Chapter 144: Assault

Chapter 144: Assault

Ye Changsheng: "So this Boss Liu is pretty down-to-earth."

Ye Changning: "Don't let his friendly act fool you, this Brother Liu is a tough guy."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Big brother used to work in the mines, so why do you say he can't go with Boss Liu?"

Ye Changning: "Working in the mines was too risky for big brother, and our family doesn't depend on him alone to make money now. Besides, Boss Liu's mines are all out of town, and big brother definitely wouldn't want to leave home. I'm finding a job for big brother just to make it easier for the kids to go to school."

Ye Xiaoxiao nodded, thinking that third brother was pretty thoughtful.

"If there's nothing else, can we head back?"

Ye Changning: "What's the hurry? Let's hang out a little longer."

Ye Changsheng looked at him suspiciously. Every year around the New Year, you could see groups of people playing cards in town, and some of them played for high stakes, turning it into gambling.

Third brother isn't thinking of going gambling, is he?

That wouldn't be good.

Ye Changsheng pulled Ye Xiaoxiao aside and whispered something to her.

Ye Xiaoxiao said, "Third brother, are you trying to sneak out and have fun, using me and fourth brother as your alibi?"

Ye Changning: "I'm not."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Yes, you are."

Ye Changning smiled slightly: "I just made plans to hang out with some friends, that's it."

Ye Changsheng: "With those sketchy friends of yours?"

Ye Changning: "..."

What do you do when your younger siblings are too sharp?

Since Ye Xiaoxiao and Ye Changsheng were keeping a close eye on him, Ye Changning couldn't go out to play with his friends.

They were just some classmates, and they often played cards together when he was at home, but he couldn't take Ye Xiaoxiao and Ye Changsheng along, so he had to skip it himself.

These two little burdens were too hard to trick.

Ye Xiaoxiao suddenly said, "Why don't we pay a visit to Comrade Zhen Wanlin's house?"

Ye Changning: "What for?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "To see if he's being honest and what kind of person his mother is."

Originally, Miao Cuifang and the others had planned to meet the families to check out the character of the prospective in-law.

But Ye Xiaoxiao thought that even though a surprise visit might be rude, it could reveal the true situation.

Ye Changning pondered: "Then we'll have to bring a gift."

It wouldn't be proper to show up empty-handed.

Ye Xiaoxiao pushed Ye Changning, "Let's go, third brother. I'll cover it, alright? I've got money."

Ye Changning: "Yeah, you're quite the little rich girl."

Ye Changning was just teasing Ye Xiaoxiao, and he also knew that his sister indeed had her own little savings, otherwise he would never let her spend money.

Ye Xiaoxiao generously took out money and bought a gift.

But it wasn't much—just a pack of brown sugar, some peach cookies, and a bottle of oil.

All practical items, making it seem like a younger generation visiting an elder, with no ulterior motives.

They had bought the gifts, but they still didn't know where Zhen Wanlin lived.

Ye Changning strode ahead confidently, "He's a postman, let's head to the post office and ask around."

The three arrived at the post office, and upon hearing they were inquiring about Zhen Wanlin's home, the staff pointed them in the right direction.

Ye Changning leaned on the post office counter and struck up a conversation with someone: "Excuse me, comrade, how does Zhen Wanlin usually get along with others?"

"Comrade Zhen Wanlin has a great temper, is always helpful, and works diligently."

The woman at the post office spoke highly of Zhen Wanlin.

After getting the information, Ye Changning led his siblings out of the post office.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Zhen Wanlin seems like a good person."

She had heard all those words.

Ye Changning pondered, "He's just an honest man. Even though he's so good, no one wants to marry him. It just means people like to ask him for help but don't want to marry him."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "..."

Third brother's ideas are pretty modern.

Whether he's honest or good, as long as he's responsible to the family, that's what matters.

Following the directions, the three arrived at Zhen Wanlin's house. There weren't many households in the town, so they found it quickly.

The two wooden doors were shut, and Ye Changning held the gifts.

Ye Changsheng stepped forward to knock on the door.

"Coming."

A woman's voice called from inside.

The door creaked open, revealing a woman with her hair tied up.

She was clearly older than Miao Cuifang and Li Guilan, but not elderly, and she looked quite spirited.

"Who are you?"

Mother Zhen looked puzzled; they didn't have such attractive relatives.

"Auntie, we're from the Ye family in Baishi Village. Brother Zhen came to our house to meet my older sister once. We happened to be in town today and thought we'd drop by for a visit. We hope we're not intruding?"

Ye Changning explained seriously.

Mother Zhen suddenly understood, "No trouble at all. I was just doing some chores at home, and I'm free now. Come on in, kids, and chat with me for a bit."

Ye Changning led his younger siblings inside.

The courtyard house had four rooms, which were more than enough for the two of them.

The yard was clean, with a neat row of firewood by the wall and a tool-filled storage room.

They kept a few chickens and ducks in the yard, letting them roam during the day and locking them in the shed at the back of the house at night.

The house was simply furnished but well-organized.

"Are you in town for some fun? Where will you stay tonight? Baishi Village is quite a distance, don't walk back in the dark."

Mother Zhen poured hot water for the kids and asked concernedly.

Ye Changning: "We're staying at our grandpa's tonight and heading back early tomorrow."

Mother Zhen stood up: "Then have a meal here before you leave, I'll whip up some dishes."

In this cold winter, it's impolite to eat at someone else's place.

Ye Changning stopped her, "Auntie, we've got some stuff to do, so we can't stay long. We'll come back for a meal next time we have the chance."

Ye Changsheng also nodded, "Yeah, we've got things to do."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Isn't Brother Zhen home?"

Mother Zhen had to sit down, "Wanlin's out delivering letters to a few nearby villages, he probably won't be back for a few hours."

Since Ye Xiaoxiao and the others declined to eat, Mother Zhen just chatted with them.

"I didn't expect you kids to be so thoughtful, coming all the way to town just to visit me. The last time Wanlin and your sister met, it went well, didn't it? Wanlin came back and told me, Ye Lian is a good child."

Mother Zhen knew they had two kids, but she didn't mind.

Her son is already in his thirties, finding a compatible wife to live with is more important than anything.

Ye Changning didn't dare to give Mother Zhen a definite answer, he could only say, "My uncle and they have discussed it, the specifics will be talked about when the two families have a meal together, we juniors dare not say much."

Mother Zhen also said cheerfully, "Having a meal is necessary, when Zhen Wanlin has some rest, we'll sit down and talk together."

After staying at the Zhen's for a while, Ye Changning proposed to leave.

Mother Zhen saw them off, and even after returning to the house, she was still marveling, the Ye family's children are all well-mannered, articulate at such a young age, not like the timid village children.