Chapter 4

When we returned home on Friday, my mother was cooking in the kitchen.

Elena's new phone was on the dining table, looking pretty with a pink case and dazzling accessories on it.

When my father saw me, he pointed at the couch. "Sit down. We need to have a chat."

However, I did not listen to him.

My mother walked out of the kitchen, looking upset. "What ridiculous story did you tell the school? Your class teacher called to ask if I was starving you at home."

"All I did was tell the truth."

"What truth? Are you saying we didn't give you any weekly allowance?"

"How is three dollars an allowance?"

My father raised his voice, "There are ways to live with excess money, and there are ways to live with less money. We're training you how to deal with emergency situations."

"If that's what you're trying to do, why doesn't Elena need to deal with emergency situations?"

The question choked my father, and my mother slammed the plates on the table. "Your sister has not been in good health since she was young, and she has a sensitive soul. She would be sad if she thought she wasn't lucky enough to get money from the lottery tickets.

"You're tougher than she is. It isn't that bad for you to suffer a little more hardship than she does."

I laughed. "So, you know as well how hard it is to live without enough money. You just can't bear for her to be sad."

My mother's cheeks were twitching. "Stop playing word games with us. Your teacher gave me a lecture over the phone, and you should apologize to me for that."

"I'm not apologizing."

"Nina!" My father slammed his hand on the armrest.

My shoulders shuddered, but I did not lower my head as I did before. The two stacks of fake lottery tickets in the cupboard had destroyed my last hope for this family. "You told me that the rules were fair, and I believed you for two years.

"Every time I got a losing lottery ticket, I blamed myself for being unlucky. I didn't dare to buy stationery or go out with friends. When I was dizzy from hunger, I thought it was my fault for not planning my finances well."

I looked at my mother. "You could have just told me that you didn't want to give me any allowance. Why would you make me think that everything I suffered was my own fault?"

My mother looked away. "All you want is more money, right? She reached into her pocket and gave me 20 dollars. "Take it. I don't want you running to your teacher and playing the victim again."

However, I did not accept the money. "I don't want to be compensated only for this week. I want to have a stable allowance every week that is enough to feed me."

"You can't." My mother replied without hesitation. "This is how our family educates our children, and we won't change the way we discipline you just because you made a fuss. You won't go hungry when you're capable enough to work for your own money."

Her words gave me an idea. She was right that I was capable enough to make my own money.

The following week, I started to help my classmates check their homework, charging them three dollars for one subject and 12 dollars for five subjects. I had excellent handwriting, and my explanation was clear and concise. It was not long before students from other classes came for my help.

After I was done with my studies at night, I would help younger students with their essays. It cost five dollars per essay.

A week passed, and I had earned 40 dollars.

I stared at the money for a long time because it was the first time I no longer had to rely on the lottery tickets from my parents, and I could enjoy a complete meal in school. I went to the canteen and ordered a simple burger for three dollars.

When the hot burger was served, my palms started to sweat. It smelled so good, and I savored it slowly, not leaving a crumb behind.

Chelsea was sitting opposite me, and she asked with a smile. "Does it taste good?"

I nodded vigorously. "It's delicious."

The burger was not bought with money from the lottery tickets. I bought it with money I earned.

I did not ask my family for additional money in the following month. When they gave me three dollars, I took it. When they gave me six dollars, I did not argue with them. I divided my earnings into three portions.

One portion was for my meals, and another portion was for school materials. The last portion was saved in my new bank account, and only I knew the password to it. At the end of the month, I had made 350 dollars.

When I returned home on Friday, my father suddenly called out to me. "I heard that you're doing business in school."

My heart sank.

Elena sat next to me and explained in a small voice, "I didn't tell Mom and Dad on purpose, Nina. Mom kept asking me why you were always in the school canteen, and I told her that you were making money."

My mother reached out a hand. "Give me your bank card."

"I earned this money myself."

"You live under our roof and eat our food. You don't have any right to decide if your money belongs to you." She stared at me. "Since you're already making your own money, your lottery ticket privileges will be taken away from you next month."

It was a relief to hear that, but she continued, "You'll be paying a hundred dollars in rent to us."