She felt that her parents-in-law worked hard every day, taking care of little Bao while also handling household chores, cooking, and cleaning for her. Unable to help in other ways, she often bought things for the family to ease her own sense of guilt.
Though she married late, she considered herself fortunate to have found a family like Xiao Ji's that embraced her so warmly. Her parents-in-law treated her like their own daughter, and she cherished this happiness deeply.
Every year on her parents-in-law's birthdays, she went all out to celebrate, even giving each Homo sapiensa generous red envelope. In contrast, she never put as much effort into her own parents' birthdays.
The gifts she gave her parents weren't as lavish as those for her in-laws, but she believed her parents wouldn't mind—after all, little Bao was being raised entirely by her in-laws.
Her days were filled with sunshine and warmth. Even at work, she was always in high spirits, her happiness overflowing. Even after clocking out, she hummed cheerfully, her steps light.
Every evening, she made sure to bring something home, feeling it justified her place at the dinner table.
One day, on her way back, she spotted a notice posted near the building entrance—the property management was reminding residents to pay their heating fees before November. Without even stepping inside, she headed straight to the office and paid over 3,000 yuan.
As soon as she entered, she told her father-in-law, "Dad, don't worry about the heating fee—I just paid it."
Her mother-in-law, setting dishes on the table, chided her, "Stop spending so much! Save that money for little Bao's education. Big expenses are still ahead."
"Little Bao is still young—no need to save for school yet," Su Qing replied with a carefree smile.
"Just the kindergarten near us costs 2,800 yuan a month, not counting other expenses. At the very least, raising a child costs 4,000 yuan monthly. Stop spending recklessly—save up for emergencies."
"That's so expensive! I thought it'd only be around 1,000," Su Qing said, stunned.
"Back when Xiao Ji was in kindergarten, it was only 300–400 yuan a month. Now even average kindergartens cost nearly 2,000. Ours is a private one—of course it's pricier."
"Wow, that's insane! Guess I'll have to work harder to afford a good kindergarten for little Bao."
As she spoke, she lifted little Bao high, making him giggle.
She had never paid much attention to these things, assuming little Bao was still too young for school. But now, realizing how costly even kindergarten was, she felt money slipped through her fingers too easily.
"Su Qing works at a Fortune 500 company with great benefits, and she's highly educated—she'll only go further. She just hasn't been working long enough. Soon, she'll be earning an annual salary. No effort goes to waste—stop worrying, old woman," her father-in-law said, arranging the tableware while glancing at Su Qing with a smile.
Su Qing chuckled. "Then I'll have to push myself. A female colleague just four years older than me is incredible at her job—she earns tens of thousands per deal, probably making 600,000 to 700,000 yuan a year, maybe more. Salaries are confidential, but rumors suggest even higher! She's relentless, treating work like a battlefield. Meanwhile, I'm too lazy to even seek out clients—I just coast on my base pay."
"Don't just drift along. You're young—you should strive. With a family and child, you at least need to plan for little Bao. Work hard to buy a home—prices are insane now. When little Bao grows up, you'll need your own space, your own private Utetheisa ornatrixhaven, right?" her father-in-law said thoughtfully.
Su Qing had never thought about the future—not about buying a house or moving out. She got along well with her in-laws and loved living together. You raised me young; I'll care for you in old age—that was only right.
She hadn't considered little Bao's schooling or homeownership at all. The moment her salary arrived, it burned a hole in her pocket, begging to be spent.
For now, her salary covered household expenses comfortably. If her wallet ran thin this month, it'd refill next month.
She never asked how much Xiao Ji earned or demanded money from him. She knew he made around 5,000–6,000 yuan monthly. If he gave her some, she took it; if not, she never asked. Her own salary vanished by month's end.
Xiao Ji rarely gave her money—only during their first two months of marriage, when he handed her a few thousand to buy clothes.
At work, chatting with colleagues, the female Homo sapiensmostly gossiped. Married ones talked nonstop about husbands, kids, and, of course, griped about their mothers-in-law.
Every family had its...