CHAPTER 175: 174: FEBRUARY 2 (THIRD UPDATE)

Bai Hehua wore a checkered coat today, which Bai Xue had taken her to buy with her own salary during the New Year. Below was a pair of blue pants. Both the coat and pants were somewhat loose, making Bai Hehua appear thinner. Her fair complexion seemed even more delicate and fresh paired with these clothes.

When Ye He Ping brought Shen Bin home, Bai Xue was in the kitchen preparing the fish and meat. She smiled and walked out of the kitchen upon seeing them enter, and called for her niece from the East Room, "Hehua, quickly bring out the apples at home for Minister Shen to enjoy."

Ye Qian also came out from the West Room upon hearing the commotion, "Dad, Minister Shen."

Shen Bin nodded, maintaining a stern demeanor like he would at the company, while Ye He Ping was more amiable, "Reading? Push a bit harder this year for the high school entrance exam."

Turning, he noticed his wife’s niece coming out, "Hehua has grown a lot too."

Bai Hehua blushed and called out ’Uncle’ before placing the apples brought out onto the table, "Minister Shen, have some apples."

Her eyes quickly swept over Shen Bin’s face before she lowered her head and retreated to the side. Just that glance startled Bai Hehua—this man’s eyes were like a blade, with an expression as if others owed him money.

Moreover, he didn’t look young at all. Clearly, her aunt said he was only twenty-five, yet he appeared so mature, completely unlike those young guys at work.

Just one glance, and Bai Hehua’s heart turned half cold; the smile that had been on her face disappeared, as if frightened, she stood aside with her head down.

Others didn’t notice, but Shen Bin did, and naturally perceived the disappointment in the girl’s eyes. He was unmoved; he had experienced such situations many times before, so he was used to it. As for coming over this time, he initially hadn’t wanted to but was pressured into it, and he expected this sort of outcome, hence why he came.

Everything proceeded as Shen Bin had anticipated but the Ye Family didn’t realize, especially Ye He Ping, who continued to say with a smile, "Hehua, don’t be shy, come, come, sit and chat."

Bai Hehua was summoned to sit across from Shen Bin, yet she never raised her head, tightly twisting the hem of her clothes with both hands, countless thoughts churning in her mind. She knew coming from the countryside, it wasn’t easy to find a good match. Although he was divorced, at least he was a worker, which was not bad in Bai Hehua’s opinion. Her heart was telling her to be content, but the thought of his cold eyes and demeanor instinctively made her resist the arranged match. She felt saddened by her circumstances; why did she have to marry a man seven years her senior who was divorced?

Beyond her parents’ constraints and her limited education, how did she differ from Ye Ling and Ye Qian? Why could they enjoy their lives, while she had to be arranged with a man eight years older?

The more she thought about it, the more Bai Hehua’s nose tingled, fighting back tears, yet stubbornly refusing to lift her head or speak. Shen Bin, across from her, being naturally silent and uninterested in the blind date, also didn’t initiate conversation. For a while, the two sat in silence, which worried Bai Xue in the kitchen.

"You should go out, Hehua is just shy," Bai Xue assumed her niece was shy as she hadn’t been alone with a man before.

Ye He Ping, however, had his own matters to attend to, "Young people should handle it themselves. If she’s shy every time she’s alone with a man, should we always accompany her?"

He glanced at the stove, "I called Lingzi to come home for dinner today, make a bit more."

Bai Xue was momentarily stunned.

Even though she hadn’t said anything, Ye He Ping’s displeasure was evident seeing his wife’s reaction, "Because Lingzi isn’t coming home for the New Year, everyone at the company is talking. Today marks the end of the month, you don’t want those rumors to come true, do you? Think about Ye Qian as well, if not yourself."

At the mention of her youngest daughter, Bai Xue came back to her senses, "If she wants to come back, she can. I didn’t complain, did you have to get angry first?"

"I’m just worried you’ll be stubborn. If anyone comes back, you find fault with them. It’s just one day, and it was me who forced her to return, or do you think she’d come back willingly?" Ye He Ping’s tone softened a bit despite his words.

Bai Xue grunted, "Well, she does have her temper."

What was supposed to be a happy day now felt oppressive due to this letter. She then thought of her youngest daughter’s tutoring, her expression improved slightly, while Ye Qian secretly listened to the living room’s movements from the West Room. However, after waiting for a long time without hearing anything, she grew anxious. Unlike her mother, Ye Qian didn’t think Bai Hehua was shy; rather, she felt Bai Hehua didn’t like Shen Bin.

After all, over the past half-year, Liu Zhiyuan had often come to the house, and Bai Hehua could share some words with him without appearing shy. But here she was, shy with Shen Bin—was it really just because of the blind date?

In the end, seeing the two in the living room silent, Ye He Ping went out and started discussing company matters with Shen Bin. Bai Hehua had no excuse to leave, fearing that standing up might upset her aunt, which would mean she could no longer stay in this household.

Because of these concerns, Bai Hehua dared not move.

Only when Bai Xue couldn’t bear it any longer from the kitchen did she call her niece in to help with cooking, lowering her voice to ask, "Why aren’t you speaking? Didn’t you like him?"

Bai Hehua’s face turned pale with fear, shaking her head, "Aunt, it’s my first time sitting with a man, I feel entirely uncomfortable."

Bai Xue’s heart settled halfway, "Oh, I see, it gets easier with time. He seems decent, right? You wouldn’t find such prospects in the village. What do you think?"

Seeing her niece remain silent, Bai Xue asked again.

Only then did Bai Hehua speak, "I’ll leave it to you, Aunt."

Bai Xue finally smiled, "Rest assured, your aunt won’t harm you."

Bai Hehua lifted her head and smiled slightly before immediately lowering it, her fleeting smile replaced by bitterness, which she quickly masked for fear her aunt might notice. She remained helping with the cooking and avoided facing Shen Bin, whom she genuinely disliked.

After Zhao Guodong and the others arrived at the courtyard, Ye Ling unwillingly knocked on the door. Though Ye He Ping was talking to Shen Bin, he was the first to jump up and open the door upon hearing the knock, a smile of understanding spreading over his face upon seeing his daughter outside.

"Traveling overnight by train must be exhausting, right? Come on in." Ye He Ping immediately took the bag from his daughter’s hand. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you’re welcome to vote at Qidian.com for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)