Aunt Shen chimed in with condemnation: "Leaving the child out to fend for himself while he goes home to enjoy his life! What kind of logic is that!"

Aunt Wang strongly agreed and pulled Ye Zhenghua's sleeve even tighter.

"Why should we spend so much money on tutoring for your niece, but not even give Xiaoye living expenses! How will Xiaoye eat and drink if she lives alone outside? If you don't give Xiaoye living expenses today, don't even think about leaving!"

Ye Zhenghua said to Aunt Wang in a humble voice, "Sister, please don't get involved and cause trouble. This is a family matter, and we will handle it ourselves."

“Family matters? What kind of family matters are these! You are abusing a child! Xiao Ye is currently unemployed and has no income, you have to take care of her!” Aunt Wang refused to back down.

Meng Xueyun stepped forward, trying to rescue Ye Zhenghua from Aunt Wang's grasp.

"You shrew, why are you grabbing my man?"

Aunt Wang wasn't afraid of her at all; she puffed out her chest and stared wide-eyed.

"What? You want to fight?"

Ye Zhenghua was genuinely afraid a fight would break out, so he quickly stopped Meng Xueyun: "Xiao Meng, don't get involved."

He turned to look at Ye Linchen: "Xiao Chen, you're not short of money, are you?"

Ye Linchen blinked and said pitifully, "I'm short of money. I only eat one meal a day to save on food expenses."

Such a good opportunity, one that would cost the Ye family a fortune, was one that Ye Linchen certainly couldn't miss.

The neighbors were in an uproar again.

That's so pitiful, they only eat one meal a day!

This is a time when they're growing, how can you do this?

"You must be given living expenses! You can't leave without them!"

"Call the police! Call the police! Let the officers uphold justice!"

Ye Zhenghua was dizzy from the commotion, but dared not retaliate.

He looked at Meng Xueyun and said, "Give me the money!"

Meng Xueyun turned her face away, refusing to agree: "Where would I get money!"

Ye Zhenghua glared at her angrily. At a time like this, Meng Xueyun was still so clueless!

"I'll say it again, give me the money!" Ye Zhenghua said, enunciating each word clearly.

His gaze was like a knife, piercing Meng Xueyun, his face so dark it could drip water.

Meng Xueyun had never seen him with such a terrifying expression. Instinctively, she took out the only two hundred yuan she had and reluctantly handed it over.

"That's all I have for groceries this month."

Ye Zhenghua snatched it and handed it to Ye Linchen.

"Take it. Just let me know when you're done using it, and I'll give you more!"

After saying that, she desperately pulled her sleeve out of Aunt Wang's hand, ignored Meng Xueyun, and left on her own.

As soon as he left, Meng Xueyun didn't dare to linger and called out loudly, "Old Ye, wait for me!"

He grabbed Meng Zihan and ran off in a flash.

After the three left, the neighbors, seeing that there was no more excitement to see, dispersed and chatted amongst themselves.

Aunt Wang, the landlady, and Aunt Shen surrounded Ye Linchen.

Aunt Wang said, "Xiao Ye, I know you've had a tough time. You must not be influenced by your family like this. You must study hard. Studying is the only way for you to change your destiny."

Ye Linchen's eyes welled up with tears: "I know, thank you all for today. I really don't know what I would have done without you."

Landlady Aunt Cai sighed.

"It's nothing, just a small favor. Compared to you, my son and daughter-in-law are so lucky. They should really come and see for themselves." She made her decision. "You can just stay here in peace. I won't charge you rent before the college entrance exam."

Ye Linchen refused the rent reduction.

"Thank you, Auntie. You are entitled to the rent. I'm trying to find ways to earn money, and I'm sure I can earn enough to cover the rent."

Aunt Cai declined a few times, but seeing that Ye Linchen insisted, she didn't press the matter further.

But in her heart, she liked Ye Linchen even more.

Such a sensible and ambitious child, yet the Ye family doesn't know how to cherish him; they are truly blind.

The three of them chatted with Ye Linchen for a while, telling her not to hesitate to ask if she had any difficulties in the future, before they all went home.

Ye Linchen returned to his room and continued eating.

The food had gone cold, but Ye Linchen didn't mind. He poured a cup of hot water into the lunchbox, and the food warmed up.

She finished her meal in a few bites and then started studying.

This commotion disrupted her study plan, and she has to work twice as hard to catch up.

The actions of the Ye family could no longer affect her mood.

Meanwhile, the Ye family was in complete chaos.

As soon as the three members of the Ye family entered the door, Ye Zhenghua slapped Meng Xueyun across the face.

Meng Xueyun was changing her shoes while muttering and cursing Ye Linchen when she was suddenly hit, screaming and falling to the ground.

The crisp sound of a slap and Meng Xueyun's scream startled the twin brothers who were doing their homework in the room, and they quickly got up and ran out.

Ye Zhenghua slapped Meng Xueyun with all his might, and five bright red finger marks immediately appeared on her face, even more frightening than when Ye Linchen was beaten.

Meng Xueyun was so dizzy from the beating that she sat on the ground covering her face, and it took her a long time to come to her senses.

Look what you've done!

Ignoring the children's terrified gazes, Ye Zhenghua pointed at Meng Xueyun's nose and roared.

"You good-for-nothing, spendthrift woman! What did I tell you beforehand? Talk to her nicely, reason with her, and make her willingly come back with us! But what you did was throw a tantrum the moment you walked in the door!"

"If you don't want to bring her back, then don't go!"

"Now that things have escalated like this, what exactly are you up to?"

"Do you have to make me lose my job and leave my whole family starving before you're satisfied?"

Meng Xueyun felt a burning sensation on her face, which spread all the way to the top of her head.

When she heard Ye Zhenghua's harsh accusations again, she came to her senses.

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