Chapter 329: Pretending to Be Rich

**Chapter 329: Faking Wealth**

Hao Yanyan felt as though things had defied her expectations—perhaps Ye Xiaoxiao’s wedding yesterday wasn’t the disaster she’d imagined.

On her way, she ran into Aunt Wang, a familiar face from around.

As soon as the woman spotted Hao Yanyan, she came over. “Yanyan, why didn’t you go to Xiaoxiao’s wedding yesterday?

You wouldn’t believe it—the whole Ye family showed up! I thought those country folks were just backward, like your mom said, but they’re all impressive in their own way.”

Hao Yanyan’s eyes clouded with confusion. What could the Ye family possibly have going for them?

They were so poor that staying fed was a miracle.

Oh… maybe Ye Xiaoxiao and Lu Hanchuan gave them money.

But this short-lived show of wealth, bankrolled by charity, wouldn’t last. Only those who didn’t know any better would envy it.

At that moment, Ye Changan was driving Ye Jianguo to the compound.

The reason? During Xiaoxiao’s wedding the previous day, an old superior officer had recognized Ye Jianguo. Back in the military, the man had been his commanding officer and had always thought highly of him for his outstanding service.

Just like that, more than twenty years had passed. If not for their chance meeting yesterday, the two might never have seen each other again.

With limited time, the old officer had insisted Ye Jianguo stop by his place.

Ye Jianguo, not one to go back on his word, asked Ye Changan to drive him over early that morning.

The car belonged to Ye Changning—not the best in the garage, but still plenty eye-catching.

Once inside the compound, Ye Changan slowed down. You couldn’t just drive anywhere here; only designated routes were allowed. Unless you had clearance, unfamiliar license plates wouldn’t even be let in.

Another reason—he’d spotted Hao Yanyan.

She’d been gone five years and changed a lot, but family would know her anywhere.

Ye Changan eased to a stop beside her.

He still remembered three years ago when Yanyan got married without telling the family. The third brother had called specially to complain.

He’d said over the phone that Yanyan wasn’t the same sister anymore—that she’d even bribed their parents to stay away, and from then on, the family might as well forget her.

Hearing the car, Hao Yanyan turned and saw Ye Jianguo and Ye Changan.

Her stomach lurched. In her previous life, Ye Changan had died in an accident just a few years after she married.

But then again, since Ye Jianguo and Miao Cuifang were both alive, it made sense he was too—no shock there.

She froze in place, at a loss for words.

Only when Ye Jianguo noticed the sudden halt did he realize Hao Yanyan was standing outside the car.

But memories of their last unpleasant encounter still lingered, and he couldn’t shake the discomfort.

Looking at Ye Changan behind the wheel, Hao Yanyan chewed her lip, then forced herself to approach.

“Second Brother.”

But when it came to Ye Jianguo, the word “Dad” stuck in her throat.

From the moment she left Bai Shicun, she had made up her mind to cut ties with the Ye family and would never call the Ye couple her parents again.

Ye Changan watched as Hao Yanyan called out to him but then went quiet.

"What, don't you even recognize your own father now?"

Hao Yanyan turned her head away awkwardly at his words.

After a while, she turned back. "Second Brother, I know yesterday was Xiaoxiao's wedding, and it's understandable that you dressed fancy, but there's no need to put on airs."

Ye Changan's smile faded. Hearing about it a hundred times over the phone was nothing compared to seeing it with his own eyes.

He had thought Ye Changning was exaggerating before, but now he realized Yanyan had truly become a totally different person.

The way she was raised in the Ye family was nothing like this.

Hao Yanyan didn't think she was wrong at all. "Isn't it true? Everyone in the neighborhood is saying the Ye family has been hiding their wealth, mocking me for cutting ties with you. This must be Ye Xiaoxiao's doing—she can't bear to see me happy."

Ye Changning frowned. "Xiaoxiao doesn't think that way. You're reading too much into it."

Hao Yanyan widened her eyes at Ye Changan. "So now you think I'm being unreasonable? You're completely on Ye Xiaoxiao's side, aren't you?

She already took my real parents, and now she wants to take my loving brothers too."

Hao Yanyan wasn’t as cold toward Ye Changan as she was toward others—not out of any real affection, but because she respected his respectable job.

Ye Changan shook his head. "Neither of you is wrong here. Why do you think Xiaoxiao took your life?

If you switched places, couldn't it also be said that you stole Xiaoxiao's parents?"

Hearing this, Hao Yanyan’s first reaction was to laugh. "That's ridiculous! Bai Shicun is so poor—who would want a family like that…"

Her blunt words left Ye Changan deeply disappointed.

It was only then that Hao Yanyan realized she had spoken her true thoughts aloud.

Ye Jianguo coughed twice from inside the car. "Yanyan, no one took your family away from you. You gave them up willingly. Last time I told you to remember your decision and not regret it one day.

There's no going back."

After saying this, Ye Jianguo called out to Ye Changan. "Let's go, Second Son. Don't keep my former superior waiting."

Ye Changan gave Hao Yanyan one last look before hitting the gas and driving away.

Hao Yanyan stood there, feeling empty inside.

She had already forgotten that she came to the compound to ask around in the first place.

But the moment she saw the Ye family, she became convinced they were putting on airs, which made her tone pretty harsh.

Hao Yanyan returned to the Hao household and noticed a weird tension in the living room as she entered.

Hao Chengbing had returned from the army, and it seemed he had argued with He Qiaoxiang again.

"You already know about Jinghong going to prison?"

Hao Chengbing's question was directed at Hao Yanyan.

Now she knew why her parents were fighting.

"...Yes."

"The whole family knew—why wasn't I told?"

Hao Chengbing felt that the person they had offended wasn't just anyone—it even affected him in the military.

He Qiaoxiang repeated, "What would telling you accomplish? He made his bed—let him lie in it."

Her strange attitude this time only made Hao Chengbing even more uneasy.

"You're actually not defending your eldest brother's family this time?"

He Qiaoxiang replied, "Do I look like someone who can't tell right from wrong? It's fine if Jinghong messed up—as long as it doesn't drag you down with it."

Anyway, the eldest brother's family was beyond saving—the company couldn't even make payroll anymore.

All He Qiaoxiang hoped for now was to protect her own daughter.

"It's good that you see it that way. The political climate is tense right now—keep your heads down at home and don't cause any trouble."

He Qiaoxiang shot Hao Yanyan a look, and Hao Yanyan immediately stepped forward. "Dad, we know."

Hao Chengbing wanted to ask about Xiao Xiao's wedding, but decided against it to avoid an argument.