Chapter 75: Chapter 75

Ye Qian returned home and saw her mother looking like she had done something wrong. She quietly put her backpack down and sat to the side without saying a word.

"Where’s your sister?" Bai Xue knew it wasn’t her younger daughter’s fault, but seeing she was scared, she comforted her, "You didn’t do anything wrong, so don’t worry about your sister."

"Mom, I saw my sister leave first," Ye Qian hesitated for a moment, "She left with Zhao Guodong and the others."

"Walking with boys, isn’t she afraid of people gossiping?" Truly, being raised in the countryside, she knows nothing.

Bai Xue hurriedly got up, picked up her coat, and told her younger daughter, "I’m going to the Zhao Family’s house to check. You do your homework first, and when I get back, we’ll eat."

Ye Qian nodded, got up to see her mother to the door, and even advised her, "Mom, my sister just got back, if she did anything wrong, be patient with her. It’s not good to scold her in front of others."

"I bet she thinks I won’t dare to scold her in front of others, that’s why she’s doing whatever she wants." Unconsciously, Bai Xue was led by her younger daughter.

After leaving angrily, Ye Qian relaxedly walked back to the table, sat down, and slowly began to write on her study papers. She initially thought Ye Ling would be a bumpkin at school, but surprisingly, she showed some capability and even mingled with Zhao Guodong and the others.

To be honest, Ye Qian was quite jealous. Although Zhao Guodong and the others were much more polite to her and Song Mei, they weren’t as close as they were with Ye Ling. What girl doesn’t want to be the special one in boys’ eyes? It used to be her, but now it’s Ye Ling.

Ye Ling must feel quite proud, right? But unfortunately, spending time with the boys all day long, surely people will talk. Now that she has upset mom, there will be consequences in the days to come.

While Ye Qian secretly rejoiced, Bai Xue, who had left the house, had already arrived at the Zhao Family’s. Mrs. Zhao opened the door and greeted her with a smile, "You’re just in time, or I would have had to go to your house."

Bai Xue smiled and called out, "Auntie, what do you need?"

Her eyes caught sight of her eldest daughter’s cloth shoes at the entrance; sure enough, the person was here.

"It’s , your Ye Ling was tutoring Dongzi, and she was supposed to go home for dinner first and then come over. But my Dongzi wouldn’t let her go, saying he had too many questions. At noon, he asked me to make more for dinner, and Ye Ling came with him and didn’t go home to tell you. I was worried you’d be concerned and was about to go to your house to inform you," Mrs. Zhao spoke with a sense of regret about her grandson, "Dongzi isn’t dumb, but he just doesn’t focus on studying. Now that the high school entrance exam is coming, he finally realizes the importance of studying, though it might be too late now. As parents, how can we dampen his enthusiasm for studying? We can only support him, never expecting to drag your Ye Ling into this."

How could Bai Xue say anything after hearing that? Not only could she not criticize Ye Ling, but she also had to reassure Mrs. Zhao, "Auntie, you’re overthinking this. It’s no trouble for the girl to help your Dongzi with his studies, and she’s revising herself as well. But having her eat here while tutoring doesn’t make sense, especially when everyone’s food supply is limited. Your Dongzi is a growing boy and has the appetite of two people. If that girl keeps eating here, your family will be pressured. Since she’s here today, let her eat, but from tomorrow, have her come home for dinner and then come over."

Bai Xue spoke and acted very clearly; even if she was unhappy inside, she showed none of it in her words, making Mrs. Zhao glad. "Nonsense, what’s a little extra pressure when there is enough food for one more bowl? And with the high school entrance exams just months away, I’m not saying Ye Ling should eat here because she’s helping Dongzi. Whenever she has better food at home, she should eat there, so you won’t keep thinking about it as if it were a problem."

"Alright, since you say so, I won’t insist. Ye Qian is waiting for dinner back home, so I’ll head back now." Bai Xue replied with a smile.

Inside the room, Ye Ling heard Mrs. Zhao seeing Bai Xue out and then scolded Zhao Guodong, "See, I told you I should go home to let them know, but you insisted there was something urgent."

Even though mom acts like there’s nothing wrong now, who knows what she’ll say when she gets home.

Zhao Guodong wasn’t aware of the intricacies and felt good about bringing Ye Ling home, "Let’s eat first; after eating we can solve the questions. You promised you’d guarantee I’d get into high school; if I don’t, you’ll be responsible."

"If you remember everything I’ve taught you, there’s no way you won’t pass, unless you’re not trying your best." Ye Ling wasn’t intimidated by his threat.

On this, Zhao Guodong felt confident and patted his chest, "Don’t worry, I’ve memorized it all, like the back of my hand."

Not wanting to listen to his boasting any longer, Ye Ling exited the room first and saw Grandma Zhao setting the tableware. She went over to help, "Grandma Zhao, let me help you."

"No need, no need. You guys go wash your hands and relax a bit; I’ll call you when the food is ready." Grandma Zhao was very fond of Ye Ling.

She liked her because she could get her grandson to obediently study, which was a quality she couldn’t help but admire. She thought it was a pity Ye Ling hadn’t returned to the city hall earlier because then her grandson might have started focusing on his studies sooner.

"I washed my hands as soon as I came in," Ye Ling said cheerfully as she followed her into the kitchen. Noticing the rice was cooked but not the vegetables, she pointed to the soaked eggplants and asked, "Grandma Zhao, is that eggplant stew?"

"Yes, indeed. I thought I’d make dinner early because Dongzi said he wanted you over for dinner tonight. It’s a pity my leg started hurting again, and I haven’t cooked the vegetables yet. You go inside, and I’ll stew these vegetables; it’ll be ready soon." Mrs. Zhao mentioned her rheumatic leg with a shake of her head, "I’m getting older. You all need to dress warmly in the winter, so you won’t have the same issues when you’re older."

"Grandma Zhao, you go rest; I’ll take care of it. Back in the countryside, I’d help my grandma cook." Ye Ling sincerely wanted to help as it reminded her of being with her grandma, and she began filling the electric fryer with water while adding the eggplants, "These eggplants have been soaking all day, and they won’t cook quickly unless they’re pre-blanched. Normally, if you’re going to eat them, blanch them in hot water first with a bit of baking soda. This way, they cook quickly and thoroughly."

Observing how efficiently Ye Ling explained while doing the chores, Grandma Zhao grew even fonder of her, "You’re so capable. Today, Grandma Zhao will indulge herself and taste your cooking."

"Alright then, you just wait inside," Ye Ling smiled as she escorted Grandma Zhao out of the kitchen and then returned to cut a large spring onion on the chopping board. Once the eggplant stew was done, she scattered it on top, allowing the aroma to fill the room instantly. (To be continued. If you work, you are welcome 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.)