With global currency devaluation, I'll wear these back and take my whole family flying!

Shen Ci shook her head, sobbing uncontrollably, "It was my fault, I'm sorry, Mom, can you forgive me?"

Shen Jingjing choked up and said, "Aci, you're not wrong, it's Mom's fault. I understand if you resent me."

Upon hearing this, Shen Ci raised her hand to gently wipe away the tears on her mother's cheeks and said earnestly, "Mom, I don't blame you anymore. I stopped blaming you a long time ago. USTC is great. I'm very happy and content at USTC."

In the college entrance examination that year, Shen Ci scored over 700 points, which was enough to apply to the astronomy department of the aerospace university she most desired.

Unexpectedly, the admissions office of the University of Science and Technology of Hong Kong traveled a long distance to Shenzhen and Hong Kong to personally recruit students, and promised a special recruitment bonus of 200,000 yuan.

At that time, 200,000 yuan was undoubtedly a solid guarantee for Shen Jingjing, who was raising three children on her own and wanted all three of them to go to university and become successful.

Two high school students, one college student, and her second daughter wants to take the art exam. The effort and money that would have to be spent over the years was simply too much for Shen Jingjing to bear. But this 200,000 yuan gave her hope for the future.

Back then, Shen Ci didn't understand why her mother wanted her to make sacrifices, and it wasn't until many years later that she understood the hardships and difficulties her mother had endured.

People always have to go through growth to understand certain truths. Their past stubbornness and selfishness had no other meaning than bringing endless pain to their loved ones.

So now Shen Ci only feels fortunate. She is fortunate that God has given her another chance. This time she must apologize to her mother in person, tell her that she understands her, and tell her that she is still very happy to go to the University of Science and Technology of China.

Shen Jingjing looked at her daughter and nodded with satisfaction. Then she realized what was happening and pulled her daughter into the house: "You didn't even tell me you were coming back beforehand, so I could have prepared some of your favorite foods for you. I'll go to the market first thing tomorrow morning and buy your favorite poached chicken."

Shen Ci smiled through her tears: "I wanted to give you a surprise."

With that smile, the misunderstanding between the mother and daughter finally dissipated.

Even the smallest corner of the less than 80-square-meter apartment felt familiar to Shen Ci. Sitting on the sofa, she felt as if she had returned to her childhood, when she would look forward to her mother coming home from get off work every day after school and bringing her sweet roasted sweet potatoes.

"Are you hungry? There are some wontons Mom made in the fridge, want me to cook you some?"

Shen Ci shook her head, patted the sofa and said, "I ate on the plane. Mom, please sit down. I want to talk to you."

Upon hearing this, Shen Jingjing sat down next to her daughter. It had been a year since she last saw her, and her daughter seemed to have lost some weight, but she looked very healthy, which reassured her a little.

"Why are you back so early in the year? Did you ask the school for leave?"

"Okay." Shen Ci nodded: "Please go during the National Day holiday, so you can stay at home for a few more days."

Shen Jingjing was happy to be able to stay at home for a few more days since her daughter hadn't been back for a year.

"Where's Xingxing? It's almost ten o'clock, and he's still not back?" Shen Ci realized that her younger brother wasn't home.

"He's studying for evening classes, he should be back soon," Shen Jingjing said, letting out a sigh.

Shen Ci keenly noticed her mother's unusual behavior and asked with a puzzled look, "What's wrong, Mom? Is Xingxing having any problems with her studies?"

From childhood to adulthood, the three siblings never caused their mother any worry about their studies, so she was somewhat surprised when she saw her mother sigh silently when she mentioned stars.

She scored over 700 points on the college entrance exam, which is beyond question.

Although my younger sister is an art student, she has always been an excellent student in both character and academics since childhood.

The younger brother, Shen Xing, is even more outstanding than his two older sisters. He was always first in his grade from elementary school to high school, and even ranked first in the city in the high school entrance examination.

Because all three of her children are outstanding, Shen Jingjing is willing to do anything to ensure that they all become college students, believing that her children will all succeed in the future.

"Xingxing has recently become obsessed with playing video games."

"What?" Shen Ci was startled upon hearing this and jumped up from the sofa.

Seeing her daughter's strong reaction, Shen Jingjing quickly added, "However, it didn't have a big impact on his studies. He still ranked second in the grade in the initial assessment at the beginning of the semester."

Second in the grade?

He's always been number one in his grade!

Shen Ci was so excited because her younger brother in her previous life had also ruined his life because of games. He had neglected his studies in college to play in e-sports youth training competitions, wanting to become a professional player.

But those things happened after he was admitted to a top university. I never expected that this time it would happen before his college entrance exam.

After regaining her composure, Shen Ci sat down again and gently took her mother's hand, saying, "Mom, don't worry, I'll talk to Xingxing about it."

Upon hearing this, Shen Jingjing quickly nodded: "He has always listened to you since he was little, so your advice will definitely work. He's going through puberty now, and I'm afraid that if I say something too harsh, it might backfire. He might listen to you."

"You know, Mom never wants you to focus all your attention on studying. It's good to balance work and rest, but he has less than a year left until the college entrance exam, and this period is crucial!"

"I know, Mom, don't worry, leave this to me."

It wasn't until after midnight that the sound of the lock turning came from the door.

Shen Xing peeked in furtively. Only a table lamp was lit in the living room. Shen Ci sat in the shadows with a gloomy expression, looking as terrifying as a midnight ghost.

"Uh-"

Shen Xing was startled, but after he saw the other person's face clearly, his shocked expression turned into excitement and joy: "Sister!"

Shen Ci, who was originally furious, instantly lost all his temper at this moment, but still pretended to be displeased and scolded, "You brat, what time is it that you're only just getting back?"

Shen Xing seemed not to hear her sister's words, rushed up and hugged her tightly: "Sister, you're finally back! I missed you so much!"

It's been a year since I last saw my younger brother, and he's grown quite a bit taller; he looks almost 1.8 meters now.

Shen Ci pretended to be angry and pushed him away, asking coldly, "I'm asking you a question, why are you back so late?"

Shen Xing pursed his lips and chuckled, then timidly whispered, "I went to an internet cafe and played games for a while, ouch—it hurts!"

With a cry of pain, Shen Xing raised her hand to cover the head where her sister had hit her, and shrank back pitifully, saying, "I was wrong, sis!"

"You actually know you were wrong?" Shen Ci glared at her and said, "You used to refuse when your classmates dragged you to internet cafes, but now that the college entrance exam is coming up, you've suddenly become a trendsetter. You always know how to pick your time!"

"The pressure of senior year is too much, so I'm going to relax a bit. It won't affect my grades," Shen Xing said, pouting.

Shen Ci pretended to raise his hand, which frightened Shen Xing into shrinking back into a ball, but Shen Ci couldn't bear to hit him a second time.

"Mom is asleep now, I won't disturb her. You need to come home on time after school tomorrow, and I'd like to have a good talk with you."