CHAPTER 50: 049: RED FACE

Wang Changjiang spoke politely to Old Mrs. Ye because of her age, but after Ye Ling disgraced him once or twice, he couldn’t stay silent anymore.

"What does a child like you know? Besides, where do you get the right to interrupt when adults are talking?" Wang Changjiang snapped with a stern look.

"Changjiang, there was nothing wrong with what Lingzi said. Moreover, there are only two of us in the family; Lingzi is grown up now, and I’m old. She can make decisions for the household." Old Mrs. Ye’s face darkened when she saw her granddaughter being scolded.

Wang Changjiang blushed with embarrassment, "Auntie, everyone in the village knows you spoil Lingzi, but you can’t indulge her like this. Look at how you’ve spoiled her — she doesn’t even know how to do any tasks. It’ll be hard for her to find someone in the future. I know you’re unhappy with me for saying this, but I’ve watched her grow up too. I hope she does well; otherwise, who would want to say something offensive like this?"

Finding an excuse like this for himself, Ye Ling and Old Mrs. Ye could see right through it. While Ye Ling sneered, Old Mrs. Ye didn’t want her granddaughter to make any more enemies. "Changjiang, I accept your goodwill, but you’ve already said I wouldn’t like these words, and I won’t say anything that’s against my conscience. Every family thinks their child is good. No matter how bad or hard to marry off Lingzi may seem to you, in my eyes, she’s still good. You don’t need to worry about this on my behalf anymore. If she truly can’t get married, it’s just her bad fortune."

Wang Changjiang found it hard to argue back. After all, he had just criticized someone else’s child in front of them and regretted not keeping his composure earlier. He was worried about what might happen if Lingzi brought up the issue of his son and Zhang Juanzi.

Ever since he found out about his son and Zhang Juanzi, he had taken his son with him everywhere, especially after Ye Ling brought it up. Wang Changjiang had even beaten his son then, who sulked for two days but eventually started sneaking away. Wang Changjiang had to oversee his team at work, so he couldn’t keep an eye on his son, and later, he simply sent him to stay with his own sister-in-law, hoping that with time, the issue would blow over.

As for the Zhang Family, Wang Changjiang didn’t dare confront them. Old Man Zhang was honest, but the Zhang women were tough. Since his son hadn’t suffered any loss and nothing had been outright exposed, they let it slide. If it came out, the Zhang women would definitely latch onto them.

Therefore, upon hearing Old Mrs. Ye’s words, Wang Changjiang nodded repeatedly and admitted his mistake, mainly because he recalled that Ye Ling knew about his son’s matters with Zhang Juanzi.

Ye Ling noticed Wang Changjiang’s sudden change in attitude, understood why, and looked down on him even more. This guy was just an opportunist who knew how to act for appearances, which is why he got the position of team leader. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been his turn.

"Alright, let’s consider today’s matter settled. Every issue has its own time. Changjiang, my second granddaughter is sick now, and money’s tight at home. We haven’t even sorted out Lingzi’s tuition yet. I just wanted to earn a bit, saving from our food rations. I haven’t heard of the team forbidding business; just turn a blind eye, will you?"

This remark gave Wang Changjiang some face back.

Wang Changjiang immediately showed concern, "What happened to Ye Qian? You left in such a hurry last time. I’ve been meaning to ask with all the team matters but never found the time."

"It’s nothing, just an ailment that costs money to treat." Old Mrs. Ye knew he was more interested in gossip than in genuine concern.

Wang Changjiang used this to shift the awkwardness away and seeing Old Mrs. Ye not giving much detail, didn’t pry further. "In that case, take care of her. He Ping is earning his paycheck, and things will get better."

He added, "It’s getting late, and we have to plant seeds collectively tomorrow. I’ll head back now."

Old Mrs. Ye didn’t hold him back. She walked him to the door and then went back inside to sit on the kang. Ye Ling knew her grandma was upset and went up to console her, "Grandma, if he didn’t come to make a fuss, wouldn’t it look like he has no authority as team leader? We don’t need to get bothered by this. Let’s focus on our work. I don’t believe that once we start earning, he’ll dare target the others in the village. He’s just taking advantage because we’re old and young."

"I’m not mad about that. I just think about how I raised your dad, not expecting him to care for me, but instead he gives me trouble. I’m disappointed in him."

"Grandma, don’t worry. I will make you proud." Ye Ling knew her grandma had a strong spirit.

"Silly child." Old Mrs. Ye stroked her granddaughter’s head, "You’ve worked all day; hurry and read your book. I’ll go prepare the dough to rise, and we’ll steam more tomorrow."

"No need. I’ll pick the wild greens while I read. Use the ones already picked on the stove for tomorrow, and I’ll wash and pickle these tonight for cooking later." Ye Ling got off the kang with her grandma.

As the evening fell, and people returned from the fields, smoke rose from each chimney in the village. Under the dim light, Ye Ling washed the dandelions she had picked and saw that the water jar was empty. She thought of how if she didn’t fetch water right now, her grandma would have to early in the morning, so despite her aching body, she called into the house to let her grandma know she was going to get water, grabbed the bucket, and went out.

It was already spring, but it got much colder when darkness fell. Ye Ling tightened her cotton coat and headed straight for the well. From a distance, she saw someone there drawing water and thought nothing of it since it was the village’s communal well. It wasn’t until she got closer that she saw it was Si Daochen.