Eventually, Han Hui decided to hire a housekeeper for the family, twice a week, which didn’t require arranging accommodations, and was cheaper than hiring a nanny. Meanwhile, she and her husband started keeping track of daily expenses and by the end of the month, finally figured out where the money was going.

"You transferred twenty thousand to Qingqing?" Han Hui was momentarily stunned, "What does she need twenty thousand yuan for?"

"Qingqing said she’s going abroad with friends next month, so I’m supporting her a bit, right? With that meager salary, what can she do? It’s not easy going abroad once, can’t have her stressing over money, losing face in front of friends, can we?"

Ye Peilin said this, and Han Hui found it reasonable, so she didn’t say anything else. But when she saw her husband transfer another thirty thousand to their daughter the next month, she couldn’t help but ask again.

"What’s it for this time?"

"Qingqing said she saw a bag abroad that’s much cheaper than the domestic counter price. She’s out in society now, carrying a good bag is expected."

This time, Han Hui still didn’t say anything, but by the third and fourth month, when her husband transferred twenty or thirty thousand every month for their daughter, she finally understood why the family couldn’t save any money.

"Why does she have so many expenses? Your salary almost entirely fills her pocket; that’s not okay, I need to talk to her today." Han Hui said, a bit angrily. People say a daughter should be raised rich, she used to fully agree with this phrase, but now their daughter is an adult, already working, and still freely taking money from home—isn’t she and her husband indulging her too much?

But Ye Peilin wasn’t bothered, saying impatiently, "Girls naturally spend more, on cosmetics, clothes, shoes, bags, each costs money. Besides, the cheaper ones not only have poor quality but also attract gossip when used, I don’t want Qingqing to suffer those grievances."

"But she herself earns six thousand a month, and you still give her twenty or thirty thousand each month. Her grandparents also often give her red packets; her expenses are more than the whole family’s. I’ve calculated over the past few months: we only give Ye Qiu US$ 500 a month."

"He’s a student and a boy, how much can he spend? Did he complain to you? Or is it just like Qingqing said that he’s dating?" Whenever Ye Qiu was mentioned, Ye Peilin’s tone worsened. He thought a monthly allowance of US$ 500 was enough for Ye Qiu, but for their daughter, even fifty thousand a month wasn’t enough; the favoritism was blatant.

"You know very well the kind of person Qiu’er is, he calls every Sunday, like clockwork, and you’re always there. When did he ever complain? I just think we’re playing favorites too much with the kids, back when Qingqing was studying, she got several thousand a month, not to mention the red packets from her grandparents that we never touched."

"Favoritism? Life for girls is naturally harder in this world; making Qingqing happy in our house before she’s married isn’t wrong, is it? Besides, this home will ultimately be Ye Qiu’s, how could he suffer?"

Talking about marriage also struck a chord with Han Hui; she had also gone from being a daughter to a daughter-in-law and knew how tough it was for daughters in their in-laws’ home once married. So, her husband’s words softened her heart. Anyway, both she and her husband had salaries, and the family’s expenses were manageable, they decided to let Qingqing live comfortably before marrying.

Then, the couple put Ye Qiu aside again, possibly never realizing that in a big city, US$ 500 barely covered meals, and Ye Qiu had actually never used the US$ 500 they deposited monthly into his account.

Not only did he have scholarships, but he also picked up work during study breaks, becoming renowned in the community as he chose Hacker God as his skill. Many people offered high prices to hire him for programming, building firewalls, and fixing bugs, and the funds he accumulated over a semester surpassed the assets Ye Peilin and Han Hui had amassed over a lifetime.

"God, are you tutoring your little girlfriend with her homework again!" A roommate tapped his shoulder, speaking with envy, "You’re really something, raising a girlfriend early on."

"Don’t talk nonsense." Ye Qiu’s tone was calm, "She’s a student I tutored during the summer job."

"A student? That student must be quite wealthy, given your current income, not just any student can afford you." Another person laughed, interjecting, and greeted He Xixian on the screen.

"Hello, hello, Senior Brothers!" He Xixian waved adorably, her ears and cheeks reddened, anyone could see her affection for Ye Qiu in her eyes.

"Hi, hi! I heard from Ye Qiu you plan to enroll in our school, young junior sister, you really have to work hard! You have no idea how popular Ye Qiu is here, how many girls have an eye on him. But don’t worry, Ye Qiu hasn’t accepted any girl’s confession."

"Have there really been many confessions to Ye Qiu?" He Xixian asked softly.

"Of course, just when we went to eat, someone asked us to deliver a love letter—who still writes love letters these days? But rest assured, young junior sister, we definitely didn’t give them Ye Qiu’s WeChat."

"Right, right, before you get into our school, we’ll guard him closely, no other girls will get a chance!"

"Thank you, Senior Brothers. Once I get in, I’ll treat you all to a meal!" He Xixian smiled brightly, showing no hesitation about her feelings for Ye Qiu.

On the contrary, Ye Qiu calmly looked at the screen, "You should get back to your homework. Send me the exercises I gave you to my email later. These questions were done before; if you make mistakes again, we’ll only communicate through email afterward."

"Oh!" He Xixian pouted disappointedly, "Fine then, you hurry up and eat, bye-bye!"

Ye Qiu ended the video in the roommates’ disapproving looks, showing no sign of softening.

"Heartbreaker!"

"You’re lucky little junior sister Xixian is devoted to you; otherwise, you might end up single forever."

"You’re cruel, you’re cold, you’re just a robot with no emotion!"

Listening to his roommates’ criticisms, Ye Qiu remained calm, "I’m doing this for her own good."

"We’re not saying you’re wrong to tutor, but can’t you give her a smile or a promise?"

"She’s underage; you want me to make a move on a minor?" Ye Qiu said coolly.

The roommates muttered, knowing it indeed wasn’t appropriate to go after a minor, but since things had progressed to this point, didn’t it count as acknowledging the relationship?

"As long as you know what you’re doing. From what I see, little junior sister Xixian is really nice, don’t break her heart later on," the dorm leader earnestly advised him, "And don’t take it lightly just because you’re exceptional. Pretty young girls are very sought after these days, and they’re all easy to woo."

"If they’re so easy to woo, why haven’t you won one over?"