Chapter 18: The Honest Ye Family

Chapter 18: The Honest Ye Family

Ye Xiaoxiao was completely unaware of her elders' worries; she had her own methodical approach to things.

The next day, before heading to the pharmacy, Ye Xiaoxiao first went to the post office.

Surprisingly, there was indeed a package for her—a very large box that was quite a struggle for her to carry.

Ye Xiaoxiao thought to herself: "I messed up; I should have brought someone to help."

In addition to the box, there was also a letter. Opening the envelope, she found a money order inside.

Duan Lei had actually sent her a thousand yuan.

Ye Xiaoxiao carefully put away the money order and the letter, feeling a bit torn about how to get the box home.

Fortunately, a post office worker, noticing her hanging around the entrance for a while, offered to help deliver the box to her home.

Ye Xiaoxiao requested the staff to deliver the box to Miao Fengshan's house.

She took the letter herself and only read it carefully once she arrived at the pharmacy.

After returning home, Duan Lei was indeed disciplined by his parents, but after firmly stating that he wouldn't cause trouble in the future and would study hard, the issue of his running away from home was considered resolved.

Once he got his freedom back, he actually spent a few days hitting the books and even asked his teacher for high school study materials.

The thousand yuan was a reward from his mother for his diligent and well-behaved attitude towards studying.

He sent both the study materials and the money over to Ye Xiaoxiao.

Duan Lei also updated her on the recent situation in the compound.

Many of her old friends were eagerly waiting for her to return. Hao Yanyan was now living in the compound, but no one gave her the time of day.

Duan Lei specifically stressed that it wasn't because they were isolating her, but because Hao Yanyan was from a different world.

Xu Jianwen was also asking around about her and wanted to visit her.

Duan Lei was conflicted about whether to tell him.

Reading this, Ye Xiaoxiao couldn't help but smile a little. The storyline involving Hao Yanyan was already unfolding as expected.

As the main female lead, Hao Yanyan would soon transform herself and, with her determined nature, win over those who had looked down on her.

As for Xu Jianwen, he initially didn't think much of the female lead, but after she changed, he couldn't help but be drawn to her, and they'd eventually fall in love.

Ye Xiaoxiao took out paper and pen and began to write a reply to Duan Lei.

She took the study materials and the money.

However, she asked him not to send her any more money in the future, or else she'd stop writing back.

To put Duan Lei's mind at ease, Ye Xiaoxiao made a point to say that the money she had was enough to get her through university, and having too much cash on hand would just make her nervous.

She treated the money as a loan from Duan Lei and promised to pay it back later, as having too much debt would also weigh on her.

At the end of the letter, she stressed again that knowledge changes destiny and that he shouldn't get caught up in other people's lives.

As for her address, she made it clear that he absolutely must not, under any circumstances, tell Xu Jianwen. She wanted to quietly spend the last half of the semester focusing entirely on her studies.

After finishing the letter, Ye Xiaoxiao put away her pen and the letter.

She planned to mail the letter to the capital city later.

Then she started her day with studying and work.

Her time at the pharmacy flew by, and Song Guangjing was really happy with his apprentice.

She's young, smart, and really talented.

If he took her back to the capital city, others would surely be jealous.

...

As soon as Ye Xiaoxiao got back to her maternal grandfather's house, she heard lively chatter inside.

She walked in and saw Ye Jianguo, his wife, Ye Changqing, Ye Changsheng, and Ye Changyuan.

There was also an unfamiliar couple, about the same age as Ye Jianguo and his wife.

Ye Xiaoxiao guessed that they must be Ye Changyuan's parents, her paternal uncle and aunt.

"Xiao Xiao is back."

Grandpa Miao, who was by the door, saw Ye Xiaoxiao first.

Miao Cuifang turned around immediately, "Sweetie, let me look at you. You've lost weight."

Ye Xiaoxiao didn't think she'd lost weight, but after a month of working out, she was definitely in better shape.

"Mom, what brings you all here?"

Ye Xiaoxiao was still not used to so many people being together.

At this, Miao Cuifang's expression became more serious, "Xiao Xiao, the money you had Ye Changsheng bring back, Mom can't accept it."

Actually, when Ye Changsheng brought the money home, the whole family was shocked.

After talking it over, the whole family agreed that the money was Ye Xiaoxiao's.

How could their family, young and old, take money from a young girl.

She was still a child herself.

Ye Changqing had said at the time, "Dad, Mom, we should return the money to our younger sister. When spring comes, I'll go work in the mines. Our family won't starve."

So after discussing it, the whole family came over.

On their way out, they bumped into the Ye family's eldest brother, and Ye Changyuan almost got a beating for the money he brought back.

Ye Xiaoxiao was speechless.

This family is really straightforward.

She was a little concerned.

Ye Changyuan's mother, Li Guilan, also stepped forward. "I heard from Yuan'er about where this money came from, but he didn't do anything to help. We can't accept the money you gave."

After understanding why the family had come, Ye Xiaoxiao first sighed in relief, then deliberately raised her voice.

"This money was earned by me, Fourth Brother, and Brother Changyuan together. We didn't steal or rob; the money came honestly. Although the idea was mine, Fourth Brother and Brother Changyuan were the ones who actually did the work. Giving the money to the family is our way of showing our heartfelt intentions. If you don't accept this money, it means you don't see me as part of the family. If that's how it is, I might as well just leave."

Ye Changyuan, the most impatient, got anxious when he heard this, "Xiao Xiao, of course, you are part of our family. Right, Mom and Dad? What do you say?"

He was worried that such a great sister might actually leave.

Ye Jianguo sighed, "Xiao Xiao, we welcome you home, but we don't want this home to become a burden for you."

Ye Xiaoxiao also firmly said, "I won't take this money back unless I stop living with the Ye family."

Finally, Miao Fengshan stepped in to smooth things over.

"Since the kids have earned the money, consider it as their way of showing filial piety. After the New Year, these three kids will be off to school, and there won't be chances like this anymore. Having them around these days has made me really happy. This is Xiao Xiao's first New Year at home, so let's buy more New Year supplies and have a proper celebration."

After Miao Fengshan spoke, everyone settled down.

In the end, they accepted the money as Ye Xiaoxiao wished.

But the Ye family had already taken this kind gesture to heart.

With the earlier incident of Hao Yanyan stealing money, the contrast made their hearts naturally lean towards Ye Xiaoxiao.

Miao Cuifang took Ye Xiaoxiao's hand and said happily, "Xiao Xiao, the cotton and cloth you sent back earlier have been made into cotton-padded jackets and pants for you. Come and try them on."

The blue floral cloth Ye Xiaoxiao bought, which she originally thought was very plain, actually looked quite nice when made into a cotton-padded jacket.

Most importantly, it was warm, a good fit, and durable.

In addition to the jacket, there were also a pair of cotton-padded pants and a pair of cotton shoes.

Clothes like these, not just for everyday wear, were something the family might not even buy for the New Year.

But when making clothes for Ye Xiaoxiao, Miao Cuifang didn't feel like she was wasting money at all.

Her daughter deserved the finest clothes.

She also felt a little embarrassed that Ye Xiaoxiao had to use her own money for the cloth and cotton.

Ye Xiaoxiao hugged the clothes and said, "Thank you, Mom, I really like them."

Miao Cuifang replied, "I'm glad Xiao Xiao likes them."