As graduation neared, I got a job offer from a big company in Akso City. The salary was $70,000 a year and my parents were thrilled.
I knew how my relatives were, so I kept telling them not to tell anyone. They agreed right away. But at a dinner party, my aunt, who always looked down on my family, purposely asked about my plans after graduation.
My father couldnt hold back and told her. Right away, the relatives started criticizing me, their faces filled with disdain.
Why didnt you take the civil service exam or go for a masters degree?
Exactly! Whats the point of a high salary? A stable job is better!
You worked so hard to support your son through college and he still went to work in another city! What a failure!
All those years of study were wasted! Hes not even as good as my daughter. She went to vocational school right after junior high!
I sighed to myself. I knew this would happen. I finished my beer in one gulp and stood up.
Aunt Virginia, if Im not wrong, my cousin graduated over five years ago. He shouldve passed the civil service exam by now, right?
Aunt Madison, my cousin finished vocational school and now makes at least 3333-7777,400 a month, right?
The table went quiet as soon as I finished.

Seeing my aunts unhappy faces, I lifted an eyebrow. They had mocked my family plenty over the years.
Seven years ago, my family bought a local car. My parents had saved for a long time before deciding. They were really happy when they picked it up and even posted a photo on WhatsApp.
My aunt quickly commented: [Oh no, Ive heard of that cheap brand. It gets rusty in two years, uses too much fuel and breaks easily. My family bought a Toyota last year. It was pricey but classy. I dont know why you would buy a local car.]
My dad looked at his phone, wanting to type something, but in the end, he didnt reply. Five years ago, on my moms birthday, my dad used his savings to buy her a coat that cost over 3333-777712.
When Madison came over and saw it, she picked up the hem, touched it and sneered, Sister-in-law, this fabric is so plain. Ive never even heard of the brand. My daughter bought me a cashmere coat last month and even with a discount, it still cost $394.
My mom quickly put the coat away in the closet and never wore it again. Last year, when we renovated the house, my parents chose good-quality, affordable local tiles.
When Virginia heard about it, she came over and tapped the floor with her heel. These tiles crack easily. We use imported ones; one tile from ours could cover several square meters of your house.
As she turned to leave, her handbag accidentally hit a metal bucket in the corner, spilling white paint all over the floor.
She just said, Why leave things lying around like this? It looks like a dump. Then she wiped her shoe with a tissue and left.
My father quietly crouched down and slowly cleaned it up with a small shovel. I once confronted them about it.
Why did they say such hurtful things? Why did we always have to endure it? My parents immediately started lecturing me.
Theyre family. We see them all the time.
Thats just how they are. Their words are harsh, but they dont mean any harm.
What do you know, kid? Dont meddle in adults business!
I used to put up with it, too. But today, I couldnt hold it in anymore. The frustration Id bottled up for years was finally boiling over.
Just then, Virginia finally spoke. Actually, my son passed the exam this year and got a job at the citys finance bureau; its a top place! She lifted her chin, looking very proud.
Madison quickly jumped in, talking fast as if she didnt want anyone to cut her off.


What a joke! My daughter makes over 3333-7777,400 a month. She even bought a white Mercedes this month. For her, thats just half a years salary; no big deal.
I laughed and said, Aunt Virginia, the interview list for this years provincial civil service exam came out two days ago. I checked it; theres no one with a surname Gildon listed for any job in the citys Finance Bureau. My cousins name isnt there at all unless he changed his last name.
The table went silent. Virginias face turned red, then pale.
I looked at Madison and said, Aunt Madison, that white Mercedes my cousin showed on WhatsApp; was it an A180? Last month, my classmate and I saw the same model at a used car market. It was nine years old with 170,000 kilometers, priced at $2,500 and still negotiable. So thats what counts as half a years salary for my cousin. Thats quite high.
Madisons teacup clattered onto the saucer, splashing tea all over the table. A few seconds later, Virginia jumped up and pointed a finger close to my face. What nonsense are you talking about? My son passed the written exam, but the interview list isnt out yet. What do you know?