Shi Mu clutched her chest and turned around, "You scared me with your sudden outburst."
Shi Yue ignored her and instead said to Sheng Ning’an, "Don’t worry, we will compensate you for the car repair costs."
"What are you talking about, girl?" Shi Mu, discontent, tugged at her daughter’s hand. "Since you are classmates, talk to him and see if he can just let the repair costs go, won’t you?"
Shi Yue glared at Shi Mu. "Can you stop talking?"
When would her mother finally read the room? Why must she always embarrass her in front of her classmates?
Displeased, Shi Mu slapped her lightly. "You girl, why don’t you understand? Am I not just trying to save some money for our household, to make your life in university a bit better? You know very well the financial strain we’re under recently. Besides, would we have borrowed someone else’s car if it weren’t for you? Now that we’ve scratched it, what’s wrong with asking your classmate to put in a good word for us?"
"Can you stop using me as a shield for everything? It’s not for me, it’s for your beloved son, to save money for his school district house." Shi Yue was fed up with her mother constantly talking about their lack of money as if all the expenses were because of her.
Shi Yue exploded unexpectedly, causing Shi Mu to jump in fright.
The parents had never mentioned purchasing a house in front of their daughter, knowing she was competitive and strong-willed and fearing she might make a fuss. They thought once she was in university, visiting home only a few times a year, she wouldn’t even notice if they bought a house.
Their plan was to trick her into handing over her salary for safekeeping once she started working, which could then be used to pay the mortgage. If she knew earlier, they feared she would not agree.
Shi Mu thought she had kept it a secret quite well, but now that her daughter had found out, she stopped hiding it, "Isn’t he your own brother? If he is well, doesn’t that mean you are well?"
"Enough, you always play favorites. I don’t need you here, you can go back! Your son is waiting for you at home," Shi Yue said impatiently, shooing them away.
"Just focus on your studies," Shi Mu said worriedly. Despite her concerns for her daughter, her thoughts drifted back to her son. After advising her daughter, she glanced toward Sheng Ning’an, opened her mouth as if to say something more, but reconsidered because of her daughter and ultimately said nothing.
Although Shi Yue was tough and strong-willed, she had always been good at her academics and was attractive as well; their parents believed that she would definitely land a good job in the future or at least marry a decently wealthy man, who could then assist the family financially.
So even though Shi Mu was dissatisfied, she dared not offend her daughter too much.
After Shi Mu left, Shi Yue started to organize her belongings.
Tian Yu, who had overheard the conversation between Shi Yue and her mother, sensed some friction with Sheng Ning’an, but didn’t catch the details. Unable to contain her curiosity, she asked, "Shi Yue, is there a misunderstanding between you and Ning An?" She thought it would be better to clear things up, as they all shared a dormitory.
Shi Yue glanced in the direction of Sheng Ning’an and explained, "Earlier, while parking, my dad accidentally scratched Ning An’s car, but we will compensate for it."
It involved a car and a minor accident, and since they weren’t present, there wasn’t much they could comment on.
Sheng Ning’an looked at Shi Yue, and despite their short interaction, could tell she was a very savvy person.
She had deliberately avoided mentioning that the scratch happened while they were jostling for a parking spot.
However, Sheng Ning’an chose not to confront her about it then and there.