The Add-on Pay

Harry Shawn and I met at the freshmen debate competition in our first year. He was the second speaker on the opposing side, logically sharp and always speaking with a soft smile. I even told my dorm mate in secret that he seemed pretty reliable. Later, he started chasing me, waiting for me every morning downstairs in the dormitory building, carrying two meat buns and a cup of soy milk. He said his living expenses weren't much, so he could only afford these, but he promised to work hard to make a good life for me in the future. Back then, I had little experience in relationships and thought he was dependable and sincere, so I didn't hesitate long before saying yes. Looking back now, I realize how terribly naive I was. In the first month we were together, we agreed to go see a newly released movie. At the theater ticket counter, he felt his pockets, frowned, and said, "Shoot, I forgot my wallet. Wendy, can you cover it this time? I'll treat you next time." I didn't think twice and paid for two tickets, also buying a bucket of popcorn and two cokes. After that, the 'next time' came around many times, but he never once mentioned 'treat me' again. He always said he was saving money for our future. When we went out to eat, he'd pick the cheapest little spots, order two vegetarian dishes and a soup, then say, "Eating too well makes you gain weight." My parents knew I was dating and worried I might get hurt, so they raised my monthly allowance from three thousand to four thousand. Sometimes I wanted to treat Harry Shawn to something nice, but he would say it was 'wasting money’. I thought he was truly frugal—until that night, when he suddenly grabbed my mobile phone. He smiled and said, "Wendy, I'll set up an add-on pay for you, so whenever you want to buy something, I'll pay for it." I was a bit surprised and asked him how much the limit would be. He tapped the screen with his finger, looked up and smiled at me: "Let's start with 1 dollar; we'll take it slow. When I have more money later, I'll set it to a hundred thousand, maybe even a million." He also said that if I stayed his girlfriend for a million days, he would make me a millionaire. At the time, I thought that sounded a little childish, but I didn't call him out—I just took it as his little romantic gesture. The next afternoon, I was heading to class in the teaching building and walked past a supermarket when I suddenly felt thirsty. I remembered that Harry Shawn had set up add-on pay for me, so I went in and grabbed a bottle of mineral water, using the add-on pay at checkout. A payment success notification popped up: 1 dollar, no more, no less. I twisted off the cap and took a sip, still thinking, if he knew I used it, would he think I'm being considerate. Before I could finish the thought, my phone vibrated, and the name "Harry Shawn" on the screen stood out sharply. I answered the call, and before I could say a word, his shouting exploded from the receiver. "Wendy Lincoln! Have you lost your mind?! You actually used the add-on pay?!" His voice was sharp and piercing, like needles stabbing my ears. I instinctively moved the mobile phone a little farther away. "I was just thirsty, so I bought a bottle of water..." I whispered, feeling a little confused. "Buying water? Didn't you bring any money? You had to use mine?" He cut me off, his tone full of disdain, "I only set it up for you yesterday, and you're already using it today. My mom was right—you're just a gold digger!" "A gold digger? Just because of 1 dollar?" I held my phone, my hands trembling, feeling both angry and amused. "Harry Shawn, are you crazy? It's just 1 dollar—do you really have to talk to me like that?" I couldn't help but raise my voice. He shouted angrily, "I'm testing you, and I didn't expect you couldn't even last one day!" "Testing? You call this testing?" I could hardly believe my ears. His words made me completely furious.