My Education Fund

My name is Daisy Lincoln. The year my parents divorced, they opened an education fund card for me. They agreed to each deposit 2000 every month into the card for my future university expenses. In my past life, I always felt that it was hard for my parents to make money. So even if I had to wash dishes or hand out flyers during my free time, I never touched the money on the card. Until the day I enrolled at university, I took the card to pay my tuition fees. The moment the card reader showed 'Insufficient balance,' my mind went completely blank. I gripped the card tightly, my hands shaking, and quickly called my parents. They came quickly, but before I could even explain, two slaps landed across my face. "Tell me! Where did the money on the card go?" Dad David Lincoln's voice was as cold as ice. "You're definitely just scamming money!" Mom Mary Scott's eyes were full of contempt. All the classmates around were watching, and I was so anxious that tears kept falling; I hurriedly pulled out my college entrance exam score of 700 points. But they didn't even look at it; in front of everyone, they said I was "flirting around with guys and took the money to get an abortion." They pushed me back to the stairway; I slipped and fell down. In my last moment before losing consciousness, all I saw was the strange smile at the corner of their mouths. When I opened my eyes again, I was still standing in the hallway of the university admissions office. "Daisy Lincoln, this card won't go through. Can you think of another way?" The teacher's voice snapped me back to reality. I touched the back of my head—no wounds. It turned out I was reborn, back to the day of paying tuition fees. This time, I didn't panic and rush to find my parents like I did the last time. I looked up at Mr. Clark in the admissions office, my voice trembling slightly, "Mr. Clark, could you possibly cover the 260 registration fee for me? I'll pay you back once I start working after enrollment." Mr. Clark froze for a moment, a flicker of pity in his eyes. He nodded quickly, pulled money out of his wallet, and said, "It's okay, you enroll first. We can sort out the money later." I clenched the card tightly, fully aware of what was happening. My parents definitely wouldn't let me start school in peace; they'd be looking for me soon enough. Sure enough, just as I reached the dorm building, my cell phone rang. The caller ID showed "Dad." I took a deep breath and answered. "Daisy, transfer 50,000 to me right away!" David Lincoln's voice was urgent. "It's Harry's birthday today. He's dead set on the latest game console, and I'm at the mall. He's throwing a fit and won't leave!" From the other end of the phone came Harry Lincoln's crying, mixed with a woman's soothing voice—that was Dad's new wife after he remarried. I sneered coldly, "Dad, I just started my freshman year. Where on earth would I have 50,000?" "Cut the act!" David Lincoln's voice rose, "Your mom and I put 4,000 on your card every month. Over five years, that's at least 240,000! So what if we take some for your little brother?" I didn't want to argue anymore and just hung up. Right after, I added his number to the blacklist. But before I could even put my phone down, another call came in. It was Mom, Mary Scott. I hesitated for a moment but answered. "My dear Daisy, I bought you a dress!" Mary Scott's voice was sickeningly sweet. "The dress is just a bit expensive. I am short 20,000. Can you front it for me? I'll pay you back in a couple of days!" I said nothing and just listened quietly. Sure enough, the next second, I heard Yolanda Scott's voice from the other end: "Mom! I want the one with diamonds! If you don't buy it, I won't eat!" Mary Scott quickly covered the microphone and coaxed her for a bit, then when she spoke to me again, her voice instantly turned harsh: "Daisy Lincoln! Hurry up and transfer the money! They're waiting for me to pay!" Even though I'd heard it once before in another life, hearing those words again still made my heart chill. I bit my lip and said slowly, word by word, "No money." After saying that, I hung up right away and blocked Mary Scott. Once all that was done, I finally went into the dormitory, pulled out my textbook, and started tackling problems. I don't know how long passed before the dorm door was slammed open with a bang. David Lincoln stood at the door, his anger boiling over, eyes red and glaring.