Chapter 6 — Just Because I'm the Older Sister

Parents gave me an impatient glance, saying our family was poor and I needed to understand, rather than constantly wanting things.

Later on, I bought that Barbie doll all by myself, and it cost only three hundred yuan.

That was the money I earned after three months of doing other people's homework.

The other end of the line fell silent. After a long while, my father's unnatural voice finally came through.

"That is ancient history from all these years ago. You are the only one petty enough to remember it so clearly."

The taxi had arrived at my destination. I pulled my suitcase out of the car and let out a chuckle.

"Father, I am not bringing this up to be petty."

"I am saying that at twelve years old, I was already capable of relying on my own efforts to get what I wanted."

"Now that I am grown, I am no longer afraid of your financial threats."

"Besides, I am not the younger sister, and I never received any financial favoritism from you both, am I?"

Before he could continue his loud lecturing on the other end, I decisively hung up. Afterward, I blocked their phone numbers and every other channel of contact for all three of them. I submitted an application to the school, explained my special circumstances, and was approved to move into the dormitory ahead of schedule. In the days leading up to the start of the semester, I constantly sought out part-time jobs. At first, these were quick-earning gigs requiring no special skills, such as supermarket cashiering and restaurant serving. Seizing every opportunity, I rapidly trained myself in English conversation through these jobs. Once communication was no longer a barrier, I began searching for high-paying tutoring positions. My college entrance examination scores and the university I was admitted to served as solid proof anywhere I went. Before long, thanks to my exceptional performance, I was hired as a Chinese tutor for young children. The lady of the house was immensely satisfied with me and even referred quite a few new clients my way. Among the published volumes of study notes nationwide, mine sold the best. The manager in charge of our partnership excitedly called me several times.

"Miss Giang, do you realize you are now a nationwide celebrity? Your study notes are selling like wildfire."

"The final segment of your previous live interview has already surpassed ten billion views online. Would you be interested in continuing broadcasts?"

"We could collaborate, and split the profits fifty-fifty..."

I thought it over and agreed. Part of the reason was money. Another part was to bring a glimmer of encouragement and strength to girls who were just like me. I grew so busy I barely had a moment to rest, and the funds in my bank account steadily multiplied. Life became far too rich—so rich that I completely forgot to think of the people back home. It was not until the eve of the new semester that I encountered my older brother at the campus gates.

He looked utterly emaciated, with dark circles under his eyes so pronounced that he seemed to have aged a decade overnight. The moment he saw me, his eyes lit up and he hurried over.

"Vi Vi..."

I took a step back, avoiding his embrace, and said, "If you have something to say, say it quickly. I am a bit busy and in a rush."

Perhaps because he had never been treated this way by me before, he looked rather flustered.

"Vi Vi, without you, everything at home is in complete chaos now."

"Mother has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and her lucid moments are becoming scarcer by the day. She constantly weeps, saying she is sorry to you."

"Father quit his job to take care of her, and he fell ill from sheer exhaustion. He often stares blankly at your empty room."

"Vi Vi, they both know they were wrong. After all, they are the ones who gave you life and raised you..."

I cut him off, asking, "Where is Giang Thanh Chau?"

An expression of resentment and anger surfaced on my brother's face.

"With the household in such a mess, she is still traveling outside, claiming that youth must not be wasted, and she flatly refuses to return!"

I could not help but burst into laughter.

"Isn't she the one whom all of you pampered into becoming just like that?"

My brother wanted to say more, but I stopped him with a raised hand. I lowered my head to operate my phone.

"I have calculated it. The expenses they spent raising me only amounted to a little over fifty thousand yuan. I have already transferred one hundred thousand to your account."

"Consider the extra amount as the final filial piety of this daughter."

"Go back! Do not come here anymore; I do not wish to see you."

He clenched his fists tightly, staring at me in disbelief.

"Giang Thanh Vi, over all these years, could it be that you harbor not a shred of affection for our parents?"

I brushed past him and continued walking forward. The wind carried my voice away.

"In the past, perhaps I did."

"But when you all secretly altered my college application, even that last trace of affection was completely worn away."

He lifted his foot, intending to chase after me. I turned around, spreading my arms to let him see the golden, radiant campus gates behind me.

"Brother, look at this. This is the world that truly belongs to me."

"As for all of you, you nearly ruined me, and you nearly destroyed my future."

"Brother, I used to trust you. At least, I trusted you once."

"Go back! Do not truly push things to the very bitter end, all right?"

His pupils trembled. He abruptly froze in place, unable to take another step forward. As I stepped into the school grounds, I heard the sound of my brother suddenly bursting into tears.