Chapter 6 — The Path I Chose

"Cause trouble! I will make sure you cannot remain in America any longer!" I remained silent for a moment, deciding to pacify them for the time being. I feigned a compromise and led them to a hotel. Once there, my mother immediately went back on her word, tacking on further conditions. She claimed that after eighteen years of raising me, I was obligated to repay every cent spent on my upbringing. From then on, I was to provide her and my father with a monthly allowance of six thousand yuan. I swallowed the urge to curse and pretended to agree. This matter had to be resolved swiftly, or the seeds of disaster would only continue to grow. Returning to my apartment, I immediately booked a flight back to my home country for the following day. Early the next morning, I arrived with my suitcase and told them I would return home with them right then and there. After all, buying a house was a significant life event; I needed to inspect it personally. Seeing my compliance and willingness to travel back with them, their attitudes shifted instantly. My mother grabbed my hand, beaming. "I knew you wouldn't abandon us."

At three in the afternoon, we touched down safely at the city airport. Instead of heading to my family home, I went straight to a pre-booked hotel. My mother was slightly apprehensive that I might attempt to flee, but considering she now felt she had complete leverage over me, she eventually lowered her guard. After setting a time to view properties the following day, she and my brother left, looking quite pleased with themselves. Back in my hotel room, I made a phone call. By noon the next day, the real estate agent I had contacted met me at the sales center. My entire family was already waiting there. The property under consideration was intended as a bridal suite for my brother, Liang Xiao. It was a two-bedroom apartment priced at eight hundred thousand yuan. After we finished looking, the agent suggested that the adjacent complex had a much nicer unit and offered to take us to see it. He leaned toward my mother, whispering, "Madam, I suggest you consider a larger unit. If you and your husband ever decide to move in to help look after your grandchildren, you will want enough space. A two-bedroom place is, quite frankly, a bit cramped." My mother was immediately swayed and urged us all to go take a look. Upon exiting that unit, it was clear that all three of them were absolutely enamored with it.

"So, how much more expensive is this one?" she asked.

"This one is a little over three million yuan."

Hearing the price, my parents hesitated. My brother jumped in, throwing a tantrum. "Mom, I really like this large one. Buy this for me! With the extra rooms, we can provide you with two healthy grandsons to spoil!"

"Besides, no one in our village could ever afford an apartment worth over three million. Just imagine, if we buy this, when we go back, everyone will be green with envy!"

My mother turned to me. "Tri Da, what do you think?" I offered a faint smile and replied, "We are buying this for brother, so naturally, his preference is what matters most." Seeing me nod, they breathed a sigh of relief.

"However, I am still just a struggling student. Although I have worked various part-time jobs over the years, most of my earnings went toward tuition and living expenses; I simply do not have that much money on hand."

"Since this house costs over three million, I certainly cannot pay for it in one lump sum. If you truly want this property, the only option is to take out a mortgage."

The agent, sensing the opening, chimed in quickly: "Madam Liang, we currently have access to high-limit mortgage loans with low interest rates. You do not need to come up with several million in cash right away." My brother’s eyes lit up instantly. "What are the requirements?" The agent looked at him, then at me. "Well, since Miss Liang is still a student, she cannot qualify for such a large loan on her own. It would require the entire family to sign as co-borrowers; only then will the bank approve a loan of this magnitude."