Buy tickets water park.
Get free pass KTV.
Get bar vouchers, there's there so can go ask advice.
I accept everything never actually go.
But never miss tutoring session.
My stepmother starts panic.
After confirming quit tutoring and her daughter can't take enrolls in too.
But half break passed – all one-on-one full.
Jiang gets crammed six-person class.
I deliberately stir pot: "Auntie, you knew fill up fast. Why didn't you earlier?"
"I heard Song Lingling got private tutoring."
Jiang and Song Lingling have never gotten along.
Sure enough, at home: "Why didn't you up sooner?"
Under burning gaze, stepmother can't her dilemma.
Amid battles, ends quickly.
At start of sophomore year's placement test, rank 250th.
Two months of effort yielding this result satisfies me.
Results out stepmother's birthday.
At asks about rank and putting concerned face: "Zhizhi, what happened? Your spent so much private tutors, you dropped ten spots from last term!"
"Xiao improved eighteen spots in – she's top 100 now."
She turns "Lao Jiang, maybe Zhizhi's heart isn't in academics. Let's let her study music like wants."
6
Restaurant lights cast shadows Dad's weary face.
He grips his chopsticks: "Have you been slacking off? Wasting money tutors?"
I look remorseful: Auntie kept saying 'don't waste your dad's hard-earned – was much!"
Dad glares at Stepmom: "Why such things her?"
"I was just心疼 you," backpedals.
"Auntie's right," pout. "You're not just now – you're her husband, Zhao's uncle. You can't spend everything me."
"She's her rights."
Dad slams table: "I'm your father! I'll spend money how want!"
"No one gets say!"
Stepmom's face It takes of sweet talk calm him.
That night, through thin walls, her urgent whisper: brother's bank high-yield理财products – guaranteed returns."
"Let's invest savings."
She's Scared spend all me.
Luckily stays cool: "Show paperwork first."
Time act.
The chance comes at memorial day.
After died, raised alone three years.
A father balancing work and child – countless struggles.
Matchmakers swarmed.
Stepmom, as friend, took out.
She'd whisper: "Who knows if stepmom would treat you well?"
When started seeing teacher, panicked.
Manipulated Stepmom's hints, begged marry her – "Mom's friend me."
Now stroke tombstone photo, slap past self.
Invited home!
Dad arranges favorite carefully removing stamens.
Mom loved flowers – home was always blooming.
De-stamened last longer.
Even after years, remembers.
The mood set, begin performance.
"Dad," whisper, "If you and Auntie have baby... still your favorite?"
Dad sighs: "I'm old more kids."
"My friend's said too."
"Now his stepmom son – he they're perfect family. like leftovers."
My quivers: "Sometimes feel way too. You and Auntie so close, Zhao's so good..."
"Auntie never see as hers. I'm... redundant."
Tears flow now: "Dad, I... lose home?"
7
Dad hugs me: You'll always have home."
That night, he tells Stepmom: buying Zhizhi an apartment."
Stepmom blanches: "She's underage! Who knows where It's early!"
No! Prices skyrocket soon!
Dad insists: "Our current home was half her mother's."
"She deserves this."
Stepmom's eyes gleam: "If we buy it appreciate it."
"Let's make deal: If enters top class next we'll buy apartment."
"If not, we'll invest money."
Our school sorts top based first-term finals.
Top 120 make science elite class.
Dad hesitates. plays her trump card: "This motivate her!"
Dad nods: "Deal."
"Zhizhi, want apartment? Earn it!"
