CHAPTER 145: 144: AWKWARD ENCOUNTER (THIRD UPDATE)

When Ye Ling and Zhang Linong arrived at the noodle shop, it was quite a coincidence. As soon as they sat down and ordered noodles, Bai Xue came in with her daughter and niece, along with the mother and daughter of the Song Family. It turned out that today, Bai Xue took advantage of her husband’s business trip to discuss her niece Bai’s job with Wang Danhong. That morning, Wang Danhong took someone to Bai’s future workplace, and her employment was settled. She would only prepare lunch every day, starting work at nine o’clock. Her monthly salary was fifteen yuan, with five yuan being a transport allowance. Though it was a temporary position, it provided some benefits, which made it a rare opportunity.

Even though Bai Hehua hadn’t spoken, her face showed her happiness. Her eyes were bright, making her more attractive. Seeing her like this, Ye Qian couldn’t help but feel jealous and only talked to Song Mei, subtly excluding Bai Hehua.

Bai Xue was engrossed in conversation with Wang Danhong and didn’t notice this. As for Song Mei, she never thought highly of Bai Hehua and naturally ignored her. Despite this, Bai Hehua didn’t mind today, as she was content with her job.

Everyone entered the noodle shop with smiles, but as soon as they saw Ye Ling sitting inside, those smiles vanished. Wang Danhong wanted to leave but was too embarrassed to do so, pretending not to see Ye Ling. Bai Xue was angry, thinking how she always encountered this bothersome girl whenever she came to eat noodles. Remembering the fifty yuan her husband gave her, she decided not to leave due to indignation—why should the girl get to eat while she had to leave?

Feeling awkward to start a conversation yet filled with frustration, in the end, the group just sat inside. Ye Ling was sitting with her back to the door. When she saw Zhang Linong signal to her, Ye Ling noticed the group that had come in but didn’t turn around, pretending not to know them, and continued chatting with Zhang Linong.

After sitting down, Ye Qian gently tugged her mother’s hand, "Mom, why don’t you go over and say something to my sister?"

"Why bother with her?" Bai Xue muttered and continued talking to Wang Danhong as if nothing happened, smiling, "Thanks for helping with Hehua’s issue. My brother’s family’s situation is not good, and our family is also dealing with problems now. If not for your help, I really wouldn’t know what to do. Let me treat you today—don’t argue with me about paying, otherwise, I won’t agree."

"Oh, come on, with our families having such a close relationship, there’s no need to distinguish whose is whose. I see that Ye Qian looks much better now. In a few days, when school starts again, they will both be in the same class, and they can look after each other. There will definitely be times I’ll have to trouble you." Wang Danhong said without any airs.

While Bai Xue chatted pleasantly with Wang Danhong, Song Mei occasionally glanced at Ye Ling in front of them, whispering to Ye Qian, "Did you see? She always hangs out with boys, but isn’t it usually the three of them? Why is it just Zhang Linong today?"

"Actually, my sister is quite lonely. She has no friends in the compound, only a few who can talk to her," Ye Qian said with a face full of concern and worry, "Song Mei, I know you’re still angry about what happened a while ago. No matter what, it’s all in the past, could you forgive my sister once on my behalf? She’s just hot-tempered, and when she gets mad, she loses sight of everything. I know your mom worries about you, and I’m afraid to say much. We grew up together, so I feel comfortable saying this to you."

While the adults were talking, Ye Qian whispered to Song Mei.

Song Mei snorted but gave Ye Qian some face, "Alright, alright, don’t worry about it. At most, I’ll give you face and just stay away from her. I just can’t understand how two sisters can be so different."

Actually, last time when Ye Ling left home, it really scared Song Mei. After her mother slapped her, she hid at home for three days and didn’t dare to come out. After that incident, Song Mei didn’t dare to provoke Ye Ling anymore. Now seeing Ye Qian pleading with her, she felt like she was doing Ye Ling a favor, feeling secretly proud.

Ye Qian’s eyes shifted slightly, expressing gratitude on her face, "That’s great."

In her heart, she didn’t take it seriously; even if you gave Song Mei courage, after what happened, she wouldn’t dare to bother Ye Ling again. Let alone Song Mei’s brain, Ye Qian considered herself smart enough, yet she couldn’t deal with Ye Ling. It was just that she had to act in front of her, making Song Mei feel so smug.

The two harbored their own thoughts. When the noodles were served, Wang Ping and Zhao Guodong also arrived. Wang Ping greeted the adults, calling them aunties, and went straight to the table where Zhang Linong and Ye Ling were sitting. Zhao Guodong slowly walked over, using his foot to move a chair before sitting down.

Wang Ping cheerfully ordered four bowls of noodles, exuding an air of confidence.

Only then did Wang Danhong put on a face of discovery, casting a glance at Bai Xue, "Is that Ye Ling from your family?"

Since it was a view from the back, Wang Danhong feigned uncertainty flawlessly.

Bai Xue made a sound of realization, looking in the direction Wang Danhong indicated, and exclaimed, "It really is! If you hadn’t mentioned it, I wouldn’t have noticed."

Then she added, "Let’s just eat our own food. Since she acts like she doesn’t see me as her mother, I won’t bother her either."

Wang Danhong nodded, "That’s fine too."

As the noodles arrived, everyone started eating, and no one mentioned Ye Ling again. There was an unspoken agreement not to bring it up, though whether anyone was secretly paying attention was a personal matter. Wang Danhong looked at Ye Ling mingling well with those mischievous kids from the compound and felt disdain. She thought they might only end up in the company of hooligans, with no great achievements in the future.

Zhao Guodong looked at Ye Ling opposite him and then glanced at Song Mei, who was eating with Ye Qian by the door. Remembering what Wang Ping had mentioned, Zhao Guodong narrowed his eyes, uncaring of the number of people in the noodle shop, and shouted, "If I hear anyone talking behind my back again, I’ll beat them every time I see them."

After speaking, he raised his hands in front of him, cracking his knuckles loudly. Song Mei’s face froze, pretending nothing happened and continued talking to Ye Qian but was evidently absent-minded.

Wang Danhong frowned and said to Bai Xue, "These kids in the compound are so spoiled; calling themselves ’daddy’ at such a young age without any sense of whom they’re addressing—truly lacking manners."

Bai Hehua glanced at Song Mei and then lowered her head to eat, but this small gesture caught Wang Danhong’s attention. She didn’t have to think much before recalling her daughter accusing Ye Ling of seducing men, and then Zhao Guodong’s foul words came to mind, making her face darken instantly. How dare he insult her daughter right in front of her, saying ’daddy’ repeatedly, did they really think the Song Family was easy to bully? (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to vote for recommendation tickets at qidian.com, your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)