The Lucky Packet Gamble Chapter 1

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, I gave my parents each a red envelope with 2,000 yuan.

But my mother held the envelope, hesitating.

"Mom, just say what's on your mind."

Seeing me ask, she finally spoke up: "I see you got a promotion recently, right? Your salary must have gone up quite a bit. Your brother started giving us 8,000 yuan each starting from the Dragon Boat Festival last month. Yours should increase too, otherwise people will say I'm not treating my children equally."

8,000 each meant 16,000 total. That wasn't a small amount, so I called my husband to discuss it.

To my surprise, his answer shocked me.

He said: "Mom likes to keep things equal, right?"

"Then ask her for me: our family is about to receive the village land subsidy, right? How much are Mom and Dad planning to give us?"

* * *

I knew about the land subsidy my husband, Travis, mentioned.

It was a subsidy from the village, not much.

For our family of four, the total subsidy was only 800 yuan. For all these years, I never thought about asking for that money.

I didn't expect Travis, who was usually generous, to suddenly care about such a small amount.

I couldn't help but mock him: "It's only 800 yuan in total. Divided among individuals, it's only 200 yuan a year per person. That's not even enough to fill your gas tank once. You're a big boss, surely you're not going to be petty over 200 yuan?"

Travis was acting strange today, every sentence dripping with sarcasm.

"So what if I'm a boss? Does money fall from the sky for bosses? You say I'm petty, but isn't your mom petty? If she's not petty, then let her give you that 200 yuan. It's almost Lily's birthday, let's treat that 200 yuan as a birthday red envelope for Lily."

I laughed out loud: "Travis, what do you mean? You don't think my mom kept my share of the subsidy because she's stingy, do you? It's only 200 yuan in total. Even if Mom offered, I'd be embarrassed to take it."

"Travis, I don't know what's gotten into you today, you sound so aggressive. You know very well how my mom treats you, right?"

Travis was an orphan. After my mom found out, she felt very sorry for him.

Every time the family harvested peanuts or corn, they sent us dozens of pounds.

He ate so much good food, doesn't he know better?

I thought reminding him would soften his tone.

Unexpectedly, Travis seemed to have swallowed dynamite today: "Yes! Mom is good to us! Sending heaps of peanuts and corn. Since she's so good, she shouldn't mind giving 200 yuan for Lily's birthday, right?"

It seemed Travis was fixated on that 200 yuan subsidy today.

"So if my parents don't give that 200 yuan today, you won't agree to give them the 8,000 yuan red envelope?"

I was getting angry too.

I thought Travis would readily agree to give my parents money like before, which was why I discussed it with him.

After all, we're married, our money is pooled.

We also agreed that any expenditure over 10,000 yuan requires mutual consent.

But I never expected Travis to refuse so adamantly this time.

"Giving money is fine, but you must first ask Mom for me. The village subsidy is coming soon. Since she claims to treat everyone equally, how much is she planning to give us?"

"Sarah, you know very well, calculated by headcount, you should get 200. Your parents wouldn't be unfair over just 200 yuan, would they? Then how can she have the nerve to say she's afraid people will say she's unfair?"

Travis said hatefully: "If you ask me, your mom is unfair. It's not that she's embarrassed not to give you this 200 yuan subsidy, she simply doesn't want to give it!"

I was already annoyed about having to work on the Mid-Autumn Festival, and now Travis was being so sarcastic, I instantly flared up: "Travis, don't be shameless. It's just 200 yuan. Do you think I'm like you, a child without a mother, who can't even get 200 yuan!"

Between husband and wife, sometimes when arguing, we really say hurtful things.

We stab where it hurts the most.

These words poked Travis's sore spot directly. He shouted on the other end: "Yes, I don't have a mother to give me money. Sarah, let me tell you, so what if you have a mother? You still can't get the money! What's the difference between having a mother and not having one for you?"

Could I tolerate him talking about my mom like that?

So I roared: "Fine! Travis! I see it now! You're just mentally unstable because the festival is coming, jealous that I have parents who love me! 200 yuan, right? I'll ask my parents for it right now! If my parents give it, this 16,000 red envelope will be deducted entirely from your salary card!"

Travis was tough too: "Fine! Go ask your mom! If she really gives you this 200 yuan subsidy, I'll pay the whole 16,000, and from now on, you manage my salary card!"

Married for two years, every time I asked Travis for his bank card, he had various excuses.

"I cover all household expenses, and money for parents is split evenly. What more do you want?"

I thought about it. Since the money I earn is in my hands, there was no reason to manage his salary card.

But now since he offered it himself, why would I refuse?

I agreed immediately: "Fine, get your card and password ready. Watch me throw the 200 yuan my mom gives me in your face!"