Chapter 47: Pretentious Relatives (Part One)

“Hurry up and help me wash the vegetables! I’m about to collapse from all this work. My sisters will be here soon for dinner, and you’re still watching TV?” My mother poked her head out from the kitchen, shouting at my father, who was sitting on the sofa, eyes glued to the television.

With a disgruntled sigh, my father stubbed out his cigarette and grumbled, “Alright, alright, I hear you. After driving for more than half a month, I come home and can’t even get a little rest. Why are you inviting your sisters over for dinner anyway?” He asked while emptying the ashtray into the trash can.

My mother’s voice echoed from the kitchen, “Isn’t it because of your son’s tuition? We’ve paid for the first year, but there’s no way to cover next year. I’m trying to get on their good side and see if they’ll help us out… Oh, for heaven’s sake, what are you still doing? Turn off the TV and come help me!”

“I think you’re wasting your time,” my father muttered, rolling his eyes as he reached for the remote to turn off the television. But suddenly, he froze, staring at the screen.

The TV was showing a scene from what seemed to be a computer competition. The host’s voice droned on, but it wasn’t the commentary that caught my father’s attention. It was the familiar face on the screen that made him sit bolt upright in shock. “Isn’t that… isn’t that my son? Isn’t that Xiao Qiang?”

“What on earth are you doing? Hurry up and help me!” My mother, seeing that my father still hadn’t come into the kitchen, stormed out angrily—only to find him staring in a daze at the television. She turned to see what had transfixed him, and the moment she recognized the face on the screen, the cooking spoon slipped from her hand and clattered to the floor.

When I strolled into the house humming a little tune, my parents finally believed that the boy on TV was truly their son, seeing the medal and certificate in my hands. Overjoyed, they bombarded me with questions. I could only answer awkwardly. My mother held the medal as if it were a priceless treasure, caressing it again and again. I couldn’t help but laugh, “Mom, it’s just a medal. I’ll be going to the national competition soon. When the time comes, your son will bring you back a shiny golden trophy.”

“Don’t get cocky now,” my mother chided, though pride lingered in her eyes. “Winning the city contest is one thing, but the nationals are a different story. Still, I never guessed you’d have such a passion for computers… If only they weren’t so expensive, I’d buy you one myself.”

I knew our family couldn’t afford such a luxury, so I grinned and said, “Don’t worry, Mom. If I win the competition, I’ll use the prize money to buy one myself.”

“That’s my boy—full of ambition!” My father laughed, clapping me on the shoulder, then grew serious. “But remember, Qiang, computers are one thing, but you can’t neglect your studies. Don’t let me down, and don’t let my money go to waste, understand?”

“Of course, I understand.” I nodded, watching my mother hang the certificate on the wall. I teased, “Mom, who are you hanging it up for? It’s just us at home.”

“For your aunts, of course! They’re coming over for dinner.” My mother, with a satisfied smile, carefully hung the certificate. Her eyes grew moist. “Our Qiang has finally made us proud… This is the first certificate you’ve ever received.”

“Invite them over? Why would they come here?” In my memory, my parents’ siblings rarely visited. We were too poor, and they looked down on my family. They never bothered to maintain relations. So what had changed? Why were they suddenly coming today?

My mother brushed off my question with a vague excuse, so I let it go and returned to my room to wait for dinner.

About ten minutes later, both my eldest and youngest aunts arrived. The table was laden with food and surrounded by smiling faces, yet I could sense the contempt in their eyes. Knowing my place, I kept my head down and ate, not joining their conversations.

“Did you two catch the news on TV today?” My mother suddenly boasted, pride beaming from her face. “Our Qiang won first place in a computer competition. He’s really matured now. They say Fourth High is the best, and see, it’s truly different.”

My youngest aunt helped herself to some food, smiling sweetly. “Really? I didn’t see the TV today, but that’s impressive! My Song Song is still struggling at Fifth High—not like your Qiang at Fourth High. I guess money really does make a difference; spend enough of it and even your IQ goes up. Sometimes I regret not buying my son into Fourth High like you did—maybe he’d have won something too.”

Her words froze the smile on my mother’s face, and even my father’s expression darkened. The implication was obvious: she was belittling my achievement, insinuating the only reason I won was because my parents spent money to send me to Fourth High—a complete misrepresentation, twisting two unrelated things together just to look down on us.

“My, my, little sister, how can you say that?” my eldest aunt laughed lightly, glancing at my mother. “Second sister, she’s just worried for you. Look at your situation—why spend all that money? A few tens of thousands in tuition could buy you a new house if you sold this old one. If Qiang could get into Fourth High on his own, then great. But if not and you have to pay, isn’t that just throwing money away?”

My mother’s face grew more and more sullen. She bit down on a piece of pork rib before speaking slowly, “Big sister, third sister, we’re family, blood sisters. This was my decision, I only hope you can support me. To be honest, after paying Qiang’s tuition last time, our savings are gone. Next semester’s fees will be a struggle. So, as sisters, I’m asking for your help. I’ll pay you back, I promise—”

“Since you’ve finally brought it up, let me be direct too,” my youngest aunt interrupted, putting down her chopsticks with a bright smile. “It wasn’t me or big sister who made you send Qiang to Fourth High. We advised against it, remember? But since you’re asking to borrow money, well, we’re family. If I had the money, of course I’d lend it. But I’ve just opened a beauty salon, and cash is tight. Still, the tuition isn’t due until next semester. I suppose I can give you a few thousand yuan I’ve saved. Will that do?”

“A few thousand?” My mother started to protest, but my eldest aunt cut in, “Second sister, why didn’t you ask sooner? I just invested in stocks, and my husband keeps a tight grip on our finances—it’s all for our daughter’s college fund. I really can’t spare much, maybe a thousand at best, just a token from the two of us. You should have brought this up earlier…”

Listening to their act, I lost all appetite. The disappointment in my mother’s eyes pierced my heart. No money? Unless the world turned upside down! Their children wear nothing but branded clothes, and their family owns three homes. No money? Ha. They just refused to help.

In my past life, when my mother lowered herself to beg them for money, I could only retreat to my room and weep in silence. But this life is different. Xiao Qiang is no longer the same boy he once was. I will make sure my mother regains her dignity!

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