Chapter 7: Before Leaving

Ye Fan thought to herself, you’re right; I am no longer Ye Fan: “So, I wasn’t born to you after all?”

Zhao Rujing’s breath caught.

Geng Zhiyue took a couple of steps to Ye Fan’s side.

Zhao Rujing suddenly found herself unable to move: “Your brother said it before; no matter how many I have, I am still your real mother.”

Ye Fan laughed coldly, unhurried and unperturbed, and asked, “Do you have any evidence?”

“I—I don’t need evidence; I am still your mother!”

Ye Fan replied, “There are so many people born on the same day; how can you prove that I wasn’t switched with someone else?”

“That’s impossible!”

Ye Fan let out a light scoff: “When you came to my house, my mom and I reacted in the same way—impossible. Your reason was that Xiaohui looks more and more like Comrade Tao Chunlan. Do I look like you? Considering you raised Xiaohui, I won’t hold this against you this time. But don’t say it again in the future!”

Chen Kuanren couldn’t stand her arrogance: “What will you say if I present evidence?”

Ye Fan thought to herself that in this day and age, without DNA and no witnesses, what could he possibly present: “If there were witnesses, it would only prove that you intentionally kidnapped Xiaohui, committing abduction, and abandoned me, committing neglect—two crimes that carry a minimum sentence of five years! Do you want to find a witness?”

“Who are you trying to scare?” Chen Kuanren, born in turbulent times, believed that those in power were often unjust, and the saying “the people do not fight against the officials” was ingrained in his bones. He couldn’t help but feel anxious, “Ye Dage, why is she like this?” implying that he should manage her better.

Ye’s father was pleased to see Ye Fan deal with him: “Fan Fan speaks harshly but has a point. Xiaohui must have heard of this, right?”

If Chen Xiaohui had graduated high school and gone to the countryside, she might not know about these things. After living for over twenty more years, while she hadn’t paid much attention, she had seen something about it in newspapers and on television. Under Chen Kuanren’s glare, Chen Xiaohui slightly nodded.

Chen Kuanren panicked instantly.

Ye Fan laughed mockingly: “Did you think I would only make threats?”

“You shouldn’t be too smug; I will definitely present evidence sooner or later!”

“What if you present evidence? It was a voluntary exchange, and I’m already an adult. If I don’t agree, no one can relocate my household registration. Without legal responsibility, there’s no obligation to support. Ye Fan smiled and nodded, ‘I’m waiting.’

She seemed completely unconcerned, and Chen Kuanren and Zhao Rujing were more certain than ever that they had no way to deal with Ye Fan.

Ye’s sister-in-law felt it was about time: ‘Aunt, Uncle, if we wait any longer, we’ll miss the train.’

‘Wait a moment!’ Ye Fan shouted.

Li Mingyue frowned, realizing it was time to cut it off!

Ye Fan said, ‘Xiaohui, have you been comfortable staying these past few days?’

What does she mean by that? Is she trying to set me up? Ye Fan had no other thoughts about the previous life.”

“She had never been bullied before. In the past, she felt that Ye Fan looked down on her; now it seemed that the strong didn’t stoop to bullying her.

‘That’s good,’ Chen Xiaohui pondered.

Ye Fan said, ‘Then I’ll tidy up the room these next few days. If there’s anything you like, just ask Dad to buy it for you.’

‘Ah?’ Chen Xiaohui exclaimed, and the Ye family turned to look at her. Afraid of misunderstandings, she hurriedly added, ‘No, no need! I can stay over there,’ glancing towards the guest room next to the kitchen.

Ye Fan disagreed: ‘Those two rooms are rarely used, and there’s no bedside table for your clothes. Besides, Da Bao and Er Bao can’t stay at Grandpa and Grandma’s forever. When they come back to visit, they can stay with us. Mom, what do you think?’

Tao Chunlan hadn’t expected Ye Fan to be so considerate in preparing a room for Chen Xiaohui. What reason did she have to object? ‘Let’s listen to Xiaohui.’

Ye Fan asked Chen Xiaohui, ‘So, should I oversee the tidying up?’

Chen Xiaohui wanted to say that there was no need for her to go that far. Her past experiences told her that this kind of remark would seem ungrateful to the Ye family: ‘Then you can oversee it. You have good taste.'”

“Geng Zhiye asked Ye Fan, ‘Can we go now?’

Ye Fan thought to herself that he was really impatient: ‘It’s all good now.’

Ye Dajie said, ‘Then let’s go. If we wait any longer, we really will miss the train.’

—

Geng Zhiye didn’t look like someone from a poor background; despite Ye Fan being young, she was already an accountant at a supply and marketing cooperative, so the couple surely wasn’t short on money. Zhao Rujing said she didn’t want to see Ye Fan, but deep down she still wanted to negotiate a bit.

Once they got on the bus, she didn’t sit in the back; instead, she squeezed to the front to chat with people. They heard her accent wasn’t local and asked her where she was from. She said she married into Shencheng and was back to visit relatives because something big had happened in her brother’s family: their son had been swapped.

Who wouldn’t be curious? The few people in front were immediately drawn in by her words and urged her to elaborate. Zhao Rujing briefly explained the situation and then asked if this counted as a crime.”

“The older sister, who was hurrying to work, said that a swap shouldn’t be considered a crime. The chatty old hand, who knew everything from astronomy to trivial matters, immediately replied, ‘Isn’t it the same as intentional murder? Besides, can you say that if I kill a murderer, it’s not a crime? The death penalty is a matter for the court. Anyone can take action, so what’s the point of having a court?’

Zhao Rujing’s hand holding the bag turned pale as she forced a smile and said, ‘Exactly! That’s what I said.’

Geng Zhiye lowered his head and smirked, feeling fortunate in a twisted way.

Li Mingyue and her mother-in-law exchanged glances, relieved that Fan Fan was resolute and wouldn’t back down; otherwise, they wouldn’t know how to deal with such a thick-skinned person.

Chen Xiaohui felt increasingly embarrassed and tugged at Chen Kuanren’s sleeve, whispering, ‘Dad, tell Mom to stop talking.’

Chen Kuanren replied, ‘Your mom isn’t saying anything.'”

“What?”

The people in front couldn’t help but turn around.

Chen Xiaohui wanted to jump off the bus. “Be quiet.”

“Are you embarrassed by me?” Chen Kuanren asked, frowning.

Chen Xiaohui’s face turned crimson, and years of habit made her stammer instead of firmly rebutting like Ye Fan.

Geng Zhiye felt deeply skeptical; was Chen Xiaohui really a daughter of the Ye family? Perhaps people just looked similar. Otherwise, how could she not resemble a Ye family member at all? His father-in-law and mother-in-law had been bold and aggressive in their youth, while his brother-in-law seemed to have a good temper but was actually very stubborn, wanting to inspect any “products” with a magnifying glass.

Considering it was inconvenient for his mother-in-law to criticize Chen Kuanren, Geng Zhiye said, “Uncle, we’re on a bus.”

“I know that,” Chen Kuanren replied, as if he didn’t need Geng Zhiye to tell him. Geng Zhiye was no longer polite: “Please keep your voice down in public; don’t make me look down on you!”

Chen Kuanren, furious, stood up. “Stop the bus; I want to get off!”

The passengers in a hurry to work couldn’t help but say, “We’re not at the stop yet.”

“I—I feel unwell!”

Geng Zhiye asked, “What part of you feels unwell?”

“I feel uncomfortable; I can’t catch my breath.” Chen Kuanren shot him a glance, thinking, I don’t believe you’re not scared!

The passengers in front immediately opened the windows.

Chen Kuanren added, “The bumps are making me uncomfortable.”

Geng Zhiye remained as steady as a mountain and shouted to the front, “Driver, take us to the police station!”

“What do you mean by that?” Chen Kuanren yelled at him angrily, but he didn’t seem like a sick person at all.

Geng Zhiye coldly spat out four words: “Consecutive crimes punished together!”

Chen Kuanren instantly deflated and didn’t dare to cause a scene until they reached the station.

Geng Zhiye was convinced that Chen Xiaohui was indeed a daughter of the Ye family; otherwise, she wouldn’t be as frightened as a grandson.

Zhao Rujing was unconvinced; no matter how you looked at it, she had raised Chen Xiaohui well. She hadn’t stopped Xiaohui from reclaiming her place in the Ye family, and Tao Chunlan and Li Mingyue shouldn’t let Geng Zhiye intimidate her husband. As they reached the station, she asked, “Who’s buying the tickets?”

Li Mingyue really didn’t want to respond to her. “Zhiye went.”

Zhao Rujing looked around and realized that Geng Zhiye was nowhere to be seen. She felt a bit out of place and tried to cover her embarrassment with small talk: “How can he buy tickets without our proof?”

Chen Xiaohui quietly replied, “I gave it to him before we got on the bus.”

“You still don’t have the Ye surname!” Zhao Rujing said irritably.

Chen Kuanren immediately asked, “Sister Tao, since Ye Fan isn’t returning with us and doesn’t acknowledge us, we only have Xiaohui as our daughter left. You wouldn’t want Xiaohui to change her surname to Ye, would you?”

Even if Chen Xiaohui didn’t cut ties with the Chen family immediately, any complaints she made would have Li Mingyu…

“Yue would always look at her with more favor. But she didn’t. Li Mingyu really didn’t understand her. The only thing the Chen family could use against her was not cooperating with the household registration transfer. However, with Chen Xiaohui and Tao Chunlan looking almost identical when they were young, the Chen family didn’t dare to make a big fuss about it.

Li Mingyu smiled and kicked the ball away, saying, ‘We respect Xiaohui’s wishes.’

Chen Xiaohui suddenly found herself in a dilemma: ‘Mom, Comrade Geng is here.’

‘Where?’ Zhao Rujing asked.

Chen Xiaohui looked towards the ticket booth, where Geng Zhiye had just turned around. Meeting the gazes of a few people, he raised his hand to signal them to come over. Chen Xiaohui immediately grabbed Zhao Rujing’s arm: ‘It’s getting late. Let’s talk on the bus.’

Once on the bus, Geng Zhiye took out some cola, handing each person a bottle.

Chen Kuanren took it with a face full of disdain: ‘What is this black stuff?’

Chen Xiaohui felt her vision darkening in response: ‘Dad, it’s cola.’ She whispered, ‘Western soda.’

A hint of discomfort flashed across Chen Kuanren’s face as he said to Geng Zhiye, ‘You really know how to shop.’

Geng Zhiye replied, ‘It was bought by Fan Fan.'”

Chen Kuanren immediately fell silent.

Geng Zhiye was anxious to get home and didn’t wait for the sleeper; after resting for a night, he still felt uncomfortable in his waist and back: “Mom, sister-in-law, I’m going to get some fresh air at the door.”

Seeing his expressionless face, Chen Kuanren couldn’t help but mutter, “No wonder he’s a military man; his temper is really big!”

Li Mingyue, a civilian in the army, was tense and on the verge of exploding. Tao Chunlan quickly said, “Xiaohui, if you’re not feeling well, you should take a nap.”

Chen Xiaohui instinctively said she wasn’t sleepy, but she vaguely understood something as she was about to say that Chen Kuanren and Zhao Rujing should sleep for a while and eat something and drink cola when they woke up.

When she woke up, Zhao Rujing hadn’t drunk anything either; she stuffed the sodas meant for herself and Chen Kuanren into her bag. Tao Chunlan offered her a box of cookies, but she didn’t eat them, opting instead for the green onion pancakes made by Ye Fan in the morning.

Geng Zhiye returned with a pot of hot water for his mother-in-law in his military water bottle; only half of the eight pancakes were left, and he nearly fainted. That half was clearly torn by Chen Xiaohui, and Geng Zhiye didn’t want to touch it. He opened a cola and moved to the door of the car, gazing into the distance as his thoughts drifted back to the small courtyard of the Ye family.

Ye Fan told her dad to go ahead and busy himself while she slowly tidied up.

Before Ye Father arrived, he had instructed that if anything came up in the next few days, he should be called: “Dad is fine. Are we moving the bed out?”

Ye Fan replied, “Then you can take the small items over first while I take down the sheets and blankets.”

Ye Father was tidying up his granddaughter’s and grandson’s toys: “Fan Fan, it’s just the two of us here. Dad will be honest with you; I really don’t like that Xiaohui.”

“What do you mean by ‘that’ and ‘this’?” Ye Fan laughed and said, “You can’t say that anymore. Xiaohui is twenty-five; she knows what she’s doing.”

Father’s brows were tightly furrowed: “But what kind of person is Chen Kuanren?” Suddenly realizing that Chen Kuanren was her biological father, he added, “Dad—”

“He truly isn’t a good person,” Ye Fan interrupted, “and Zhao Rujing isn’t an easy one to deal with either.”

Seeing her indifferent, Ye Father revealed a smile on his serious face: “Then what do you say? She, like you, has been to high school; she’s not just a farmer with a narrow perspective. Even relatives back home know that sometimes you have to make a clean break.”

Thinking of her previous life, Ye Fan recalled a colleague who was about twenty-six or twenty-seven, exceptionally capable. Even if she wasn’t as focused on her career, she could still lead a colorful life. But she married a man who was not serious about his work and liked to flirt around.

Ye Fan had asked her what she saw in him, and she replied, “Sister Ye, you don’t understand how good he is to her.”

“Maybe he treats her well most of the time, and she finds it hard to let go,” Ye Fan said, “But your older brother is nearly forty and still doesn’t want kids. You can’t control him; Xiaohui just came back. Why think so much about it? As long as you don’t cause trouble, that should be enough.”

Ye Father said, “That’s true, but it makes me uneasy inside.”

“Maybe it’s because growing up in an ordinary family makes her afraid to cause trouble, worried about dragging her family down. Over time, she just got used to it. You can’t really blame her,” Ye Fan replied. “Besides, this time she’s not even resisting an outsider. You and Mom had the courage to stir up a revolution with just your passion. Not everyone has your bravery. I certainly didn’t dare back then. I was very afraid of dying.”

Upon hearing his daughter praise him, Ye Father felt better: “She gives me the impression that she can’t distinguish right from wrong.”

“She might also just be indecisive.”

Ye Father shook his head: “She looks like someone who has her own ideas.”

“Big Treasure and Little Treasure also have their own preferences. Having preferences doesn’t mean having courage.”

Ye Father had intended to find agreement, but as he felt himself being persuaded by her, he irritably waved his hand: “Let’s not talk about her. When Zhiye comes back, I’ll ask him what he thinks. He was a scout, so he must understand this better than the two of us.”

Geng Zhiye’s opinion is the same as Ye Fan’s.

If one were to say that Chen Xiaohui couldn’t distinguish right from wrong, she knew how to intervene when Chen Kuanren was causing trouble. If one were to say she wanted to please both sides, she didn’t stop the paperwork for Geng Zhiye to come back; instead, she reminded Zhao Rujing and Chen Kuanren that Geng Zhiye hadn’t returned home yet.

On the platform, Zhao Rujing cried and said she was reluctant to part with them, and Chen Xiaohui said it was like when she married and went to the capital or was still in the countryside.

If Chen Xiaohui had been enduring Chen Kuanren and Zhao Rujing just to avoid a falling out with the Chen family, Geng Zhiye also saw her giving money to Zhao Rujing.

Chen Xiaohui didn’t have a job and had no money on her.

Ye Fan tidying up Chen Xiaohui’s room indirectly reminded Tao Chunlan that she should prepare clothes, shoes, and socks for Chen Xiaohui. Thinking of this, Tao Chunlan also thought she might not have money, so she gave Chen Xiaohui ten yuan.

The round-trip tickets were paid for by Tao Chunlan, but the cola, biscuits, and other things given to the Chen family’s children were bought by Ye Fan, without spending any of Li Mingyue’s money. Li Mingyue gave Chen Xiaohui ten yuan. Chen Xiaohui was afraid to accept it, worried that Li Mingyue would think she was greedy for money. Li Mingyue insisted on giving it to her as a meeting gift.

Chen Xiaohui gave that twenty yuan to Zhao Rujing.

Zhao Rujing’s monthly pension was only that much, and she immediately stopped her tears.

Geng Zhiye watched coldly, probably understanding why Chen Xiaohui did this. But he couldn’t comprehend why Chen Xiaohui didn’t realize she didn’t need to do this.

After a long and exhausting journey, everyone felt drained. Geng Zhiye took a quick shower, and when he got home, Tao Chunlan, Li Mingyue, and Chen Xiaohui hadn’t returned yet. Ye Father took this opportunity to ask him what he thought. Geng Zhiye summed it up in two simple words: “Cowardly!”

Ye Father pondered for a moment: “Observing his actions, ‘cowardly’ is the most accurate description.”

But how could his daughter be cowardly? Ye Father could not accept this: “Fan Fan, you’re not planning to leave and never come back, are you?” As he said this, he looked at Geng Zhiye, warning him that if he let her be, he would skin him alive.

Geng Zhiye was speechless; every day it was just about scaring him!

Ye Fan turned sideways to block her father’s line of sight: “Can you stop worrying for no reason? I’m not someone you bought or adopted. How could an adopted daughter not acknowledge her adoptive parents?”

Ye Father suddenly realized that his daughter wasn’t his biological child but he had raised her nonetheless.

“Feeling relieved now?” Ye Fan said helplessly. “I’ve already talked to the director. Tomorrow, Xiaohui can come with me. She’ll start as a temporary worker; if she performs well, she can get regularized like I did after a month. I’ll guide her for a couple of days, and once she’s settled in, I’ll go to my in-laws’ place. After that, she’ll be coming and going early and late, so it will be hard for you to see her. If anyone should be worried, it should be my mom.”

Ye Father replied, “Your mom is more worried than I am. She’s not a child; she can’t be scolded or hit lightly or heavily.”

“You’re being too cautious. Things should just go as they go,” Ye Fan said.

Geng Zhiye shook his head. Seeing this, Ye Father told his son-in-law to speak first. Geng Zhiye said, “From my observations, Chen Xiaohui loves to think—”

Ye Fan shot him a glance: “No wonder the chief dares to ask you to guard the island. You really know how to talk.”

Geng Zhiye ignored her sarcasm: “When your dad scolds you, you just brush it off with a smile. But she has to consider what he means. Does he think she’s not as smart or sensible as you? Or does he just not like her? If he sees her smile is forced or that she’s sullen, does he still dare to criticize her?”

Ye Fan replied, “She’s twenty-five. Can’t she tell when someone is joking or being sarcastic?”

“Want to place a bet?” Geng Zhiye said.

Ye Fan suspected that Geng Zhiye was trying to set her up. He had done it before.

Ye Fan turned to her father: “Then care about whether she’s hungry or thirsty, cold or hot, tired or not. The countryside is a melting pot; her temperament is already set. The relationships she values and the ways she navigates the world are established, and your disapproval doesn’t change that. I still say, as long as she doesn’t break the law and get you involved, that’s all that matters.”

Ye Father sighed: “It can only be this way.” He leaned on his knees and exclaimed, “What kind of situation is this!”

“She’s here!” Geng Zhiye glanced outside.

Ye Father suddenly sat up straight.

Ye Fan frowned: “You’re being too obvious. Act natural. Don’t look like you’re facing a formidable enemy.”

Ye Father cleared his throat lightly and forced a smile: “All cleaned up? Xiaohui, it must be tiring to travel back and forth every three days, right? You should take a break.”

Chen Xiaohui was worried that delays might lead to complications, and on her last night at the Chen family, she didn’t dare to close her eyes. Just earlier in the bathhouse, she nearly fainted: “Call me when it’s time to cook.”

Li Mingyue nodded. When Chen Xiaohui entered the room, she sighed deeply: “Dealing with her little temper is really exhausting!”

Geng Zhiye turned to Ye Fan, “Did you hear that? Your sister-in-law said the same thing.”

Ye Fan replied, “Then treat her like a new colleague.”

Li Mingyue nodded, “That’s all we can do. Fortunately, I’ll be back at work tomorrow; I won’t be away for ten days or half a month.”

Seeing her mother’s worried expression, Ye Fan said, “Mom, you should be happy. You have two daughters!”

“You don’t know the situation here.” Tao Chunlan hesitated for a moment but couldn’t help but share her concerns. “The money I gave her and your sister-in-law is gone. I suspect she gave it to Zhao Rujing. No matter what, she’s still my daughter. It’s my duty to raise her. But why should I support those two?”

After finally convincing her father, her mother brought up more troubles, causing Ye Fan a headache: “You didn’t see—”

“I saw.” Geng Zhiye interjected.

Ye Fan choked for a moment: “…It turns out Commander Geng is not just emotionally intelligent, huh?”

“Really!” Geng Zhiye said, “When Zhao Rujing was holding her on the platform, she probably thought she could just pay her off with money.”

Ye Fan frowned. How could money solve everything? After leaving the Chen family, would she still give money during festivals? If she didn’t get her way once, Zhao Rujing would buy her own train ticket. If she stood at the entrance of the supply and marketing cooperative, who could do anything to her?

“Why didn’t you stop her?”

Li Mingyue replied, “Zhiye was busy looking at the luggage on the train.”

Geng Zhiye nodded, “I saw it through the train window.”

Ye Fan felt overwhelmed: “Should I have a talk with her?”

Geng Zhiye grabbed her, “There’s no point in teaching someone who is indecisive and weak unless she stands up for herself.”

“But—”

“There are no buts,” Geng Zhiye interrupted. “Da Bao and Er Bao have been back for seven or eight days.”

“Right? You shouldn’t wait too long; come home with me.”

Ye’s father nodded, “Let’s go back then. Otherwise, Old Geng will remind me again that his son is not a son-in-law.”

Geng Zhiye pulled Ye Fan up, “It’s just in time for lunch.”

“Then I’ll come over tomorrow morning?” Ye Fan asked.

Li Mingyue said, “I’ll ride my bike and take her to the supply and marketing cooperative; you and Xiao Qin can come from that side.”

Geng Zhiye dragged her out, “Da Bao and Er Bao probably don’t recognize me anymore.”

Chen Xiaohui hadn’t fallen asleep yet. Hearing the voices, she stared at the newly pasted newspaper on the wall for a long time before opening the door to see Geng Zhiye holding a bag. “Going out?”

Geng Zhiye was startled, “Still not asleep? Da Bao and Er Bao haven’t left Fanfan yet. If we don’t go back soon, they’ll start causing a scene.”

“Well—” Chen Xiaohui didn’t know what to say. “Do they know I live here?”

Ye Fan replied, “One is four years old, and the other is two. They don’t understand anything. Don’t worry. If I wasn’t in their way while they were playing, I’d still be sleeping with them.” Not wanting to beat around the bush with her, she said, “Mom, Dad, sister-in-law, we’re leaving!”

Li Mingyue came out of the room, “It’s almost time to get off work, Zhiye. Ride your bike slowly. Xiaohui, in the afternoon, go to the department store and buy a few sets of clothes. Get ready; we’ll go to the supply and marketing cooperative early tomorrow. Fanfan has already talked to the director.”

Chen Xiaohui was shocked, “So—so soon?”

Ye Fan replied, “The supply and marketing cooperative I’m at has great benefits, and there are plenty of people eyeing it.”

Among them is Geng Zhiye’s stepmother, Yu Wentao.

Yesterday, Ye Fan packed the towels, water cups, toothbrushes, and toothpaste that needed to be added, and had a detailed discussion with the director at the cooperative, including mentioning that Chen Xiaohui is a daughter of the Ye family. The director was astonished, exclaiming, “How is that possible?”

Though Geng Zhiqin didn’t know about this matter, seeing his sister-in-law repeatedly looking for the director, he probably guessed she was going to leave.

At the supply and marketing cooperative, everyone from the director down to the sales staff treated her well because of Ye Fan. Geng Zhiqin was not anxious or uneasy about this; instead, he thought that at last, his brother and sister-in-law wouldn’t have to live apart all the time.

When Geng Zhiqin got home, he told his mother the good news. As soon as Ye Fan and Geng Zhiye entered the house, Yu Wentao said, “Fanfan, don’t blame me for being an old hag and lecturing you. Xiaoqin is your own sister-in-law; how can you—”

“Mom!” Geng Zhiqin interrupted, “Go cook!”

Yu Wentao stood still, “You go. I want to talk to your sister-in-law.”

Ye Fan said, “Let me speak first.”

“I don’t want to hear what you have to say. Your tongue is so sharp; you can turn black into white, and you’ve said everything already, so what else should I say?” Yu Wentao shook her head. “Xiaoqin hasn’t been to high school, and she’s not as shrewd as you, but she’s been making progress over the years. You’ve praised her to me; how can she not keep up with you?”

“What about the class?”

Ye Fan revealed her true nature.

Yu Wentao said, “If you’re going to tease me, at least put some heart into it.”

Geng Zhiye nodded.

Yu Wentao looked shocked, and after a long while, she came to her senses and exclaimed, “That’s really not acceptable! You’re not a daughter of the Ye family; you’re still a daughter-in-law of the Geng family! Why should the job be given to her?”

Ye Fan felt increasingly frustrated, wondering why everyone needed her to comfort them.

“Aunt Yu, it’s because my parents raised me for so many years.”

“The job wasn’t found for you by Tao Chunlan.”

“Isn’t it because of my surname Ye that I can go to the purchasing station to seize business without anyone daring to stop me?”

“That still doesn’t work; I don’t agree!”

Geng Zhiqin, coming back to her senses, just happened to hear this line: “Don’t make it difficult for my sister-in-law.”

“Your sister-in-law isn’t making things difficult for you; it’s difficult for you. The sister-in-law of the esteemed Ye family accountant can only sell vegetables.”

Ye Fan had revealed to Geng Zhiqin that the college entrance exams would not be indefinitely suspended. She used the reasoning that there is a shortage of technical talent in various fields. Geng Zhiqin liked literature, so Ye Fan gave her all her high school textbooks and found many books to support her writing. However, considering the current situation, she advised her to keep her books and writings hidden.

Geng Zhiqin admired her blindly and sold vegetables with great determination: “Then you should go find Chen Xiaohui.”

“I’ll go!” Yu Wentao stood up, “I’m afraid of her!”

Ye Fan sighed: “Chen Xiaohui seems to have a strong sense of self-esteem; if she can’t handle it, she will proactively suggest changing positions. I’ll talk to the director again, and if she can’t continue, we’ll switch to Xiaoqin.”

“That’s more like it.” Yu Wentao smiled brightly: “Xiaoqin brought back a piece of meat that the villagers bought after slaughtering a pig. I also wanted to make four happiness meatballs for Da Bao and Er Bao. I don’t know where they went to play. They can’t have any! I’ll make you Peking-style shredded pork.”