Chapter 11: Wealth Lost, Yet Wealth Returns

Chapter 11: Wealth Spent and Returned

He still needed to buy an MP3 player, as it was essential for both listening to music and studying English, and far more convenient than the old tape recorder they had at home.

Next, he planned to buy a piece or two of clothing for his younger brother and sisters, and finally, set aside some money for his parents.

By his calculations, there wouldn't be much left for a mobile phone. But he wasn't in a rush; he could always buy the phone later.

He hadn't intended to publicize his novel serialization to everyone, but since he had suddenly come into this money, he had to tell his family.

So, upon returning home on Friday evening, he broke the news. Naturally, they were astonished.

"That's great! How much did you earn?"

They knew Li Jingkun was writing a novel, but they never expected he could make money from it so quickly.

"Since it’s a full-length novel, the earnings are decent. They’ve given me an advance of three thousand," Li Jingkun explained.

"Three thousand?"

That was the only figure they heard; everything else faded into the background.

His mother asked, "Is that for real? You can earn three thousand just by writing a novel?"

Li Jingkun’s parents both worked at a local factory, where a monthly salary was only a little over one thousand yuan.

"Yes, but I’ve already spent some of it," he said.

He explained that he had joined the school’s guitar club and bought a guitar, as well as the MP3 player. He also intended to buy some clothes for his siblings.

His younger brother, Li Jingming, chimed in, "Brother, you’re something else! Only a freshman in high school and you’re already making money—and more than Mom and Dad, too."

"You’re quite the flatterer now that you know you're getting new clothes," Li Jingkun teased.

He mentioned that since tomorrow was Saturday, it would be the perfect time to go shopping.

His mother and his second younger sister tried to decline, saying they had clothes to wear and didn't need anything new. "It’s not like it’s the New Year."

"It’s fine," Li Jingkun insisted. "You don't need a holiday to buy new clothes. Let’s just treat this as a celebration. Besides, I’ve already bought plenty for myself."

They asked to see his novel, curious about what he had written. Li Jingkun explained that he had been writing it on a computer at an internet cafe, so they couldn't see it at home yet. He promised to show them once it was published in a magazine.

"How long will that take?" Li Jingming asked.

"About two months or so. They’ll send me sample copies, so we won't even have to buy them."

"Two months? That’s so long!"

"That’s actually fast," Li Jingkun said. "But I don't want to draw too much attention to this, so please don't go telling everyone."

"What’s wrong with that?" Li Jingming argued. "It’s a good thing! It’s worth bragging about."

"Bragging, my foot," Li Jingkun retorted. "You guys have all been painting me as the top student, the one destined for a prestigious university. If people find out I’m neglecting my studies to write novels at an internet cafe, they’ll gossip behind my back, even if I am making money."

His parents frowned at this. His father said, "He’s right. You shouldn't be so eager to write novels. Treat it as a hobby for now; your studies must come first."

"Yes," his mother added, "wait until you get into college. You can write whenever you want."

Li Jingkun: "..."

He had truly shot himself in the foot.

Eventually, he managed to convince them by pointing out that he had already signed a contract and received the money, promising them that he would continue to study hard and keep his grades up.

***

Knowing they were going to buy new clothes the next day, his brother and sisters were thrilled. They spent the evening discussing where to go and what time to leave.

They had assumed they would just shop in town, but Li Jingkun had decided to take them to the city of Liuchuan, treating it as an outing for them all.

His parents had to work the next day, so they couldn't go, but they didn't object; they trusted their eldest son. They just cautioned the two youngest to be careful when crossing the streets.

Li Jingkun had already calculated his finances. If he skipped the phone for now and subtracted the cost of the clothes, his living expenses, and internet fees for the next half-month, he could only spare five hundred yuan for his parents.

His mother refused to take it. She told him that since he was earning his own money, he should keep it for his school needs, and since he was already buying clothes for his siblings, that was more than enough.

Li Jingkun realized she was right. He knew the family still owed money to some relatives, and his few hundred yuan wouldn't make much of a dent. He decided to keep it for now and give them more as his royalties came in.

Finally, Li Jingkun took out three 50-yuan notes and handed one to each of his younger siblings.

His parents laughed but didn't stop him, only saying, "They’re still young, don't give them too much money."

Li Jingkun’s family was not well-off, and the four children never had a regular allowance. They would just ask their parents for small amounts when they really needed something.

The two younger sisters had the least, almost nothing at all. Li Jingkun only asked for money for living expenses.

Li Jingming, being the youngest, would occasionally ask for money himself. He had a taste for snacks and toys and was the boldest of the four when it came to spending.

Even then, the largest note they ever saw was usually 10 yuan.

Li Jingkun still remembered a friend in his first year of middle school telling him that his weekly allowance was 50 yuan, and that it wasn't enough. Li Jingkun had been stunned—he thought 50 yuan a week was a fortune.

By high school, Li Jingkun’s allowance was 50 yuan, but that had to cover his food for the entire week—and he often managed to save a little.

His second sister, Li Xiaojie, was in her second year of middle school; his third sister, Li Xiaoxia, was in her sixth year of primary school; and his youngest brother, Li Jingming, was in his fifth year.

Seeing such a large bill, Li Jingming happily took it. "Brother, since we’re so close, I won't stand on ceremony. Thanks a lot!"

Though he was the youngest, he was the most outgoing and spoke with the maturity of an adult.

The two sisters hesitated to take the money, saying that 10 yuan would have been enough.

"Just take it if your brother is giving it to you," Li Jingming said. "If you don't want it, give it to me!"

His remark made everyone laugh. Li Xiaoxia took the money, retorting, "In your dreams!"

Li Xiaojie took hers as well. Being in middle school, she certainly needed more than the younger two.

Later, when his parents and the two younger ones weren't looking, Li Jingkun slipped her an extra hundred-yuan note.