But the fact that I snatched Ye Wenyue’s spot will probably spread through our circle within a few days. If *he* finds out, he’ll likely dislike me even more. I don’t want to listen to my mother and just marry someone hastily, losing any chance with him forever. I can’t accept that; I refuse to resign myself to this fate.
Having made up her mind, she stood up and went to the living room. Seeing Zhang Baoxiang still sitting there, she said, "I’ve thought it through. Since someone in the family must go to the countryside, then I agree."
Zhang Baoxiang suddenly looked up, staring unblinkingly at her eldest daughter. "You want to go to the countryside?"
Ye Wenjuan nodded. "Yes, to the countryside. I heard Ye Wenhui is going to the Agricultural Reclamation Group. Go find someone; I want to be assigned with her."
Zhang Baoxiang, coming to her senses, frowned and chided, "You’re always so disrespectful. If outsiders heard you address your cousin like that, wouldn’t they laugh at you for having no manners?"
My marriage to Ye Bingkun was a calculated one. Neither my looks nor my family background could compare to my two sisters-in-law from other branches of the family. If I hadn’t been willing to risk everything back then, and if the Ye Family hadn’t compromised for fear of damaging Ye Bingkun’s prospects, I probably would never have had the chance to marry into a family like theirs. Even though my husband has never treated me kindly all these years, and I had to scheme to have my three children, others still see me as someone to be envied. After marrying into the family, I begged my father-in-law several times until he finally agreed to arrange a job for me. But because I wasn’t well-educated, I could only get a position in the steel factory’s canteen. The perks were good, but it wasn’t a respectable job. Naturally, I was at a disadvantage compared to my two sisters-in-law, so I especially couldn’t stand hearing people say my children were inferior to theirs. But the more I cared, the more my children seemed to fall short of my expectations. I’ve been angered by this countless times over the years.
Ye Wenjuan grew impatient. "Enough, just hurry and find someone. If you delay, we might not get assigned together."
Thinking of something, she added, "Tonight, tell Dad that since I’m volunteering to go to the countryside, I should get some compensation. I want a wristwatch."
Before Zhang Baoxiang could express her opinion, Ye Wenjuan turned around and went back to her room.
Watching the closed door, Zhang Baoxiang felt a pang of bitterness. All these years of striving, and in the end, even my own children hold grievances against me.
In the hospital ward, Huo Jingrui frowned as he looked at Liu Cheng. "Still no news?"
Liu Cheng’s face was grave. "No. We captured those three last night and interrogated them through the night. They confirmed they didn’t recognize the other individuals; it seems to have been a coincidental encounter."
"They said that after dealing with the immediate trouble, they tried to give chase but lost her. The young lady should be safe now."
Huo Jingrui nodded. "Since they’ve all been captured, transfer them directly to the public security authorities. We’re pulling out."
Liu Cheng nodded. "Alright. Are you planning to return to the Military District Hospital, or will you stay here?"
Huo Jingrui had not replied when the door to the ward was pushed open. "Son, how do you feel today? I’ve brought some fish soup for you."
Looking up and noticing someone else in the room, she said, "Liu Cheng, you’re here! Perfect. I brought a large thermos; you should have a bowl to replenish yourself too." ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ novel⟡fire.net
No one ever dared to genuinely compliment Jiang Jingya’s cooking. Liu Cheng hastily said, "Auntie, I have work later, so I’ll pass. Let Jingrui drink more so he can recover faster."
With that, he quickly made his escape; he was genuinely terrified of her cooking.
Seeing him practically flee, Jiang Jingya looked bewildered. Once it dawned on her, she exclaimed, "I wasn’t finished! This fish soup isn’t even made by me! Look how scared he got!"