Chapter 108: Chapter 108

Ye Ling faintly heard her mother’s words and crying in the East Room, until she fell asleep in a daze, she didn’t hear her father’s voice. As for her mother’s apologetic voice, Ye Ling never believed she would truly change.

But the next morning, seeing the two bowls of egg pudding made at home, one bowl for herself and one for Ye Qian, Ye Ling was truly a bit shocked and looked up at her mother.

Bai Xue seemed to know what her eldest daughter was thinking, and smiled kindly, "Mom was wrong before, eat up. Today your dad is going back to the company. I also made some fried tea noodles for you. In case you get hungry after arriving at the company, just mix them with hot water. Also, sheets and quilt covers, I’ve packed a clean set for you from home. Change into them once you’re there."

"Oh, got it." Although Ye Ling hadn’t recovered from the shock, she instinctively responded and lowered her head to quietly eat her breakfast.

Facing the eldest daughter’s cold response, Bai Xue wasn’t angry. She persuaded the younger daughter to eat more while turning to pack things for her husband. Bai Xue’s change was hard for Ye Ling to suddenly accept, and even Ye He Ping and Ye Qian found it difficult to accept. For the moment, besides Bai Xue’s words of advice, there wasn’t much else happening at home.

After breakfast, Ye He Ping took Ye Qian out the door. Bai Xue watched intently until the father and daughter reached the entrance of the courtyard, then turned back to see Wang Danhong coming over. Wang Danhong worked at the Grain Bureau and was a city person. In the courtyard, she carried herself with a sense of identity, rarely interacting with the general family members, as most of them came from rural areas, and she felt she couldn’t relate to them. So, besides nodding greetings, she seldom socialized.

This person was also Song Mei’s mother.

"Oh, Danhong, heading to work?" Bai Xue greeted courteously.

In her heart, she knew that the other party was coming for her. If heading to work, she wouldn’t come towards her apartment building.

Wang Danhong wore a solemn expression, "Bai Xue, I came to find you."

Seeing her seriousness, Bai Xue guessed it was about last night’s events. She was already prepared in her heart, nodded, and invited her in. Ye Qian saw a guest in the house, politely greeted, and returned to her room.

Bai Xue poured her a cup of water and placed it on the table before sitting down, "Danhong, whatever the matter is, please let me know. I understand you’re busy every day, and we seldom meet here in the courtyard."

In this era, having a good job for a woman was enviable, especially Wang Danhong’s office position at the Grain Bureau, which was considered a prestigious job.

"Bai Xue, I won’t make small talk." Wang Danhong, finding Bai Xue a straightforward person, recalled what her daughter learned at home and felt it wasn’t quite true, "Yesterday, my Song Mei and your Ye Ling had an argument, you were there. Song Mei mentioned some things when she came home, and I find the matter serious. If true, it’s bad for your family’s reputation. If not, it’s best to clarify, lest it spread amongst the courtyard residents."

Although not explicitly stated, it clearly pointed out that she knew what Ye Ling had said.

Bai Xue sighed, "Danhong, you’re one of the cultured ones here in the courtyard, which most family members can’t compare to. I don’t mind explaining more. I have always had a rift with my Ye Ling, causing this lack of rapport since she returned to the courtyard this time. Back when Ye Qian was diagnosed with an illness you knew about, the family was preoccupied with her treatment, leaving no attention for other matters. I discussed with He Ping, if worse comes, not letting Ye Ling pursue her studies. My mother-in-law disagreed and angrily took Ye Ling back to her hometown. He Ping set things in the company straight, and by the time he got home to apologize to our mother-in-law, she had suddenly deteriorated. Thus, Ye Ling resents both me and her father. So whenever she brings up her grandmother, she claims it was us who drove the old lady to her death."

Bai Xue wiped the corner of her eye, "This matter has always been a thorn in my side. I know Ye Ling had feelings for her grandmother, so whenever she mentions it, I don’t argue with her. As long as the child feels at ease, it doesn’t matter whether the child speaks or not, as we didn’t do such a thing anyway."

"I see." Wang Danhong nodded, relieved, "Although you feel it’s hard for the child, letting them talk it over, this matter is no small issue. You can’t indulge her, you must find time to have a good talk with the child, or she will resent you for life."

Having raised a child who resents you for life, isn’t that a sin?

Wang Danhong offered sympathetic comfort to Bai Xue before leaving Ye Family, and Ye Qian emerged from her room, "Mom, is that it?"

Feeling uneasy about her mother’s sudden kindness towards Ye Ling, Ye Qian seemed to partly guess her mother’s intentions seeing this.

Bai Xue smiled and pulled her daughter to sit, "Mom was foolish before, always opposing that girl head-on. That girl is ruthless, if we really fell out, only we’d suffer. We can’t let her affect you. Once mom soothes the situation, people in the courtyard will slowly lean towards us anyway. Moreover, she got first place in the exams, many eyes are on our family."

Saying this, Bai Xue’s smile faded a bit, "It’s a pity she’s heartless. Even knowing the exam questions, she didn’t tell you, benefiting outsiders. How can I not be angry? Now thinking back, it was my mistake. If I had coaxed her when she came back, could she have guarded against us?"

Ye Qian’s eyes flickered, "Is mom trying to mend ties with sister so that we can ask her for help in future?"

Isn’t that overestimating Ye Ling? Why rely on Ye Ling?

Bai Xue didn’t notice her younger daughter’s dissatisfaction and joked, "Yes, that girl seems capable. If she really becomes successful, having conflicts with her and displeasing your dad doesn’t pay off. Instead, coaxing her might lead to her offering her help in future matters."

Upon hearing this, Ye Qian was so angry she almost spat blood.

Though her mother’s intent was to coax Ye Ling into helping, it indirectly acknowledged Ye Ling’s good qualities.

Bai Xue calculated against her elder daughter, while at this moment, Ye Ling was already sitting on the bus going to the company, with Zhao Guodong, Zhang Linong, and Wang Ping sitting beside her. The adults were chatting in the front, placing Ye Ling with Zhao Guodong’s group.

Zhao Guodong remembered the incident of getting angry with Ye Ling yesterday, sat there silently, and Ye Ling found Zhao Guodong too awkward. If he was mad at her, why didn’t he sit farther away? As a result, Wang Ping had to lean out halfway to speak, with Zhao Guodong and Zhang Linong in between, which made speaking quite a struggle. (To be continued. If you work, feel free to vote with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at Qidian [qidian.com]. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please read at m.qidian.com.)