Chapter 77: Chapter 77

Bai Xue was in a bad mood after returning from the Zhao Family, or rather ever since her eldest daughter returned home from the countryside, her mood had been poor. Recently, with her younger daughter’s illness, both the company and the compound d money, which made Bai Xue feel quite embarrassed, so she mostly stayed home, going out and socializing less than before.

Otherwise, as soon as she met anyone, they would ask about her younger daughter’s illness. Who knew who genuinely cared and who was just curious? Bai Xue knew it wasn’t right to think that way, but she just couldn’t shake off that face. She thought it was better to wait for things to die down before going out, so she wouldn’t always be asked about her younger daughter’s sickness.

Ye Qian looked up from her textbooks, "Mom, didn’t you find my sister?"

"I did. She’s eating at the Zhao Family’s place. You tidy up, and let’s eat first. We’ll write after eating." Bai Xue walked dispiritedly into the kitchen.

Ye Qian noticed her mother’s bad mood and wisely packed up her things. The family was having cabbage and tofu stew, a dish typical for spring when options were limited. If it weren’t for her health, they wouldn’t even have tofu, as not everyone could afford it regularly.

But Ye Qian was tired of it. Despite being very hungry, she only ate half a bowl before putting down her chopsticks, "Mom, I’m full."

"How can you eat so little? No, eat another half bowl." Bai Xue filled her daughter’s bowl with another half serving of rice, "Is it that you don’t like millet rice? Then tomorrow I’ll make you separate white rice."

The millet rice wasn’t tasty, feeling like it had grit when chewed and scratching the throat when swallowed. Previously, when she hadn’t tasted white rice, Ye Qian didn’t find the millet rice unpleasant, but after having white rice, she couldn’t bring herself to eat the millet variety.

Upon hearing her mother’s promise, Ye Qian ate another half bowl.

Bai Xue, however, had no appetite. After a few bites, she sighed, "I can’t handle your sister’s situation; I think it’s better to have someone pass a message to your dad."

"Isn’t that inappropriate? After all, sister just came back. If mom keeps criticizing her, it wouldn’t look good to dad." Ye Qian noticed her father tended to side with her sister.

Bai Xue felt a headache coming on, "But if we don’t tell your dad, there’s no one else who can do anything. Do we just let things go on ? If something happens and delays those kids’ high school entrance exams, who can be responsible?"

Just as Ye Qian was about to offer comfort, they heard a knock on the door. She got up to open it and saw Liu Zhiyuan standing outside. She stepped aside with a smile, "Brother Zhiyuan, you’re here. I heard you were sick, and I wanted to visit but was too busy. Come in quickly."

Bai Xue turned her head to see who had come in. Her face lit up with a smile, "It’s been a while since Zhiyuan came. Come in. Is your mom coming home every day these days? I’ve been busy with family things since returning from the countryside and haven’t had time to visit."

Liu Zhiyuan changed into slippers and replied politely, "The troupe is going out to perform again tomorrow, and my mom is going with them. I just came by to let Auntie know that I’ll come to your house for dinner tomorrow, so I won’t trouble you."

"Oh, you’re no trouble at all. Have you had dinner? If not, have a bite here." Bai Xue stood up to offer.

"I’ve already eaten." Liu Zhiyuan saw the remaining half-bowl of rice on the table and turned to Ye Qian, "You haven’t finished? Eat while it’s hot."

Ye Qian smiled sweetly, "Brother Zhiyuan, take a seat. I’ll eat up now."

Liu Zhiyuan nodded with a doting smile, and Bai Xue quickly finished her few bites, put away the bowls, and gave her seat to Liu Zhiyuan. "You two chat, I’ll go clean up the kitchen."

Liu Zhiyuan sat casually, glancing around the room, "Why haven’t I seen your sister?"

Ye Qian paused, remembering the scene from last New Year’s when she saw Ye Ling and Liu Zhiyuan coming out of the woods together. She laughed tentatively, "Brother Zhiyuan wants to see my sister?"

Liu Zhiyuan’s expression didn’t change. He didn’t react to the teasing, "I heard she came back to the city with you all. I didn’t see her today, so I asked."

Seeing no hint of concealment in his expression, Ye Qian felt relieved and explained worriedly, "My sister is tutoring Zhao Guodong and his group. My mom is really troubled about it, Brother Zhiyuan. You’re the smartest, can you think of a way? Isn’t the high school entrance exam coming soon? My sister suddenly tutoring Zhao Guodong and the others is a good thing, but what if they don’t do well in the exams? Not only might they not appreciate her help, but they might also blame her for getting in Zhao Guodong’s way if things don’t go well."

Liu Zhiyuan didn’t think much of it and asked casually, "Is your sister good at studying?"

Otherwise, how could she take on tutoring others?

Remembering the time Ye Ling brushed past him, keeping her head down but with a hostile look in her eyes, Liu Zhiyuan was indeed surprised that she could interact well with Zhao Guodong. It showed she had something different about her.

Ye Qian was displeased by his words, though she couldn’t articulate it, and shook her head, "In the rural school, she always topped the exams, but the quality of teaching is different from the city. I’m really afraid she just thinks she’s good at studying, which is why she took this on."

"The textbooks are the same; it depends on how well she grasps them more than anything related to the teaching. Since she agreed to tutor, your sister probably has some confidence. You’re approaching your exams too, so I suggest you sometimes study with them. Discussing topics together can help enhance memory." Liu Zhiyuan used his experienced tone to advise Ye Qian, "Three heads are better than one. I know you find studies difficult, and this isn’t a bad approach. Consider it thoroughly."

Ye Qian lost her appetite completely, nodded with false cheer, "Brother Zhiyuan, you’re so thoughtful."

Inwardly, she cursed Ye Ling a hundred times over for pointlessly tutoring others. Despite years with Brother Zhiyuan, this was the first time she’d heard him praise someone, and it was that wretched Ye Ling.

After sending Liu Zhiyuan off, Ye Qian went to her mother with a bitter face, "Mom, you heard what Brother Zhiyuan said, maybe I should study with them starting tomorrow."

"What could they possibly learn? Don’t listen to Zhiyuan. Let your sister mess around all she wants; you stay home and study hard. If you don’t do well on the exams, then she’ll have a reason to cry." Bai Xue was initially against the idea and couldn’t agree to it, worrying it would affect her younger daughter.

Ye Qian knew her mother wouldn’t agree. Her suggestion was merely to provide an explanation to Brother Zhiyuan the next day. To her mother, she had to display disappointment, which led to comfort from her mother again.

At the Zhao Family home, Ye Ling wrapped up tutoring as it neared ten o’clock, "Let’s stop here for today. We’ll continue tomorrow; you can’t absorb too much at once."

"I’ll walk you home," Zhao Guodong stood up to accompany her.

He found it peculiar how quickly time passed, especially while doing exercises, which he usually dreaded. (To be continued. If you story, you are welcome to visit Qidian.com to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com for their reading.)