Meng Xueyun didn't know what to do about what the twins had said.
She only mumbled a reply: "Okay, okay..."
Seeing her like this, Ye Linnan knew that she still couldn't make up her mind.
He said to Ye Linbei, "Forget it, let's not go back today. Let's stay home and keep an eye on Meng Zihan, so she won't get any more ideas."
Meng Xueyun was at her wits' end and couldn't be bothered with her two headstrong sons anymore. She said impatiently, "Fine, fine, whatever! Stay where you want! I'm leaving, I'm going to be late for work!"
She grabbed the printed cloth bag full of daily necessities and walked out the door without looking back.
Meng Xueyun arrived downstairs at Ye Linchen's building, hesitating about how to tell Ye Linchen what was going on, when she heard footsteps coming from the alley entrance.
She turned her head and saw Ye Linchen walking over with a plastic bag in his hand.
Meng Xueyun was overjoyed.
This is what they mean by "better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early."
A smile immediately bloomed on her face as she looked at Ye Linchen.
Ye Linchen bought breakfast outside and came back. When he saw the familiar yet unfamiliar figure downstairs, he paused for a moment, then revealed a helpless and mocking smile.
What a wonderful day it is today!
Did the aunt and niece from the Meng family plan this out?
One had barely left when the other arrived.
With each of them taking turns, what kind of show are they trying to put on?
Could Meng Xueyun's visit be to act as an intermediary for Meng Zihan?
At this moment, Meng Xueyun greeted her with a smile and asked with concern, "Xiao Chen, isn't it summer vacation? Why are you up so early? Why don't you sleep a little longer?"
As she spoke, she glanced at the breakfast in Ye Linchen's hand and said reproachfully, "Oh dear, why are you eating this for breakfast? Fried dough sticks and soy milk, what kind of nutrition is that? You're at the age where you're growing and need to use your brain, you can't just make do with this."
If an uninformed outsider heard this, it would sound exactly like a loving mother concerned about her daughter's poor eating and sleeping habits.
But to Ye Linchen, it sounded utterly ridiculous and laughable.
She looked down at the breakfast in her hand, then looked up to meet Meng Xueyun's face, which was full of "concern," and sneered.
Is there a problem with this breakfast?
"When I was at home, it was considered a treat to be able to eat fried dough sticks and soy milk."
Meng Xueyun's smile froze instantly.
That brat, still so direct, showing no mercy whatsoever!
Meng Xueyun gave an awkward laugh and quickly tried to make amends.
"Well... that's because our family wasn't well-off before! There was nothing we could do about it. Things are different now. Our family is much better off now. Your father's condition has stabilized, and your brothers are doing well too. You... you haven't been home for so long, it's normal that you don't know these things."
Ye Linchen was too lazy to argue with her about these old grievances, so he raised an eyebrow and asked directly.
"What are you doing here? I remember telling you very clearly last time, don't come looking for me if there's nothing wrong."
Meng Xueyun was momentarily speechless at her question.
But she came prepared today and will not back down easily.
She lifted the cloth bag in her hand, striking a pose as if it were perfectly natural.
"What are you saying, child? I'm your mother. Isn't it only natural for a mother to come and see her daughter?"
As she spoke, she handed over the bulging bag.
“Your two younger brothers are about to go to university. I went shopping a couple of days ago and bought them some things. I figured you'd need them since you're living alone, so I got some for you too. They're all daily necessities like toothpaste, soap, and towels. You can take them home and use them; it'll save you some money.”
Ye Linchen glanced at the bag, but didn't even reach out. He took a half step back, avoiding the thing she was offered.
"No need, I have all these things myself. You take them back for Ye Linnan and Ye Linbei, they use a lot."
"It doesn't matter if you have them yourself!" Meng Xueyun persisted, taking another step forward and trying to stuff the bag into her arms. "These things won't spoil, you can stock up and use them slowly later. When it comes to living, you have to be careful with your money. You can never have too many of these things."
Ye Linchen's patience was almost exhausted.
She waved the bag away and said coldly, "I said I don't need it. You should take it back and stock up for your Ye Linnan and Ye Linbei. Oh, by the way, you have more people in your family now, and Meng Zihan is back too, she might need it."
The moment the name "Meng Zihan" was uttered, Meng Xueyun felt a jolt.
She had been feeling uneasy because of Ye Linchen's ruthless rejection, but now that discomfort was instantly replaced by guilt and panic.
She quickly explained, "Xiao Chen, don't misunderstand! Mom's visit today has nothing to do with your cousin! I bought all these things last week, before she even came back! Mom really didn't come here because of her!"
To Ye Linchen, these words were the perfect illustration of "protesting too much."
She forced a smile.
This time, the smile carried an even stronger sense of sarcasm.
"Alright, no matter why you're giving me this, I'm not taking it." Her smile faded, and she gave him the boot. "Take it back; I'm going home."
Seeing Ye Linchen turn to leave, Meng Xueyun panicked.
She grabbed Ye Linchen's arm, her voice trembling with tears, and began to appeal to his emotions.
"Xiao Chen! Why can't you give your mother a chance to make amends? Nobody's perfect, everyone makes mistakes. I really know I was wrong, so please forgive me this once, okay?"
Ye Linchen felt annoyed by the warmth emanating from that hand as she was being held.
She didn't struggle, she just turned around and looked at her.
That look in his eyes was cold, as if he were looking at a stranger.
"I've given you so many chances. It's too late to make amends now."
Her gaze fell on Meng Xueyun's injured face, and she continued, "Besides, do you think the damage you caused me can be repaired with a few bars of soap and a few towels? Meng Xueyun, don't you think that's ridiculous?"
"Also," Ye Linchen asked Meng Xueyun, as if he had remembered something important, "the money you used to buy these things was given to you by Meng Zihan, right?"
Meng Xueyun stopped crying abruptly, staring blankly at her, not understanding why she suddenly brought this up.
Ye Linchen kindly reminded her.
“I advise you not to spend that money. Her company’s money is tainted; it’s all illicit funds. Once the case comes to light, all the money that has flowed through her hands, including what you’ve received, will have to be registered and returned. I might even have to convert these things into cash and return them to you.”
These words struck Meng Xueyun like a bolt from the blue, leaving her completely stunned.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
