Chapter 95: Chapter 95
The guard maintained a serious demeanor, still insisting on sending the two children back to their respective homes. The outcome of the situation was right before them; once the guard escorted them home, he would naturally reveal the truth. The children were being confined due to orders from above, and helping them by sending things would be seen as disrespect to those orders.
Ye Qian was not a child; otherwise, no one would have brought things for her. Everyone understood this, so they could not express their empathy for the children.
"Can’t you just give me a chance to make amends? Then... then you should send me home. I was the one who suggested coming here; it’s not Liu Rui’s fault." Seeing the guard in front of her was as dull as a block of wood and not amenable to persuasion, Ye Qian realized her only option was to think in a way that would benefit herself.
Since they were caught anyways, she would inevitably face reprimands from her mother at home. Her mother had always been kind to her, and a few words from Ye Qian would resolve the issue. However, if Liu Rui’s parents found out, the strict Liu Family would certainly scold Liu Rui. It was better to take the blame herself and let Liu Rui remember her kindness.
Sure enough, as soon as she spoke, Liu Rui tightened her grip on her hand, which only strengthened Ye Qian’s resolve, "Let’s go. I’ll take responsibility for my mistakes."
The guard did not praise Ye Qian for suddenly taking responsibility. He walked briskly ahead, easily recognizing the households in the compound. He directly found the Ye Family door and knocked.
Bai Xue hadn’t found her daughter and returned home to find the younger daughter still hadn’t arrived. Just as she was about to go out again, she heard a knock at the door. Assuming it was her younger daughter who had forgotten the key, she hurried to the door and was surprised to see the compound guard standing there. Her heart leapt, fearing something had happened to her daughter, but then she saw her daughter behind him and, after a quick look over, sighed in relief.
While Bai Xue was examining her daughter, the guard saluted her and stepped aside, "Sister-in-law, I caught Ye Qian delivering food to the confinement area just now. I’m handing her over to you now. I hope you can explain to Ye Qian that during confinement, delivering food is strictly prohibited by regulation."
With another salute, the guard left.
Bai Xue watched him leave the corridor, finally understanding his words. She furrowed her brow and glanced at her younger daughter, "Come in first."
Bai Xue had been worried her daughter had left in a fit. Hearing she went to deliver food, Bai Xue kept her own feelings aside, knowing the importance of discipline despite being indulgent with her daughter.
Once inside, Bai Xue glanced at the tightly closed door of the East Room and called her younger daughter into the West Room. Closing the door, she asked, "What on earth happened? I know you’re a good kid; you wouldn’t do something wrong."
Ye Qian took the blame herself, "Mom, Brother Zhiyuan and the others were confined because of my sister. No matter what, our family can’t pretend nothing happened. I felt guilty. When Liu Rui came over with snacks, I thought I’d deliver some to Brother Zhiyuan. I’m sorry for making things difficult for you."
Despite her daughter’s words, Bai Xue immediately understood the situation and pulled her daughter close, "Are you taking all the blame because Xiao Rui asked you to?"
Ye Qian remained silent, but her expression revealed the truth, which Bai Xue recognized. "In the future, you need to advise Xiao Rui against this. Although your intentions are good, you shouldn’t break the rules. I’ll talk to the guard tomorrow to ensure this doesn’t escalate upward. This time we’ll let it go, but there can’t be a next time, understand?"
"Yes, Mom, I got it," Ye Qian nodded obediently.
Unable to hold back, Bai Xue admonished, "This is all because of Ye Ling; now you have to repay the debt on her behalf. Don’t get involved in her matters in the future, or it will become your burden."
"Mom, that’s my sister; she’s your daughter too," Ye Qian protested. "Although I wish you would only treat me well, I can’t be that selfish. Mom, please be nicer to my sister too, or I’ll feel bad. You’re the best mom in the world, right?"
Bai Xue was amused by her daughter and poked her head, "Alright, wash your hands. I bought canned yellow peaches for you."
"Okay, I’ll take a bowl to my sister too," Ye Qian said as she left the room.
When she returned, indeed holding a bowl, Bai Xue intercepted her, serving only two pieces and half a bowl of syrup. Bai Xue insisted Ye Qian eat it, while she herself delivered it.
Opening the door, Bai Xue found her older daughter at the table studying. She set the bowl on the table, "Your sister asked me to bring this. She’s frail, and the doctor advised us to nourish her well. This is what our family can manage, so don’t complain when your sister gets something you don’t. After all, she’s not well."
"Mom, but I haven’t seen Ye Qian having anything nice. Is it when I’m not around that you give her special treats?" Ye Ling looked over with amusement.
Bai Xue felt her face heat up, "What nice things can our family offer? Even if I did make something for your sister, she needs it. Why would I need to hide that from you? You always have so much to say. Study properly; the entrance exams are soon. Stop tutoring others or you’ll end up failing. If you don’t care about embarrassment, I do."
This scolding relieved Bai Xue, and she returned to the West Room with a smile. Ye Qian heard everything from the East Room but refrained from criticizing, only accentuating her younger daughter’s obedience and the older one’s faults.
In the East Room, Ye Ling wanted to smash the two pieces of canned peaches to the ground but refrained, not looking at them again. The next morning, when Bai Xue cleaned the table and found the untouched canned peaches, she guessed her older daughter was upset. Bai Xue gobbled them up in two bites.
Better that it wasn’t eaten, less waste. Let her never eat it her whole life.
Three days passed quickly. Unbeknownst to Ye Ling, her one-time meal delivery had Zhao Guodong associating her with their group. Meanwhile, because Ye Qian took the fall for Liu Rui, their relationship had strengthened. Once Liu Zhiyuan was released from confinement, Bai Xue prepared four dishes and invited the Liu siblings for dinner.
Homemade tofu stew, braised pork, scrambled eggs, and cabbage fried with wood ear. Throughout the meal, Bai Xue treated the Liu siblings as if they were her own children, continuously filling their plates, while Liu Rui and Ye Qian chatted happily. Ye Ling, on the other hand, felt invisible, as if she didn’t exist.
Ye Ling barely saw them, focusing instead on the upcoming entrance exams and strategizing how to lead Zhao Guodong and the others in a final push. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendation and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)