Chapter Thirty-Four: An Obstacle in the Heart

"Sigh, sigh, sigh! Xiao Fan, since my mother gave it to you, just take it! And if she gives it to you again in the future, you must accept it too! Her kindness to you is actually her own investment, an investment for our whole family! Hahaha!"

"Investment? I don't understand what you mean by investment, please explain!"

"It means, hehe, since you and I are going to become sworn brothers, we'll be like family from now on, right?"

"That's true, in theory."

"So you’re like half a son to my parents, aren’t you?"

"If we truly become sworn brothers, then yes."

"When you visited my house, my mom already told you the benefits and responsibilities of being sworn brothers, right?"

"Yes, to share blessings and endure hardships together."

"Since that's the case, my family's situation is better than yours right now. Shouldn't you share in that with me?"

"The problem is, we’re not sworn brothers yet! My father still needs to agree! Even if we do become sworn brothers—"

"You’ve already agreed, so it's eighty percent settled! Haha, the remaining twenty percent just needs your father’s nod. Even if he doesn’t agree, I’ll still go through with our oath! And my parents are determined to have you as half a son as well, haha!"

"Haha, I’ve seen shameless people before, but never one as shameless as you!" Xiao Fan laughed, playfully hitting Xiao Ping.

Seeing Xiao Fan so cheerful, Xiao Ping went on, "Since we’re going to be sworn brothers, we’ll have to be responsible for each other and for each other’s families, right? Hahaha!"

"You're getting more and more outrageous!" Xiao Fan chuckled.

"Then, if you’re in trouble, shouldn’t I help you? Shouldn’t my parents support you as well?"

"Wait—"

Before Xiao Fan could respond, Xiao Ping continued, "And in the future, if I’m in trouble, shouldn’t you help me too?"

"Of course! Even if we don’t become sworn brothers, as best friends, if you ever face hardship, I should—no, I must—help you!" Xiao Fan smiled as he spoke.

"So, from now on, we have to help each other, right? Right now, since your family’s situation isn’t good and your life at school is tough, you should accept my help, shouldn’t you? Besides, my mother’s kindness now is also so you’ll be good to us in the future, understand? So, my parents being good to you now is an investment for their own and my future, hahahaha!"

"And one day, when my parents are old, you might have to help me take care of them! And your family will be like mine; if you face hardship, I’m responsible for helping too! So, just accept the kindness from my parents, haha!"

"Oh, I see what you mean now! When that day comes, just call me and I’ll be there!" Xiao Fan replied after listening to Xiao Ping.

"Auntie is doing this to help me, I know that. But secretly putting money in my bag—I don’t think that’s appropriate," Xiao Fan went on.

"Xiao Fan, old brother, what’s inappropriate about it? She was afraid you’d refuse if you saw her give you money directly! Yesterday, when she asked you to take the package, you already hesitated! If she’d given you the money straight up, you’d never have taken it! When will you change that stubborn streak of yours?"

"First, as I said earlier, I hope our sworn brotherhood is built on pure friendship. Second, Auntie’s putting money in my package was out of kindness, and I am grateful. But I think she should have told me beforehand. Whether I refused or accepted, she should have told me. Imagine if I opened the package unaware and found money inside—what if someone else thought Auntie had accidentally left money in there? What if she really did forget it one day—"

"Haha! Xiao Fan, old brother, say no more, I understand! If it were me, I’d think the same. We’ll talk to her about it when we get the chance. But for now, you must keep the money, don’t let my mother’s kindness go to waste!"

"I can’t take it! Please put the money away!"

"Xiao Fan, that money is for your meals! You spent your food money on fruit yesterday for the visit to my place—how will you eat for the rest of the month? You’re my future sworn brother, you won’t let me have a brother who might get sick from hunger, will you?"

"No matter what, I can’t accept this money! Auntie already brought me rice and cooked food, I feel bad enough as it is!" Xiao Fan insisted firmly.

"My mother already gave it to you, why so stubborn? Just take it! If only you’d change that temper of yours!"

"I will, but please, you take the money back first!" Xiao Fan’s tone remained unyielding.

"Fine, I’ll take the money, but you have to agree to one condition!" Xiao Ping said, a bit sternly.

"Alright! As long as you take the money back, I’ll agree to any condition!"

"From now on, when we eat, let's put all the dishes together and share, okay?"

"That’s all? No problem! We’re good friends and soon-to-be sworn brothers, eating together is only natural! Here!"

Xiao Fan held the money out again.

Xiao Ping accepted it, saying, "Xiao Fan, old brother, hehehe, you’ve finally agreed for us to eat together. From now on, this money will be our grocery fund!"

"Agreed! But I must pay half the grocery money too!" Xiao Fan replied.

Originally, when Xiao Fan agreed to eat together, Xiao Ping felt a surge of excitement. He thought, as long as they ate together and he covered the groceries, he could help Xiao Fan out financially, lighten his family’s burden, and help him get better nutrition, while bringing them closer as friends.

But now Xiao Fan insisted on splitting grocery costs equally! Sigh, my future sworn brother is so stubborn!

"Xiao Fan! Let me cover the groceries from now on! It doesn’t cost much, and this way you won’t have to ask your father for money, which will ease his burden a bit. If you don’t let me cover it, I’ll feel bad, you understand?"

Xiao Fan saw Xiao Ping looking a bit upset, hesitated, and said, "Xiao Ping, I know we’re good friends, and I know you really want to help me. But I just can’t get over this hurdle in my heart, though I can’t even say what exactly it is."

"Xiao Fan, since you don’t know what this hurdle is, let me tell you! The hurdle in your heart is nothing but your pride! The reason you refuse help from a friend as close as a brother is because your pride is getting in the way..."