I Am the Villain 09

Good things came one after another. Through a friend's introduction, Chen Azhi met a beautiful girl, and the two started dating. Though their relationship had only progressed to holding hands, it was enough to excite Chen Azhi.

When Chen's Father and Chen's Mother heard the news, they were overjoyed and urged him to bring the girl home to meet them.

To their surprise, the girl not only showed no disdain for the Chen family’s modest living conditions but even busied herself helping out, addressing Chen's parents affectionately as "Uncle" and "Auntie," which delighted them.

Despite their happiness, they didn’t forget the practical matters. Casually probing, they inquired about the girl’s family background. When they learned her family was in business, Chen's Mother’s face lit up with joy.

"So, dear, how much dowry does your family expect?" Chen's Mother asked cautiously. She was thoroughly pleased with this potential daughter-in-law—she had helped with cooking and cleaning, leaving Chen's Mother free to relax.

"Well... my dad said the dowry should be 880,000," the girl replied.

The cheerful atmosphere in the Chen household froze.

"880,000? You—" Chen's Mother’s expression darkened. In her view, marriage was about continuing the family line and managing household chores—how could it cost so much?

But the girl’s next words silenced her: "My family will provide a dowry of 1,880,000."

Hearing this number, Chen's parents gasped. A dowry—1,880,000!

The girl continued, dropping another bombshell: "My dad said this money, along with the dowry, will all go to me and my husband." At this, she shyly glanced at Chen Azhi.

Chen Azhi’s heart nearly leaped out of his chest—a beautiful girl, a wealthy father-in-law, and a fortune just for getting married!

"Mom!" Chen Azhi looked pleadingly at Chen's Mother.

Chen's Mother was also flustered: "But dear, you’ve seen our family’s situation. 880,000 is..."

The girl stood up. "880,000 is just symbolic. My dad said if a family can’t even afford that, I wouldn’t have a good life, and he wouldn’t let me marry into it."

Just then, a car horn sounded outside. The girl rose. "My driver’s here. I’ll take my leave, Brother Azhi." She smiled at Chen Azhi and playfully winked.

The Chen family saw her off, watching as she stepped into a luxury car.

"My goodness... she really is from a wealthy family?" Chen's Mother murmured.

Only Chen's Father remained skeptical: "880,000—what if this is a scam?"

Chen Azhi grew agitated. "How could it be a scam? Look at my clothes, my necklace!" He eagerly showed them off. "Xue bought all of this for me!"

Chen's Mother hesitated. "How could it be a scam? On the wedding day, we’ll bring out the dowry, and her family will present the dowry in front of everyone. I doubt they can perform magic tricks!"

An idea struck her. "Azhi, ask her if the dowry and the bride’s gift will be presented on the same day."

Though reluctant, under his parents’ pressure, Chen Azhi called Xue.

After hanging up, he announced, "Xue said both the dowry and the bride’s gift will be displayed at the wedding, and then they’ll be given to us!"

Chen's parents exchanged glances—this was a sure deal!

But where would the money come from?

Of course, from Chen Xiaoxiao! The Gu family had money!

When the Chen family showed up at her doorstep, Chen Xiaoxiao’s expression darkened.

"You want more money?" Her tone was sharp.

Chen's Father glared. "What do you mean ‘want’? We’re asking you to lend money to your brother!"

"No!"

Chen's Mother quickly intervened. "Xiaoxiao, he’s your only brother. Now that he finally has a chance to marry, will you just watch him stay single?" She even pretended to wipe away tears.

Chen Azhi chimed in, "Xiaoxiao, help me out. Once I’m married and get the dowry, I’ll pay you back."

Chen Xiaoxiao was furious and helpless. When she married into the Gu family, these bloodsucking relatives had already taken a million. Now they were demanding another 880,000—how was this possible? "I have my own life to live. Where would I get that kind of money? Stop pressuring me."

Chen's Father, humiliated, slammed the table. "You’re like spilled water—once married, you forget your own family! If you won’t lend it, I’ll stay right here!"

Chen Xiaoxiao was at her wit’s end. Staring at their ugly faces, her resentment peaked, but she didn’t know how to shake them off.

Just then, Gu Xiuyuan returned. Seeing the Chen family, his expression soured. To make up for the million Gu's Mother had given away, he had taken on multiple projects and was exhausted.

"Dad, Mom," Gu Xiuyuan greeted them reluctantly.

Chen's Mother acknowledged him, while Chen's Father snorted.

"Xiaoxiao, what’s going on?"

"Xiuyuan, they... they want me to give 880,000 for Chen Azhi’s wedding!" Chen Xiaoxiao finally had someone to lean on.

"What?!" Gu Xiuyuan was stunned. "Didn’t we already pay the dowry?"

"Xiuyuan, we’re just borrowing it this time," Chen's Mother explained. "The girl’s family agreed—on the wedding day, we’ll show the money as a formality, and her family will give a dowry of 1,880,000!"

Gu Xiuyuan paused. "Are you sure this isn’t a scam?"

"A scam? Would a scammer agree to show the money at the wedding?" Chen Azhi was incensed—he wouldn’t tolerate anyone slandering Xue.

"But we really don’t have the money now," Gu Xiuyuan said.

"No money?" Chen's Father scoffed. "Your family has no money? Don’t lie to us. You gave a million to marry this girl, but now you won’t lend 880,000?"

Before Gu Xiuyuan could respond, something clattered to the floor behind him.

He turned to see a horrified Gu's Mother and a stunned Gu's Father, the groceries in his hands scattered on the ground.

"Mom, Dad... you—"

"A million? What million?!" Gu's Father had finally come around after days of persuasion from Gu's Mother. After all, Chen Xiaoxiao was their adopted daughter who had taken their name—as long as the couple was happy, that was what mattered. He had even bought groceries to celebrate, only to walk into this shocking revelation.

"Oh, in-laws, you’re back!" Chen's Mother quickly stood.

"What million?" Gu's Father’s piercing gaze shifted from Gu Xiuyuan to Chen's Mother.

Chen Azhi shrugged. "The million your son gave as dowry for my sister—did you forget already?"

Gu's Father’s eyes bulged, his breathing ragged.

"Old man!"

"Dad!"

Gu's Father was rushed to the hospital, with Chen Xiaoxiao accompanying him. The Chen family, unsure of what had happened but unwilling to get involved, decided to retreat and return another day.

"Boss, I don’t fully understand, but this seems really bad," Xu Jiabo muttered after reporting the situation.

Fang Zhiyi smiled. "People who are cautious are actually easier to deceive—as long as they can’t figure out what the scammer really wants."