Chapter 51

Walking on the small path in the campus, near the canteen, the dim streetlights emitted a faint glow. A little bug was tirelessly dancing around the light. The light was rather weak, and the surroundings were still somewhat dark.

Liu Meng took out his phone and called home. He usually called home once a week, but today, after receiving the money, he was so happy that he wanted to share it with his parents.

The call was quickly connected, and it was his mother who answered. She started asking Liu Meng if it was very cold in the northeast, reminding him to wear more clothes, to put on the down jacket his family had bought, to eat enough, and not to save money by going hungry.

A mother worries about her child no matter how far away he is. Liu Meng listened patiently to his mother's nagging, occasionally interjecting, feeling warm inside. He cheerfully said, "Mom, it's actually not cold at all in the northeast. The school has already started heating. I was even wearing a long-sleeved shirt today. It's not much different from home."

"You're just boasting, saying it's not cold even though the school has heating. Your father and I have been checking the weather forecast for Harbin. It says the lowest temperature is almost below zero, and in a while, it could be minus thirty degrees. If you urinate outside, your little penis will freeze. You must pay attention to keeping warm," his mother nagged on.

Faced with his mother's special instructions, Liu Meng could only nod repeatedly, feeling quite awkward.

His father, on the side, hurriedly reminded his mother to finish quickly and hang up, as it was almost five minutes and long-distance calls were expensive.

His mother agreed and quickly gave a few more instructions, repeatedly emphasizing not to urinate outside. Liu Meng had to promise repeatedly. Just as his mother was about to hang up, Liu Meng quickly said, "Don't rush, you always do this. I have a new package, and long-distance calls only cost 10 cents per minute, cheaper than local calls at home."

"Can there be such a good deal? Don't get scammed," his mother, a simple villager who had never left Sishui City in decades, said. She had heard from villagers who worked outside that there were many scammers, and she quickly warned Liu Meng not to get scammed as a newcomer.

A 17-year-old child running so far away, his parents were always worried at home.

"You're so talkative and don't get to the point," his father complained, snatching the phone and quickly said, "Xiao Meng, focus on your studies at school. Don't be stingy with money. Spend where it's needed for your studies. Don't waste it. Aim for good grades. It's rare for the village to have a college student. Everyone is watching, hoping you can achieve something and do good for the hometown. Understand?"

Liu Meng felt a heavy heart and was moved. These were his parents, who had raised him with great hardship. They had always supported his studies, from university to a Ph.D., no matter how hard it was.

Previously, although Liu Meng had been self-sufficient during his graduate studies and no longer asked for money from home, he had used the money he earned to buy equipment and set up a personal lab, and had never given his parents any gifts.

Thinking of this, his nose tingled, and tears welled up in his eyes. These were his parents, who had never thought of any return, always working hard without complaint. The family's few acres of land, with two crops a year, could only earn 5000 yuan in a good year. If there was a flood or drought, they could only earn 3000 yuan after deducting the cost of seeds and fertilizer. Such a family had raised three children, and he had even continued to study until his Ph.D., the hardships were unimaginable.

But his parents had never complained to him. Every time he returned home, they always tried to cook him good food, add some nutrition, and do everything for him, preparing to kill chickens, buy meat, and make dumplings.

How could he repay his parents' kindness?

With the first 23,000 yuan he earned, Liu Meng had decided to give 10,000 yuan to his parents so they wouldn't be so frugal.

Thinking of this, Liu Meng interrupted his father's instructions and happily said, "Dad, I'll study hard at school and will definitely get a scholarship. I can earn 2000 yuan each semester. I can earn my living expenses. Besides, I wrote some novels during the summer and uploaded them online. Many people read them, and the website paid me 30,000 yuan. I'll send 10,000 yuan home tomorrow."

"Ah?! Can what you write be worth so much money? Xiao Meng, did you do something wrong? I'm telling you, you're a student at school. Focus on your studies. Don't get distracted. If you need money, just tell us."

Hearing that his son had earned 30,000 yuan, his father found it hard to believe. This was equivalent to their hard work for six years, a huge sum.

"Why would I lie? My son is capable, and you're not happy? You'll enjoy it soon," Liu Meng continued.

"Your son has earned money, and you don't believe it? Xiao Meng has always been honest and would never lie. This is good news," his mother, who had been listening, scolded his father for his doubts.

Mothers are more likely to believe their children unconditionally.

"Really, Xiao Meng, don't do anything illegal. We earn our living honestly, not by cheating," his father still had some doubts, finding it hard to believe that his son had earned so much money in just two months at school.

"Rest assured, Dad. I will earn money with my hands and brain. Every cent is mine by right," Liu Meng answered firmly.

"That's good, that's good. It must be your grandfather watching over you. I'll burn some paper money for him. He'll be happy to know you're doing well," his father's dark face broke into a happy smile, happier than eating any delicacy.

"Xiao Meng, keep the money you earned. You'll need it to settle down in the city. Your father and I can't help you much. When you get married, it will be expensive. We're fine at home, no need to send money."

His mother took the phone again, "Focus on your studies. That's the right path. Don't overwork yourself with part-time jobs. Take care of your health."

The call lasted nearly an hour before hanging up. Liu Meng looked at the stars in the sky, which was unusually clear tonight, with the moon shining brightly, casting light on the windowsill.

He couldn't help but think of Li Bai's "Thoughts on a Tranquil Night": "The bright moon shines before my bed, I wonder if it's frost on the ground. I raise my head to look at the moon, and bow my head to think of home."

He took a deep breath and, facing the stars, Liu Meng firmly murmured, "Father, Mother, I will make you live a good life and make you proud."

The mid-term exams were coming up, and Liu Meng was determined to achieve an outstanding score, a score that would make him famous.

After hanging up, his father excitedly picked some grass, bought a pack of paper money, and went to the grave. On his way back, he squatted at the village crossroads, smoking his old tobacco, with a happy smile, happier than eating dumplings during a famine. Passersby greeted him, "Liu Ying's father, why are you squatting here smoking? You look so happy. What good news?"

Liu Meng's sister, Liu Ying, was the eldest in the family, a common way to address her in the village in central China.

His father knocked the ashes out of his pipe and smiled, "Xiao Meng is doing well. He earned 30,000 yuan in just two months at school, equivalent to our six or seven years of farming. It shows that education pays off."

The passerby laughed, "Oh, you're in for a good life. When Xiao Meng does well, make sure he fixes the road from the village to the town. It's impossible to walk in the rain, full of mud."

His father firmly replied, "Of course. If that little rascal doesn't do something for the villagers, I'll be the first to disagree."

The passerby flattered him and walked away.

Soon, another person walked by, the village chief, Liu Yonggui, strolling leisurely with a high-end cigarette. Seeing his father squatting, he said, "Yunsheng, smoking your old tobacco at night? Here, have a good one, you don't get to smoke these often."

Liu Yonggui took out a cigarette and offered it. His father, Liu Yunsheng, smoked two puffs of his old tobacco, waved his hand, and put away his smile, "No, I'm not used to these high-end cigarettes. Keep them for yourself. If I want to smoke something, Xiao Meng will buy it for me."

"So, having a college student in the family makes you so proud, Yunsheng. I tell you, college students are everywhere now. Whether they can find a job is another story. Even if they do, they only earn about 3,000 yuan a month. Our company hired several college graduates this year, including a top university graduate. Not to mention, Xiao Meng is still a poor student. With your family's situation, you probably can't even afford his tuition, let alone buy you cigarettes. Don't boast too much, or you'll hurt your tongue," Liu Yonggui said, showing his skills as the village chief.

In the village, Liu Yunsheng and Liu Yonggui were the most at odds. They were about the same age and had disliked each other since childhood, neither yielding to the other.

When Liu Yunsheng was young, he was hardworking but too poor to study. He joined the army and achieved some success, but due to bad luck, he was laid off and returned home with no education.

This strengthened his resolve to raise a college student, having suffered from lack of education all his life.

After returning to the village, he coincided with the old village chief's retirement. He and Liu Yonggui were responsible for village affairs. Liu Yonggui was cunning and good at flattering, colluding with the village accountant to misuse village funds. Liu Yunsheng often criticized him, and was eventually isolated by other village officials. In anger, he resigned.

"Humph, Xiao Meng is not just any college student. He earned 30,000 yuan in just two months at school and wanted to send me money, but I refused. I don't need it," Liu Yunsheng argued, his forehead veins clearly visible.

"Heh, I won't argue with you. We'll see. My son Daniu's company made 10 million yuan this year. Yesterday, I asked him to fix the village road, and he agreed, even naming the road after me. Isn't that filial? When you walk on it, be careful not to ruin it," Liu Yonggui laughed and walked away.

Liu Yunsheng sneered, "Blow all you want. Daniu is just a fraud, a shell company trying to curry favor with the town chief."

His father squatted until the moon set, his stomach growling, but he was still happy, smoking his old tobacco.

The night in the countryside was quiet yet noisy. The sparse households had gone to bed early, the surroundings were silent, and the remaining lights were dim. The fields around the village were filled with the sounds of insects and birds, a beautiful and unique scene.

The next day, despite his parents' refusal, Liu Meng still sent 10,000 yuan home.

He also took some time to buy gifts for Cheng Fei and Min Ran, to thank them for buying him clothes. After doing this, Liu Meng felt very satisfied.

Money may not be everything, but having no money is a big problem. Since money could bring happiness to his family and friends, his hard work was very meaningful.

Filled with unprecedented enthusiasm, he believed that if he could earn 30,000 yuan, 300,000 yuan was not far off.

......

Take care of yourself while working hard. Call home often if you can't visit. Family ties are unbreakable.

Book friends, welcome to join, 122, 151, 531.

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