Does money borrowed through skill need repaying?
Wen Hongyan didn’t know the meme, but she lived it. Though she’d achieved little in career or family, she knew her second brother, Wen Dongrong, and his wife, Chen Ru, well. They clung to their respectable facade and would never demand repayment. The money Wen Dongrong willingly gave to Shu Lu? Wen Hongyan had no intention of returning it. With thick enough skin, who’d pass up such a free lunch?
Wen Ying’s public callout enraged Wen Hongyan. “What right do you have to speak? No manners at all!”
At the school gate, parents and exam-takers turned at Wen Hongyan’s bellow, some eavesdropping eagerly, curious for gossip.
Shu Lu flushed, feeling her mom’s outburst paled next to Chen Ru’s restraint. The onlookers’ stares made her squirm.
To stop Wen Ying from saying worse, Shu Lu jumped in, “Auntie, Cousin, that’s not what Mom meant. I’ll always remember your family’s help. Once I’m working, I’ll repay you.”
Shu Lu feigned embarrassment. Chen Ru, ever conscious of appearances, didn’t want to corner a young girl. Outside disciplining her own daughter, Chen Ru was reasonable, earning more praise than criticism at work.
Shu Lu did seem pitiable, stuck with unreliable parents.
Chen Ru glanced at Wen Ying, who met her eyes. Their gazes locked, and Chen Ru felt a jolt—if she didn’t stand with Wen Ying now, she couldn’t expect her daughter to shield her later.
Wen Hongyan, crude as she was, at least scraped together Shu Lu’s tuition. Shu Lu’s sweet words still defended her mom’s dignity. That was a united mother and daughter.
And Wen Hongyan had just called Wen Ying ill-bred!
Chen Ru pursed her lips, ignoring Shu Lu and Wen Hongyan, turning to scold Wen Ying lightly, “How can you talk like that? We’re not starving, waiting for your aunt to repay us. They just moved to Chengdu—everything costs money. Save a bit at school, and your dad and I will spend less, helping them through tough times. Look, you’ve nearly made your cousin cry. She said she’ll repay us when she works—I trust her ambition. At school, don’t blab about money in front of her classmates!”
Onlookers sized up both families. Chen Ru seemed too honest. The sponsored family didn’t look poor—gold bangles and all. Wen Hongyan herself bragged her husband struck it rich. Rich, yet not repaying relatives? No one’s money grew on trees. What a headache, dealing with such shameless kin!
Parents whispered among themselves.
Wen Hongyan initially thought Chen Ru’s words fair, but the crowd’s reaction clued her in—something was off.
Shu Lu burst into tears. Her second aunt was ruthless! All that past affection was fake!
Wen Ying perked up. Honestly, she hadn’t expected Chen Ru to play along. When she did, Wen Ying was stunned, then energized, ticking off points, “If Aunt and Uncle don’t want to repay, I won’t mention it to them again. Mom’s right—Cousin Shu Lu’s the ambitious one. She’s only in ninth grade—three years of high school, four of college, just eight years. We can wait! Mom, don’t worry, I won’t bring up her family’s debt at school. I’m not dumb—I’ll save her face!”
Not dumb? You’re an idiot! Shu Lu sobbed harder, hearing Wen Ying’s words as a threat—she’d mention it every chance she got. If classmates found out, how could Shu Lu face school?
Wen Hongyan, bewildered, finally caught on from Shu Lu’s reaction—Wen Ying and Chen Ru’s words were barbed.
“We’re family, and you’re bullying us like this… Tell me how much we owe, and I’ll sell everything to pay you!” she roared.
Chen Ru genuinely didn’t know the total. Some sums she was aware of; others, Wen Dongrong had slipped to Wen Hongyan behind her back. She’d never expected repayment before—it was “aid.” But Wen Hongyan’s ungrateful, backstabbing attitude now was too much. Chen Ru was happy to teach her a lesson.
Thirty to fifty thousand? She wouldn’t scoff. It’d fund house renovations. Ten to twenty thousand? Better than nothing. The catch: Wen Dongrong would likely fight her over this scene, leaving her torn.
Wen Ying smiled, “Aunt, we’re family—don’t make it sound so harsh. Forcing you to sell everything isn’t bullying. You said Uncle struck it rich, right? You two figure out how much you’ve used from us these years. Pay what you can, no rush if you can’t. I trust Cousin more anyway.”
That Wen Ying—taking advantage and acting innocent! Wen Hongyan itched to slap her.
Wen Ying ducked behind Chen Ru. “Gotta get to the exam. Bye, Aunt—no hurry on the money!”
She dashed into school.
The gossip-hungry crowd lingered. Panicked, Shu Lu grabbed Wen Hongyan’s hand, assuring Chen Ru they’d repay soon. To prove it, she slipped off Wen Hongyan’s gold bangle while her mom wasn’t looking and pressed it into Chen Ru’s hands.
Chen Ru found the bangle hot to hold. Wen Hongyan’s face twisted with heartache—if anyone but Shu Lu had taken it, she’d have swung.
Chen Ru hadn’t wanted it, but Wen Hongyan’s expression changed her mind, refreshing her spirit.
Shu Lu pleaded for Chen Ru to accept it. Sighing, Chen Ru said, “Fine, fine, I’ll take it. You’re such a sensible kid.”
Onlookers nodded approvingly. They saw Shu Lu’s effort—raised by shameless, debt-dodging parents, yet she knew right from wrong. A good shoot from bad bamboo!
Hearing the chatter, Shu Lu’s tears turned to a smile. Repaying would cut into her lifestyle, but non-payment gave Wen Ying leverage. The thought of Wen Ying broadcasting their debt at school made Shu Lu dread attending.
Looking at the school gate, Wen Ying’s figure gone, Shu Lu thought, How could Cousin be so ruthless? She couldn’t blame herself for malice—Wen Ying’s sharp tongue was worse than her old, clumsy self.
If Wen Ying flunked today’s exam, wouldn’t that be perfect?
