Chapter 398: Chapter 397: Ye Qingmei and Langchi
For pregnant women like them, the school would treat them specially
Just like that, in the blink of an eye, the end of the month arrived, Lin Wan and Su Ling handed over their homework to the teacher. They had quite an "emotional" moment with Yin Peibai during a break. The next day, they began nesting at home.
During this time, her mother-in-law came twice, bringing her a lot of snacks and supplements, and even a tub of milk powder. Her mother-in-law said it was foreign goods brought by Uncle Hu’s people from work, meant for pregnant women to drink, and she should drink more.
Regardless of whether it was compensation or other intentions, Lin Wan was very grateful to her mother-in-law and Uncle Hu for their kindness. But she didn’t know how to repay them.
...
"Mr. Mei, I made dumplings today, made a lot of them, come to my place to eat some. It’s cold outside, you’re outside all day and catching a cold." She knew Mei Langchi was from Capital City, and liked northern cuisine. These days she especially learned to make dumplings from Sister Erni. Tonight, she returned early from the stall and started making dumplings.
"No need to trouble Mr. Ye, it’s more convenient for me to eat outside." Recently, Mei Langchi went to his Grandma’s house in Han Yi City. But after observing for a few days, he found that the household only consisted of a young couple with a few-month-old baby, no elderly people residing, nor any trace of young women. Mei Langchi was becoming impatient.
Looks like he’ll have to ask Uncle Qian to investigate tomorrow. "It’s no trouble, our director mentioned he lives far away and finds it inconvenient to come here often. Just so happens I live next to you and was instructed to take good care of you. In fact, the director even gave me some money to ensure your meals in the future, Mr. Mei, come on, I’ve already cooked. It won’t taste good if it gets cold."
Mei Langchi understood what Ye Qing meant, so he didn’t argue and followed her to her courtyard.
A few days ago, Ye Qing secretly met Li Liang, fearing he might go crazy and look for her.
Li Liang now couldn’t wait to be rid of her, hearing her say this made him more than happy.
During these days, Mei Langchi ate three meals a day outside. Except for that hotpot restaurant he accidentally passed by looking decent, the rest were hard to swallow.
Unexpectedly, Mr. Ye’s cooking was so good, the dumplings had such an authentic taste, Mei Langchi ate two big bowls in one go.
"I was afraid Mr. Mei wouldn’t like them, when wrapping them I was unsure whether to invite you or not," Ye Qing laughed, "There’s still more in the pot, I know you men have big appetites, I made plenty today, enough to satisfy."
Mei Langchi rarely smiled, "Mr. Ye’s dumplings are delicious, it’s the best meal I’ve had in days, thank you."
"No need for courtesy, it’s only right. I’ll make a portion for Mr. Mei every day, Mr. Mei doesn’t need to be polite, just speak up if there’s anything you’d like to eat. I’m from the south, not too familiar with northern cuisine."
Mei Langchi raised a brow, "Mr. Ye is from the south? Which part?"
"From Y City, I came here for university, just had some issues in between, I...," Ye Qing mentioned the issues, looking aggrieved, her expression evident without needing a close look, and what can be said, Ye Qing was very clever. "Well, let’s not talk about it." The fleeting grievance conjured many associations, then a smile redirected curiosity.
Though curious, Mei Langchi didn’t ask much, given they weren’t familiar, amidst strangers, he refrained "These days I discovered a southern hotpot restaurant, right in front of the government family blocks. How about I treat you there some day?"
Ye Qing suddenly smiled brightly, "I know the hotpot restaurant Mr. Mei mentioned, the owners are from my village. In my school days, I helped out there for a few days."
"Such a coincidence, then I should definitely treat you to a meal there."
Ye Qing didn’t appear overly happy, casually shook her head, "The owner’s daughter doesn’t like me much. They knew what happened at school and said many unpleasant things, eventually drove me out."
"What happened at your school? Can you tell me?" Mei Langchi couldn’t hold back from asking this time.
It would have been fine not asking, but upon asking, Ye Qing’s eyes began to redden.
"It’s a long story, when I came here for school, I was hosted by a teacher from the school..." As soon as the conversation started, Ye Qing had already cried into a tearful mess, speaking brokenly amidst sobs.
Naturally, Ye Qing wouldn’t foolishly tell the whole truth, she said half true and half false things that were beneficial to her. About how Li Liang harassed her at school, bullied her, and when his wife found out, how Li Liang pinned everything on her, making the entire school aware.
Li Liang’s family had connections, the school feared them, so eventually all blame fell solely on her. After being expelled from school, she didn’t dare to go home, sought out Lin Wan and her family, who upon knowing her situation, outrightly scolded her for asking for it, disgracing the village, unwilling to help her at all. Roaming outside for days, almost out of money, a kind classmate took pity and helped her find this job to barely make ends meet.
Mei Langchi gently patted her back to comfort her, without verbally discouraging.
He really understood the situation Ye Qing described, people are selfish, as is he.
In the following days, Mei Langchi never mentioned the matter she spoke about, when coming over for meals he was polite, eating and leaving directly.
Ye Qing had a moment of disappointment, it seemed her efforts were once again futile, perhaps Mei Langchi too felt she was cheap, started distancing himself, looking down on her. She knew that someone like Mei Langchi and Han Yi, outstanding men among men, probably looked down upon someone like her. She barely met someone comparable to Han Yi, yet because of herself...
... Ye Qing felt down for a few days, catching a Sunday when Mei Langchi came over early, handed Ye Qing a document mysteriously.
Ye Qing looked at Mei Langchi puzzled, dared not accept.
Mei Langchi directly placed it in her hands, laughed, "Open it and take a look."
Ye Qing didn’t understand Mei Langchi’s intentions, but she opened it nonetheless.
Unexpectedly, the contents were documents revoking her school’s punishment.
"This?" Ye Qing could hardly believe that Mei Langchi could enable her return to school, even retrieve the expelled status. Clearly, this person has some influence.
"This counts as my thank-you for your care recently. I’ve spoken to the principal over there, whether or not you return to school, you’ll receive your university certificate, that’s the best I can do. Hope you’re satisfied."
"Thank you... I’m very satisfied... I don’t know how to thank you. If you ever need something in the future, just speak up quickly, and I’ll do my best to help."
Mei Langchi nodded with a smile, "I heard, what was the name of the hotpot owner’s daughter again?"
Ye Qing paused, puzzled by Mei Langchi’s interest in Lin Wan, her previously excited mood turned to agitation.
Why did the people she liked always have entanglements with Lin Wan?
"Um... is it inconvenient to say?" Mei Langchi didn’t know Ye Qing well now. Seeing her expression suggested reluctance.
"No, it’s not that, her name is Lin Wan. Has Mr. Mei met her?"
Mei Langchi shook his head, his face always carried a gentle smile, like a spring breeze, making it hard to avert one’s gaze.
Seeing Mei Langchi hadn’t met Lin Wan, Ye Qing sighed in relief, her face also showing a smile, "Does Mr. Mei need something from her? I’m afraid with some conflict between us, I might not be able to help you," saying this, she lowered her head guiltily.
Thinking Mei Langchi would say something, but he remained with the same demeanor, Ye Qing couldn’t discern his thoughts.
...
"Xiao Wan, guess who I encountered in the shop today?" Mom came running to her brother as soon as she arrived home.
"Who?" The siblings were intrigued by Liang Hongmei’s suspense.
"Ye Qing, I saw her today, she brought a man to our shop for a meal."
Lin Wan was stunned, ever since summer, when she drove Ye Qing away, she vaguely heard Yin Peibai mention what happened later, but hadn’t heard any news about her for months.
If Mom hadn’t mentioned it, she’d almost forgotten.
"Did she say anything to you?" Lin Wan was most afraid Ye Qing told Mom it was she who drove her away.
"Not really, I just asked about her current situation. Turns out she’s working for the government now."
"Was the man she brought her boyfriend?"
"He’s a leader, wearing a military uniform, I found the sight familiar somehow."