Ye Ling looked at Sun Mingjie’s tone and her face sank. She never liked Sun Mingjie. Although Sun Mingjie’s previous words were for Xiang Weilai’s sake, Ye Ling didn’t believe Sun Mingjie wasn’t driven by selfish motives. After all, on usual days Sun Mingjie always caused some trouble to make Xiang Weilai dislike her. Ye Ling already knew in her past life about Sun Mingjie’s feelings for Ye Qian; he was one of Ye Qian’s pursuers. In this life, Sun Mingjie’s targeting seemed solely because of Ye Qian, as Ye Ling couldn’t figure another reason. Besides, when Sun Mingjie revealed school matters to Ye Qian, it already showed his poor character.
Coincidentally, Ye Ling was in a bad mood; how could she give Sun Mingjie any face? "If you have something to say, say it here; what’s the point of sneaking around? Go ahead, I’m listening."
"Ye Ling, I really have something serious to talk to you about, don’t regret it later." Sun Mingjie’s face turned unpleasant.
"Whether I regret it or not is my business; whether you speak or not is yours." Ye Ling lay back in bed, ignoring him completely.
Sun Mingjie widened his eyes. Zhang Linong, already displeased, glanced over, while Liu Zhiyuan heard the commotion and came rushing over, dragging Sun Mingjie away, whispering, "Stop causing trouble, will you?"
"Look at her arrogance," Sun Mingjie retorted, displeased. "If not for Weilai, I wouldn’t talk to her at all. Now we’re not even all from the same neighborhood, why should we walk together?"
"Ye Ling is walking with us, not with you." Zhang Linong sat up and cast his gaze toward Sun Mingjie.
Sun Mingjie glared back unkindly, while Liu Zhiyuan tugged at Sun again, addressing Zhang Linong, "That’s just his temper, don’t stoop to his level."
"Lucky for him Dongzi’s asleep, otherwise who knows what would happen hearing those words." Zhang Linong glanced at Sun Mingjie indifferently, then withdrew his gaze.
Sun Mingjie wanted to say more, but Liu Zhiyuan pulled him away, finally bringing peace.
"Where is Xiang Weilai?" Zhang Linong asked Ye Ling.
Ye Ling knew Xiang Weilai hadn’t returned, guessing he must be finding peace elsewhere; she replied calmly, "Nothing to worry about."
Zhang Linong, normally more perceptive than Zhao Guodong, could notice minor changes; after Ye Ling’s words, afraid Zhang Linong might press further, she sat up, "I’ll tell you about it once we’re home, there’s an entire winter break after all."
Zhang Linong scrutinized her, seeing not much wrong besides her low spirits, finally nodded while Wang Ping, having long abandoned his book, approached Zhang Linong after his conversation with Ye Ling.
"What’s going on? What did Sun Mingjie want to say to Ye Ling? It seemed like something big."
"Focus on your book," Zhang Linong replied, then lay back down.
Wang Ping pouted but lay back down anyway.
By the time Xiang Weilai returned, they’d already had dinner. Ye Ling saved a meal for him, handing it over personally. "It’s still warm, go ahead and eat."
Xiang Weilai’s hand, as he received the meal, directly grasped Ye Ling’s, looking straight at her. The reluctance and helplessness began surfacing, with a fury that surged forth. The eyes that often bore a faint laugh had disappeared, leaving him looking haggard.
Ye Ling’s nose tingled, pulling her hand away, "Eat up."
Turning, she moved away to her own bed on the other side.
Sun Mingjie was still brooding. Seeing them together , he glanced questioningly at Liu Zhiyuan. Liu Zhiyuan kept his gaze on Xiang Weilai, thought for a moment, then lowered his head without saying anything.
Finally, on the day they got off the train, the reception at the station made them feel the atmoshere was a bit off. As Ye Ling stepped out from the exit, she saw her father in a coat waiting in the cold; she hurried over. Ye He Ping, seeing his daughter seemed thinner, smiled and nodded.
"Though you’ve got thinner, you’ve grown taller." Having checked on his daughter, Ye He Ping began searching the crowd for Xiang Weilai.
He ended up seeing Liu Rui, who’d come to greet their arrival, laughingly chatting with Xiang Weilai. The smile on her face and the soft gaze fixed on him could be caught at first sight, making Ye He Ping tighten his brows.
"Uncle Ye." Before he could ask more, Zhao Guodong and the others came to greet him.
Ye He Ping first glanced at his daughter again, seeing no issue, then engaged with Zhao Guodong and the others, inviting them over to his home when free. Upon continuing the search for Xiang Weilai, he found the person had already left. Despite feeling unease, he refrained from asking further, worried his daughter might think too much.