After Marrying the Officer Chapter 1184 - 1183: The Scheming of a Petty Person

Upon entering Uncle Xia's home, Xia Chuyi found Xia Lian’er in the midst of airing out her grievances to him.

"Uncle, Chuyi has been by your side for nearly two decades, and while I understand your bond is strong," Xia Lian’er remarked, "Xia Chengzong is not of the second branch, so why should she be entitled to the assets that rightfully belong to us?"

"The shop in Ling County, 'Youwei,' was clearly intended for our second branch," she continued with a confident air. "It wouldn't have mattered had I stayed away, but now that I have returned, shouldn't it be under my management?"

Uncle Xia could no longer contain his frustration. Slamming his hand against the table, he erupted, "Enough! Did you not renounce us while you were living in Jingdong?"

"Did you not explicitly declare over the phone that you had no intention of returning whenever you demanded money?" Uncle Xia’s voice dripped with disappointment. "Now that you smell potential profit, you suddenly decide to re-enter the Xia family fold?"

Xia Lian’er’s gaze darted around nervously before she replied, "I was young and naive back then, completely lacking any sense of family connection..."

"But after spending more time together, the deep-seated blood ties have finally stirred within me," she added with a pathetic look. "Uncle, my dear uncle, can you not bring yourself to trust me?"

Witnessing her performance, Uncle Xia simply sighed and remained silent, ignoring her theatrics.

Aunt Xia, however, interjected sharply, "Save the act, Lian’er. You clearly have ulterior motives for coveting Chuyi’s shop."

"What is this, are you looking to flip the property for quick cash?" the Aunt questioned. "If that is your desperation, I will ask your uncle to provide you with another sum of money."

"From today onward, let us pretend we are strangers," Aunt Xia declared. "And leave Chuyi’s affairs out of your schemes!"

Xia Lian’er hung her head, clearly displeased by the confrontation.

Nevertheless, when she looked up again, she plastered on a smile. "Aunt, why would I ever need your handouts?"

"By reclaiming that shop, I intend to become self-reliant and support myself," she said, adopting an earnest and serious expression.

Surprised, Aunt Xia glanced at her husband before turning back. "Self-reliant? You intend to manage the shop? I thought your plan was to return to the Capital City?"

Not returning to the Capital City?

Aunt Xia wasn't buying it for a second.

As for Xia Lian’er’s true intentions?

Naturally, she fully intended to return to Beijing.

However, after arriving in Ling County and discovering that 'Youwei' was registered under Xia Chengzong's name, she had begun plotting a different course.

If she could secure the property, Xia Lian’er felt she would gain the social standing needed to hold her head high within the Wang family.

Consequently, she had spent these last few days shamelessly badgering them to hand over the business.

"Uncle..." Ignoring Aunt Xia’s skepticism, she turned her pleading eyes toward him. "You see? Aunt refuses to believe me!"

"Uncle, Aunt! You are my only family!" she began to sob.

The display only served to irritate Aunt Xia further.

Xia Lian’er truly was her mother’s daughter, possessing that exact same talent for performative sincerity.

"Cut the act," Aunt Xia commanded. "No matter who you try to manipulate, it is futile. That shop belongs to Chuyi, and it shall remain hers."

"I..." Xia Lian’er started to protest.

Just then, the door swung open as Xia Chuyi walked in. "Aunt is right," she said firmly. "That shop is indeed mine!"