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Chapter 22 — Monthly Allowance

Since there was no solution for now, the best strategy was to drag things out. After some thought, Xu Jingchu wrote a reply letter.

She casually slipped both Zhang Guifen’s letter and her own reply into the drawer, because Zhang Qiuyun was urgently calling her downstairs.

“Jingchu! Hurry down!”

“What is it, Auntie Zhang?” Zhang Qiuyun was normally calm and composed, rarely ever this excited.

“Tingjun just called. He said now that autumn’s here, he’s coming home this weekend to grab some clothes. He’s been in university for three years already, and it’s like he’s studying in another province—never comes home unless it’s a school holiday. Now that he’s in his senior year, he finally knows to come back.”

Zhang Qiuyun paced excitedly around the room, already planning what delicious dishes to have Xu Jingchu make for her son’s homecoming.

After Qin Yajuan left, Lin Jianbai and Zhang Qiuyun had sat down for a serious talk with Xu Jingchu.

Once Zhang Qiuyun repeatedly confirmed that Xu Jingchu had no intention of sending money back to her family, she shared their decision.

“Jingchu, your Uncle Lin and I have been thinking this over for a long time.”

“Auntie Zhang, you don’t have to hold back. If there’s something on your mind, just say it directly. You and Uncle Lin have been so kind to me.” Xu Jingchu wasn’t sure what Zhang Qiuyun wanted to say.

It was Qin Yajuan who went to work at the paper mill, not her. From this moment on, her fate had shifted. Everything that followed, she would have to figure out on her own—she no longer had the memories of her previous life to guide her, not even for this conversation.

“We’re both very grateful for all the housework and cooking you’ve been doing here every day. Your Uncle Lin brought you and Yajuan here out of gratitude, not to make you our maid.”

“You’re so thoughtful, we can’t just take it for granted. Since the month you moved in, aside from covering your food expenses, Auntie’s been giving you ten yuan every month. I know it’s not much, but it’s a token of our appreciation.”

“I can’t take it.” Xu Jingchu quickly waved her hands in refusal. “Auntie Zhang, Uncle Lin, I didn’t do these things for money. I’d feel guilty eating and drinking here for free, that’s why I help out.”

“I told you before, when I said I wouldn’t go work at the paper mill, that I don’t want to get a job for the next year. I want to give myself a year to prepare for the college entrance exam. Since I’m eating and drinking here for free for a whole year, doing housework is only right.”

When they first heard Xu Jingchu wanted to take the exam, Lin Jianbai and Zhang Qiuyun were stunned. At first, they thought she simply liked studying, but they hadn’t expected such lofty ambitions from this little girl.

There was nothing wrong with liking to study. Zhang Qiuyun had always admired studious children. Lin Jianbai was also very supportive—he never thought studying was a bad thing. For their own son… well, he’d just rather see him enlist in the army.

Still, after the shock wore off, they had immediately pledged their full support.

“Jingchu, listen. Your Uncle Lin and I discussed it. We’ll give you ten yuan every month. When you go to university next year, we’ll cover the tuition, but living expenses are also a big burden. You can save up this allowance to use then.”

Zhang Qiuyun worked hard to persuade her to accept. In reality, what she and Lin Jianbai had agreed was that if Xu Jingchu really got into college, they would cover both tuition and living expenses.

“Think about it—your mother wanted you to start working. If she finds out you’re going to college, would she pay for it?” Zhang Qiuyun truly was skilled in persuasion; she struck right at the heart of the matter.

Lin Jianbai silently gave a thumbs-up to his sharp-witted wife.

Xu Jingchu fell silent. She had thought about this too. Originally, she planned to study while doing part-time work, and if that didn’t cover it, she would borrow from the Lin family. She was confident she could pay it back.

If she was going to borrow money later, she might as well accept it now. She would repay them anyway. After convincing herself, she finally nodded. “Then… Uncle Lin, Auntie Zhang, I won’t stand on ceremony. I’ll accept the ten yuan a month.”

“Ah, that’s more like it!” Lin Jianbai clapped his hands. “Every time I wanted to ask you to make something, I always felt guilty. Now that you’re taking money, I can finally feel at ease.”

“Uncle Lin, if there’s something you want to eat, just tell me directly. Don’t feel shy. Even if I don’t know how, I’ll find a way to learn.” The Lin family had been so kind to her, Xu Jingchu resolved to treat them even better in return.

“Jingchu, you really are such a good child. Your Auntie and I have been wanting to bring this up for a long time, but… with Yajuan still here, it wasn’t easy. We didn’t want it to seem like we were criticizing her for not helping out.”

They had their concerns. Taking someone else’s child in was one thing; if the child chose to help, fine. But paying one child for housework while the other did nothing—that would sound bad if it spread.

“Uncle Lin, Auntie Zhang, I understand. You’ve already thought so much for me.” Xu Jingchu bowed deeply.

Both Lin Jianbai and Zhang Qiuyun had been benefactors in her past life too—it was just that, for various reasons, she herself hadn’t lived that life well.

After this heart-to-heart, Xu Jingchu’s bond with the Lin family grew even closer.

In their free time, Zhang Qiuyun would take her out for walks. When others asked who Xu Jingchu was, she would introduce her as her goddaughter.

Since Qin Yajuan had already moved out some time ago and never returned, no one could say Zhang Qiuyun was playing favorites.

“Auntie Zhang, did Brother Tingjun say what he wants to eat when he comes back this time?” Xu Jingchu asked, cutting into her excitement.

“Oh, he didn’t mention it. I was too excited and forgot to ask.” Zhang Qiuyun looked a little regretful, then suddenly brightened. “I’ll just call him again and ask!”

“Better not, Auntie Zhang. I guess Brother Tingjun must be really busy at school.” Xu Jingchu worried that her call would disturb him. After all, Lin Tingyu had said his brother didn’t come home often because he was swamped with work. “I’ll figure out the menu myself—would that be alright?”

“Of course, of course. Whatever you make, we’ll love it.”

“Auntie Zhang, you look especially happy today!” A son coming home for the weekend after college shouldn’t make her this ecstatic. Xu Jingchu guessed there must be something more.

“Of course! Tingjun’s a senior now, and he’ll be assigned a job soon. With him home, your Uncle Lin and I can ask what kind of workplace he’s hoping for. If we know his thoughts, maybe we can even help.”

Zhang Qiuyun had her own worries. “I’ve always been afraid Tingjun will decide everything himself without telling us. You’ve seen how he and your Uncle Lin are…”

She treated Xu Jingchu not only as a goddaughter but also as a trusted friend. “If the two of them disagree again when it comes to work assignments… as father and son, I just think they need more communication.”

Xu Jingchu understood. Her concern was valid. Father and son weren’t natural enemies; lack of communication was what deepened the rift.

That was exactly what had happened in her previous life.

If Lin Tingjun only came home during long breaks, things could easily play out the same way again.

This unexpected decision to come home now was a sign to Zhang Qiuyun—a chance for communication.

As a wife and mother, what she wished for most was harmony between her husband and son.

For Xu Jingchu, Lin Tingjun’s return didn’t matter much. What she didn’t expect, however, was that the letter she had casually left in her drawer—unburned and unsent—would turn into a ticking time bomb.

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