Chapter 2

"Mom, I'm out of money again this month. Could you send me some more?"

"Send a thousand—no, make that two thousand. The cafeteria food is terrible; I've had a stomach ache for three days. Eating out is expensive, but at least it doesn't make me sick."

It's only the 10th, and my son's calling again.

He's a sophomore now. The initial living expense was two thousand dollars, but in less than a year, he claimed it wasn't enough.

It increased to three thousand, and even then, it doesn't last ten days.

In the past, I would have lectured him for ten minutes about being thrifty because earning money isn't easy.

But this time, I said nothing. I calmly replied, "Alright, hang on a moment; Mom will get the money and send it to you."

Then I went to the app store, downloaded over ten loan apps, entered my son's ID, and borrowed five thousand dollars.

I sent him two thousand. There was no response, just a cold receipt confirmation.

I took out a journal and noted the first loan of the day.

All this because in a previous life, I painstakingly supported my son through college.

He was determined to marry, bringing home a pregnant Daphne, and asking for a thirty thousand dowry.

Plus, a two-million-dollar house.

We didn't have that kind of money, but seeing the young girl's tearful face and hearing my son's pleading, I relented.

We borrowed from every relative, scraping together one hundred twenty thousand, including the thirty thousand dowry.

The rest went towards the house down payment. My son was so touched.

"Thank you, Mom and Dad. I will be filial for this life. You can just relax at home, play with your grandchild, and enjoy life."

We didn't dare to enjoy; we tirelessly paid off the relatives' debts.

Just as we were about to catch our breath, my son came crying again.

"Mom, help me, the mortgage is too much. I have to support a family and can't manage it."

"Can you bear to see your son, grandchild, and daughter-in-law homeless?"

"Please, you and Dad support us for a few years. When inflation rises and salaries increase, the pressure will ease."

My husband and I went out again, financially supporting their little family.

But after two years, not only did my son's salary not increase, but the housing market crashed, and the job market tightened.

A house similar to my son's in his neighborhood was listed at eighty thousand and still didn't sell.

I worried about their pressure, considering selling our current large house and buying a smaller one.

The difference would help pay off my son's mortgage.

But instead, he lashed out at us.

"If it weren't for you buying such an expensive house, I wouldn't be under so much pressure!"

"I can't pay it; you go make money to repay it, or I'll give this house back to you!"

I took another job, but while washing dishes, everything went black, and I collapsed.