CHAPTER 174: 173: LOOKING AT EACH OTHER (2ND UPDATE) REQUESTING MONTHLY TICKETS

Ye Zhenfen didn’t hesitate for too long and directly settled the matter.

"Even though the age difference is a bit much, an eight-year gap isn’t too big. Being older might make them more considerate. If you think it’s suitable, let the two meet first and then spend some time together." Ye Zhenfen wasn’t foolish.

Bai Xue desperately expressed these thoughts but didn’t dare to directly suggest it, fearing taboo, hence not saying it outright.

"That’s great." Bai Xue was now smiling so broadly, "Aunt Ye, check when it’s appropriate, let them meet, see if they get along. If it feels right, then they can spend time together. If it really works out, we can hold the celebration tomorrow."

"The celebration timing can’t be certain. For now, let’s have them meet first. I suggest we find an opportunity for your family, He Ping, to bring them home, then they can evaluate each other." Ye Zhenfen proposed.

Bai Xue thought this could work, and thus they settled it. The date was set for the second day of February. Bai Xue also began preparing the food for the occasion. Meanwhile, in the village, Ye Ling received a call from her father, her brow furrowed throughout.

Zhao Guodong was curious but didn’t dare to grab the telegram in her hand, "What did he say?"

Ye Ling handed it over, "See for yourself."

Zhao Guodong took the telegram, scanned it, and remarked, "There doesn’t seem to be anything significant, why do you seem so troubled?"

"My dad asked me to return to the compound for the second of February." Ye Ling had never considered returning to that home.

This matter wasn’t difficult for others, but for Ye Ling, refusing felt difficult to express.

"Then just go back; we planned to return, didn’t we?" Despite earning money this past month, Zhao Guodong also felt tired.

Ye Ling rolled her eyes at him, feeling it was like talking to a brick wall. It was Zhang Linong who persuaded from the side, "You don’t want to go back; your dad surely knows. But if you don’t return for the New Year, and then miss February second, being away the whole first month will certainly stir debates in the compound."

"Is this why my dad wants me back?" Ye Ling laughed bitterly, "Yes, that must be it, otherwise why would he send a telegram knowing I don’t want to go back?"

Ye Ling didn’t say more, seated herself on the kang bed, poured out money from a bag, it was all small coins, hardly any one yuan notes were seen, organizing the money by size. Zhao Guodong glanced at Ye Ling, then turned his head to look at Zhang Linong next to him, staying silent. Wang Ping was indifferent to whatever, as he followed wherever they went.

"Since we’re returning on the second of February, we shouldn’t go selling in these two days. There’s not much flour left; I originally planned to buy more and sell for a few more days. But now, we don’t have to buy, we’ll use the flour and cabbages to make some dumplings, just relax for two days, then on the first, we’ll take a train, arriving precisely on the second. We’ll celebrate the occasion. I hadn’t thought things through; you spent New Year with me, and I didn’t think to let you return home for February second." Ye Ling managed to calmly resolve her own issues while speaking, "Come and count the money; there’s quite a bit. Let’s divvy it up. Please, don’t say you don’t want it, as rejecting would make you outsiders and end our friendship."

"How does that work, you ate so much..."

Ye Ling interrupted Zhao Guodong, "Who doesn’t eat? You’d pay workers, wouldn’t you? There’s no cutting wages, right? Without you, I couldn’t sell as much, especially given how the whole village joined in selling. Just come and count!"

Although it’s a huge pile of money, it’s all small coins, appearing plentiful, but added together it’s not much.

Once Ye Ling spoke, the three approached to help organize the money. After wrapping things up neatly, Ye Ling counted over one hundred seventy yuan, deducting the cost of buying flour when she returned. They earned this much in just over a month, equivalent to several months of salary for others.

Zhao Guodong was also amazed.

Zhang Linong offered his perspective, "It’s winter now, so people buy more. After spending a night on the train, everyone appreciates a warm bite regardless of cost, but when it gets warmer and with New Year over, no one would spend."

"Right," Zhao Guodong laughed, "Otherwise seeing how profitable this is, I’d consider staying here indefinitely."

Ye Ling took out sixty yuan, giving Zhao Guodong and Wang Ping twenty each, keeping a hundred for herself, "I’ll give you each twenty; I’m not giving more, saving the remaining for our train tickets back and buying some fruit. You shouldn’t return home empty-handed, especially given it’s the New Year; it might please your family."

"Ten yuan is enough," Wang Ping smiled at the cash.

Ye Ling smiled back, "I’ve kept the most, and I won’t be modest. You know my mom doesn’t let me study; my tuition’s borrowed by my dad. I can’t let him keep borrowing; he needs to sustain the household. So, I’ve put aside more for my studies. In the future, if you need help, just ask."

"Save it for your schooling." Though Zhao Guodong desired the money, hearing Ye Ling, he pushed the cash back, "As men, we don’t lack for this."

Ye Ling stuffed the money into their hands, "You call yourselves men, but you shouldn’t always ask for home funds. Spend wisely; when we return, I’ll randomly check. If anyone’s frivolous, we’ll need to discuss."

Ye Ling’s joking embarrassed Zhao Guodong and Wang Ping, they’re less good at keeping money, spending when they have, refraining when they don’t, without concern, relying on home for board and lodging. But hearing Ye Ling, they thought maintaining personal funds was sensible.

It’s Zhang Linong who quietly accepted the money, needing no reminders as he was stable. Freed from selling vegetable patties, they were more at ease. Ye Ling began organizing home items, putting what was not needed back, and the day before leaving, she visited her grandmother’s grave, ensuring peace.

On February second, Bai Xue rose early to tidy the house, spotting her niece, she urged, "Got the leave from work yesterday? I’ll clean the room, just dust off. You should tidy yourself."

Bai Hehua blushed, "Aunt, I’m fine as is; what else to tidy."

Yet, Bai Xue pushed her to the bathroom, telling her to fix her hair and wash, leaving Bai Hehua without further protest. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations, monthly tickets - your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)