Chapter 6 (1/2)

According to the tradition of the Huang Family, which actually started from Huang Xuan's great grandpa, Huang Sheng, each child should have his or her own bank account since his or her birth. Before the child got married and started his or her own family, pocket money, red envelopes, and personal income should all be paid into the account, and the child would be the only one able to withdraw money from it. Seniors shouldn't interfere. The purpose of this method was to cultivate the children's financial ability. The Huangs had been doing well in keeping this tradition.

Huang Xuan also had such an account, and so did his father. Seeing that Huang Xuan started drawing on the family tradition, his father resignedly curled up his lips and drank more tea.

But Zhang Xinyi was not giving up. ”No matter who gave you this account, you must explain the source of the money.”

”It's not that I don't want to tell you, but that I can't.” Compared to his mom, Rolin was the one difficult to talk to. Most of the time he just remained silent.

Zhang Xinyi looked at him as if he were her subordinate. Huang Xuan looked back innocently. His dad made a cough and started mediating by saying: ”I bet you are both hungry. Let's eat. We can talk about this later.”

”No rush.” Zhang Xinyi snorted and said: ”Son, you really think everything will be OK after you pay the money into that account?”

”Well, you can't withdraw money from it,” Huang Xuan said in a low voice.

Zhang Xinyi smiled: ”Yes, but we also have the responsibility to supervise you. You can keep the money, but you are not allowed to use it.”

Huang Xuan was shocked. Zhang Xinyi combed her hair with satisfaction, then smiled to her husband and said: ”My dear, let's eat.” Huang Qunsheng looked at Huang Xuan with sympathy and followed Zhang Xinyi to the dining room. Then came the words: ”So naïve.”

In the backyard, the maples were swaying, and the Tobiras and Radix Ophiopogonis were creeping under the towering bombaxes. Together with the Amentotaxus, they flickered as if they were laughing at Huang Xuan's simple mind. Here used to be his favorite place. He had planted the aspidistras himself. The loquat trees which he had asked the gardeners to transplant were growing in picturesque disorder. However, at this moment, he was not in the mood to appreciate beauty.

Like other big families, there was compet.i.tion between family members of the Huangs. Huang Xuan had rarely been admired by other members ever since he started school. He had thought that with the money he could finally hush some people up. Nevertheless, reality was harsh.

He picked a viburnum seed and sat on the bench inside the pavilion. Suddenly Rolin's voice arose, ”Mr. Huang Xuan, when do you plan to set off again?”

”Er…”Huang Xuan answered sluggishly. He was leading a carefree life and didn't care for adventures. Now that his money was controlled by his mom, he really didn't want to travel to a dangerous unknown period or place. Hence, he said to the guardian: ”Maybe next time. I have been busy recently.”

”Sure. Then you should replenish me now to save the trouble when you are ready to go.”

Here came the real purpose of this Mr. Rolin. Huang Xuan was still feeling low. He said: ”You are so powerful you can get as much energy as you want directly from the electric grid of the city anytime. How come you haven't done that?”

If Rolin had an expression for awkwardness in his settings, it must have been on his face right now. He said after a while: ”Keeping the secret of the base is my priority. In comparison, getting energy is an inferior need. I can't violate the order of my priorities.”

”Then why are you telling me so much?”