Chapter 47: The Journey

Chapter 47: The Journey

Ye Changyuan pulled Ye Changsheng back to their room to try on the clothes.

Meanwhile, Ye Changning went to Ye Xiaoxiao's room and handed her a stack of money.

"Xiao Xiao, this is your initial investment. This time, the profits were small, so I'll pay you back first. When I hit it big in the future, I'll give you a share."

Ye Xiaoxiao took the money, "Brother, do you still have money left? If not, you should keep it for now."

Ye Changning: "Don't worry, I still have some money left. Plus, I met a supplier down south who can front me the goods, and I'll pay the balance after selling them."

He then took out five hundred yuan from his pocket, "Give this five hundred yuan to our parents. I know our family's situation. Our oldest brother works in the mines, which is very unsafe during the rainy season. When summer comes, he should find work at home and stay out of the mines."

Ye Xiaoxiao nodded, "Got it, I'll let the family know. But... you're really not going back? Mom and Dad probably won't actually break your legs."

Ye Changning quickly waved his hand, still somewhat lacking in confidence: "When I make money, I will naturally go back! Returning home wealthy is like showing off fine clothes at night!"

Everyone has their own path, and Ye Xiaoxiao couldn't persuade him much, only reminding him to be safe and flexible in business.

Then she handed him some herbal remedies she'd prepared, which could come in handy if he got sick while away.

"Brother, I'll take them.

Hey, Xiao Xiao, do you have any plasters? The boss I know has this chronic back and leg pain, and I figured plasters might do the trick."

Ye Changning didn't doubt Ye Xiaoxiao's medical skills, showing great trust in his sister.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Yeah, wait till I grab some herbs from the pharmacy tomorrow and brew them up myself. It could be rheumatism, common in coastal areas, so I'll whip up a prescription and try a few rounds first."

Ye Changning: "Then I'll leave this to you, Xiao Xiao. I've got to leave in three days, time's tight and there's a lot to do."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "I know, there's plenty of time."

So Ye Xiaoxiao took the next morning off to buy medicine from the city's Chinese medicine shop.

She took the herbs home to brew them up herself.

Ye Changning was nowhere to be found; his luggage was at home, but he was gone.

Ye Xiaoxiao took the afternoon and evening self-study classes off, waiting until evening when Ye Changyuan and Ye Changsheng returned from self-study, and Ye Changning finally came back.

"Xiao Xiao, you know, you really helped me by stopping me and Gangzi from borrowing money from that place.

Gangzi's friend turned out to be a loan shark, lending money at a rate of nine in and thirteen out, with very cruel debt collection methods, and has already caused deaths in the county."

Ye Changyuan: "What is nine in and thirteen out?"

Ye Changning explained to him: "It means if you borrow one hundred thousand yuan from them, they only give you ninety thousand, but you have to pay back one hundred and thirty thousand to clear the debt."

Ye Changsheng frowned: "Isn't this illegal?"

Ye Changning: "Loan sharks are just thugs, they don't care about the law."

Ye Xiaoxiao didn't expect that she had inadvertently saved Ye Changning.

After all, when reading the book, it didn't mention Ye Changning borrowing from loan sharks.

"Then, does Gangzi, your friend, know that the other party is a loan shark?"

Ye Changning shook his head, "He didn't know. It was only when that friend got into trouble this time that he found out."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "So that's how it is. Third brother, you should be careful when you go out; don't let others scheme against you."

Ye Changning's sparkling eyes were full of smiles: "Your third brother is just a nobody now; no one pays attention to me, but I will be careful and not easily trust others."

...

Ye Changning left with a large bag of ointments prepared by Ye Xiaoxiao, leaving behind many clothes and five hundred yuan at home.

On the day he left, Ye Xiaoxiao, Ye Changsheng, and Ye Changyuan went to the train station to see him off.

"You all go back. When third brother comes back next time, he’ll definitely visit our parents."

The whistle sounded, the train started, and Ye Changning waved vigorously by the window.

After seeing off Ye Changning, the three of them began to stare at the things he had left behind.

Ye Changyuan showed a troubled expression, "If we take these things back, will second uncle get mad?"

Ye Changsheng: "No, my dad is all talk. If we really take the things back, he’ll be happier than anyone."

Ye Changyuan stood with his hands on his hips: "You talk without understanding the hassle. You went to take the exam, and it's up to me and Xiao Xiao to explain these things."

Ye Changsheng was speechless, "Then you can wait until I get back to return them."

Ye Changyuan immediately got excited, "No, I want to wear them now and show off to my classmates."

Ye Changsheng: "..."

Ye Xiaoxiao patted the clothes into Ye Changsheng's arms, "Stop arguing; I don’t think mom and dad will be mad. Fourth brother, this outfit is perfect for you to wear when you go to the capital for the competition."

Ye Changsheng: "Forget it; wearing this is too flashy."

Ye Changyuan: "What’s wrong with being flashy? That Li Bowen in your class is always showing off; you can’t let him outdo you."

Ye Changsheng smiled: "I only care about my results."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Fourth brother, people judge you by your appearance first. Dressing well can save you a lot of trouble."

After being persuaded by his brother and sister, Ye Changsheng finally agreed to take the outfit with him.

Ye Changsheng and Li Bowen went to the capital for the competition, led by the principal himself, showing how important it was.

Moreover, the principal said that the school would cover travel, food, and accommodation expenses, and if they did well, the school would also give them rewards.

Li Bowen’s family was well-off, but he took this exam very seriously and was well-prepared.

What he found strange was that the competition spot wasn’t given to the top student in the grade for this exam.

Although Ye Changsheng was also very capable.

In terms of IQ, he admired Ye Changsheng because he could achieve good results not only through his own efforts and intelligence but also through extra tutoring.

But Ye Changsheng’s family didn’t have those resources, yet he always kept up with him in every exam, which showed how talented he was.

Even so, their grades were still far behind Ye Xiaoxiao’s.

Li Bowen was puzzled, so he took the chance to ask directly once they settled on the train: "Principal, why didn’t you let Ye Xiaoxiao join the math competition?"

The principal sat on the lower bunk, just finished arranging his luggage, when he heard Li Bowen's question.

"Hmph, you think I didn't want to? Ye Xiaoxiao wasn't interested in competing for the spot herself, saying the quota for guaranteed admission was too limited, and her goal is the medical department at Jinghua University."

Li Bowen: "No wonder..."

The principal scolded, "What do you mean 'no wonder'? You two should worry less about others and get yourselves ready on the train.

After we arrive in Beijing, there will be a ten-day intensive training before the competition exams begin.

There are five rounds in total, and only the top contenders make it to the final rounds.

First place is a long shot, but we're aiming for at least third and pushing for second."

Ye Changsheng: "..."

Li Bowen: "..."

The principal has some pretty high hopes.