"Here is your tuition, living expenses, and the money to buy a laptop. You’re going to National Defense Science and Technology University to study computer science, right? After discussing with your dad, we’ve decided to give you a laptop as well. However, we don’t know much about them and are afraid we’ll choose poorly, so we’re giving you the money to pick one yourself. There’s 15,000 yuan inside, which should cover your expenses for the upcoming year. If it’s not enough, just let us know."
Cao Yang was deeply shaken by Gong Mingxia’s words. A desktop computer wasn’t enough, and now they were even giving him money to buy a laptop?
"Mom, how much did this computer cost?"
"Oh, we based it on the specs of an internet cafe’s computers. Your dad’s comrade’s son opened an internet cafe, so the price was reasonable—four thousand yuan. If you were to buy it elsewhere, it’d probably cost around five thousand."
Cao Yang was surprised, "Then, for that price, it must be top-of-the-line!"
Gong Mingxia blushed awkwardly, "Well, I wouldn’t know about that. But your enrollment is a cause for celebration in our entire family. Whatever you want to eat tonight, I’ll cook it for you."
Cao Yang was already deeply moved by the incredibly generous gift he had received. He really wanted to refuse the bank card in his hand, but he also understood that he truly needed this gift. He knew his stepmother could make money, but he was still astonished by such a grand gesture she had made toward him.
"Mom, thank you. I will cherish this gift. However, I still want to take the college entrance exam with my classmates, even though I’ve been accepted already. I think it’s a meaningful thing to do. After all, you only live once, and it would be a pity to miss out on this experience."
Remembering the original host’s regrets, Gong Mingxia nodded vigorously at Cao Yang, "You’re right. No matter what you decide, we will support you. Keep it up!"
At the end of the year, the dividends were credited to the account. This time it was only 180,000 yuan. She figured that it might be even less next year, but Gong Mingxia was content.
After all, a new member had been added to the family this year, and expenses had significantly increased. If you disregard the twenty thousand yuan spent on Cao Yang, she had these 180,000 yuan left in her hands.
Indeed, if this dividend hadn’t come through, the family might have been facing some hardships.
In truth, that statement was a bit exaggerated. If budgeting was done meticulously, they could scrape together ten thousand yuan. She had made the bold move of directly transferring the last twenty thousand to Cao Yang, counting on this sum coming in soon.
Before giving birth, she had four thousand yuan in hand for turnover, but this year, another twenty thousand had been d to some impoverished students, leaving her pockets emptier than her face.
If the dividends hadn’t come through, there would be another twelve thousand from rent due in February of the following year. As for Cao Yuan’s salary and bonuses, Gong Mingxia hadn’t gone through them in detail. Every month, they used half and saved half of his salary. If more was needed later on, they would withdraw it from the bank. Most of this money was used for raising the children and the family’s daily expenses, so she didn’t really know the exact amount on his card. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel⦿fire.net
Previously, Mrs. Wang had fronted fifty thousand for renovations. As soon as the money was available, Gong Mingxia arranged a savings deposit for Mrs. Wang for sixty thousand yuan. The remaining ten thousand were given as Mrs. Wang’s personal money. When Gong Mingxia handed over the money, she certainly earned quite a few complaints from the elderly lady, saying she was being too formal.
Only Gong Mingxia knew that this wasn’t about being formal—it was giving the elderly a peace of mind, proving that the family had money now and there was no need to worry about their expenses.
After deducting the sixty thousand from the hundred and eighty thousand, she was left with one hundred and twenty thousand. Twenty thousand of that would be set aside for donations in 2002. Gong Mingxia didn’t touch the remaining hundred thousand and deposited it into the bank.