Chunbao is a Little Rich Girl

"Thank you for the praise, leaders!" Xia Yanchun said excitedly.

"Just never forgetting where we came from," Shen Nian cleared his throat.

Being praised by such high-ranking officials, Shen Nian was really starting to let it go to his head.

After praising the two top scholars, the officials started complimenting their parents.

"Your family education is truly excellent to have raised such outstanding children."

"Both students are the pride of our hometown, and their parents deserve a lot of the credit!"

A barrage of compliments poured out. After praising the parents, they moved on to praise the school and the teachers.

It was hard to say these weren't just polite platitudes, but they still sounded incredibly nice to hear. Shen Shi, Chen Minyue, Xia Herui, and Wen Zhining all soaked it in happily.

Su Kexi was grinning from ear to ear. Shen Nian felt that if there weren't so many people around, she would have literally jumped up and down laughing.

They shook hands and drank tea, though no one dared to touch any alcohol—especially with the silent reporters recording everything in the background.

During this time, they also asked about the universities and majors Shen Nian and Xia Yanchun had applied for.

After the officials finished chatting and laughing, they waved their hands, and someone brought out boxes of items.

These were the officials' congratulatory gifts.

Two very luxurious-looking boxes of tea, four crates of milk, various nutritional supplements and health products, school supplies, and two laminated "Top Scholar" certificates.

Plus two massive bouquets of flowers... though those probably didn't count as gifts.

After handing over these basic gifts, the officials stepped aside to give the people behind them some room. Two red gift boxes were brought forward. When the lids were opened, they revealed stacks of envelopes.

"These are the rewards from our city and town for our two young top scholars. We wish you both continued brilliance in university, success on the honor rolls, and outstanding achievements in your respective fields!"

"Next is a little personal selfishness of mine..." Vice Mayor Zhang looked at Shen Nian and Xia Yanchun. "Many parts of Cinan City are still developing, and we have many shortcomings, but... when you two achieve success in the future, please don't forget our Cinan City."

Shen Nian: "..."

Xia Yanchun: "..."

So... so solemn, so formal...

The city's Vice Mayor was actually asking them not to forget their hometown, which indirectly meant that when they became successful, they should help develop the city...

Experiencing a scene like this for the first time, even Shen Nian didn't know what to say. He could only nod numbly, expressing his intentions through his actions.

Finally, the high-ranking officials took group photos with Shen Nian's family and Xia Yanchun's family respectively, gave a few parting words, got into their cars, and slowly drove away.

Only then did Shen Nian notice that some nosy uncles and aunties had been standing by the road watching the spectacle for who knows how long.

Once the officials left, the onlookers gradually dispersed.

"Phew... that was so stressful." Xia Yanchun patted her chest, letting out a sigh of relief.

"Did standing next to me double your stress? Xia Yanchun, you've gotten weak."

"Who the hell is talking about you, idiot."

"Holy crap, you're cursing! Auntie Wen!"

"I'll flying-kick you!"

"I'm not talking to a violent girl like you. Typical violent girl mentality." Shen Nian gave her a push, turned around, and ran back into his house.

The officials had brought congratulatory gifts and bonus money for both him and Xia Yanchun. The gifts were things displayed openly, but the bonus money...

Even though the TV reporters had filmed it, the money was in envelopes. Aside from the officials, no one knew exactly how much was inside.

It was such a thick stack.

Just looking at it made Shen Nian drool.

Shen Shi began to close the wide-open front doors. The double doors were shut until only a small slit remained, making it impossible for even an electric scooter to pass through.

It was the same next door at Xia Yanchun's house.

This money was delivered openly and above board, but once it entered Shen Nian's house, it had to be kept in the dark. Everyone understood the principle of not flaunting wealth.

Shen Nian even closed the last small gap in the door. With the living room lights on, the three of them looked at the bonus money, then at each other.

"I'll open it! I'll open it!" Shen Nian grinned. It was his prize money, after all; if he didn't open it, who would?

There was more than one envelope in the gift box, and each one had significant weight to it. They were heavy.

Excited heart, trembling hands.

He tore one open, caught a glimpse of the crisp, red, brand-new banknotes inside, and then closed the envelope again.

Shen Shi gulped. "Is it all money?"

"Absolutely."

"Quick, count how much there is!" Chen Minyue urged.

"Let me count."

Shen Nian counted carefully. Just as he thought, one envelope contained exactly one hundred crisp new bills.

"One, two, three... twenty-three, twenty-four, twenty-five... thirty-seven, thirty-eight, thirty-nine, forty!"

"Four hundred thousand!"

"Hiss!" Shen Shi gasped.

"Holy cow!" Chen Minyue gasped twice.

Shen Nian sweatdropped. "Mom, you really need to spend less time on your phone..."

Chen Minyue ignored Shen Nian. Instead, she exchanged a glance with Shen Shi. After a moment of silence, she took Shen Nian's hand and whispered, "Shen Nian, this money... should we save it for you? Or do you want to keep it yourself?"

"I'll save it myself, I'll keep it at home," Shen Nian said as he took out fifteen envelopes. "These are for you guys, hehe."

"The family doesn't need this money..."

Before Shen Shi could finish, Shen Nian interrupted, "It's not about whether the family needs it or not, it's just that I want to give it to you. Take it, take it. Who told me to be the most filial son in the world? Right, Dad?"

"This, this, this..."

How ridiculous.

Shen Shi looked completely serious. From now on, if anyone said Shen Nian wasn't filial, he would beat them up.

He and Chen Minyue accepted the money together.

As for the remaining two hundred and fifty thousand, Shen Nian put it in his room for now, hiding it at the very bottom of a drawer. He would find time to deposit this sum into the bank later.

This two hundred and fifty thousand, plus the one hundred thousand gold coins the system had given him a while ago, and the massive income from his live streams these past few days... his personal assets had reached a terrifying nine hundred thousand.

If he had given his parents a little less, he would have become a true millionaire with a million in liquid assets.

Of course, this amount of money would probably only buy a toilet in Shanghai.

But in a place like Cinan, a million was enough to live a very comfortable life.

Shen Nian pinched his bank card, examining it with a myriad of thoughts.

A genuine nine hundred thousand.

...So awesome.

Buzz, buzz.

His phone vibrated. It was a message from Xia Yanchun.

[Xia Yanchun]: Come over, come over, come over (stifled laughter meme)

[Shen Nian]: No, you coming over here makes more sense.

[Xia Yanchun]: Come over!

Shen Nian simply didn't reply to her.

Not long after, Xia Yanchun predictably came jogging over from next door. She went all the way up to the third floor and pushed open his bedroom door without even knocking.

"Shen Nian!"

Without looking angry in the slightest, Xia Yanchun closed the door and immediately sidled up next to Shen Nian, asking excitedly, "Did you get four hundred thousand too?"

"Of course. It's not like they'd give one person more and the other less."

"It's so much! It's my first time seeing this much money!" Unable to hide her excitement, Xia Yanchun grabbed Shen Nian's clothes and tugged at them, stretching his collar wide open.

"Has your little money-grubber nature been completely exposed? Haji Chun, you silly girl..."

"No it hasn't! Aren't you excited at all?!"

"I am excited, I just got over the initial excitement."

Four hundred thousand, which wasn't even as much as the money in Shen Nian's bank card. To say he wasn't excited would definitely be a lie, but his excitement didn't last as long or reach the same level as Xia Yanchun's.

Wait, no!

Looking at his collar being tugged by Xia Yanchun, Shen Nian felt like he had just missed out on a billion dollars.

He should have pretended to be excited and tugged at her collar too. He was shaking with regret, what a massive loss.

"Haha, I was just kidding, I'm super excited!" Shen Nian tried to salvage the situation. As he spoke, his hand reached out to grab Xia Yanchun's clothes.

Xia Yanchun guessed Shen Nian's intentions in 0.01 seconds. She immediately slapped his hand away and pouted, "What are you doing? Put away those dirty little thoughts!"

"But you were pulling my clothes."

"How is that the same?"

Not only did Xia Yanchun not let go, but she also gave it a hard tug. Her little hand sneakily slipped inside and grabbed a handful of skin on Shen Nian's chest.

"Wandering hands?" Shen Nian shuddered and pulled his collar back. "You're going to tear it. Can you get lost, you hypocrite?"

"Hmph."

Xia Yanchun just put on an act. Even though she was scolded, she couldn't get angry at all.

Anyone who had four hundred thousand at home and was still in a bad mood would be an absolute freak.

Shen Nian quietly wrapped his arms around the sweet-smelling girl and naturally pulled her onto his lap. "How much are you giving your family?"

"My parents don't want my money, but they said they'll keep it safe for me because they're afraid I'll squander it."

Sitting on Shen Nian's lap, Xia Yanchun was thrilled. She wrapped her little arms around Shen Nian's neck and chattered away.

"Chunbao has now become a little rich lady sitting on four hundred thousand in assets."

"Hehe, I'm so awesome."

"Mhm, Sister Chun is so awesome." Shen Nian coaxed her, wanting to make the girl feel on top of the world.

"Nianbao is awesome too!"

"Of course I am."

Xia Yanchun's eyes curved into happy crescents. She tapped Shen Nian's nose, a little flower blooming in her heart. In the warm glow of summer, it blossomed with brilliant colors, releasing waves of sweet fragrance.

She had completely tossed the memory of Shen Nian kicking her in the butt that morning to the back of her mind.

Happy New Year!!!!!