I Have 10 Trillion Dollars only Usable For Simping
Chapter 270: The shoes were washed at 2:66.

Chapter 270: The shoes were washed at 2:66.

Eight-digit figure.

Liu Hongzhi had estimated accurately, yet inaccurately.

But Li Shuru didn’t offer any additional explanation.

After all, Qingdao could not compare to East Sea, it could at best be considered a second-tier city, and her own family was just an ordinary salary-earning class, not able to withstand too great a psychological shock.

"What’s wrong?"

When Xue Yali returned to the private room, she found the deathly silence and mutual glances strange.

"Your sister gave your aunt a diamond, Xiao Liu said it’s worth more than ten million..."

Upon hearing her mother’s words, Xue Yali also paused, glancing involuntarily towards her boyfriend.

A diamond worth ten million?

You should know.

Her boyfriend managed assets of only fifty million.

Liu Hongzhi said nothing.

Seeing the atmosphere so rigid, Li Shuru secretly nudged Jiang Chen’s leg under the table, signaling him to come up with an idea quickly.

"Actually, that diamond was a gift to Shu Rui for her birthday from a friend..."

Jiang Chen cleared his throat, "We also don’t know how much it cost."

"Someone gave it to her?"

Even Xue Shuzhi, who worked in a state-owned enterprise and was of a steady character, couldn’t help but be astonished.

Who would give away such a rare treasure?

One really can only blame that people have different visions.

Living in a feng shui treasure land like Qingdao, life is naturally smooth sailing, but still, one simply doesn’t have access to a broader and more magnificent world.

Don’t even talk about giving it away.

Some people even dare to smash such things casually.

"Hmm, aunty, someone did give it to her."

Li Shuru nodded in agreement.

"Could it be fake then?"

Zou Luoxia spoke tentatively.

The more she thought about it, the more she felt it was likely.

Giving away a gift worth ten million.

Was their brain working properly?

Who would be so stupid?

It must definitely be a case of passing off the spurious as genuine.

Even on Pinduoduo, similar "gems" can be bought by the dozen for a hundred yuan!

Li Shuru and Jiang Chen did not speak, which was as good as admitting it.

"Even if it’s fake, it’s still the children’s kind intention."

Xue Gui said, obviously trying to save face for the kids.

However, his underlying meaning was also clear that he didn’t believe the blood diamond was real.

It’s understandable.

For ordinary people who still have to worry about car loans and mortgages, expecting them to understand such matters is a bit too difficult.

"Yes, yes, yes..."

Zou Luoxia kept nodding, seemingly agreeing with her husband’s words and smiling at Xue Mingqin, "Sis, regardless of whether it’s real or fake, it’s the thought of the children that counts. I’ve never seen a blood diamond before; I should visit and broaden my horizons someday..."

At this moment, Xue Mingqin felt that her sister-in-law’s smile was particularly hypocritical, even holding a sneer.

It was one thing for others not to understand.

But she indeed knew something about little Jiang’s strength.

Previously, when she went to East Sea for treatment, he didn’t hesitate to put forward several million, now would he give her a fake diamond to fool her?

You should know.

He could have easily not given anything.

Xue Mingqin didn’t believe the blood diamond was fake but found it difficult to argue. She could only nod and force a smile.

"Okay, I’ll call you when I go to the jewelry store to have it processed."

Xue Shuzhi and Chai Rong could certainly hear the undercurrent of friction between the sisters-in-law. They exchanged glances but said nothing.

With their status, it was difficult to get involved in such matters.

"Sis, what’s the point of processing if it’s fake..."

Zou Luoxia laughed, but was immediately glared at by her husband and thus stopped, changing her tune, "Okay, I’m actually quite familiar with several jewelry stores, just call me when you need."

Everyone thought that Xue Mingqin was just speaking out of anger.

After all, wasn’t taking a fake diamond for processing embarrassing?

Nobody took it seriously.

"Sis, I’ll drive you home."

The family dinner tab was picked up by Xue Gui, as he was the only male in the Xue Family, which was only right.

"No need, we’ll just take a car, you go first."

"Sis, then we’ll leave first."

"Rui Rui, goodbye."

The families said their farewells.

Xue Gui’s family and Xue Shuzhi’s family both drove cars, of course ordinary ones just for commuting.

"Ah, my sister is really too stubborn..."

As she got into the car, Zou Luoxia sighed.

"Enough, talk less, put on your seatbelt."

This time, Zou Luoxia didn’t argue back, she fastened her seatbelt while saying, "Rui Rui is definitely not that kind of person, it must be that Jiang, he’s just too vain. Lily, did you mention what I told you to your sister?"

"I did."

Xue Yali, who was sitting in the back seat with Liu Hongzhi, smiled bitterly, "Sister told me not to meddle."

Upon hearing this, Zou Luoxia let out a deep sigh.

"Ah! Ever since brother-in-law passed away, Rui Rui has taken such a big hit; it’s indeed easy for her to be deceived."

"I think that kid is not bad, he behaves decently and speaks properly..."

"What’s so good about him!"

Zou Luoxia scolded, "You’re Rui Rui’s uncle, do you want to watch her jump into the fire? Lily, you really should talk more to your sister about this, you’ve seen more of the world abroad, try to persuade her, hasn’t Xiao Liu got many friends? You could introduce some to your sister."

Xue Gui just shook his head at this.

————

When they returned home, it was already after eight in the evening.

The sky outside had long turned dark.

"Mom."

Li Shuru sat next to her mother, affectionately holding her hand. As a daughter, how could she not notice that her mother’s mood had turned a bit unpleasant during the unfinished meal?

"That aunt of yours, her skin is really too thin! After all these years, she hasn’t changed a bit!"

Li Shuru glanced at Jiang Chen, who was sitting alone nearby.

Jiang Chen sensibly kept silent, without uttering a word.

"Mom, you know it’s been so many years, what’s the point of holding a grudge against her? Auntie isn’t bad at heart, really."

"I know she isn’t bad, but she is just too petty. Just look at her at dinner, how she kept on and on about how great Xiao Liu is..."

"Mom, he’s their future son-in-law, aren’t they supposed to praise him?"

Li Shuru forced a bitter smile.

"I just can’t be bothered to stoop to her level. What’s so great about what she’s doing that it’s worth bragging about? How is Jiang Chen any less than him?"

Jiang Chen remained silent.

"Mom, that person’s son-in-law can’t be compared to yours; he’s not even worthy to carry your son-in-law’s shoes."

Li Shuru coquettishly leaned against her mother.

Xue Mingqin was amused and burst into laughter, then immediately forced herself to stop, pretending to keep a straight face.

"Now, both of you answer me honestly, is that diamond real or fake?"

Li Shuru, with no choice, had to admit it: "Mom, we wouldn’t dare use a fake to fool you."

"So, it’s real?"

"Mm."

"It’s really worth that much money?"

As Xue Mingqin spoke, her gaze shifted to Jiang Chen.

She of course understood that such a grand gesture could only come from one person.

"Auntie, that diamond was actually a birthday gift for Shu Rui from someone else; we just passed it on."

Jiang Chen downplayed it.

Xue Mingqin didn’t press further and quickly stood up, "You two sit."

"Mom, where are you going?"

Xue Mingqin didn’t answer and hurried into the bedroom.

"Should I not have brought the diamond back?"

Li Shuru forced a bitter smile.

"It’s already been given away, so why dwell on it?"

Jiang Chen was quite at ease, possessing a level of indifference to material things and personal criticism.

He had long since grown accustomed to cold stares and mockery, especially since the Xue Family’s attitude towards him was actually not bad.

Li Shuru thought so too and stopped dwelling on it, moving to light conversation: "What do you think of my sister’s boyfriend?"

"Young and promising, a fine figure of a man."

Jiang Chen remarked without hesitation.

"I’m serious."

Li Shuru scolded, "Do you think he’s reliable?"

"What good is my opinion, as long as your sister likes him, that’s enough."

"But don’t you think their age difference is a bit much? My sister is only twenty."

Jiang Chen couldn’t help but chuckle.

"You really are making a mountain out of a molehill. If your sister brought home someone the same age as your uncle, wouldn’t you be scared stiff?"

Li Shuru glared.

"What are you talking about!"

"This isn’t unusual nowadays, there are even grandparent-grandchild relationships, you’ve surely seen them too," Jiang Chen said nonchalantly. "As long as there’s love, the age gap isn’t an issue at all."

"Not your sister, so you really don’t care at all!"

Li Shuru said irritably.

The corners of Jiang Chen’s mouth curled up slightly.

"When it comes to emotions, it’s like drinking water – one knows oneself whether it’s warm or cold. Outsiders can’t see clearly, and besides, your sister has such a strong character. No matter what others say, it won’t influence her decisions if she’s made up her mind."

"You’ve only met my sister once, and you understand her so well?"

Li Shuru was surprised.

"Appearance is born of the heart."

Jiang Chen murmured philosophically.

"So you were observing my sister just now instead of talking much, weren’t you? Do you think my sister is pretty?"

Jiang Chen didn’t avoid the question and candidly nodded, "Not bad."

Li Shuru grabbed a sofa cushion and threw it at him.

"You lecher!"

Jiang Chen caught the cushion steadily, laughing, "Is it wrong now to compliment your sister?"

Li Shuru glared at him with charming eyes.

"But your sister isn’t my type. I prefer long hair, someone feminine," Jiang Chen said, holding the cushion and added another comment to himself.

Li Shuru couldn’t help but laugh.

"That’s superficial."

The two chatted for a while.

Xue Mingqin was bustling in and out, busy with something or other.

"It’s getting late, should I be leaving?"

Jiang Chen suddenly said.

"Leaving for where?"

Li Shuru hadn’t realized.

"The hotel," Jiang Chen looked at her. "There are only two rooms in your house."

It only then dawned on Li Shuru, "I can share with my mom . . . "

"Never mind, I don’t want to disturb Auntie."

Li Shuru couldn’t precisely argue, as it was her first time bringing a man home, and being a girl, it was indeed embarrassing to insist he stay the night.

"Then go and let my mom know."

"Auntie Xue."

Xue Mingqin was in the washroom, rinsing something.

"What’s up, Jiang Chen?"

Jiang Chen and Li Shuru approached the doorway of the washroom.

"It’s getting late, I’m heading back to the hotel."

"Heading back to what hotel? Just stay here," Xue Mingqin said hurriedly while turning off the tap.

"Mom, the house can’t accommodate..."

"What can’t be accommodated? The bed in your room isn’t small, and neither of you are overweight..."

Although they had done what should and shouldn’t be done, Li Shuru’s face still turned red with embarrassment in front of her mother.

"Mom! Just let him go to the hotel, there’s a City Express nearby, it’s quite convenient."

Jiang Chen agreed with a nod as well.

"But..."

Xue Mingqin turned around.

"I saw that Jiang Chen’s shoes were quite dirty, so I went ahead and washed them..."

Only then did the two of them notice that she held a pair of dripping-wet men’s shoes in her hands.

"..."

"..."