［Class 9, Grade 11 Parents Group］
［Class Teacher Rui Hang］: The school sports meet will be held on the 28th-29th of this month. On the evening of the 29th, there will be a Mid-Autumn Festival performance. Our class will be performing a play. We sincerely invite all parents to come and watch. @All Members
［Lin Yuan’s Father］: Noted.
［Sun Jingshu’s Mother］: Noted.
［Bai Luo’s Mother］: Noted.
…
［Shen Qiting’s Mother］: Noted, Teacher Rui, thank you for your hard work. [Strong][Strong]
［Shen Qiting’s Mother］: No wonder my daughter locks herself in her room even on weekends and won’t come out. When I asked her, she just said she had things to do. Turns out she’s been busy with this. [Sneaky smile]
［Zhao Yayaya’s Mother］: Our Yayaya is the same. She’s been super busy every day and has been calling your daughter. They chat until midnight. @Zhang Jiajia’s Mother
［Zhang Jiajia’s Mother］: So that’s what your daughter’s been chatting about. [Embarrassed] I thought my daughter was secretly dating someone, and her dad and I were worried for days.
［Zhao Yayaya’s Mother］: At first, I thought she was having an early romance too. [Sneaky smile]
［Zhao Yayaya’s Mother］: Later, when I asked if she was dating, she didn’t get angry like before but calmly explained it was just class work. [Sneaky smile]
［Zhao Yayaya’s Mother］: Ever since my daughter joined Teacher Rui’s class, she has changed so much. She’s become much sweeter and more sensible. [Rose][Rose][Rose]
［Yu Zhi’s Mother］: My daughter too. Lately, she speaks so maturely and isn’t stubborn at all.
［Sun Jingshu’s Father］: Teacher Rui even called us yesterday to talk about my daughter’s studies, future development, and how to better interact with her. Teacher Rui is truly dedicated. [Strong]
［Lin Yuan’s Father］: I also received a call from Teacher Rui. Unfortunately, my wife and I are both too busy with work to care for our child much. I heard from my child’s older brother that there has been a big change in our child, which wouldn’t be possible without Teacher Rui’s help. Much appreciated. [Rose]
…
［Ouwena’s Mother］: Seems Teacher Rui called every parent. Such a responsible and good teacher. [Rose]
［Bai Luo’s Mother］: How come your kids have all improved so much? Bai Luo is still lazy as ever. [Embarrassed] And he’s even more spoiled now—clinging to me all day. [Sneaky smile]
［Ouwena’s Mother］: You should secretly enjoy being spoiled. [Sneaky smile] My daughter’s like a little emperor now—once she says something, it goes unquestioned. Even her dad can’t argue with her; they end up going back and forth ten times over one sentence. [Sneaky smile]
［Ouwena’s Mother］: I don’t know how such a well-behaved girl suddenly turned so bossy, and she keeps her dad wrapped around her finger. [Strong]
［Su Mingya’s Mother］: My daughter’s the same. [Covering mouth]
……
Tao Xiaochun put down her phone and stared at the closed door, letting out a soft sigh.
It was a rare weekend, and Yu Zhi had left early, apparently to take care of something.
From the chat in the group, she thought it was for rehearsal, but just a few minutes ago, Yu Zhi suddenly messaged her asking if she was home— she had something to tell her.
Yu Zhi had always been introverted and quiet, always lowering her head and barely speaking. She rarely spoke in such a formal tone with her mother.
The only other time was a few days ago when she said she wanted to continue painting.
Tao Xiaochun understood why her daughter used to be so withdrawn. To prevent her from going down a single path blindly, she had no choice but to use some harsh methods to guide her onto the “right path.”
She was fully aware of her own unreasonable outbursts and her daughter’s grievances and dreams. But they just didn’t want their daughter to walk the same difficult road they had.
Neither she nor Yu Zhi’s father truly knew how to scientifically educate a child.
Their parents had raised them the same way, believing that no matter the suffering or grievances, once they grew up, they would understand the tough love behind it.
But a few days ago, that insecure daughter suddenly discussed the matter with her honestly and generously for a long time.
That was the first time Tao Xiaochun truly felt that her daughter had grown up.
To them, Yu Zhi’s dream seemed impractical and vague. But this time, without tears or hysterical fights, her daughter made her think, “Maybe it’s okay to believe in her once.”
After many restless nights and countless discussions with Yu Zhi’s father, they finally decided to trust her and give her a chance to try.
But just as they had made up their minds, Yu Zhi suddenly sent this vague, worrying message.
Could it be… that little Zhi’s painting really achieved something?
No, no—that was impossible in just a few days.
Come to think of it, the painting teacher, Wang Teacher, seemed to be running an Art Studio. Could she want to join that studio?
Neither Tao Xiaochun nor Yu Lei had been ignorant about the studio’s fees. Nearly fifty thousand yuan a year was far beyond what they could currently afford.
That didn’t even include supplies, transportation, or the red envelopes for the teacher.
But if their daughter really wanted to attend… these past few days of sleepless discussion had been for this, hadn’t they?
To say they supported her dream but not even let her join an Art Studio—what kind of support would that be?
At worst, they’d tighten their belts and make sacrifices. If their child wanted to learn, there was no reason not to let her.
After all, they had endured hardships for so many years and weren’t afraid of a few more. If she could get into a good university and even stay on as a teacher, then their efforts wouldn’t have been in vain.
Just as Tao Xiaochun was caught in her dilemma, the sound of a key turning in the lock came from the door, followed by it opening to reveal Yu Zhi’s delicate and beautiful face.
“Xiao Zhi.” Tao Xiaochun called out instinctively but then realized her reaction might be over the top. She forced herself to remain calm, not wanting to add pressure to Yu Zhi. “You’re back?”
Yu Zhi was carrying a bag that looked heavy. On it, the word “Art Studio” could be vaguely seen. Tao Xiaochun’s heart skipped a beat, feeling both relieved and burdened.
Just as she thought about whether to confront the matter directly, Yu Zhi placed the bag on the table in front of her and flipped it upside down.
“Clatter—”
Ten thick bundles of crisp yuan notes hit the table, each sheet a bright red, making Tao Xiaochun’s eyes go wide.
“X-Xiao Zhi…”
“Mom, didn’t I say before to wait a bit so I could show you the results?” As she spoke, Yu Zhi pulled out a thick contract and a bank card. “I’ve signed a partnership with Wang Teacher’s Art Studio. I’m required to paint at least two paintings for them each year, and I participate in receiving payments as a Specially Appointed Teacher, but it’s not mandatory. They can also choose to submit my paintings for competitions, but the studio’s name must be included.”
“I signed the contract. This 100,000 yuan and the 400,000 yuan in the bank card are deposits. If my painting wins the Gold Award, they will pay me an additional 200,000 yuan as a bonus. Besides that, I will also receive ten percent of the studio’s shares.”
The long list of details and the “half a million yuan” stunned Tao Xiaochun.
She barely had time to absorb Yu Zhi’s words before grabbing her daughter’s hand anxiously, “Xiao Zhi, don’t let yourself be tricked! Who would suddenly give you half a million yuan? Did someone force you to sign a bad contract or sell yourself?”
Yu Zhi laughed awkwardly. The reason she stopped by the bank to withdraw 100,000 yuan first was because she worried her parents wouldn’t believe her words and she wanted to use this money as proof.
Nothing hits parents harder than real money. This wasn’t boasting— it was a shot of confidence for them— not to worry about her future or burden themselves over her choices.
Unfortunately, she had underestimated the negative shock cash could bring.
“Don’t worry, Mom, it’s not a scam. It’s our school’s Wang Teacher. I signed a contract with her Art Studio. One of my paintings was entered into the Provincial Competition and passed the preliminary round.”
That last sentence was of course a lie. The competition lasts two months, and the preliminaries are the hardest. There was no way her painting had been accepted so quickly.
But Yu Zhi wasn’t worried about the preliminaries. Her mother, however, needed a reasonable explanation for the money: “If my painting wins, the fame will bring the studio more profit. It’s mutually beneficial; there’s no scam.”
Hearing this, Tao Xiaochun finally relaxed. Looking at the pink bank card and cash in her hand, the cheerful color made her a little dizzy.
Half a million… the richest the family ever was probably only that amount, and this money was locked in deposits—they couldn’t spend it casually.
How did the household go from barely getting by to suddenly wealthy?
Am I dreaming?
After zoning out for a moment, Tao Xiaochun finally came back to her senses, feeling like she was floating in the clouds with no solid ground.
She slapped the back of Yu Zhi’s hand and then immediately caressed it tenderly.
“You silly girl, you just went and brought back so much money. What if someone with bad intentions tried to snatch it? Losing money is one thing, but what if you got hurt? Have you thought about how heartbroken your father and I would be?”
Facing her mother’s reproach, Yu Zhi gave a sheepish smile.
This was indeed an oversight on her part.
Used to being a goddess unmatched in Parnaki, she rarely considered dangers in small matters like carrying money— let alone someone robbing her.
Only now, after Tao Xiaochun pointed it out, did she realize the risk.
“Mom, I’ll be more careful from now on.” Yu Zhi stuck out her tongue, showing a rare playful side.
In the next moment, a pair of arms wrapped her tightly in an embrace.
“My daughter is truly remarkable.” Tao Xiaochun couldn’t find the right words and kept repeating herself, tears welling in her eyes. After a long while, she choked up, “Thank goodness you didn’t listen to your father and me and followed your own mind.”
“That’s not true.” Yu Zhi patted her mother’s back gently, smiling warmly. “If it weren’t for you and Dad choosing to support me, how could I have made up my mind? You’ve worked hard all these years. Now you can put down your burdens and rely on me.”
“Silly girl, what are you talking about?” Tao Xiaochun laughed through tears, “You’re so young, relying on you? Your parents aren’t old yet— we can still work hard! This money, we’re saving it for you. You can use it whenever you want.”
Yu Zhi knew her mother’s frugal habits wouldn’t change overnight. She didn’t refuse her words but smiled, “Since I can freely use this money, how about we go shopping today? The school event is coming up, and I want to buy some nice outfits for you and Dad to wear proudly.”
“Oh, then I’d better pick carefully.” Tao Xiaochun’s eyes crinkled with smiles. She no longer resisted and let her daughter pull her up, their laughter echoing through the cramped old apartment.
The hardships have ended; the future is long.