Chapter 363: Chapter 363

Ye Ling calmed down from her earlier shock, watching Shen Bin’s sincerity, and walked over to sit on the kang. In truth, she had never thought about being with Shen Bin in this lifetime. From the initial misunderstandings to the events that transpired between them and her two past relationships, she never expected Shen Bin to propose being together face to face. Ye Ling knew that if Shen Bin spoke up, he must have thought it through carefully. Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs novel·fiɾe·net

"You know my situation, and I only have a good impression of you; that impression is because you helped me, not out of affection. Can you accept that?" Ye Ling couldn’t accept being with someone she didn’t love, yet she didn’t mind being around Shen Bin.

It was precisely because she had been hurt twice in her previous encounters that if it weren’t for her father’s wish for her to settle down, she wouldn’t want to engage with relationships within the next few years.

"Feelings can be nurtured over time. What I need is a wife; things done in one’s younger years shouldn’t be taken seriously." Shen Bin gazed at the young girl in front of him. "You can think about my proposal; I’ll take good care of you."

The sound of the outer door opening echoed, and Shen Bin stood up from the ground, nodding at Ye Ling. "I’m not in a hurry; you have six months to consider."

With that, he left the East Room.

Bai Xue looked up and saw Shen Bin coming out, immediately raising a cheerful face, "Shen Bin, you’re leaving already? Why not stay a bit longer? Look, I’ve bought groceries today, so stay and eat at home."

In the summer, Bai Xue had visited the Li Family once, and when mentioning Shen Bin, Ye Zhenfen’s face lit up with happiness. She spoke of Shen Bin as if he were her own child. Bai Xue didn’t probe further but deduced that this was akin to recognizing adopted parents, which made her especially warm towards Shen Bin when she saw him.

Shen Bin’s attitude remained the same as usual, showing no significant difference, "I have matters at the company; I’ll come another day."

"Alright then, come over whenever you have free time." Bai Xue saw Shen Bin out of the house. Once she returned to the East Room, she smiled at Wu Mengyi, "Shen Bin came by, but he didn’t come over to greet you, did he? He’s a steady person and gets along well with the Li Family. He’s been in contact with my Old Ye for several years now."

"He came in while I was talking to Ye Ling and even spoke to me for a bit. You’ve been keeping it a tight secret, haven’t you? Turns out Ye Ling and Shen Bin, huh? You’ve indeed found a good son-in-law, with a good family background. Even if I don’t handle Ye Qian’s matters, someone else will help you out."

Bai Xue’s smile was somewhat stiff, "What are you saying? Without your help, how could Ye Qian have achieved what she has today? Even if Shen Bin’s relationship with the Li Family is good, could it be stronger than your family’s?"

Flattered by Bai Xue, Wu Mengyi felt pleased inside, knowing that Bai Xue truly didn’t know Shen Bin’s real background. Wu Mengyi understood Bai Xue’s nature; if Bai Xue knew the truth about Shen Bin, she wouldn’t just sit idly by. If Bai Xue interfered, whether the Li Family would agree was another matter.

Wu Mengyi laughed, pulling Bai Xue to sit beside her, "Look at you, being so polite with me. I heard Shen Bin saying that Old Li couple are his biological parents. Why do you say their relationship is good—isn’t there some misunderstanding here?"

Ignoring Bai Xue’s stunned look, Wu Mengyi laughed, "That’s just what I heard. I don’t know if it’s true or not. The two kids told me not to tell outsiders, and it’s enough that you know. Just don’t spread it around, or you’ll get me in trouble, and I won’t be able to face those two kids. You won’t put me in a difficult position, will you?"

"Of course not." Bai Xue snapped out of it, her smile visibly forced, "Don’t worry, I won’t say a word. Ye Qian in the company is relying on you for care. Now sit tight, and I’ll go prepare the meal."

"No, it’s rare to come over; I can’t trouble you . My two children are at home, so we won’t eat here this time. I’ll come when I have more time later. Besides, I overheard Ye Ling and Shen Bin saying that they’ll marry after Ye Ling graduates. Though you may not like it, you still have to care about the child’s matters."

"No, I’ve already bought the groceries; just stay and eat." Bai Xue pulled her, "Remember last year when Ye Qian came back and said you asked me over, but Old Ye wasn’t well, so I didn’t go for the New Year? Then after knowing you were busy, I didn’t want to burden you."

When Bai Xue brought this up, Wu Mengyi sensed that Bai Xue wanted to discuss Ye Qian’s issues. Having been frustrated at Ye Ling earlier, Wu Mengyi wasn’t fond of the Ye Family at the moment, "Don’t say that. Isn’t it because I have time now that I came over? You come to my place, I come to yours; it’s all the same."

"I’ll come over when I have time; today’s visit was long enough." Wu Mengyi had no room to relent.

Bai Xue could only smile unwillingly as she saw her off. Once the main door closed, her face turned serious. She thought about what Wu Mengyi mentioned regarding Shen Bin’s background. Wu Mengyi wouldn’t lie, so Shen Bin couldn’t just be a godson to the Li Family. But since the Li Family couple had never had children, how could Shen Bin be their biological child?

Sitting alone in the room lost in thought, Bai Xue got up intending to ask her daughter in the West Room. But remembering Wu Mengyi’s advice, she went back to the kang, pondering but unable to come up with an idea. In the end, she thought of her younger daughter, grabbed her bag and hat, put on her coat, and went out to call her younger daughter.

In the West Room, Ye Ling was lost in thoughts of Shen Bin’s words, paying no attention to the happenings in the East Room. She only knew people came and went, and Wu Mengyi had left. As for whether Wu Mengyi would reveal Shen Bin’s background, worrying about it was pointless, and she decided not to delve into it.

Though Shen Bin’s words were sudden, Ye Ling’s heart gradually calmed from the earlier shock. After reflecting on Shen Bin’s words, she couldn’t find a reason to refuse. At least with Shen Bin, she wouldn’t be oppressed by the Liu Family’s power or hurt. Seeing how Wu Mengyi acted today, Ye Ling believed it wouldn’t pass easily.

Besides, in front of Wu Mengyi, she had resolved to address it, indirectly acknowledging a relationship with Shen Bin after graduation. Yet compared to Xiang Weilai, it had only been a year. Although Ye Ling no longer dwelt on those matters, she often couldn’t help but think when alone. Accepting someone else at this time was uncomfortable for Ye Ling.

When Ye He Ping returned, he saw his daughter with a pile of clothes beside her, clearly intending to go out for laundry, yet she just sat on the kang motionless. His wife was nowhere to be found in the East Room. As he removed his coat, he asked, "What’s going on? What are you thinking about, sitting here in a daze?" (To be continued. If you work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support, is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com for reading.)