Chapter 346: Chapter 346

Ye Ling was at a loss for words now. Although she had always known this day would come, she hadn’t expected it to be so soon. Just yesterday she had gotten off the train and had helped Xiang Weilai make the decision, but now he was engaged.

Zhao Guodong regretted speaking up as soon as he finished. Seeing Ye Ling remain silent, he tried to comfort her, "Don’t take it to heart. If Xiang Weilai truly likes you, then being with Liu Rui won’t be sincere. When two people are together and one is unwilling, neither will be happy."

Zhang Linong sighed beside him. This was the first thing Zhao Guodong had said that made sense. In truth, Zhang Linong hadn’t stopped them because he knew this secret wouldn’t last long. It was better for Ye Ling to know now than to find out later so she could move on with her life.

Wang Ping was surprised that Zhao Guodong would say something like that.

"When I heard the news today, my dad said this matter wasn’t handled well. Everyone knows about the Xiang Family’s troubles, and then the Liu Family helps them, and immediately the two families get engaged. It’s obvious the Liu Family helped under certain conditions. Everyone thinks the Liu Family hasn’t acted right," Zhao Guodong carefully picked words that would comfort Ye Ling, all the while observing her, "My dad doesn’t know about you two, and I don’t think the people in the compound know either. Only a few of us know, and those who are close to Liu Zhiyuan won’t reveal it for the Liu Family’s sake. If we don’t talk, no one will know, and no one will laugh at you."

Ye Ling looked at Zhao Guodong’s reasoning and smiled, "I’m fine, really fine. No matter what, the Xiang Family’s issues are resolved, and I’m at ease. The Liu Family has good conditions, and Weilai is going into the military. They can help him; it’s an advantage for him. Liu Rui is gentle and considerate with a better temperament than mine. They are a better match. Let’s not talk about my past with Xiang Weilai anymore; it’s not good for anyone. Let’s consider it all in the past."

"Don’t worry, I won’t mention him," Zhao Guodong felt relieved seeing Ye Ling didn’t seem too upset and was a bit pleased. "Ye Ling, my grandma wants you to come to our house sometime. When will you go? How about today?"

"I’ll visit another day. I have to see my dad later to go home together," Ye Ling politely declined.

Zhao Guodong remembered the engagement between the Liu and Xiang Families today and didn’t insist. "Alright, let’s do it another time when you’re free."

Ye Ling nodded, "It’s so cold outside. You guys should head home too. I’m going to see my dad. If you’re not afraid of the cold, come to my house tomorrow, and I’ll make dumplings for you."

"I haven’t been to your house yet. Let’s go tomorrow," Zhao Guodong happily agreed. This update is available on novelFɪre.net

Out of the four, Zhao Guodong was the cheeriest.

After seeing Ye Ling to the door of the Land Bureau, the three then returned to the compound, where Liu Rui was cautiously speaking with Xiang Weilai.

The two were hiding in Liu Zhiyuan’s bedroom, "Brother Weilai, I know you like Ye Ling. Now suddenly getting engaged to me, are you unhappy? If it’s just because of Uncle Xiang, you don’t have to do this. I can talk to my dad."

Xiang Weilai smiled gently, "Don’t overthink. I brought it up myself, and it’s my choice. There are people in the living room; it’s not good for us to stay here. Let’s go out."

The person in front of her was still smiling so gently that Liu Rui felt reassured and sweetly smiled back, "Okay, let’s go out."

As they opened the door, Liu Zhiyuan was just coming in. He pulled Xiang Weilai aside and told his sister, "Xiao Rui, you go out first."

Liu Rui glanced at the two before nodding and obediently leaving the room.

Liu Zhiyuan pulled Xiang Weilai into the room, closed the door, and looked at him seriously. Xiang Weilai lounged against the bookshelf, "What’s up?"

"I noticed something was off about you on the train those two days, but since you and Ye Ling seemed as usual, I didn’t think much of it. But when you left Ye Ling to talk with Xiao Rui after we got off, I realized I was right. You overheard my conversation with Sun Mingjie, didn’t you?" Liu Zhiyuan’s face darkened, "You went to my house to talk to my dad alone yesterday, and today our families are engaged. I can’t believe you truly like Xiao Rui."

Xiang Weilai’s expression was unreadable as he lightly laughed, "Regardless, Xiao Rui and I are engaged now. As for my dealings with Ye Ling, we’ve always kept it appropriate. What’s wrong? Even if we meet again, it’ll be as before, nothing different."

Though his tone was the same as always, Liu Zhiyuan felt he heard a sigh from Xiang Weilai’s heart, and his brows knitted tighter, "I don’t care why you’re with Xiao Rui, but I’ll say this: don’t hurt her."

Xiang Weilai said nothing, his lips curling into a smile. Liu Zhiyuan wasn’t sure if he’d seen it wrong, but by the time he looked again, the smile showed no trace of irony, leaving him wondering if he’d imagined it.

In the living room, Liu Rui was talking to Ye Qian. She looked up and saw her brother and Xiang Weilai exiting the bedroom. Seeing nothing amiss with them, she relaxed.

Ye Qian also glanced at Xiang Weilai. She was quite puzzled when she received Aunt Wu’s call last night, especially about Liu Rui and Xiang Weilai’s engagement, so she came first thing in the morning. Seeing all of Xiang’s family present, she knew it was real. But wasn’t Xiang Weilai with Ye Ling? Why suddenly engaged to Liu Rui?

Ye Qian couldn’t figure it out, but didn’t show it. Since Xiang Weilai seemed genuinely warm to Liu Rui and didn’t seem coerced, she’d have to find out from Ye Ling when she returned home.

After having lunch and seeing the Xiang family off, Wu Mengyi called Ye Qian over to talk, "How’s work going? Ever since your family moved out of the compound, your mom hasn’t come back to visit. I know she’s stubborn, but even after moving out, the years of friendship shouldn’t be cut off, right? Today, I wanted to invite your mom to Xiao Rui’s engagement, but considering Weilai’s past with Ye Ling, I thought she might feel slighted. So I didn’t call her. However, you and Xiao Rui have been friends since childhood, and if you didn’t show up, it might harm your friendship." (To be continued. If you work, you are welcome to go to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)