Su Jiaojiao's arm ached from Su Guoqiang's grip, and she was genuinely frightened by his agitated state.

She wondered if she had made a mistake coming back. Was this still the gentle father she used to know?

"Dad, don't get agitated. I was thinking that your money wouldn't be enough for medical treatment, so I figured I might as well give it to me to start a business. I was thinking of going to Guangyuan to buy some clothes wholesale and resell them; I was sure I could make a lot of money. Then I could treat your illness later."

It would be strange if Su Guoqiang still believed her nonsense.

"Where's the money? Give me a lot of money!" Su Guoqiang stretched out his hand towards Su Jiaojiao and said without any politeness.

Su Jiaojiao smiled awkwardly; "Dad, I was robbed as soon as I went to Guangyuan."

"Oh, so all that was you saying was a trap for me. You were robbed. If you hadn't had nowhere else to go, you wouldn't have come back at all, would you?"

Su Guoqiang held her tightly and didn't let go.

He raised her to adulthood, and now that she's back, she should contribute to the family.

Pay back everything you owe this family.

Su Jiaojiao's arm was gripped so tightly it hurt, but she still forced a smile and said, "Dad, I came back because I was worried about your health. I missed you, so I came back to see you."

Su Guoqiang didn't believe her story. If she really cared about his health, she wouldn't have taken his money.

She must have been unable to make it outside, which is why she came back, wanting to continue relying on him.

"You only realize you have a dad when you're broke, but when you have money you go out and have a good time on your own. Do you think this is a hotel where you can come and go as you please?"

Su Jiaojiao didn't dare to look Su Guoqiang in the eye and said guiltily, "No, Dad, I came back this time to tell you some good news, something that can cure your illness."

Su Guoqiang's eyes lit up when he heard this; he had been having trouble sleeping at night lately.

It was this disease that tormented me.

"Tell me quickly."

Su Jiaojiao said with a smile, "Dad, you're pinching me too hard. Please let go of me first."

Su Guoqiang released his hand, his eyes fixed on her, as if afraid she would run away.

"I know Su Li has medicine; as long as you take it, it will cure your illness immediately."

When Su Guoqiang heard her mention Su Li, his eyes immediately darkened.

Su Li isn't even in this house anymore, yet you still want to frame her again.

He really is a leopard that can't change its spots. He thought he was still as naive as before and would believe her fabricated stories.

"Okay, I got it. You haven't eaten yet, have you? Let's go home and have something to eat first."

Su Jiaojiao assumed that Su Guoqiang, as usual, had believed her lies and forgiven her.

She didn't see the fleeting glint in Su Guoqiang's eyes.

After Su Jiaojiao followed Su Guoqiang into the courtyard, Su Guoqiang quickly closed the courtyard gate.

Su Jiaojiao was startled by her action.

"Dad, why are you in such a hurry to close the gate?"

For some reason, she felt that this scene was somewhat familiar, just like when she was in Guangyuan.

Sister Yun's movements were the same.

"Oh, I was just so happy to see you! Go back to your room and rest for a bit. I'll tidy up first and then cook you something to eat. You must be starving after your train journey!"

"Gurgle, gurgle," Su Jiaojiao's stomach rumbled at just the right moment.

She was indeed hungry, thinking that in the past, no matter what mistakes she made, as long as she explained a few words, she could always get away with it.

Su Guoqiang never gets angry with her, and this time is probably no different.

After convincing herself, she headed towards her room.

Her room was basically empty except for a bed, but thankfully there was a mat on the bed.

It doesn't matter now that it's summer, but I am indeed a bit tired.

She lay down on it.

He soon fell asleep.

Su Guoqiang smiled as he watched her enter his room.

He turned around and tiptoed out, then locked the gate to the courtyard.

He walked for half an hour to a door and knocked on it.

Someone quickly opened the door. The man inside, seeing Su Guoqiang, chuckled and joked, "Hey, you ragpicker, what do you want?"

"I heard you're looking to get married. I have a daughter at home; how about she marries you?"

"Hahahaha..." The man laughed loudly, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth.

“Su Guoqiang, although we don’t live close by, we’re from the same place. I don’t know your family situation. One of your daughters stole your money and ran away, and the other runs a big supermarket in Beijing. Are you kidding me? I don’t have time for that.”

"You said last time that you'd give that family six hundred yuan if you could get a wife? Tell me, does that still count?"

The old man grinned, his mouth twisted and his eyes squinted; "It's a deal, I, Old Man Sun, mean what I say."

"Alright, come with me now and let's take a look. If you like it, I can spend the night with you."

Old Man Sun was delighted to hear this: "That's great, I'll go with you right now."

When Su Guoqiang brought Old Man Sun home, Su Jiaojiao was still asleep in bed.

"Where are they? Didn't you ask me to check on them?"

Su Guoqiang rolled his eyes at him and said, "Keep your voice down, my daughter is sleeping right now."

As he spoke, Su Guoqiang walked to Su Jiaojiao's door and gently opened it a crack.

He gestured to Old Man Sun next to him to come and see. When Old Man Su saw the woman on the bed, he almost drooled.

"Isn't this your most precious daughter? How can you bear to part with her?"

Seeing that he was satisfied with what he saw, Su Guoqiang was worried about waking Su Jiaojiao.

He pulled Old Man Sun to the edge of the kitchen before saying, "If you're willing to part with it, what's there to be unwilling about? She dared to steal the money that saved my life. She was the one who didn't care about my life or death first, so I don't need to care about her life or death either."

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!