Going home for the Chinese New Year with a year-end bonus of 100 million

The hot pot restaurant was steaming, with the red oil broth bubbling and simmering, filling the air with a wonderful aroma.

Yang Ya ate until her nose was sweating and her face was flushed.

She hadn't enjoyed hot pot this much in a long time; usually, when she was alone, she would just cook instant noodles at most.

"Brother, this tripe is so delicious!" She picked up a piece of tripe that had been blanched briefly, dipped it in sesame oil and minced garlic, and stuffed it into her mouth with satisfaction.

Yang Fan smiled at her and said, "Eat more if you like it, and order more if you're not full."

"That's enough!" Yang Ya quickly waved her hand. "We can't finish all of this, don't waste it."

As they ate and chatted, Yang Ya gradually became more talkative.

She talked about school, how difficult the design assignments were, and the funny things her roommates did.

Yang Fan listened attentively, occasionally interjecting a few words, creating a warm atmosphere reminiscent of his childhood.

When Yang Ya saw the bill for over three hundred yuan, she still felt a pang of heartache, but didn't say anything more.

It was only a little past eight o'clock when we got back to the hotel.

"Brother, can I watch movies on demand on the TV in my room?" Yang Ya asked hesitantly, standing at her bedroom door.

"It should work, give it a try." Yang Fan swiped his SIM card to open his door. "Why don't you come sit here for a while? Let's have a chat, brother and sister."

"Okay!" Yang Ya immediately followed her in.

Yang Fan's room was laid out the same as hers, except that it contained some of his personal belongings.

Yang Ya sat down on the sofa and looked around curiously.

"Brother, this hotel is really nice." She touched the soft sofa fabric. "How much does it cost for one night?"

"Don't keep asking about the price." Yang Fan poured her a glass of water. "Just relax and enjoy your stay for a few days."

Yang Ya took the water glass and whispered, "I just feel...like I'm dreaming."

"Yesterday I was shivering in that drafty rented room, and today I'm staying in such a nice hotel, wearing new clothes, and using a new computer..."

"Things will be alright from now on." Yang Fan sat down opposite her. "I promise."

Just then, Yang Fan's phone rang.

He took it out and saw the words "Cousin Yang Lei" displayed on the screen.

Yang Fan frowned involuntarily, but still answered the phone.

"Hey, Brother Lei."

"Hey, Xiao Fan!" Yang Lei's cheerful voice came from the other end of the phone. "Where are you? Busy?"

"I'm at the hotel, just finished eating. What's wrong, Brother Lei?" Yang Fan's tone was calm.

"Nothing serious, just wondering—are you going home for Chinese New Year this year?"

"Yes, I'll definitely go back."

"Okay! When are you coming back?" Yang Lei asked.

"Around the 25th of the twelfth lunar month."

"Twenty-five...that's perfect!" Yang Lei's voice rose slightly.

"Brother, you're going back around the same time this year too, driving back. I happen to be one person short in my car, how about we go together? It'll be good company on the road."

Yang Fan was stunned for a moment, and before he could say that he was planning to buy a car, Yang Lei chimed in:

"Don't worry, I won't overcharge you, just 300 yuan for gas and tolls."

"As you know, gas prices are high now, and highway tolls aren't cheap either..."

Yang Fan understood now.

This wasn't a kind offer to give him a ride home; it was just that I needed someone for a carpool and wanted to make some extra money on the side.

He didn't think it was a big deal; it was reasonable for people to pay for gas and tolls when they drove back.

But going back to my hometown from here by ride-hailing service only costs around 200 yuan.

My cousin charged 300, which was a bit expensive.

But Yang Fan didn't think too deeply about it, and was about to speak when Yang Lei's voice came again:

"Xiao Fan, this car of mine is a genuine Cadillac, you'd call it a luxury car, right?"

"It's comfortable to sit here!"

"It's not that I'm being heartless and want to charge you, it's just...sigh, I bought this new car this year, so I'm under a lot of pressure!"

"Your uncle drove the old Volkswagen before, and the monthly payments for this new car are quite high."

"Normally, I definitely wouldn't argue with you over such a small amount of money, don't you think?"

Yang Fan remained silent for a few seconds, neither refuting nor speaking, but calmly said:

"Brother Lei, if there's only one seat in your car, I'm afraid it won't work."

"I went back with Xiaoya; she hasn't left yet."

"Xiaoya is going back too?" Yang Lei's tone had clearly changed:

"Two people... there really isn't enough room."

"I have some New Year's goods in the back of my car, and it would be too cramped to fit two more people."

He paused for a moment, then quickly said, "Okay, I'll ask someone else. Xiao Fan, you go ahead and do your thing. Bye."

The phone hangs up.

Yang Fan put down his phone, looked up, and saw Yang Ya staring at him with a bad expression.

Clearly, Xiaoya had overheard their conversation.

But knowing Yang Fan as well as his sister, even if she overheard this conversation, she shouldn't be this angry!

"What's wrong?" Yang Fan asked.

Yang Ya pursed her lips, her voice a little muffled: "Brother, we still need to work hard and make money."

"Why are you suddenly bringing this up?" Yang Fan was puzzled.

"Otherwise, if you don't have money, people will really look down on you." Yang Ya lowered her head, twisting the hem of her clothes with her fingers.

Yang Fan was stunned... This was clearly referring to his cousin's family!

Although he knew that his family and his uncle's family were not particularly close, they were not that bad either.

His uncle's family is better off, and his cousin Yang Lei runs a small business in the city and has some money. They don't usually visit relatives much, which he thinks is normal.

Today, his cousin said he would take him home for a fee. Although he was a little surprised, he didn't think much of it.

But judging from my sister's reaction, it doesn't seem that simple.

"Xiaoya, do you... have some kind of problem with Brother Lei?" Yang Fan asked tentatively.

Yang Ya looked up, her eyes a little red: "Brother, you're away from home for years, there are some things you don't know."

She took a deep breath, as if she had made up her mind:

"When I went back home this summer, my cousin invited a group of friends to dinner at home. They slaughtered a sheep and made a whole sheep feast."

"He called Jianguo from next door, Uncle Wang from the village entrance, and quite a few other people." Yang Ya's voice trailed off.

"But he didn't call us Dad or Mom."

Yang Fan's face darkened.

"What did you say?"

"He didn't call them that." Yang Ya bit her lip. "Our parents are his uncle and aunt! Even our neighbor Jianguo, who isn't that close to our family, calls them that, but he doesn't call our parents that."

"Isn't it just because Brother Jianguo's family owns a breeding farm and they're rich?"

"Besides," Yang Ya continued, "even if my cousin is being unreasonable, shouldn't my uncle and aunt have said something?"

"They didn't call out either."

"It's just a meal, and our parents don't necessarily need to eat that piece of mutton, but this way of doing it... is too hurtful."

Her voice was tinged with grievance: "Brother, our family may not be as well-off as theirs, but have Mom and Dad ever treated my cousin badly since we were little?"

"Every year when he comes back, we bring out whatever good food we have to treat him."

"When I was a child, no matter how hard things were for my parents, they never skimped on his New Year's money."

"Isn't what he's doing just showing him contempt for us?"