CHAPTER 23: CHAPTER 23: IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH HER MIND?

She didn’t say it explicitly, but the Ye Family understood instantly.

Xiaotong’s face turned ugly again.

Fengmian was a bit puzzled, but at this moment, his mood was really bad, not wanting to get involved in the Ye Family’s issues, so he kept quiet.

"Here, here."

Xiaotong went to Ye Manman, facial expressions full of hesitation, took out a small fabric bag from her pocket, and counted out five yuan and a ticket from it.

Seeing her reluctance, Ye Manman laughed.

"No way, sister, are you unwilling? With sister’s current status, isn’t that just a matter of speaking to get these things?"

Having said that, Ye Manman directly took the money and ticket from her hand.

"Alright, I promised to buy a new scorebook for Lili. Thank you, sis. See you next month~"

She pulled He Chen’s hand and left the Ye Family, even waving goodbye to Xiaotong.

Xiaotong tightened the small fabric bag with only a few yuan left and thought about everything that happened today, wishing she could grind her silver teeth into pieces.

Fengmian felt that every time he came to the Ye Family, there was nothing good happening, so he didn’t bother to deal with them, and quickly pulled Xiaotong away.

Unexpectedly, on the way, the two started arguing again.

The more Xiaotong thought about it, the more wronged she felt, accusing the Xie Family of giving her a fake bracelet, causing her embarrassment.

Fengmian couldn’t stand her attitude and asked her back why she didn’t realize it was fake earlier. He didn’t know it was fake either, and it was her flaunting that embarrassed him too.

Finally, because Fengmian mentioned Ye Manman immediately recognized the bracelet was fake while Xiaotong hadn’t noticed for so many days, Xiaotong exploded, questioning him repeatedly if he regretted not marrying Ye Manman, and both quarreled fiercely on the road.

As the topic’s centerpiece, Ye Manman was now eating fruit at home.

"He Chen, can a rabbit really sell for ten yuan?"

She was still pondering about the team leader’s words a few days ago.

Originally, she intentionally said her 220 yuan was stolen, including the rabbit and jar of sugar, even though the rabbit was given by nature; it was hers.

For the past two days, Ye Manman had been thinking about how to improve their living condition. She didn’t want to earn money by working herself, therefore wanted to speed up turning He Chen into a wealthy man.

He Chen was a bit busy now but still kept his ears open, promptly responding when she spoke.

"Selling for ten yuan is impossible, that was the team leader bluffing them, but that rabbit is big-sized and purely wild; it could sell for five or six yuan."

At home, he was constantly cleaning and gathering idle time off work, intending to remove all traces of Li Hongmei’s family’s living, and today was no exception.

Ye Manman watched him busy, pondering casually while calculating days in her mind.

"Do you plan to expand outside or stay in the village to farm?"

If she remembered correctly, speculating and profiteering won’t exist soon; individuals could also do business to earn money. The original female lead seized this opportunity, making big money alongside Fengmian.

He Chen put down his tools, washed his hands, and sat straightforwardly opposite Ye Manman.

A bit nervously rubbing his hands, he still poured out his thoughts.

"Actually, I’ve wanted to discuss this with you for a long time. I don’t want you to stay here with me in this place forever, so I plan to sell stuff at the town when not working, earn more money back, and take you to the town to live well."

"But I fear you won’t have food at home, also want to stay more...more at home to accompany you."

When He Chen revealed these heartfelt words, he dared not look at her, slightly lowered his head, feeling embarrassed.

Upon hearing that, Ye Manman was very satisfied that He Chen indeed had the potential to become a wealthy man.

She brought out 200 yuan from her money, directly putting it into He Chen’s hand, happily saying.

"Then do as you intend, come back early to make lunch for me in the morning, and buy whatever I desire daily so I won’t need to sit the bumpy tractor heading to town."

Her eyes sparkled, looking intently at He Chen, seemingly not worried he’d squander the 200 yuan and stop treating her well.

He Chen felt a wave of warmth in his heart but still returned the money to her.

"Keep the money safe; even selling things at town won’t cost money. Money from selling things can buy you good food, not needing this much."

However, Ye Manman refused to take it back, forcefully stuffing the money into his hand and adding a ticket.

"Just take it; why you have so much nonsense?"

"Do you think I’m giving you money? I’m afraid you can’t return to cook for me daily, this money is for you to buy a bicycle. No one in the village goes to town daily; if you walk back and forth every day, I’ll starve at home."

Their village was far from town; with He Chen’s pace, a roundtrip took at least more than an hour, let alone selling items and returning.

Ye Manman originally wondered if this month’s gift from Xiaotong was food coupons, needing He Chen to find a way to change them into industrial coupons, unexpectedly receiving industrial coupons directly.

Great, less hassle.

"A bicycle is expensive, over a hundred yuan, not worth it. I’ll go early daily, won’t delay the lunch-making time."

He Chen seemed still against it, but hadn’t finished speaking when Ye Manman showed signs of anger, her pretty nose slightly wrinkled.

He hurriedly stopped, properly storing money and ticket, earnestly stating.

"I’ll buy the bike, don’t be mad, alright."

He feared Ye Manman’s anger the most, her anger leaving him reluctantly tongue-tied and unsure how to placate, moreover detrimental for girl’s health—forbidden words said by his father in childhood.

Memories of a happy, beautiful, healthy mom still enriched his mind.

He Chen didn’t want Ye Manman angry because of him.

No matter, he’d quickly earn back to repay this money!

"That’s more like it; there are plenty of things I want to buy, remember when I finish listing them, buy them back tomorrow."

Ye Manman was a shopping enthusiast; discomfort of a bumpy tractor trip disallowed frequent visits, now with a proxy shopper, she’d no longer restrain.

He Chen obediently acknowledged. Subsequently, listening to her say a plethora of items.

He Chen: "..."

Her mentioned items were numerous and varied; not only she forgets soon afterward, but He Chen was also left bewildered.

Not that He Chen’s memory failed him, primarily Ye Manman mentioned things he hardly processed.

Ye Manman then realized, even named old-brand versions, many hadn’t existed yet.

She fell silent.

After their brief gaze exchange, Ye Manman asked.

"Do you know where paper and pens are sold? Buy me a notebook and ballpoint pen, I’ll deliberate what to buy tomorrow, then write for you to buy accordingly."

"Also, buy a scorebook when purchasing the notebook, I promised Lili."

He Chen nodded to each request; then hesitated before asking.

"Actually, I wanted to ask why your sister gave you money and tickets today?"

He Chen wasn’t naturally curious; Xiaotong’s ill will toward Ye Manman was evident—from bridal day till now, each time Xiaotong aimed to humiliate her.

Yet Xiaotong ended up obediently giving items to Ye Manman, leaving He Chen perplexed.

About such matters, Ye Manman didn’t plan to hide, narrating the entire story and showing the IOU.

He Chen viewed the IOU’s fingerprint and signature, paused quietly.

"This is an open-ended IOU, right?"

"Is she...not thinking clearly here?"