Chapter 408 The First Batch of Grain Arrives
Ye Shenggē understood that everyone had different expectations for their significant other. Some wanted companionship, some yearned for passionate romance, some desired constant devotion, and others were solely focused on receiving.
Zi Yìshèng, on the other hand, seemed to be the giver. A small reaction or a moment of companionship from her was enough to satisfy him, making him both humble and deeply in love.
Ye Shenggē stepped forward and hugged Zi Yìshèng, feeling the warmth of his chest.
"I might have been sick for a long time before, constantly waiting for death, and gradually became indifferent to many things. Today, Mom said I was cold to you, but I didn't even notice. Thinking back, I haven't made friends for over a decade. Even Chen Tángtáng is just someone I don't dislike; I've never had deep conversations with her.
What happened in Qí City, what happened in Báiróng Brigade, none of it mattered to me. I even saw many people without food or drink and felt nothing, only offering help out of a sense of moral obligation.
And to you, it's even more unfair. When I developed feelings, I accepted you, and then I took your devotion for granted, enjoying everything you brought me."
Zi Yìshèng closed his eyes, listening to the girl's soft murmurs, but his heart was unsettled. How had his little girl become like this?
"Don't worry, don't worry. It's okay if you can't feel emotions. Those people and things don't matter. The fact that you can always love your parents and elder brother, and still like me, proves you're perfectly fine.
As long as you happily accept the love from us four, and can experience emotions and happiness from us, that's enough. How can anyone else be as important as us, right?"
Zi Yìshèng didn't know how to comfort the little girl, nor could he truly understand her pain. But in his heart, he wished for things to be as they were before, and for this painful switch to remain unflipped. If it had already been flipped, then he would help her close it again.
Ye Shenggē smiled. Yes, she was a cold-hearted person, why should she care about these feelings? She was just causing herself trouble, it wasn't like her at all.
"I'm fine now. I just suddenly realized my issue and need some time to accept it. My acceptance ability has always been very strong."
Zi Yìshèng hugged the little girl and swayed her, hoping she was truly as she said.
"That's good. Your mood might be a bit low for a while, but as long as I'm with you, I can heal you."
"Hahaha, you're so confident!"
"Of course, I'm someone you care a lot about."
Ye Shenggē nodded, her smile widening at the corners of her mouth.
"Yes, I care about you a lot."
Ye Dà and Yè Mā were eavesdropping outside the door. They were supposed to go for a walk, but they couldn't walk more than a few steps. Like thieves, they listened for any sounds inside. In reality, they didn't hear much, only a few sounds of their daughter's laughter.
"She's laughing, she's laughing."
"Mhm, it's good she's laughing. Yìshèng really knows how to handle things."
Ye Mù'ēn returned home and saw the two people eavesdropping, standing quietly to the side and observing.
"Oh, heavens, you little rascal, you're going to give me a heart attack!"
Ye Mù'ēn dodged his mother's series of slaps, looking helpless.
"You're the ones acting like thieves, so being startled is a result of a guilty conscience."
"Shh, shh, let's go."
Ye Bà, afraid of attracting attention from inside and causing embarrassment if discovered, pulled Ye Mù'ēn towards their room. He sternly explained what had happened that day.
Ye Mù'ēn was first surprised, then began to blame his mother.
"Why did you bring this up with Shēnggē? She wouldn't have thought of these things at all. Now, you've suddenly woken her up.
Besides, who says there must be equal give and take between two people? Everything Zi Yìshèng does is because he wants to, and he enjoys it.
If Zi Yìshèng ever changes, it will be because he no longer loves her. No matter how much Shēnggē tries to hold on, if it's destined to end, no one can stop it."
Ye Mā was stunned by her son's criticism. She hadn't expected that she was the one who had caused trouble. However, she didn't want to admit it, and she disliked her daughter's state today.
"My child needs to have a strong heart. What I said today wasn't wrong."
Ye Mù'ēn held his forehead. It was impossible to reason with women, especially those he couldn't afford to offend.
"Yes, your intention was right, but Shēnggē is different from others. She doesn't need to be strong anymore. She's already spent twenty years being strong. In this life, she should be a little weaker and not bear what she doesn't want to.
It's just Zi Yìshèng. My sister can treat her significant other however she wants. If Zi Yìshèng is unwilling, then he can leave. If he's gone, there will be others."
Ye Mā was truly speechless now. Fine, she admitted she had been too meddlesome today.
Ye Bà, being cowardly, dared not utter a word, but inwardly he agreed with his son's words.
Ye Mù'ēn saw his mother's unhappy expression and quickly crouched in front of her.
"Mom, Shēnggē was too tired in her previous life. I want her to live this life freely. She's too sensible. I never see her angry, never see her throw tantrums. Whatever we say, she listens, and she never has her own opinions. Haven't you noticed anything wrong with her like this?
Sometimes I even wish she would do something rebellious, so I could see her as a real person. But in reality, she's as obedient as a doll. It pains me to see!"
Ye Mā covered her face and cried. She had become so accustomed to her daughter's obedience that she believed it was her daughter's nature.
"Damn illness, damn heavens. I haven't been the mother I should be, and you understand Shēnggē better than I do."
Ye Mù'ēn was confident in this regard. He truly placed all his concern and attention on his sister, understanding her feelings like a friend, and keeping her company during her illness.
Ye Mù'ēn patted his mother's hand. In their previous lives, they had all been too busy. In this life, there was still time.
"Mom, Shēnggē doesn't just need good food and medicine; she needs conversation and companionship. But Mom, you're too late. Zi Yìshèng has already stolen your daughter."
Ye Mù'ēn deliberately teased his mother. Before he could push the blame further onto Zi Yìshèng, there was a knock on the door.
"Alright, don't let your daughter see you."
Ye Mā quickly wiped away her tears and glared fiercely at her son. It was better not to raise sons, as they only caused one anger.
Ye Shenggē walked in and saw her mother's red eyes, understanding everything. Ye Shenggē was actually very sensitive and perceptive. However, she didn't want to dwell on this topic and pretended not to notice her mother's state.
"Brother Zi said the gold-filled boxes need help to be lifted."
"Let's go, I'll help."
Ye Mù'ēn, though unsure why they were lifting gold, didn't want to see his mother cry any longer. The remaining comforting would be left to his father.
Ye Mù'ēn followed his sister upstairs. Along the way, he gently patted the top of her head, his unspoken affection conveying everything.
Ye Shenggē smiled and held her elder brother's hand, explaining the matter of taking out the gold.
"It's good, but I'm worried it might attract envious eyes. After all, these grains we're taking out can only be prioritized for the disaster victims in Chūnchéng. Other cities will definitely cause trouble."
"Then what should we do?"
Ye Mù'ēn smiled and looked at Zi Yìshèng standing at the doorway.
"That will depend on whether Young Master Zi's words still carry weight now."
"Of course, they do. Otherwise, all my previous efforts would have been in vain."
Zi Yìshèng was quite confident in this regard. He had already instructed Li Chéng. Upon reaching the border town, Li Chéng was to find his subordinates and contact the local government. No one would dare to snatch even a single grain.
Ye Shenggē smiled and gave him a thumbs-up. They were all influential figures; she would just handle the money.
Indeed, the first batch of grain arrived at the border town that very night. The large cargo ships were quickly discovered by the border town's government.
Many people rowed small boats to the cargo ships. Li Chéng had his men guard the surroundings of the cargo ships and used small dinghies to negotiate with these people.
Many disaster victims witnessed all this. Even some people from Báiróng Brigade sent representatives to observe the situation.
"Did you hear? It's good-hearted people from Mí Province across the river bringing us grain."
"Really? Is it free?"
"Nonsense, they're not here to do business, are they?"
Li Chéng led a few brothers to the resettlement area and felt a heavy heart seeing the chaotic scene. This grain delivery would not be smooth sailing.
"Mr. Li, I thank you on behalf of the people of the border town. When can we receive this batch of grain?"
Li Chéng arrived at the temporary office of the resettlement area, a smile on his face.
"No hurry. I need to meet Secretary Tán. An old acquaintance of mine asked me to talk to him."
"Secretary Tán! Mr. Li knows our secretary?"
"Of course. Otherwise, I wouldn't have gone to such great lengths to come here. Moreover, if we cooperate well, more grain will be delivered later."
The reception staff hesitated. If the secretary knew about this batch of grain, he would lose his allocation power.
Li Chéng was not in a hurry. He had already sent his men to find his contacts in the border town, and soon many of his people would arrive. If negotiations failed, he would distribute the grain himself.
"You go find someone first. Just give this letter to Secretary Tán."
The reception person took the letter and watched Li Chéng leave. Seeing Li Chéng's imposing demeanor, they hesitated and weighed their options, finally deciding to send someone to deliver the message.
However, before doing so, they secretly opened the envelope. Upon seeing only the character "訾" inside, they became even more confused.
Li Chéng walked out of the office area and inquired about the location of Báiróng Brigade along the way. Seeing the wooden sheds unique to Báiróng Brigade, he smiled with satisfaction.
Gōng Àidǎng was the person Li Chéng had specifically asked for, as instructed by Old Village Chief Gōng.
Gōng Àidǎng looked at the stranger with confusion, truly not knowing anyone in the border town who knew him.
"Who are you?"
"Gōng Àidǎng?"
"Yes, I am Gōng Àidǎng."
Li Chéng extended his hand, and Gōng Àidǎng, still nervous, wiped his not-so-clean hands on his clothes.
"I was sent by Young Master Zī to inquire about the situation of Báiróng Brigade."
Gōng Àidǎng had never been so eager to hear Zi Yìshèng's name as he was now, a deep smile on his face.
"How are Young Master Zī and the others?"
"They are well, all very well. And Old Village Chief asked me to pass on a few words to you. Let's find a quiet place to talk."
"Okay, okay, let's go directly to my shed. I'll have someone stand guard outside."
Li Chéng smiled at Gōng Àidǎng, who seemed ready to engage in underground work. He was quite an honest person.
Chén Fēn quickly came out upon seeing her husband bring a stranger. Since Gōng Suǒ'ér had married and moved away, Chén Fēn's temperament had changed significantly, at least she was no longer as aggressive as before.
"Àidǎng, who is this?"
"You stand guard outside. Even your son and daughter-in-law are not allowed in."
"Oh, okay."
Chén Fēn guarded the vicinity with confusion, not asking any further questions.
Jī Sōnglín also saw Li Chéng but didn't inquire about the situation. He had always been self-aware, never meddling in matters that didn't concern him, and feigning deafness to things he shouldn't know.
"Young Master Zī asked us to transport a batch of grain, five hundred tons. Young Master Zī's intention is to give more to Báiróng Brigade, although not too much openly.
You can eat it first, and tell everyone in Báiróng Brigade to keep their mouths shut. More grain will be coming later, but a large portion will be received by our people. At that time, you still won't be able to return to the village, and if the grain is insufficient again, you can go to the place I've arranged to get it."
Gōng Àidǎng was so excited that his words became jumbled.
"It's all given for free? No money?"
"Yes, this is a token of goodwill from the Zī, Yè, and Bái families. However, there are too many disaster victims, so we can't only give to Báiróng Brigade."
"Hahahaha, thank you, thank you! Our Báiróng Brigade is truly blessed!"
Li Chéng agreed with Gōng Àidǎng. Weren't they blessed? They would fare much better than other disaster victims.
"When the local government receives the grain, it would be best for you to gather your grain and bring it back. They will leave some extra for you on the ship.
When you come to get grain from my people later, say you bought it with money. This way, it won't cause a major disturbance."
Gōng Àidǎng now did whatever Li Chéng said. The person who could give them grain now was like a savior. He vowed to ensure that Young Master Zī and the others would be treated even better in Báiróng Brigade, and anyone who bullied them would be his enemy.
"How is my uncle? Did he pass on any messages for me?"
"Old Gōng is doing well. He asked me to tell you to return to Báiróng Brigade immediately after the floodwaters recede. First, rebuild houses, and then hand this letter to the authorities."
Gōng Àidǎng cherished the letter, feeling unsafe wherever he put it.
"Also, if you have any issues, be sure to discuss them with Jī Sōnglín. Although Jī Sōnglín is cunning, his heart is not bad, and he won't do anything to harm the village.
And let Gōng Shùsēn be the next village chief. If someone else takes the position, he won't feel at ease."
"Yes, yes, yes, I will do as Uncle said."
Li Chéng sighed in relief. Old Gōng had said too much, so he could only simplify it.
"Then I'll go call Jī Sōnglín and Gōng Shùsēn right now. Let them hear your message directly. I'm afraid they won't believe me."
Li Chéng was helpless. Although Gōng Àidǎng was honest, he lacked boldness and could only follow orders without his own initiative.
"Alright, let them come."
He, the esteemed "God of Wealth" under the mighty Young Master Zī, was now reduced to a messenger, having to repeat instructions.
Tán Dùn was surprised to hear that Mí Province was sending grain, as they wouldn't associate with people from Mí Province.
Upon seeing the letter handed over, he suddenly stood up, his expression solemn as he carefully examined the envelope.
"Who gave you this letter?"
"Group Leader Lǚ from the resettlement area asked me to deliver it."
Tán Dùn nodded and put the letter in his pocket.
"Arrange a car immediately. I need to meet the person as soon as possible."