“Ah?”
“Nothing, nothing!”
The father and daughter first reflexively denied it outright, then reflexively turned on each other.
Wen Ying, being the young one with quick reactions, beat Wen Dongrong to the punch. “Dad, you were just saying there was something, how come you go quiet now that Mum’s back?”
If looks could kill, Wen Dongrong would have flung a hundred knives at Wen Ying.
What kind of rebel daughter was this?
She was practically a spy sent by enemies to finish him off!
Chen Ru’s gaze locked solely on Wen Dongrong. He dared not act up, cleared his throat, and feigned nonchalance. “Oh, it is not a big deal. I just heard that Wen Hongyan did not even pay Shu Lu’s tuition this year, so Shu Lu is probably dropping out.”
Chen Ru seemed unsurprised. “Shu Lu is only a year younger than Wen Ying. Wen Ying is in her final year now, so Shu Lu should be starting second year this term. Dropping out before finishing second year means no high school diploma for Shu Lu. I reckon she will have a tough time out in the world.”
Second year had the “comprehensive exam”; passing that was needed for the diploma.
Quitting after first year was the rawest deal, but at least finishing second year could snag a diploma.
Though in 2006’s China, a high school certificate was growing less valuable, it still beat junior high. Out in society, upgrading from high school was easier than from junior high.
Chen Ru’s take was neutral, on the issue not the person, just assessing the dropout itself, not pitying Shu Lu’s lot, so her tone stayed even. Wen Dongrong grew all the more unsure of his wife’s stance.
A sense of crisis gripped Wen Dongrong, spurring him to blast out loud, “Whether she suffers or not is none of our business. We have done plenty for Shu Lu before, enough to help her for a moment but not a lifetime. Her parents are unreliable, so she ought to be the sensible one. Poor kids mature early. A bit of hardship might even toughen Shu Lu up.”
Chen Ru nearly cracked a smile.
This mutt reacted swiftly enough.
In the past, Chen Ru kept little truck with her sisters-in-law, so Zhu Meiqun never looped her in on family matters.
Now Zhu Meiqun all but worshipped Chen Ru as a mentor. The two chatted often on the phone about home and hearth. Chen Ru even ordered fruit baskets from her shop for clients. They got on like sisters, near enough to share trousers. Long before Wen Dongrong learned of Shu Lu’s dropout, Chen Ru had the full story from Zhu Meiqun.
Chen Ru had held her tongue, keen to gauge Wen Dongrong’s response.
The mutt now tuned finely to her moods, siding right at the crux, leaving her no handle to grab.
“So you mean you will not get involved in Shu Lu’s dropout?”
Wen Dongrong puffed his chest. “If she cannot stick to her studies, what can I do? She can quit and find a job, maybe chip in for the household.”
Shu Lu, not yet of age by a year, could scarce find proper work beyond dodgy eateries or workshops.
And with Wen Hongyan’s laziness, Shu Lu was no eager beaver either. Her knuckling down to earn and contribute would be a miracle.
But that was not Chen Ru’s affair.
Shu Lu’s future was her parents’ worry; Chen Ru need only mind her own spawn.
“Better if you stay out of it. Hope you mean it, and do not come to me in a few days thumping your chest now only to say you could not say no out of face!”
Wen Dongrong scraped through, and Chen Ru’s focus swung back to Wen Ying.
“Your dad’s bit is settled. Now you, what are you hiding from me?”
Wen Ying could not help shrinking her neck.
She hid plenty from Manager Chen.
Lending a million to Xie Qian.
Sinking ten million into Tianjiao shares.
Those were sky-busting “big deals”. Spilling them all at once, she would not live to see tomorrow’s sun!
Wen Dongrong seized Wen Ying’s two-second daze for revenge, counterattacking at once. “What could she be hiding? She is dutiful as can be! She means to buy you a flat in the magic city, has even eyed one, just awaits your nod to sign in the magic city!”
The father-daughter bond in the Wen house had always been flimsy plastic. Wen Ying was used to it.
Old Wen thought he had the upper hand for a jab back, unaware Wen Ying needed him as the opener.
Under Chen Ru’s stunned gaze, Wen Ying owned up briskly, voice meek. “I do want to buy in the magic city. As a minor, I cannot take a loan, so I thought to put it in your name, Mum. May I?”
A magic city flat on loan, in her own name?
Chen Ru’s feelings tangled.
Unaware of the ten million Tianjiao stake, Chen Ru misjudged Wen Ying’s savings.
She figured Wen Ying had millions tucked away at least.
In 2006, a few million in hand could full-cash a flat anywhere in the magic city, so long as Wen Ying shunned oversized villas.
Full-cash buys cared not for the owner’s age; many a rich sort named kids on properties now.
With full-cash means yet opting for loan, Chen Ru saw it as Wen Ying’s ploy, using “minor no-loan” as cover to title the magic city flat to her.
What was this, a high school daughter’s gift to Mum?
Other girls gave scarves for Mother’s Day, flowers for birthdays, sweet enough. Hers? Straight to a magic city pad!
Chen Ru did not erupt, nor feel her parental sway challenged. Even the stubbornest, steeliest mum would soften at her girl’s “gift” now.
It weighed heavy with intent.
Too lavish, pressuring Chen Ru double.
The magic city buy, Chen Ru had mulled long.
China’s boom towns were the capital and magic city; all flocked there. Chen Ru set no low bar for Wen Ying, so she hoped not to see her stuck local in Rong City.
Wen Ying showed zero pull to the capital, likely aiming for magic city uni.
Chen Ru banked for a living, income capped high as it went, yet shy of magic city down payment for now.
But Chen Ru felt no rush; Wen Ying’s gaokao was next year. Fix it before her uni graduation, and she could save leisurely for the down… Who knew, down not saved, Wen Ying meant to buy Chen Ru a flat first, maxing her pressure gauge!
A grown mum must not turn strain to wrath. Wen Dongrong was mending; Chen Ru trod not in place either.
She skipped judging Wen Ying’s buy, asking first her thoughts.
Size of flat.
Why magic city.
Which district.
Total price, down planned, loan years, monthly outlay?
The queries cut pro and keen, even baffling Wen Ying, who hastily rallied her wits. “A few options now, top picks Huangpu or Xuhui, worst case Jing’an. Which exact one, you decide. Down, I readied a million. Repayments, no worry, I handle. Royalties cover it!”
Wen Dongrong rolled his eyes on the sly.
Cover the mortgage?
Easily said, but scraping a million down scarce easy? After all, savings sneaked off to Tianjiao shares!
Chen Ru, blind to most savings turned Tianjiao stock, latched on unlike Wen Dongrong.
Million down, repayment solid?
“Want my honest take?”
Chen Ru asked. Wen Ying nodded, scalp tight. “Of course, say it, I am all ears.”
Chen Ru’s eyes pierced. “Funds too idle. With a million down, you could snag two!”
Wen Ying: !!!
Mum, why buck the script?!
Wen Dongrong: …???
What now, doting mum and filial girl before him? The fool was he?!
…
