Chapter 481 Her Dowry
Old Madam Qiao heaved a sigh of relief and pretended to be loving. “Xi Xi, look, Rou Rou has already paid the price. Her face and body are covered in injuries. Moreover, Rou Rou and Moling can’t get married anymore. You should calm down!”
Seeing that the matter had escalated to this point, the guests had long wanted to leave. However, because Gu Zheng was sitting there, no one dared to take that first move.
Under the burning gazes of everyone, Qiao Xi said casually, “When my mother married into the Qiao family, she had a dowry. I heard that Madam Xu Mei wants to use it as Qiao Rou’s dowry and bring it to Gu Moling’s family?”
Hearing this, Xu Mei’s heart skipped a beat as she turned pale with fright. “Xi Xi, I… I thought…”
Qiao Zhenguo looked at Gu Zheng’s gloomy eyes and hurriedly walked forward. He explained while trembling, “Xi Xi, don’t… misunderstand! We’re not trying to take the dowry for ourselves, but… Now that there’s a problem with the Qiao family’s company, we can’t fork out the money for now. Rou Rou is about to get married, and the person she wants to marry is the young master of the Gu family, so we wanted to borrow your mother’s dowry first. When the Qiao family recovers, we’ll return the dowry to you.”
“Heh.” Qiao Xi sneered. “But Qiao Rou and Gu Moling aren’t getting married anymore. Shouldn’t this dowry be returned to its rightful owner, then?”
Qiao Zhenguo frowned as cold sweat broke out on his back. Xu Mei’s face was filled with horror as well. The two of them felt a chill run down their spines.
Qiao Zhenguo lowered his head and did not say anything. The dowry left behind by Xia Yunqiu was not worth a small amount. It was comparable to the net worth of several Qiao families.
Now that the Qiao family’s company was gone, they could only rely on the assets and companies left behind by Xia Yunqiu to make a comeback. If they did not have those, they would be in trouble.
Moreover, this dowry had always been in his hands. It had already been so many years, so why should he give it to Qiao Xi just because she wanted it back?
Qiao Zhenguo looked troubled, but if he did not agree, President Gu would not let him off easily. He might even lose his life!
“Father seems to be… unwilling! My younger sister and I are both daughters of the Qiao family. When she was getting, you were afraid that she would be aggrieved and were willing to give my mother’s dowry to her. Now that you’ve found out I’m married, why can’t you give this dowry to me? Moreover, this dowry belongs to me. There’s nothing wrong with giving it to me!”
Qiao Xi said unhurriedly, “I’ve already married into the Gu family, so how can I not have a dowry? In your eyes, Gu Zheng can’t compare to Gu Moling, huh? Is that why you think there’s no need to give me a dowry?”
As soon as she finished speaking, Gu Zheng slowly raised his eyes and stared coldly at Qiao Zhenguo. Qiao Zhenguo’s face instantly turned pale as he said helplessly, “Xi Xi, that’s your mother’s dowry. Logically speaking, I should give it to you, but…”
Qiao Zhenguo looked troubled. It was as if there was a huge pressure behind him, and his body was trembling slightly.
“But you know how difficult it is for the Qiao family right now. We really need this money to make a comeback. Moreover, your mother has been dead for so many years. She left you behind, and the Qiao family has been taking care of you. You also know that raising a child requires a lot of money. Although she’s dead, she still has the responsibility to raise you. She should pay the child support fees.”
Qiao Zhenguo turned to look at Gu Zheng and smiled obsequiously. “President Gu, how would we dare to patronize you?! It’s just that Xi Xi didn’t tell us that she has gotten married. Otherwise, I would definitely have given her the dowry. I thought that Xi Xi wouldn’t be able to use the dowry for the time being, so I planned to give it to Rou Rou first. I didn’t expect Xi Xi to have already married you.
“Moreover, President Gu, you also know that the Qiao family has been in turmoil all these years. The assets and dowry Yun Qiu left behind have all been used to fill the gaps. Xi Xi now wants me to hand over all the dowry. I really… can’t do it!”
The guests nodded thoughtfully. Actually, Qiao Zhenguo was right. The dowry was Xia Yunqiu’s premarital assets, but the two of them had been married for so many years. Moreover, Xia Yunqiu had also passed away for so many years. This sum of money should be given to Qiao Zhenguo. Moreover, Qiao Zhenguo had also been taking care of Qiao Xi’s basic necessities. This was quite a large sum. It seemed to be slightly inappropriate for the Qiao family to give it all away.
Seeing that everyone nodded affirmatively, Qiao Zhenguo’s expression softened.
Chapter 482 Godparents’ Support
“I spent a lot of money raising you. I couldn’t bear the burden alone, so… I spent a portion of your mother’s dowry on you. If you want all of it back, I really can’t do it!” Qiao Zhenguo tried his best to persuade her. “Xi Xi, actually, I’ve always had high hopes for you all these years. I know you hate Xu Mei and Rou Rou. That’s why I haven’t let Xu Mei formally join the Qiao family. It’s just that this is Rou Rou’s engagement banquet, so I let her come back. However, you fell out with the Qiao family over such a small matter. How can I hand the Qiao family to you?
“Xi Xi, I’m your father. Although we’ve had some misunderstandings, you’ll always be my daughter. You can’t… quarrel with your family like this. It won’t be good for your reputation either. Tell me…”
At this moment, footsteps came from outside. Gu Zheng slowly looked up. “Mr. Qin, Madam Qin, please come in.”
Qiao Xi was stunned for a few seconds before abruptly turning around.
At this moment, an elegant noblewoman and her husband were standing at the door. The two of them were dressed exquisitely with faint smiles on their lips. Under everyone’s gazes, they slowly walked in. Qin Xian swept his gaze around and looked gently at Qiao Xi. Then, he walked in front of Gu Zheng and nodded slightly. The two of them greeted each other.
Madam Qin, who was beside him, was dressed fashionably. She had supple skin and a proud figure. She wore a sparkling sapphire necklace on her neck and exuded the charm of a mature woman. If one did not say it, who would know that she was Qin An’s mother?
Madam Qin’s aura was fully released. Her red lips moved slightly. “President Qiao, the two of us are here today to tell you that Xi Xi’s family isn’t the Qiao family!”
Qiao Xi was slightly surprised and hurriedly walked over to Gu Zheng’s side. She lowered her voice and asked, “You reached out to them?”
Madam Qin raised her head arrogantly and glanced at the Qiao family coldly. Then, she sneered. “President Qiao, I heard you outside the door just now. You said that you used Madam Xia’s assets to raise Xi Xi. That’s reasonable. After all, Qiao Xi isn’t your only daughter. Madam Xia should pay a portion of the child support fees, but are you sure you really spent your money on Qiao Xi?” Gu Zheng turned his head and said in Qiao Xi’s ear, “I was the one who asked them to support you. Are you surprised?”
Qiao Xi hurriedly nodded. This was truly a pleasant surprise! “You said that the Qiao family’s business isn’t doing well, so how did Xu Mei have the spare money to buy jewelry? I heard that Madam Xu spent more than ten million yuan in a jewelry store once. Who exactly does this money belong to? I think everyone knows it very well.”
Qiao Zhenguo’s face instantly turned livid. “You… Who are you? What does my conversation with my daughter have to do with you?”
Madam Qin ignored him and walked up to Xu Mei. She raised her hand and slapped her hard, then tore off a necklace from her neck.
“Everyone, take a good look. This necklace is HT’s new model. It’s a custom-made piece. The price is about ten million yuan. Madam Xu seems to have bought more than this. “President Qiao, you said that you spent a lot of money to raise Xi Xi, but from what I know, you didn’t raise Xi Xi at all. The Qiao family abandoned her in the countryside and let her fend for herself. They even let an illegitimate daughter occupy her identity and assets. Now, they even want to give Madam Xia’s dowry to an illegitimate daughter. Do you think we’re all stupid?”
Qiao Xi ran over to Madam Qin and shouted happily, “Godmother! Godfather!”
“My good daughter!” Madam Qin raised her eyebrows and looked at Qiao Zhenguo with disdain. “I’m sorry, President Qiao. Qiao Xi is my daughter. You’re not worthy of being her father! You took Xi Xi’s assets and raised your mistress and illegitimate daughter. How dare you bargain here? Hurry up and return the dowry to Xi Xi!”
As soon as she finished speaking, she walked in front of Qiao Zhenguo with anger radiating from all over her body and rolled her eyes. “President Qiao, you dote on your illegitimate daughter but mistreat the daughter of the legitimate wife. You even let Qiao Rou malign Xi Xi. Is this how you are as a father?”
“And Old Madam Qiao, you forced Xi Xi to break up with Gu Moling for the sake of an illegitimate daughter. You didn’t care at all that Xi Xi and Gu Moling were engaged a long time ago. Why should Xi Xi give in? As Xi Xi’s grandmother, you’re biased toward an illegitimate daughter. Are you worthy to be Xi Xi’s grandmother?”