Old Fang wasn’t sure if this was his unfilial son’s reverse psychology or if his son truly didn’t trust him. In the end, he decided to give him half of what he asked for, settling on five hundred yuan.

He expected his son to complain about the amount being too little, but to his surprise, Mu Yang said, “I was just joking with you earlier. I’m an adult now and should be self-sufficient. How could I ask for your money without good reason?”

This made Old Fang appear stingy in retrospect. He said, “If you’re truly having difficulties, a parent must support you.”

“Speaking of which, your mention of meal expenses reminds me,” Mu Yang took out fifty yuan and handed it to Old Fang, “This is next month’s meal expenses for Fei Ni and me, paid in advance.”

Old Fang said, “You don’t need to pay for meals when eating at home.”

“Is that not enough?” Mu Yang and Fei Ni only ate two meals at home, and their monthly meal expenses wouldn’t even amount to this much.

“Put it away quickly. How could I charge you for eating at home?”

“But you should charge us,” Mu Yang said. “I’m an adult now. How can I eat your food for free? I’ll pay meal expenses every month from now on.”

Old Fang had no experience handling such situations; he was more accustomed to refusing.

What Mu Yang said next fell within his realm of experience.

Mu Yang matter-of-factly asked his father, “By the way, since you’ve received your back pay for so many days, when will you reimburse me for the meal expenses from before I came of age? Just the meal expenses will do, I won’t ask for other living expenses. Just give me the principal, no need for interest. After all, you didn’t earn any interest on it.” He had only eaten at home until elementary school graduation, and even then, it was feast or famine. His father should at least compensate him for six years of middle school meal expenses. Part of Old Fang’s salary included meal expenses for him before he came of age, and now that the salary had been paid retroactively, the meal expenses should naturally be given to him as well.

Old Fang’s mood shifted several times. There was a difference between him voluntarily giving money to his unfilial son and his son demanding money from him—the latter made it seem like he owed his son money, though this interpretation wasn’t entirely wrong. During those years, he indeed hadn’t fulfilled his parental obligations. To maintain the upper hand, Old Fang thought in silence before coming up with a barely adequate response.

“Your meal expenses will be waived for the next six years if you eat at home.”

“Wasn’t your salary paid in one lump sum?”

“How much money do you want?”

“That depends on your standards for raising a child. Take a few days to think about it; I’m in no hurry for the money.” Mu Yang put the fifty yuan back in his pocket. “Once you’ve calculated it, just deduct fifty yuan from the total before giving it to me.”

When Mu Yang returned to the bedroom, Fei Ni was reading at the desk. Hearing the door, she asked, “What took so long to discuss?”

“My father is going to reimburse me for six years of middle school meal expenses.”

“Middle school meal expenses?” Fei Ni was surprised. “You’re not going to take it, are you?”

“Of course, I have to take it, or else my father will feel guilty. I need to take it to put his mind at ease.”

“You could just symbolically ask for one or two hundred yuan.” Fei Ni felt that her father-in-law’s back pay wouldn’t last long at this rate. He had already given her two thousand yuan, and bought calligraphy, paintings, and rare books—even if he got them at bargain prices, it was still a considerable sum. Now he was planning to hire a housekeeper too.

Mu Yang smiled, “Then wouldn’t that make the old man look like he’d mistreated me? Spending less than one percent of his monthly salary to raise his son?”

Fei Ni stood on her tiptoes and flicked Mu Yang’s ear, “You always have to be right, don’t you?”

Mu Yang caught her finger and brought it to his lips. Fei Ni’s eyes quickly darted toward the bedroom door.

“I locked it.”

“Let’s not today. Aren’t you tired after working all day?” Mu Yang had worked at the restaurant during the day, and when he came home at night, he either drew comic strips for pay or painted what he liked, even though it cost him money. Today she had woken up to find Mu Yang not in the bedroom but in the small room next door, copying paintings—he was using oil painting techniques to copy Chinese landscapes.

“Are you questioning my stamina?”

“Where is your mind going?” Fei Ni pinched his arm. “But seriously, if you’re too tired, why don’t you quit the waiter job? Even with a strong constitution, you can’t keep this up forever.”

Mu Yang laughed, “If I quit my job, how will we make a living?”

“Don’t you have your manuscript fees? Besides, we have some savings. You won’t be jobless forever.”

“But I enjoy being a waiter.” Mu Yang didn’t dislike being a waiter. The restaurant had all sorts of people, and when he found someone interesting, he would quickly sketch them in his mind. If the impression was still strong when he got home, he would put it on paper.

Moreover, working at the restaurant not only provided a salary but also allowed him to order directly from the kitchen, asking the master chef to cook for him, while also earning exchange coupons to buy things he needed.

“I bought some canned abalone. I’ll make you noodles with it tomorrow.” Mu Yang rested his chin on Fei Ni’s shoulder. “What did I do before to make you doubt my stamina?”

To dispel Fei Ni’s doubts, Mu Yang had to prove himself. Fei Ni had to admit that Mu Yang indeed had enough stamina for two jobs.

Old Fang hadn’t even used his connections when a job opportunity presented itself to his unfilial son.

After losing face in front of Mu Yang and Fei Ni last time, Ling Yi had been depressed for several days. Her father consoled her, “Mu Yang’s behavior proves he’s a rare good person. He gave up his bright future to you when you were at your lowest, and even after your circumstances improved, he didn’t ask for your help. Keeping his distance is also because he’s a married man—being too close to you would be inappropriate.” Ling Yi’s father highly approves of Mu Yang’s character. In times of social upheaval, marriages often became unstable, but Mu Yang’s ability to maintain distance from his daughter while remaining faithful to the wife who had stood by him in his darkest times was admirable.

Ling Yi’s mother also advised her, “You shouldn’t have inappropriate thoughts about Mu Yang now. It would harm your reputation if word got out. After all, it was his current wife who took care of him when he was at his lowest.”

“I just see him as a friend, like before,” she told her father. “Please find him a proper job soon. Uncle and Aunt Fang are too proud to arrange work for their younger son, and his wife’s family doesn’t have the ability. It’s no wonder Mu Yang refused the job you found last time—it didn’t even have official status. Doesn’t his talent deserve a position with proper benefits?”

Mu Yang had helped their daughter, but when he was in difficulty, their daughter had avoided him. This made the Ling family feel deeply indebted to Mu Yang.

Ling Yi’s mother privately told her father, “Our Xiao Yi has liked Mu Yang since childhood. If it weren’t for… they might be happily together now.”

“Who can blame Mu Yang for being hurt when she barely looked at him during his difficulties? He gave up his university spot for her, and this is how she acted. I’d be hurt too. When Mu Yang was young, he often came to our house for meals. The last time he came, he didn’t eat a bite and wouldn’t even take money or tickets. He hasn’t been back since. Because of her, I can’t even face my old superior comfortably.”

“We can’t blame Xiao Yi entirely. We spoiled her too much when she was young, never teaching her how to survive in adversity. Then we dragged her down with us, making her fall to rock bottom. If times hadn’t tested them, they might have been a happy young couple. Mu Yang used to be so close to us, but now he’s grown distant.”

After speaking, they fell silent, left only with long sighs.

Out of guilt and recognition of Mu Yang’s talent, Old Ling decided to use his connections to find Mu Yang a job with official status. Although his treatment had been restored, he still held himself to strict standards and was very cautious in such matters, fearing others might find fault. Fortunately, Mu Yang had published works and had serial publications in newspapers, along with a history of heroic deeds, making it reasonable for someone like him to work at a pictorial magazine. When a leader invited Old Fang to dinner, leading people to think Old Fang would soon be reappointed to an important position, the job matter was easily resolved.

After securing the position, the Ling family decided to visit the Fang household. Ling Yi’s parents had visited once before, but it was rushed—they had briefly greeted their old superior and expressed gratitude to Mu Yang. Ling Yi’s parents had assumed Mu Yang had given up his university spot for Ling Yi, so their thanks were rather abstract. Old Fang thought his unfilial son had merely helped Ling Yi with farm work in the countryside, saying it was just a small favor, making light of something that had affected their futures. This made Ling Yi’s parents feel even more guilty.

On Sunday, Mu Yang worked overtime. Fei Ni was playing the piano in the living room. She had been reading a book her mother-in-law had lent her in the bedroom when at two o’clock, Teacher Mu knocked on her door to ask if she was busy, then said, “The living room belongs to you now; you can practice the piano.”

Since the piano had been moved into the living room, Fei Ni hadn’t touched it. Teacher Mu guessed she was afraid of disturbing others and felt uncomfortable playing.

Fei Ni could only say thank you. As she practiced alone in the living room, with Housekeeper Yang dozing in the dining room, she heard someone knock at the door and went to answer it.

She saw Ling Yi and her mother again, along with another man who must be Ling Yi’s father.

Ling Yi was surprised to see Fei Ni answer the door. From what she knew of Mu Yang, he didn’t like living with his parents. But she quickly adjusted her expression and smiled at Fei Ni. She always felt somewhat intimidated by Fei Ni, who was worldly-wise and knew her less-than-perfect history. Fei Ni was the type of person she couldn’t afford to offend, as she always feared Fei Ni might spread the word of her past. But today she came bearing good news, which gave her some confidence. Moreover, she had brought face cream, powder, shampoo, and conditioner for Aunt Fang and Fei Ni—her uncle abroad had resumed communication with them, and they had considerable exchange coupons to use. She believed Fei Ni wouldn’t refuse her goodwill. She didn’t ask for much, only hoping Fei Ni would give Mu Yang some space to maintain their friendship.

She believed Mu Yang’s cold treatment of her last time was because Fei Ni had issues with her, and Mu Yang was trying to appease his wife. She didn’t want to put Mu Yang in a difficult position, feeling he had enough challenges already.

Fei Ni didn’t like Ling Yi, but this wasn’t her home, and she had no choice but to politely welcome them.

Ling Yi’s mother had met Fei Ni once at the Friendship Store and had a deep impression—with such looks, there was no need to feel sorry about Mu Yang’s marriage. From her daughter’s regret, she read something else, something that made her rather uneasy.

Fei Ni invited the Ling family in, asked Housekeeper Yang to make tea, and went to inform her father-in-law about his studies and her mother-in-law who was reading in the bedroom.