C23 You Want My Money?

In the living room, I found not only my parents waiting for me but also Third Aunt and Sixth Aunt. Accompanying them were a pair of siblings—Third Aunt's children.

The sister was quite attractive, and her brother was undeniably handsome.

As always, I was the picture of obedience in front of my elders. I greeted everyone in turn, including my cousin and her brother.

Dinner was ready, and it was clear they had all been waiting for me. I could sense something was up, especially with the concerned expressions on my parents' faces and Third Aunt's piercing gaze fixed on me.

My sister Yang Xue was nowhere to be seen—I wondered where that wild child had run off to.

As expected, just a few bites into the meal, Third Aunt began, "Ling, your dad told me about the award from your job—100,000 yuan, right?"

I nodded, "Yes, Third Aunt. Is there something you need?"

Her face lit up. "You know the college entrance exams are coming up. With Little Cheng's grades, he'll have no trouble getting into a university."

"We've discussed it with your dad. We'll use the 100,000 yuan for Little Cheng's tuition, and he can pay you back when he starts earning."

I was taken aback and glanced at my dad, who offered a resigned smile. I understood the situation all too well.

My dad was a straightforward man, while Third Aunt was notoriously unreasonable, armed with a silver tongue. When she kicked up a fuss, dad would likely cave to her demands.

And my mom, with her kind heart and the soul of a homemaker, would support his decision.

With a furrowed brow, I turned to my younger cousin, then back to Third Aunt, who feigned warmth but couldn't hide the scorn in her eyes. I replied with a polite smile, "I'm sorry, but I have plans for that money. Perhaps you could ask someone else for a loan."

"What?" Third Aunt bristled at my response, her anger flaring. "You're just a security guard. What do you need money for?"

"The money should go where it's most needed," I said calmly. "Little Cheng is about to become a university student. He'll need to cover tuition, living expenses, and yes, even a girlfriend. He'll have plenty of expenses of his own."

"This is a loan, not a gift—we'll pay you back!"

His previously silent cousin spoke up with an air of arrogance, "Bro, relax. Once I make it out there and start my own business, I'll definitely take good care of you!"

"You won't have to work as a security guard anymore. Come work with me, and I'll pay you a salary of 5,000!"

Yang Ling listened to their taunts with an inward sneer, but outwardly he challenged, "Third Aunt, if I recall correctly, you borrowed 20,000 from my dad last year and haven't paid back a dime. Why are you asking for more money now?"

At that, his cousin clammed up, his pride wounded. Third Aunt retorted, "Your dad and I are siblings—it's just helping each other out."

"What happened to you? You seemed so honest before. How did a few days of work change you like this?

"How can you speak to your elders in such a manner?"

Yang Ling casually sipped his Coke and replied coolly, "I'm just mirroring the way you speak."

"Third Aunt, uncle has been running his small business for years. Surely you're not struggling to pay my cousin's tuition fees?"

"Actually, I've been meaning to stop by your place to collect what you owe. Over the years, you've taken quite a bit—must be around forty to fifty thousand by now, right?"

"Now that you're here, let's settle this. When are you going to pay back the money?"

His words left everyone in the room speechless.

Today's Yang Ling was unrecognizable compared to his former self. Once meek and compliant, he was now refusing to lend money and demanding repayment.

The transformation was stark and undeniable!