Chapter 180: Mining Exploration

Chapter 180: Mining Exploration

Baichuan County, Guaizi Bend.

Ye Changqing had been leading a group through the mountains for four or five days.

Some in the group were already expressing dissatisfaction, and the more experienced workers were dismissive, wondering why Boss Liu would entrust such a large mining operation to a young man.

This young man was virtually unknown, and it was likely he couldn't even find his way around the mountains.

"Mr. Ye, what have we actually found after wandering around these mountains for days?

This seems like just a barren mountain with no minerals at all."

"That's right, Mr. Ye. Maybe we should just give up and talk to Boss Liu."

Ye Changqing stood to the side, sketching and taking notes, completely ignoring the surrounding chatter.

He only looked up at the group around him after finishing his drawings.

"I know you all are experienced veterans, but Boss Liu entrusted me with this task, and I can't let him down. You've all worked hard these past few days. If we can confirm the mining location, you'll all have long-term jobs.

If we return empty-handed, do you think Boss Liu will keep supporting us? If we lose our jobs now, things will be tough at home."

Ye Changqing might have looked like a poor boy from the mountains, but he spoke clearly and logically, and the group was somewhat convinced.

"We're here to do a job, but we can't keep this up forever. Mr. Ye, give us a clear answer—can we actually find anything here?"

Ye Changqing: "There's definitely something here. I'm just confirming the exact mining location. You know as well as I do that if we don't find the right spot, all our work will be for nothing."

Everyone else fell silent.

This kind of thing has indeed happened before. A few years ago, a boss contracted a mine but failed to extract anything for three years.

He then sold it at a low price to someone else, who opened a new mine shaft next to the original one and struck a rich vein of gold within two months.

The previous owner deeply regretted it, but it was too late.

Veteran prospector Master Huang asked, "Mr. Ye, have you found anything?"

Ye Changqing presented the map he had drawn.

"I suggest we start mining from this location."

Seeing the map, Master Huang realized the young man was skilled and academically trained.

"I’m fine with this spot."

Ye Changqing said, "Then, Master Huang, let's go see Mr. Liu together. We can’t afford to delay this."

Although Ye Changqing had drawn the map himself, he didn’t have any allies in the team, which was filled with Master Huang's people. He couldn’t afford to offend them at this stage.

Sure enough, upon hearing Ye Changqing’s words, Master Huang’s face relaxed.

"Alright, let’s go together."

If Ye Changqing had tried to hog all the credit, Master Huang wouldn’t have been happy.

Since the young man was being so thoughtful, Master Huang started to see promise in him.

Time quickly arrived at June.

Summer vacation was approaching, and Ye Xiaoxiao wasn't certain if she would return home this summer.

She had many things to attend to in the capital and also needed to seize the opportunity to learn more from Song Guangjing.

Ye Xiaoxiao wrote a letter home in advance.

The reply came swiftly; Miao Cuifang reminded her to take care of herself in the capital and assured her that everything was fine at home, so there was no need to worry.

The letter made no mention of Ye Jianguo's injury.

However, since Ye Xiaoxiao regularly sent money home, the family's financial situation was certainly not as tight as it used to be.

Therefore, when she read that everything was well at home, Ye Xiaoxiao did not doubt it.

She had saved up five thousand yuan, which she planned to give to the Xu family.

This amount would be more than enough for the Hao family to raise the original host until the age of eighteen.

In fact, when Ye Xiaoxiao was young, the Hao family had gone through a very difficult period.

At that time, He Qiaoxiang relied on support from the family to get by, but such hard times only lasted a year or two. After Hao Chengbing was promoted for his meritorious service, their life gradually improved.

Since Ye Xiaoxiao could remember, her family had always been wealthy.

Ye Xiaoxiao decided to pay a visit to the courtyard house.

Before heading back, Ye Xiaoxiao called Shao Zeyu to ask about the Hao family.

She made sure to go when Hao Chengbing was also at home.

She didn't contact Xu Jianwen, worried that his mother might be home and stir up trouble.

The moment Ye Xiaoxiao got to the compound's entrance, she saw a girl in a pink dress coming her way.

"Xiao Xiao! You're finally back!"

The girl ran over and hugged Ye Xiaoxiao.

Ye Xiaoxiao was speechless.

The original owner's friend must also be one of those scheming side characters, but she is very beautiful.

She quickly thought back to the original owner's female friends from the book.

Hmm... it seems there were indeed a few who teamed up to go against the female lead.

"I heard about what happened with the Hao family. When you transferred schools, I tried to figure out where you went, but the Hao family wouldn't tell me. But don't worry, I made sure to lead the charge in freezing out that Hao Yanyan who transferred in later!"

The girl let go of Ye Xiaoxiao and proudly thumped her chest.

"You look like you don’t even know me! That really hurts!"

The girl, not receiving the expected gratitude from Ye Xiaoxiao, immediately became a bit displeased.

Ye Xiaoxiao, sizing up the girl’s bold personality, carefully asked, "Tongtong..."

"What about Tongtong? She's still studying out of town—she got into a school down south."

"You still haven’t answered my question! You only care about Su Tong. Am I not your good friend anymore, Bai Meng'an?"

"You’ve been gone for so long without reaching out—my heart is breaking!"

Ye Xiaoxiao quickly replied, "Meng'an, how could that be? I just didn’t know where you were studying."

"Then why didn’t you come to my place to find me?"

Ye Xiaoxiao paused. "...I don’t even know where your house is."

"Let’s not talk about that. I’ve heard a lot about you lately—is it true about you and that guy from the Lu family?"

Bai Meng’an grabbed Ye Xiaoxiao’s arm and they walked forward together.

It was clear the two had been close friends before.

Actions speak louder than words.

"It’s true."

"I also heard he was so furious over his beloved that he took down Cheng Min’s family."

"That’s not true. Cheng Min’s family messed up on their own."

"What kind of mistake is that? If it weren’t for the higher-ups tipping them off, it would’ve taken centuries to uncover."

Ye Xiaoxiao changed the subject. "I came back this time to visit the Hao family."

Bai Meng’an asked, "Have you made up with the Hao family?"

Bai Meng’an knew Ye Xiaoxiao well. If they hadn’t had a falling out, why would she have run off alone and stayed away?

"I’m returning the money to the Hao family. It’s unlikely we’ll reconcile—Mrs. Hao doesn’t like me."

"She was so good to you before. Even though you’re not her biological child, she raised you. How could she be so heartless?"

"I don’t blame her. Mrs. Hao feels guilty about her biological daughter—it’s normal she doesn’t want to see me."

As long as they don’t come after me again.

Not seeing each other keeps us both at ease.

Bai Meng’an held onto Ye Xiaoxiao’s hand. "Then go. I’ll wait for you at the Hao family’s door, and then you’ll come with me to my place."