Chapter 161: Tuition Fees

Bathroom. The smooth mirror reflected her current appearance. Surrounded by glossy tiles, clean light poured down from the ceiling.

Outside was the night, black.

The time was… 12:05 AM.

Ye Zhiyun massaged her temples, washed her face with cold water, and finally caught her breath. Going to the bathroom was a rare break.

‘So tired… I really want to sleep.’

‘But I can’t. The work isn’t done yet.’

She had agreed to overtime; if she didn’t finish, she’d be fined. What day was this? Ye Zhiyun couldn’t remember. After a dizzy spell, she took a candy from her pocket and popped it into her mouth.

The sweet taste alleviated the bitterness of life. If it weren’t for the hypoglycemia caused by irregular meals, she wouldn’t have such things in her pocket.

Taking the rare opportunity, she examined her condition. Dark circles, bloodshot eyes, dull complexion—clearly the result of staying up too late.

She sighed, as if that could relieve her exhaustion. She took out her cellphone from her pocket and saw a few glaring messages. Missed calls from Ye Xingmian’s foster parents.

She knew what they were calling about and felt a heavy pressure. Taking a deep breath, she called back.

Midnight—she didn’t think they would answer; they were probably asleep, right? But to her surprise, the call to Lin Cheng connected.

“Hello, Uncle Lin?”

She heard her own voice for the first time that day—tired and hoarse, but she wasn’t surprised.

The voice on the other end was a bit slurred. Was it because he had just woken up? Or some other reason?

“Mm… what’s up?”

“It’s Zhiyun.”

“Oh, Zhiyun! Zhiyun… you’re calling?”

‘Is he drunk?’

The voice sounded like a hangover. Ye Zhiyun hesitated for a moment, then spoke.

“Can I speak to Aunt Xu?”

“Ah, sure. I’ll wake her up right away. Hey! Get up, Zhiyun’s calling!”

The sound of arguing came from the other end. The atmosphere between them didn’t seem very good. When Xu Ming took the phone, her voice was clearly impatient.

“What is it! In the middle of the night, can’t even sleep in peace.”

Ye Zhiyun couldn’t help but be silent for a long time. In the past, although they asked her for money, their attitude was still okay. But this time, she could tell there was something off in the other’s tone.

Lin Cheng rarely drank; Xu Ming often mentioned that. So what had happened? She bit her lip and leaned against the wall for a while.

“About Mianmian’s tuition…”

“Tuition? Oh, that. I had to hang up the other day halfway through because something came up on my end. What, Zhiyun, are you going to pay his tuition?”

Her gaze dimmed. Ye Zhiyun touched her wallet. She had paid a heavy price to get that tuition money. She only hoped they wouldn’t ask for more, because she really couldn’t afford it anymore. It had nearly cost her half her life.

Just maintaining her current income, working overtime until dawn every day, was already taking half her life.

This was only a third-tier small city; the salary wasn’t high, but it was a job she could barely get without an education.

As she was thinking, Xu Ming on the other end laughed and said, “This, little sister, you don’t need to send it to me. I’ll pay Mianmian’s tuition for you. From now on, you don’t have to worry about it.”

At these words, Ye Zhiyun’s eyes flew wide open.

“Wha… what?! Cough… cough!”

Due to the shock, a sudden pain shot through her chest. She coughed painfully, supporting herself against the wall as she looked up, her face pale.

There were specks of blood on the hand that had covered her mouth—shocking. She washed the blood away with water as if she hadn’t seen it. Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm down and talk to the person on the phone.

“Zhiyun? What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

“It’s nothing, just a cold lately…”

“Oh, take care of yourself. The weather’s been getting colder, many people have colds… tsk, Zhiyun, has it cooled down over there too?”

Exhaling a warm breath, leaning against the wall, Ye Zhiyun finally steadied her breathing.

“Mm…”

It had indeed gotten colder, but it wasn’t a cold.

“Aunt Xu, tell me honestly, did Mianmian get into trouble at school? Are you not planning to pay his tuition?”

The Lin couple, who had always been eager to ask her for money, suddenly changed their tune, offering to pay instead… She could only think along these lines.

“Mm? How could that be? Zhiyun, do you see us as that kind of people in your eyes?”

The voice on the other end was clearly angry. But Ye Zhiyun didn’t care. This matter was crucial; she had to get to the bottom of it.

“Aunt Xu, when I first arrived in this country without any relatives, it was you who helped me settle down and took care of Mianmian. I’m very grateful.”

“But… after all these years, to be honest, I haven’t seen my child in a long time. I don’t even know what he looks like now, and you refuse to tell me. I…”

She was a bit incoherent, speaking almost randomly.

“I miss my child so much… so much. I wonder if it was right to leave him with you back then. Has he suffered all these years… But I’m helpless. All I can do is work hard, send you money, and hope you won’t mistreat him.”

“Over the years, no matter how much money you asked for, I gave it. Now he’s in his senior year of high school. Soon I’ll be able to see him. I really don’t want… any more accidents.”

At the sad part, hot tears rolled down her face. She didn’t know why the Lin parents suddenly stopped asking for money.

Was there some conspiracy? Or was it really what she thought? But she knew the only thing she could do…

There was a long silence on the phone. She sincerely hoped that her tearful plea could move the other side, even if only to awaken a little conscience.

“Zhiyun, we understand your difficulties. But you’ve been talking for so long—what are you trying to say? Are you suspicious of us?”

“No… no. I… please take my money, and use it to pay Mianmian’s tuition. Preferably let me see the receipt, okay? Just send me a screenshot.”

“Mm, okay.”

“That’s great…”

As if relieved, Ye Zhiyun inexplicably smiled. Even though she was giving away money, she didn’t know why she was smiling.

“Speaking of which, Xingmian has been getting pretty close to our Ziyan lately. Auntie is a bit worried.”

For some reason, Xu Ming suddenly brought this up.

“Worried about what?”

Ye Zhiyun was stunned.

“Worried they might do something reckless when your uncle and I aren’t paying attention.”

Hearing that, Ye Zhiyun was at a loss. She thought her Mianmian was an honest kid, but never expected… However, the other party didn’t seem to want to say more.

“Alright, let’s stop here. Zhiyun, you get some rest too. The tuition is still the same amount as before. Transfer it to me later.”

“Mm…”

The call ended. So many things had happened in that short moment. Ye Zhiyun sighed. But hearing something about Mianmian was good, after all.

Getting close to Ziyan? Was that Lin Ziyan? From what she remembered, she seemed to be a shy, timid girl, quite cute. Well, after all, they were at the age of budding romance.

For some reason, Ye Zhiyun smiled. But the fantasies she had were far from the truth. Just wishful, naive dreams. She didn’t know any of this, and she would never know.

After midnight, soon she could endure until the end of her shift and get some sleep. She looked at herself in the mirror—short hair, neat and sharp. To afford her child’s tuition, she had sold her long hair.

She didn’t look good with short hair. Not at all like before, when her long hair still showed some elegance and grace. Now… it seemed like only exhaustion and haggardness remained. Yet, she showed a relieved smile.

The break was over; time to go back to work. After transferring the tuition, the joy immediately dwindled to just a little…

The thin figure took firm steps.