Meng Zihan was satisfied with the reaction her words had elicited.
She put down her bowl and said, "Today I asked some classmates to help me find my sister. They asked me why my sister ran away from home, and I... I can only tell them what happened."
Meng Zihan lowered her head, seemingly finding it difficult to speak, and her voice became softer.
“I told you that my sister cheated on the exam and my aunt found out. My aunt scolded her a few times, and my sister felt embarrassed, so she ran away from home.”
She secretly glanced at Ye Zhenghua, and seeing that he didn't react much, she continued speaking.
“My aunt and uncle are very worried about my sister and told me that I must find her.”
"The students were all very willing to help, so we split up to look for them."
Where did you meet her?
Meng Xueyun didn't care about the process, only the result.
“I ran into her at the entrance of Xinghong Vegetable Market. As soon as I saw her, I ran over to her and asked her to come home with me. I told her that none of us would blame her and that she shouldn’t worry. We’re all family, and we can talk about it when we get home.”
Meng Xueyun then asked, "What is she doing at the entrance of the vegetable market?"
"She bought a lot of vegetables and a big piece of meat. I guess she's planning to cook when she gets home."
Meng Xueyun was instantly enraged and shouted, "That heartless ingrate! She's made a complete mess of the house, but she acts like nothing happened, even having the mind to buy groceries, cook, and eat meat! Does she think she's done something great?!"
Ye Zhenghua waved his hand at her, signaling her to calm down.
He turned to Meng Zihan and said, "Xiaohan, you did a great job. Thank you for your hard work."
Today, everyone's gaze towards him was much gentler, not as piercing as yesterday. This must be thanks to Meng Zihan's efforts in going out to find someone.
"Do you know where she lives?" Ye Zhenghua asked the question he was most concerned about.
"I saw her enter a dormitory area."
Meng Zihan had long anticipated that Ye Zhenghua would definitely ask her about Ye Linchen's residence.
After she finished being angry, she chased after Ye Linchen in the direction he had left, following him from a distance.
Watching her walk into a small alley and then into the gate of a dormitory area, Meng Zihan suddenly realized what was going on.
Ye Linchen must have rented a room in the dormitory area; no wonder he didn't come back yesterday.
This dormitory area consists entirely of single rooms, which is indeed very suitable for one person to live in.
To confirm Ye Linchen's exact address, Meng Zihan did not go directly to Ye Linchen, but instead went to the management office at the entrance of the dormitory area and found the administrator, Aunt Shen.
Aunt Shen was sitting alone in the management office, writing something in a notebook.
Meng Zihan went up to her and asked her.
"Hello, ma'am, do you have any rooms for rent here? I'd like to rent a room."
Aunt Chen stopped writing and asked curiously, "You're renting a room all by yourself?"
"Yes, I have a classmate named Ye Linchen who lives here. I also want to rent a single room like her to prepare for the college entrance examination."
"Oh, you mean Xiao Ye?" Aunt Chen replied immediately and enthusiastically. "She did indeed just rent a room a few days ago."
Aunt Chen flipped through the register next to her and said, "There are two apartments available for rent, but they don't have toilets. What do you think?"
Meng Zihan pretended to consider it for a moment, then shook her head and said, "It's not very convenient without a toilet. I still want to find a house with a toilet. Maybe I'll come back and ask again in a while. School hasn't started yet, so I'm not in a hurry. Could you please keep an eye out for me, Auntie?"
She then said shyly, "Auntie, what room is Ye Linchen in? I'll go see her; she told me, but I forgot."
"Room 56, walk into the alley, it's the second building on your right."
Aunt Shen kindly gave her directions.
After finding out where Ye Linchen lived, Meng Zihan returned home.
“I didn’t go to my sister, afraid she would find out and run away again,” she told Ye Zhenghua.
Upon hearing her say that, Ye Zhenghua showered her with praise once again.
"Xiaohan is so smart; she found Xiaochen in just one morning."
Meng Xueyun glanced at the silent twins and said, "You two should learn from Sister Xiaohan; she's reliable and dependable."
Everyone says she favors Xiaohan, but look at Xiaohan, she's well-behaved, sensible, and has a good personality. How could she not be biased?
Ye Linbei glanced at Meng Zihan, said nothing, but picked up a large piece of cured meat with his chopsticks and gave it to Ye Linnan. He also picked up a piece for himself and began to eat.
Meng Xueyun didn't seem to mind that they ate too much. Instead, she said gently, "I know you love to eat, so I went to buy it specially. Garlic sprouts have gone up in price these past few days, they're very expensive. Do you know how much this little bit cost...?"
Ye Zhenghua interrupted her rambling and said, "After I get off work this afternoon, we'll go to Xiaochen's place together to find her. We have to bring her back no matter what."
Meng Xueyun didn't want to go.
With Ye Linchen away, she felt the air was fresher and her temper improved.
She has returned to her former gentle and virtuous self.
Now that she hears they're going to bring her back, she's getting agitated again.
Meng Xueyun said irritably, "Why bother looking for her? If she doesn't want to come back, then let her go. Let's see how long she can hold out!"
"Don't you know what people outside are saying about us? Can't you see it clearly?"
Meng Xueyun was about to argue when she noticed Meng Zihan giving her meaningful glances, and she reluctantly agreed.
After lunch, Ye Zhenghua went to work. The twins put down their chopsticks, went back to their room, closed the door, and seemed to be doing nothing.
Meng Zihan then offered to help Meng Xueyun wash the dishes.
Meng Xueyun was reluctant to let her do anything, but she didn't refuse because she had something to ask her.
Upon entering the kitchen, Meng Xueyun couldn't wait to ask Meng Zihan.
"What did you mean by nodding at me like that? Are you really going to bring that brat back?"
“Aunt, I know you’re still angry, but no matter what, we’re all family, and we still have to get my sister home. She has to spend money on food and lodging when she’s away, which is a considerable expense. Why waste that money because you’re angry?”
Meng Xueyun curled her lip: "How much money could she have? She'll be back in two or three days at most. If I go begging her now, wouldn't I be inferior to her? I'd have to be at her beck and call from now on."
Meng Zihan replied, "I asked Aunt Chen, the building manager, and my sister really did rent a room there. The rent is now three months' rent in advance and one month's deposit is required. The cheapest room there is 100 yuan. Aunt, can you calculate how much my sister has spent on rent alone?"
"Four hundred yuan! Rent alone costs four hundred yuan!"
Meng Xueyun pounded her chest in exasperation. "That brat! She dared to lie to me! When I asked her if she had any money, she vehemently denied it, telling me she only had three yuan and eighty cents left. What an ingrate! She even has to be wary of her own mother! Not a single word of truth comes out of her!"
Meng Xueyun's heart ached more and more as she thought about it. Four hundred yuan! It all went to an outsider!
With a little more money, Meng Zihan's tutoring fees will be covered.
"Auntie, we can ask the landlord for a refund."
"A refund? Is that possible?" Meng Xueyun asked hesitantly.
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