CHAPTER 38: CHAPTER 38: FAMILY MISFORTUNE

Ride-sharing?

As soon as Granny Zhang mentioned it, the villagers, still caught in surprise, immediately turned their attention to Master Ma.

It must be said, Master Ma standing there really did look quite impressive.

After all, before being subdued by Ye Fei, Master Ma was a rather influential figure in Yingtian, mingling with high-powered people like Guo Wenyuan. Thus, standing there, he gave off the aura of a successful man.

"What?! That scared me—I mean, Xiao Fei is just a college student; how can he possibly afford a car the minute he visits the city?!"

"I never believed it. Xiao Fei barely comes home—how could he have the money to buy a fancy car?"

"Alright, alright, stop blocking my view. I want to see this boss more clearly. Wonder if my daughter would be a match for him!"

Hearing everyone’s comments, Master Ma instantly broke out in a sweat.

Now that he had fully pledged his loyalty to Ye Fei, listening to this bunch of nosy relatives gossip and criticize Ye Fei in front of him, calling him "the boss"—wasn’t that like throwing him straight into the fire?

But before Master Ma could open his mouth, Su Hongyun pulled Ye Fei forward, bowed slightly, and said, "Dear boss, thank you so much. Xiao Fei was lucky to receive your care on the journey here—thank you for all your trouble!"

Seeing Ye Fei’s mom express gratitude, Master Ma quickly jumped to one side, avoiding Su Hongyun’s bow, and responded, "Please don’t, ma’am... You’ve misunderstood. I... I’m just Mr. Ye’s subordinate!"

"Subordinate?"

Su Hongyun froze for a moment before replying, "Boss, stop teasing—how could you be Xiao Fei’s subordinate?!"

"Ma’am, it’s true! I really am Mr. Ye’s subordinate!"

As Master Ma spoke, he suddenly dropped to his knees before Ye Fei, shouting, "Mas... Mr. Ye, I wasn’t trying to cause trouble! Please explain to ma’am quickly!"

"This..."

Su Hongyun was startled, watching Master Ma panic so much it seemed as though he was about to cry. She immediately turned to Ye Fei and asked, "Xiao Fei, what’s going on here?!"

"Mom! Xiao Ma truly is my subordinate. I’ll explain everything when we’re back."

Ye Fei smiled slightly as he spoke, then turned to Master Ma, saying, "Get up, will you? Let’s go!"

"Yes! Thank you, Mr. Ye! Thank you, Mr. Ye!"

Master Ma replied, as though he’d been granted mercy, breathing a sigh of relief.

Not being by Ye Fei’s side, he wouldn’t have felt this way.

But since following Ye Fei, Master Ma had grown increasingly aware of Ye Fei’s extraordinary nature. This otherworldliness had developed into a deep sense of reverence and fear, etched into his heart—it explained his earlier actions.

However, while Master Ma relaxed, the villagers were left in a state of stunned silence.

Master Ma’s kneeling felt like an invisible series of slaps, turning each onlooker into a dazed fool.

As for Granny Zhang, she was so embarrassed she practically wished the ground could swallow her up, yet she stubbornly grumbled, "What’s so special about that? It’s just a car! My Gou Dan’s vehicle is surely bigger than that one..."

Vroom! Vroom!

Before her words ended, the village gate echoed with the roaring of an engine. Moments later, Granny Zhang’s Gou Dan arrived, driving a tractor into view.

As he approached, Gou Dan shouted, "Whoa, whose luxury Benz is this?! That has to be worth several hundred grand—what a tycoon!"

Granny Zhang, witnessing the scene, felt her knees buckle, nearly tumbling face-first onto the ground...

Soon.

Ye Fei helped his mother, Su Hongyun, back into the family courtyard. However, the anticipated welcome of smiles from his father and sister was nowhere to be found.

Ye Fei, noticing this, asked curiously, "Mom! Where are Dad and Sis?"

"Your dad and... and your sister aren’t home!" Su Hongyun quickly replied.

Although her tone was calm, her eyes betrayed a hint of unease.

Ye Fei keenly observed his mother’s demeanor.

He didn’t dwell on it too much, assuming it resulted from her excitement at seeing him after so long.

Thus, under Master Ma’s service, Ye Fei chatted with his mom about recent developments in Yuntai, as well as school matters.

Naturally, Ye Fei kept his cultivation practices to himself, so as not to worry her.

Regarding Master Ma, he was introduced as the housekeeper of a good friend, just here to escort him home, without elaborating further.

The mother-son conversation lasted throughout the afternoon.

As the sky slowly darkened, Su Hongyun suddenly said, "Xiao Fei, you should be graduating this year, right?"

"Yes! I’ll graduate in another year. By then, Sis will finish high school too—I plan to bring our whole family to Yuntai!" Ye Fei replied with a smile.

He had pondered this idea for quite some time. However, he hadn’t had the means to act on it before.

Now things were different.

Through his connections to Guo Wenyuan, Ye Fei wasn’t entirely influential in Yuntai, but solving minor problems was manageable.

Most importantly, the spacious villa on Purple Mist Mountain was big enough to accommodate his parents and sister comfortably.

At that point, Ye Fei could teach his family some cultivation techniques to help them ward off illness and live longer!

Yet Su Hongyun shook her head and said, "Let’s discuss that later. Your dad and I are accustomed to living in the countryside—we wouldn’t adapt well to city life. As for your sister, let her stay here in Bamboo Village; she doesn’t need to trouble you."

"Trouble me? How could that..."

Ye Fei began to argue.

But Su Hongyun slowly rose and said, "Xiao Fei, academics are important. Senior year is crucial. It puts my mind at ease to see you safe and sound—focus on your studies and return to Yuntai soon!"

Go back?

Hearing these words, Ye Fei frowned deeply.

In previous years, whenever Ye Fei visited, his mother clung to him, reluctant to let him leave, wanting him to stay as long as possible.

This time, after just an afternoon, she was urging him to leave?

"Mom! I haven’t even seen Dad or Sister yet! How could I go back now? Speaking of which, why aren’t Dad and Sis here yet? Where did they go?" Ye Fei asked, glancing toward the doorway. The sky had already turned dark!

"What is there to see or not see? I told you to go back, so go back!"

Su Hongyun seemed both flustered and stern, adding, "Your dad and I worked hard so you could study and have a future—why can’t you just listen to your mother?!"

"Mom! Are you hiding something from me? What happened to Dad and Sis?"

Ye Fei asked coldly, his tone firm.

At this point, if he couldn’t tell something was wrong, he wouldn’t deserve to call himself a son.

Su Hongyun tried to maintain her strict motherly facade.

But looking into Ye Fei’s eyes, her resolve gradually melted. Her eyes grew moist as she choked out, "Xiao Fei, your... your sister has... has gotten married, and your dad... your dad is dying..."