Chapter 137: 137-year-old lady’s temper is getting bigger and bigger
Ye Jiu had just been thinking that carving molds was a job that required a solid amount of physical labor; he couldn’t just rely on his fourth brother alone. Otherwise, even if he exhausted him, they might still not be able to keep up with the progress.
Therefore, Ye Jiu had originally intended to find a couple more people to help with the work, so it was even better now that Wenqing and Wenyu were willing to lend a hand.
Being fair, regardless of their parents’ attitudes, the characters of these two older nephews of his were still quite decent.
At least, that’s what Ye Jiu thought for the moment.
At the crack of dawn, before Ye Jiu had even gotten up, he could already hear the sound of stone being chiseled from outside.
By the time she got up, everyone in the house had already started their meal. Ye Jiu hurriedly ran to the kitchen to help serve dishes and bowls, but when she arrived, she saw Ye Qingzhi helping Mrs. He with the fire.
Ye Jiu felt a bit embarrassed, after all, she wasn’t even as diligent as her niece, who was several years younger than her!
Especially seeing Ye Qingzhi in her thin clothes, one couldn’t help but feel some distress for her.
The world was already harsh towards women; being able to meet good parents meant one could enjoy several good years in her parental home.
However, for someone like Ye Qingzhi, with a mother who favored sons and a father who was indifferent and didn’t interfere much, she couldn’t even enjoy good times in her parental home, not to mention when she got married and became someone else’s daughter-in-law.
“Qingzhi, come eat with us later, in the main room,” Ye Jiu coaxed.
Clearly, as soon as Ye Jiu spoke these words, Ye Qingzhi’s eyes lit up conspicuously. Yet, she didn’t dare respond and instead looked at Mrs. He with eyes full of hopeful light.
She, still very young, knew that Mrs. He’s words were what truly mattered.
“Why are you looking at me? If your auntie tells you to go, then go if you want; if not, forget about it,” Mrs. He said, then walked off carrying her bowl of rice.
Only then did Ye Qingzhi give Ye Jiu a shy smile.
Ye Jiu noticed that the girl did not talk much and also had a timid nature; she really didn’t seem like Zhao’s child and didn’t resemble her mother at all.
“Do you want to tell your mother before going to eat? You better hurry,” Ye Jiu said, as she also left with her bowl of millet porridge.
Ye Qingzhi’s smile receded from her face as she hesitantly stood up and went back to the second room, looking down as she said, “Dad, Mom, Auntie and Grandmother have invited me over for the meal.”
“If your grandma asks for you, then go. She’s upset about the separation; go make some nice conversation to cheer her up,” Ye Gaoshui said lovingly, despite his only daughter being exceptionally timid and not close with anyone.
Having received the response, Ye Qingzhi then looked at Zhao, showing a scared expression in her eyes. After half a day, seeing no objection from her, she finally turned to leave.
In the main room, old man Ye and Ye Gaosheng were already eating with their chopsticks in hand when Mrs. He scolded him, “What’s this? After the separation, you’ve forgotten all the rules? Not everyone’s at the table yet, and you’re eating by yourself?”
Ye Gaosheng’s mouth was stuffed full of food, and his voice was rushed as he spoke, “Mom, I’ve got things to do after I’ve eaten. The two stone slabs I’ve carved today aren’t enough. I’ll have to go up the mountain tomorrow to look for stones; I’m busy. You can take your time eating, but I can’t wait.”
“The fourth has been working hard these past few days; don’t be so hard on him,” old man Ye immediately felt a pang of sympathy.
“Yeah, yeah, you’re his real dad, and I’m the stepmother, right?” Mrs. He said, putting down her chopsticks with a clatter in front of old man Ye.
Old man Ye grimaced as he took slight offense to Mrs. He’s lack of consideration, complaining, “You, woman, are getting more and more temperamental. I just feel pity for the fourth, and look at you—”