The matter between Ye Xueyun and Ye Zhenghua was completely beyond Ye Linchen's expectations.

At least in her previous life, when she died, those two people, though eccentric in nature, were still in good health.

Hearing this news so suddenly, she felt a strange mix of emotions.

It wasn't the exhilarating feeling I'd imagined; instead, I felt a bit empty, as if a place deep inside my heart that had been tense had suddenly collapsed.

I felt inexplicably melancholy.

But the thought only flashed through my mind.

The moment she thought of Ye Zhenghua's cold and calculating face from both her past and present lives, all her complicated emotions vanished.

How could Meng Zihan and Meng Xueyun have gotten to where they are today, turning that family upside down? Every step of the way, they could have done without Ye Zhenghua's tacit approval and indulgence.

That person, deep down, is the most adept at judging situations; in his eyes, family ties are far less important than personal gain.

Ye Linchen lowered his eyes, picked up a sizzling piece of grilled meat, and when he looked up again, his eyes were now cold and indifferent.

"He has brought this upon himself, and he deserves it."

Her voice was flat, less expressive than when she said, "This barbecue is delicious."

“That’s right!” Feng Linlin nodded immediately, chewing on meat, and mumbled in agreement, “He did so many wicked things before, this is retribution!”

Lin Xiaojuan, however, seemed somewhat restless. She poked around in her bowl with her chopsticks, glancing at Ye Linchen several times, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

"What's wrong?" Ye Linchen noticed her expression.

Lin Xiaojuan bit her lip and finally spoke in a low voice.

“Xiao Chen… no matter what, he is still your father. Now that he is so sick, don’t you want to… go back and see him? Otherwise, those people outside will say some unpleasant things.”

She didn't dare to be too direct.

Nowadays, in the steel mill dormitory area, the old ladies sitting in the shade of the trees downstairs gossip about them in the most unpleasant way.

Everyone says Ye Linchen is a cold-blooded ingrate; even though her own father has suffered a stroke and is bedridden, she, his biological daughter, doesn't even show her face.

What happened before?

How much time has passed?

Is she still holding a grudge?

You're so petty!

Ye Linchen, however, didn't care at all.

"I know they'll say I'm heartless and unfilial," Ye Linchen said calmly, as if she were talking about someone else. "But so what?"

She looked at Lin Xiaojuan and said seriously, "Xiaojuan, people can say whatever they want, I can't control what they say. I would be a fool to live by other people's spittle. I've cut ties with that family a long time ago, there's no need for me to send myself back to them for some empty title."

"Yes! You're absolutely right!"

Feng Linlin slapped Ye Linchen hard, strongly supporting her.

"You absolutely mustn't go back! If you go back, you'll be a fool! Their family just had their money stolen, and they're desperate for a sucker! The moment you show your face, Meng Xueyun will pounce on you like a leech, crying and begging you to hand over your money. She'll squeeze you dry! Then you'll be stuck with her and won't be able to get rid of her!"

Ye Linchen nodded in agreement: "That's what I think too."

Lin Xiaojuan thought about it and realized that given the Ye family's extremely high standards, they would indeed do such a thing.

Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she lowered her head in shame: "I'm sorry, Xiao Chen, I was too naive."

"It's not your fault." Ye Linchen shook his head and smiled gently. "You have a kind heart and genuinely care about me. But some pits are so deep that you don't know how deep they are until you've fallen into them yourself."

Lin Xiaojuan pursed her lips and smiled, the knot in her heart finally untied.

Her family is harmonious, and her parents are loving, so it's really hard for her to understand the long-healed scars in Ye Linchen's heart.

The fire in the oven was blazing, and the meat on the iron plate was roasting until it was charred and fragrant.

Ye Linchen picked up his chopsticks again, took a piece of perfectly roasted meat, dipped it in the sauce, and put it in his mouth.

The aroma of charcoal fire, mixed with the spiciness of the seasonings, exploded on her taste buds. That comforting, warm, and satisfying feeling quietly filled the empty space in her heart.

The three of them tacitly stopped mentioning those troublesome things and started chatting about interesting anecdotes from school, and the atmosphere became light and cheerful again.

"I never expected this unassuming barbecue restaurant to taste so amazing! It's even better than the last one," Lin Xiaojuan said, beaming with delight.

"Of course!" Feng Linlin exclaimed, her mouth stuffed full. "I'll definitely come back next time! I'll starve myself for three days and then come back for a big feast to make sure I get my money's worth!"

The meal didn't end until all three of them were slumped in their chairs, unable to move.

Back in Ye Linchen's rented apartment, Feng Linlin flopped onto the sofa, rubbing her stomach and groaning, "I can't take it anymore, I'm so full... But this barbecue smells so good..."

Ye Linchen and Lin Xiaojuan exchanged a smile.

This foodie has eyes bigger than his stomach.

Feng Linlin rolled around on the sofa and suddenly remembered something: "Oh right, school starts in two days. We'll be sophomores, so we'll be upperclassmen! I wonder what kind of freshmen and juniors will be coming this year."

Lin Xiaojuan also became interested: "Yes, I heard that the cutoff score is higher again this year, so there must be a lot of impressive candidates."

Ye Linchen smiled and brewed three cups of tea: "I still have an empty bed in my dorm, so I hope my new roommate will be easy to get along with."

She never expected that her new roommate would be the person she thought she would never have anything to do with again.

On the first day of school, the September sun was still blazing, and the campus was bustling with activity.

The freshmen dragged their heavy suitcases, their faces showing a mixture of confusion and excitement.

Red welcome banners hung downstairs in the dormitory building, and senior students wearing volunteer vests were busy and sweating profusely.

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