Chapter 372: Heavy Snow

Chapter 372: Heavy Snow

After confirming with Su Tong that the painting was genuine and of some value, and that the teacher was likely a famous artist, Ye Xiaoxiao felt somewhat relieved, waiting until Su Tong left.

She called Miao Cuifang to buy a book to check if the person in the photos matched the one Miao Cuifang had seen.

Miao Cuifang said, "I don't think Sister Lin is a bad person. She has started painting with me these past few days and occasionally gives me pointers. She's very nice."

Ye Xiaoxiao replied sternly, "Mom, you can never be too cautious. Scammers love to target wealthy, idle old ladies like you."

Miao Cuifang laughed on the other end of the line, "What kind of wealthy old lady am I?"

"You definitely are, you just don't realize it."

Now, besides helping the nanny take care of the children, Miao Cuifang spent her remaining time strolling around, doing nothing much else.

This lifestyle had given her a good complexion, which was different from those who always did heavy work.

Scammers could spot their targets on the street at first glance.

Ye Xiaoxiao took the opportunity to educate Miao Cuifang about some anti-fraud knowledge, especially not bringing strangers home.

Losing money was one thing, but if Yi Jia were taken away, they couldn't afford such a loss.

Miao Cuifang immediately said she understood.

The nanny at home was found by Ye Chang'an and was a trustworthy person.

Miao Cuifang had observed the other person for a long time before she felt at ease letting her babysit alone. She’d never trust a stranger with the kid.

After hanging up, Ye Xiaoxiao called Ye Changsheng.

His grad dorm had a phone, but Ye Changsheng wasn’t there—his roommate answered instead.

Ye Changsheng didn’t get back from the library until evening and then called Ye Xiaoxiao back.

"Hey Xiao Xiao, what’s going on?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Nothing much. Just checking if you’re staying at school for New Year’s. Do you get any time off?"

Ye Changsheng: "I don’t have classes two days around New Year’s, so I’ll probably have a few days off."

Mostly, he wasn’t tied up with projects outside of classes, so he had some spare time.

Still, Ye Changsheng was working on his thesis and wasn’t planning on going anywhere.

"Then come to Beijing and spend it with me," Ye Xiaoxiao urged.

Ye Changsheng picked up on something fishy.

"What’s wrong? Did you and Lu Hanchuan have a fight?" he asked with concern.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "No, Lu Hanchuan hasn’t come home all month. Chances are he won’t make it back for New Year’s either. I can’t even pick a fight with him if I wanted to."

Ye Changsheng thought for a moment. "Alright then. If I can swing a few extra days off, I’ll come see you."

Ye Xiaoxiao nodded. "Got it, got it."

After hanging up, Ye Changsheng felt something was off.

He had no idea what Xiao Xiao was up to—she’d been vague on the call.

But it couldn’t be anything bad.

Ye Changsheng’s roommate gave him a curious look. "Is that your girlfriend?"

"My sister," Ye Changsheng replied.

Ye Changsheng had moved dorms, so Wan Baonian wasn’t his roommate anymore. His new roommates didn’t know much about his family.

When he heard it wasn’t a girlfriend, the roommate perked up.

"Hey Changsheng, so Li Lanlan from our class wanted me to ask you..."

Before the roommate could finish, Ye Changsheng already knew what he was going to say.

He cut him off. "Not looking to date right now."

The roommate rubbed his neck awkwardly. "Li Lanlan’s a catch, and she’s totally into you. If you don’t have a girlfriend, why not give it a shot?"

Ye Changsheng shook his head. "Not happening."

To him, dating was just a time sink.

So he couldn’t wrap his head around why Xiao Xiao had married so young.

But even after Ye Xiaoxiao married Lu Hanchuan, nothing really changed.

With how little they saw each other monthly, Ye Changsheng figured there was little hope for a niece or nephew anytime soon.

Seeing how firmly Ye Changsheng rejected the idea, the roommate sighed helplessly.

"One-sided love—rough deal for Li Lanlan."

"Second Bro, setting up Fourth Bro again?" The dorm’s "big bro" shouldered the door open. "With Fourth Bro’s stats, he could have his pick of the department if he wanted. Don’t waste your effort."

"Come on, our department’s a wasteland for girls."

As soon as Second Bro finished speaking, Third Bro chimed in.

"It’s not just our department—it’s the whole school. Li Lanlan’s solid, just a tad high-maintenance."

"Fourth Bro, watch out—don’t let her go full scorned woman on you."

Ye Changsheng wasn’t interested in his roommates’ discussion, nor did he agree with them.

"Not worried about her making waves. Besides, it’s not like I’m her only option."

Third Bro: "Yeah, yeah. You just don’t want her clingy vibes. You’re the advisor’s pet—nobody’s dumb enough to cross you."

Ye Changsheng just stared.

...

With New Year’s approaching, Beijing’s cold was biting deeper.

The first snowfall of winter began to fall in flurries, and Ye Xiaoxiao decided to bring Duan Hong to her master's place for hot pot.

When Song Guangjing heard that Ye Xiaoxiao wanted hot pot, he sent someone out early in the morning to buy ingredients—plenty of fresh lamb and beef, as well as several types of the most sought-after leafy greens.

In the kitchen, the cook was busy preparing the meal, so Ye Xiaoxiao didn’t have to lift a finger. Snuggled under a throw blanket, she curled up on the sofa watching TV.

"If the roads become treacherous later, just stay here. Your room is always kept ready, cleaned every day," Song Guangjing said, watching the heavy snowfall outside that had already begun dusting the ground.

In the courtyard, Song Guoxian had the staff clearing some of the snow first.

Ye Xiaoxiao nodded. "Sure. My courtyard shouldn't get too buried, right?"

This year’s snowfall was truly heavy—not quite Baishi Village levels, but still the biggest snow Ye Xiaoxiao had seen in the capital.

Song Guangjing replied, "I’ll send some hands to clear it for you later."

With so many staff at his disposal, it took less than ten minutes to clear the courtyard.

Ye Xiaoxiao leaned back on the sofa, having no complaints about Song Guangjing's plan.

As long as she didn’t have to do it herself, anything was fine.

If it were just her and Sister Hong doing the work, heaven knows how long it would take to clean the yard.

She had hired temporary help for cooking, but maintaining a full staff like Song Guangjing did was out of the question.

Duan Hong tsked at Ye Xiaoxiao’s laziness.

Actually, the snow in the backyard didn’t need full clearing—just the main pathways.

And even that could wait until the snow stopped, or else she’d just be shoveling in vain.

Duan Hong volunteered, "Don’t trouble yourself. I’ll just do a quick sweep after dinner, and leave the rest for tomorrow."

Song Guangjing looked at her. "We have plenty of hands—it’s no trouble. A young woman like you shouldn’t spend too much time out in the snow."

Few elders had ever spoken to Duan Hong like this. Back when she was training, she'd often lie in snowdrifts, and no one seemed to care that she was a girl.

Song Guangjing’s concern nearly brought tears to her eyes.

She quickly blinked, swallowing the lump in her throat.