Chapter 482: Chapter 482

Shen Bin heard his father’s words and didn’t say much. This was the normal procedure and what should have been done. Besides, he wouldn’t feel at ease leaving without settling things with his wife. Auntie from the kitchen announced that dinner was ready, and the family moved to the kitchen.

After dinner, Shen Bin mentioned he had something to do and went out again. Meanwhile, at the military base, Zhao Guodong was talking with Zhang Linong and Wang Ping. As soon as they saw Shen Bin push the door open and enter, the three exchanged glances and looked at the dark sky outside. It was clear that Shen Bin had come at this late hour for something urgent.

Although Shen Bin had been back for a few days, he hadn’t met with Zhang Linong and Wang Ping. After exchanging a few pleasantries with them, he turned to Zhao Guodong, "Does Ye Ling know about these matters?"

Zhao Guodong nodded then shook his head, "No, she doesn’t."

This demeanor left no doubt in anyone’s mind that he was lying. Zhang Linong and Wang Ping understood Zhao Guodong’s situation. Upon hearing Shen Bin ask this question, their first thought was that Ye Ling didn’t know why Shen Bin had returned. Yet, the fact that Shen Bin came to the military base so late suggested that Ye Ling did know.

Zhang Linong, realizing this, glanced at Shen Bin and a knowing smile flashed in his eyes as he turned away. He knew Ye Ling was formidable. Shen Bin was notoriously known as the cold-faced judge in the company, but now he had finally encountered someone he feared.

Wang Ping was slower to react and hadn’t yet figured out the situation. Meanwhile, Shen Bin spoke again, "The day after tomorrow, Ye Ling will be home. I need to go back to the company to hand over my work before I can return. During the days I’m gone, please take care of Ye Ling."

Saying this, he gave Zhao Guodong a meaningful look, "When I return, we will have plenty of time to interact."

He nodded to Zhang Linong and Wang Ping, "Once I’m done with my tasks, everyone should come to my house for a gathering." Official source ıs 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹•𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒•𝙣𝙚𝙩

With that, he turned and left.

Zhao Guodong looked at the closed door, "Was that a threat to me?"

"I think so," Wang Ping nodded, "But why?"

Zhang Linong glanced at Zhao Guodong’s troubled expression and smiled, "With Ye Ling around, what are you afraid of? It’s getting late, Wang Ping and I should be leaving too."

Shen Bin had been hiding things from Ye Ling, but Zhao Guodong told her, and now Ye Ling wanted to settle scores with Shen Bin, making things difficult for him. Given Shen Bin’s character, he wouldn’t let Zhao Guodong off easily either.

Zhang Linong pulled Wang Ping, who wanted to say more, outside. Zhao Guodong quickly caught up with them, "You’re leaving me behind while you all go to sleep?"

Zhang Linong walked ahead with a faint smile, remaining silent. But Wang Ping nudged him, "What’s really happening?"

"What else? I was feeling bad and had no idea. I only called Ye Ling for some advice and did nothing else," Zhao Guodong felt wronged, but then he laughed, "What day is it now? Almost the seventh, right? Ye Ling will be home by the ninth, and Liu Nan by the fifteenth. We should gather and celebrate then."

"No problem, just let us know where to meet," Wang Ping, who had started earning after joining the company, spoke more freely, and he never minded spending money.

Zhang Linong glanced back at the two. One moment worried, the next shifting the topic to fun, still showing their childishness. He then looked into the distance, where stars shone bright in the dark night, and his mood mysteriously lifted.

Now that Ye Ling had become a mother, Zhao Guodong and Xiang Weilai had come to terms with things. What more did he have to hold onto?

With that thought, Zhang Linong laughed silently.

Meanwhile, on the road, because Ye Ling boarded at night, she slept after getting on and lay half-asleep through the day. By evening, she couldn’t sleep anymore in the quiet sleeper cabin, only disturbed by the occasional snores.

Leaning against the pillow, she gazed into the dark night outside the window. Rushing back, she had left in haste. Once she got her leave approved, she packed quickly and left, forcing her father to return home early, which weighed heavily on her heart.

Sometimes she felt quite immature. Take the issue with Shen Bin, for instance. There was ample time to deal with him, but when alone, the more she thought about it, the more she couldn’t hold herself back and wanted to confront Shen Bin immediately. Yet, she knew this was childish. What good would blaming him do? She had been angry before, but Shen Bin tended to do whatever he pleased as soon as he turned away, truly disappointing her.

And this time, Shen Bin surely had many justified reasons waiting for her, but Ye Ling didn’t plan to listen or ask. Facing Shen Bin’s assertiveness, the best approach was to ignore him.

Most importantly, she needed to see his attitude towards Ye Qian’s matter. If Shen Bin still foolishly felt guilty, Ye Ling absolutely couldn’t accept it.

The news of Ye Ling’s return, given Ye Zhenfen’s nature, couldn’t be kept quiet. Within half a day, everyone in Ye Qian’s courtyard knew it, especially Mrs. Zhao, who spoke of it with joy as if Ye Ling were her own granddaughter.

Ye Qian didn’t expect Ye Ling to come back. Seeing Liu Zhiyuan, who had been sullen and unwilling to leave the room these days, she hoped for these feelings to pass quickly. She also looked forward to good news from the military. By evening, when her father-in-law returned, there was news, but it wasn’t good.

Liu Zhiyuan was still at the company but had been transferred to a clerical position, organizing documents. Although Mr. Liu didn’t elaborate, the family knew that due to this matter, those benefiting were the seniors in the company. Shen Bin, in particular, was promoted directly by one level after being transferred back from Da XingAn Ridge.

Ye Qian dared not show anything on the surface. She felt happy for Shen Bin yet worried Liu Zhiyuan would throw a tantrum over this matter. To control her emotions, she tightly twisted her fingers. Naturally, the Liu Family didn’t notice this, nor did they pay much attention to Ye Qian. However, Liu Zhiyuan, aware of Ye Qian’s feelings, would involuntarily observe her whenever Shen Bin was mentioned.

Seeing Ye Qian’s tightly clenched fingers, his heart twisted along with them.

So, upon returning to their room, without a word, he slapped Ye Qian, causing her to stagger back a few steps, staring at Liu Zhiyuan in shock.