Chapter 355: Chapter 355

Bai Xue seemed completely unaffected by her eldest daughter’s displeased expression. She placed the dumpling-making supplies directly on the kang and even put on a smiling face. Before she even started talking, she was already smiling wide. Ye Ling felt a chill because she knew Ye Qian would probably tell their mother about this. Seeing the current changes, Ye Ling sat quietly on the edge of the kang, waiting for the other side to make a move.

"Lingzi, get up and make dumplings. You won’t be home for many days, just in time for your sister’s return. Let’s have a lively family gathering." Bai Xue spoke as if she had always been close to her eldest daughter.

Ye Ling didn’t give her face. "Just say what you want directly. Don’t go out of your way to be so enthusiastic every few days; it makes me uncomfortable. Even Dad feels something’s off."

Bai Xue’s smile stiffened on her face. "Look at you, child. I tell you, I’ve called your dad. I heard Shen Bin is over there, and I’ve invited him to come and eat. At a time , your sister’s tired from work at the company and rarely comes home. If I’m the only one making dumplings, who knows when it’ll be done? Even if you don’t care, I have to think about your dad’s health. We can’t let him go hungry, can we?"

Ye Ling said nothing and didn’t move.

Bai Xue urged again, "Quickly, go wash your hands and make dumplings."

Seeing she wouldn’t say more right now, Ye Ling didn’t argue further and went to wash her hands. While making dumplings, Bai Xue kept asking Ye Ling how often she contacted Shen Bin and how closely they communicated. She even inquired about what Chief Li’s family was like, but Ye Ling didn’t respond at all. Bai Xue didn’t get angry, though. Making the sauerkraut meat dumplings, Bai Xue rolled out the wrappers while Ye Ling wrapped them. When Ye He Ping came back, he saw his wife and eldest daughter making dumplings. His wife’s face was still smiling, which felt odd to Ye He Ping. However, with Shen Bin present, he didn’t say much.

Ye Ling was also quite surprised that Shen Bin actually came; she had initially thought her mother was just lying. When Shen Bin and her father entered, she realized it was true.

Bai Xue was especially enthusiastic towards Shen Bin. As soon as he entered the room, she greeted him with a smile, "Shen Bin’s here, have a seat. The dumplings are almost ready, and we’ll have dinner soon. The West Room is full of flour; why don’t you sit in the East Room? Just earlier, Ye Qian said she had some questions about the company for you."

Ye Ling, aside from greeting her father as he entered, kept her head down while making dumplings. Upon hearing her mother’s words, she finally understood why the supplies were set up in the West Room. Clearly, Shen Bin was expected here, providing Ye Qian and Shen Bin a chance to interact?

However, knowing Ye Qian’s personality, she likely wasn’t interested in Shen Bin unless she knew his true identity. Otherwise, with Liu Zhiyuan already in the picture, Ye Qian wouldn’t care for Shen Bin, who came from the countryside and was divorced.

So Ye Ling watched the scene quietly, without saying anything.

Just as Shen Bin was about to sit down, Bai Xue pushed him to stand. She nudged him towards the door while Ye He Ping had just hung up his coat and turned to see this scene. His brows furrowed disapprovingly, but before he could say anything, Shen Bin spoke.

"I’ll go wash my hands and help make dumplings; this way it’ll be faster. If Ye Qian has questions for me, they’re not urgent; we can talk at dinner." Shen Bin did walk outside while rolling his sleeves.

Bai Xue certainly didn’t agree, "No, no, no, your hands are occupied. You’re here to eat; how can we let you help out?"

Shen Bin did not respond further, but as Bai Xue watched longingly toward the outer room, waiting for him to enter the East Room, Shen Bin returned after washing his hands. Bai Xue’s smile faltered slightly at this, but Shen Bin seemed oblivious and walked straight to the edge of the kang, grabbing the rolling pin to roll out the wrappers. Bai Xue, biting her lip, squeezed over to the kang edge.

If she hadn’t seen Shen Bin’s connection to the Li Family, she wouldn’t have gone out of her way to curry favor with Shen Bin, who came from the countryside. Ye He Ping’s expression softened a bit; Ye Ling forced back a smile, casting a peculiar look at Shen Bin. Shen Bin happened to look over just then, catching Ye Ling’s gaze. Caught in the act, Ye Ling awkwardly withdrew her gaze, oblivious to the small smile that flashed across Shen Bin’s lips.

Ye He Ping also came over to help, noting there wasn’t much left to do. He then urged his wife to boil some water, asking, "Didn’t you say Ye Qian came back? Why haven’t I seen her yet? Where is she?"

"Sleeping," Ye Ling intercepted, ignoring her mother’s glare. Ye Ling chuckled, "Earlier, when Uncle Shen came over, Ye Qian happened to catch us talking. After Uncle Shen left, Ye Qian chatted with me, asking if Uncle Shen had acknowledged Grandma Li as his godmother. I didn’t know, so she went back to sleep."

Bai Xue wanted to interrupt, but Ye Ling was quick-tongued, recounting the entire sequence of events. When Bai Xue saw Shen Bin glancing up at her, she felt her face heat with embarrassment and awkwardly explained, "The child is just curious and asks a few questions. You shouldn’t take it seriously, making Uncle Shen think too much."

Ye He Ping found his wife’s attitude peculiar, and after hearing his eldest daughter’s explanation, he understood why his wife was suddenly enthusiastic towards Shen Bin. He felt his face burning with shame; Bai Xue had caused a complete loss of face. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on novel·fıre·net

"Enough, quickly go and boil the water." Ye He Ping spared a glance at his wife and directed her outside to boil water.

Bai Xue, considering her age, felt utterly embarrassed after her daughter exposed matters right in front of others. She left both humiliated and ashamed and went outside, thinking of her youngest daughter sleeping. She hurried to the East Room to wake Ye Qian up, who was groggy and still dazed after being roused by her mother.

"Let me tell you, just now Ye Ling talked about your speculation regarding Shen Bin and the Li Family. Be cautious with your words at dinner; don’t let Ye Ling drag you into it again. She comes across as the good person, while we appear scheming." Bai Xue warned her daughter.

Upon hearing this, Ye Qian finally snapped into alertness. Her face darkened as soon as her mother left the room. She knew anything involving her mother guaranteed trouble. She resented not being able to give one last warning; just a moment’s delay turned things into this.

Despite being upset, the relatives were back. Ye Qian quickly tidied up the bedding on the kang and got down to combing her hair, setting the table, arranging dishes, and utensils. The door to the West Room was open, allowing others to see her working as she moved between rooms.

At dinner, Ye Qian noticed her father’s friendly demeanor towards her, reassuring her that he wasn’t upset with her. She felt relieved, refraining from deliberately interacting with Shen Bin. With her mother’s prior advice, any further closeness with Shen Bin would prove she was a person seeking gain.

Ye Qian took her time. If Shen Bin really had connections with the Li Family, she could eventually use it to her advantage. Considering the relationship between her father and Shen Bin, Ye Qian believed Shen Bin would help if she ever needed it. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendation votes or monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)