CHAPTER 56: 055: EVERYONE’S SCHEMES (4TH UPDATE, DO WE NEED A 5TH UPDATE? KEEP THE VOTES COMING!)

Ye Ling thought a lot, considering Zhang Zhong might refuse. After all, the horse cart belonged to the production team, not his family, and he couldn’t make the decision on his own. This was normal. However, Ye Ling also thought about the many excuses Zhang Zhong might use to decline, and how to counter them.

But clearly to her surprise, as soon as she spoke, without needing further explanation, Xu Lanxiang was the first to interject, "What happened? How’s the person?"

She urged the still dazed Zhang Zhong sitting on the kang bed, "Why are you sitting there dumbfounded? This is a life-and-death matter. Quickly hitch the cart and take the person to the town."

Zhang Zhong was a straightforward person and always listened to his wife’s words. Only then he hastily got off the bed, put on his shoes, and went outside to hitch the horse cart. Xu Lanxiang stopped Ye Ling from thanking her, "Your grandmother is ill. You should quickly go with your uncle. I’ll get dressed too. Is the money at home enough? If not, I’ll bring some more."

"Auntie, no need, my dad came back today, and there’s enough money at home. Just let your uncle drive the horse cart." Regardless of Xu Lanxiang’s genuine concern, her actions and intentions at this moment made Ye Ling feel warm inside.

Adding flowers to a brocade is not as good as providing coal in the snow. It must be like this.

"Your dad is back? That’s good." Xu Lanxiang also breathed a sigh of relief and urged, "Then don’t waste time. Your uncle’s cart is ready, quickly head to the town. I’ll explain to Captain Wang."

Right now, Ye Ling couldn’t concern herself with anything else, thanked her and quickly left the room.

Si Daochen hesitated whether to follow or return home, but Xu Lanxiang had already laughed and said, "Daochen, you came over for Lingzi’s grandmother’s matter, right? They’re heading to the town with your uncle. You kids won’t be much help. It’s getting late, go home quickly and don’t let your parents worry."

Si Daochen felt less awkward, "Auntie, I’ll head home then."

Xu Lanxiang smiled and sent him out of the room, watched him go out of the courtyard, then turned and went back inside. When she returned to the inner room, seeing her daughter eating with her head down and silent, Xu Lanxiang didn’t speak either, and sat on the edge of the kang bed, picked up a bowl and started eating.

Finally, Zhang Zhenlian couldn’t hold back, after a few bites she couldn’t help but ask the question lingering in her mind, "Mom, letting Dad hitch the cart like this, what if the team blames him?"

"Old Mrs. Ye fainted like this, even if asked by the team, they wouldn’t deny sending the cart. It’s a matter of life and death, so it’s better to agree directly now. That counts as a favor for the Ye Family, and they will remember us for anything in the future." Xu Lanxiang raised her eyes to gauge her daughter, explaining her daughter’s unasked questions, "Are you wondering why I let Si Daochen go home and not stay for a while? The Si Family has only one son, and our family has only one daughter. You should understand a bit. When have you seen Si Daochen out in the village this late? He rarely interacts with the villagers. I’m letting him go home now so the Si Family won’t have opinions about us. Even if we kindly keep him at home, the Si Family would be wary of us, thinking we have some ulterior motive."

Zhang Zhenlian listening to her mother’s words felt her ears burning, and nodded randomly.

Her mother’s voice came again, "Help others through to the end, since your dad has already taken out the cart, I’ll go to Captain’s place and explain. This shows our sincere help, and even if we don’t, since the cart is driven by your dad, we should explain to the Captain. So, might as well seize the opportunity and manage it, letting her remember our family’s favor. You’re sixteen, you should understand this and learn from it."

"Got it." Zhang Zhenlian’s doubts were all resolved, and she quietly resumed eating.

Xu Lanxiang had her own calculations. Though the Ye Family’s situation in the village wasn’t the best, Ye He Ping from the Ye Family was an official in the company. In the future, if her daughter were to become a worker, going through him might still get things done.

On the other side, Si Daochen met his father in the village, briefly explaining what happened. Si Jun nodded, "Go home first, I’ll go to your Uncle Wang’s place."

Remembering how Uncle Wang initially passed news about Ye Ling selling wild vegetable dumplings to the city, Si Daochen felt somewhat annoyed, "Dad, it’s so late, why go there? Just go home."

"Such a major incident, your Uncle Wang as the captain should know. Alright, I’ll go inform him. You head home." He praised his son for handling matters well today, then walked with his hands behind his back to Wang Changjiang’s house.

Si Daochen couldn’t stand it, but he couldn’t control it either, only returning home sulking.

Over at the Ye Family, Old Mrs. Ye had already been helped onto the horse cart, heading to the town. Driving the cart at dusk and into the dark stirred some families, but ultimately they didn’t know what was happening.

In the past, Captain Wang would have been informed early about such matters, but ever since Zhang De and his wife came by to talk, the house had been mired in gloom due to troubles, leaving no room to mind other things.

When Si Jun pushed open the door, he saw the Wang couple, one squatting and smoking, the other lying on the kang bed with their back turned. His eyes flickered, "What’s going on?"

Having heard someone entering, Wang Changjiang already lifted his head and seeing it was Si Jun, instinctively stood up, "Accountant Si is here, have a seat."

"Old Wang, what are you sitting for? An incident occurred with Old Mrs. Ye, and I heard Ye He Ping is back. They’ve borrowed the team’s cart and are heading to town. I thought I should inform you, and you can decide whether to go to town or not." Si Jun cleverly delivered the news, appearing to act in Wang Changjiang’s interest.

Wang Changjiang who earlier felt downcast like a wilted eggplant, perked up upon hearing Ye He Ping’s return, "This matter should be checked out. Has the cart left?"

"The cart was already leaving when I came, probably out of the village by now. I suggest this: if everything’s alright, they’ll return by night, and we can visit the Ye Family. If there’s anything serious, Zhang Zhong would return, as he can’t stay in the town with the cart, and then you can decide whether to head to town." Si Jun skillfully presented his suggestion yet left the decision to Wang Changjiang.

Having Wang Changjiang feel involved and recognized, the feeling of leadership and decision-making naturally pleased him, so he was satisfied with Si Jun, "Then we’ll wait for them to return and visit the Ye Family. If they don’t return, and Zhang Zhong does, we’ll take the cart to town. Now that Ye He Ping, a company minister, has returned as someone from our village, it’s important to show concern. Considering a minister from our village adds pride to us, doesn’t it?"

Si Jun knew Wang Changjiang still hoped for his son’s temporary job matter, naturally wouldn’t break this, responded with a smiling nod. Meanwhile, Wang Hua, who lay on the kang bed, also perked up upon hearing Ye He Ping’s return but did not show her husband any good face, focused on sending away their son, to prevent him from marrying Zhang Juanzi. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to qidian.com to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com for reading.)

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