Dad, Please Try a Little Harder

In the context of health-oriented family education, parents cannot punish their children for speaking the truth.

However, they can discipline them for reasons like not taking their studies seriously, being addicted to games or television, and lacking manners.

Given the situation with Qian Quan today, he was likely about to set a precedent by being scolded by his father for stepping into the house with his left foot first.

Leaving that aside, he had just verified one thing – his father's bonus had indeed been multiplied by ten and deposited into his own account.

30,000 was enough to cover his tuition and living expenses for two years of college!

This system worked, and it really gave him money.

As for the 1,000 that his father kept secretly, his mother didn't make a fuss about it. In this regard, there was some understanding between them.

However, his mother still subtly reminded his father not to engage in such sneakiness again. She believed it wasn't just about hiding money but about attitude.

She didn't want to be the kind of wife who could control her husband to the point that he couldn't breathe, nor did she want her husband to portray her as the kind of "henpecked" wife.

In the end, his father confessed the truth. It turned out he was interested in a set of Chinese chess books from an old bookstore owner, who was asking for 1,000 for it.

After learning the truth, his mother gave him another 1,000, saying, "Take this 1,000 and buy the chess books. Do whatever you want with the 1,000 you kept."

His father was stunned by this.

In reality, sometimes, for men, the salary handed over is a responsibility, and a hidden stash is a form of freedom.

Once the secret stash is exposed, that feeling disappears.

Watching the entire process, Qian Quan silently gave his mother a thumbs-up.

This was what it meant to navigate the situation perfectly.

With the matter resolved, his father naturally had no reason to trouble Qian Quan anymore. However, he was curious about Qian Quan knowing about the 3,000 bonus.

Qian Quan could only vaguely say he had seen a notification somewhere and managed to evade further questions.

His father didn't press further.

Qian Quan returned to his room after chatting with his parents for a while.

He logged into his mobile banking app again and saw that 30,000 had indeed been deposited into his account. It was real and effective.

The stone in her heart was lifted, and he began to think about how to reasonably and inconspicuously buy something for his parents and Ding Linlang.

Soon, he had an idea.

He exited the mobile banking app and logged into his social chat software account "Mystery Man," deciding to join a chat session in the "Forest Gazer" readers' group.

As expected, there were over a hundred new messages.

Originally, he intended to ignore them as usual, but he noticed that the author, "Forest Gazer," was also participating in the chat.

So he started to read the previous chat logs and was surprised to find that tonight's topic revolved around him.

It was around the time when he and Ding Linlang took the bus home. Ding Linlang had asked a question in her readers' group.

Forest Gazer: "I want to ask you guys, what's a good birthday gift for a guy who has just gone through a breakup?"

The group erupted into a frenzy as soon as this question was posed. Readers were asking who the guy was, where he lived, his measurements, height, whether there were photos if he was in good shape...

Forest Gazer: "It's my childhood friend, don't let your imaginations run wild. [Awkward emoji]"

NightOwl: "So, childhood sweethearts, then?"

Forest Gazer: "It's a stretch to say that. We're more like buddies; our relationship is very platonic, with no romantic undertones."

TwigElegant: "More than friends, less than lovers?"

Forest Gazer: "It's not that complicated. Let's stick to the topic."

With that, the group got back on track and began discussing gift ideas for guys.

"No guy can resist a gaming console; get him a PSP!"

"Ms. Forest Gazer, you could try giving your friend a set of screwdrivers. My boyfriend bought a set and spent an entire day playing with them."

"Toy guns or Ultraman action figures work too..."

"Is no one suggesting basketball shoes? I feel like giving a guy basketball shoes is always a safe bet."

"Here's an idea, a drone. I think most guys would like that."

...

Qian Quan looked at the diverse array of answers, finding it both amusing and heartwarming. The sensation of being secretly valued was quite subtle.

He decided to join in the fun, "How about gifting him a Rolls-Royce Cullinan? I believe no guy can resist that."

Forest Gazer: "You should keep quiet!"

Qian Quan replied with a "sly emoji" and then continued, "But I'm curious about something. Ms. Forest Gazer, your friend has someone as exceptional as you as a friend, so why did he go through a breakup?"

Forest Gazer: "I've said it before. I'm just buddies with him! We're not each other's type..."

Mystery Man: "So, what kind of person do you like?"

Forest Gazer: "Someone who can impress me in all aspects."

Mystery Man: "What specific aspects?"

Forest Gazer: "Height, basketball, Chinese chess, talent, and so on. In short, my ideal partner must be an extraordinary hero."

Mystery Man: "And he'll come to marry you on a rainbow cloud?"

Forest Gazer: "That's too much. Just arriving in a helicopter is enough."

Mystery Man: "What if you don't meet someone like that?"

After Qian Quan asked, thinking she might reply with "Then I'll be single forever," she surprised him by saying, "Of course, there can be exceptions."

Mystery Man: "What kind of exceptions?"

Forest Gazer: "Those I can't discuss..."

At this point, other readers started chiming in.

Numberone: "Sorry, I'm that exception."

Alluring_in_Black_Silk: "Sorry, I'm that exception."

Northern Belle: "Sorry, I'm that exception."

..

Watching the flood of messages, Qian Quan shook his head with a wry smile. He was about to copy a response and join the conversation when suddenly as if snapped back to reality, he lightly slapped himself. "What am I thinking? She's my closest childhood friend!"

The group chatted for a while longer, and Forest Gazer typed, "Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm going to write my novel now," before leaving.

Qian Quan also logged out of his alternate account and started reading a novel.

...

Qian Quan accompanied his father to the bookstore to buy a chess manual the next day.

On the way, his father brought up last night's conversation: "Rocky, I'm really pleased that you were honest with your mom last night, but your tone and attitude weren't good. You nearly put both your mom and me in a difficult position."

"Dad, I really didn't mean to..."

His father shook his head without confirming or denying, saying, "Actually, your mom recently brought up the topic of having a second child. She said she envies those with both sons and daughters, and she also wants a daughter. Originally, considering your mom's age, I was firmly against it, but after seeing your performance last night, I've become a bit uncertain..."

Qian Quan was speechless, then said, "Dad, I really messed up."

"It's not entirely because of you; it was also what your mom said. She mentioned that in the future, we won't have anywhere to go if we want to visit our daughter's house."

"You can come to my house."

"What's the point of visiting a son's house? Besides, if you marry Linlang in the future, our families will be just two streets apart. Forget about visiting. At most, it will be called just dropping by."

Qian Quan suddenly stopped in his tracks, looking incredulously at his father, "Marry Linlang? What are you thinking? How could I possibly marry her? We could never be together, right?"

His father gave a knowing grin and chuckled before continuing on his way.

Qian Quan stood still for a few seconds, bewildered, then hurried to catch up.

Just as they entered the bookstore, Qian Quan spotted a familiar figure standing in front of the Chinese chess bookshelf: a tall figure with short, clean-cut hair wearing a white T-shirt.

It was Ding Linlang.