Chapter Ninety-Five: Enthusiastic Donations

Wu Lei was full of pride, feeling he had cornered Chen Huajiang. No matter how much Chen Huajiang contributed, it would be a misstep. If he gave more, people would think his family's barbecue stall was lucrative, and envy would inevitably follow. Wu Lei would then conspire with Wu De among the workers, stirring up resentment. In the future, whenever there were actions against Chen Huajiang's barbecue stall, everyone would support them. People resented inequality, not poverty, a truth Wu Lei understood well.

If Chen Huajiang gave less, he would be looked down upon, unable to shed the reputation of being stingy and miserly. Moreover, having already been dismissed from the Red Flag Factory, he was an outsider. Wu Lei could easily sow discord, accusing Chen Huajiang of exploiting the factory’s benefits. Thus, whatever Chen Huajiang did, he would be trapped between a rock and a hard place.

The more Wu Lei thought about it, the more delighted he became, crossing his arms and grinning widely on his plump face.

"Five yuan."
"Four yuan."
"I'll give five yuan."
"Me too, five yuan."
"Three... three yuan."
...

With Wu Lei taking the lead, the other parents, after some consideration, had no choice but to raise their donations, most settling around five yuan. Those who gave less spoke in hushed, stammering tones. Wang Xiufang and the other teachers recorded everything, quickly listing each donor's name on the blackboard.

Finally, they could breathe a sigh of relief. The parents' enthusiasm and generosity exceeded their expectations; the total amount would likely surpass their projections. Their own salaries would also be secured through this method.

One by one, parents "enthusiastically" donated, and those who hadn't contributed became fewer and fewer.

"Brother Chen, let's add more. One yuan is too little, at least five."
"Right, I didn't expect this. We'll have to cut back for the next few days."

He Song and Wang Dali watched Chen Huajiang, speaking in low voices, looking helpless and nervous.

"Don't worry, I've been prepared for this," Chen Huajiang replied calmly, handing over an envelope he had readied to He Song. In his previous life, it was over this very matter that he argued with his wife Lin Jiayin, even striking her.

He could never forget this storm over the kindergarten donations; he had already made preparations.

Gradually, fewer parents remained. Even those in dire straits had given at least three yuan. Chen Huajiang finally understood the frustration his wife experienced in his previous life—the immense pressure of giving nothing in a community of acquaintances.

All eyes turned toward Chen Huajiang.

"Is someone really planning to give nothing?" Wu Lei said mockingly, arms crossed.

"This is ridiculous; the kindergarten belongs to everyone, as do the children."
"Exactly, surely they aren't so stingy."
"I think some people are just greedy by nature. How else could they still not have donated?"

Several parents who had contributed joined in Wu Lei’s derision. In their minds, having donated, those who hadn’t must be taking advantage, and at their expense no less, which made them unhappy.

The teachers glanced over as well. He Song finally couldn’t sit still. He stood, walked over, and handed Wang Xiufang the envelope.

"What’s going on? An envelope?"
"Seems prepared in advance, but why hand it over now?"
"I bet there’s very little inside. Otherwise, why bother with an envelope? So secretive—who knows what they're thinking?"

Curious, everyone stared at Wang Xiufang’s envelope, most of them with a disdainful expression. Wang Xiufang herself was bewildered, but the envelope was heavy—there must be a substantial amount inside. Unsure how to proceed, she looked to Zhang Cuilian, seeking guidance from the principal.

"Let’s not open it. It’s the parents' gesture after all."
"I think Huanhuan’s parent is right; we didn’t handle this well," Zhang Cuilian nodded, assuming Chen Huajiang and company donated little, using the envelope to save face.

The donations had already exceeded the set target, so Principal Zhang naturally wanted to protect some parents' dignity.

"Hold on, why should we?" Wu Lei protested loudly. "Our donations are transparent and public. Why should theirs be kept hidden?"

"We must open it. I want to see just how shameless some people can be!"

Wu Lei stood up, his voice booming. He was baffled by Chen Huajiang’s tactics. He’d planned to outmaneuver Chen Huajiang, but now, who could guess how much was in the envelope? How could he scheme further?

"Yes, yes, Wu Team Leader is right. Why should they get special treatment?"

"Today, we must open it. Whether it’s a lot or a little, no one will mock them, but special treatment is unacceptable."

Wu Lei’s supporters echoed him, and soon all the parents were nodding in agreement. Their donations were clear, but Chen Huajiang’s was shrouded in secrecy. With Wu Lei orchestrating the mood, they felt Chen Huajiang intended to take advantage—no one wanted to be shortchanged.

With the parents’ momentum rising, Zhang Cuilian and Wang Xiufang had no choice but to pass the decision back, looking to He Song and the others. They, led by Chen Huajiang, naturally turned to him for guidance.

Chen Huajiang stood, glanced at Wu Lei, then nodded to Wang Xiufang. "Donating to the kindergarten is a matter of the heart; whether much or little, sincerity is all that matters."

"In ancient times, there was a saying: ‘A thousand miles for a goose feather; the gift may be light, but the sentiment is heavy.’ We used an envelope to avoid showing off or prompting comparisons. Yet some flaunt their wealth, turning a simple gesture into a contest."

"What’s the point? But since he insists, let’s open it and let everyone see."

At Chen Huajiang’s words, Wang Xiufang opened the envelope before everyone, revealing a stack of bills—all ten-yuan notes, twenty in total.

"Chen Huajiang, He Song, Ma Qiang, Song Jun, Zhang Yu, Zhang Heng, Wang Dali—seven people, together donated two hundred yuan."

"Two... two hundred yuan."

Wang Xiufang read out the donor names and counted the sum: precisely two hundred yuan.

"What!? Two hundred—they actually gave two hundred yuan!"
"My god, that’s ten months of my salary! Now I understand why they used an envelope: to spare everyone embarrassment, to avoid comparisons."
"Seven people, two hundred yuan—each gave nearly thirty yuan. That’s generosity!"

As the amount was revealed, the parents were astonished, their eyes drawn to the seven.

Now they finally understood why Chen Huajiang and his group used an envelope and presented it at the end. Had they given it earlier, the donation drive might have become even more intense and others might have felt compelled to give more.

If not for Wu Lei initially contributing twenty yuan, would things have turned out this way?

With this realization, their gazes toward Chen Huajiang and the others became much more appreciative, understanding their consideration for the group.

As for Wu Lei, everyone’s hearts were now full of disdain. His donation was not the largest, yet he incited others to spend more, leaving everyone dissatisfied with him.