Tang Hongen had originally been very critical of Ji Ya!
But after seeing this child-rearing bill, his dissatisfaction largely subsided. While Ji Ya’s obsessiveness, controlling nature, and self-righteousness were real issues, she hadn’t mistreated the child when taking him abroad. Money might not tell the whole story, but it at least showed Ji Ya’s investment in Ji Jianyuan.
Ji Jianyuan hadn’t just learned fencing; he’d also joined a shooting club.
He’d even taken horseback riding lessons for a year.
Such educational investments were almost impossible for anyone in Hua Nation ten years ago.
Back then, Tang Hongen had just been released from labor camp. Though his job was reinstated, his salary barely fed his family. Ji Jianyuan couldn’t have lived this kind of life had he stayed with him.
Just as his criticism of Ji Ya subsided, Ji Lin set Tang Hongen’s nerves on edge again:
“Comrade Ji Lin, you can’t make baseless accusations without evidence. While I don’t fully support Jianyuan’s impulsive decision to cut ties with his mother, I’ll respect his choice. Ji Ya isn’t the only parent using money to control their child. Though I’m worried about Jianyuan agreeing to repay this bill, I also admire his sense of responsibility. As for how he’ll repay it, I’ll discuss that with him… You’re overthinking the lawbreaking part. If my son breaks the law, I’ll personally take him to the police station!”
Even for an uncle, his words were too thoughtless.
Ji Jianyuan’s actions weren’t entirely right – even Tang Hongen hadn’t considered having Ji Jianyuan completely cut ties with Ji Ya.
Tang Hongen hadn’t yet understood the cause of all this, so he’d withheld comment.
But Ji Lin immediately suggested Tang Hongen had made promises to Ji Jianyuan, implying he would use his official position to help repay tens of thousands of dollars. Tang Hongen couldn’t tolerate this.
“Mayor Tang, if you weren’t manipulating him behind the scenes, would Jianyuan suddenly have such thoughts? He’s such a filial child – I know better than you, as our Ji family has been caring for him all these years.”
As Ji Lin spoke, he kept glancing at Xia Xiaolan, suggesting Tang Hongen was using her to drive a wedge between mother and son.
Xia Xiaolan didn’t know how to communicate with someone like Ji Lin.
It wasn’t that he wasn’t capable – he came from an educated family where everyone had respectable jobs. Ji Lin spoke foreign languages and worked in the Foreign Affairs Ministry. In 1985, wasn’t that impressive? To Xia Xiaolan, he was definitely a winner in life.
However, being successful didn’t guarantee smooth communication. Xia Xiaolan certainly couldn’t communicate with Ji Lin, perhaps because their different positions led to completely different perspectives.
Before Xia Xiaolan could speak, Ji Jianyuan jumped in:
“Uncle, in America, children can be independent at 18. They can attend university through loans. Hua Nation doesn’t have student loans, but tuition and living costs are very low – I can earn that money myself. Nobody is manipulating me. My mother and I view many things differently, and living together creates conflicts. Uncle, I’m still your nephew – I hope you can understand me just this once.”
Loud arguments often mask bravado.
A calm tone suggests true determination.
Ji Lin lacked conviction, partly because Tang Hongen’s presence had already put great pressure on the Ji family.
Additionally, Ji Ya wasn’t being a responsible mother – Ning Yanfan had called Ji Lin saying Ji Ya was being unreasonable.
Never mind – let mother and son cool down before discussing further. Ji Lin took the child-rearing bill and carefully reviewed it from start to finish, crossing out the rent item: “When your mother first went to America, the family provided the money, so you don’t need to pay this rent. Your uncle approves your objection.”
Ji Lin signed his name at the bottom of the bill, and after hesitating, Ji Jianyuan also signed and dated it.
Removing the rent only reduced it by $3,000 – insignificant compared to the total.
Ji Lin left without touching any food. Ji Jianyuan put away the signed bill, and Xia Xiaolan, looking at the untouched dishes, said, “Ji Jianyuan, you’ve just officially taken on tens of thousands in debt – it’s wasteful not to eat food you’ve ordered.”
Her gaze was full of sympathy.
Ji Jianyuan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Xia Xiaolan, if you want to comfort me, could you put more thought into it?”
She made it sound like he’d never be able to afford the small restaurants near campus again.
But thinking about it, she wasn’t entirely wrong. With five years left, he needed to earn at least $70,000. For the foreseeable future, he’d live like a poor student. He’d seen what poor students were like – always eating in the cafeteria, only vegetable dishes, drinking free soup with steamed buns, never able to afford meat dishes, let alone eating out.
Thinking of this, Ji Jianyuan picked up his chopsticks without ceremony. Under these circumstances, the three of them managed to clear all the dishes.
The owner had thought they might start fighting, but instead, they emptied every plate.
Tang Hongen paid the bill, and Ji Jianyuan didn’t pretend to refuse. Tang Hongen suggested father and son walk around campus:
“Jianyuan, shall we talk?”
“There’s not much to discuss. Cutting ties with my mother isn’t because of you.”
Xia Xiaolan felt awkward hearing this – Ji Jianyuan meant that breaking away from his obsessive, controlling birth mother didn’t mean he’d run into his birth father’s arms.
Tang Hongen had flown from Yang City just to hear this, but he wasn’t angry.
Since Ji Jianyuan didn’t want to talk, Tang Hongen took out an envelope. “I withdrew some salary. It’s not much, but take it for now – consider it a loan. The bankbook is in your name, and the password is your birthday.”
The bankbook showed two thousand yuan.
Tang Hongen’s monthly salary was just over 300 yuan – this represented nearly half a year’s wages.
He couldn’t match Ji Ya’s material provisions, but it was his heartfelt gesture.
However, Ji Jianyuan didn’t accept the money.
Having just declared independence, would “independence” merely mean switching from using his mother’s money to his birth father’s?
“I appreciate your kindness, but I can’t take this money. Thank you for visiting – I’ll take good care of myself!”
Ji Jianyuan’s words were carefree, and his actions matched. He left Xia Xiaolan and Tang Hongen behind. In Beijing’s comfortable early April breeze, Xia Xiaolan thought Ji Jianyuan looked as free as if he could ride the wind.
“Uncle Tang grew up in America and thinks very Western-style. I believe he truly feels he’s reached the age of independence and doesn’t want money from his mother or you.”
It seemed Ji Jianyuan had truly decided to “wean” himself – not just economically, but spiritually independent too.
Tang Hongen clutched the bankbook. “I’m not unhappy.”
He was quite pleased – this was exactly what he’d expect from his flesh and blood!
The surname didn’t matter, nor did who raised him. Tang Hongen was proud of Ji Jianyuan for daring to take this step.
“Earn $70,000 in five years, plus annual income of no less than $6,000 afterward – how do you think he can achieve this?”
Xia Xiaolan thought Tang Hongen’s question was beyond her scope.
At the black market exchange rate, $70,000 meant 700,000 yuan. Apart from money-chasers like Xia Xiaolan… in 1985, this would be a massive challenge for any university student.