Chapter 317: Chapter 317

Ye He Ping didn’t have time to deal with his wife. He went straight into the East Room with his eldest daughter and shut the door, urgently asking her about meeting the director. Ye Ling hid the fact that Shen Bin had grabbed her hand, and instead mimicked what Commander Li had said. She also mentioned that Shen Bin suggested she should focus on personal matters after joining the company. Actually, Ye Ling was not planning to let her father push her to think about personal matters too early.

Only then did Ye He Ping feel relieved, "Shen Bin is right. Your real start begins after you join the company after graduation. There are many practical things to learn in the company. You’re still a girl, and girls aren’t numerous in this field, so you might face more challenges at work. But don’t worry, when you get assigned, if anything comes up, you can tell Dad. If Dad can’t help, we’ll find someone who can, and they’ll help you get through the transition period."

"Dad, do I really have to be assigned back?" Ye Ling thought of this matter and still found it quite hard to accept.

"Last time I saw your expression, I knew you didn’t want to be assigned back; is it because of our family?" Ye He Ping noticed this before, but didn’t have the chance to talk to his daughter. Now that his daughter had brought it up, Ye He Ping wanted to seriously discuss this matter with her, "If it’s because of the family, don’t worry. When you join the army and have fewer trips back home, you can apply for a personal dormitory. You don’t have to come back home then."

Talking about this, Ye He Ping’s good mood at the company this morning also dropped a bit, "I know you feel conflicted. Over the past year, the more I think about the things your mom did, the more chilled I feel inside. Thinking back, it was my mistake. I should have let your grandma follow me here back then. With her keeping an eye on things, your mom wouldn’t have turned into what she is today."

Thinking of his mother’s death, sadness appeared on Ye He Ping’s face. His mother raised him alone, but he as a son didn’t care for her enough to end up agitating her to death. Every time this comes to mind, he simultaneously blames himself and his wife. If his wife had been virtuous, she wouldn’t have incited him to chase back to his hometown and for the sake of a junior infuriate the elder.

This matter is something Ye He Ping dares not think about usually. Every time he recalls it, he only feels unworthy of being a person.

"Dad, it’s all in the past. Grandma certainly wouldn’t wish for you to be so pained." Ye Ling had resented too, but finally has a chance in this life to adapt and allow Grandma to rest easy, "Dad, I’ll come back in the summer, let’s go visit Grandma, shall we? It’s been so long, we should go and see her."

"Okay, I’ll accompany you back to the hometown during summer vacation." Ye He Ping’s eyes moistened, and he stood up quickly to walk out, "You rest for now, I’ll call you for dinner."

Only then did he hurriedly come out of the room. Bai Xue heard the commotion and peeked out from the kitchen to see her husband’s red eyes. She peevishly drew her gaze back, wondering what that dead girl said again to win her husband’s sympathy.

Due to preparing an abundance of food on New Year’s Day morning, lunch was simply reheating the leftovers, a quicker process. Once the dishes were placed on the table, Ye He Ping called his two children for dinner. No sooner had they started eating than Zhao Guodong and his group arrived, inviting Ye Ling to watch the lanterns with them at night.

Ye Ling didn’t want to go, but Ye He Ping accepted on her behalf, making Zhao Guodong and his group leave happily.

Once they left, Bai Xue unhappily remarked, "The children have grown up, is it really okay to mix with boys all day? You should pay attention to the implications a bit."

"They’re from the same compound and study together; who would say anything?" Ye He Ping actually liked seeing the kids getting along well and reminded his eldest daughter, "Lingzi, you should cherish your friendships. As the saying goes, ’childhood friends’; if you grow up together, recollecting old times during gatherings in old age is a kind of happiness too."

Having lacked friends from childhood until he came here, Ye He Ping always regretted not having close friends from a young age, ultimately missing out on those beautiful memories of childhood.

"You care so much for the elder one, but not a word about Ye Qian." Bai Xue couldn’t help herself, once she started complaining, it was unstoppable, "Ye Qian is now in the company, just at the stage where she’s unsure how to make herself official. You know a lot but don’t teach her. The child doesn’t resent you for this, but you as a father, can you truly steel your heart?"

Ye He Ping kept a stern face, "Where did I say I wouldn’t care about Ye Qian’s affairs? Ye Qian never approached me for help, besides, you mentioned having already negotiated with the Liu Family for her position in the company in a clerical role. If you’ve already agreed, wouldn’t my interference imply distrust towards the Liu Family, offending them for no reason? You’ve been a mother of two kids, yet you don’t grasp this basic logic?"

"Then just say so, how would I know about it?" Bai Xue’s eyes reddened, suppressing her tears, "The way you speak to me now carries a tone of impatience. Regardless of my faults, you consistently behave . Haven’t you considered how painful it feels for me inside?"

"Mom, please stop arguing." Ye Qian put down her chopsticks, looking sorrowfully at her parents, "Ever since the day we came back, you’ve been arguing, and it’s still New Year’s. If you keep this up, my sister and I won’t return anymore."

Ye Ling didn’t like how Ye Qian conveniently dragged her in with her kind facade. But at this moment, she wouldn’t directly counter her sister’s act, lest she appear immature and set a contrast against Ye Qian. Naturally, she wouldn’t do such things, so she kept to herself and continued eating silently.

Ye Qian glanced at Ye Ling and then back to her father, "Dad, you used to care for me the most. Can you let me go this time and not argue with mom?"

"Look, even the kids are worried." Ye He Ping gave his wife a stare, "Let’s eat."

Though not agreeing directly, he indirectly heeded his daughter’s words.

Ye Qian smiled, pulling on her mother’s arm, "Mom." Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on NoveIꜰire.net

With her younger daughter’s urging, Bai Xue could not refuse, reluctantly resuming her meal with chopsticks. The rest of this family meal was conducted in silence, until it was finally finished, after which Ye He Ping went out to play chess, and Bai Xue called the elder daughter to tidy the table.

Ye Ling didn’t even turn her head, going straight back to the East Room, closing the door behind her, remaining as the sounds of Ye Qian soothing her mom and her mom’s scolding came from outside, until the living room finally quieted down.

After dark, Zhao Guodong and his group hadn’t arrived yet. Ye Ling put on a thick coat and left home first, intending to find them. Instead, she ran into Xiang Weilai on the road.

"Are you going out with them to see the lanterns?" Xiang Weilai approached with an ambiguous smile.

Ye Ling nodded, "Are you stepping out?"

Xiang Weilai nodded back. He was already taller than Ye Ling by a head, standing slender and elegant, with a gentle demeanor, always with eyes carrying a hint of a smile. He was a true gentleman. Before Ye Ling knew exactly what was happening, Xiang Weilai removed the large black scarf he wore and draped it around Ye Ling, causing her stiff body to relax when Xiang Weilai stepped back. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com for reading.)