The First Day Back

It was orientation day, and as morning dawned, everyone started getting ready, each preoccupied with their own routines. Surprisingly, Shen Zui, their father, took a seat at the breakfast table, something he rarely did at this time. Today was his chance to address them before the new term began, fulfilling his fleeting role as a stern father figure. With a deliberately authoritative posture, he launched into his speech.

Shen Lang sniffed and slowly stood up, paying no heed to the gazes from his older siblings. He barely acknowledged them, and even though they both noticed, it made no difference. Defeated, Shen Zheng and Shen Nan turned their disgruntled eyes towards their father, who also didn't seem to notice the absence of his youngest son at the table. Shen Zui's complete disregard for their expressions left them both slightly deflated and, frankly, at a loss for words.

Taking advantage of the moment, Shen Zui launched into an evaluation of last semester's academic performance and conduct. Then he offered a few words of encouragement for the term ahead. Finally, he pulled two fifty-yuan bills and two one-hundred-yuan bills from his pocket, handing the fifties to Shen Zheng and Shen Nan. "Here's your allowance for the week," he said. Just as he was about to explain the use of the remaining two hundred, Shen Lang walked in, freshly dressed and expressionless. Perfectly timed, he extended two fingers to pluck the bills from his father's grasp, and without another word, turned and left the room, leaving his father and siblings staring speechlessly at his retreating back.

Watching their younger brother stride out with such ease, Shen Nan pouted and whined to their father, "Dad, look, he's gone again! He always rides his bike to school, acting so proud. I want one too! School's far, and I'm in fourth grade now. I should get a bike, too!"

Shen Zui chuckled, pulling his daughter close and pinching her chubby cheek. "That's not my responsibility, young lady. All three of you have always been treated the same. If I favored anyone, I might have skimped a bit more on your younger brother. Everything he has now, he earned himself. Your request? That's a bit much."

Seeing his daughter's annoyed pout, Shen Zui laughed again, as if an idea had struck him. "I do have a suggestion, though. Listen up: you each get fifty yuan a week. Excluding weekends, that's about ten yuan a day. Now, a bike like his runs around four hundred and fifty, but I'll knock it down to four hundred for you. After deducting money for lunch, you'd be able to save up enough in three to five months. Just remember, I won't be contributing those four hundred yuan myself."

Shen Zheng sprang to his feet. "Can we borrow from him, then? Wouldn't that be faster?"

Shen Zui chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Sure, you could borrow from him. But think about it: you've known your brother long enough. Do you think he'd lend it without expecting something in return? Sometimes, favors come at a cost, and I have a hunch this might be one of those times. Anyway, I'm off to work. I hope when I return, you two will have figured something out. Good luck."

As their father left, Shen Zheng and Shen Nan exchanged worried glances, both looking defeated. "Do we really have to ask that miserly brother of ours for a loan?" Shen Nan lamented. "Last time I borrowed his bike for just half a day, and he had me doing chores for him non-stop! I thought I'd never recover. Imagine if we asked him for that much money—he'd practically own us for half the semester! I can't do it, big brother. Please, come up with another idea!"

Shen Zheng sighed, giving her hand a sympathetic squeeze. "What other choice do we have? I have about a hundred and twenty yuan saved up, plus some change. With Dad's money, I'll have around two hundred by the end of the week. That means I'd still need to borrow about two hundred. But if I do that, I'll have to give up my model collection. How about you?"

Shen Nan tapped her chin thoughtfully, nose scrunched in frustration. "I'm about the same as you, maybe even a bit less. But borrowing from our brother? No way! That'd be the end of me. I'd never be able to buy my comics or plushies again."

Orientation day itself was rather uneventful. The teacher covered a few administrative matters, distributed textbooks, and explained upcoming class events. Shen Lang pulled two plain book covers out of his bag and passed them to his deskmate. "Here, my brother and sister don't need these. They bought different ones for their books yesterday. I don't need them, either."

Fan Jun took the covers without hesitation, smiling. "Thanks. I was thinking of asking my parents to get me something, but now I don't have to worry about it."

Just as they finished their quiet exchange, the homeroom teacher took to the podium, with a young girl standing beside her. Shen Lang glanced up, noticing the petite girl with her ponytail secured by a red bow, exuding a lively, endearing charm. The moment she stepped onto the stage, she captured the entire class's attention.

"Class, quiet down. This is Ouyang Lan, who just transferred to our school. Let's give her a warm welcome to our class!" After the applause subsided, the teacher continued, "Ouyang Lan came from the Provincial Experimental Primary School, where she was an exemplary student. She served as a leader in the Young Pioneers and even earned the title of 'Outstanding Young Pioneer' at the provincial level."

Fan Jun shot Shen Lang a meaningful look, whispering, "Looks like your brother and sister have some real competition now. The role of school captain is really up for grabs. Shouldn't we…you know, help out a little?"

Shen Lang barely reacted, his gaze drifting back to the window. Only after Fan Jun finished did he turn, saying, "What does that have to do with me? Besides, that position is earned, not handed out. Why should we get involved? Let's worry about our own business."

Fan Jun shook his head in exasperation. "Honestly, sometimes I doubt you're even related to them! They're our friends; we should support them when we can!" But as he glanced back, he noticed Shen Lang's eyes were again fixed on something outside, clearly uninterested. Defeated, Fan Jun sat back, lost in thought.

Earlier, the teacher had already assigned the students to clean the classroom, so all that was left now was to choose class representatives. Under the teacher's suggestion, the class elected Ouyang Lan as class monitor. Shen Lang seemed indifferent, his face impassive. Yet, beneath that stoic exterior, a small, amused smile lurked.