Bai Xue saw that she directly turned the conversation this way, completely disregarding her earlier scolding, so she cooled her face. Ye Qian quickly tugged at her mother’s sleeve, and only then did Bai Xue refrain from speaking further. "Early in the morning, preparing breakfast is already tight on time, and I still have to make medicinal soup for your sister. Where do I have the time to make lunch for you to take? If you want to take food with you, make it yourself." In Bai Xue’s impression, this eldest daughter was not the type to cook. Not to mention cooking, she was also spoiled by her grandmother and didn’t do any chores. Her saying this was meant to make things difficult for the eldest daughter. Either make it yourself or come back to eat; there was no outright refusal, but the problem was pushed back to her. Ye Ling smiled, "Then I’ll make it myself." Bai Xue didn’t respond, internally dismissive, as she led her younger daughter to wash their hands. After sitting down, she personally handed the chopsticks to her younger daughter before picking up her own to eat. Ye Qian ate slowly, exuding elegance. In contrast, Ye Ling was much more unruly, eating large bites with her mouth full, while Ye Qian took small bites, not eating much with each, chewing slowly and thoroughly. Bai Xue glanced at them and didn’t wish to watch her eldest daughter eat further, only feeling embarrassed. Ye Ling ate quickly and finished first. Ye Qian was only halfway through her bowl of rice when Ye Ling had already finished, wiped her mouth, and left, saying she was leaving. Only when the door closed did Bai Xue sigh and put down her bowl, "I don’t know when this kind of life will end." It won’t be peaceful at home until someone gets married off. Ye Qian slowly swallowed her food before speaking, "Mom, don’t always be . It’s not easy for sister either. She spent sixteen years in the countryside, and it’s hard to change those habits suddenly. There’s still a long way to go; just teach her gradually." "Even if I want to teach her, she needs to listen." Bai Xue picked up her chopsticks angrily, "Never mind, let’s not talk about her. Did she cause you any trouble at school this morning?" She said she wouldn’t mention the eldest daughter, but ended up bringing her up again. Bai Xue’s tongue hesitated. Ye Qian shook her head, "Sister sat in the last row with Zhao Guodong. I sat in front, so I don’t know about the back, but I vaguely heard that sister incited Zhao Guodong to bully Song Mei." "What? She’s sitting with that delinquent and even instigating him to bully someone?" Bai Xue’s voice rose, only to realize she was being overly alarmed. Ye Qian advised, "Mom, don’t worry. I only heard Song Mei mention it in passing, so it’s not clear if it’s true or a misunderstanding. Besides, I see sister getting along well with Zhao Guodong. Not many in the compound get along well with him." "You know that few get along well with anyone in the compound, yet she can get along with him. Isn’t that birds of a feather?" Bai Xue couldn’t eat anymore and put down her chopsticks, "This afternoon, when you see your sister, privately tell her to stay away from Zhao Guodong. I don’t know why your teacher let her sit with him." Though she disliked this daughter, if something happened, it would still fall on the family. How could Bai Xue not be concerned? Ye Qian timidly said, "Mom, why don’t you tell her when she comes home tonight? I’ve finished eating; I’m off to school." Bai Xue escorted her to the door, watched her daughter walk towards the Song Family, knowing she was going to find Song Mei, and only then did she feel assured returning inside. Meanwhile, Ye Ling was walking to school, pondering what to make for herself to eat tomorrow morning. Liu Zhiyuan walked towards her without noticing. Ye Ling was walking with her head down, while Liu Zhiyuan was talking to Xiang Weilai. Dong Haoyu, walking alongside, noticed Ye Ling. He spoke excitedly, "Look, isn’t that the eldest of the Ye Family? I heard she came back to the city, and it turns out to be true." With her rustic clothes and walking with her head lowered as if she had never seen the world, who else could it be but Ye Ling? Liu Zhiyuan and Xiang Weilai looked up and saw Ye Ling walking toward them. Though they had only seen her once in the compound, the families there were few, and it wasn’t hard to remember a few children from each household. "I heard that the Ye Family’s old lady passed, so she came back to the city." Xiang Weilai looked once and then continued discussing enrollment plans with Liu Zhiyuan. Next semester, they would enter the second year of high school, and would be taking the college entrance exam the year after, so it wasn’t too early to start planning their preferences. In this era, high school was two years long, so once they entered high school, studies became more intense. "As you said, military academies are the first choice for children in our compound, and other schools are secondary." Liu Zhiyuan continued the previous conversation, but his thoughts weren’t entirely focused, often glancing at Ye Ling until they passed each other. Although Xiang Weilai was talking to Liu Zhiyuan, he noticed Liu Zhiyuan’s distraction and moved his eyes slightly, not pointing it out. The group walked towards the compound. The afternoon at school was calm. Ye Ling was afraid Ye Qian would put on an act like at noon, so when school was about to end, she had already packed her bag. As soon as the bell rang, she left the classroom almost at the same time as Zhao Guodong, quickly leaving the school. Up ahead, Zhao Guodong was boasting with his arm around Wang Ping’s shoulder. Only when Wang Ping reminded him did he look back and see Ye Ling walking alone, prompting him to stop. Wang Ping naturally stopped with him. As for Zhang Linong, who was beside them, he slowed down his pace, waiting for Zhao Guodong and Wang Ping. "Bum... Ye Ling, I looked at the questions you wrote, and I can’t solve any of them. Come to my house tonight and explain them to me." Zhao Guodong’s tone of asking for help sounded more like charity. "Zhao Guodong, I’m pleased with your eagerness to learn, but I think it’s more appropriate for you to show some basic manners. You should come to my house if you’re asking me to teach you." Ye Ling saw Zhao Guodong winking at her, but Ye Ling ignored him and walked past briskly. "Hey, wait a minute." Zhao Guodong couldn’t hold it any longer, shaking off Wang Ping’s hand on his shoulder and chasing after, "Country bumpkin, didn’t we agree to save face for me when outside? Why don’t your words count?" Ye Ling walked briskly ahead, pointing at Wang Ping and then looking at Zhang Linong, "Are they outsiders? Don’t think just because I didn’t grow up in the compound that I don’t know; everyone here knows the three of you are as close as brothers. Are such people outsiders? Would you consider them outsiders?" Zhao Guodong shook his head. Ye Ling wrinkled her nose, "Then that’s settled. You’re the one not keeping your word. What did you just call me? Zhao Guodong, this is the last time; if you break our agreement again, it’s off." Zhao Guodong stopped in frustration, watching her walk away and then asking Zhang Linong, "Why do I feel short of breath every time I see her?" Zhang Linong raised an eyebrow, a smile playing at his lips, "From what I know, you like Ye Qian, so seeing this ’future’ sister-in-law might make you short of breath." Zhao Guodong blushed red at Zhang Linong’s words, too flustered to notice the glint in Zhang Linong’s eyes. (To be continued. If you work, you are welcome to Qidian.com to vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. 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