I Fell Out with Them Over a 68-Yuan Takeout Order

"Mom, when are you going to pay back the 68 yuan you owe our family?"

The family group chat was discussing plans for after the Spring Festival when my daughter-in-law, Fang Yutong, suddenly tagged me.

I froze.

Three days earlier, my grandson had come home from school hungry. My phone was dead, so I used my daughter-in-law's account to order takeout.

Sixty-eight yuan.

Before I could pay her back, she was demanding the money in front of more than thirty relatives.

I didn't say a word.

She tagged me again: "Mom, does not replying mean you're pretending you don't owe me?"

"It's not about the money, but people should have some rules."

"Don't think you can just spend my money because you live in our house."

Live in their house?

I paid the 600,000-yuan down payment on this place, and my pension covers the 8,000-yuan monthly mortgage.

Silently, I sent her a 68-yuan red envelope.

She accepted it instantly.

Then she added, "Thanks, Mom. Next time you use my things, remember to ask me first, okay?"

I stared at the screen, my fingers turning cold.

Fine.

There won't be a next time.