Chapter 1 — How Much Does Love Cost?

The day the university entrance exam scores were announced, I scored 708 points. The whole family was as happy as celebrating. In front of all relatives, my father proudly declared:

"The exam scored 708 points, so give him exactly 708 yuan in living expenses every month."

The eldest uncle standing next to him immediately chimed in:

"Younger brother is truly talented. Teachers are different. This is called training the will."

Less than a month into school, I was so hungry that I fainted right in front of the school cafeteria. I called home. My father just coldly replied:

“Fainting only proves that you are not resilient enough.”

Turning around, he spent more than 200,000 yuan to buy his cousin, who is in college, a brand new Audi. Five years later, my father fell ill. The first thing he did was call me and ask for hospital fees. I laughed.

“Dad is 54 years old this year, right?”

“So every month for medical expenses… please give me exactly 54 yuan.”

The day college entrance exam scores were announced, my phone almost blew up. On the phone, my father used a pompous voice like he was giving a speech, repeating that number to each relative. Outside the living room, my mother was so emotional that she kept wiping her tears. As for me, I have no expression. Some points are completely within expectations. Three days later, Dad booked the largest private room in the most luxurious hotel in the city to hold a party to celebrate graduating from college. He wore a brand new shirt, his hair was slicked back, and he raised his glass in the middle of the banquet table.

"Today, I called my eldest sister, second brother, and youngest brother here. In addition to telling the good news, I also want to announce a decision."

His eyes swept across the table, finally stopping on me.

"To Vy scored 708 points on the exam, showing off for our To family!"

A few scattered rounds of applause rang out in the room. The eldest uncle raised his glass, his face red:

“The eldest brother really knows how to teach his children!”

My father waved his hand, his expression dark.

“Scores are just an honor, life is still a long way.”

"I decided to continue training To Vy's bravery, to avoid letting her be corrupted by a luxurious society..."

He stopped and raised his voice:

"From the moment he goes to college, his monthly living expenses will be calculated according to his college entrance exam score."

“708 points, that's 708 yuan.”

The air in the room froze for a second. The chopsticks in my hand stopped in mid-air. The eldest uncle was the first to react, banging on the table:

"High skill! Big brother, this move is too high!"

He turned to the others, excited as the MC was commenting on the program.

"Do you see? This is called a true teacher. Combining glory and training, so that the child remembers this glorious moment while not forgetting the spirit of hard work."

"What is this called? It's called psychological anchoring! Big brother is truly a genius!"

My father smiled contentedly and took a sip of wine.

“What do you think?”

He turned to his second uncle. The second uncle's expression was a bit awkward. Last year, my cousin went to college and was given 2,000 yuan for living expenses every month.

“Eldest brother… 708 yuan in the provinces… isn't that a bit…”

My father's face immediately darkened.

"A little bit of what? A little bit?"

"When I went to school in the past, how much did I earn a month? Isn't that still a good life?"

"Children are so happy now, they don't know how hard it is to earn money. I do it because it's good for them!"

He looked at me, his eyes stern.

“To Vy, what do you think?”

All eyes turned to me. What else can I say? If I don't say enough, I will become a child ungrateful, ignorant, and unwilling to "train his character". If I say enough… So for the next four years, I will have to live on 708 yuan per month in one of the most expensive cities in the country. I looked at him. There was no consultation in his eyes, only orders. It's a type of oppression that means: "Try to say no." I bowed my head and replied softly:

“I listen to dad's arrangements.”

A satisfied smile immediately appeared on my father's face.

"Everyone see! My daughter understands things very well!"

He turned to his eldest uncle:

"My son will also take the university entrance exam next year, so he can study the same way as me."

The eldest uncle laughed until he couldn't close his mouth:

"Sure! Your method is our family's heirloom!"

The whole table started raising their glasses again, the atmosphere was even more bustling than before. As if the wild decision just now was an extremely great educational invention. My mother sat next to me, wanting to say something, her lips moved but in the end she remained silent. She just quietly held my cold hand under the table. At dinner that day, I couldn't taste any of the dishes. I only remember my cousin To Loi, a fat guy who always studied for his grades, munched his bones and said to me:

"Sister, is 708 that bad? My weekly allowance is more than that. You're really good."

I didn't reply. The party ended, my father was surrounded by his brothers, looking like a great man pointing out the world. On the way home, my mother spoke in a low voice:

“Dai Hai, 708 yuan is really too little, she will be very miserable.”

My father drove, eyes still looking straight ahead.

“Women are really soft-hearted.”

"What do you understand? Unpolished jade doesn't become precious. I'm polishing it."

"He passed the entrance exam to a top university, proving that there is no problem with IQ. So I have to make sure that his EQ and ability to withstand pressure are not poor either."

“A month of 708 is just enough for him to learn how to plan, learn how to manage money, learn how to survive in adversity.”

“After graduation, he will be grateful to me.”

My mother didn't speak anymore. The car fell silent. I looked at the neon light outside the window rushing back, all colors chaotic and cold. Suddenly I felt… I don't have to go to college. I was being thrown into a four-year survival game. He was the one who personally pushed me into that arena.