CHAPTER 51: 050: INFORM

Ye Ling had been reborn for several months now, and during these months, she hadn’t encountered Si Daochen while fetching water. This didn’t surprise her much because she knew the Si Family had only one son, who was never made to do chores, just like how she was pampered by her grandmother in her previous life.

Therefore, seeing Si Daochen here truly surprised her.

Si Daochen was very calm. He often went to the Ye Family to deliver study materials in town, so when interacting with Ye Ling, he wasn’t as reserved as before. After setting his own bucket aside, he directly took Ye Ling’s bucket from her hand, placed it by the well, and started drawing water.

Ye Ling didn’t stand on ceremony with him. She waited until he finished drawing water before expressing her gratitude. Unexpectedly, after Si Daochen hung the bucket back onto the well, he spoke, "Ye Ling, regarding the business you and your grandmother are doing, the team sent a telegram to your parents."

Si Daochen expressionlessly stared straight at Ye Ling. He didn’t know if what he did was right. After hearing about it from his parents at home, he couldn’t resist the urge to tell Ye Ling. Afraid his family would find out, he decided to wait by the courtyard, knowing he would always see Ye Ling fetching water around dusk. However, after waiting for so long without seeing her, Si Daochen began to regret his decision. Just as he was about to go home, he finally saw her arrive and felt relieved after telling her. He left hurriedly with his water bucket, without saying another word.

Ye Ling snapped back to reality and realized what Si Daochen meant. She figured Si Daochen must have heard it from his father. Did he intentionally wait to tell her today while drawing water?

No matter what, Si Daochen’s action touched Ye Ling’s heart.

She knew Wang Changjiang would not let it go easily. Did he really think sending a message to his father in the city would sway things his way? Ye Ling smirked coldly as she picked up the bucket. Wang Changjiang would be disappointed.

After Ye Ling carried the bucket home and emptied it into the vat, she shared the news with her grandmother inside. "...He still thought mentioned this matter would make Dad come over to control me."

"Don’t bother with them. What’s the point of telling your dad? Can your dad come back to stop us from making money? I’d like to see where he finds the time and face to intervene."

After the incidents before, Old Mrs. Ye was now particularly unimpressed with her son.

Ye Ling teased with pursed lips, "Grandma, don’t be too complacent. What if he really comes back? What will you do then?"

"Even if he comes back, I’ve got it covered. Don’t worry one bit. Focus on making money in these few months, and make sure you study well. I think you should return to school from tomorrow. The self-cultivated land’s all planted. From now on, I’ll sell wild vegetable dumplings, and you study. I still have over a hundred yuan here, which should last you a while for school." Old Mrs. Ye didn’t take it to heart and seemed unconcerned.

Ye Ling genuinely didn’t worry, "Grandma, I can revise at home. School is just spending money. Everything else is free. I’ll save up, and during the winter and summer vacations, I’ll help you sell together. The money will definitely be enough."

"Yes, we can still afford education without counting on your parents. You must bring some honor to Grandma." Old Mrs. Ye stopped her granddaughter from turning off the light, "Read a bit more. Our household won’t skimp on these electricity bills."

"Grandma, there’s no need to work in the fields tomorrow. There’s time to read, and saving a bit is still something." Ye Ling chuckled as she turned off the light and climbed onto the bed after taking off her shoes.

Old Mrs. Ye knew her granddaughter was worried about the electricity cost, so she didn’t say more. The grandmother and granddaughter lay down without speaking all night. Early the next morning, as soon as Ye Ling heard her grandmother wake, she got up too. Today’s wild vegetable dumpling recipe, crafted from Ye Ling’s idea, included not only wild vegetable stuffing but also last year’s dried beans, soaked and cooked with small amounts of soda and mixed with bean paste to create two types of stuffing. The freshly made dumplings filled two large pots, warm and fragrant.

Ye Ling and her grandmother packed the dumplings into baskets and covered them to keep warm before heading out. As they stepped outside, Old Mrs. Ye turned back to lock the door, while Ye Ling was drawn to the noise of a quarrel at the village’s end. The commotion involved villagers, and the loudest voice was that of the Zhang Family’s old woman, specifically Zhang Juanzi’s mother, who was shouting curses.

Ye Ling smirked, wondering if Zhang Juanzi’s pregnancy had been discovered.

"What’s the commotion about now?" Old Mrs. Ye asked upon locking the door and turning around.

The granddaughter and grandmother walked on, with Ye Ling saying softly, "It seems to be Zhang Juanzi’s mom."

"That old Zhang woman causes trouble all the time. Who hasn’t she fought with in this village? I wonder who she’s quarreling with now." Old Mrs. Ye seemed unsurprised.

Ye Ling was not interested in the ruckus. As she and her grandmother passed the crowd, she saw the villagers trying to mediate the fight. The woman being held by Zhang Juanzi’s mother was none other than Wang Changjiang’s wife, Wang Hai’s mother. Without further speculation, Ye Ling knew she had guessed correctly.

If they were tearing at each other, so much the better. But it was strange that Zhang Juanzi’s mother found out while Wang Hai was away. Could it be that she was really pregnant?

Old Mrs. Ye glanced curiously at Old Zhang’s woman pulling Wang Changjiang’s wife but didn’t intend to get involved, leisurely heading towards the village’s end.

Someone noticed Old Mrs. Ye passing and called out, "Aunt, your word has always carried weight in the village. Do help persuade Zhang De’s wife. There’s no need for such a spectacle."

Zhang De was Zhang Juanzi’s father.

Old Mrs. Ye didn’t stop, responding, "I’m too old to manage these affairs."

The villagers knew of the conflict Wang Changjiang had with Old Mrs. Ye over merchandising, and seeing her abstaining, they understood she was still upset with Wang Changjiang, so no one pressed further.

From the village entrance, Zhang De’s wife’s yelling was still audible as Old Mrs. Ye shook her head. Coming from the fields, Wang Changjiang caught sight of them, followed by Zhang De. As Wang Changjiang passed Ye Ling, his eyes cut like daggers, but Ye Ling knew he thought she had caused the trouble. Knowing Wang Changjiang wouldn’t believe any explanation, she didn’t bother to clarify. Let him misunderstand as he would.