Chapter 196: Scheming

“To keep it a secret, I can’t leave directly, I’ll have to fake my death to throw people off track,” Xiao Huai’an said.

“Fake your death?”

Ye Xin Ran hadn’t expected things to be this complicated.

“You mean, you’ll fake your death so no one realizes you’ve left?”

“Mm!” Xiao Huai’an nodded.

“What about the three kids? Have you told them?” Ye Xin Ran asked.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Huai’an immediately became hesitant.

“I haven’t planned to tell them for now.

Chang Sheng is fine, but Chang An and Chang Ping are too young. They wouldn’t be able to keep such a secret!

But if you think it’s hard, I’ll tell them the truth.”

Xiao Huai’an knew that he had made Ye Xin Ran feel awkward.

The children depended on him, and if something happened to him suddenly, they would be heartbroken and might cause trouble.

He could leave just like that, but Ye Xin Ran would have to deal with the emotions of the three children.

Thinking about this, he felt even more guilty about the whole situation.

Ye Xin Ran observed his expression and knew that the man before her also felt that he was being unfair. She said:

“Then don’t tell them for now.”

“When the time is right, I’ll tell them the truth.”

After all, this matter concerned Xiao Huai’an’s life and death.

She didn’t want to take any risks.

After all, as long as someone is alive, there’s always a chance.

Once dead, there would be no chances left.

“If those three dare not listen to you, when I come back, I’ll make sure to discipline them properly.”

This might sound like Xiao Huai’an was just comforting Ye Xin Ran, but it also felt like a promise to her.

A promise that he would definitely come back.

“Good! Then you better keep your word!”

After they settled this matter, Ye Xin Ran no longer paid attention to Xiao Huai’an.

Even though she understood everything in her heart and was prepared for his departure, she still couldn’t help but feel resentment and unwillingness when they made eye contact.

She resented him for not telling her earlier.

She resented him for making her bear all of this.

When those pessimistic emotions surfaced, her eyes would involuntarily fill with tears.

Ye Xin Ran didn’t even realize when she had become so sentimental.

So, she tried her best to avoid Xiao Huai’an’s gaze. Even when she had to speak, her tone remained calm, as she made an effort not to reveal her emotions or let herself get upset.

The children didn’t notice anything unusual.

However, Leng Qing Yu noticed the tension between the two.

In the past few days, she had received two letters from the capital and had already started planning to return to Beijing. But seeing the situation between them, she couldn’t help but feel concerned.

Finally, she found an opportunity to discreetly ask Ye Xin Ran what was going on.

“Did you and your son-in-law have a fight? What was it about? I’ve noticed you’ve been upset recently. If he dares to bully you, I’ll stand up for you!”

Ye Xin Ran thought she had already adjusted her emotions.

But as soon as Leng Qing Yu showed concern, the armor she had built around herself crumbled.

The feeling of grievance surged in her heart, and tears began to well up uncontrollably.

“I can’t cry!”

Ye Xin Ran told herself.

“Mom, I’m fine! I’ve just been really tired lately, and my mood hasn’t been great!” she explained.

“If you’re tired, then rest properly! A healthy body is the most important thing. As long as you’re well, you won’t have to worry about anything else!” Leng Qing Yu advised.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it,” Ye Xin Ran reassured her.

…

While Ye Xin Ran was going through the motions, things were progressing quickly on Xiao Huai’an’s side.

Three days later, two outsiders were brought back by Xiao Huai’an.

He told everyone that these two were servants he had bought to help Ye Xin Ran manage the workshop.

But Ye Xin Ran understood.

These were the people he had arranged to protect her and the children.

“This is Zhang Qian, and this is Ding Qiao,” Xiao Huai’an introduced.

The two of them bowed to Ye Xin Ran and respectfully called, “Master!”

Ye Xin Ran was startled.

“You don’t need to call me ‘Master.’ Just call me Ye Nian Zi,” she said awkwardly.

Zhang Qian and Ding Qiao nodded in acknowledgment, but still replied, “Yes, Master!”

Xiao Huai’an waved them away and then explained to Ye Xin Ran, “Their identities are just those of purchased servants. Don’t feel uncomfortable, just let them address you as ‘Master.’ These two are trustworthy.

If there’s anything important in the workshop in the future, feel free to leave it to them.”

Ye Xin Ran agreed.

Ye Xin Ran sent the two newcomers to the workshop and had Tao Hua and Xiao Hua guide them through the soap-making process. At the same time, she handed them the keys to the old house and arranged for them to stay there temporarily.

In the village, it was the first time anyone had hired servants, so everyone was curious. However, once they realized that these “servants” were doing the same work as everyone else, the villagers lost interest.

But Ye Xin Ran knew that the arrival of these two meant that Xiao Huai’an’s departure was not far off.

…

In the following days, Ye Xin Ran noticed more unfamiliar figures on the east mountain behind the yard. They never showed themselves, but Xiao Huai’an would bring food to them.

Two days later, she noticed that the mountain path had been piled high with neatly stacked firewood, carefully hidden from sight. If she hadn’t been so familiar with every tree and stone on the mountain, she wouldn’t have noticed at all.

In addition to the firewood, she discovered that Xiao Huai’an had bought new bamboo baskets, new cart accessories, and even filled the kitchen with various condiments. The cabinets were stocked with new soup dumplings, quilts, and clothes.

It seemed as if Xiao Huai’an wanted to make sure everything was settled before he left.

“You shouldn’t buy any more things for the house,” Ye Xin Ran finally said to him, unable to bear it any longer.

“You’ve bought ten sets of clothes and shoes for each of the three children. How long do you think they’ll wear them?”

“I…” Xiao Huai’an felt guilty.

“I just wanted to prepare more before I leave.”

“But you haven’t thought about the fact that the children will grow,” Ye Xin Ran pointed out.

“I…” Xiao Huai’an hadn’t considered this until now.

“I didn’t think of that. But fortunately,” he glanced at Ye Xin Ran, “you probably won’t grow anymore. The clothes I bought for you, you should still be able to wear, right?”

“But I don’t like the clothes you bought for me,” Ye Xin Ran replied.

Xiao Huai’an was at a loss for words.

He could command thousands in battle, never fearing any enemy, but now, despite racking his brain, he had no idea how to calm his wife down.

“When I return victorious, how about I buy a ready-made clothing store for you? You can choose whatever clothes you want, and the seamstresses can make them for you!” Xiao Huai’an suggested, trying to make up for it.

“I can buy it myself!” Ye Xin Ran answered.

“And I can buy it now, I don’t need to wait for you to come back.”