On this day, during the “Digital Exam Hall” competition, Wang Shuocun took first place. Mom and Grandma had really hoped their own child would win, but not wanting to upset Qian Jiayue, they could only dismiss the champion as having “just so-so talent.” A courier then delivered a package. Seeing it was an acceptance letter from No.2 Middle School, Mom and Grandma were overjoyed. In particular, Qian Jiayue’s mother, who practically had a built-in microphone for a voice, spread the good news to all the neighbors in the alley.
Qian Jiayue was eager to share this thrilling news with Xiao Han, since her biggest dream was to attend the same school as him. Xiao Han was cheerful, hardworking, and consistently at the top of the class. He had already secured guaranteed admission to No.2 Middle School. Qian Jiayue wanted him to be the first to know, but because her mom’s booming voice had let everyone in on it, he wasn’t the first to hear. She felt a bit disappointed.
That evening, Xiao Han came over for dinner. Qian Jiayue specifically asked her mom if she would keep her promise right away. Her mother, Chen Xiu’e, was confused, so Qian Jiayue solemnly reminded her that she had promised to buy a computer if she got into high school. Chen Xiu’e felt embarrassed—computers were expensive back then—so she explained they could temporarily borrow the neighbor’s. Qian Jiayue was speechless. As the family started to eat, Chen Xiu’e asked if Qian Jiayue had any other wishes. Qian Jiayue then listed three: first, that once she started high school, no one would snoop in her diary; second, that her mother would stop being penny-pinching and getting looked down on; and third, that she’d buy Qian Jiayue a computer.
Chen Xiu’e felt awkward. The first two requests were clearly aimed at her, and the last one wasn’t easy to fulfill. Wanting to make her daughter happy, she said yes and mentioned taking her on a trip—only for Qian Jiayue to realize that the travel destination was also something she’d written in her diary, meaning her mom had already been reading it since last year!
That night, Qian Kang (Jiayue’s father) discussed with his wife the idea of just buying a computer for their daughter. But one computer cost nearly three months’ worth of living expenses, and the family was still tight on money. Early the next morning, Chen Xiu’e woke Qian Jiayue up, saying there was a reward for her. Thinking it must be the long-awaited computer, Qian Jiayue jumped out of bed excitedly—only to be taken clothes-shopping instead.
At the store, Qian Jiayue tried on a white dress, looking very pretty in the mirror. Then Chen Xiu’e launched into her usual haggling, something Qian Jiayue hated most. After all, her first wish was for her mother to stop trying to gain small advantages. Still, Chen Xiu’e ended up buying it at half the marked price, saving a bundle but leaving Qian Jiayue unhappy.
While Chen Xiu’e was feeling guilty about not being able to buy a computer, Xiao Han’s mother was also blaming herself for not being able to buy her son new shoes. Xiao Han’s father had passed away early, and his mother, Ai Ping, after losing her job, worked at a wonton shop by day and cooked for another household at night. Life was tough, but the neighbors were kind. That day, after she finished work and got home, the restaurant owner next door came by to pay her wages—and also brought the sneakers Chen Xiu’e had bought for her son.
