Chapter 200: Chapter 202: Where Did the Money Come From

No matter what they might be going through, no matter what has happened, as long as the child is safe, as long as the child understands, nothing else really matters.

The determination of the three children dissipated the gloom brought about by the accident; after all, they had a whole year ahead of them.

By the time Chen Family’s mother and son were discharged from the hospital, it was already New Year’s Eve.

Tang Zhinian had repaired the glass and door of the Chen Family’s home, after all, he was a carpenter. It wasn’t hard for him, and besides, it was his own daughter who had smashed it.

Of course, no one blamed her for the destruction, even if she had taken everything out, it wouldn’t matter, as long as it saved a life.

When she returned home, Mrs. Chen was deeply upset and decided that no matter how cold it gets, they would never use the stove again. They had learned their lesson this time, they could probably survive for the first time, but definitely not the second.

If it happened again, there would be no second chance.

Therefore, the first thing Mr. Chen did when he got home was to dismantle the stove, never to use it again. They were, in essence, once bitten twice shy.

Actually, Tang Yuxin wanted to say that there’s no need to throw the stove away, as long as you ventilate properly and are mindful of the piping, there would be no issues. However, she figured it was best to keep quiet, to prevent causing further distress in the Chen Family who loathed the stove now.

While the adults were busy preparing for the New Year, the three students focused on their studies. Chen Lidong was studying like a man possessed, almost as if he had become a sponge, wishing he could soak up the contents of the books directly into his stomach.

His hardworking behavior had stimulated Xu Miaomiao. Despite being a girl, she was equally stubborn and competitive. Hence, the two ended up engaging in a contest on who could wake up earlier and sleep later.

The most laid back among them was probably Tang Yuxin. However, compared to the past, she was now significantly more active. Regardless, she had caught the studying bug, although, she did wish that she could still be a bit lazy.

“Yuxin, you seem to have gotten whiter?” Xu Miaomiao extended her hand and placed it next to Tang Yuxin’s. Even though they spent every day together, she had never noticed anything until one day, she saw a difference.

Chen Lidong was still engrossed in solving problems, totally oblivious of the matters of the outside world, besides spending time playing with Sisi. Anything else was none of his concern. Of course, whatever the two girls were saying about being white or black was irrelevant to him. After all, it was not his skin that was turning white. Furthermore, he didn’t need it to be white. Why would he want to be a pretty boy?

“In the summer, I’ll tan again,” That’s all Tang Yuxin had to say. Yes, in the summer she’ll tan again, whether it actually would happen or not.

Who would she ask?

If Chen Zhong were still around, he’d have answers. But he’s not here anymore and she’d have to wait a very long time to ask. Because Tang Yuxin decided she must live a long life.

So, the truth would reveal itself over time; whether she’d stay white forever, or whether she’d be white in winter and tan in summer. That would only be known next summer.

Xu Miaomiao also nodded in agreement, “Actually, I think you were easier on the eyes before.”

Tang Yuxin flashed a faint smile.

Kid, can you be any more honest?

During the New Year, it was only natural for all three families to come together. The bond between their three families had grown even stronger through battling adversities together. Given the expectation that a friend in need is a friend indeed, was it enough to test their bond?

If the relationship still fell short of being close after everything, what else could bring them closer together?

Of course, New Year’s was a time for the children to take the center stage. Although Tang Yuxin and the other two were growing up, they hadn’t married, meaning they were still children and entitled to receive New Year money.

Sisi handed a package to Zhang Xiangcao.

Zhang Xiangcao was quite confused. What was Sisi giving her?

When she unfolded it, she saw it was all money. Various large denominations, hundred, fifty, and ten yuan notes. A fat wad like this would surely amount to several hundred yuan, wouldn’t it?

“Sisi, where did you get this money?”

Zhang Xiangcao immediately grabbed her daughter’s pigtails. Could it be that her daughter had just taken this money? She absolutely didn’t dare to think that her Sisi could have stolen it.

Sisi tilted her head in confusion, “Mom, didn’t you say that New Year money must be given to mom?”

Yes, she did say that. Zhang Xiangcao almost wept with no tears.

But she meant the New Year money, not all this money from who knows where.

“Is there something wrong?” Sisi was befuddled. She had followed her mother’s instruction. Now, all of a sudden, she had done something wrong?

Before long, Tang Zhinian and Tang Zhijun returned and were startled by the amount of cash.

Tang Zhinian took the money and did a rough count.

It was more than two hundred yuan.

“Did you give this?” he asked Tang Zhijun. This seemed like something Tang Zhijun would do, given his doting nature towards his daughter.

“No,” Tang Zhijun shook his head, “could it be from Big Brother?”

The brothers exchanged puzzled glances as they looked at the money, then diverted their gaze towards Zhang Xiangcao.

Zhang Xiangcao swiftly shook her head.

“Big Brother, Zhijun, it wasn’t me. How could I possibly give Sisi so much money?” It wasn’t that she didn’t have the money, Tang Zhijun’s money was under her management after all. But even with plenty of money at home, she would never just give it to their daughter. Sisi was still young and didn’t know how to properly handle money. There was no way she would just give her two hundred yuan all at once. It was much more plausible that it came from her uncle or father.

“Could it be from Yuxin?”

The Tang brothers both harbored this suspicion. Tang Yuxin always had some money. Unlike other kids, she worked for her spending money. She would dig for medicinal grass to earn money. She had a small amount, not a lot, but sufficient for her school expenses, stationery, and books. This didn’t give anyone any cause for concern.

Could it be that she actually gave this?

When Tang Yuxin arrived, she noticed the intense stares from her brother and father, almost as if she had grown a scarlet flower on her head.