Chapter 92: Chapter 92

Zhao Guodong tilted his head, clearly not understanding why Zhang Linong suddenly mentioned this, just as he was picking up the food and smelling its aroma, a smile cracked on his face.

"Leave half for them." Wang Ping gestured to the middle of the lunchbox with his hand.

The smile on Zhao Guodong’s face immediately faded, but he reluctantly agreed with a hum. He picked up a large mouthful with his chopsticks and handed them to Wang Ping. Wang Ping, already hungry, took the chopsticks and ate a large mouthful, followed by another, before passing the chopsticks to Zhang Linong. After Zhang Linong took a bite, only half of the rice in the lunchbox was left.

The three continued to take turns, and seeing the half that remained, Zhao Guodong pushed the lunchbox towards Wang Ping, signaling him to deliver it. Wang Ping turned around, chewing, clearly unwilling to go.

Just then, Zhang Linong covered the lunchbox, picked up the chopsticks, and walked over. The few people on Liu Zhiyuan’s side watched Zhang Linong. If it were anyone else being stared at , they would’ve panicked, but Zhang Linong, calm and steady, placed the lunchbox down.

"Ye Ling snuck out with the food. Whether you eat it or not is up to you," Zhang Linong said, anticipating Liu Zhiyuan’s attempt to speak, getting his words in first before walking back.

No one on Liu Zhiyuan’s side touched the lunchbox, but after Zhang Linong returned, he explained to Zhao Guodong, "We’ve gone early a few times and seen Ye Ling preparing the lunchbox all by herself. I guess the food she brings each day is made by her."

Zhao Guodong, savoring the lingering taste of the food, suddenly recalled that Ye Ling, being mistreated at home, showed her care through the food. Just by looking at her hands, it was clear. Her mom was biased, obviously not allowing her to bring extra, so she must’ve snuck it out.

Thinking of this, Zhao Guodong couldn’t sit still. "What should I do then? I’m still asking her to bring dinner tonight."

"Don’t worry, Ye Ling knows what to do," Zhang Linong replied, hinting, "No matter how much or little she can bring, the intention is what’s precious."

Zhao Guodong, no fool, glanced over at Liu Zhiyuan’s side mockingly, "That’s right, people should have a conscience."

As Zhao Guodong and Zhang Linong echoed each other, Sun Mingjie from Liu Zhiyuan’s side wanted to return, but Dong Haoyu stopped him. Instead, Xiang Weilai put down his book, got up, opened the lunchbox, took a big bite with the chopsticks, swallowed, and smiled at Liu Zhiyuan, "It’s pretty good, you should try it."

Liu Zhiyuan nodded, took the chopsticks, and handed them to Sun Mingjie, "You eat first."

"I’m not hungry." Sun Mingjie turned away, avoiding the lunchbox.

Liu Zhiyuan shoved the chopsticks into his hand, "It’s still warm. Each of us has a bit to eat to keep going throughout the day."

Sun Mingjie finally took a small bite. Though it seemed simple, it tasted really good. Initially, he could ignore his hunger, but after that small bite, a tidal wave of hunger swept over him. The four of them took turns eating the half box of rice before placing the chopsticks and lunchbox lid down. Xiang Weilai picked up the lunchbox and carried it to Zhao Guodong’s side.

Zhao Guodong wanted to say a few mocking words, but Zhang Linong spoke first, "This is Ye Ling’s gesture. It has nothing to do with us. If you want to thank someone, thank Ye Ling."

Hearing this, Xiang Weilai nodded, and even Zhao Guodong realized – indeed, they too benefited from Ye Ling’s kindness.

Though there was food in their bellies, it had been shared among seven people from one lunchbox, leaving no one full. Trapped in their boredom and with stomachs protesting, everyone silently hoped Ye Ling would bring dinner, becoming a quiet but collective anticipation in their hearts.

At the Ye Family, Ye Ling returned home early, and Bai Xue didn’t ask much. She was cooking something special for her younger daughter, and seeing Ye Ling return gave her a guilty conscience. It wasn’t until Ye Ling entered the East Room and closed the door that Bai Xue took the steamed egg custard from the pot, delivered it to the West Room, and closed the door against any sound.

"Hurry and eat, once you’re done, I’ll take you shopping this afternoon," Bai Xue said, handing a spoon to her daughter.

Ye Qian had a look of bitterness on her face, "Mom, when will these purple spots on my face go away?"

Her condition kept her from leaving her room. Although Song Mei and the others were in school, Ye Qian sensed their fear of contagion and their frequent absence. Even the Liu siblings stopped eating at her home. Officially, it was under the guise of letting her mother take better care of her, but Ye Qian understood these were mere excuses.

"The doctor said as long as you avoid spicy food, they’ll fade in a few days," Bai Xue reassured her, noting the reduced purple spots on her daughter’s face, "It’s a good time not to be in school now. I’ll take you to your dance teacher to discuss your level exams."

Bai Xue never gave up on her daughter’s pursuit in dance.

"Mom, I have my entrance exams coming up. Let’s talk about it after," replied Ye Qian, feeling the pressure since Ye Ling’s return.

Originally, she wasn’t worried about passing, but now with the comparison to Ye Ling, she feared falling short against someone from the countryside. How could she face everyone at the compound then? So after Ye Ling’s return, Ye Qian put extra effort into her studies, even though she played less and studied more than Ye Ling but struggled to match Ye Ling’s speed at completing exercises. She watched Ye Ling stealthily in class, noticing how Ye Ling read during the teacher’s lectures without sneaking. Sometimes, Ye Qian hoped Ye Ling wouldn’t listen, so she could surpass Ye Ling through her efforts.

Yet each day, seeing Ye Ling’s relaxed demeanor made Ye Qian increasingly anxious, as if Ye Ling was confidently certain she would pass the exams.

Seeing her daughter stir but not eat the egg custard, Bai Xue grew concerned, "Are you feeling unwell?"

"Mom, I’m scared. What if I get sick during the exam? What if I don’t pass into high school?" Ye Qian put down the spoon and wiped her tears.

Bai Xue, heart aching, consoled her, "If you don’t pass this time, you’ll repeat another year and try again next year. Your health isn’t great, don’t pressure yourself."

"But watching my sister pass into high school while I repeat makes me uncomfortable. Mom, do you think I’m really not as good as my sister?" Ye Qian looked up, her eyes red.

"Don’t say that nonsense. You grew up in the city, she in the countryside. How can you compare?" Bai Xue dismissed, viewing the girl in the East Room as not her daughter, "Don’t worry, with her lack of dedication and spending all day with Zhao Guodong’s group, there’s no way she can pass. If she doesn’t, I’ll have her come down."

Her youngest daughter was the true princess, and she couldn’t let her be overshadowed by the country girl.

Ye Qian shook her head, "Mom, my sister is your daughter too. It’s unfair to her, besides my sister’s good at studying, she might just pass."

"Alright, don’t worry about this. Eat your egg custard. We’ll go to town and buy a pen for you," Bai Xue advised, remembering her daughter’s words.

But what if that girl did pass high school? She needed to think of a plan. (To be continued. If you work, please go to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)