Chapter 5 (2/2)

Before Chen Hansheng could speak to his dad, Liang Meijuan took out a pack of cigarettes from Chen Hansheng’s laundry and placed it on the table. “Well, done, Chen Hansheng. Have you learned how to smoke secretly?”

It was the Hongjinling cigarettes which Chen Hansheng had ‘seized’ from his teacher, Mr. Xu. He had forgotten to hide it so it wasn’t a wonder that Liang Meijuan had found it.

Chen Hansheng remained indifferent. “Mr. Xu forced it on me. Well, more like a consolation for not doing so well in the university entrance exam.”

“Bullsh*t!” Liang Meijuan did not believe him. “How could a teacher give a student cigarettes? Chen Zhaojun, aren’t you going to say anything? Do you still care for your son?”

Chen Zhaojun did not want to get involved in this mother-son ‘war’ at all. He was just about to succeed in sneaking into the bedroom but Liang Meijuan caught him in time.

Chen Zhaojun turned to look at his furious wife and indifferent son, eventually deciding to side with his wife.

“It’s still too early for you to be smoking at this age. Even if you’re a social smoker, you should have at least waited until you’re already at university. I’ll keep this pack of cigarettes for now.”

Chen Zhaojun put the cigarettes in his pocket as he spoke. Chen Hansheng had felt embarrassed that he hadn’t brought home anything as a gift for his parents since he was taken back in time.

‘Well, this pack of cigarettes would be the gift for them, then!’ Chen Hansheng thought generously.

After the minor argument, the family finally sat down at the table for dinner. Liang Meijuan did not forget to bring up a topic with her husband over dinner. “Remember to apply for leave. We have to send Hansheng to university together.”

Chen Zhaojun nodded but Chen Hansheng shook his head.

“I can just go by myself. You don’t have to go out of your way for me.”

Liang Meijuan glared at him. “It’s hundreds of kilometers away. Besides, we have some money left over from paying your tuition.”

“Just keep it,” said Chen Hansheng.

Back then, Chen Hansheng didn’t ask his parents to accompany him either. They had paid for his tuition in cash and he took a bus with the few thousand yuan left in his pocket. He was very nervous then.

“Plus…” Chen Hansheng paused for a moment before continuing. “If our families met the conditions for a student loan, I would have applied for one a long time ago. I would have loved to take advantage of the government system.”

“Nonsense!” Liang Meijuan put down her chopsticks and said, “Although our family is not rich, it’s not a problem for us to provide for you to go to university. Don’t try to fool us. Just do things honestly and focus on your studies.”

Liang Meijuan knew her son very well. But Chen Hansheng refused to listen. “I have thought it through. Other than the first semester, I will not ask for tuition and living expenses from you guys in the future. I will think of a way to earn money myself!”

“Don’t you dare!”

Liang Meijuan raised her eyebrows.

“What’s there to be afraid of?!” Chen Hansheng argued back.

“Chen Zhaojun, say something!”

It always came down to this. Whenever the mother and son had an argument, Chen Zhaojun would be the referee. This family tradition continued even into the future.

Chen Zhaojun thought seriously and slowly said, “Hansheng is now a man. It’s normal for him to want to take risks, just as long as he doesn’t fall behind in his studies.”

Liang Meijuan became even unhappier when her husband sided with their son. “This child has always been so obedient since he was young. Now, you’re telling me that boys need to develop an independent and tenacious character and a sense of responsibility. You’ve always supported his strange ideas until he doesn’t listen to me anymore.”

However, the family democracy vote was two to one, which meant that Chen Hansheng’s proposal to report alone and earn his own money had been approved. Liang Meijuan remained unhappy even into bedtime.

Chen Zhaojun comforted his wife, “Hansheng may not be the best student, but I’m sure you know that his hands-on ability and EQ are better than many of his peers. His strengths will be more obvious once he goes out into the world.”

When the thirty-five-year-old Chen Hansheng started his own business right after graduating from university, he had failed time and time again before finally succeeding. His tenacity and communication skills were something his dad had trained him in since he was young.

“My son, it seems that you have learned to become more sensible.” Liang Meijuan muttered to herself.

Chen Zhaojun chuckled. “Our family just has a son that has finally grown up.”

…