My Bizarre Relatives 015

Life had to go on. Thanks to Fang Zhiyi's guidance, Fang Ruoruo had become capable of handling many business matters independently. When her Eldest Aunt wanted to accompany her, she refused—the doctor had advised rest, and she couldn’t risk anything happening to her aunt again.

But trouble still found its way to her.

"Borrow money?" Fang Ruoruo stared at Third Aunt and the heavily made-up Cousin Sister standing behind her.

Third Aunt smiled. "Yes, your cousin has been learning hairdressing, but she feels like the boss takes all the profits. She wants to open her own salon. Since you’re the wealthiest in the family now, Ruoruo, and I’ve watched you grow up, you wouldn’t refuse to help, would you?"

Fang Ruoruo replied coldly, "How much do you need?"

Third Aunt thought she had agreed. "How about 200,000?"

Fang Ruoruo took a deep breath. "Opening a salon costs 200,000?"

Cousin Sister chimed in, "200,000 isn’t even enough! Renovations alone will cost over 100,000!" Her tone made it sound like an entitlement.

"I don’t have that much cash on hand," Fang Ruoruo said.

Third Aunt’s expression darkened. "Ruoruo, you can’t just favor your Eldest Aunt’s family, can you? You already gave them a house. What’s 200,000 to me?"

Fang Ruoruo nearly laughed in disbelief. First, it was a "loan," now it was a demand? And since when had she given a house to her Eldest Aunt?

Noticing her reaction, Third Aunt pulled out her phone and opened the family group chat. "Look, your Eldest Aunt posted this, and your mom confirmed it. Isn’t this true?"

Fang Ruoruo leaned in and saw a video of the apartment.

"See? Ruoruo has a conscience. She knew her cousin needed a place to get married, so she gave him the apartment." Third Aunt’s voice dripped with pride.

Her mother had only responded with a thumbs-up emoji.

Third Aunt suddenly realized, "Oh, Ruoruo, you’re not in the group, are you?"

Fang Ruoruo stayed silent. Due to Fang Zhiyi’s intervention, she truly wasn’t in the chat this time. Third Aunt quickly pulled her into the group.

After a brief hesitation, Fang Ruoruo accepted.

The moment she joined, Second Uncle eagerly @-ed her: "Ruoruo, you’ve really made it big now. I’ll come visit you soon."

Fang Ruoruo smirked. She wasn’t a child anymore—Fang Zhiyi’s death had forced her to grow up. These relatives only cared about her money.

"Ruoruo? So, about what I mentioned earlier?" Third Aunt pressed.

Fang Ruoruo looked up. "I don’t have that much cash. Business is tough right now, and payroll is due."

"How can that be? Look at this office!" Third Aunt grew impatient. "Fang Ruoruo, you can’t just favor your Eldest Aunt!"

"I’m telling the truth. My aunt Fang Yu manages the company’s finances. Should I call her and ask?"

At the mention of Fang Yu, Third Aunt faltered. She knew that woman wasn’t to be trifled with. But after a brief pause, she suggested, "Well, I see you still have a car. Why don’t you sell it and lend me the money?"

Fang Ruoruo took another deep breath, suppressing the urge to flip the table.

"If I lend you the money, what’s the interest rate? And when will you repay it?"

Third Aunt frowned. "How can you be so calculating? We’re family! Blood runs thicker than water. Just consider it an investment in your cousin’s business, alright?"

Fang Ruoruo studied the two of them. She closed her eyes—what would her father have done?

Meanwhile, Fang Zhiyi was pacing anxiously, unable to intervene. He muttered, "Come on, silly girl, just trick her into taking out an online loan or something!"

After a moment, Fang Ruoruo opened her eyes. "Give me your phone."

Confused but hopeful, Third Aunt handed it over. Fang Ruoruo tapped away, then held up the phone. "Look at the camera and say ‘Ah’..."

Third Aunt sensed something was off, but Cousin Sister reacted first. "Mom, she’s signing you up for an online loan!"

Third Aunt snatched the phone back. "What are you doing?!"

Fang Ruoruo shrugged. "You needed money, didn’t you? Online loans are fast, and you won’t owe anyone favors."

"You—I misjudged you! Ungrateful brat! If you won’t lend it, fine, but don’t humiliate me!" Third Aunt was livid.

Fang Ruoruo replied calmly, "That’s not fair, Third Aunt. All my money went into buying that apartment, which I ‘gave’ to Eldest Aunt. Since I’m broke, I had to find you another solution, didn’t I?"

"You—just wait!" Third Aunt stormed off, with Cousin Sister shooting Fang Ruoruo a glare before following.

"Borrowing 100,000 would only cost 20-something yuan in daily interest. With Cousin Sister’s skills, she could easily repay it. Take care, Third Aunt..."

Fang Zhiyi, finally relaxing, marveled, "What a circus. Though the kid could’ve been harsher."

The shadow beside him scoffed, "Not everyone’s as ruthless as you."

"Watch your tone."

Fang Ruoruo checked the "Family" group chat. Sure enough, Third Aunt soon vented about her "heartless" niece refusing to help.

Only Li Mei offered weak consolation, promising to "discipline" her daughter. The others stayed oddly silent.

After a long pause, Eldest Aunt gloated, "You never lifted a finger for Ruoruo when she was little, and now you demand money? Third Sister, you’re delusional."

She hadn’t forgotten Third Aunt’s indifference years ago.

Third Aunt nearly threw her phone in rage—but couldn’t bring herself to damage it.

Meanwhile, Cousin Sister glanced back at Fang Ruoruo’s office building, her eyes burning with envy and resentment. "Just because her dead father was rich? I’ll make it too!"

The next day, Second Uncle showed up. None of them knew where Fang Ruoruo lived now, but they all knew her workplace. Early in the morning, he waited outside her company with a bag of wilted cabbage leaves.

Fang Ruoruo inhaled deeply at the sight but forced a smile. "Second Uncle, what brings you here?"

"Ruoruo, can we talk inside?" He glanced nervously at the passing crowd.

She didn’t budge. "New policy—no unauthorized visitors. Just say it here."

"Alright then." He scratched his head. "You remember your Cousin Brother? His job pays peanuts. Since you’re a big boss now, can’t you get him a better position?"

Fang Ruoruo arched an eyebrow.

Fang Zhiyi, hovering like a guardian spirit, grinned. "Easy fix. Send him to that ‘high-income’ gig at the staffing agency next door."