When Ding Huizhu got home, it was already past 10 p.m.

She had a social engagement that evening and was feeling a bit tipsy. Aunt Wan went to the kitchen and brought out the bird's nest that had been simmering over a low flame. Ding Huizhu ate it in small bites and then felt a little better.

Butler Wu approached silently. "Madam, there's something I'd like to ask you about..."

Seeing Ding Huizhu nod in acknowledgment, he hesitated for a moment before saying, "It's about the Second Miss's living expenses..."

Originally, he had always followed Ding Huizhu and viewed Xie Li with prejudice.

But the expulsion incident that day made him realize that Xie Li was not as weak and vulnerable as she appeared.

In any case, she is, after all, a young lady of the Xie family, the heir valued by Old Master Xie, who displayed astonishing intelligence in her childhood.

Butler Wu had no choice but to change his attitude. After all, she was the Xie family's true daughter. If he could get rid of Ah Bin, he might as well get rid of him too.

Therefore, following the driver's advice, he still went to find Ding Huizhu.

After all, no matter how you look at it, Ding Huizhu is suspected of abusing Xie Li.

Ding Huizhu slowly put down the small spoon in her hand, her expression indifferent. "She came to talk to you about this?"

She actually intended not to give Xie Li living expenses, hoping to temper her temper.

The Xie family had strict family discipline, but the Ding family, being a scholarly family, had even stricter discipline.

Xie Li was clearly spoiled by her ordinary adoptive parents, and her character couldn't withstand the test of suddenly entering a wealthy family.

First, he opened a bag of sweet potatoes and demanded 100,000 yuan from Jiang Baili. Then, he went to fawn over the nouveau riche next door for a red envelope of about 1,000 yuan.

She showed no respect or reverence for her biological mother whatsoever; instead, she was always thinking about making money. She was short-sighted and utterly unworthy of respect.

"She eats and drinks at the Xie family's house and doesn't have many expenses, so why would she need money?" Ding Huizhu said unhappily. "Children of Ding's age are never given extra living expenses."

Butler Wu hesitated to speak. The Ding family had strict rules, but that was the Ding family. The Xie family had several children; the problem wasn't a lack of children, but rather inequality...

“After all, the second young lady studies at Linjiang No. 1 High School,” Butler Wu said cautiously. “There are bound to be some interactions among classmates, and money may be needed…”

Ding Huizhu pondered for a moment: "Then let's give her five thousand yuan every month from now on. That's enough for an ordinary family's living expenses for a month."

As she spoke, she suddenly looked up towards the stairs. "You heard everything?"

Xie Li nodded. "Yes, I heard you."

She originally came downstairs to get a drink of water, but unexpectedly ran into Ding Huizhu and Butler Wu discussing giving her living expenses.

When Ding Huizhu saw that she had admitted it, a faint sense of disgust rose in her heart.

Was she worried that Butler Wu wouldn't be able to persuade her, so she came to inquire about the situation? Her every move is so petty!

She waited for a while, but Xie Li didn't say thank you. When she looked up, her brows immediately furrowed.

Is Xie Li complaining that the money isn't enough? Well, after all, he studies at Linjiang No. 1 High School, surrounded by rich girls, and he can easily find out how much they give him for living expenses.

But doesn't she consider her own status? How can she compare to others? She grew up in a poor, remote area, where even five thousand yuan is probably a rare sight. And she's still not satisfied?

Sure enough, Xie Li hesitated for a moment before speaking, "If it's inconvenient at home, you don't actually need to give me living expenses."

During her stay at the Xie family's residence, she felt that the Xie family was not as wealthy as the rumors suggested.

She had heard Shen Tiezhu say that some wealthy and powerful families, despite their seemingly prosperous appearance, were actually quite dilapidated inside.