Ying is a boarding school student in China at the best public school in her hometown. Her family is very poor, but Ying got a full scholarship from the school. Ying used to go home once a month, but this semester she has been very busy preparing for her college entrance examination and she last saw her family five months ago. Today is graduation and she is so happy because she got an academic award. Her dream school is Peking University, and she is expecting an acceptance. After lunch, she packs her bags and gets on the bus to go home. She is imagining her parents and how happy they will be to see her.

     Ying’s hometown is 200 kilometers away from her school, it is a remote village. Her home is in the corner of the tube-shaped apartment.  “Dad, Mom, I am back,” Ying bounces into the home. Ying is a little surprised that her mother was not waiting for her outside the door as usual. She looks around her home. The wallpaper had peeled off with time, revealing walls blackened by years of soot. Ying’s mom is sitting under the dim light with a complex look on her face, somewhat sad, somewhat desperate, and somewhat ambivalent. Ying senses a strange atmosphere. Her mom’s face was pale and her dad bowed his head with worry. 

     “Mom, Dad, what's the matter?” Her dad opens his mouth as if to say something, but he ultimately remains silent. “Nothing," her mom forces a smile. “Go wash your hands and get ready for dinner.”

      Dinner is boiled cabbage and rice with soy sauce. At the table, mid-meal, Ying’s mom suddenly faints and her bowl falls to the ground, breaking in two. Her father squats down to clean up, assuring "It will be alright, it will be alright," as if he is comforting Ying’s mother, or maybe himself. 

      Just then, there is a knock at the door: “Courier!” Ying suddenly realizes something and becomes very nervous and expectant. She cuts the newly delivered package carefully. Her hand almost trembles when she takes out a thin sheet of paper, which might carry the weight of her future. -- “Peking University” “Congratulations''. These words make her so excited, and she bursts into tears of joy. Ying's mom’s face suddenly becomes flushed, she holds Ying’s hand and said, “All my hope is in you, Ying, I’m so proud of you! Remember, you are on your own for the future, I will not be able to accompany you .” Her mom’s voice drops with some sadness. “What? What do you mean you can't accompany me?” Ying is a little puzzled. Mom strokes her hands softly. “I just mean you're going to university far away from me.” 

        After dinner, Ying comes into her mom’s room. She sees her mom frowning at a piece of paper, with tears rolling in her eyes. Ying’s mom shoves the paper behind her back in a hurry when she sees Ying. "Mom, what is that? Can't I have a look?" Ying notices there is a hint of nervousness on Mom' s face. "It's nothing important," she falters. However, as she turns to get her clothes, the paper on her back slips to the floor. Ying quickly picks it up although her mom tries to stop her. “The diagnostic report... Patient Huiying, Cancer!” Ying’s heart seems to be dragged into hell.  "Mom, it's not true, right? How can you possibly get cancer?” With a wry smile, Ying’s mom gently touches Ying's hair. She says, "I don't have much time to be with you. Ying, you must take care of yourself in the future.” “Let's go and find the best doctor. You’ll be fine!”   Mom takes a deep breath and seems to be making a difficult decision, as she puts her head down in a barely audible voice, “Our family can't afford the treatment. I'm going to give up the treatment.” “No, you can’t! We can’t give up, Mama! " Ying is almost crying. Her mom sighs, “It will cost a lot of money to cure the disease. Our family doesn't have enough health insurance, so we have to pay most of the medical bills ourselves. Your dad and I scraped the money and we only have 60,000 Yuan. We will need this money to pay for your college tuition. We really don't have any more money.” Ying's tears flowed from her eyes. She rushes into her room, locking the door. Her mom knocks on her door, but she would not answer; she just sobbes silently. Suddenly, she hears her mom break into a violent cough. Ying is so afraid that she hurries to open the door, runs to her mom, and patted her back. Ying is silent for a long time, her tears streaming down to the ground; finally, she makes a difficult decision, “Mom, I decided to give up university. I can go to work. You can use this money and my earnings for your cancer treatment.” Her mom's eyes are full of unexpected shock and rage. She takes away her hand and says angrily, "It’s impossible! I won’t do this! It doesn't matter if I die. But you have a long and great future ahead of you.” Ying slowly shakes her head, her eyes gradually becoming firm. She says, “Your life is much more important than my studies. Even if I don't go to university, I can still make a good living on my own.” Ying’s mom wavers a little, but soon she blames herself. How can I have any doubts? This money is my daughter's hope for her future! She firmly refuses again. "But..." Just when Ying wanted to say something again, Ying’s father shouts at her, "Listen to your mom!” These are his first words since the arguments between Ying and her mom had begun. The house falls into dead silence.

       At that moment, the phone rang. It is Ying’s aunt. She reports exciting news. "My son has started a fundraising campaign for you on the Internet. It was just a try, but it seems to have raised 50 thousand yuan already and the amount is increasing continuously! You can go to the hospital tomorrow. Go and start your treatment please!” 

     Ying and her mother hug and cry , they don’t need to make this choice between her future and he mom’s life…