Chapter 656 - 654: Handing Over Household Money

The moment Chen Ying had this idea, Mom Chen's voice rang in her ears,

"I warn you, if I find out you're not working properly at Lin Corporation, I won't forgive you."

Chen Ying was already sick of hearing such words.

She wrapped her arm around her mother's and said,

"I know, Mom. Aren't we supposed to buy New Year's goods? What do you and Dad want to buy?"

Hearing Chen Ying's words, Mom Chen reproached,

"It's really like we raised you for nothing. It's been half a year since you graduated from a prestigious school, and you haven't given a cent to the family. But it's only when we run into you on the road that we can squeeze some money out of you."

Hearing this, Chen Ying pressed her lips together and didn't want to say a word.

Except for when she needed her parents to pay for school fees when she was young, starting from middle school, she received tuition exemptions due to her good grades.

As for living expenses, she managed with scholarships and bonuses from exams.

So even though she had saved quite a bit after graduating for half a year, she still kept it a secret from her family.

Because she knew that if her family found out, they would definitely say they raised her in vain.

In their eyes, the center of the universe is Lin Corporation.

No matter if her current salary was much higher than at Lin Corporation, it didn't matter.

Seeing her daughter like this, Mom Chen was fuming inside.

"Fine, since you're so big-headed, I want to see how much money you have."

Mom Chen was sure that since Chen Ying had just graduated, she couldn't have much money.

Otherwise, she would've already handed it over to the family.

The word "household contribution" had been instilled in her daughter since she was young.

With the intention to buy New Year's goods in mind, along with Chen Ying's "big-headedness,"

Mom Chen went all out this time to buy New Year's goods.

She specifically picked those high-end items they usually couldn't bear to touch.

This scene made Mr. Chen frown, trying several times to ask,

but each time, Mom Chen cleverly diverted the topic, leaving him no choice but to give up,

secretly planning that if their daughter was short on cash, he would quietly help out.

However, when the bill showed nearly ten thousand yuan, Chen Ying remained exceptionally calm, swiping her card without hesitation,

leaving both Mr. and Mom Chen utterly astonished.

Mom Chen's gaze fixated on the bank card in Chen Ying's hand, filled with confusion and doubt:

"Ying Ying, where... where did you get this money from?"

Chen Ying put away the card and said, "Mom, buy whatever you like. Don't worry about the money; I'll cover it all."

But Mom Chen obviously wasn't ready to let it go; she asked again, "Ying Ying, I must know where this money came from?"

At this time, Mr. Chen interjected, trying to ease the tension:

"Oh come on, dear, the child said to buy without worry, so let's not ask so much. By the way, Ying Ying, I've always wanted a new tea table, you know..."

"Of course, buy it!" Chen Ying readily agreed without a hint of hesitation.

Mom Chen originally wanted to continue questioning, but Mr. Chen pulled her forward,

and though unwilling, she had to keep up.

The shopping trip that followed seemed to turn into a silent contest,

as Mom Chen picked increasingly expensive items, finally landing on a beautifully crafted tea table worth over a hundred thousand yuan.

This time, Ying Ying shouldn't have the money to pay, right?

Mom Chen thought to herself.

However, without a moment's hesitation, Chen Ying paid the bill.

"Chen Ying, you must tell me the truth: where exactly did all this money come from?" Mom Chen's voice was tinged with an undeniable sternness.

Chen Ying responded frankly, her tone calm: "Mom, I earned all of this through my own hard work."

Mom Chen was obviously skeptical: "You're just a recent graduate, where did you get so much money?"

"Mom, didn't you say Lin Corporation is the ultimate goal for us ordinary people to strive for? It's because it has good benefits, and now that I've managed to get in, I've also earned money. How come you don't believe me now?"

Mom Chen used her index finger to tap Chen Ying's forehead forcefully:

"You cheeky girl, with so much money, why didn't you say so sooner? Where's the rest of the salary? Hand it all over."

Chen Ying shrugged and shook her hand, saying, "There's nothing left."

"What? It's all spent?" Mom Chen was more shocked than anything.

"Before the holiday, the company awarded me a 200,000 yuan project bonus, and I just spent it all."

Chen Ying pointed to the tea table they had just ordered from a distance.

Upon hearing this, Mom Chen felt dizzy,

quickly holding onto a nearby shelf, firmly saying,

"Return it, we have to return that tea table!"

Mr. Chen, standing beside her, quickly chimed in, and the two hurried to the counter to process the refund.

Fortunately, since the payment had just been made, the store owner, although regretful, quickly processed the refund for them.

Once the refund was completed, Mr. Chen cautiously selected a tea table with a better value for money, priced around ten thousand yuan—suited for family needs without being overly extravagant.

Turning to face Chen Ying, Mom Chen's tone carried more conviction:

"Ying Ying, consider this fifteen thousand as the household contribution for the New Year. From now on, you must also contribute a certain amount to the family each month, at least ten thousand."

Chen Ying replied, "I can only give a thousand at most."

Mom Chen frowned, saying:

"A project bonus of 200,000, your regular salary shouldn't be low; don't try to fool us."

"That was a project bonus, not regular salary. It's only given at the end of the year. My salary is just ten thousand, and I have to set aside money for rent and food, so I can only give a maximum of a thousand. If you don't agree, then I won't give any."

Mrs. Chen looked at her daughter, on whom they had spent so much effort raising, but in the end, it seemed like they had raised her for nothing.

Her heart was a mix of complex emotions.

She said, "Ying Ying, since you have this capability now, you should contribute at least 200,000 annually as a family member."

Hearing this, Chen Ying felt a certain clarity within and said,

"Mom, I understand your point, but getting this project bonus this year was a stroke of luck combined with effort. No one knows what will happen next year. I can only promise that if my income allows, I will do my best to support the family. But if it doesn't, I hope you understand my situation."

Seeing this, Mrs. Chen's tone softened a little as she tried to reason with her:

"Ying Ying, you must understand, we're not after your money, we just want to make more plans for your future as your parents. This money will ultimately still be yours; we just want to help keep it safe for you until you need it."

"Mom, I know."

After saying this, Chen Ying didn't say anything further.

Looking at her daughter, who seemed impervious to both soft and hard tactics, Mom Chen, though unwilling,

also understood not to push her too hard.

Otherwise, if she didn't come home in the future, that would truly be a loss.