When Han Doudou arrived at school, her friend Xu Yining looked her over, her eyes landing on the new sneakers. With a charming smile, she asked, “Han Doudou, did you get new shoes?”
Han Doudou wrinkled her nose playfully, her tone light with a hint of joy. “Yeah, my dad said it counts as an early birthday present.”
Xu Yining’s smile widened, but her eyes flickered with a hidden sharpness. “Last week when we were at the mall, I saw you staring at that pink mesh pair for the longest time. I thought you liked those. I actually have this same pair you’re wearing; my mom bought them for me last year. They were a bit big, and I didn’t really like them, so I’ve never worn them. They’re brand new. If I’d known you liked these, I would’ve just given them to you so you didn’t have to waste money.”
Hearing this, Han Doudou looked down at her shoes. Suddenly, the joy of the new purchase vanished. She didn’t want to talk about shoes anymore and changed the subject. “Xu Yining, did you finish the homework?”
Seeing Han Doudou’s discomfort, Xu Yining’s smile deepened. “Just finished.”
Han Doudou pulled out her workbook with a sigh. “I have a few problems I don’t understand in every subject. Since there’s time, can you explain them to me?” Since she had promised her dad she would study, she figured she should actually try.
Xu Yining gave her an apologetic look. “I’m so tired from shopping today; I don’t want to move. The teacher will go over the answers during evening self-study anyway. Don’t waste time on that now—just chat with me.”
Han Doudou figured she had a point. She sat down and took out her phone, but Xu Yining leaned in. “I tried to call you out this morning, but you wouldn’t come. My mom gave me her card—I spent over ten thousand yuan on clothes, shoes, and a bag. I wanted to buy you that dress you liked, but you said no.”
“I can’t accept such an expensive gift,” Han Doudou said. But hearing the “ten thousand yuan” figure made her heart ache with comparison. They were the same age, yet Xu Yining spent thousands every week, while Han Doudou’s dad lectured her for ages over a few hundred yuan. Today, her dad had promised a thousand-yuan budget but forced her into a sale pair—shoes that Xu Yining had owned for a year and considered “leftovers.” The gap was demoralizing.
Xu Yining then suggested, “You missed the gaming session with Pan Hao and the others earlier. They’re really disappointed and think you’re being flaky. Why don’t you play two rounds with them now so they don’t stay mad at you?”
Han Doudou was tempted. She was about to agree when her father’s “Daughter’s Code” flashed through her mind. She pulled out the small notebook. Rule number one: No gaming.
She tossed the notebook onto the desk. “I’m not playing. Tell them to find someone else.”
Xu Yining was stunned. She couldn’t believe Han Doudou was resisting. “But they’re used to playing with you. Why aren’t you playing? Aren’t you afraid Pan Hao will be mad?”
“It’s just a game,” Han Doudou said, complaining slightly. “My dad wrote this ‘Daughter’s Code,’ and the first rule is no games.”
Xu Yining laughed mockingly. “A ‘Daughter’s Code’? Is your dad living in the Middle Ages? That’s ridiculous. And you actually agreed to it?”
“My dad said if there’s a Daughter’s Code, there’s a Dad’s Code,” Han Doudou explained. “He has to follow my rules, too. I get to make demands of him, so of course, I agreed.”
Xu Yining tried to undermine the plan, suggesting Han Doudou could just play secretly since her dad wasn’t at the school. But Han Doudou shook her head. “If I don’t follow my rules, he won’t follow mine. Besides, the P.E. teacher is my dad’s friend. If he catches me, he’ll tell my dad. I have to hold out.”
The boy in the seat in front of them, He Lan, who had been quietly listening, suddenly turned around. He Lan was a top student and usually very cold.
“I can supervise you,” He Lan said casually.
Han Doudou’s eyes widened. What does this have to do with him?
Xu Yining’s face nearly cracked with jealousy. “He Lan, you have so many competitions to prepare for. How would you have time to watch Han Doudou?”
He Lan ignored Xu Yining and looked at Han Doudou. “If you actually intend to follow the rules, it won’t take much of my time.”
He reached out his hand. “The Daughter’s Code. Let me see it.”
Han Doudou fumbled and handed him the notebook. He Lan read it for a few minutes, then nodded. “Your father mentioned pre-studying before class so you don’t get lost. If there are problems you don’t understand, ask me. I’ll explain them to you now, and then you’ll understand them even better when the teacher explains them later.”
Han Doudou was baffled. “You’re not just supervising; you’re tutoring me?”
“As your supervisor, I need to ensure you’re actually learning,” He Lan said matter-of-factly.
Throughout the week, the two became much closer. He Lan discovered that Han Doudou wasn’t “stupid”—she was just lazy and lacked confidence. Under his guidance, her progress was visible.
Xu Yining was seething. She couldn’t stand seeing the boy she liked paying so much attention to “trashy” Han Doudou. She met with Pan Hao privately.
“I told you to pursue Han Doudou. Why hasn’t there been any progress?” Xu Yining snapped.
“She doesn’t seem to like me that way,” Pan Hao muttered.
“Her dad is just a taxi driver. You’re doing her a favor by noticing her,” Xu Yining said coldly. “Ask her out next week. Get her to date you, and then you can dump her.”
On Friday, Pan Hao approached Han Doudou. “Next week is Liu Liu’s concert. I know you love his music. I’ve already booked the tickets. We should go together.”
Han Doudou was thrilled. “I want to go! How much is the ticket? I’ll pay you back.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Pan Hao said.
“No, tell me the price,” Han Doudou insisted.
“One thousand six hundred yuan,” he replied.
Han Doudou winced. That was a lot of money. But she had been so good this week—she hadn’t played games, and she had studied hard. Surely her dad would reward her?
…
Han Doudou went home and found Han Ze packing some of her old clothes.
“Dad, what are you doing?” she asked.
“Pack your backpack and a change of clothes,” Han Ze said without looking up. “I’m taking you somewhere.”
“But I have things to do tomorrow!” Han Doudou protested. “Dad, I was so good this week. I didn’t play games, and I finished my homework. Don’t I get a reward? I want to go to a concert. The ticket is 1,600 yuan.”
Han Ze looked at her sternly. “Han Doudou, last week your shoes were 600. Your weekly allowance is 300, which is 1,200 a month. Add in other expenses, and look at how much you cost. Do you know how much is left of my salary after I pay for your lifestyle?”
Han Doudou went quiet, but her heart was full of resentment. I was so good! Why can’t he just give me this one thing?
Han Ze sighed. “I’m taking you somewhere today. If you still want to go to that concert after we visit this place, I will give you the money. Deal?”
Han Doudou looked at him curiously. “Where are we going?”
“You’ll know when we get there.”
Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152