“You’re a graduate from a top university. Why would anyone need to worry about you?”

Each thing alone sounded reasonable.

To toughen me up, to help relatives, to make me independent, to be fair…

All these reasons, put together, shaped my life for more than twenty years.

I put down my phone and began to pack.

This rented room, less than ten square meters, was the only place I had after graduation.

A bed, a simple closet, a secondhand desk—that was everything I owned.

While packing the desk drawer, I found a small metal box.

I opened it. Inside were scattered keepsakes.

A primary school “Three Good Student” certificate, a middle school math contest award, a copy of my university admission letter, and several wrinkled family photos.

The newest photo was taken during the New Year holiday two years ago.

I stood at the edge, my face stiff.

My cousin stood between my parents, smiling brightly.

My dad’s hand rested on my cousin’s shoulder. My mom had her arm around him.

Anyone who didn’t know us would think they were father and son.

I stared at the photo for a long time, then tore it in half, then into pieces, and threw it away.

The next day, I went to work as usual.

At lunch, I got a call from an unknown number.

“Ryan, it’s me—your Uncle William.”

I paused. “What’s wrong?”

“What did you mean by what you said yesterday? Pretending we never raised you?”

“Do you know how angry your mother is? Her blood pressure shot up!”

I replied calmly, “Then you should’ve taken her to the hospital, not called me.”

“You—” my uncle choked. “How did you become like this? Didn’t your parents raise you with great effort?”

“Is it really worth causing all this trouble just because we didn’t lend you money?”

“It’s not only about the money. But it doesn’t matter anymore.”

“Is there anything else? I need to rest.”

“Wait!” he said quickly. “I need to explain something. Your cousin’s car—your father offered that money. We never asked for it!”

“And we’ll pay it back for sure. We’re just short right now…”

“Uncle William,” I cut in, “whether you repay it or not is between you and my dad. It has nothing to do with me.”

“I’m going to take a nap. I’m hanging up.”

“Ryan! Ryan!”

I hung up and blocked the number.

That afternoon, during a short break, I secretly searched for shop rentals and contacted a few agents.

After work, I viewed two places, but neither worked.

Either the rent was too high, or the location was poor.

That night, back in my room, I cooked a bowl of instant noodles.

While eating, someone knocked on the door.

I opened it to see my parents and several relatives.

My Uncle William, Aunt Margaret, and Aunt Catherine.

They crowded into the small room, their faces serious.

“Ryan, you’ve really grown up,” my mother said first, her voice sharp.

“Saying such outrageous things, threatening to cut ties with us—who taught you that?”

“Exactly. Completely outrageous,” Aunt Margaret said, arms crossed, glancing around with a sneer.

“Your parents came all this way, and you’re just going to let your elders stand?”

There was only one chair.

I didn’t sit. I didn’t speak.

My dad’s face darkened as he stared at me. “Your mother was furious all night. Her chest still hurts.”

“Do you have any conscience?” Aunt Catherine sighed, shaking her head. “Ryan, it’s not that I want to criticize you…”

“The debt of raising you is heavier than the sky. How can a little money tear your family apart?”

“It’s truly heartbreaking.”

“A little money?” I looked at her. “Thirty thousand dollars is my only hope to start a business.”

“My dad won five million, yet he wouldn’t lend me a cent.”

“But the very next day, because Uncle William said one sentence, he gave out two hundred thousand dollars to buy Kevin Chase a car, without hesitation.”

“So tell me, who should feel heartbroken?”

“Don’t bring that up!” Uncle William exploded at once. “That’s a different matter! Your dad was willing to help my son. That’s kindness!”

“What kind of attitude is this? How dare you hold resentment toward your elders?”

“Exactly.” Aunt Margaret joined in, her tone sharp. “And it’s not like we won’t repay it!”

“Your dad didn’t say a word, yet you, a junior, are already counting every penny?”

“What’s the use of all your schooling? Don’t you understand Respect for parents?”

“Respect for parents?” I repeated.

“Yes! Respect for parents!” Aunt Margaret grew louder. “You didn’t come home for your dad’s birthday, didn’t even call, and you said such hurtful things!”

“How did the Chase family raise such an unfilial child? Your parents raised you for nothing!”

“Look at your cousin. Every time he visits, he brings gifts and knows how to speak sweetly.”

“Unlike you. You vanish for half a year, and when you show up, it’s always to ask for money!” Aunt Catherine added. “Ryan, your parents are strict because they want what’s best for you. They want you to succeed.”

“You were so obedient as a child. How did you turn out like this? Did you mix with bad people outside?”

“Your thinking has gone wrong.” Uncle William sneered. “You can’t even earn money yourself, yet you’re jealous of your cousin and still want to open a shop?”

“Do you even have the brains? When you lose everything, don’t come crying to your parents!”

“That’s right!” My mother pointed at me, scolding. “Giving you money is like throwing it into a ditch! Why should we let you waste what we saved by being frugal?”

“At least your cousin has a steady job at a state-owned company! What do you have?”

“Your dreams are big, but your fate is as thin as paper! You’re not meant to get rich. Can’t you just work honestly instead of fooling around?”

“You’re not fit for business, yet you insist on showing off,” Aunt Margaret mocked. “You’re quite bold when talking back to your mother.”

“Instead of arguing here, you should think about how to earn more money.” My dad, who had stayed silent with a dark face, finally pulled out a square bundle wrapped in newspaper and slammed it onto the broken desk.

“Here! Thirty thousand!” His voice was rough, filled with impatience and disgust.

“Consider it wasted! This is the last time!”

“Take it and do whatever you want. Just don’t come bothering us again!”

“We’ll pretend we never had a son like you!” The room went quiet.

Everyone stared at the bundle, then at me.

Their eyes were full of disdain, contempt, and a waiting thrill.

I didn’t move.

My mom’s chest rose and fell as she glared at me. “What are you waiting for? Take it! You made such a scene over this thirty thousand!”

“Here it is! Don’t use ‘no money’ as an excuse again!” “Oh, right, don’t forget to write an IOU!” Aunt Margaret sneered.

“Take the money and apologize to your parents,” Aunt Catherine urged. “We’re family. This is too ugly.”

“Hurry up, Ryan. Say sorry to your da,d and this will be over.”

Under everyone’s eyes, I reached out and took the paper bundle.

It felt both light and heavy.

I didn’t look at anyone. I walked straight to the window and shoved it open.

“What are you doing?!” my mother screamed.

Without any pause, I swung my arm.

I threw the 30,000 dollars straight out.