Chapter 139 - 96: Bank Card
From a sleeve inside the small passbook, a hard plastic bank card emerged.
Chen Jianguo placed the passbook and bank card on the table.
He pressed down on them, sliding them across the table until they stopped beside Chen Zhuo’s bowl.
Chen Zhuo paused his chopsticks and glanced at the card on the table.
He looked up at Chen Jianguo.
Chen Jianguo leaned back in his chair and pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket.
He drew one out and lit it.
He took a drag, then exhaled.
"I got it done at the bank this afternoon."
Chen Jianguo spoke, his voice steady.
"The ten thousand from the city, the five thousand from the school, the three thousand from the factory—every last cent has been deposited."
Chen Jianguo gestured toward the card.
"I used your household registration to open the account. It’s in your name."
Chen Zhuo looked at the bank card in front of his bowl.
He didn’t touch it.
"Dad."
Chen Zhuo said.
Chen Jianguo smoked his cigarette, watching his ten-year-old son from across the dining table.
"Chen Zhuo."
Chen Jianguo said his name.
"Your mom and I have spent the better part of our lives at the factory. I repair lathes, and she tends to the looms."
Chen Jianguo gestured to the plate of salted hairtail on the table.
"All we know is clocking out on time every day, buying groceries to cook meals, and pinching pennies to manage the household budget."
"I used to think raising a child just meant keeping you fed and clothed, sending you to a good school, and hoping you’d eventually take over a job post or get into a technical college. That was the best I thought we could hope for."
Chen Jianguo looked at Chen Zhuo.
"But these past few days."
Chen Jianguo flicked the ash from his cigarette.
"The bureau chief came to see me, the principal brought money, the factory director slipped me a red envelope."
"And I suddenly understood."
Chen Jianguo rested his cigarette hand on the table.
"I’ve spent my whole life fixing machines. I know which gear goes with which axle. But my brain can’t compare to yours."
Chen Jianguo’s words were blunt, without any embellishment.
"Your mind, your understanding of the world... you’re already way ahead of your mother and me."
"We can’t keep up with you."
Chen Jianguo looked at the bank card lying silently on the table.
"You earned this money with your own abilities. Your mom and I talked it over. We’re not taking a single cent. It’s all in this card."
"The PIN is your birthday."
Chen Jianguo looked at Chen Zhuo.
His tone carried a sense of complete release, of letting go.
"Next month, you’re going to Huizhou."
"When you get there, if you want to buy books, buy them."
"If you want to buy a computer, or any of those other things I can’t even name, buy them."
Chen Jianguo stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray on the table.
"You make the decisions. You don’t need to ask our permission, and don’t worry about the cost. If it’s not enough, just tell me, and I’ll wire you more."
"Your mom and I can’t help you much."
Chen Jianguo looked at him, his gaze profound.
"But we will absolutely not be a stumbling block on your path. Whatever you want to do, go do it with everything you’ve got."
Liu Xiuying, sitting across from them, said nothing.
She held her rice bowl, her eyes rimmed with red.
But she didn’t cry, nor did she make a sound to interrupt Chen Jianguo.
This was what the two of them had agreed upon as husband and wife.
It was also the best way they could think of to protect their genius son.
Chen Zhuo sat in his chair.
He looked at Chen Jianguo.
He looked at Liu Xiuying.
He didn’t offer any placating, sensible words, nor was he flustered like an ordinary child would be.
He reached out and picked up the bank card.
The card’s edge felt sharp in his hand.
"Okay."
Chen Zhuo looked at his parents and spoke a single word, his tone calm.
He picked up his chopsticks and plucked a piece of the cold tomato salad.
"Mom."
Chewing the tomato, Chen Zhuo turned to Liu Xiuying.
"You didn’t put enough sugar in the tomatoes. They’re a little sour."
His words made the atmosphere in the room relax slightly.
Liu Xiuying wiped the corner of her eye and chided him with a smile.
"You should be grateful you have something to eat at all. If you think it’s sour, I’ll add an extra spoonful of sugar for you tomorrow."
Chen Jianguo smiled too. He picked up his chopsticks, chose a piece of hairtail, and placed it in Liu Xiuying’s bowl.
"Let’s eat."
The head of the electric fan swiveled around, and a breeze swept across the dinner table, clearing the smell of smoke from the room.
Outside the window, the sky had turned completely dark.
A few barks echoed from the other end of the staff housing complex.