Chapter 1 — Salary 9,000 Yuan, Husband Asks to Support Younger Sister to Study Abroad?

"Vu Huyen passed! Famous school in England!"

Tran Hao raised his glass and stood up, his face red. The table was bumped by him, a few drops of white wine flew out, falling next to the pot of rib soup I had been stewing for three hours.

“I discussed it with Van Thu,” he said, his eyes scanning the entire table, “in the next few years, we will take care of sending Vu Huyen abroad to study!”

He said “we”. It was so smooth, so natural that… it was as if I had actually nodded, as if I had agreed. I carried the bowl of chicken soup I had just warmed up from the kitchen and walked out of the kitchen. Hearing that sentence, my hands trembled. The hot soup overflowed and splashed. Husband wants to take care of his sister to study abroad. Monthly salary is only 9,000 yuan. The remaining money... where are you going to get it?

"Vu Huyen passed! Famous school in England!"

Tran Hao raised his glass and stood up, his face red. The table was bumped by him, a few drops of white wine flew out, falling next to the pot of rib soup I had been stewing for three hours.

“I discussed it with Van Thu,” he said, his eyes scanning the entire table, “in the next few years, we will take care of sending Vu Huyen abroad to study!”

He said “we”. It was so smooth and natural that it was as if I had actually nodded, as if I had agreed. I carried the bowl of chicken soup I had just warmed up from the kitchen and walked out of the kitchen. Hearing that sentence, my hands trembled. The hot soup splashed onto the back of my hand, turning it red. I didn't say anything and put the bowl of soup down on the heat-insulating pad in the middle of the table. Then stood there, mind blank. Vuong Tu Lan's mother-in-law was the first to stand up, her chopsticks "click" and fell on the table. She rounded halfway around the table, rushed to Tran Vu Huyen's brother-in-law, and hugged her tightly.

"My precious daughter! You really passed the exam!"

Tran Vu Huyen was hugged to the point of coughing, but his face was full of satisfaction.

“Mom, just be gentle.”

Tran Quoc Cuong's father-in-law also smiled and raised his glass to proactively touch Tran Hao.

“Good thing, good thing.” He said it twice.

"Boys have courage and know how to think about their sisters."

Tran Hao tilted his head and drank the entire glass of wine.

"Of course, dad. I only have one younger sister, if I don't worry, who will?"

When he said that, he didn't look at me. My eyes slid from my parents to my sister, finally stopping on my parents' faces, carrying the expression "have you seen how responsible I am?" My father, Lam Chi Vien, sat at the head of the table, forcing a smile.

“It's a good thing that she has the will to progress.”

My mother, Sun Lihua, said nothing. She held chopsticks, the ends of the chopsticks hovering over the steamed fish plate, motionless. She looked at Tran Hao once, then at me. Don't say anything, just gently put down the chopsticks. Vuong Tu Lan sat down but kept talking.

"I told Vu Huyen that our family has a future! That's you! London! What a good place it is!"

"Do you remember Mrs. Ly upstairs? Her nephew also went to England two years ago. When he returned home, he joined a foreign company and earned hundreds of thousands of yuan a year!"

"Now it's Vu Huyen's turn! Returning from studying abroad! High-class talent!"

Tran Vu Huyen was praised so much that the corner of his mouth almost pulled up to his ears.

“Mom, I haven't left yet.”

“Once you have the admission notice, what else is there?” Vuong Tu Lan glared at her, his face full of pampering. "This girl, she's been smart since she was little, I told you I could definitely do it!"

She turned to Tran Hao again, her eyes full of pride.

“Still a good son, who loves his sister.”

"Vu Huyen, you have a future, don't forget your brother."

"Of course Already." Tran Vu Huyen immediately responded. “How good you were to me, I remember everything. When I graduate and find a good job, I will definitely repay you and my sister-in-law.”

When she said "sister-in-law", she finally glanced at me. Very quickly, passing by. I understand that look. Not appreciation. It's like "see, my brother still loves me the most". Tran Hao was flattered by his mother and younger sister, his whole body seemed to fly into the sky. He poured another glass and held it up.

“Father, mother, father-in-law, mother-in-law, Van Thu.”

Finally mentioned me.

"Today's meal is one of reunion, two of announcing good news."

“Vu Huyen School is registered in London, top 30 in the UK, very good school.”

“One year of tuition plus living expenses, about 450,000 yuan.”

When he said "450,000 yuan", his voice was light. My nails dug deep into my palms.

“You and Van Thu have already discussed it.”

There was a "everything is decided" tone in his voice.

"In the next few years, we will take care of Vu Huyen's tuition and living expenses."

"Lu Van Thu's salary is not high, but my salary is decent, more than 10,000 yuan per month, saving a little is enough."

"Anyway, I'm still young. It's okay to suffer for a few years. My sister's future is the most important thing."

He said it as lightly as if it were nothing. It's as if "more than 10,000 yuan a month" and "450,000 yuan a year" are only separated by the three words "save a little". As if my silence was consent. As if this matter, I don't need to accept it at all. Vuong Tu Lan wiped her tears.

"My son is grown up... he knows how to take responsibility..."

Tran Quoc Cuong clinked glasses with his son again, saying nothing, but his face was full of appreciation. Tran Vu Huyen's eyes turned red, he stood up, hugged Tran Hao's arm, and rested his head on his shoulder.

“Brother, thank you.”

“Idiot, why would you even say thank you to me?”

A family of three people, warm and harmonious. I stood in place, feeling the light in the dining room so bright it hurt my eyes. I should sit down. The dish is about to get cold. For chicken soup, I go to the market early in the morning to buy old chicken to stew. If it's left for a long time, it won't taste good. But my feet felt like they were covered in concrete. My father forced a smile.

“450,000 yuan… not a lot.”

He looked at my mother. My mother picked up a ladle, scooped a small bowl of chicken soup and pushed it in front of me.

“Van Thu, you're busy all afternoon, let's drink some soup.”

I sat down and took the bowl. The bowl is very hot. Steam rose up and covered my face. Vuong Tu Lan kept talking.

“One year is 450,000 yuan, a two-year master's degree is 900,000 yuan, if you study for a doctorate, it's three or four years…”

“It's okay, Tieu Hao has the ability!”

"When Vu Huyen comes to England, he must study well, don't just worry about playing..."

Tran Vu Huyen interrupted her: "Mom, I know."

“Ah yes,” she turned to Tran Hao, “the school requires a deposit of 80,000 yuan before the end of the month. Can you forward it to me in advance? My friends have all submitted it.”

She spoke softly, like asking for 80 yuan to buy milk tea. Tran Hao paused.

“Is it so urgent?”

“Yes, the deadline is at the end of the month. If you don't pay, you'll lose your spot.” Tran Vu Huyen blinked. “You won't let me not go to school, will you?”

“How is that possible!” Tran Hao blurted out. “80,000 yuan, right? Let me think of a way.”

He said "think about it", but his eyes glanced towards me. Vuong Tu Lan also looked over.

“Tieu Thu, is it convenient for you?”

"Vu Huyen's work is urgent, so if you have one, let's go first. Wait until Tieu Hao receives his salary next month and will pay you."

She said "pay me back". Three years ago, when Tran Vu Huyen entered college and needed to buy a laptop, she said the same thing So.

“You pay in advance, pay next month.”

That "next month" has never appeared until now. Later I mentioned it once. Tran Hao told his family that if they plan something clearly, it's okay if mom forgets. Then, Tran Vu Huyen changed his phone, bought a bag, and went on a trip with his friends. Every time it's "pay it forward". Every “next month” becomes forever. I put down the bowl of soup.

“Mom, I don't have money.”

The smile on Vuong Tu Lan's face stopped.

"No money? Haven't you just received your salary this month?"

“The rent is paid.” I said. "The car payment is also due, electricity and water bills, management fees, and this month's food bill."

I list each item, like reading an expense book. Vuong Tu Lan frowned.