Volume One, Chapter 13: The Short Play Costs One Hundred and Fifty Thousand, Sending the Old Lady Away

"Ding!"

"Union Bank notification: Your account has been credited with 150,000 yuan. Your current balance is 150,000 yuan."

Holy crap!

Qin Fan’s hand trembled slightly. He opened the banking app and checked the deposit—it was truly 150,000 yuan. He then looked at the transaction memo, which clearly indicated it was the payment for his short drama. The payment had arrived; he had earned 150,000 yuan in just a month.

He opened the short drama app on his phone, and his own production was sitting right there in third place. That was fast—it had only been in the teens the last time he checked, and now it had climbed all the way to third. With 150,000 yuan in his pocket, he could finally consider himself financially independent.

Just as Qin Fan was wondering how to spend the money, his parents called out to him in excitement.

"Xiao Fan, learning to drive is truly comfortable! The feel of this car is just amazing."

Qin Yong had always wanted to learn to drive, but his mother had given all their money to his elder brother. He had lived frugally just to support Xiao Fan’s tuition and living expenses.

"Dad, you've got talent! To be doing this well as a beginner, you’re a natural!"

"Heh! You bet. I always dreamed of being a race car driver back in the day. If it weren't for the family situation, I would have learned long ago," Qin Yong said with satisfaction.

...

The morning passed by.

Qin Fan decided that money was meant to be spent. He took Qin Yong and Li Ping to the mall, where they bought several large bags of snacks and a variety of home appliances and furniture. They hired a driver to take them back home.

"Xiao Fan, buying all this is so extravagant! This money..."

"Yes, Xiao Fan, you are at an age where you really need money for your future..."

Qin Yong was worried, as was Li Ping. They felt that buying so much furniture was a waste of hard-earned cash and worried about how he would manage later.

Qin Fan could see his father’s concerns.

"Oh, Mom and Dad, look at it this way: the more you know about the modern world, the better you can keep up with the times. If my friends or anyone else needs something, you’ll be able to handle it. Besides, my friend actually provided the money for these. He told me to buy some nice things to show my filial piety. With this washing machine, Mom, your hands won't get frostbitten in the winter anymore. And the TV—when you and Mom are bored, you can watch dramas or the news. And that foot massager? You two walk so much, you need to improve your circulation. It’s perfect."

Qin Fan looked at his parents, who had never enjoyed life much, having spent every cent on him.

"But..."

"Don't worry about it. Money is meant to be spent. Plus, I have a job now, and you both work too, so why worry about not having money?"

Qin Fan’s words finally put them at ease.

"By the way, Dad, today is the tenth. Isn't this the day Uncle's family is supposed to come pick up Grandmother?"

Qin Fan’s least favorite person to see was his grandmother. It was one thing that she wasn't good to him, but she was even cold to his father, her own son.

"Yes, but I don't know if she’ll be willing to go," Qin Yong said with a worried frown.

"Don't worry, Dad, I’ve already packed her things," Qin Fan said, glancing at Li Ping.

"You packed them?"

"Yes. I’ve already called Grandmother and Qin Yuan. They’ll be here tonight to pick her up."

Qin Yong was stunned for a moment, then his brow relaxed.

...

"Yo! Brother Yong, have you... replaced your furniture?"

Many villagers gathered around, especially the elderly, who always came over the moment they heard a stir.

"Ahem, yes... my son came back, and since we’re both retired, he bought us a TV and a washing machine so his mother wouldn't have to wash clothes by hand anymore," Qin Yong said, proudly showing off his son to the villagers.

"Oh my, Xiao Fan is truly a filial son! I heard he bought you a phone not long ago, and now all this stuff?"

"That's right! These things are expensive. I heard that LCD TV costs at least a thousand. With a screen that big, it must be at least five thousand!" guessed someone who also owned a TV.

"Oh, it's not that much. My son said this size was just right."

Everyone around was envious.

"Hey, Brother Yong, I recall Xiao Fan doesn't have a girlfriend yet, right?"

"Ahem... well, let me get these things inside. Let's talk another day."

"Oh, come on, Brother Yong, let's chat a bit more!"

...

Qin Yong moved the items inside with a broad smile on his face. "Wife, this feels great!"

"I have to admit, showing off like this feels good."

"Look at you, getting all cocky. Our son is finally successful."

As all the furniture was moved inside, the grandmother watched with wide eyes. "Qin Yong, what did you buy?"

"A TV, a washing machine, and a foot massager!"

"What! These aren't cheap. I went to Old Wang's house the other day, and even that little TV cost a thousand. How much did you spend?" she asked.

Qin Yong held up five fingers.

"You... why are you being so wasteful? That's a huge sum of money!" the grandmother gasped.

"Mom, we didn't buy these. Xiao Fan did."

"Qin Fan!" The grandmother hadn't expected him to have so much money. "He bought all of this?"

"That's right, all of it."

Qin Yong, who had been bullied and scolded by his mother for years because he lacked money, finally felt vindicated. Now that his son was successful, he had nothing to fear and made sure to show it off in front of her.

As Qin Fan walked in, the grandmother stopped him. "Xiao Fan, your father doesn't know how to use these TVs and furniture. And the washing machine—it's useless here; Li Ping is used to hand-washing anyway. And that foot massager, I have trouble with my hands and feet, so it would be very convenient for me."

"Is that so? Then who should these things go to?" Qin Fan asked, his expression unchanged. He knew her act all too well.

"Well, your uncle’s family happens to need these, and they are educated people—they’ll definitely know how to use them the moment they get them."

"Oh! Is that so? What a pity, but I don't go out much, so does that mean I don't know how to use them?" Qin Fan smiled, and the grandmother was left speechless and frustrated.

"Grandmother, you’ve lived at our house for two months. Today is the day you go to Uncle's house."

"This... your uncle's family is busy. What's wrong with me staying a few more days? Are you in such a hurry to kick me out?" she said angrily. She hadn't even had a chance to enjoy the new things before they were trying to get rid of her.

"They aren't busy. I checked, and they'll be here tonight." Qin Fan had anticipated this.

"I haven't even packed my bags!"

"Oh, I already packed them for you. Grandmother, you're getting on in years, so as the younger generation, I naturally had to take care of that for you."

Qin Fan had expected this all along. He hadn't dared to do it before because he was just a student without any power, but now that he was supported by Wan'er, what was there to fear?