"After all, with only a two-hundred-dollar budget and so many demands, I really can't deliver. The capable should do the heavy lifting—I'll just have to be the useless one."
"Oh, and since I'm so incompetent, remember to pay back all that money I've given you over the years. You wouldn't want to watch me starve on the streets, would you?"
The moment the words left my mouth, I transferred the two hundred dollars to Mom.
She was so furious she could barely speak. "You—!"
Stan steadied her with a hand on her arm. "Mom, just leave it to me. I'll take care of everything perfectly."
"Don't waste your energy on this ungrateful brat. She wants to nickel-and-dime you and refuse to lift a finger? From now on, leave these things to me."
"So what if she spent a little money? Big deal. I won't ask you for a single extra cent!"
I couldn't help but laugh coldly. We'll see if you keep that promise.
What I didn't expect was that Stan actually came back with a haul.
The relatives gathered around, eyes widening at the trunk packed full of New Year goods. "Stan really is the pillar of this family! Look at that problem-solving ability—absolutely unmatched."
"Everyone kept saying Tania was doing so well for herself, but if you ask me, she can't hold a candle to Stan. Capable and filial—you couldn't find a better son if you searched with a lantern."
"Sons are the ones you can count on. Daughters, no matter how successful, are just going to marry out eventually. Their hearts aren't with us."
They peered into the trunk, oohing and aahing. Every item was a premium brand. There was even a case of Moutai.
Mom basked in the praise, her smile never faltering.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she turned and shot me a sidelong glance. "Too bad I also gave birth to an ungrateful wretch. Should've never had her. All she does is make everyone miserable."
I didn't bother responding. I was too busy wondering how Stan had managed to buy all this with two hundred dollars.
Given that he'd tried to scam money off me just to buy his wife's wedding jewelry, I didn't believe for a second he'd willingly dip into his own pocket for this.
I crouched down and started examining the pile of goods on the ground. It didn't take long to spot the problems.
No production dates on the packaging. Seals that had clearly been broken and resealed. Knockoffs from God knows where.
More likely, only the packaging was real—and whatever was inside came from somewhere I didn't want to think about.
Just as I was inspecting the goods, Mom yanked me aside.
"Ungrateful thing! Don't you dare touch what your brother bought!"
I rolled my eyes. "I wouldn't dream of it. I just hope you all have the fortune to enjoy it."
Mom's teeth clenched so hard I could hear them grind. "You little—what's that supposed to mean?!"
I shrugged. "Nothing. Just wishing you all the best."
She glared at me, speechless with rage, until Stan cut in. "Mom, why bother with her?"
He pulled the case of Moutai from the trunk and announced to the relatives, "One bottle for everyone here—except Tania."
I let out a cold laugh. "Please. Don't waste it on me. I couldn't handle such blessings."
The moment he finished speaking, the relatives descended on the goods like locusts. Within minutes, only a few empty cardboard boxes remained.
They walked away beaming, unable to contain their delight.
It wasn't long before Mom rounded on me again, eyes blazing. "You ungrateful wretch! Look at your brother—he's the one willing to sacrifice for this family. What good are you?!"
I shrugged, utterly indifferent. "Since you think he's so much more reliable, go to him for everything from now on. And don't come to me—especially when it involves money."
