I never thought that Chen Pan was not his parents' biological child.
"My parents...how should I put it," Shen Pan leaned against Lu Zhishu's shoulder, like a floating duckweed seeking support, "My mom has a difficult fertility constitution. They were married for a long time and had no children, so they adopted me. I didn't expect that she would get pregnant with my younger brother, a boy. They were so happy."
Shen Pan was once described by relatives and neighbors as the "lucky star" of their family. However, as his younger brother Shen Zhu grew up, his parents' focus gradually shifted to Shen Zhu.
"My parents... they were kind of 'hiddenly son-in-law', but they weren't too harsh on me or mean to me. On the contrary, when I studied late into high school, my mom told me to just rest and not work too hard. Even if I couldn't get into a good school in the future, they'd find a job for me."
"It sounds like he treats you well." Lu Zhishu lowered his eyes and saw Chen Pan's face. He found that she was not happy. "What happened?"
Chen Pan shook his head. "They say sons and daughters are treated the same, but in reality, all family and emotional resources are tilted towards my brother. I was only in elementary school at the time, so how could I understand mental control? Every time I took care of my brother, my parents would praise me for being sensible. When children are praised, they will do it again and again, and it becomes a habit over time. In fact, I have always been used to it. I think about my brother in everything. I even save money for college living expenses, thinking about buying things for my brother when I go home. In fact, my brother has everything he needs. But my parents always praise me for being sensible, and never say anything to show concern for me, such as not to starve myself."
Lu Zhishu patted her back gently with heartache.
Perhaps this is also the reason why Chen Pan is born stingy and always cares about money.
"I'm especially grateful for my hard work in high school, which allowed me to get into university. I met many students from different places and saw different lives. I also gradually understood the 'mental control' my parents exerted on me. If I hadn't studied more, been more exposed to the outside world, and stayed with my parents, they would have forced me to sacrifice everything for them," said Shen Pan. "Perhaps in their hearts, the meaning of my existence is to serve my younger brother, Shen Zhu. They always reinforced my devotion to him, but never asked me what I wanted or needed."
It was fine when she was in college because she had no income and her family would not ask her for money. But after graduation, her parents could no longer hide their "hard-working" image of being with her for many years. They were afraid that the money Shen Pan earned could not be brought home, so they began to frequently ask Chen Pan for money with various excuses.
Chen Pan is no longer the innocent child she used to be. She has long seen through her parents' thoughts. Every time they ask for money, she always says that her salary is low and her expenses are not enough, so she can barely make ends meet.
"I did send money home during that time, but not much, only a few thousand at a time. I did it mainly to appease them and prevent them from constantly asking me for money," Shen Pan said. "They knew I wasn't very good at studying and wouldn't make a lot of money, so I told them I didn't have any, and they believed me. I know they raised me and kept me from starvation to death, but I can't forgive them for asking me to selflessly dedicate myself to my brother. I consider the money I give them as repayment for their kindness."
"Everything should be dealt with separately. It doesn't mean that parents are absolutely right. Even if they are your biological parents, if they do something wrong, it's wrong. Whether you hate them or not, no one can blame you," Lu Zhishu lowered his head and gently kissed Chen Pan's forehead.
"I don't really want to go home," Chen Pan raised his head and looked at Lu Zhishu with pleading eyes.
"What about getting married? Don't you want to get married?" Lu Zhishu asked.
"Yes, but I don't want to go home."
Lu Zhishu thought for a moment, "Do you believe me?"
"What?" Shen Pan was puzzled.
"I'll solve your problems. Whether you have grudges or simply don't know how to face your family, leave it to me." Lu Zhishu rubbed Chen Pan's hair and comforted her, "Trust me, I can help you handle it."
"You mean giving money?" Shen Pan said, "If that's the case, I'd rather not go back. My brother has both hands and feet, and he'll soon be an adult. He'll be able to support himself in the future, and I don't want to support him. Raising him is my parents' obligation, not mine. If my parents had truly treated me equally before, I would have considered paying for my brother's college education, but they clearly didn't."
"Don't get excited. Anything that can be solved with money in this world is not a big deal," Lu Zhishu said. "Besides, our goal isn't to break up with your parents, nor is it to embarrass them into submission with money. Instead, we're going to get the household registration booklet and register for marriage."
Chen Pan looked at Lu Zhishu with admiration, "Is this how a mature man thinks? It's really different. Do you have a good idea?"
"Yes, as long as you agree to go back with me, I will definitely be able to get the household registration book."
Chen Pan looked at Lu Zhishu doubtfully, "Are you sure?"
"Sure, but I need your cooperation."
"How do we cooperate?"
Lu Zhishu smiled mysteriously, "I'll accompany you to celebrate your birthday first, and then tell you tomorrow."
Chen Pan: "Then I have to go back to Zhou Mo's place first. I bought a massager for my parents before, so I'll just take it back with me."
Lu Zhishu: "Okay, I'll help you move tomorrow."
Shen Pan smiled and said, "Okay."
***
The next day.
Seven o'clock in the morning.
"Bang bang bang—bang bang bang—".
Zhou Mo was still asleep and vaguely heard knocking on the door outside, but she was really tired.
Han Chen did nothing last night and went to bed very late.
Fortunately, today is Saturday, so she has time to catch up on her sleep. The noise of knocking on the door can be completely ignored.
Han Chen beside Zhou Mo also ignored the knock on the door.
Zhou Mo had a vague reaction to the knock on the door, but Han Chen didn't hear it at all and was still slightly drowsy as usual.
"Ring, ring, ring—ring, ring, ring—"
The knocking stopped and the phone rang.
This time it was impossible for Zhou Mo to pretend not to hear.
She drowsily turned over, grabbed the phone from the bedside table, and put it to her ear, "Hello, who is this?"
"Momo, are you still awake? I'm back."
When Zhou Mo heard Shen Pan's voice, he immediately woke up and sat up in shock, "Where have you been?"
"At the door, didn't you hear the knock just now?"
“…”
Zhou Mo glanced at the man who was sleeping soundly beside him, and quickly pushed him, trying to wake him up.
She was talking on the phone, comforting Shen Pan on the other end, and said, "Please wait a moment, I'll go open the door for you."
"No rush," Chen Pan said with a smile, "Han Chen is here too, right?"
“…”
"Don't worry, I'm just here to get my things. I'll leave after I get them. I won't delay you."
"..." Zhou Mo: "I'll go open the door now."
After hanging up the phone, Zhou Mo put on a long pajamas.
Someone sleeping beside him opened his eyes half asleep and saw Zhou Mo getting dressed. He reached out his long arms, wrapped them around Zhou Mo's waist, and pulled her into his arms. "Where are you going? So early in the morning?"
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