Chapter 1261: The Fool’s Daughter (40)

Tang Lide froze for a moment before saying, “We gave birth to you and raised you. We fed you, clothed you, and now that you're an adult, you should be responsible for yourself. What more do you expect us to do?”

“Then Uncle, Auntie, Cousin, Grandma, and Little Uncle are all adults too. Why can't they take responsibility for their own lives? If they lack something, they should work for it themselves. If they run into difficulties, why can't they solve them on their own? Why do they come to you every single time?”

“Dad, I know Uncle was kind to you, but ever since you entered society and started working, when have you ever stopped helping his family? You were the one who arranged jobs for Uncle and Auntie in the city. When Cousin needed to transfer schools, you handled everything. They complained that the school placement fee was too expensive, and our family paid for that too.”

“Whenever they lacked something or ran into trouble, you stepped in to solve it. Dad, it's been decades. Haven't you repaid Uncle's kindness by now? If it weren't for you, their family would still be living in the countryside. Look at them now—they've developed the habit of asking you for everything. Last time Cousin got hurt, you paid all his medical expenses, didn't you? Buying supplements and making soup—weren't Mom and you the ones doing that? You even cleaned up after him and emptied his chamber pot. Dad, sometimes I honestly wonder if Cousin is your real son.”

“Nonsense. How could Zhiming possibly be my son?” Tang Lide retorted. “But that child has always been obedient and filial. He even helped you before. Why can't I treat him a little better? Your mother and I are honest people who value family ties. How did we end up raising such a cold-hearted daughter?”

There was even a trace of regret in his voice.

Tang Guo wasn't angry. For the first time, she hadn't truly immersed herself in this role. If she had completely stepped into the original owner's shoes and become too emotionally invested, she didn't know what she might have done. She probably wouldn't have endured until now and would have long since taught those shameless parasites a lesson.

But her greatest objective was to make these two people learn their lesson as well, so she had no choice but to temporarily spare those thick-skinned relatives.

This time, she viewed everything as an outsider solving a problem.

If they still refused to wake up in the future, she would only guarantee them food and clothing. Beyond that, they could forget about expecting anything more.

They had given birth to her and raised her, but they had never given her any extra affection. In return, she would merely fulfill her obligation to support them in their old age, without investing any additional emotions.

If they came to their senses, however, she would help them recover everything they had lost.

Once she completed all of this, she could finally pursue her own life. That had always been the goal she set for herself every time.

“Forget it, Dad. Let's stop talking about this.” Tang Guo didn't believe a few words would suddenly bring Tang Lide to his senses. “But I'll repeat myself one last time—the house absolutely cannot be mortgaged.”

Tang Lide sat on the sofa in silence. Being lectured by his own daughter left him deeply displeased.

Even now, he couldn't stop wondering how he had ended up raising such a selfish, ruthless, and heartless daughter.

At the dinner table, the family ate plain noodles mixed with vegetables. Tang Lide and Song Jinghua found the meal tasteless.

After eating like this for so long, even they were beginning to reach their limit.

Tang Guo had deliberately served herself very little. She had already been full for some time, and with dieting as an excuse, the couple hadn't noticed anything unusual.

She quickly finished the few strands of noodles and vegetables left in her bowl. Taking out her phone, she said to the two of them, “Mom, let me transfer this month's living expenses to you.”

Both of them abruptly raised their heads, unmistakable joy flashing in their eyes.