CHAPTER 160: 159: JUSTIFICATION (THIRD UPDATE)

Liu Zhiyuan noticed his mother’s face didn’t look good, not knowing what was wrong, he obediently sat on the sofa opposite her.

"Ye Ling went back to her hometown, and Zhao Guodong and the others followed without telling any of the adults at home. They only sent a message to the compound after they were caught on the train without tickets." Wu Mengyi looked at her son, seeing only a flash of surprise on his face, she was very satisfied with his composure, "What do you think about this matter?"

"Mom, this is something that concerns other people, it doesn’t matter what I think." Besides, he didn’t want to think about it.

Towards Ye Ling, his earlier sympathy and attention had now turned into dislike; Liu Zhiyuan really didn’t like this feeling. He never paid much attention to any girl before, but Ye Ling was the only one. Even though he clearly didn’t like her now, any news about Ye Ling would always catch his attention and stay in his mind.

Wu Mengyi thought for a moment, "Since you say so, Mom won’t ask you anymore. Actually, Mom is worried about you. Considering what happened last time with Ye Qian, it’s understandable that you scolded Ye Ling, but Mom didn’t approve of that incident. As you said, that was a matter for the Ye Family. If anyone were to scold Ye Ling, it should be someone from the Ye Family, not you, an outsider. Mom is happy that you have a good relationship with Ye Qian. After all, you’ve grown up together from a young age, and it’s understandable that you would look after her like a sister. But if your concern for her makes you lose your rationality, then such concern is too deep, do you understand?"

Previously, Wu Mengyi had a good opinion of the Ye Family, and Ye Qian was also fine, but later Ye Qian got that kind of illness, and Bai Xue had that kind of temper. Wu Mengyi really couldn’t accept the Ye Family anymore. Although she couldn’t distance herself from them on the surface, she wasn’t as close as before. She tried to stay at home more so she could keep the two children from going over there.

"Mom, if you’re finished, I’ll go back to my room to read." Liu Zhiyuan stood up but didn’t leave immediately.

Wu Mengyi nodded, "Go ahead."

With his mother’s words, Liu Zhiyuan went back to his own room.

Seeing her son’s attitude, Wu Mengyi felt even more that her son was good, making it less likely for him to be involved with the Ye Family. In his room, Liu Zhi Xuan held a book but couldn’t read a single word. It didn’t surprise him that Ye Ling went back to her hometown, what surprised him was that Zhao Guodong and the others went too, which made him let out a cold laugh; they really were just kids.

The compound got the message, and naturally, the military side got it too. Zhao Guoliang just laughed it off, thinking it was fine for them to be with the Ye Family’s girl, but Wang Lijun didn’t think so and brought Zhang Guoliang to see Zhao Guoliang together.

"There’s nothing wrong with the kids being together, but it doesn’t look good for He Ping. How would people think if it’s a daughter going home for the New Year like this?" Wang Lijun voiced his concern, "Let’s go and persuade him, we’re at a critical moment for a promotion right now. We can’t let He Ping be influenced."

Zhao Guoliang thought it made sense and went with them to see Ye He Ping. Ye He Ping had already thought up a reason for his daughter going home and had already informed the authorities. He hadn’t expected that the Zhao Family kids would also follow, otherwise, it wouldn’t have blown up like this.

Seeing the three of them coming, he poured water and then smiled, "It’s about the kids, isn’t it? My mother has been gone for a year, and I haven’t had time to go back. Now that it’s the winter holiday, I asked Ye Ling to go back and burn some paper for me. Who knew the boys would follow."

"So that’s how it is." Wang Chanjun was genuinely concerned for Ye He Ping, and hearing this, he couldn’t help but relax, "So she’ll be back before the New Year, right."

Ye He Ping smiled bitterly, "I do want her to come back, but she’s quarreling with her mom like that, so how could she return? I’m afraid it’s unlikely."

Ah, as expected, this was the main reason.

Wang Lijun, realizing there was a legitimate reason, didn’t feel as worried as before, "How the kids fuss at home isn’t our concern. Right now, it’s time to get a promotion. We’ve been together for all these years, it wouldn’t do to see brothers being transferred one by one. If we can stay together, it’s best to do so."

"Fine, just your word is enough." Ye He Ping patted his shoulder in a brotherly manner, "Don’t worry, even if we do move away, we’ll still be brothers for life. Let’s get together for lunch today. I’ll tell the canteen to prepare a couple of dishes, and the four of us will have a drink."

Seeing that Ye He Ping wasn’t losing his temper, Wang Lijun didn’t say more. The group drank happily together. Meanwhile, on the train, Ye Ling originally planned to buy two loaves of bread, but was stopped by the three, so she could only take out the two buns she bought; the four of them shared them equally as their dinner.

When it came time to rest at night, although the big berth was a bit of a squeeze for four people, Zhao Guodong insisted that Ye Ling lie inside, with the three of them sitting on the outside. Ye Ling didn’t mind their arrangement—although there was a quilt on the berth, Ye Ling covered herself with it, which left the three of them cold. Eventually, Ye Ling called them to take off their shoes and share the quilt. At first, Zhao Guodong opposed it, but seeing Wang Ping and Zhang Linong following suit, he joined in.

At first, they were quite energetic, but they couldn’t disturb others from sleeping, so they were dozing off sitting up. Late at night, when they got really sleepy, they crowded together. Ye Ling was truly exhausted from exam preparations recently, and in her dreams, she felt pinned by a rock and unable to escape. In the morning when she woke up, she couldn’t help but laugh upon seeing the four of them lying sideways and vertically on the small berth, easily imagining how they had slept.

When Ye Ling woke up and unknowingly moved a bit, she saw the three of them were still asleep and dared not move again. The four of them were tightly packed together, Zhao Guodong’s head under her chest, Zhang Linong pressing against Zhao Guodong, and Wang Ping’s head facing down with legs behind Zhang Linong.

Even though she only moved a little, the three of them instantly woke up. Zhao Guodong lifted his head, his mouth almost touching Ye Ling’s chin, which startled him and made him blush. He quickly moved back, nearly pushing Zhang Linong off, while Wang Ping’s lower half fell off, waking him up completely.

As the berth shifted, Ye Ling sat up, "Wake up now, we’re almost at my place. Don’t catch a cold when getting off the train later, better freshen up."

Seeing that Ye Ling seemed unaware of what had just happened, Zhao Guodong breathed a sigh of relief and exchanged glances with Zhang Linong and Wang Ping, all breaking into laughter, the earlier awkwardness dissipated.

Having previously experienced squeezing onto a single bed, now with Ye Ling joining in, although no one said anything, it felt like the relationships had grown closer, truly friends as close as family. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendations, monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)