When I was in primary school, I lost a lot of cash. In time, I developed a habit of writing a minute figure 7 on my bills, just in case.

One morning last week, when we finished our mid-morning run, I felt hot and thirsty. I rushed back to the classroom for a drink. When I stepped in, I found I was the only soul in it. As I was walking to my seat, I spotted something like money on the floor behind the door. I bent over and picked it up. Oh, it was a 100-yuan banknote. Very quickly I pocketed it before I ran to my seat and sat down.

I pretended as if nothing had happened. As more classmates were coming back, I found it hard to contain the internal excitement and nervousness. I was having a hard time deciding what to do with the banknote. After my heartbeat came back to normal, I told myself that I would return the money to the owner should he come and claim it. If no one said they had lost money, I would keep it to myself.

All the classes in our grade were scheduled to hike to a park on Friday. On Thursday, we had to prepare a packed lunch for the trip. When I opened my purse, the 100-yuan note that Mother had given to me for my allowance at the beginning of the week was nowhere to be found. Instantly, the banknote that I had found in the classroom the other day popped up into my mind’s eye.

I reached into my pocket and fumbled there for it. Up till then, no one in my class had asked about it. Therefore, I decided to spend it on my provisions at the supermarket. At the checkout, after I put the banknote on the counter, I spotted a small figure on it. I strained my eyes. It was a 7! Oh Lord, that was my money.

Looking back to my emotional rollercoaster ride after I picked up the banknote from the classroom floor, I could not but chuckle over my folly.

It was mine, anyway.