Chapter 19: The Fork in the Road of Fate

Chapter 19: The Fork in the Road of Fate

Since the Ye family had gathered so completely, they decided to take the opportunity to buy New Year supplies together.

Now, there were just over twenty days left until New Year's Eve.

Additionally, Miao Fengshan always spent the New Year at his daughter's place. If he was up for it, he could return to the village early this year to avoid getting caught in a snowstorm.

Ye Changsheng told his parents that they had already bought fifty pounds each of rice and flour from the black market.

However, with so many people in the family, these supplies wouldn't last them very long, so they still needed to stock up on some coarse rice for everyday meals.

Ye Jianguo told them, "The grown-ups will take care of the New Year shopping. You kids don't have to worry about a thing."

Ye Xiaoxiao mentioned her apprenticeship at the pharmacy, "I’d like to stick around town for a few more days."

She couldn’t just bail after getting some perks.

She’d at least stick it out until the 24th of the twelfth lunar month before taking a break.

Miao Fengshan said, "Then you all head back after picking up the New Year supplies. Xiao Xiao and I will return home in about ten days."

Ye Jianguo agreed but still reminded, "Dad, if the weather changes, make sure to bring Xiao Xiao back early. Don’t let the snowstorm catch you."

Miao Fengshan replied, "Don’t worry, I’ve got the kid covered."

After the discussion, the family stayed overnight at Miao Fengshan's house.

Miao Cuifang, Li Guilan, and Ye Xiaoxiao stayed in the original west room. With two more people in the room, it felt a bit cozier, but Ye Xiaoxiao lay awake.

She wasn’t used to sharing a bed with so many people.

The east room was even tighter, and the talking there didn't stop until late at night, so they likely didn’t get much sleep either.

Early the next morning, the family got up to make breakfast and then went to buy New Year supplies.

Ye Xiaoxiao didn't go with them; she still went to help at the pharmacy.

The Ye family spent three days picking up nearly everything they needed for the New Year.

Originally, after losing their savings, the Ye family had to cut back on everything. But with Ye Xiaoxiao's involvement, things started looking up.

This year’s New Year supplies were even more plentiful than in years past.

Miao Cuifang even splurged on a few bolts of cloth to make new clothes for the family.

The others took the New Year supplies back first, but Ye Changsheng stayed behind—after all, his main focus was always studying, no matter where he was.

The rest of the family still had a lot of work to do.

Miao Fengshan's house became quiet again.

Ye Xiaoxiao finally had time to open the box that Duan Lei had mailed.

"These are study materials my friend sent. Do you think they'll be useful?"

She wasn't very familiar with the textbooks of this era.

Ye Changsheng opened the materials, visibly excited, "These problems are tougher than the ones at Baichuan No. 1 High School, and they cover more knowledge points."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "That's a relief."

Duan Lei is dependable, and the Duan family has access to superior educational resources.

Starting today, on top of her daily pharmacy studies, Ye Xiaoxiao also has to tackle a few more test papers.

Aim to brush up on high school knowledge before school starts.

...

The Duan family in the capital.

An opened letter lay on the living room coffee table. After reading it, the woman told the maid, "Give this to Duan Lei later."

"Yes, ma'am."

This woman was the matriarch of the Duan family, Duan Lei's mother—Wu Sifang.

Wu Sifang isn't one to invade her son's privacy, but seeing the letter's return address made her think twice.

Her son has finally been focusing on his studies lately, and she doesn't want anyone to disrupt that.

After reading the letter, though, she felt reassured.

It didn't say anything out of line; in fact, it was quite encouraging.

Her son takes the girl from the Hao family's words to heart more than anyone else's.

That much was clear from his behavior over the past month.

The recent happenings in the Hao family have been the talk of the compound.

Everyone feels for the child who showed up at their doorstep, but accepting her right away is out of the question.

After all, her character and upbringing are still up for evaluation.

On the other hand, everyone feels bad for Xiao Xiao, who left.

After reading the letter today, Wu Sifang thought the girl had grit and was determined to carve out her own future.

If she's serious, their family wouldn't mind helping her out more—after all, they've watched her grow up.

After telling the maid to deliver the letter, Wu Sifang headed out to work.

As she left, she spotted a mother and daughter strolling through the compound.

It was Mrs. Hao Qiaoxiang and her daughter, Hao Yanyan.

If she hadn't run into them, it wouldn't have been a big deal, but since they crossed paths, she had to say hello.

Wu Sifang approached with a smile, "Qiaoxiang, out for a stroll?"

Her eyes naturally drifted to the girl standing next to He Qiaoxiang.

With thick eyebrows, big eyes, and long black hair, her features resembled Hao Chengbing's—more striking than delicate.

Maybe it's because she grew up in the countryside, but her skin is a bit tanned, though it looks healthy.

When she meets people, her gaze is a little shy, but she always manages to stand tall and proud. For a child who has just come out of a mountain village, such a performance is already considered outstanding.

But He Qiaoxiang was most concerned about her reputation. Even if nothing had happened, she still felt that her daughter had embarrassed her in public.

He Qiaoxiang forced a smile, "We just got back from the department store. Are you heading out to work?"

Wu Sifang withdrew her gaze, "Yes, I don't have the good fortune you do. Your husband, Mr. Hao, can't bear to let you go out and tire yourself."

"Not at all, you're just teasing me again."

Although He Qiaoxiang said this, her face lit up with sweetness.

Seeing that the other person had no intention of introducing, Wu Sifang had to take the initiative, "Is this your girl?"

He Qiaoxiang's smile stiffened, "Ah... yes, come and say hello, this is your Auntie Wu."

Hao Yanyan stepped forward, trying to hide her nervousness, "Hi, Auntie Wu."

"Ah... come over and visit us sometime," He Qiaoxiang said politely.

"Th... thank you, Auntie Wu."

Hao Yanyan was extremely nervous.

How could she not be? This Auntie Wu was a big shot she had seen in the newspapers in her past life.

At that moment, she was certain that her fate was different from her past life.

She no longer had to marry some lazy guy in the village and ruin her life because of her family's poverty.

Wu Sifang didn't say anything else and continued walking after the greeting.

Behind her, He Qiaoxiang snapped impatiently, "Speak properly, why are you stuttering? If you do this again, don't even think about going out."

Hao Yanyan hung her head.

He Qiaoxiang: "What... are you sulking just because I said a few words? Don't give me that look!"

Hao Yanyan quickly raised her head, "No, Mom... I'll study hard."

"I've already found you an etiquette teacher. Starting tomorrow, you'll attend classes on time. Only when you can speak properly can you go out and socialize."

After saying this, He Qiaoxiang walked ahead by herself.

She deeply regretted it. She could have gone out to buy things by herself, so why did she bring this girl along?

Now that Wu Sifang had seen her, she didn't know what people would say behind her back.

He Qiaoxiang started to doubt whether she had made the right decision.

If Xiao Xiao were still here, she wouldn't have to worry about these things at all. That child was excellent in every way.

She was also beautiful, like a fairy. Just standing there casually, people would rush to praise her.

Unfortunately... if she were someone else's child, it would be fine, but she was that woman's child.

She absolutely could not accept it!