Chapter 1 — The Kindergarten Class Asked Me to Pay 200,000 Yuan in Tuition Fees, But I Couldn't Have a Son

When the early education class called to urge me to pay the 200,000 yuan tuition, I was sitting and attaching sequins to my daughter's International Children's performance dress. The tip of the needle pierced the tip of the finger. A drop of blood leaked out. Falling down the white chiffon dress. The other end of the line said:

"Miss Co, little Tinh Tinh's year-long childcare upgrade course still owes 200,000 yuan in tuition. If the payment is not completed by five o'clock today, it will affect the child's admission evaluation next week."

I lowered my head to look at my daughter's dress. The notice from the kindergarten is written very clearly. International Children's celebration performance. Full name: Chu Niem Niem. Gender: Female.

“You guys made the wrong call.”

The other party is still very polite.

"No, the system shows that the baby's mother is Co Nam Kieu, the phone number is her sister's number. The father is Chu Du Xuyen, the person picking up and dropping off is grandmother Ton Ngoc Phan."

The needle is still stuck in my finger tip. I didn't pull out.

“What's the baby's name?”

“Chu Tinh Than, my family name is Tinh Tinh.”

There is no one in my family named Chu Tinh Than. Chu Du Xuyen and I only have one child. Chu Niem Niem. Five and a half years old. Two days ago, she was chosen to be the leader of the dance team on the occasion of International Children's Day. She was so happy that she twirled in the living room exactly twenty-seven times. The other end of the line continued:

"Previously, I paid a deposit of 100,000 yuan. The agreement to pay the rest was also signed by me. If I have not received the money today, the baby's development records will be temporarily updated."

“Send me the contract.”

“Yes, Ms. Co.”

Three seconds later. The phone vibrates. An electronic contract appears before your eyes. In the signature section. Clearly three words: Co Nam Kieu. The ID number is mine. The family address is the house I bought before getting married. In the parent information section, write: Father: Chu Du Xuyen. Mother: Late Nam Kieu. Child: Chu Tinh Than. Date of birth three years ago. I pulled out the needle. The drop of blood followed the tip of the finger and slid down the eye of the needle. A small red dot appeared on the edge of the girl's performance dress. The girl poked her head out from the room.

“Mom, is my dress ready yet?”

I hid my hand behind my back.

“Almost done.”

The other end of the line asked:

“Miss Co, is it convenient for you to pay the remaining tuition today?”

I looked at the words 'Biological Mother' on the contract.

“Convenient.”

“But first I want to confirm something.”

“When did your school start accepting mothers on behalf of others?”

That early education class is called Khai Minh Tinh Child Development Center. The name sounds like a place that helps children open their future. But what is written in the contract is like a buried land mine for adults. I opened the attachments section. Inside are three photos. The first picture is Chu Tinh Than's admission card photo. The boy is about three years old. The eyes are very similar to Chu Du Xuyen. Especially the small mole under the left eye. Chu Du Xuyen also has it. Niem Niem is not. The second picture is the pick-up and drop-off authorization letter. Father: Chu Du Xuyen. Mother: Late Nam Kieu. Grandmother: Ton Ngoc Phan. Emergency contact person: Tham Man. White moonlight in college by Zhou Yuchuan. She is also the neighbor's sister whom my mother-in-law always pitied:

"It's very difficult, my husband died early, it's not easy to raise my children alone."

The third picture is the cover of the family's adult profile. Right at the top there is a full line of text color. Little Tinh Tinh's family. In the photo, Chu Du Xuyen is holding Chu Tinh Than. The mother-in-law stood next to her and smiled brightly. Tham Man put on a white dress and bowed her head to adjust the child's bow. The four of them stood in front of a backdrop with the words: Family Sports Day. Looks like a real family. Without me. There is also no Niem Niem. I enlarged the photo. On Chu Du Xuyen's chest was a number card. Above it is written: Father - Chu Du Xuyen. On Tham Man's chest it is written: Mother - Co Nam Kieu She used my name. Standing next to my husband. I suddenly remembered last month. Chu Du Xuyen said that when the company organizes group activities, it is necessary to wear white shirts. I personally made that shirt for him. There is a loose button on the wrist. I even carefully sewed it back together. He was wearing the exact same shirt. The daisy sparkles in the sunlight. It sparkles so much that my eyes sting. The girl ran over. Holding a picture in his hand.

“Mom, the teacher told me to draw family pictures to participate in the parent-child sports festival.”

On the paper are three people. She drew her father very tall. In his hand he also held a trophy. I looked at that trophy. That day, Chu Du Xuyen came home. Also bring a small trophy. He said he won first prize in the company's sports festival. Niem Niem hugged the trophy and slept all night. Turns out it's not from the company. It's the trophy from another kid's sports day.

“Have you been to my school recently?”

Niem Niem shook his head.

“Dad said he was busy.”

She thought for a moment and then added:

“But grandma said recently dad had to take care of a younger brother.”

“My little brother doesn't have a father, he's so pitiful.”

I tightened my grip on the phone.

“When did Grandma say?”

“Yesterday when I picked my kids up from school.”

The baby crawled onto the table. Continue coloring the picture.

"Grandma also told me not to be selfish. Girls have to be reasonable."

I lowered my head to look at the red crayon in my child's hand. She painted her mother's dress very carefully. Stroke by stroke. Doesn't smudge at all. I saved the contract that the center sent. Download all attachments. Then text Chu Du Xuyen. Where are you? He replied very quickly. I looked at the photo of the family sports day. The lower right corner has the hidden logo of Khai Minh Tinh Center. Shooting time: 10:36 this morning. I continued texting: Is the company organizing a group activity today? He sent back a voice message. The voice carried a smile.

"What's wrong with you? Are you suddenly checking on your husband? I'm in a meeting. When I get home tonight, I'll buy cakes for you and Niem Niem."

I pressed and held the recording. Convert to text. No reply. Just quietly open the recording function on the phone. The red dot starts flashing. Then I called the early learning center.

"Hello."

“I am Chu Tinh Than's mother, Co Nam Kieu.”

“I'm on my way to pay my tuition.”