Chapter 10: Giving the Family Bankbook to Mother

Tongtong blinked her big eyes, her little milky voice still hoarse as she whispered, “But… Daddy, if you don’t even take care of your own family, how can you go achieve great things?”

Lin Zhiguo looked embarrassed, feeling both annoyed and frustrated. He forced himself to speak: “Daddy understands. Daddy will be good to you from now on. Now, come home with Daddy, okay?”

He wanted to take Tongtong back.

But Tongtong fearfully clung to Commander Gu’s neck, looking pitiful: “Daddy, I’m afraid you won’t keep your word…”

Seeing Gu Yanbin’s expression grow even colder, Lin Zhiguo had no choice but to coax gently: “What will make you believe Daddy?”

“Daddy can give the family bankbook to Mommy…” Tongtong pouted, the little bun on her head drooping sadly along with her expression. She said pitifully, “Mommy has no money. Tongtong’s tummy is hungry.”

Lin Zhiguo’s eyebrow twitched.

Gu Yanbin spoke coldly: “Deputy Battalion Commander Lin, it’s only natural for a wife to manage the household. If you refuse to hand over the money to them, mother and daughter, could it be you really have some ulterior motives? The rumors outside…”

Lin Zhiguo swallowed hard, struggling to speak: “Of course not! I… I’m willing to give our savings to them.”

Only then did Tongtong’s tears turn to a smile: “Really? Tongtong really won’t have to go hungry anymore?”

Lin Zhiguo couldn’t bring himself to smile: “O-of course.”

Gu Yanbin watched him coldly: “Then go get it now. We’ll all serve as witnesses.”

The words, spoken without much emphasis, completely cut off Lin Zhiguo’s escape route.

He had been hoping to wait a couple more days, thinking once the leaders forgot, the matter would blow over.

He planned to just hand over a few dollars to get by.

Now that was impossible!

“Yes, Division Commander! I’ll go handle it right away!” Lin Zhiguo jogged out the door.

Tongtong lay on her godfather’s broad shoulder, rubbing her little face against it, secretly curling her lips into a triumphant little smile.

Victory achieved! Yay!

In the corner, Si Muchen watched the entire scene.

His little face cold, he focused his thoughts: 【Misfortune transfer! Target: Lin Zhiguo!】

“Splash—!”

“Ah!”

Lin Zhiguo had just gone downstairs when a basin of water fell from above, drenching him completely. Upon closer sniff, it even carried a sour, foul smell.

Utterly humiliating!

The logistics cleaner upstairs was panicking. He didn’t know how, while carrying the water he had just mopped with perfectly fine, it had ended up spilling over.

He quickly pulled his head back and slipped away.

Lin Zhiguo stood alone downstairs, stomping and cursing, becoming a laughingstock.

Tongtong’s pink, pouty little mouth formed an “o” shape as she blinked her eyes.

Tsk… whoever that kind soul was, that felt really good!

Seeing the little girl’s adorable expression, Si Muchen couldn’t help but curl the corners of his mouth too.

Tongtong seemed to sense something and looked over.

“Brother Muchen!” she called out crisply, her big eyes curving into crescent moons.

Si Muchen immediately pressed his lips together tightly, coolly turning his head away.

【Host! She’s calling you!】

【Go, go! The closer you get, the easier it is for me to steal energy!】

Si Muchen frowned in disdain.

Only then did he slowly walk over.

Gu Yanbin exchanged greetings with the other leaders and carried the child back to his office.

Tongtong opened the lunchbox and couldn’t help but gasp in amazement.

“Wow! There’s braised pork!”

To make her act convincing, she hadn’t even eaten breakfast today and was genuinely hungry now.

Her little mouth was practically drooling.

“Eat up,” Gu Yanbin said, stroking her fluffy little head, his eyes full of affection.

Tongtong didn’t keep the food to herself. Instead, she divided it into two portions and pushed them toward Gu Yanbin and Si Muchen.

“Daddy and Brother, eat too!”

Gu Yanbin peeled an egg for her and placed the tender white egg in her bowl.

“You eat it. Daddy will go to the canteen later.”

Tongtong refused, insisting she wouldn’t eat unless she watched him eat first. She even fed Gu Yanbin a piece of egg yolk.

Helpless, Gu Yanbin ate it from her small hand, feeling sweetness in his heart.

His daughter cared about him! Hehe!

His sharp eyebrows softened.

Si Muchen raised an eyebrow, took a big bite of rice, and snorted softly.

What a smooth-talking little liar!

Brother this, brother that.

He had helped her too, but she didn’t feed him.

Wait! Why should he care about that?

As his thoughts tangled, a tender white egg was placed in front of him.

He looked up and met the little girl’s sparkling, smiling eyes.

“Brother, eat too!”

Si Muchen: “…”

His expression was cool, and he frowned disdainfully.

“I don’t—”

[Host! Eat it! You eat it for me!]

[I stole—burp—so much energy today!]

[You eat! I’ll keep stealing!]

Fine… it was the System saying this, not that he wanted to eat it himself.

After mentally preparing himself, Si Muchen was about to eat the egg.

But his uncle’s large hand snatched the egg first and stuffed it into the little girl’s mouth.

Gu Yanbin looked annoyed. “Your sister fed you personally, and you still dare to put on airs? You’re spoiled!”

Si Muchen: “…”

He took a deep breath, rolled his eyes, buried his head in his rice, and said nothing more.

Gu Yanbin seized the chance to educate his little daughter. “You can’t spoil boys. From now on, make your brother take care of you, understand?”

His expression was serious, and his tone left no room for doubt.

Tongtong had no words and nodded weakly. “Okay…”

…

Meanwhile, Lin Zhiguo, reeking of foul odor, hurriedly went to Shen Wei to get the bankbook.

“What’s this? Now that your own wife is here, you want to draw a line with me and stop living together, is that it?” Shen Wei said sarcastically.

Lin Zhiguo was frantic. “What are you making a fuss about? I’m just giving it to her temporarily. I’ll get it back after a while. The leaders are waiting!”

Shen Wei stubbornly refused. “Just give her a little money to send her away. Why do you need the bankbook?”

Lin Zhiguo was furious and blurted out, “How dare you say that! If it weren’t for your lousy idea, I wouldn’t have given all the money away and gotten scolded by the leaders!”

Thinking about the way the leaders looked at him today sent chills down his spine. He didn’t dare dwell on it.

This was a critical period for promotion, and with something like this happening, he didn’t know if it would affect him.

Lin Zhiguo’s mind was a mess.

And now Shen Wei was making a scene, refusing to hand over the bankbook no matter what.

“What do you mean my idea? You agreed to it too! Lin Zhiguo, have some conscience. All these years I’ve served you—if not for merit, at least for hard work…”

“Shut up! How can you say such things recklessly!”

The two argued, and Shen Wei was determined not to give up the bankbook.

In a fit of rage, Lin Zhiguo slapped her.

“Stop being unreasonable!”

Shen Wei was stunned.

She was Lin Zhiguo’s first love. Although she had ended up marrying his older brother by fate, Lin Zhiguo had always been obedient and respectful to her over the years.

This was the first time he had ever laid a hand on her.

“Lin Zhiguo! How dare you hit me!” she cried out, clutching her face.

Lin Zhiguo was filled with irritation, but he was in a hurry—his boss was waiting for him.

With no time to console Shen Wei, he rummaged through the drawers, found the bankbook, and left immediately.

Behind him, Shen Wei screamed and shouted at the top of her lungs, frightening the two children into wailing.