42: Parents' profound love

Chen Li didn't know Zhao Yue's ending, and even if he did, he would have just laughed it off at most.

To him, Zhao Yue was just a fleeting ripple in the long river of life; she came and went without leaving a trace... In the Classroom, the afternoon sun lazily spilled onto the desks.

Chen Li and several roommates were slumped in the back row, teasing each other half-heartedly,

On the podium, the Economics Professor was talking incessantly, analyzing classic cases, but it failed to break the lazy atmosphere created by these few people.

Just as Chen Li was boredly twirling his pen, his phone screen lit up with a message from Gu Qingcheng.

"Brother Chen Li, the Hospital just confirmed the time for my mom's surgery."

Her words carried a cautious respect. "The surgery and liver source fees total 1.86 million."

"This is the detailed bill [several images]. If you confirm there are no issues, I'll go pay the fees."

Looking at the clear expense lists, a wave of warmth rose in Chen Li's heart.

Compared to some people, this girl's purity and sincerity seemed so precious.

Holding millions in her hands, she transparently reported every single expense,

devoting herself entirely to treating her mother; this kind of filial piety and character was truly rare nowadays.

"No problem,"

he replied curtly, "The money I gave you is for you to use. You don't need to report everything to me. I trust you."

"Thank you, Brother Chen Li. I won't spend it recklessly. Then... I'll go pay the fees now."

Seeing this, Chen Li's heart skipped a beat.

This wasn't good. If this girl just saved it and didn't spend it, wouldn't his cashback plan fall through?

It seemed that once Mother Gu's surgery was successful and her condition stabilized, he would have to take her out for a good shopping spree—houses, cars,

he had to arrange these fixed assets for her. After all, she was his source of income for the past month.

A moment later, the system notification arrived as expected:

[Gu Qingcheng spent: 1,860,000 Yuan]

[Affection Level: +55]

[System credit: 102,300,000 Yuan]

[Withdrawable balance: 2,045,499,360 Yuan]

Looking at the numbers jumping on the screen, Chen Li smiled slightly. Helping someone worth helping while also achieving his own goals was probably the best outcome... After class, just as Chen Li was about to return to the Villa, a crisp notification sound came from his phone.

He looked down and saw a credit notification from the Bank—two thousand Yuan.

At this moment, he felt as if he had been struck by something and stood frozen in place.

Today was the beginning of the month, and he had completely forgotten that this was the day his parents unswervingly sent him money.

Looking at that familiar number on the screen, his eyes uncontrollably blurred.

His parents were both ordinary working-class people. After their company's performance declined last year and they both took pay cuts, their combined monthly income was less than seven thousand.

Even so, they still sent him two thousand Yuan punctually every month without fail.

Ever since he started working part-time, he had called them many times telling them not to send money, but his parents always urged him:

"Don't let it interfere with your studies. You don't need to worry about money. You're not allowed to work part-time anymore; it'll waste your education."

Thinking about how he had once unhesitatingly spent this money—soaked in his parents' hard work and his own grueling part-time labor—on Liu Manman,

Chen Li's heart felt a needle-like sting. His past extravagance had now turned into heavy guilt.

Since getting the system, he had been looking for a suitable reason to send money to his parents, but he had never found the right way.

Looking at this living allowance now, he knew he couldn't wait any longer.

While he was lost in thought, a wechat message from his mother popped up: "Xiao Li, did you receive your living allowance?"

Chen Li took a deep breath and quickly replied: "Mom, I got it. Don't send me money anymore. I can make a lot of money now. I'll transfer some to you first."

After saying that, he immediately transferred 100,000 Yuan through mobile banking.

He had carefully considered this amount—it was enough to improve his parents' lives without being so staggering that it would cause them worry.

He planned to use the excuse of making money through investments. Since he was an economics major, this reason was very logical, and he could slowly increase the transfer amount later.

The phone soon rang; it was a direct call from his mother.

Her voice came through the receiver, filled with disbelief and worry: "One... one hundred thousand? Son, did you really earn this money? You didn't do anything you shouldn't have, did you?"

"Mom, don't worry,"

Chen Li tried to slow down his speech as much as possible. "This is all legal income I made from investments.

I still have 200,000 left here to continue investing. You and Dad can use it with peace of mind. I'll tell you more about it when I come home for the holidays."

"Did you really earn it?"

His mother's voice was still trembling.

"Really."

"Alright then, Mom can rest easy. But I'll save this money for you for now, to use when you get married later."

"You and Dad should use it when you need to. Don't always think about saving."

Chen Li's nose felt sour. "I can really earn money now. In the future, our family will only have more and more money."

"Your dad and I don't spend much at home. Don't be too frugal out there; eat well and spend what you need to."

His mother nagged him with instructions, her tone full of love.

"I know, Mom. You and Dad should also take care of your health. Everything is fine here, don't worry."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Li stood in front of the Teaching Building, watching the sun gradually sink in the west... His parents' love was heavy and selfless.

As an only child, Chen Li had grown up in a jar of honey.

They protected him under their wings, never willing to let him suffer even a bit of grievance.

Even if he occasionally made mistakes, what awaited him was never harsh scolding, but patient guidance and warm encouragement.

It was in such an environment full of love and care that Chen Li gradually developed an independent and healthy personality, understanding responsibility and learning gratitude.

He took a deep breath, temporarily suppressing the surge of warmth and emotion in his heart.

Just then, his phone screen lit up with a message from Song Lingyun: "Chen Li, are you free tonight? I miss you..."

This time she sought Chen Li, it had nothing to do with money. She had barely touched the money from last time. Her invitation now,

was simply because of the uncontrollable longing in her heart—she truly missed Chen Li. This was her simplest emotion.

Chen Li was slightly stunned. Thinking about it, it had indeed been quite a few days since he last saw her.

Thinking of Song Lingyun's elegant and ethereal face—exquisite features perfectly set on an oval face,

with features like a painting and skin like cream, every expression carried a natural softness. Combined with her well-proportioned,

and curvaceous figure, Chen Li felt a surge of heat in his heart.

After sending a message to Meng Yu saying he wouldn't be coming home, he put away his phone and started the engine. The car slowly drove into the night...