74: Tang Xinyao's shock
Tang Rong sat upright on the sofa, his fingers sliding across his phone screen, engrossed in browsing the news, while Chen Yaqin was busy in the kitchen.
"Dad, my tablet keeps lagging. When can I get a new one?"
Tang Xinyao, his youngest daughter, a freshman in college, came out of her room, holding a tablet with noticeable cracks on its screen.
As she walked into the living room, her tone was a mix of adolescent frustration and a hint of pleading.
Tang Rong sighed softly upon hearing her, a trace of helplessness flashing in his eyes.
The family's income was limited. He had intended to find a job to supplement the family's earnings, but recent changes at home forced him to temporarily put that plan aside.
"If it still works, just use it for now."
"Dad, it's already unusable! I rely on my tablet for my courses... Please, just get me a new one."
Tang Xinyao leaned next to him, tugging his arm playfully.
It was at this moment that Tang Xinyi opened the door and walked in.
"Sis."
Tang Xinyao quickly ran over, "When do you get paid? Can you get me a new tablet?"
"The 10th."
As an intern Nurse, Tang Xinyi's salary wasn't high; it would only increase after she became a full-time employee.
So, even when she got paid, she might not be able to afford it.
This was a typical family.
Her parents were retired, and their pensions were barely enough for living expenses. The remaining savings had been used to help her find a job.
This was why Tang Xinyi went drinking.
She couldn't afford to lose her current job.
Even though she felt incredibly wronged, the family was prepared to borrow money and accept the loss.
"Thank you, Sis!"
Tang Xinyao giggled.
"..."
Tang Xinyi felt helpless, but then she heard her father, Tang Rong, call out, "Tang Xinyi, come here for a moment."
When she walked over, Tang Rong handed her the bag containing the Rolex: "Take this and return it to Zimo."
It was simply too valuable; he couldn't accept it.
Tang Xinyi was bewildered, but her Younger Sister-in-law, Tang Xinyao, snatched the bag first: "What is it?"
"Put that down..."
Tang Rong was still reminding her when Tang Xinyao had already opened the box, "Wow, what a beautiful watch."
This clearly wasn't cheap.
At this moment, Chen Yaqin came out of the kitchen with a dish, and seeing her daughter's impulsive behavior, she quickly warned, "Be careful not to drop it, it's over ninety thousand yuan."
"Over ninety thousand?!"
Not only Tang Xinyao, but even Tang Xinyi's eyes widened.
She had watched Xu Zimo hand the small bag to her father, initially thinking it was just a small gift, but she never expected it to be something so valuable.
"Dad, did you strike it rich?!" Tang Xinyao exclaimed.
"Strike it rich? This belongs to someone else."
Tang Rong glared at his Younger Sister-in-law in annoyance.
"Someone else's?"
Tang Xinyao froze, then immediately asked, "Dad, who would give you such an expensive watch?"
She didn't believe it.
"Pack it up and give it to your sister."
Tang Rong didn't explain, but said with a stern face.
"Sister's?"
Tang Xinyao looked at her sister doubtfully, "Could it be... Sister found a new boyfriend?"
It seemed like this was the only possibility.
"No..."
Tang Xinyi's face immediately flushed, and she hastily explained, "He's just a friend, it's not what you're thinking."
"A regular friend giving Dad a watch worth over ninety thousand yuan?"
Tang Xinyao expressed her disbelief.
"He also gave me a bracelet, over one hundred and twenty thousand yuan."
Chen Yaqin had just put down the dish and immediately showed off the jade bracelet on her wrist.
Tang Xinyi was stunned.
How could this be?
She had merely invited Xu Zimo over for dinner to thank him, and he actually bought gifts worth over two hundred thousand yuan?!
Her first thought was the same as her father, Tang Rong; she couldn't accept these things and had to return them to Xu Zimo.
She hadn't even felt at ease accepting that dress.
However, the tag had been cut off, so returning it was impossible. But she thought that she could just transfer a small amount to Xu Zimo every month, as if she had bought it herself.
"Wow, the new brother-in-law is so generous?!"
Tang Xinyao, however, seemed much more carefree, even running to her mother, Chen Yaqin, and asking expectantly, "Mom, what about me? Did I get anything?"
The clash of values among high school classmates wasn't that significant.
But now she was studying at Xingcheng Art Academy, where her classmates, if not overtly competitive, certainly took pride in owning various luxury items.
She, too, envied those glamorous classmates.
However, her family's situation didn't allow for it; even necessities like her phone and tablet were old and very difficult to use.
At school, when everyone was on their phones, Tang Xinyao was even too embarrassed to take out her own phone to play.
"You're just a child; the most important thing right now is your studies..."
Upon learning that she hadn't received a gift, Tang Xinyao's face immediately fell.
To say that future brother-in-law was stingy was wrong, since he bought over two hundred thousand yuan worth of things for her parents. There was only one possibility... she wasn't home when the brother-in-law came, which was why she didn't get a share.
Her eyes sparkled, already thinking about finding an opportunity to meet the mysterious brother-in-law.
She was his Younger Sister-in-law; he wouldn't be so rude as to not give her aMeeting gift (first meeting gift), would he?
Tang Xinyao was secretly excited.
In the end, Tang Rong still gave the watch to Tang Xinyi, but her mother, Chen Yaqin, adamantly refused to take off the bracelet. Although Tang Xinyi was anxious, she was utterly helpless.
Back in her room, she messaged Xu Zimo: "Zimo, why did you buy such valuable things?"
She felt a strong sense of indebtedness.
At the time, she hadn't thought much of it, just invited Xu Zimo to come over for dinner.
But, this situation... how was it a bit like a betrothal gift?
Thinking this, Tang Xinyi's face slowly flushed, especially when she recalled the afternoon she spent with Xu Zimo, her eyes instantly shimmering.
She didn't know that after she entered her room, her Younger Sister-in-law, Tang Xinyao, learned that Xu Zimo had come at noon and asked her mother, Chen Yaqin: "Mom, when are we inviting the new brother-in-law over for dinner?"
"Ask your sister."
Chen Yaqin was very pleased.
With this bracelet accepted, her eldest daughter's matter should be settled.
Binjiang Bay.
Xu Zimo parked his car and saw Tang Xinyi's message when he picked up his phone. He replied, "I just bought them on the way over. Are Uncle and Aunt satisfied?"
Tang Xinyi's message came back quickly: "They're too valuable."
"When are you free? I'll return them to you."
She was a bit conflicted, wondering what to do if her mother refused to take off the bracelet.
"Why would you return something I gave to elders? Besides, I tore up the receipts, so they can't be returned."
Another excuse like that.
Tang Xinyi bit her lip lightly.
She was touched, but what was her relationship with Xu Zimo now?
Clearly... he hadn't confessed to her.
Moreover, the more this happened, the more indebted she felt to Xu Zimo.
What should she do?