He took a deep drag on the cigarette in his hand: "Cousin, did you hear something?"
He Jinxuan looked towards the door: "I did hear some rumors.
However, I definitely believe in you. Since you don’t plan to bring someone in to help with household chores, you need to be more cautious in the future. After all, some things don’t just go away because you don’t want them to happen. Being careful can save a lot of trouble."
Ye Liyan nodded: "Cousin, don’t worry. I’ve thought it through as well. Finding a live-in nanny is a bit unrealistic, since I live at home every day, it would be somewhat inconvenient.
Previously, Sili told me he wanted to go to school with his brother. I thought about it, and it’s not a bad idea. I’m considering having Sili start primary school a year later and Siyan a year earlier so they can be in the same grade. That way, Siyan won’t be too young to keep up with the curriculum.
These past few days, I’ve been looking for suitable candidates. I’ve shortlisted someone, but I haven’t approached them yet."
He Jinxuan replied: "Is it someone from this residential compound?"
Ye Liyan lightly said ’hmm’: "The Fu Family in the second house ahead of us. Fu Gong has always been engrossed in his research and hasn’t handled his personal affairs.
After his father passed away due to illness last year, he brought his mother over.
The old lady is quite bored staying alone at home every day. I’ve observed her a few times, and she seems to be in good health and has a cheerful personality.
I’m planning to find time to visit the Fu Family and see if their grandmother is willing to help take care of these two little ones. This way, even if I can’t return home on time due to overtime, they can still have a hot meal.
Though the research institute has a canteen, it’s not in this residential complex. I’m somewhat worried about letting them go all alone for meals, as you said, it’s best to be careful with everything."
He Jinxuan was quite satisfied with Ye Liyan’s arrangement. After all, starting primary school is different from kindergarten; they need to come home for lunch.
Afterwards, the two chatted intermittently, often drawn in by the laughter from the other three.
There was a look of indulgence in He Jinxuan’s eyes, while Ye Liyan looked at his two sons and their smiling faces, reminiscing about Shen Ninghui. Back then, when troubles arose at home, if it weren’t for Shen Ninghui, he feared he wouldn’t have survived.
But how could Heaven be so blind? He survived with her help, yet she passed away so young.
Just as the three were laughing and playfully together again, a voice was heard from outside: "Comrade Ye, are you home?"
Ye Liyan got up and walked to the front door to see Uncle Zhang from the gate security: "Uncle Zhang, what’s the matter?"
Uncle Zhang glanced into the courtyard: "Comrade Ye, someone is looking for you at the main gate."
Ye Liyan was a bit puzzled, wondering who would come looking for him at this time. Nonetheless, he turned to He Jinxuan at the door and said, "I’ll step out for a bit."
At the main gate, he finally saw the visitors clearly: "Why did you come here?"
The visitors were none other than the eldest and second of the Shen family’s second branch, Shen Ningshan and Shen Ningjing: "Liyan, long time no see."
Ye Liyan actually wasn’t familiar with them, feeling a bit awkward: "Liyan, there’s a matter at home, could we step aside to talk?"
After all, there were a few elderly men in the gatehouse pretending to chat, full of curiosity in their eyes. They really didn’t want others to hear what was coming next.
Ever since he found out that no one from the Shen family helped his two young sons after Shen Ninghui passed away, he couldn’t show a friendly face to the Shen family: "I need to rush back to the research institute for overtime later, so I won’t invite you in. Whatever you have to say, just say it here."
Shen Ningshan paused for a moment, understanding why Ye Liyan had this attitude. Who would have thought Ye Liyan would return safe and sound? Now he truly regretted siding with the main branch.
But what use is regret? He had no choice but to thicken his skin and say: "Here’s the thing, my younger brother Ninglei has found someone and plans to get married after the New Year. But there’s really no more space at home. Do you think you could vacate a room in the third branch’s courtyard for Ninglei to use for the wedding?"
Saying such words, they felt quite shameless, but who could blame them for their unkind actions back then?