Chapter 18: The First Signs of Extraordinary Powers

“Xia Xia, come eat now or your dad will finish all the dishes,” Mrs. Lin called out. “What’s this?”

Xia Xia handed one bill to Lin Hui, then placed the other two in front of her parents. “I published two articles in a magazine and received 500 yuan as payment. I’m keeping 200, and the remaining 300 is spending money for you and Lin Hui.”

Picking up her bowl, she smiled at her mother, “Your daughter is among the ranks of the wealthy now. Once I start working, I’ll give you spending money every month.”

Her mother’s face blossomed with delight as she folded the 100-yuan bill, tucking it into her purse. “Very well, I’ll be waiting for my monthly pocket money. When the time comes, I’ll retire, visit neighbors every day, and join them for dancing.”

Lin Hui was about to pocket his share when his mother lightly slapped his hand away. “I’ll keep this for you. What does a child need so much cash for? When you need spending money, I’ll give you some.”

Lin Hui pouted and muttered under his breath, “No rights at all.” Taking his bowl, he dashed outside to play with his friends.

Receiving her children's first gift moved Mrs. Lin so much she started to fuss at her husband again, her emotions overflowing. After a while, she remembered the main point and hurriedly said, “Money isn’t important. Writing for fun is fine, but don’t let it interfere with your studies. You’re still young—a student’s main focus should be their studies. Understand?”

Xia Xia’s lips twitched. How had she forgotten about this?

She was only thirteen, in middle school, not twenty-three. And what mattered most to parents? Grades.

Everything revolved around academic performance.

If your grades were good, writing stories and earning a little money would only invite praise: “Look at Xia Xia from that family—great grades, excellent essays, even published work that earns money.”

But if your grades weren’t up to par, no one would care how much you made. They’d say, “See that Xia Xia? She never focuses on her studies, always busy writing stories for money. As if it’s that easy to earn! What do children know? Not only is she neglecting her studies, she hardly earns anything. Tsk, tsk, what are her parents thinking, not teaching her properly?”

With that in mind, Xia Xia quickly promised, “Mom, I know. I’m just writing for fun. You know how much essays count toward our language score, and I’m not great at writing, so I wanted to practice. I saw a magazine, submitted my work on a whim, and who knew they’d actually accept it and pay me?”

Her father chimed in, “Don’t worry so much. She’s old enough to know what she’s doing. Besides, how many kids do you know who earn money at thirteen? That’s my girl—outstanding as always.”

“Oh, you’re shameless,” Mrs. Lin replied, laughing and feigning annoyance.

Xia Xia joked a bit, sharing some funny stories from school. The family laughed and chatted, making for a warm and cheerful meal.

“By the way, Mom, tomorrow’s Saturday. I arranged to go to the county with Ren Jie to buy some study materials. Since I just got paid, I’ll treat her to some snacks there, so I won’t be home for lunch,” Xia Xia added as the meal was ending.

“Are you kids familiar with the way to the county?”

“Ren Jie’s older sister will guide us. She’s in the county’s Number One High School and will meet us at the station, so don’t worry.” Xia Xia told a small lie.

If her mother knew it was just the two of them, she’d never agree to let her go.

Sure enough, hearing an older child would accompany them, Mrs. Lin felt reassured. She gave Xia Xia a few more reminders before letting her go, only when Xia Xia said she needed a nap.

That afternoon at school, Xia Xia told Ren Jie, and the two agreed to meet at nine the next morning at Xia Xia’s house, then take the bus to the county together.

Ren Jie was obviously excited for the trip—she barely paid attention in class, constantly tugging at Xia Xia or chatting with her deskmate, Chen Na.

By contrast, Xia Xia was much calmer. Hearing the whispers behind her, she almost regretted telling Ren Jie so soon; had she known Ren Jie would be so giddy and noisy, she’d have waited until after class.

Xia Xia sighed, missing the days when she had an MP3 player. If only she could plug in her earphones now, she wouldn’t care how much Ren Jie hummed behind her.

Of course, owning one now was still too much of a luxury; better to save up and buy one when she had a little extra.

With that thought, she quietly completed two English practice exercises, finished the last bit of this semester’s math textbook, then pulled out the supplementary math material her father had bought for her, planning to borrow the next volume from her cousin, Liu Hao.

And this trip to the county? She’d have to buy some materials for the next semester. She’d already previewed the math textbook and nearly finished all the exercises; time to pick up a couple more books.

China’s “sea of problems” approach to math really was effective, and Xia Xia was determined to stick with it until the college entrance exam.

The next morning, Xia Xia had just gotten up when she heard someone knocking downstairs.

Still in her pajamas and slippers, she trudged down to open the door.

“Why are you only just getting up? I brought you breakfast! Hurry and get ready—we should get there early and have some fun,” Ren Jie urged.

Xia Xia squinted, eyes half-closed, and climbed back into bed. “Come on, it’s so early! Didn’t we agree to meet at nine?”

She was nearly exasperated. It was only eight o’clock! Ren Jie could go to bed early, but Xia Xia had a manuscript to finish; she’d been editing until one in the morning and had barely slept a few hours before Ren Jie appeared.

She rolled over, ignoring Ren Jie’s chatter.

By five to eight-thirty, both girls were waiting by the road for the bus.

Xia Xia stuffed the last bite of bun into her mouth, swallowed, and after five more minutes and a yawn, followed Ren Jie onto the bus.

Finding a window seat, Xia Xia slumped down, drained. “I’m going to nap—wake me when we get there.”

Knowing Xia Xia was grumpy from being woken up early, Ren Jie grinned ingratiatingly. “Go ahead and sleep—I’ll watch our things.”

Trusting her, Xia Xia hugged her backpack and soon dozed off against the seat.

She was deep in sleep when a sudden burning sensation on her hand jolted her awake. With a startled cry, she jumped up, startling everyone on the bus, who turned to look.

“Wha…what happened?” Ren Jie mumbled sleepily beside her.

Xia Xia glanced over; her friend was leaning against the seatback, rubbing her eyes.

Then a voice from behind reminded Ren Jie, “Little girl, your money’s about to fall out.”

Ren Jie turned her head; the cash stuffed in her right pocket was already a quarter visible. At her slightest movement, the money slipped out.

She quickly bent to pick it up, repeatedly thanking the woman behind her.

The middle-aged woman smiled. “Be more careful next time.”

Xia Xia found this odd. Ren Jie had tucked the money deep into her pocket—how had it nearly fallen out?

Was there a pickpocket on the bus?

The thought made Xia Xia alert; she didn’t dare sleep again. Glancing outside, she estimated there were still about ten minutes left, so she started chatting with Ren Jie about TV gossip.

With someone to talk to, Ren Jie was fully awake and in high spirits. The two of them chattered all the way to the county.