"Let's do the math. Back home, there's a restaurant—even if a fast-food meal is just 10 yuan, Fu Zhe and I each spend about thirty on meals, which makes sixty a day for the two of us. That's 1,800 a month. Aside from food and stationery, there aren't any other major expenses. Add in monthly favors and gifts and whatnot, and at most, 3,000 sent back by you guys would be more than enough.
"But if Mom goes back with you, that's three people eating. Mom would be working herself to the bone for zero pay, yet the daily expenses would still be there! Even if vegetables don't cost much back home, we still need rice and feed, don't we? Wouldn't you have to send at least 3,000 then as well?
"And you renting a place and eating here by yourself—doesn't that cost money too? Once your salary is deducted for your own expenses and the family's expenses, where is anything left? If anything ever comes up, it won't be enough!"
Chapter 73