Chapter 446 Luo Xueli Wants to Move to the Adjacent Brigade
Luo Xueli was surprised. Miss Ye was still very young. Getting married was unexpected enough, and now she was a mother.
"I thought Miss Ye was very young."
"Young? She's already 18. I just didn't expect her to get pregnant right after getting married. This is our family's first fourth-generation grandchild."
"Is Miss Ye at home? I'd like to go and see her."
Grandma Bai didn't answer and smiled as she refilled Luo Xueli's tea. She didn't know this female comrade. What if she did something to harm her granddaughter?
"You said before that you liked Chu Fan?"
"Uh!"
Luo Xueli couldn't keep up with Grandma Bai's speed of changing the subject. She took a deep breath in her heart, realizing she was really slow, unable to follow the old lady's train of thought.
"Yes, we had a very happy conversation the first time we met. I felt that Bai Chu Fan was very knowledgeable and humorous, so it was hard not to be attracted."
"Yes, Chu Fan is indeed a good boy. He's our eldest grandson, very sensible, and knows how to take care of his younger brothers."
"But he doesn't like me. He says I'm not suitable for him. I still don't know why."
Luo Xueli lowered her head in dejection. Was she really that bad?
"Chu Fan is a very thoughtful child. What he says is usually well-considered, and he rarely speaks carelessly.
Young lady, in life, you will meet many people, all sorts of them. But not everyone is necessarily suitable for you. Chu Fan rejecting you means you two have fate but no connection.
Luo Xueli felt like crying but was desperately holding back her tears.
"Perhaps. I know I've caused trouble for Bai Chu Fan, but I really didn't mean to. That's why I'm sincerely here to apologize today, hoping we can at least remain friends."
Grandma Bai didn't say anything more. She was determined not to compromise on her grandson's marriage. Only one knows if the shoe fits.
"Talk to him when Chu Fan gets back."
Just then, those who had gone to work returned. Aunt Bai the eldest, upon entering, called out to the old lady.
"Mom, have you seen Sheng Ge? I want to make fried lotus root boxes for Sheng Ge at noon. Should I invite them over for dinner? Why are you here?"
Aunt Bai the eldest was unhappy to see Luo Xueli. She had rarely been looked down upon. Even though she lived in the countryside now, her high aspirations were still shaped by her former wealthy life.
Luo Xueli quickly stood up and gave an awkward smile.
"Auntie, I'm here to apologize today. Wu Jing has already been arrested by the police. She probably won't appear in Chuncheng again, so she won't bother us anymore."
"Hmph, serves her right! Let her know there's always someone better!"
Luo Xueli felt like disappearing on the spot, but she was also very wronged.
Aunt Bai the eldest looked at the young girl with her head down and didn't say anything more, lest she appear petty.
"Are you waiting for Chu Fan?"
"Mm-hmm, I want to apologize to him personally."
Aunt Bai the eldest looked at the obedient young girl and sighed in her heart. She had quite liked this simple girl at first.
"Then stay for lunch. Chu Fan and the others should be back soon."
Luo Xueli's emotions changed as quickly as they came. Hearing that she was invited to stay for lunch, all her sadness disappeared.
"Thank you, Auntie. I won't eat for free; I'll help you with the chores."
Aunt Bai the second liked Luo Xueli's lively personality and nudged Aunt Bai the eldest's arm with a smile, teasing.
"I think she's a good girl. She has a good temper and doesn't get angry no matter what."
"What good is a good temper? If she's too brainless, she could lose the whole family."
In Aunt Bai the eldest's opinion, a daughter-in-law entering the Bai family could have a bad temper or be lively and innocent, but she absolutely couldn't be stupid. Otherwise, how could the Bai family's foundation not be swindled away?
Upon learning of her pregnancy, Ye Shengge seemed to have a psychological effect and immediately felt unwilling to move, preferring to lie in bed. Besides, she wasn't a diligent person to begin with.
Zi Yisheng no longer went up the mountain recently. He was learning to cook at home. Every day he made a lot of "dark cuisine," which was dealt with by Asen and his group. Therefore, no one wanted to come to his house these past two days.
"Wife, Auntie just came to call us over for lunch. Are you willing to move?"
Ye Shengge put down the book she was reading and looked out the window, lazily rolling around on the bed.
"Go. It saves you the trouble. After eating, we can come back for a nap."
Zi Yisheng quickly pulled his wife, who was still rolling around on the bed. He was now living in fear every day, afraid his wife would forget she was pregnant.
"Stop rolling, be careful. Come on, let's go to Grandpa's house first to chat, lest you become lazier and lazier."
Ye Shengge was helped to put on her shoes, wearing a loose, long-sleeved dress. Although the weather was already warm, Zi Yisheng insisted on putting a light sweater cardigan on her.
"Be careful, I'll get heat rash."
"No, it's only April. It's better to be cautious."
Zi Yisheng escorted her all the way like he was supporting an empress dowager. He didn't forget to call Ye Dad and Ye Mom as they passed the Ye's house. This was good; for a distance of less than thirty meters, three people escorted her into the Bai's house.
"Hahahaha, you girl are now a priority protection object. Hurry inside and let your grandpa and grandma dote on you."
Aunt Bai the third smiled and reached out to help Ye Shengge, even pushing aside her sister-in-law.
"Aunt Bai the third, I want to eat your glutinous rice."
"Simple, I'll steam it for you later."
Luo Xueli also came out of the main hall at this time. She had wanted to help in the kitchen earlier, but no one would let an unfamiliar guest do chores, so she could only sit in the main hall and chat aimlessly with the two elders.
"Miss Ye, do you still remember me?"
Ye Shengge was surprised that Luo Xueli was at the Bai's house. She didn't recall her eldest cousin and Luo Xueli having any progress. However, she maintained a smile and gave her the politeness she deserved.
"Of course, I remember, especially the way you brandished your fists."
"Hehehe, it was just a pretense to boost my courage."
Ye Shengge was not someone who could liven up a crowd, so she could only smile and invite her in.
"You lazy girl, Grandpa wants to see you, and you have to come to see him. Why don't you come to Grandpa's house to sit?"
Ye Shengge quickly sat beside her grandpa and grandma. She was very good at coaxing the elderly now.
"Oh, Grandpa, your granddaughter has no energy every day and doesn't want to move at all. But I'm still insisting on coming to see you. I feel uncomfortable if I don't chat with you for a day. Do you know why?"
"Hahahaha, did you all hear that? Everything my little Ge says is pleasant to the ears. You should all learn from her. Otherwise, you'll make me angry."
The cousins who had just entered were labeled without reason. The old man's words were usually just to be listened to.
"Sheng Ge, how are you feeling?"
"Sheng Ge, second cousin caught some crayfish for you. Can you still eat these bugs now?"
"Sheng Ge..."
"Sheng Ge..."
Soon, Ye Shengge was surrounded by countless questions. Zi Yisheng usually withdrew from the circle when his wife's family asked questions. Otherwise, he would be the next to be attacked.
Luo Xueli was surprised. She didn't expect the Bai family to have so many boys, and she didn't expect Ye Shengge to be so valued by her maternal family. This was not the treatment an only granddaughter should receive.
Ye Shengge was not used to interacting with the Bai family at first because there were too many people. If everyone said a few words, half a day would pass. Now, she could fully attend to every family member who cared about her simultaneously.
"You boys have all been surpassed by Sheng Ge. It's time you considered your own lifelong matters."
Grandpa Bai casually threw out a sentence, and the Bai family's cousins disappeared.
"Hmph, you want to compete with me? You're still far from it."
Grandpa Bai proudly looked at his grandsons who had run to the yard. Daring to delay his time with his granddaughter was asking for trouble.
Luo Xueli watched from the side, her eyes glazing over. This family was truly large, but very enviable. Her own family had never been so harmonious. Whenever relatives met, it was all fake flattery, and they probably cursed each other behind their backs.
Luo Xueli increasingly wanted to stay in a family like the Bai's and at the same time made new plans in her heart.
Ye Mu En and Bai Chu Fan also returned before lunch. Seeing Luo Xueli sitting in the main hall, Ye Mu En directly ignored her. However, Bai Chu Fan gently sat next to her.
"Is there something you need?"
The moment Luo Xueli saw Bai Chu Fan, her face lit up.
"You're back. I'm here to apologize. Today, I learned that Wu Jing did many, many bad things and harmed many people. But I'm really different from her; I won't harm anyone."
Bai Chu Fan actually didn't dislike Luo Xueli, he just felt they weren't compatible.
"I know. You don't need to feel guilty for others' mistakes. Just be yourself."
"Then can I still be your friend in the future? Just a normal friend."
Luo Xueli had never felt so smart. She wanted to get closer to Bai Chu Fan step by step, to erode his heart. She refused to believe she couldn't win this man over.
Ye Shengge stifled a laugh and raised her eyebrows at her eldest cousin. Bai Chu Fan helplessly wanted to rub his forehead. For the first time, he regretted speaking to a girl proactively.
"Of course."
"Dinner is ready, hurry out and get the food!"
Bai Chu Fan suddenly felt his mother's call for dinner was particularly pleasant. He quickly ran out to work.
Now that the weather was hot, they usually ate in the yard. The Bai family's yard had a large trellis built last year, which could be used to grow grapes and provide shade in the summer.
The Bai family did not lower the quality of their meals because of Luo Xueli's arrival. So, Luo Xueli looked at the table full of delicious food and thought it was prepared for her, feeling a little guilty.
But soon Luo Xueli realized she was being sentimental.
"Sheng Ge, Aunt Bai fried lotus root boxes for you and stir-fried large shrimp. Eating more shrimp is good for the baby."
"Sheng Ge, you asked for sweet rice. Glutinous rice is a bit cold, so just have a few bites to satisfy your craving."
"..."
"I know, I promise to eat every dish."
Aunt Bai the eldest saw the somewhat reserved Luo Xueli and used serving chopsticks to give her a piece of food.
"Comrade Luo, please don't be polite. You must eat your fill."
"Thank you, Auntie. Don't mind me. I'll definitely eat until I'm full."
This meal left Luo Xueli feeling full but also uneasy. The more she interacted with the Bai family, the more she felt the gap between her and Bai Chu Fan.
Such a table full of delicious dishes was something her family couldn't even have during the New Year. Even though her father was a deputy factory manager and earned over eighty yuan a month, and her mother also earned over thirty yuan, Luo Xueli's family had to give twenty yuan to her grandparents every month. She also had an elder brother who had only been working for over a year and was dating and getting married.
Before, she had younger brothers who still had to go to school. Coupled with food and drink, they could only save about forty yuan a month. Even though their meals were better than ordinary families, not by much.
But Luo Xueli noticed that such good food seemed to be commonplace in the Bai and Ye families. No one was fighting for food, and everyone ate slowly. Perhaps they were really used to it.
Wu Jing had said before that even though the Bai family used to be city dwellers, they were now no match for her family. But looking at it now, they were all a joke.
Luo Xueli left after dinner. Although her confidence was diminished, it didn't stop her determination to pursue love. She didn't return to Chunyang Brigade but went directly to the county.
On the way to the post office, Luo Xueli had planned everything, even thinking of what to say to her parents.
"Hello, Dad. I want to transfer to the adjacent brigade."
"Yes, because I have friends I know in the adjacent brigade."
"Mm-hmm, you don't need to send too much money. I still have two hundred yuan."
Luo Xueli suddenly comforted her father's slightly wounded heart and felt infinitely motivated.
However, Luo Xueli did not tell her father about Wu Jing. One reason was that she feared her family would spread the news about Wu Jing, giving the Wu family a chance to save Wu Jing. The other reason was that she wanted to see Wu Jing punished with her own eyes. She feared that telling her family about Wu Jing would cause them to panic.
After hanging up the phone, Luo Xueli went to the department store to buy some pastries and canned goods as gifts. She was going to visit the old village head's house today.
But Luo Xueli didn't know that as soon as she hung up the phone, the content of her conversation was passed on.
It could be said that Bai Chu Fan and the others knew about her desire to transfer brigades before Luo Xueli even arrived at Chunyang Brigade.
Zi Yisheng joined Ye's siblings in watching the show, wanting to see how Bai Chu Fan would handle this matter.
"What do you think? Will you let it happen or stop it?"
Bai Chu Fan's expression was calm. He was twenty-four years old and had dated before; he wasn't a greenhorn.
"Of course, I won't get involved. What people want to do is their own freedom."
"Oh, so you have your own ideas now? But I don't think Aunt Bai the eldest will agree."
Ye Mu En, now a gossip, found it rare to have something fun happening at home and had to add fuel to the fire.
"If I truly liked someone, my mom would never object. Her objection would only prove that she also thinks Luo Xueli is not suitable for me. So, as long as I'm not willing, who can force me!"
"Heh, I hope you don't get taken down by that little sweetheart in a few words. I'm waiting to see the day you get slapped in the face."
Bai Chu Fan now found his previously admired eldest cousin very annoying, not as likable as his cousin-in-law.
"By the way, brother-in-law, what's Ling Qiong's situation now?"