Meng Zihan did not reply, but turned her head to look at the dining table behind Meng Xueyun.
On the table was a large plate of steaming, plump white dumplings, with four small bowls beside it.
This doesn't even include her in the calculations.
They completely forgot about her, forgot that she was supposed to be released from the detention center today!
Meng Zihan said angrily, "Auntie, my detention period is over! Today is the day I'm released. Such an important day, and you actually forgot! You didn't even come to pick me up, and you're still at home making dumplings!"
Ye Zhenghua put down his chopsticks and said irritably, "What important day is it? Do we have to line the streets to welcome you out of prison? Aren't you ashamed!"
Meng Xueyun glared at him and scolded, "Old Ye, Xiaohan has suffered so much, can't you speak properly?"
She turned her head and looked at Meng Zihan's red eyes with heartache. Just as she was about to speak, Ye Linbei brought out another large plate of dumplings from the kitchen.
He placed the dumplings on the table and looked up at Meng Zihan.
“My mom thought you were coming out tomorrow; it seems she got the time wrong.”
Meng Zihan scoffed, not believing her at all.
When Ye Linchen, that country bumpkin, first returned to the Ye family from the countryside, wasn't he just like that?
I stood anxiously at the door, only to be left standing there by the family, and told that they had "remembered the wrong time"!
At that time, she felt schadenfreude and thought that Ye Linchen was a superfluous person who deserved to be ignored by them.
But what about now?
She, Meng Zihan, has actually fallen into the same situation as Ye Linchen!
What's this?
Does fortune always turn around?
Is she the one who should be abandoned?
No!
no way!
She, Meng Zihan, would never be manipulated like Ye Linchen!
She was determined to reclaim everything that belonged to her, to make the Ye family value her again, and to make her the most beloved person in the family once more!
Meng Zihan clenched her fists tightly, her face showing a wronged expression, and called out tearfully, "Auntie..."
Meng Xueyun's heart ached at her calling her name, and she felt even more sorry for her. She also felt guilty for forgetting to pick her up. She quickly put her arm around her shoulder and said gently, "Xiaohan, you've suffered. Quickly wash your hands and eat some dumplings to make up for it."
Meng Zihan was already starving, and when Meng Xueyun called out to her, she immediately became very polite.
She didn't even bother washing her hands; she went straight to the table, picked up her chopsticks, and started eating.
"Auntie, your dumplings are so delicious!" Meng Zihan said indistinctly as she wolfed down her food.
There were only four chairs at the table. Meng Zihan plopped down, leaving Ye Linbei with nowhere to sit. He could only stand to the side and watch her eat.
Upon seeing this, Meng Xueyun quickly brought out a stool and pulled Ye Linbei, who had a look of disgust on his face, to sit down.
"Don't just stand there, sit down and eat, it won't taste good if it gets cold."
Ye Zhenghua has already reported to the steel mill. Although he was demoted and felt a little resentful, his current boss is a good friend from before, who arranged for him a leisurely job in the office where he can drink tea and read newspapers.
They don't have to suffer on the front lines, but their wages aren't much lower than before.
Since they no longer have to cover Meng Zihan's expenses, the Ye family's meals have improved significantly in the past two days.
Although the dumplings are filled with the common cabbage and meat filling, the meat filling is plentiful and the cabbage is just a garnish. One bite and your mouth is filled with juicy flavor, it's very delicious.
Meng Zihan lost her usual refined and delicate demeanor, stuffing one dish after another into her mouth, and before she knew it, she had eaten half a plate.
Ye Zhenghua frowned as he looked at the plate, which was mostly empty, feeling somewhat displeased.
"Xiaohan, you've seen the situation at my home." Ye Zhenghua put down his chopsticks and said in a calm tone, "It's small and has few rooms. There's really no extra place for you to stay. After you finish eating, you'll have to find a place to stay yourself."
Even if they could squeeze in and make room, Ye Zhenghua didn't want Meng Zihan to live in the house anymore.
This incident served as a wake-up call for Ye Zhenghua.
Meng Zihan is an ingrate. Keeping her at home is like planting a time bomb for yourself; she might explode any day now.
Meng Zihan suddenly stopped putting the dumpling into her mouth, clearly unhappy.
"If I don't live at home, where am I supposed to live? I don't know anyone in Jiangcheng City. Do you expect me to sleep on the streets?"
Ye Zhenghua had already come up with a plan, so he didn't beat around the bush with her.
“I’ve asked someone to help you find a job. A cotton mill is hiring female textile workers. You can start working there. The salary is 100 yuan a month, and it includes food and lodging. I’ll take you to report for duty after we finish eating.”
"A textile worker?!"
Meng Zihan's voice suddenly turned sharp. She slammed her chopsticks on the table and her eyes widened.
"I'm a high school graduate, how can I become a factory worker! I won't go, I'm going to retake the college entrance exam, I'm going to go to university!"
She's going to be a college student, how could she become a dirty and tiring textile worker!
A country bumpkin like Ye Linchen should be doing this kind of work!
Ye Zhenghua, however, was not buying it and ignored her completely, speaking in a harsh tone.
“I’ve already been demoted and my salary has been reduced. I also have to support two sons, so I don’t have the money to send you to school. If you really want to study, earn the money yourself. Go to work, and we won’t take a penny of your salary. Once you’ve saved enough money, whether you want to study or do whatever you want is up to you.”
“High school graduates are worthless these days, especially since you just got out of detention. If I hadn’t asked someone to put in a good word for you, the textile factory wouldn’t have wanted you. If you don’t want to go, find a place to live yourself. Anyway, our family can’t afford to support you.”
After Ye Zhenghua finished speaking, he picked up a dumpling, chewed it in big bites, and stopped looking at her.
Hearing his resolute tone, Meng Zihan knew there was no hope of repeating a year, and she couldn't hold back any longer. She buried her face in her hands on the table and began to sob.
"I won't go! I won't go! Auntie, this isn't what you promised me! Say something!"
When Meng Xueyun heard Meng Zihan shout that, she was startled and her face changed. She quickly waved her hands to deny it.
"What did I promise you? I didn't promise you anything!"
She is now truly afraid of Ye Zhenghua.
Even if she had promised Meng Zihan something, she shouldn't have shouted it out in front of Ye Zhenghua like that!
Moreover, this matter is so serious that she didn't dare to agree to anything, and who knows if Ye Zhenghua will turn against her.
I used to think Meng Zihan was quite clever, but she keeps letting me down at crucial moments.
No wonder his grades aren't improving; he's too stubborn.
Meng Zihan stared at Meng Xueyun in disbelief, then cried out, "You promised me you'd help me get a place as a sponsored student so I could study at Jiangcheng University! Why are you going back on your word?"
"Is it because Ye Linchen has become successful that you look down on me and treat me like this!"
Meng Zihan has now made up her mind about one thing.
She was determined to go to university; she couldn't lose to Ye Linchen!
She will fight tooth and nail for this opportunity and will never give up!
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