This was the child I'd raised, watched grow up from infancy—yet in this moment, I couldn't read her at all.
Could it be... she really did know something?
"Since Ramona's fine now, let's get back to the red envelopes. Mom, it's your turn."
Arnold hurried to prod his mother-in-law along, but my daughter stopped him.
"Uncle Arnold, I haven't sent my red envelope yet."
Arnold let out a laugh. "You're just a kid. You can't be part of this game."
Ramona slowly lifted her head and looked straight at him. "Are you sure about that?"
Arnold had been completely certain.
But in the next instant, the color drained from his face.
"That's... not possible."
He stared at Ramona as if he'd seen a ghost.
After a long beat, he clenched his jaw.
"Fine. If Ramona wants to play, let her play."
She pulled away from my arms and sent a red envelope in a flash.
Sure enough, I drew the winning share again.
"Dad, I want you to hand the Southside land project over to Uncle Arnold."
From an angle only I could see, she flashed me a tiny V-sign.
In that instant, something clicked. My heart lurched.
I nodded.
Arnold let out a shriek.
"The Southside land project is actually mine?!"