Chapter 6

Back at my rented apartment, my parents looked around, their eyes wide with surprise.

It was a 700-square-foot one-bedroom apartment. Not luxurious, but the location was good, and the monthly rent was over seven thousand.

"You live in such a big place all by yourself?" my mother asked.

"Work often requires overtime, so living closer is more convenient," I explained.

My father walked to the window, looking out at the view. "This apartment rent isn't cheap, is it?"

"It's okay. The company provides a housing subsidy," I answered vaguely.

My mother started to wander around the room, occasionally scrutinizing my furniture and appliances.

My heart was in my throat, terrified she'd discover something.

"Jade, you said you only have fifty thousand saved. Let's see your bank statements." My father suddenly spoke.

Despite my mental preparation, a wave of tension washed over me. "Dad, I'm an adult. My financial situation…"

"What, can't your own parents see it?" My father's tone grew stern. "Do you have something to hide?"

I knew further evasion would only arouse more suspicion, so I pulled out the secondary card's statement I'd prepared earlier. "This is my salary card. There's really only a little over fifty thousand in it."

My father took the statement, examining it carefully. He used to be an accountant; he was very familiar with financial reports.

"Is this your only account?" He looked up and asked me.

"Yes." I lied, my heart pounding like a drum.

My father handed the statement back to me, a glint I couldn't quite decipher in his eyes. "Jade, do you really only want to give your brother fifty thousand?"

"Dad, it's not that I don't want to give more, it's that I truly don't have it." I insisted.

"Alright then." My father sighed, seeming to give up the pursuit. "Your mother and I will rest a bit. Tonight, why don't you take us to see the city lights? We've been to New York so many times but haven't really explored it properly."

My father's sudden concession made me uneasy, but mostly relieved.

That evening, I took my parents to see the sights.

Watching the brightly lit cityscape, rare smiles appeared on their faces.

We talked about lighthearted topics, like a normal family, as if the tense confrontation from lunch had never happened.

0