Chapter 7 — How Much Does Love Cost?

"You don't have to worry about money. Even if you sell your house, everyone will help you contribute!"

They speak righteously. But no one actually took out a penny. They just want to use morality and filial piety to tie me down. I want to bear all the responsibilities and expenses alone. I looked at each of those fake faces. Listen to each of those empty, hypocritical words. I don't feel stressed anymore. Even wanted to laugh. My father is still in the ICU, his life or death is unknown. But his siblings, his children and grandchildren, the first thing they thought of was not his illness. It's about how to throw this burning potato to me. I took a deep breath and slowly looked around at all of them. Then speak up. The voice is not loud, but enough for everyone to hear every word clearly.

“Money, I can pay.”

Everyone seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. There was even a hint of satisfaction on the eldest uncle's face. I looked at him and slowly continued word by word:

“But I have one condition.”

My words are like a stone thrown into a calm lake. The entire hallway turned their eyes towards me, with looks of surprise and confusion. The smile on his face stiffened.

"Conditions? Vy Vy, this is to treat your father's illness, what other conditions do you say?"

There was obvious discomfort in his voice.

“This is not a condition.”

I calmly looked at him, then glanced at each person present.

“This is called working according to rules.”

“What rules?”

The second uncle frowned and asked.

“Our house rules.”

I stopped for a moment, making sure everyone was paying attention to me.

“It's a rule set by my father.”

My mother gently pulled my sleeve, her eyes filled with pleading.

“Vy Vy, stop talking… his father and I…”

I gently patted her hand, signaling her to rest assured. Then I looked at everyone, my tone was clear but cold.

“That year, my father taught me that everything must have principles.”

“To train my character, he stipulated that each month he would only give me 708 yuan in living expenses, no more than one yuan, no less than one yuan.”

“He said it was a combination of glory and hardship, the heirloom of the To family.”

With every word I said, the eldest uncle's face became more unsightly. A few older relatives also looked confused. They all remembered. I remember that year at the university entrance celebration party, how they flattered my father's "genius educational method", and how enthusiastically approved of that "training". I changed my tone, it was so cold that I no longer had any temperature.

“Now it's my dad's turn.”

"He also needs a workout to hone his will and help him overcome his illness."

“Of course I will pay for this hospital fee.”

“But it also has to be based on the standards he set for me that year.”

Everyone was stunned, not understanding what I wanted to say. To Loi stood next to him and chuckled.

"What standard? Is 708 bad? Are you crazy? What can 708 do?"

“Of course 708 is not bad.”

I looked at To Loi, then at everyone.

“My father is a person who values keeping up with the times and also likes lucky numbers.”

“That year I scored 708 points, he gave me 708 yuan.”

“That number was decided based on my most important personal index at the time.”

“So now now…”

“What are my dad's most important personal stats?”

I stopped and looked at each person. The hallway fell into dead silence. Only the machines in the ICU room made faint ticking sounds. No one answered. Maybe they don't dare to think. Perhaps I have never thought that way. So I speak for them.

“It's his age.”

“He is fifty-four years old this year.”

I clearly spit out every last word.

“Starting from this month, hospital fees, care fees, nutrition fees, all related expenses.”

“I will transfer it to my account on time.”

“Fifty-four yuan.”

“Not one coin more, not one coin less.”

The moment the words ended... The atmosphere in the entire hallway seemed to freeze. Time seems to stop. Everyone pressed the pause button and looked at me with crazy eyes. My mother's lips trembled, her face turned white. To Loi's mouth opened so wide that he could fit an entire egg. The first person to react was the eldest uncle.