Chapter 13: Or…are you lying to us?

Thinking of how her daughter had also been bewitched by Ye Yunzhou, the father’s tone softened a little.

“The reason the Ye family chose Zheng Qingning is because she’s hardworking, obedient, and has a high school diploma. That’s why they offered a high bride price to marry her.”

“But everyone in the compound knows the real reason the Ye family wants to marry Zheng Qingning.”

Zheng’s mother also didn’t want her daughter suffering at the Ye household, so she chimed in, “Jiaojiao, your dad is right. If you marry Ye Yunzhou now, the Ye family won’t let you follow him into the army.”

“Didn’t Yunzhou say he’d find you a job once he’s back in the unit, then bring you over?”

Zheng Jiaojiao lowered her head, tears falling from her eyes. She understood the reasoning, but she was afraid of unforeseen changes.

Only by holding tightly onto Ye Yunzhou could she feel at ease.

At the Ye household.

After returning from the Zheng family, Ye Yunzhou told his family they would hold the wedding banquet the day after tomorrow.

His mother had been in poor health ever since giving birth to his younger brother, relying on medication to stay alive over the years.

On top of that, his younger siblings were still in elementary school and full of energy, leaving her unable to manage them. This resulted in them running wild and causing trouble.

Her already fragile health was deteriorating; even cooking a meal now left her exhausted.

Let alone disciplining two unruly children.

His father, disabled in one leg since childhood, had become sensitive and withdrawn. Every day after work, he would sit silently in the house smoking, completely uninvolved in family matters.

While sewing clothes, Ye’s mother paused when she heard about the banquet. She looked up in displeasure and said, “Was it that little wretch Zheng Qingning who pushed you into this?”

“Yunzhou, the whole family is relying on you now. If you marry that little tramp, it’s to have her take care of us. You mustn’t do anything that could ruin your future.”

Ye Yunzhou drank a glass of water. Every time he heard this kind of talk from his mother, it left him deeply frustrated.

Yes, he was the eldest son. But why should the entire burden fall on him?

“Mom, I understand. But I still need a proper reason to bring her into our home, don’t I?”

“A banquet isn’t the same as registering for marriage. Think of it as compensation for her.”

His mother frowned. “Do you know how much that will cost?”

“You know how things are at home. We already spent eighty-eight yuan on the bride price. Now you want to add a banquet? That’s like digging into my flesh!”

As she spoke, she started hitting her own chest dramatically.

Irritation rose on Ye Yunzhou’s face, and he downed another glass of water.

“You’re the ones who wanted her in the house early, and now you’re reluctant to spend the money.”

With a hint of helplessness in his tone, he said, “Mom, nothing in this world comes for free. Zheng Qingning isn’t desperate to marry me either.”

“Besides, she’s a high school graduate. Once she gets a job, all her wages will come to you. Won’t the money you spent just come back to your pocket?”

“What’s most important now is bringing her into the house before I return to the army and having her get pregnant. That way, she’ll be tied to the Ye family for good.”

At the mention of a child, Ye’s mother stopped complaining about the money.

“Yes, yes, you’re right. The sooner she moves in, the better. Once a woman has a child, her heart won’t wander.”

“And you’re right she’s educated. Once she starts working, the income will only grow.”

Having thought it through, she quickly urged him to go buy the supplies for the banquet.

Kicked out of the house to shop, Ye Yunzhou patted his empty pockets. He thought about going back to ask for money, but knowing his mother’s nature, it would be easier to dig flesh from her bones than get a penny.

He sighed helplessly.

Lately, he’d spent all his money buying gifts for Jiaojiao.

Luckily, he’d already bought his return train ticket to the army. Otherwise… He gave a bitter smile.

But with no money in his pocket, how was he supposed to buy anything for the banquet?

Suddenly, he thought of his comrade Zhao Bing.

He borrowed a bicycle and started going from one guesthouse to another, not knowing where Zhao Bing was staying.

By nightfall, he finally found Zhao Bing at a guesthouse near the train station, just as the latter was heading out for food.

“Yunzhou, what are you doing here?”

Zhao Bing was thrilled to see him, throwing an arm around his shoulder and bumping into him playfully. “Heard you were home visiting family. Everything okay at home?”

They were in the same military unit and had been through many missions together. Their bond was strong.

He had planned to visit Ye Yunzhou’s house when he passed through, but he didn’t have the address.

Ye Yunzhou forced a smile clearly, the captain hadn’t told Zhao Bing they’d already met.

“Bing, I need your help with something.”

Zhao Bing pulled him along as they walked. “No need to be polite with me.”

Ye Yunzhou lowered his eyes to hide his expression. “I need to borrow a hundred yuan. I’ll pay you back when I return to base.”

Twenty for the banquet, seventy for Jiaojiao, ten for travel expenses.

Zhao Bing knew how difficult things were at Ye’s home. “Is Auntie back in the hospital?”

Ye Yunzhou paused for a few seconds and then nodded. “Yeah, this time she needs surgery. I don’t have enough on me.”

A matter of life and death Zhao Bing immediately dug out all the money he had, about forty yuan and some ration tickets.

“This is all I’ve got right now. You take it first. I’ll borrow the rest from the captain when he returns.”

“Which hospital is Auntie in? I’ll buy something and visit her.”

Ye Yunzhou panicked. If Zhao Bing really went to the hospital, his lie would be exposed and the banquet plan along with it.

“No, no need…”

Just then, Zhao Bing spotted someone approaching. “Captain, you’re back!”

He walked quickly toward the man. “Captain, good timing. Yunzhou’s mother is in the hospital and needs surgery. He’s short a hundred yuan.”

As the captain, Nangong Ye, approached, a chill ran down Ye Yunzhou’s back.

In that moment, he felt like there were no secrets in front of this man. His attempts to hide the truth seemed like a joke under that gaze.

“Captain…”

Nangong Ye had just returned from Muzhuang Village. Earlier, He Chunfeng had wanted to arrest Zheng’s father that night to avoid complications, but he had stopped him.

He didn’t want that girl’s dreams to be shattered.

He knew what he was doing wasn’t right it broke protocol but he couldn’t help it.

He looked up, his cold gaze fixed on Ye Yunzhou, voice several degrees colder than usual. “Are you really borrowing money for your mother’s treatment?”

Sweat began to form in Ye Yunzhou’s palms, his back already soaked with cold sweat.

Zhao Bing thought the captain misunderstood and quickly explained, “Captain, you don’t know Yunzhou’s situation. His mother has always been sick and needs long-term medication.”

“And come on, something this serious he wouldn’t lie about it.”

He threw Ye Yunzhou a look, urging him to speak up.

Nangong Ye said, “Is that so? Then how much more do you need?”

Ye Yunzhou thought the danger had passed and sighed in relief.

Zhao Bing said, “About fifty more.”

The coldness in Nangong Ye’s eyes intensified. “I don’t have that much on me. I’ll bring it to you tomorrow and I’ll pay a visit to your mother while I’m at it.”

Ye Yunzhou looked up sharply.

He knew. He knew what the money was really for.

But why?

It was a personal matter. It didn’t interfere with him. Why would he care?

Nangong Ye narrowed his eyes. “What’s wrong? Not welcoming me? Or… were you lying to us?”