Chapter 332: Chapter 332

Ye Ling lifted her head and met Xiang Weilai’s gaze. The tenderness and seriousness in his eyes made it hard for her to retreat. Ye Ling didn’t know why she hesitated; she should have agreed right away, but she couldn’t pinpoint what she was worried about.

"Promise me," Xiang Weilai said firmly, not allowing her to escape. "I can tell that everyone is paying attention to you, so I don’t want someone else to take the opportunity and hurt you."

"Weilai, I’m not that good," Ye Ling’s heart fluttered. "Look at me, I’m not liked by my family, I don’t know how to deal with people, and I’m a bit reclusive. Your family won’t like me."

Xiang Weilai laughed. It was the first time Ye Ling saw him smile so openly, as innocent as a carefree child. "If you were reclusive, you wouldn’t get along so well with everyone around you. Everyone in the compound knows your mom favors you. If my family didn’t like you, why would my mom be so happy when she heard I gave you my scarf?"

Ye Ling listened in a daze. "Maybe your mom just doesn’t want you to be unhappy."

Ye Ling was searching for reasons.

Xiang Weilai shook his head, yet in that instant, he pulled her into his arms. "You’re such a fool."

His voice was filled with happiness, and the joy was infectious, making Ye Ling, who was nestled in his embrace, forget to struggle. She listened quietly as he spoke, "My mom is a teacher; she’s always been open-minded and upright. How could she not see my thoughts when I came from her belly? Sometimes, when we’re at home, she even takes the initiative to talk to me about you. This time, when she heard your dad was hospitalized, she said she’d boil chicken soup overnight and have me bring it to you tomorrow. How could she not like me being with you?"

"Ye Ling, hearing you say all this makes me very happy. Do you know why? It shows that you don’t dislike being with me, and you’re even worried about these things. It means you have me in your heart, doesn’t it?" Xiang Weilai’s voice carried a hint of excitement.

Ye Ling sniffled. "You sure know how to talk; I wonder how many girls you’ve fooled."

A low chuckle came from beside her, and at times warm breath blew by her ear, making Ye Ling itch all over. Uncomfortably, she pushed at the person in front of her, but Xiang Weilai’s voice only grew louder. Finally, he planted a kiss on Ye Ling’s cheek before letting her go.

Although Ye Ling had lived two lives, it was the first time someone kissed her, making her both shy and annoyed. "We’re outside."

"Alright, next time I’ll find a place with no one around to kiss you," Xiang Weilai, in a good mood, took Ye Ling’s hand and headed toward the canteen.

They took a small path where no one passed by, and Ye Ling wondered how he even knew about this path in the hospital.

With their relationship settled, the atmosphere between them changed. Although their hands weren’t together anymore at the canteen, Xiang Weilai’s tender gaze made Ye Ling blush uncontrollably. After ordering two sets of meals and setting them aside, they finished their meal in the canteen before taking the meals back with them.

As they reached the ward, Xiang Weilai arranged, "I’ll take the meal to Uncle Shen, and you take yours to your mom."

Ye Ling nodded, not seeing anything unusual, and headed toward the ward. Xiang Weilai, with a calculative smile on his lips, turned toward the observation area, delivering a meal box to Shen Bin and sitting down beside him.

"Ye Ling agreed to be my girlfriend. Uncle Shen, do you think I can take good care of her?" Xiang Weilai asked as if seeking approval from an elder.

Shen Bin opened the meal box, leaned back in the chair, and looked at Xiang Weilai. "Compared to Zhao Guodong, you are indeed more composed."

"Then thank you, Uncle Shen, for approving us being together." Xiang Weilai smiled warmly, his eyes on Shen Bin.

He was no child, and it was clear Shen Bin was special to Ye Ling. Even though Xiang Weilai thought it was impossible, he wanted to nip any possible threats in the bud. As for Zhao Guodong, that could be solved with a fist if needed, especially since Xiang Weilai knew Zhang Linong had let go by the time they parted ways.

This was the reason Xiang Weilai dared to pursue Ye Ling today. With Zhang Linong’s approval, Xiang Weilai felt a sense of certainty.

Shen Bin wasn’t in a rush to eat. "You two are indeed suitable. You’re of the same age and classmates, so you should ensure you take good care of her instead of seeking others’ approval."

While smoking outside, Shen Bin had come to terms with it. After all, he was eight years older than Ye Ling, and seeing Ye Ling happy with Xiang Weilai, Shen Bin knew even if he tried to apply his military decisiveness to emotions, he wouldn’t interfere in someone else’s relationship.

"I know. I will definitely take good care of her." Xiang Weilai understood Shen Bin was blessing the two of them, and he showed much respect to him. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ novel-fire.ɴet

By the time Ye Ling returned, Shen Bin had eaten. Xiang Weilai took the meal box, said to Ye Ling, "I’ll head home first and come to see you tomorrow."

"Okay, let me walk you out." Ye Ling felt more at ease, knowing Xiang Weilai understood her well and knew she wouldn’t leave.

After seeing Xiang Weilai off, Ye Ling washed the meal box. When she returned to the observation room, taking advantage of the doctors being off duty, Ye He Ping was wheeled out. He had already woken up, and Ye Ling followed them back to the ward. Bai Xue leaned over upon seeing him but seeing her husband not acknowledging her, she sadly retreated to a corner.

After the doctor gave some instructions, the room quieted down.

"Thank you for today," Ye He Ping started by expressing gratitude to Shen Bin.

Shen Bin sat by the bed. "Focus on your recovery; that’s important. Don’t overthink the rest."

Ye He Ping had already been upset earlier in the day seeing how his wife treated their eldest daughter, but he had a lot he wanted to say. "I’ve thought it over. My health can’t handle staying at the company anymore. So, I’m thinking of filing for retirement. At my age, early retirement seems impossible, but I don’t know where I could be reassigned. Could you help check into that for me? It would also let us arrange housing in advance."

Since he intended to step down, he naturally couldn’t continue living in the compound.

Bai Xue forgot her tears, looking at her husband with a tear-stained face. "The company hasn’t said anything about sending you off, and if you bring it up yourself, what about this family?"

With his stomach removed, it’s unlikely he’d be assigned to a good unit, nor could he do physical work, and they had no housing. Bai Xue thought her husband must be out of his mind to bring this up voluntarily.

"I know it’s not good to say this while you’re still recovering, but I have to consider the family’s future. Once we leave the compound, I won’t have my temporary job anymore. With only your earnings, how will our family survive?" Bai Xue decided to lay it all out since her husband wasn’t showing her any kindness anyway. (To be continued. If you work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com)