Nighttime.
Grandma Pei and Pei's Mother knocked on Shen Nanchu's door simultaneously.
The three of them sat in silence.
Pei's Mother's gaze at Shen Nanchu was conflicted. Finally, she steeled herself and pulled out something wrapped in a handkerchief from her pocket.
She placed the handkerchief on the bed and carefully unfolded it, revealing a bankbook inside, beneath which were neatly bundled stacks of vouchers.
Shen Nanchu's eyebrows twitched slightly.
Was she about to strike it rich?
"Nanchu, this is a token of our sincerity—your father’s and mine. Please take it."
Pei's Mother pushed the bankbook and vouchers toward Shen Nanchu.
Shen Nanchu didn’t move.
Nothing good came without a reason.
Being handed such a large sum out of the blue? Definitely suspicious.
Sure enough—
"Nanchu, take this money and leave the Pei Family."
So, Pei's Mother was trying to buy her off?
Shen Nanchu picked up the bankbook and glanced at the final figure.
5,000!
In the 1970s, that was a fortune.
At the thought of her eldest son, who had passed away too soon, Pei's Mother’s tears flowed uncontrollably.
"Zhengwei wasn’t meant for you."
"Our Pei Family has wronged you."
"You and Zhengwei never officially married. You still have a long life ahead."
"Take this money and—"
"Alright."
Shen Nanchu quietly pulled the bankbook and vouchers toward herself.
Only a fool would refuse free money.
If the family was going to be raided anyway, better it go to her than fall into someone else’s hands.
Pei's Mother froze, her tears hanging unshed.
She had expected resistance, but Shen Nanchu had agreed instantly.
The thought of her late son and the prospect of Shen Nanchu remarrying someone else left a bitter taste in her mouth.
"Don’t flaunt your wealth. Keep this to yourself."
Shen Nanchu nodded. Staying low-key while profiting was her specialty.
"And in the future, if you choose another man, be more careful."
Shen Nanchu nodded again. Her judgment had always been sharp—after all, she’d picked Pei Zhengnian, hadn’t she?
[Dislike Points +2]
[Dislike Points +1]
The contributors of these three dislike points were undoubtedly Pei's Mother and Grandma Pei.
The system, witnessing the entire scene, was stunned.
She could even earn dislike points like this?
Shen Nanchu was inwardly delighted.
Since the opportunity had landed in her lap, why not make the most of it?
Every little bit counted!
She raised a finger and began listing off reasons to Pei's Mother.
"Mom, honestly, this amount isn’t nearly enough."
"First, if I leave the Pei Family, I’ll need to buy a house, right? That’ll cost a fortune!"
"Everyone knows I was the Pei Family’s daughter-in-law. Remarrying as a divorcee? Without enough money, who’d want me?"
"Oh, and if I have kids later, the cost of baby formula alone would be astronomical..."
[Dislike Points +1]
[Dislike Points +1]
[Dislike Points +1]
...
By the time she’d counted all ten fingers, Shen Nanchu reluctantly closed her mouth.
If only she had more fingers, she could’ve come up with even more reasons!
Though the dislike points were minimal, even scraps were worth collecting.
Pei's Mother hadn’t expected this. She’d given Shen Nanchu money out of kindness, fearing the Pei Family’s troubles would drag her down. Instead, Shen Nanchu had the audacity to demand more! It nearly made her choke on her anger.
Still, despite her frustration, Pei's Mother remained rational.
Given the Pei Family’s current state, their wealth would be confiscated anyway. Better to give more to her daughter-in-law.
After all, the Pei Family owed her.
"Come downstairs with me later. I’ll give you a bit more."
"Thanks, Mom!"
Shen Nanchu accepted cheerfully, without hesitation.
It wasn’t like the money wouldn’t eventually return to the Pei Family—this was just a temporary detour into her pocket.
"Grandma!"
Shen Nanchu turned her attention to Grandma Pei.
"Mom’s done her part. Now it’s your turn to show some goodwill, isn’t it?"
Grandma Pei had lived long enough to see all kinds of people.
Her eyes were sharp.
This girl’s reaction to the bankbook and vouchers had shown delight, but not greed.
And those clear eyes? No way she was the type to chase fame and fortune.
"What do you want?"
"This old woman is poor, you know!"
That excuse might work on outsiders, but not Shen Nanchu.
Grandma Pei’s status spoke for itself.
A starved camel was still bigger than a horse.
"Your granddaughter-in-law has simple tastes—I like shiny, golden things."
Shen Nanchu blinked playfully at Grandma Pei.
"Just give whatever you think is appropriate!"
"You clever little thing."
Grandma Pei chuckled.
She pulled out a keychain and detached the most inconspicuous key, handing it to Shen Nanchu.
"Mom!"
Pei's Mother interjected urgently.
As a daughter-in-law herself, she knew exactly what that key unlocked.
On the surface, the Gu Family had surrendered all their assets to the state—but secretly, they’d stashed away a portion.
The wise rabbit had three burrows, and the Gu Family understood the importance of diversifying.
The key Grandma Pei had given Shen Nanchu opened one of those hidden troves.
Grandma Pei waved off Pei's Mother’s concern.
"If you want my things, you’ll have to prove you’re capable."
A glint of shrewdness flashed in the old woman’s wise eyes.
Shen Nanchu snatched the key without hesitation. She loved a good challenge.
"Grandma, just wait and see!"
Her confidence only deepened Grandma Pei’s intrigue.
"Do you even know where this key leads?"
As far as Grandma Pei remembered, only she and her late husband knew the location.
And the exact spot? Only she could find it.
Shen Nanchu shook her head, feigning ignorance—but inwardly, she’d already pinpointed the place.
Where would the Gu Family hide their treasures? It had to be in one of their properties!
As for the specifics? The novel had spelled it out for her.
In the original story, this treasure hunt subplot had been a key bonding moment for the male lead, Pei Zhengnian, and the female lead.
Now that Shen Nanchu knew, she had to cut that thread.
No way was she letting the heroine cozy up to the male lead—after all, as the villainess, her survival depended on it.
Villainesses and heroines were natural enemies.
So, the treasure? Shen Nanchu would take it.
And the male lead? Well, she’d reluctantly keep him too.
Once something was hers, she’d never let anyone else have it.
Shen Nanchu’s possessiveness ran deep.
"Grandma, just wait for my good news!"
...
