The Peril of Hidden Treasure? Li Junsheng Plays His Trump Card

Seeing his eldest son so eager to take every last penny from him, Li Junsheng maintained a calm exterior, though inwardly he was exasperated.

Having witnessed his eldest son's true nature in his past life, Li Junsheng knew that the most effective strategy was to feign retreat—offering to share the money would disarm him.

Sure enough, his son no longer cared that he had sold his job for cash.

The mere mention of money instantly transformed him, as if he could see nothing else!

Ungrateful wretch!

Expecting him to provide for his old age? Not a chance!

Deliberately, Li Junsheng asked Li Guojun, "But now that I've lost my job, how will I manage in my old age?"

Xingxing—his eldest granddaughter in his past life—had been the one who despised his "old man smell" and made him sleep with the dog.

Both Li Guojun and Wang Xiuhua were calculating and cruel by nature. Whether Xingxing had inherited their traits or simply been corrupted by their influence, she had grown up just as heartless and snobbish.

At Li Junsheng's words, Li Guojun's smile stiffened. He exchanged a glance with Wang Xiuhua, both of their expressions darkening.

Clearly, they only wanted the money—not the responsibility of caring for him.

But since the money wasn't yet in hand, Li Guojun forced a smile and fawned, "Dad, what kind of talk is that? You've still got me, haven't you?"

"You've been good to me, so of course I'll take care of you. Losing your job doesn't matter—just stay home and relax. Xiuhua and I will look after you!"

Li Junsheng merely smiled in response, not bothering to expose his son's lies.

The only reason Li Guojun would "take care of him" was if he remained useful. Once the money was gone, so would his son's goodwill.

Having lived twice, Li Junsheng understood all too well—this eldest son was a lost cause. He needed to secure his own financial future.

As these thoughts crossed his mind, Li Guojun and Wang Xiuhua shared another silent look.

They had laid on the sweet talk, so why hadn't the old man handed over the money yet?

Was he still not satisfied?

Thinking quickly, Li Guojun adopted an ingratiating smile—eerily similar to Ma Yulian's—and spun more empty promises.

"Dad, you've worried so much for us. This money could help your granddaughter grow into someone great. Once she marries into wealth, she'll make sure you live in luxury!"

"Just imagine—top-quality cigarettes, two personal maids attending to you like a grand elder. Wouldn't that be the life?"

Li Guojun was treating him like Ma Yulian, who lapped up such flattery.

In his past life, Li Junsheng would have been overjoyed, believing his children truly cared.

But now, he saw right through the act.

When he had transferred his job to Chen Zhiyuan in the past, Li Guojun hadn't spared a single kind word—only venomous curses, wishing him dead.

The memory made Li Junsheng's expression turn icy.

"Enough. No more empty talk. I received twelve hundred from Chen Dazhu—gave two hundred to the second brother, spent two hundred on social obligations. The remaining eight hundred will be divided among all of you siblings at a family meeting."

"I'm treating all my children equally now."

As the saying goes: The gem invites disaster.

If he didn't distribute the money from selling his job, the family would never give him peace.

The eight hundred wouldn't go to Ma Yulian, nor would it all end up in Li Guojun's hands.

The second son, Guohua, was still struggling to make rent.

The third daughter was having a hard time with her in-laws and needed support.

And the fourth daughter was nearing marriageable age—she'd need a dowry.

Li Junsheng also wanted to use this chance to separate the eldest son's family from the household, forcing them to stand on their own.

That way, he could focus on building his own fortune—keeping his earnings for himself.

With money, he'd have choices in old age.

Hearing that the funds would be split, Li Guojun and Wang Xiuhua immediately balked.

Only eight hundred left, divided among the others? That meant far less for them!

Desperate, Li Guojun pressed, "Dad, what's this about? You already gave two hundred to the second brother. Why split the rest? The third sister's married—she's someone else's family now! And the fourth might soon marry too. Why give them anything?"

"Just give it all to me. I'll improve the household, buy you better food—more meat!"

"All to you? Think you're special?"

Li Junsheng tossed the words over his shoulder, ignoring Li Guojun's greed, and strode out of the room.

Outside, Ma Yulian had been pacing anxiously, wondering what was happening inside.

To her shock, Li Junsheng emerged unharmed—and the eldest son wasn't even angry anymore!

This was unlike him.

Not only was he not furious, but when Li Junsheng went to wash up, Li Guojun rushed ahead to fetch water, holding the basin obsequiously for him.

Watching this display, Li Junsheng's eyes held quiet mockery as he washed his face.

When he finished, Li Guojun smoothly handed him a towel.

Ma Yulian stood dumbfounded. Since when did her son treat Li Junsheng so well—better than he treated her?

Both men ignored her completely, fueling her resentment.

Was this matter just… over?

Unacceptable.

Spotting Wang Xiuhua exiting the room, Ma Yulian brightened and hurried over, probing for information.

"Xiuhua, what did your father discuss with you two in there? Has Guojun really stopped being angry?"

"Your father sold his job in secret and kept the money from you!"

Wang Xiuhua had no patience for her mother-in-law, especially after yesterday's beating.

Besides, it was Ma Yulian who had repeatedly insisted on lending the job to Chen Dazhu for free. The father-in-law was the one who sold it.

At first, she'd thought him reckless—but now, she saw his wisdom. At least he'd brought home over a thousand yuan.

If they'd lent the job out, would they ever have gotten it back?

Compared to him, Ma Yulian was downright foolish.

Neither she nor Li Guojun needed a mother who sided with outsiders.

"Dad's calling a family meeting soon—probably to discuss dividing the money and the household. The job's already sold. What's the point of Guojun staying angry?"

"Or do you, Mother-in-law, want to see Father and Guojun at each other's throats?"

Ma Yulian barely registered the last question. She stood frozen, wondering if she'd misheard.

"What did you say? Repeat that—Li Junsheng is splitting the thousand yuan?"

Her face paled with disbelief—and panic.

He couldn't distribute that money! How else would she repay Chen Dazhu?

She'd promised him she'd return the full amount.

If she failed, he'd lose all faith in her.

What madness had possessed Li Junsheng?!