. He subconsciously explained, “No, Father was just asking for your thoughts…”
Su Ding directly interrupted him. “Then let me tell you, five million is a lot. I don’t have that much money. You all guessed wrong. If five million isn’t a lot, then why doesn’t Eldest Uncle lend it to me?”
“Coincidentally, I’ve been preparing to open a store recently and need startup capital. We’re all family, so Eldest Uncle wouldn’t refuse, would he?” She smiled at Shao Zhengchang, but the smile was extremely cold.
Shao Zhengchang’s expression darkened. “I’m the one short five million, how can I lend it to you…”
“Oh, you’re short five million? Shouldn’t you be short seven million? That two million jade bracelet?” Su Ding said this intentionally.
Shao Jun immediately jumped out. “Didn’t you just say that the two million matter was dropped?!”