At the entrance, Ye Gaoyun arranged for Mrs. Yan and the two children to get on the carriage before turning back to Ye Jiu, "In the blink of an eye, it’s been several months since we last met. Why don’t you take a walk with your third brother?"
Ye Gaoyun knew that Ye Jiu wouldn’t refuse, so he walked to the side after he spoke.
Ye Jiu followed with raised footsteps.
Walking on snowy ground, every step they took crunched beneath their feet.
Only when they were a good distance from the carriage, ensuring that no one else could hear their conversation, did Ye Jiu speak up, "If you have something to say, third brother, just say it."
From the moment Ye Gaoyun insisted on escorting him, Ye Jiu could tell that he was troubled, and it was also clear that he felt awkward, which is why Ye Jiu took the initiative to ask.
"It’s not really a big deal, but I have an idea I want to run by you. If it’s okay, I could use your help. If not, just pretend I never mentioned it," Ye Gaoyun said.
Ye Jiu didn’t move but stood there waiting for him to speak.
After Ye Gaoyun figured out how to say it, he continued, "After the New Year, I’m considering taking a batch of goods from the workshop to do some business, but I’m not exactly flush with cash at the moment. I can only pay for half the goods upfront. What do you think, little sister?"
"Does your wife know about this?" It wasn’t a big deal to give goods on credit, especially to his own brother. Even if it meant writing off the debt entirely, Ye Jiu would not disagree.
However, Ye Gaoyun’s situation was different since he had married into another family.
Technically, he now belonged to the Yan Family, even if the Yan’s only had a small sesame oil workshop. In time, he was expected to fulfill his filial duties and carry on the Yan family business.
Moreover, Ye Jiu didn’t understand the meaning behind Ye Gaoyun’s sudden ambition to start his own business.
Could it be that he no longer wished to remain married into the Yan family now that he saw the Ye Family’s situation improving and sought to carve a new path for himself?
Nevertheless, if Ye Gaoyun indeed acted in such a manner on this issue, it would be utterly contemptible.
Consequently, Ye Jiu’s view of Ye Gaoyun began to change.
Luckily, Ye Gaoyun was still immersed in his shame, so he did not see the expression on Ye Jiu’s face.
"Speaking of this matter is somewhat embarrassing, but right now I have no choice but to brazenly ask," Ye Gaoyun explained after a moment of discomfort. "You see, my mother-in-law was injured giving birth to my wife, and she couldn’t have a son afterwards, which led to my marrying into their family. But recently, my father-in-law suddenly brought back a woman with a newborn baby, claiming it was his son conceived outside."
"So the Yan Family now finds you and your family to be redundant?" Ye Jiu was stunned.
Ye Gaoyun, who had married into the Yan household—the elder Mr. Yan was over fifty already—had unexpectedly fathered a son, prompting Ye Jiu to exclaimin admiration.
"It’s not as simple as that. My mother-in-law is not one to be trifled with," Ye Gaoyun replied with some embarrassment. "The current intention of the Yan family is to split the inheritance into two, but I’ll admit that I have some selfish motives."
After a sigh, Ye Gaoyun continued, "Now that the Yan family doesn’t lack a son, and I’ve been with them for years, I’ve been thinking, why not take this opportunity to leave the Yan family and start a new life with my wife and kids?"
Compared to ordinary households, the Yan Family was in decent shape with a small sesame oil workshop, but it still didn’t match the current Ye Family.
Besides, men who marry into their wives’ families are looked down upon; no one would willingly do it unless they were desperate.