Chapter 120: Chapter 120

Ye Ling knew that turning around and leaving now was impossible since she had already been seen. Before she could move, Bai Xue inside the house had already stood up, smiling and waving at her, "Lingzi, over here."

Ye Ling nodded to the store owner, "That’s my mom and sister."

The old man seemed to understand, smiling, "All right, all right, still a big bowl of ramen, right?"

Seeing Ye Ling nod, the old man headed back to the kitchen to pull the noodles.

Ye Ling also walked over and sat down opposite her mother and sister at the table. Bai Xue had already started speaking, "When did you come back? Did your dad come back too?"

"I came back by myself, arrived home this afternoon. Didn’t see you guys at home, so I thought I’d check out the bookstore. Then I felt hungry and came in." I didn’t expect to see you here.

Ye Ling wasn’t used to her mother suddenly being so nice to her.

Bai Xue nodded, "Good that you’re back. That company is full of men, not convenient for you. It’s much better at home, whatever you want to eat, Mom can make for you two. Your sister is having exams these days, and since it’s close by, we came over for a bowl of noodles. Do you like soup noodles or stir-fried?"

"I ordered soup noodles." Ye Ling replied each question directly, not saying much more.

Bai Xue nodded, "How come you look thinner these days?"

You were already this thin, weren’t you?

Ye Ling didn’t bring up the illness, only asked about Ye Qian’s dance exams, and saw her mother furrowing her brows, "Your sister didn’t do so well this time, mainly because she hasn’t practiced in a while, but she’s already passed grade seven."

Passed grade seven and you say it wasn’t good?

Such humility really is hard to get used to.

Since everyone was trying to save face, Ye Ling naturally chose nice things to say, "Passing grade seven is very good, besides, this isn’t something to rush, take it slow."

"Exactly." Bai Xue’s face showed a hint of pride, "Your sister’s dance teacher said she could apply directly to art schools. I think that would work too. You know how no matter how hard your sister tries with academics, it doesn’t work out. Now with you two sisters , one is good in academics, the other in arts."

Ye Ling nodded, glanced at Ye Qian, since coming in, Ye Qian hadn’t called her sister as usual, but kept her head down eating. She ate slowly, sending each noodle into her mouth one by one. Ye Ling couldn’t figure out what was going on until Ye Qian accidentally lifted her head, revealing the purplish spots on her face, which had increased over the past few days.

At this point, Bai Xue, sitting opposite, also chimed in, "Originally, she could have done better, but your sister, it seems, had another allergic reaction, and she wasn’t feeling well, that’s why she only got a grade seven."

The plan was to go for grade ten directly, it was unexpected to get grade seven. Bai Xue felt disappointed inside but didn’t want her elder daughter to look down on the younger one, so after the exam, she brought the younger daughter over for some noodles, unexpectedly running into the elder daughter.

Ye Ling nodded, "I see the purplish spots have indeed increased."

It was just an honest statement, but across from her, Ye Qian threw down her chopsticks. Ye Ling raised an eyebrow, expecting her to lash out, but Ye Qian stood up, "Mom, I’m full, heading home first."

And with that, she rushed out.

Bai Xue looked worried, took out money from her pocket and put it on the table, "I’ll go check on her. You eat here on your own."

Without waiting for her elder daughter to speak, Bai Xue had already chased after her.

Ye Ling raised an eyebrow, not letting the incident affect her mood. When her noodles arrived, she purposely added a big spoonful of chili oil, eating until she was sweating from head to toe, feeling indescribably comfortable.

On the way back, Ye Ling was also thinking about the high school boarding situation. Although she didn’t understand why her mother’s attitude had suddenly changed so drastically, Ye Ling didn’t think it was normal. Besides, living at school wouldn’t be so awkward. Since she had to board, the necessary preparations had to be made. The high school was in the same city, sharing a campus with the middle school, a subsidiary middle school of the high school. Usually, boarders were from out of town, families not living in the city.

As Ye Ling slowly walked towards the big courtyard, Bai Xue had caught up with her younger daughter ahead, seeing tear marks on her daughter’s face, she couldn’t help feeling a heartache, "Look at you. Just bear with it for a few more days until she goes to boarding school, is it worth it to make yourself cry ?"

Ye Qian bit her lip, took a long time to quietly say, "Mom, I just envy my sister. She’s good at studies, gets to go to high school, and doesn’t get sick, but look at me, I didn’t even get into high school, and I keep getting these purplish spots all over. What did I do wrong to deserve this?"

Everything was fine initially, but since Ye Ling returned home for the New Year, everything changed. She got sick, Ye Ling returned, and academically surpassed her, overshadowing her everywhere, making Ye Qian feel that Ye Ling was her nemesis.

"You silly child." Bai Xue couldn’t help but feel heartache, gritting her teeth before quietly saying, "Let her be proud, however she acts we’ll say good, even if it’s wrong, we’ll still say it’s good, eventually it’ll harm her more."

Bai Xue’s intention of letting her biological daughter down was evident, showing her true feelings toward this daughter.

Tears slowly receded from Ye Qian’s eyes, "Mom, isn’t it unfair to Sister this way? We should still tell her when she does things wrong."

Seeing her younger daughter not as sad anymore, Bai Xue relaxed, her face full of loving care, "You’ve seen what’s happened before, I disciplined her and she saw me as an enemy. It’s exhausting without any benefit. From now on, I won’t meddle anymore. Whatever she wants to do, let her. Right or wrong, it won’t come back to me."

Doing well on the middle school exam doesn’t guarantee future success.

Bai Xue didn’t with her younger daughter, knowing she was too kind and often defended her elder sister. Bai Xue feared speaking out might make her daughter misunderstand and dislike her.

Ye Qian’s eyes shimmered as she looped her arm around her mother’s, walking home, "Mom, when I heard Sister mention my purplish spots, I didn’t even finish eating, running away, and now I’m still hungry."

Thinking of the bowls of noodles barely touched, Bai Xue felt a sting, but comforted her daughter, "From now on, don’t waste food. If you’re still hungry, Mom will cook you some noodle slices at home, with a poached egg, okay?"

"Then let’s make some, you and I can eat together." Xiaoqian sweetly smiled.

Bai Xue also smiled, and the mother and daughter happily headed home together.

When Ye Ling arrived home, Bai Xue had long since prepared the noodle slices, bringing them to the West Room. She closed the door, opened the windows and doors front and back to disperse the food smell, telling the elder daughter to sleep early. Then she returned to the West Room to secretly share the noodle slices with her younger daughter.

Seeing the West Room door tightly shut, and her mother sending her to bed early, Ye Ling guessed it was secretly for Ye Qian to have something to eat again. She didn’t feel sad about it; she always knew she was an outsider in this family. She was already quite content to not hear harsh words and enjoy a bowl of ramen today. (To be continued. If you work, you are welcome to recommend it, vote for it, and your support is my biggest motivation. For mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)