Chapter 75: Going Their Separate Ways

Chapter 75: Going Their Separate Ways

The three children in the Ye family are all going their separate ways. The Ye family is happy, but they also start preparing the children's luggage.

They don’t need to bring much else, but they need to make sure they have enough money.

Miao Cuifang is worried they’ll lose money on the train, so she divides the money into several portions and sews them into their thermal underwear.

After setting aside money for the children’s travel and living expenses, there’s not much money left in the household.

They also need to start saving for the weddings of the second and third sons, which puts a lot of financial pressure on the family.

Ye Xiaoxiao watches Miao Cuifang’s actions and thinks, "..."

It’s summer—she doesn’t wear thermal underwear.

"There are a lot of pickpockets on the train, so you need to be careful. I think it’s best if your eldest brother goes with you to register."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Let the eldest brother go with the fourth brother. Master Song said he’d go back to Beijing with me."

Miao Cuifang feels more at ease with Ye Xiaoxiao.

She grew up in Beijing, so she’ll have no trouble adjusting to studying there.

Miao Cuifang hesitates, unsure whether to bring up certain things.

Ye Xiaoxiao takes the initiative to ask: "Is there something you want to tell me?"

Miao Cuifang sighs, "When you get back to Beijing, if you have time, you should visit the Hao family. After all, they raised you..."

She can’t bring herself to say more.

Ye Xiaoxiao stays calm. "I know."

Miao Cuifang avoids mentioning Hao Yanyan, steering clear of the topic.

But Ye Xiaoxiao knows Miao Cuifang is still thinking about her. If the Ye family wants to show care for Hao Yanyan, she won’t stop them, but she won’t play along either.

She’s done all she can to change the course of events, and now she just wants to focus on her studies and career.

Noticing the silence between her mother-in-law and younger sister, Zhang Xue tries to ease the atmosphere by bringing over a dress.

"This is a new dress I made for my younger sister. I’m not sure if it’s the right size?"

Ye Xiaoxiao takes it and unfolds it—it’s a red floral dress with a vibrant color.

It fits her perfectly.

The style is also something she likes.

"Thank you, sister-in-law!"

Zhang Xue smiles gently, "Don’t mention it. It’s all thanks to the sewing machine you bought. From drafting the pattern to sewing, it took less than an hour to make."

Miao Cuifang looks at the fabric, "I remember this fabric was part of your dowry when you got married."

Ye Xiaoxiao immediately looks up.

Zhang Xue says sheepishly, "I kept it in the closet and never used it. Only my younger sister suits this color."

Ye Xiaoxiao often buys things for the family, including snacks and clothes for the eldest child, and even the second child has gone through several cans of milk powder.

Ye Xiaoxiao is kind to her family, and she doesn’t forget it.

"This dress goes perfectly with my red shoes. I’ll wear it when I register for school."

Ye Xiaoxiao has several pairs of leather shoes in her suitcase, but she hasn’t worn them once since she got to the village.

Zhang Xue: "You’ll look great in that dress, little sister."

Miao Cuifang glanced at her daughter and asked, "Is Lu Hanchuan in Beijing?"

Ye Xiaoxiao didn’t expect Miao Cuifang to suddenly ask about Lu Hanchuan and almost didn’t answer, "Uh… yeah, but he’s in the army and doesn’t get home much."

Miao Cuifang then said, "It’s good for you to be with Lu, really. You’ll have someone looking out for you out there."

Ye Xiaoxiao is pretty, and going to school out of town is bound to come with some challenges.

Lu Hanchuan seems dependable, and the family feels better knowing he’s around.

Miao Cuifang now sees Lu Hanchuan as a future son-in-law.

Ye Xiaoxiao also thinks Lu Hanchuan is great, but she’s not ready to think about dating yet. She wants to focus on her studies first.

...

Ye Changyuan was the first to leave home, who got a sleeper ticket to Tianjin.

"Changyuan, drop us a line when you get there so we know you’re okay."

Ye Jianye and Li Guilan were at the platform to see him off. After all, it’s his first time leaving home, and even though the parents don’t say much, they’re still reluctant.

Ye Xiaoxiao and Ye Changsheng were there too to say goodbye.

In a few days, they’ll be the ones on the train.

Ye Changyuan was in the train, leaving home for the first time and traveling so far. His heart ached, and he nodded in agreement.

He waved goodbye to everyone. As the train pulled away, he couldn’t bring himself to look at his family outside, afraid he’d cry.

But remembering his older brothers, who’d all left home before, he figured there was nothing to fear.

After Ye Changyuan left, Ye Xiaoxiao and Ye Changsheng stayed at home for more than ten days.

Because they knew Ye Xiaoxiao had been admitted to Jinghua University.

Song Guangjing didn’t push Ye Xiaoxiao to study medicine right away. Instead, he let her relax at home and enjoy herself for a few more days.

When Ye Xiaoxiao had nothing to do, she would go to Zhang Erni to help her lose weight and whiten her skin.

By the end of this summer, Zhang Erni had lost twenty pounds.

Her skin also became fairer and more tender due to proper protection.

The most direct result of these changes was that matchmakers came to Zhang Erni’s house to propose marriage.

But Zhang Erni refused.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "You’re still thinking about Li Deshu, but he’s about to get married."

Zhang Erni shook her head in disagreement, "I simply don’t want to get married this early. I’ve already made up my mind to go to the city to learn hairdressing and open my own barber shop in the future."

Ye Xiaoxiao supported her, "That’s awesome you’re thinking like that."

Although barber shops don’t have many customers these days, most folks just cut their hair at home.

But in a few years, especially in more developed areas, people will start going for trendier hairstyles.

Zhang Erni learning this trade is definitely a smart move.

Zhang Erni was very troubled, "My parents don’t back me up, saying washing and cutting hair for others is just servant’s work. They think I’ve hit rock bottom to even consider learning something like this."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "So, have you had a change of heart?"

Zhang Erni: "No."

Ye Xiaoxiao patted her on the shoulder, "Look, you’ve already grown so much braver."

Zhang Erni froze for a moment, realizing she really wasn’t the same person anymore.

...

Ye Changsheng also took the train since Harbin is closer to home.

Ye Changqing had visited Harbin a couple of times before and decided to accompany Ye Changsheng to school this time, also taking the opportunity to visit his friends in Harbin.

With Ye Changqing along, Miao Cuifang felt a lot better.

Not everyone in the family went to the station to see them off.

Ye Xiaoxiao left right after Ye Changsheng, the last one to go.

She packed up a bunch of new clothes and shoes from home.

Most of the stuff was brought back from Beijing.

Since she was leaving with Song Guangjing, she didn’t have to stress about where to stash her luggage.

Before she left, Miao Cuifang kept reminding her to write home as soon as she got to Beijing and to tell the family about anything that happened.

Even though Ye Xiaoxiao had money, Miao Cuifang still slipped her the prepared envelope.

"Xiao Xiao, we’re not rich, but whatever we’ve got, we’ll make sure you’re taken care of."

Ye Xiaoxiao wrapped Miao Cuifang in a tight hug.

"Mom, don’t sweat it, I’ll drop you a line the second I hit Beijing."

Outside the pharmacy, the same guy as last time pulled up in a car to get Song Guangjing.

A guy in his forties, with a bookish air, he was super respectful to Song Guangjing.

The drive to Beijing wasn’t a breeze; besides him, there was another driver too.

A young guy with a crew cut, rocking an old vest, quiet and cool.

Ye Xiaoxiao found out from Song Guangjing that the older guy was Song Guoxian and the younger one was Song Xiaoguang.

Hearing they were both Songs, Ye Xiaoxiao asked, "Master, are they family?"

Song Guangjing: "You could say that."

There was definitely more to the story.

Ye Xiaoxiao didn’t ask further, and after putting her things away, she got into the car.