Chapter 17: Tingting 15

“Of course,” Han Cunming said, in a good mood. “None of you can be relied upon. You only listen once people are pushed to their limit and come knocking on your door.”

Han Guangzhi hung his head. He knew it now—he wasn't his biological father's son anymore; Han Tingting was the one his father valued most.

As Han Cunming educated his son, Father Li and Mother Li naturally did not interrupt. In fact, the more strained the relationship between Han Cunming and Han Guangzhi became, the happier they were. In his current state, Han Guangzhi was indeed no different from a live-in son-in-law.

“Fine, I’ll go with you tomorrow. She hasn't provided any child support since she turned ten. At six thousand a year, that’s forty-eight thousand for eight years.” Calculating it this way meant the amount was two thousand more than his own share, which instantly brought a sense of balance to Han Guangzhi's heart.

Han Cunming sneered. “Tingting, don't come with us tomorrow. Your father and I will handle this.”

Tan You thought for a moment. “Alright, then should I wait for you at the guesthouse?”

Mother Li gave a fake smile. “Why stay at a guesthouse? There are rooms at home to sleep in; why bother with a guesthouse?”

Tan You knew how to speak when necessary. “No, it wouldn't be right to disturb you like this. If everything goes smoothly, we’ll head back tomorrow afternoon, so it won't take up much of your time.”

With the money in hand, Han Cunming did not eat at the Li household. Having agreed to depart at seven tomorrow morning, he led Tan You to a guesthouse near the Li family's residential complex.

As soon as the Han grandfather and granddaughter left, the atmosphere in the Li house turned cold. Li Xiaomei, with a dark expression, tried to head to her bedroom, but Father Li barked at her, “Sit down!”

Li Xiaomei felt wronged. “Dad! You’re taking your anger out on me!”

Father Li stared at her. “They came to demand tuition, and they are coming for Guangzhi. Why are you so anxious? Paying forty thousand to sever her connection with Guangzhi isn't considered too much.”

Mother Li was also in a bad mood. “That girl looks quiet and well-behaved, but she has quite a mind of her own. She must have been the one to bring up the money. To have such deep thoughts at such a young age.”

Han Guangzhi didn't dare say anything. On one side were his biological father and sister, and on the other were his in-laws; offending either side was out of the question.

Father Li closed his eyes. “Once the money is paid, let it be. If they don't come knocking anymore, we can save ourselves some trouble. I hope they keep their word. Even if we take a step back, she isn't wrong—Guangzhi has a responsibility to have raised her.”

“After all, she is still a minor. To neglect a minor daughter is to be in the wrong no matter where you go.”

Mother Li was unhappy and wanted to make a scene, but she didn't know how to argue, so she could only sit to the side in a sulk.

Li Xiaomei bit her lip. Although the money was borrowed from her parents by Han Guangzhi, in the end, it was her money. Her parents' money and Han Guangzhi's money were all hers, weren't they?

Father Li said, “Even if you have grievances, keep them to yourself. I told you before, you chose this man yourself. You knew he had a daughter, so you should accept everything that comes with it.”

Since her biological father wasn't taking her side, Li Xiaomei felt aggrieved. But with Han Guangzhi sitting right there, she truly couldn't say anything.

Tan You had no idea about the series of conversations that took place in the Li house after they left. After exiting the residential complex, she and Han Cunming didn't rush back to the guesthouse; instead, they went to a nearby ATM to deposit the forty-six thousand they had just received.

Seeing Tan You's practiced movements, Han Cunming was surprised. “How do you know how to do this?”

Tan You thought to herself that since Han Tingting often withdrew money from ATMs later on, she would have learned.

“There’s a bank near the school; I’ve seen others do it before.” Giving a half-truth as an excuse, Tan You moved past the question.

“Do I really not need to go with you tomorrow?” Following quietly by Han Cunming's side, Tan You eventually asked.

“No, you don't need to get involved in this. I'll handle it.” Han Cunming waved her off. “Focus on your studies at the guesthouse. Once we get the money tomorrow, we’ll head back.”

“I can't stand staying in this godforsaken place for even one more day.”

Tan You said seriously, “I don't like it here either. The Li family... looks down on us.”

She wasn't blind to Mother Li's well-hidden disdain and contempt, nor did she fail to sense Li Xiaomei's superficial warmth masking an inner coldness. Perhaps Father Li had the most moderate attitude toward them, but even that was limited to the level of strangers.

Han Cunming fell silent for a moment. “Then work hard. Work hard so that they won't dare look down on you.”

Tan You nodded vigorously. “I know. I’ll make sure that Han Guangzhi, Li Xiaomei, and my biological mother won't dare look down on me.”

Since his granddaughter had ambition, Han Cunming naturally wouldn't discourage her. He did some mental math. “If we get the money tomorrow, you won't have to worry about your tuition in the future.”

“Just focus on your studies. I can save a little money from farming every year. If you get into university, I will find a way to support your education no matter what.”

Tan You was not an overly emotional person, but hearing Han Cunming's words, she couldn't help but feel a lump in her throat. She sniffled. “I will definitely work hard!”

Even if not for Han Tingting, she could not fail Han Cunming's expectations.

Early the next morning, Han Cunming and Han Guangzhi went to wait for Han Tingting's biological mother. Since Han Cunming told her to stay at the guesthouse, Tan You stayed there obediently, quietly doing her homework.

She had already finished her Chinese and English winter break assignments; all that remained were Math and Physics. She preferred to finish the easy tasks first and habitually left the difficult ones for last.

Before lunch, Han Cunming returned. Seeing his calm expression, Tan You looked at him with concern. Han Cunming packed their things. “It's done. Let's go.”

Tan You breathed a sigh of relief. “I bought two ears of corn; we can eat them on the way. The food here is so expensive.”

Han Cunming smiled. “Our Tingting is very good at managing money. We should be just as frugal. We shouldn't spend a single cent that shouldn't be spent.”

Tan You smiled too. “I know. I have to learn to save money.”

She had learned this from her biological mother, Cheng Wenhui. In the past, Cheng Wenhui had always told her to compare prices, to be meticulous, and to be thrifty. Tan You remembered all of it.

Only after experiencing the hardship of having no money do you realize how important money truly is.

Han Cunming looked around. “Your father went straight to work after getting the money. Let's go to the station to buy tickets now. The Li family didn't come over?”

Tan You: “No. I didn't want to see them anyway.”

“If they don't come, they don't come. We won't be coming here again in the future.” Han Cunming didn't care what the Li family thought. As long as he ensured Han Tingting's future was secured, why bother thinking about the rest?

Tan You's trip to Yuncheng had been as hurried in its arrival as it was in its departure; by three o'clock that afternoon, they had already arrived at their hometown. Neither of them spoke to anyone about what they had done during this trip.

Even with a "huge sum" sitting in the bank, the two remained very composed. Han Cunming knew that was Tan You's money for her education and understood its importance, so he naturally had no other thoughts.