Chapter 137: Chapter 137

During the day, people from the courtyard came to the Ye Family, but being working people, they could only spare some time to show concern. They returned to the courtyard for dinner in the afternoon, then visited the Ye Family again, seeing that the child was still missing, they advised Bai Xue not to worry.

Standing in front of everyone, Bai Xue was both anxious and aggrieved. She narrated the incidents involving her younger daughter from the morning, scaring everyone into a state of fearful concern, causing them to comfort Bai Xue. Yet, none blamed Ye Ling for it, and Bai Xue did not direct the conversation back to the incident. Once everyone left and the house quieted down, Bai Xue found it hard to stay still.

Though the morning’s affair involving her younger daughter gave her confidence, the fact that no one commented on her elder daughter’s missteps when people from the courtyard came in the afternoon left Bai Xue disconcerted. Her husband had come home briefly before leaving again, undoubtedly to search for the child.

"Ye Qian, stay home with your cousin. I’m going out to check on your dad." Bai Xue couldn’t sit still anymore.

Ye Qian bit her lip, "Mom, let me go with you."

"No, no, you stay home. What could happen to a grown-up?" Bai Xue picked up a coat from the West Room and went out.

It was already past eight. Although there weren’t many people coming and going in the courtyard, Bai Xue was asked several times if the child was found, making her want to hide her embarrassment. Hardly out of the courtyard, she felt sweat covering her from the summer heat.

Wiping the sweat off her forehead, Bai Xue began the search, but just after inquiring along one street, she was already feeling parched and exhausted, her heart filled with wrath towards this troublesome child. If only the child never came back.

On the other side, Ye He Ping had not eaten or drunk anything all day. Those things did not concern him; his worry was about where the child had fled. What if something terrible had truly happened... At this moment, Ye He Ping felt his heart breaking, regretting his past neglect toward his family, leading to the current situation.

Watching as fewer people appeared on the streets, Ye He Ping observed a street he had searched multiple times, feeling lost for the first time, until a frail silhouette entered his view. Ye He Ping cautiously lowered his voice, fearing he might startle the person away.

Ye Ling was indeed worn out. Since running away that night, she could have stayed at an inn but knew her father would surely find her there. Not wishing to see anyone, she could not lodge at an inn. Finding no other place to go, she saw a slaughterhouse hiring temporary workers for plucking chicken feathers, just at the right time when a batch needed processing, prompting overtime work. Ye Ling was hired and spent the day and night at the slaughterhouse, napping there occasionally as meals were provided. Once the batch was completed, Ye Ling earned six yuan and exited, feeling sore all over and needing to find a place to stay.

"Lingzi? Is that you, Lingzi?" Ye He Ping waited until the person was close and asked, gripping her firmly, afraid she might disappear in a blink.

"Dad?" Ye Ling was startled.

Ye He Ping laughed, "Lingzi, Dad finally found you. Where have you been, child? Do you want to scare Dad to death?"

After the joy, Ye He Ping’s worry turned into anger over the day and night, pulling her close and swatting her back twice. "Running away like that, are you trying to scare your dad to death before you’ll listen? Do you even know how worried I’ve been over you all day and night?"

Ye Ling was startled again, but she did not dodge, letting those slaps fall on her back, though they didn’t hurt at all, but Ye Ling sobbed because it reminded her of her grandmother. Back in the village, whenever she made a mistake, her grandmother would also get angry and hit her. Even though her father slowly shifted his bias from Ye Qian to her, she still felt distant from him, owing to past life’s matters, preventing closeness with him.

Now, seeing her father angrily and worriedly hitting her, Ye Ling suddenly felt glad. Her grandmother had passed, but she was not alone; her father was still by her side, she still had family.

"You still know how to cry. If you were my soldier, I’d penalize you." Seeing his usually stubborn daughter cry softened Ye He Ping’s anger. "Did it hurt?"

Ye He Ping hadn’t noted his strength, having spent years in clerical duties, uncertain of the impact on his daughter’s back.

Ye Ling shook her head, "It didn’t hurt."

Ye He Ping saw his daughter’s teary face asserting no pain, feeling heartache, "You child... where have you been all day and night? Look at yourself."

Ye He Ping’s once joyful face seeing his daughter turned serious, "Did your mom hit your face?"

Two days had passed, yet her face was still swollen, eyes reduced to slits, indicating how harshly she had been struck. Ye He Ping unawarely trembled with rage, which Ye Ling noticed.

She showed a mocking smile, "Dad, you haven’t eaten anything yet, right? Let’s dine out. I earned six yuan today. It’s the first time I’ve earned money, let’s have a meal out."

Ye Ling took out the money and waved it to her father.

Ye He Ping laughed, "Alright, we’ll dine out. But you keep your earnings; Dad has money and will treat you."

Six yuan earned in a day and night—what laborious effort accounted for this? Ye He Ping’s heart ached for his daughter, harboring even more resentment towards his wife.

Seeing his daughter abruptly warming up to him, Ye He Ping’s heart felt comforted. Though it was late and most restaurants were closed, fortunately, the noodle shop was still open. Ye Ling and her father each ordered a bowl of noodles, a side dish, and a cup of baijiu.

The shop owner recognized Ye Ling, seemed to guess what happened upon seeing her swollen face, and specifically prepared a poached egg in her noodle bowl. Ye Ling thanked him, but when she smiled, it tugged at her face, making her wince. Ye He Ping’s smile stiffened, then he forced himself to smile, worried his daughter might overthink.

Ye Ling loved the cucumber in chili oil, and Ye He Ping didn’t mention the past ordeal. "School’s about to start. Tomorrow I’ll take you to buy some study materials and essentials. See what you lack and get them. I’ll be checking reserves out of town these days, why not join me?"

Ye Ling nodded, quietly deciding that if her father asked her not to resent her mother again, she wouldn’t argue back. Yet, throughout the meal, he said nothing of it, intriguing Ye Ling, but she didn’t press the matter. When it was time to settle the bill, before her father could pay, Ye Ling quickly covered the cost, and Ye He Ping just smiled without comment. (To be continued. If you work, feel free to cast your recommendation or monthly votes on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)