CHAPTER 159: 158: DIFFERENT THOUGHTS (SECOND UPDATE)

Ye Ling saw the three of them just looking at her and couldn’t help but laugh inwardly. She noticed that the people in the upper and lower bunks were also watching her with interest, which made her feel a little embarrassed. "If you help me with the work, I’ll share some with you. The capital you invest is your labor."

"How can that be right? That would be taking advantage of you." Zhao Guodong would have definitely spoken bluntly in the past.

Ever since the incident with Ye Ling, the two of them had reconciled, and Zhao Guodong didn’t dare to say whatever came to his mind. Besides, he felt it was only right for Ye Ling to be good to him.

"By helping me with the work, the more we make, the more we sell, and the more money we earn. It’s not really taking advantage of you. Let’s settle it this way. Otherwise, having you out here helping me instead of being home for the New Year makes me feel really guilty." Ye Ling knew that Zhang Linong was the most influential, "We don’t know how it will turn out yet, but if it goes well and everyone has some money, it’s better than asking your families for it. If you consider me a friend, let’s not argue about it and leave it at that."

Zhang Linong knew Ye Ling’s temperament and understood she wasn’t being insincere or just polite, so he nodded, "Alright, let’s do it that way; you take seven, and we take three."

A 70-30 split, with herself taking 70, was quite generous.

Ye Ling felt that Zhang Linong acted like an adult, thinking through everything very carefully, and nodded, "Let’s do it that way."

The four of them were discussing how to make money, and the people around them listened but thought of it as just a whim of the kids, considering it a joke and went on with their own business.

At the courtyard, after receiving a phone call, the guard delivered messages to the Zhao, Wang, and Zhang families. The men were already out of the house, and now the boys had gone as well. The Zhang and Zhao families didn’t react much since the boys were with Ye Ling, figuring she wouldn’t cause any trouble. However, Wang Ping’s mother visited the Zhang family, and seeing them not taking it seriously, she felt she was overreacting and didn’t say much more.

The incident spread in the courtyard, where people knew Ye Family’s eldest daughter hadn’t returned since leaving last time. Now, even for New Year’s, she went back home, with even the kids in the courtyard following her. While they didn’t say much, they felt Ye Family’s actions were wrong. No matter what, it was still their daughter causing such a stir.

Bai Xue had just sent Wu Mengyi away, and her face darkened as soon as she closed the door.

Ye Qian had finished her final exams, and she was present when Aunt Wu spoke, naturally understanding why her mother was upset. "Mom, I’m sure big sis must have discussed it with Dad before going home; otherwise, she wouldn’t have left without even saying goodbye."

Bai Xue sneered, "That’s what makes me angry. She left and only strangers brought me the news. Who knows how Aunt Wu is laughing at me? Even if I knew beforehand, people would still gossip. Kicking your own daughter out for the New Year—people are all pointing fingers behind my back."

It turned out Wu Mengyi heard people talking in the courtyard, prompting her to visit Ye Family, meaning to console Bai Xue. Regardless of the conflicts with her daughter, one shouldn’t let the girl go home alone for the New Year, especially when even kids from other families accompany her because they can’t stand it. Wu Mengyi’s words made Bai Xue feel humiliated, like being slapped in public, shame washing over her.

Ye Qian was also feeling down, "Mom, wait until Dad gets back and ask him. Maybe there’s more behind it. Don’t take it out on big sis; maybe she had her reasons."

"Stop defending her; what reason could she possibly have?" Bai Xue couldn’t help but feel annoyed whenever she thought of her eldest daughter. After half a year of peace, now, just before New Year, she got slapped in the face, making it hard for her to hold her head high in the courtyard.

She’s hardly a daughter, more like an enemy.

Ye Qian didn’t have the heart to argue. She couldn’t understand why their father favored Ye Ling so much. Now that Ye Ling left, she must have told Dad, meaning he agreed. But did he consider how the courtyard folks would see Mom and her because of this?

While Dad might not feel it in the company, didn’t he think about how she and Mom would be criticized in the courtyard?

At this moment, Ye Qian couldn’t help but hold some resentment toward her father, but even more toward Ye Ling.

Since Ye Ling’s return, the family hadn’t had a single good day. Was Ye Ling determined to turn their family into the courtyard’s laughing stock, where nobody could hold their heads high before she’d be satisfied?

Bai Xue stewed in her frustration for a while, looking at her daughter usually so silent, she couldn’t help but feel pity, "Qianqian, don’t overthink. Your dad might not consider you, but you still have me. Next semester is the middle school entrance exam; how do you feel about it now?"

"Mom, I want to get some tutoring. I thought about asking big sis to help during the winter break if she came home, but it looks like that won’t happen." Ye Qian lowered her head with fake disappointment.

If Ye Ling doesn’t want to let her off the hook, then she won’t let Ye Ling off either.

Bai Xue’s mind sparked, "Why didn’t you mention this sooner? We could have told her in advance. Since it’s like this, once next semester starts, I’ll ask her to spare some time on weekends to tutor you."

Prompted by her younger daughter, Bai Xue regretted forgetting about it. That girl tutored Zhao Guodong and the others, and even the kids who didn’t study in the courtyard passed. Her Qianqian should have no problem.

Last year, without the girl’s tutoring, Qianqian couldn’t receive it, but she won’t miss it again this year.

Ye Qian saw her plan succeed, raised her head with joy, "Mom, thank you."

"Silly child, being so polite with your own mom." Bai Xue, seeing her daughter lively again, felt happy, hearing the door open, knowing it was her niece returning, her smile grew broader.

Her niece was already working, earning money each month, handing in five yuan at home, and sending another ten to her family. Bai Xue felt pleased; her niece was earning and managing well. With the five yuan she got from her job, the first month she bought clothes for Bai Xue and her daughter. Bai Xue hadn’t worn any new clothes; now her niece bought her one, she just saw her niece more favorably.

Ye Qian watched her mother’s gaze toward the door, her smile fading, thinking of Liu Zhiyuan’s visits these days and Bai Hehua’s expression, a cold smile crossed her lips. Doesn’t she know her own worth? Ridiculous to have such notions.

Ye Qian didn’t mention this to her mother, planning to watch Bai Hehua ’find disgrace’ herself.

Meanwhile, Wu Mengyi left Ye Family and returned home, sitting with a deep expression in the living room. Seeing her son enter, she called him over to talk. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to recommend it, vote monthly on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please read on m.qidian.com.)