Chapter 1 — Mother's Application for Money

Having just entered college, my mother said she was afraid that I would waste money. Therefore, for every amount of money I use, I have to write a five thousand word application. Even for a four-yuan glass of lemonade, I have to write down the reason before and after. But after sending it to my mother, my application was still rejected. "Can't you drink filtered water? If you practice luxury habits, how will you live in the future?" "Don't go out all the time, it's just a waste of money!" I quietly remembered, and from then on, I skillfully refused all my friends' invitations to go out. Until the military training period, for just 85 yuan for uniforms, I stayed up all night to write the application. But this time, I waited for three days. My mother still did not approve, she said: "I just bought a piano for your brother, now I have no money." "If you don't wear a military uniform, will you die? Think of a way!" I smiled bitterly and accepted, from then on I never asked her for a penny again. But later, I sat in a strange man's Maybach. By the time my mother found out, she went crazy. On the first day of military training, all new freshmen wore blue camouflage uniforms, the only exception being me. I tried to bow my head as low as possible, stand at the end of the line, and find a position where no one would notice me the least. The class monitor went to check on each person. As soon as he saw me wearing a t-shirt, he frowned in annoyance: "I've repeated the uniform thing a hundred times, why haven't you changed yet?" Immediately, the entire class's eyes focused on me. I falteringly explained: "I... I don't have a military uniform." Last night, I tried one last time to ask my mother, but what I received in return were only curses: "You bad food! Is my money with your father blowing in the wind?!" "Wear your clothes to practice! Did they beat you to death?!" So I could only wear a t-shirt and shorts, grit my teeth and walk out to the rally field. The class monitor was both angry and helpless: "If you don't have one, go buy another one! Now the inconsistent uniform will affect the whole class's performance!" "Do you want the whole class to lose to the faculty next to you?" My eyes were red, I could only bow my head and apologize: "I'm sorry... sorry..." "What's the use of apologizing?" The whole class is implicated by me!” Immediately, the ranks exploded: “It's so hot, because of her, we have to stay in the sun for another half hour, it's so frustrating!” “Can't we just let her go out first, find her uniform and then come back, instead of staying here forever?” The complaints grew more and more, and the way the class president looked at me became more and more disgusted. I clenched my nails into my palms, just wanting to find a hole to crawl into. My eyes were glued to the toes of my shoes, to the point where they were almost about to puncture the ground. Hesitating for a moment, I slowly walked out of the line. At that moment, a female voice called out to me: "Classmate, we just got an extra set, please take it and wear it." I raised my head and saw the gentle smile of a senior. My voice choked: "Thank you!" The outfit was two sizes larger than me, making it loose on my body. But I already feel so grateful. I returned to the ranks, strictly following the training rhythm. Three days later, my mother transferred me 85 yuan. I thought my mother had reconsidered. Unexpectedly, the next day at noon, I was called into the office by the homeroom lecturer. The faculty leaders all furrowed their eyebrows, staring at me with gloomy faces. "You and your mother said the school... collects fees against regulations?"