CH 78
The Vicious Supporting Female Is the Real Daughter (6)
Ye Ying was doubtful whether it is just her imagination or not.
She shook her head and told herself not to think too much. She and Ye Wei had no grudges against each other, there was no reason for Ye Wei to look at her in that way.
Instead, her focus shifted to Wang Hui’s disappointed gaze on her. It made her upset.
Did Wang Hui assume that she intentionally called her to the school to provoke the relationship between her and Ye Wei?
But, she called her because she was truly worried about Ye Wei.
If it was in the past, she wouldn’t need to think so much about such small things. She could even show a little temper at Wang Hui. Regardless, since she knew that she was not her biological daughter, she reduced her temper, behaving cautiously and sensibly. She was far too afraid that she would be sent away.
Because of her heavy mind, she was restless all afterness and couldn’t focus in class. When the teacher named her, she was unable to answer the question.
Zhang Yu frequently glanced at Ye Ying during class. When the class was over, he walked to Ye Ying’s seat, “What’s wrong? Is there something on your mind? I noticed that you are not focused during class just now.”
If Ye Ying was the school flower, then Zhang Yu was the school grass. He had good grades, good family background, and good looks. He also had a gentle personality. In the heart of many, he was their Male God. Countless love letters had been delivered to his table by his secret admirers.
Sadly for the admirers, except for two boys who were on good terms with him, he was basically the Gaoling Flower[1]. Aside from the boys, Ye Ying was the only girl that could have a chat with him.
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Ye Ying shook her head and showed a reluctant smile, “I’m fine.”
Zhang Yu asked, “Is it because of Ye Wei?”
“No!”
“I see, so it’s because of Ye Wei. Did she trouble you? Did she do something to you?”
“She didn’t,” Ye Ying quickly explained, “Don’t think like that. It’s my fault, not my sister’s. I didn’t know much about the fight in the afternoon, but in a panic, I called my mom and told her that my sister got into a fight, causing my mom to reprimand her…”
Zhang Yu sighed helplessly, “Just because of that?”
“Mn…” Ye Ying’s face was painted with worry, “I’m afraid that my mom and my sister will blame me because of my impulsiveness. I really didn’t mean it. I was just too panicked.”
“She won’t,” Zhang Yu rubbed Ye Ying’s hair, “Don’t think so much about a little thing like this. You don’t need to worry about it either. The people who really know you won’t misunderstand you. You and your mom have known each other for so many years, how can she misunderstand you? As for Ye Wei, she is an irrelevant person. Don’t care too much about her.”
“But Ye Wei is my older sister…”
“You have only known her for a few days. She is just your sister in name, there are no deep feelings between you and her. Even if she misunderstands you, let her be. She will understand that you didn’t mean it later. The important thing is you need to understand that your mom won’t misunderstand you because of this small matter, okay?”
Ye Ying believed him. She had been with her mother for 18 years. She knew her mom, and her mom knew her. Her mom certainly would know that she didn’t mean to make a crack on her and Ye Wei’s relationship. As for Ye Wei, well, even if she misunderstood her, it was normal. They hadn’t spent much time together. Ye Wei would come to understand that she didn’t mean it.
Ye Ying was comforted by such thoughts. She smiled, her eyes bent into a lovely crescent, “Thank you, Zhang Yu.”
Zhang Yu smiled back. Coupled with his sword eyebrows, captivating eyes, and face full of youthful vigor, he was dazzling.
————·————·————
After the evening self-study, Ye Ying waited for her driver at the school gate. While waiting, she saw Ye Wei and Tong Ke walking out of the school hand-in-hand. She couldn’t hear what they were talking about, but she could see that they were giggling happily.
The two arrived together and Ye Ying greeted her, “Jiejie.”
Ye Wei ignored her and continued to talk with Tong Ke and Tong Ke was delighted when she noticed Ye Ying’s deflated expression.
Ye Ying looked at Ye Wei’s impassive face, “Jiejie, are you still blaming me?”
Ye Wei glanced at her, “Blame you for what? You did nothing wrong.”
Ye Ying pursed her lips and apologized, “I didn’t mean to. I just heard that you were called to the office by the teacher because of a fight. I didn’t know what to do and panicked, so I called Mama. I was only worried about you…”
Ye Wei oh’ed and her gaze turned doubtful, “You are worried about me?”
Ye Ying nodded, blinking her pair of big eyes that were similar to Chen Weiguo, appearing sincere.
Ye Wei naturally believed in her sincerity. After all, Ye Ying is the Female Lead. All the Female Leads are such beings, they have good qualities, gentle and beautiful. How could Ye Ying harbor vicious ideas like her, the Supporting Female? Still, it was because she is the Vicious Supporting Female, she must act like a jealous thief and always had a bone to pick. “You are really worried about me? Don’t you just want me to be hated by Mama.”
“What? No. Jiejie, you misunderstand me. I would never have thought about it…” Ye Ying denied it. She couldn’t understand why Ye Wei thought of her in such a negative spectrum?
“Just because you said you never thought of it, do you expect me to believe it?” Ye Wei pushed, “Then, I ask you, why did you call Mama to the school? Even if I really did something wrong and was called to the office by the teachers, who are you to call Mama to come here? The teachers themselves didn’t even think to call Mama or Papa because of the matter. It is thanks to your initiative to invite Mama that she came here. What do you mean by doing that? I just returned a few days ago, but are you already so impatient to show my bad side to Mama? You wanted her to see me being scolded by the teacher, so Mama would regard me as a problematic child. If such a seed is planted in Mama’s mind, then Mama will start to dislike me, and in turn, like you even more. All because you behaved better than me, and more sensible than me, who can only create trouble and embarrass her!”
Ye Ying’s complexion blanched. She defended, “No, it’s not like that. I didn’t call Mama here to see your bad side. I was really just worried about you. The girls who fought with you are from upstart families, they are far from reasonable. I heard they once bullied a girl and the teacher caught them, ordering them to apologize to that girl. They did apologize, but, a few days later, the girl who was bullied by them got transferred to another school…”
“I was just worried that you would be bullied by them, so I called Mama!”
Ye Wei was infuriated, “Do you think that those upstarts are more powerful than Papa? Even if they want to, can they drive me out of school with their families’ influence?”
Ye Ying was at a loss for words, “I was really just worried they will bully you again in the future. With Mama’s backing, you won’t be bullied……”
“Mama this, Mama that. The ‘Mama‘ you speak of is my mom! What qualifications do you have to call my mom ‘Mama’! You are just a counterfeit who occupied my life for 18 years! If you are truly worried about me and want to make it up for me, then give my parents back to me! Go back to your own home where your real parents are! You can call your real parents whatever you want by that time! The Ye Family is my home, my family!”
Ye Wei was furious.
Ye Ying’s feet were weak because of Ye Wei’s accusation. She took a step back in fright, her face pale and she stumbled. Fortunately, Zhang Yu appeared from behind to support her. The handsome boy was very gentle with a clear temperament, “Are you alright?”
Zhang Yu was followed by two boys who were also tall and handsome. They wore school uniforms, but it was not as neat as Zhang Yu’s, with the corners of their shirts hung outside. They appeared to be fooling around in the school, but that did not diminish their attractiveness in the slightest, in fact, it added to their charms.
They also frowned at Ye Wei, showing their dissatisfaction.
Ye Wei didn’t know Zhang Yu, nor did she know the people following him. She was not affected by his sudden appearance. She could put one and two together to guess who Zhang Yu is. A man who appeared like a prince charming to save the beauty in crisis. Who else could he be if he is not the Male Lead?
Tong Ke’s mood journey was simple. Ye Ying was deflated, she was happy. Ye Wei fought with Ye Ying, she was happy. Zhang Yu suddenly popped out of nowhere to help Ye Ying, she was far from happy! Tong Ke ground her teeth. What did this fox Ye Ying do, to make Zhang Yu give her special treatment!
Zhang Yu was initially the focus of the crowd, now he stood together, holding Ye Ying in his arms, naturally, it attracted more attention from others.
“What happened to them?”
“Seems like Ye Ying and Ye Wei quarreled.”
“Zhang Yu is on Ye Ying’s side, then?”
“You still need to ask that? Don’t you know the relationship between Zhang Yu and Ye Ying? Ai. Poor Ye Wei, she is going to be miserable.”
“I have no words for Ye Wei. She just comes to school, but already offended people she shouldn’t offend. How miserable her life will be in the future.”
“……”
————·————·————
When the familiar voice greeted Ye Ying’s ears, she subconsciously grasped Zhang Yu’s arm tightly, as if she finally found her life-saving straw. She shook her head, “I’m fine……”
Zhang Yu coldly voiced, “Ye Wei, Uncle Ye has made it clear that Ye Ying is also his daughter, even if you are Uncle’s biological daughter, Uncle and Yingying have been a father and daughter for 18 years and their affections are real. They are not related by blood, but their relationship is thicker than that of blood. Family is the flesh and blood of one’s own body. You can’t drive away Yingying just like that.”
Ye Ying tugged his arm, “Zhang Yu, stop it…”
“I’m telling the truth.” Zhang Yu glanced at Ye Wei, “Ye Wei, this is the decision of Uncle and Auntie. If you are not satisfied with it, then you should go and talk to them.”
This was the second time he saw Ye Wei. The first time was in the morning, he glanced at her from afar. He sensed that the girl was not as simple and honest as she appeared to be, because he could see the novelty, yearning, admiration, vague fear, and inferiority in her eyes. In the same fashion, he saw countless desires in her heart through her eyes.
Moreover, Ye Wei lived in the countryside for many years. She suddenly returned to her new home, which was dozens or hundreds of times better than her original home. Her mentality couldn’t remain the same. At first, she may be happy, because she finally didn’t have to endure hardship anymore. But later, she would feel dissatisfied. As long as Ye Ying was more beautiful and performed better than her, she would eventually bore the seeds of evil in her heart.
Just like now.
He observed Ye Wei closely for the first time. She lived in the countryside all year round, so her skin was not fair and white, but a healthy wheat color. She was thin, but also tall. Her skin was rough and her cheeks red. Shadows of Ye Shicheng and Wang Hui could be seen through her. In fact, she was not ugly like what the people said, her facial features were pleasing to the eyes. The bridge of her nose, coupled with her round eyes, shaped her small face nicely. As long as she didn’t show her rows of white teeth when she stared at people, she could charm them.
This was also Ye Wei’s first time seeing him. The bookish temperament on his face was reduced, showing more of his indisputably cold temperament.
Ye Wei questioned, “Who are you? I don’t need an outsider to interfere in my family affairs. Don’t poke your nose into other people’s business just like a dog[2]. Mind your own business.”
……Don’t poke your nose into other people’s business just like a dog?
Zhang Yu fell into a trance as Ye Wei scolded him. The Zhang Family had a prestigious status in City C. From childhood to adulthood, no one dared to scold him openly, and to think she openly called him a dog!
He choked, but his upbringing couldn’t let him make a fuss with an uneducated girl. He lowered his gaze to her in a cold manner, “I am merely reminding you in a kind heart.”
Ye Wei considered his words and replied succinctly, “Oh. Is that so. My bad, but I didn’t feel an ounce of kindness from your reminder. I only felt your malice, so take back your malicious reminder. I don’t need it.”
“You……” Zhang Yu was rendered speechless by her, “You are simply unreasonable!”
Tong Ke hid behind Ye Wei. Seeing that Zhang Yu was rendered speechless, there was a clatter in her heart. Zhang Yu who she knew was always regarded highly by others, when had he been insulted as a dog? At this moment, she just wanted to stay far far away from Ye Wei so as not to be considered a bird of the same feather as her.
Ye Ying naturally stood up for Zhang Yu, “Jiejie, Zhang Yu is my friend. He said that for my sake. He is worried about me, so don’t talk to him like that!”
Ye Wei nodded her head, “Yes, yes. I know that. He is your friend and does this for your sake. There is no chance he is thinking about me when he reminds me of my position. He believes that I bullied you, doesn’t he? In a similar way, try to ask my friend, Tong Ke. She believes that you robbed me of my parents’ affection and robbed me of my position for 18 years of my life, even trying to make my mom hates me! She also believes that you are setting me up on purpose!”
Tong Ke, who was named out of nowhere, “…………???”
Zhang Yu and Ye Ying moved their gaze to Tong Ke at the same time.
Tong Ke, “……”
She wanted Zhang Yu’s attention, but not this kind of attention ah!!!!
Still, she wouldn’t deny the chance to throw dirty water on Ye Ying, “I don’t know much about the matter, but I can see clearly that Ye Ying caused Ye Wei to be reprimanded by Auntie Wang. I can understand Ye Wei’s pain and fear. Think of it, she gets misunderstood, and her mom blamed her. Wouldn’t you be sad if you were in her position? Not to mention Ye Wei only returned to her real family recently, yet, rather than receiving love and care from her family, she got framed and scolded by her family instead! How painful! How miserable! It’s simply unbelievable! I can’t believe someone really can bear to do that kind of thing!”
“You don’t know this, but Weiwei was dispirited all afternoon. She ate so little during lunch. I can’t even persuade her to eat more. It’s not Weiwei’s fault that Weiwei is angry and upset by Ye Ying’s actions. It’s normal for her to suspect Ye Ying’s act of kindness. In the end, Weiwei is not simply an older sister to her, but also…..”
She shut her mouth and looked away with a painful expression, leaving people to be creative with their imaginations to finish her words.
Also what? Also the person who will take everything from her!
Ye Ying exclaimed in shock, “What are you talking about? I never thought about it that way!”
Tong Ke blinked innocently, “What am I talking about? I didn’t say anything.“
Ye Ying was embarrassed and unable to argue.
Ye Wei sighed, “That’s it. Let’s not talk about it anymore. I understand the principle that intimacy and alienation are two opposites. People will help the person they care about. Otherwise, this classmate won’t ‘kindly’ remind me that the relationship between my father and my sister is deeper than that of blood, especially when they have spent 18 years of life together, I am nothing when compared to that. She didn’t want me to return home. She knows how much the power of her words holds in my family’s heart, so, even when she knows that saying such things would make me so sad that I feel life is not better than death, she still said it anyway.”
Zhang Yu felt he was about to become a murderer with her words. He vaguely discerned some truth from Ye Wei’s words, but he also believed that Ye Wei went too far with her words. He frowned, “I just want to remind you, Ye Ying is innocent in this matter. It’s not Ye Ying’s fault that you were wronged. You shouldn’t vent your anger on Ye Ying.”
Ye Wei gasped, “Oh, my. Ye Ying didn’t know anything 18 years ago, does she still know nothing 18 years later? What do I owe her? To whom does she want to show her downcast look that she wears every day?”
Zhang Yu kept a calm face, and Ye Ying quickly cleared, “I don’t want to leave because I can’t bear to part with my parents. I called them Mama and Papa for 18 years. We have lived together for 18 years. How can you bear to let me part with them? I was so sad when I learned that my parents are not my biological parents.”
Ye Wei was not amused, “Sad? You shouldn’t be sad. You should be happy instead. You have enjoyed the life I should have lived for 18 years without being required to pay any price, and you can continue to enjoy that kind of good life. Even if you are not born by my parents, they treat you as their own, even to the point they don’t want to pick me back for you. Look clearly, is it you that value blood more, or is it they that value blood more?”
Ye Ying bit her lips, appearing even more anxious. Ye Wei was right, her mom and dad were so kind to her that it made her sad and happy at the same time.
Ye Wei threw a glance at Zhang Yu and asked Ye Ying, “Meimei, he is your friend, right? If you really think of me as your older sister and really worry about me like what you said from your mouth, why didn’t you stop your friend from saying such hurtful words to me?”
Zhang Yu: “……??”
Ye Ying: “……!!”
The onlookers: “……?”
Ye Wei sighed, “Just like earlier, I said that this classmate is as nosy as a dog and you are quick to jump in his defense, yet when it was me that got thrown with such hurtful words, you…… Ai. Forget it, it’s alright. I understand. There is no hurry to explain. I understand, really. I understand everything clearly. It is just preferential treatment to those who you care about. I understand that.”
Some of the people present couldn’t follow Ye Wei’s way of thinking. They glanced at Ye Ying and Zhang Yu. What did she understand?
Ye Ying was driven to tears by her. How could she only discover that Ye Wei really had grudges against her?
————·————·————
Ye Wei received praises, not only from Ye Shicheng and Wang Hui who praised her and affirmed her approach but also from the school, they praised her for being upright and brave to stand up against school violence, which was particularly commendable. Those who bullied her were also criticized and their names were noted down. Although they were not expelled from the school, they got punished for cleaning the toilet for a semester.
The morning next day, Ye Ying stood from below, watching Ye Wei stand on the podium to receive her award and read a speech, “I am Not Brave”
“……I know that if I am not brave, I will always be bullied, Because, once, I was robbed of my lunch. It was a steamed sweet potato made by my Grandma for me. My lunch was robbed and I didn’t have anything to eat, leaving me hungry all afternoon. I was almost unable to walk back to my home because I didn’t have any strength left….”
“… The way home is not far. An hour and a half. But, that day, the way home was as difficult as climbing to Sky. How can returning home be as difficult as an Immortal ascending to Heaven?”
“… If I’m not brave, I won’t be able to return to where I should return. I won’t know that a school can be huge, a classroom can be bright, and uniforms can be beautiful. I won’t know that people’s skin can be so white, people’s smell can be so fragrant. If I’m not brave enough to speak up, I wouldn’t return home…”
The cheers of the students sounded loud, all from Ye Wei’s speech that sounded novel to their ears.
Ye Ying stared at Ye Wei on the platform. She was obviously dark, even her delicate facial features had lost some beauty because of her skin color. But, standing on the podium, Ye Wei was shining.
Recalling her dad and mom’s praise of Ye Wei in the morning, Ye Ying hung her head gloomily.
Then, she heard the chatter around her.
“No way, Ye Wei’s family is that poor? Only a steamed sweet potato for lunch? An hour of walking to go home? She must walk that long to go home? And that is not counting when she went to school, right? Oh god.”
“That’s so terrible!”
“Aiya, if it’s not for Ye Wei being switched at birth, then the person that couldn’t eat enough would be Ye Ying!”
“Heh. Ye Ying still has the face to pretend to be a pure Female Goddess. I tell you this, from what I heard, when it is discovered that Ye Ying is not the true daughter of the Ye Family and Ye Wei is the true daughter, Ye Ying cried every day, expressing she didn’t want Ye Wei to come back…”
“If she did not switch fate at birth, Ye Ying would be the ugly duckling. With her real family background, she couldn’t even turn over fate! Where did she find the courage to still appear aloof and mighty?”
“……”
Yes. If she was not wrongly held, she may always forever be a child of the mountain, living a life without a future, worrying about food and clothing all day long.
Zhang Yu stared at Ye Wei on the podium with a trace of amazement.
The essay written by her, a village girl, was a bit coarse, but unexpectedly, it could amaze him…
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Footnotes
[1] 高岭之花 – gāolǐng zhī huā. Flower high up above the Mountain. Untouchable by the Red Dust of the World. Someone you can appreciate only from a distance because of their untouchable temperament. ↵
[2] 狗拿耗子 – gǒu ná hàozi. Lit. A dog catches rats. Poke one’s nose into other people’s business. A dog shouldn’t catch rats, catching rats is part of the cat’s job. The dog’s job is to guard the door and watch the night. Yet, the dog goes to catch the rats. Isn’t this nosy! (idiom) ↵
Ry’s Corner
There will be a new character in the next chapter, Jiang Fei. He has some loose screws in his brain and I love him.
I have some disdain for characters with the words “Ying” in their name in this novel, Shen Yingying. Ye Ying. Bleh.
Ye Ying was doubtful whether it is just her imagination or not.
She shook her head and told herself not to think too much. She and Ye Wei had no grudges against each other, there was no reason for Ye Wei to look at her in that way.
Instead, her focus shifted to Wang Hui’s disappointed gaze on her. It made her upset.
Did Wang Hui assume that she intentionally called her to the school to provoke the relationship between her and Ye Wei?
But, she called her because she was truly worried about Ye Wei.
If it was in the past, she wouldn’t need to think so much about such small things. She could even show a little temper at Wang Hui. Regardless, since she knew that she was not her biological daughter, she reduced her temper, behaving cautiously and sensibly. She was far too afraid that she would be sent away.
Because of her heavy mind, she was restless all afterness and couldn’t focus in class. When the teacher named her, she was unable to answer the question.
Zhang Yu frequently glanced at Ye Ying during class. When the class was over, he walked to Ye Ying’s seat, “What’s wrong? Is there something on your mind? I noticed that you are not focused during class just now.”
If Ye Ying was the school flower, then Zhang Yu was the school grass. He had good grades, good family background, and good looks. He also had a gentle personality. In the heart of many, he was their Male God. Countless love letters had been delivered to his table by his secret admirers.
Sadly for the admirers, except for two boys who were on good terms with him, he was basically the Gaoling Flower[1]. Aside from the boys, Ye Ying was the only girl that could have a chat with him.
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Ye Ying shook her head and showed a reluctant smile, “I’m fine.”
Zhang Yu asked, “Is it because of Ye Wei?”
“No!”
“I see, so it’s because of Ye Wei. Did she trouble you? Did she do something to you?”
“She didn’t,” Ye Ying quickly explained, “Don’t think like that. It’s my fault, not my sister’s. I didn’t know much about the fight in the afternoon, but in a panic, I called my mom and told her that my sister got into a fight, causing my mom to reprimand her…”
Zhang Yu sighed helplessly, “Just because of that?”
“Mn…” Ye Ying’s face was painted with worry, “I’m afraid that my mom and my sister will blame me because of my impulsiveness. I really didn’t mean it. I was just too panicked.”
“She won’t,” Zhang Yu rubbed Ye Ying’s hair, “Don’t think so much about a little thing like this. You don’t need to worry about it either. The people who really know you won’t misunderstand you. You and your mom have known each other for so many years, how can she misunderstand you? As for Ye Wei, she is an irrelevant person. Don’t care too much about her.”
“But Ye Wei is my older sister…”
“You have only known her for a few days. She is just your sister in name, there are no deep feelings between you and her. Even if she misunderstands you, let her be. She will understand that you didn’t mean it later. The important thing is you need to understand that your mom won’t misunderstand you because of this small matter, okay?”
Ye Ying believed him. She had been with her mother for 18 years. She knew her mom, and her mom knew her. Her mom certainly would know that she didn’t mean to make a crack on her and Ye Wei’s relationship. As for Ye Wei, well, even if she misunderstood her, it was normal. They hadn’t spent much time together. Ye Wei would come to understand that she didn’t mean it.
Ye Ying was comforted by such thoughts. She smiled, her eyes bent into a lovely crescent, “Thank you, Zhang Yu.”
Zhang Yu smiled back. Coupled with his sword eyebrows, captivating eyes, and face full of youthful vigor, he was dazzling.
————·————·————
After the evening self-study, Ye Ying waited for her driver at the school gate. While waiting, she saw Ye Wei and Tong Ke walking out of the school hand-in-hand. She couldn’t hear what they were talking about, but she could see that they were giggling happily.
The two arrived together and Ye Ying greeted her, “Jiejie.”
Ye Wei ignored her and continued to talk with Tong Ke and Tong Ke was delighted when she noticed Ye Ying’s deflated expression.
Ye Ying looked at Ye Wei’s impassive face, “Jiejie, are you still blaming me?”
Ye Wei glanced at her, “Blame you for what? You did nothing wrong.”
Ye Ying pursed her lips and apologized, “I didn’t mean to. I just heard that you were called to the office by the teacher because of a fight. I didn’t know what to do and panicked, so I called Mama. I was only worried about you…”
Ye Wei oh’ed and her gaze turned doubtful, “You are worried about me?”
Ye Ying nodded, blinking her pair of big eyes that were similar to Chen Weiguo, appearing sincere.
Ye Wei naturally believed in her sincerity. After all, Ye Ying is the Female Lead. All the Female Leads are such beings, they have good qualities, gentle and beautiful. How could Ye Ying harbor vicious ideas like her, the Supporting Female? Still, it was because she is the Vicious Supporting Female, she must act like a jealous thief and always had a bone to pick. “You are really worried about me? Don’t you just want me to be hated by Mama.”
“What? No. Jiejie, you misunderstand me. I would never have thought about it…” Ye Ying denied it. She couldn’t understand why Ye Wei thought of her in such a negative spectrum?
“Just because you said you never thought of it, do you expect me to believe it?” Ye Wei pushed, “Then, I ask you, why did you call Mama to the school? Even if I really did something wrong and was called to the office by the teachers, who are you to call Mama to come here? The teachers themselves didn’t even think to call Mama or Papa because of the matter. It is thanks to your initiative to invite Mama that she came here. What do you mean by doing that? I just returned a few days ago, but are you already so impatient to show my bad side to Mama? You wanted her to see me being scolded by the teacher, so Mama would regard me as a problematic child. If such a seed is planted in Mama’s mind, then Mama will start to dislike me, and in turn, like you even more. All because you behaved better than me, and more sensible than me, who can only create trouble and embarrass her!”
Ye Ying’s complexion blanched. She defended, “No, it’s not like that. I didn’t call Mama here to see your bad side. I was really just worried about you. The girls who fought with you are from upstart families, they are far from reasonable. I heard they once bullied a girl and the teacher caught them, ordering them to apologize to that girl. They did apologize, but, a few days later, the girl who was bullied by them got transferred to another school…”
“I was just worried that you would be bullied by them, so I called Mama!”
Ye Wei was infuriated, “Do you think that those upstarts are more powerful than Papa? Even if they want to, can they drive me out of school with their families’ influence?”
Ye Ying was at a loss for words, “I was really just worried they will bully you again in the future. With Mama’s backing, you won’t be bullied……”
“Mama this, Mama that. The ‘Mama‘ you speak of is my mom! What qualifications do you have to call my mom ‘Mama’! You are just a counterfeit who occupied my life for 18 years! If you are truly worried about me and want to make it up for me, then give my parents back to me! Go back to your own home where your real parents are! You can call your real parents whatever you want by that time! The Ye Family is my home, my family!”
Ye Wei was furious.
Ye Ying’s feet were weak because of Ye Wei’s accusation. She took a step back in fright, her face pale and she stumbled. Fortunately, Zhang Yu appeared from behind to support her. The handsome boy was very gentle with a clear temperament, “Are you alright?”
Zhang Yu was followed by two boys who were also tall and handsome. They wore school uniforms, but it was not as neat as Zhang Yu’s, with the corners of their shirts hung outside. They appeared to be fooling around in the school, but that did not diminish their attractiveness in the slightest, in fact, it added to their charms.
They also frowned at Ye Wei, showing their dissatisfaction.
Ye Wei didn’t know Zhang Yu, nor did she know the people following him. She was not affected by his sudden appearance. She could put one and two together to guess who Zhang Yu is. A man who appeared like a prince charming to save the beauty in crisis. Who else could he be if he is not the Male Lead?
Tong Ke’s mood journey was simple. Ye Ying was deflated, she was happy. Ye Wei fought with Ye Ying, she was happy. Zhang Yu suddenly popped out of nowhere to help Ye Ying, she was far from happy! Tong Ke ground her teeth. What did this fox Ye Ying do, to make Zhang Yu give her special treatment!
Zhang Yu was initially the focus of the crowd, now he stood together, holding Ye Ying in his arms, naturally, it attracted more attention from others.
“What happened to them?”
“Seems like Ye Ying and Ye Wei quarreled.”
“Zhang Yu is on Ye Ying’s side, then?”
“You still need to ask that? Don’t you know the relationship between Zhang Yu and Ye Ying? Ai. Poor Ye Wei, she is going to be miserable.”
“I have no words for Ye Wei. She just comes to school, but already offended people she shouldn’t offend. How miserable her life will be in the future.”
“……”
————·————·————
When the familiar voice greeted Ye Ying’s ears, she subconsciously grasped Zhang Yu’s arm tightly, as if she finally found her life-saving straw. She shook her head, “I’m fine……”
Zhang Yu coldly voiced, “Ye Wei, Uncle Ye has made it clear that Ye Ying is also his daughter, even if you are Uncle’s biological daughter, Uncle and Yingying have been a father and daughter for 18 years and their affections are real. They are not related by blood, but their relationship is thicker than that of blood. Family is the flesh and blood of one’s own body. You can’t drive away Yingying just like that.”
Ye Ying tugged his arm, “Zhang Yu, stop it…”
“I’m telling the truth.” Zhang Yu glanced at Ye Wei, “Ye Wei, this is the decision of Uncle and Auntie. If you are not satisfied with it, then you should go and talk to them.”
This was the second time he saw Ye Wei. The first time was in the morning, he glanced at her from afar. He sensed that the girl was not as simple and honest as she appeared to be, because he could see the novelty, yearning, admiration, vague fear, and inferiority in her eyes. In the same fashion, he saw countless desires in her heart through her eyes.
Moreover, Ye Wei lived in the countryside for many years. She suddenly returned to her new home, which was dozens or hundreds of times better than her original home. Her mentality couldn’t remain the same. At first, she may be happy, because she finally didn’t have to endure hardship anymore. But later, she would feel dissatisfied. As long as Ye Ying was more beautiful and performed better than her, she would eventually bore the seeds of evil in her heart.
Just like now.
He observed Ye Wei closely for the first time. She lived in the countryside all year round, so her skin was not fair and white, but a healthy wheat color. She was thin, but also tall. Her skin was rough and her cheeks red. Shadows of Ye Shicheng and Wang Hui could be seen through her. In fact, she was not ugly like what the people said, her facial features were pleasing to the eyes. The bridge of her nose, coupled with her round eyes, shaped her small face nicely. As long as she didn’t show her rows of white teeth when she stared at people, she could charm them.
This was also Ye Wei’s first time seeing him. The bookish temperament on his face was reduced, showing more of his indisputably cold temperament.
Ye Wei questioned, “Who are you? I don’t need an outsider to interfere in my family affairs. Don’t poke your nose into other people’s business just like a dog[2]. Mind your own business.”
……Don’t poke your nose into other people’s business just like a dog?
Zhang Yu fell into a trance as Ye Wei scolded him. The Zhang Family had a prestigious status in City C. From childhood to adulthood, no one dared to scold him openly, and to think she openly called him a dog!
He choked, but his upbringing couldn’t let him make a fuss with an uneducated girl. He lowered his gaze to her in a cold manner, “I am merely reminding you in a kind heart.”
Ye Wei considered his words and replied succinctly, “Oh. Is that so. My bad, but I didn’t feel an ounce of kindness from your reminder. I only felt your malice, so take back your malicious reminder. I don’t need it.”
“You……” Zhang Yu was rendered speechless by her, “You are simply unreasonable!”
Tong Ke hid behind Ye Wei. Seeing that Zhang Yu was rendered speechless, there was a clatter in her heart. Zhang Yu who she knew was always regarded highly by others, when had he been insulted as a dog? At this moment, she just wanted to stay far far away from Ye Wei so as not to be considered a bird of the same feather as her.
Ye Ying naturally stood up for Zhang Yu, “Jiejie, Zhang Yu is my friend. He said that for my sake. He is worried about me, so don’t talk to him like that!”
Ye Wei nodded her head, “Yes, yes. I know that. He is your friend and does this for your sake. There is no chance he is thinking about me when he reminds me of my position. He believes that I bullied you, doesn’t he? In a similar way, try to ask my friend, Tong Ke. She believes that you robbed me of my parents’ affection and robbed me of my position for 18 years of my life, even trying to make my mom hates me! She also believes that you are setting me up on purpose!”
Tong Ke, who was named out of nowhere, “…………???”
Zhang Yu and Ye Ying moved their gaze to Tong Ke at the same time.
Tong Ke, “……”
She wanted Zhang Yu’s attention, but not this kind of attention ah!!!!
Still, she wouldn’t deny the chance to throw dirty water on Ye Ying, “I don’t know much about the matter, but I can see clearly that Ye Ying caused Ye Wei to be reprimanded by Auntie Wang. I can understand Ye Wei’s pain and fear. Think of it, she gets misunderstood, and her mom blamed her. Wouldn’t you be sad if you were in her position? Not to mention Ye Wei only returned to her real family recently, yet, rather than receiving love and care from her family, she got framed and scolded by her family instead! How painful! How miserable! It’s simply unbelievable! I can’t believe someone really can bear to do that kind of thing!”
“You don’t know this, but Weiwei was dispirited all afternoon. She ate so little during lunch. I can’t even persuade her to eat more. It’s not Weiwei’s fault that Weiwei is angry and upset by Ye Ying’s actions. It’s normal for her to suspect Ye Ying’s act of kindness. In the end, Weiwei is not simply an older sister to her, but also…..”
She shut her mouth and looked away with a painful expression, leaving people to be creative with their imaginations to finish her words.
Also what? Also the person who will take everything from her!
Ye Ying exclaimed in shock, “What are you talking about? I never thought about it that way!”
Tong Ke blinked innocently, “What am I talking about? I didn’t say anything.“
Ye Ying was embarrassed and unable to argue.
Ye Wei sighed, “That’s it. Let’s not talk about it anymore. I understand the principle that intimacy and alienation are two opposites. People will help the person they care about. Otherwise, this classmate won’t ‘kindly’ remind me that the relationship between my father and my sister is deeper than that of blood, especially when they have spent 18 years of life together, I am nothing when compared to that. She didn’t want me to return home. She knows how much the power of her words holds in my family’s heart, so, even when she knows that saying such things would make me so sad that I feel life is not better than death, she still said it anyway.”
Zhang Yu felt he was about to become a murderer with her words. He vaguely discerned some truth from Ye Wei’s words, but he also believed that Ye Wei went too far with her words. He frowned, “I just want to remind you, Ye Ying is innocent in this matter. It’s not Ye Ying’s fault that you were wronged. You shouldn’t vent your anger on Ye Ying.”
Ye Wei gasped, “Oh, my. Ye Ying didn’t know anything 18 years ago, does she still know nothing 18 years later? What do I owe her? To whom does she want to show her downcast look that she wears every day?”
Zhang Yu kept a calm face, and Ye Ying quickly cleared, “I don’t want to leave because I can’t bear to part with my parents. I called them Mama and Papa for 18 years. We have lived together for 18 years. How can you bear to let me part with them? I was so sad when I learned that my parents are not my biological parents.”
Ye Wei was not amused, “Sad? You shouldn’t be sad. You should be happy instead. You have enjoyed the life I should have lived for 18 years without being required to pay any price, and you can continue to enjoy that kind of good life. Even if you are not born by my parents, they treat you as their own, even to the point they don’t want to pick me back for you. Look clearly, is it you that value blood more, or is it they that value blood more?”
Ye Ying bit her lips, appearing even more anxious. Ye Wei was right, her mom and dad were so kind to her that it made her sad and happy at the same time.
Ye Wei threw a glance at Zhang Yu and asked Ye Ying, “Meimei, he is your friend, right? If you really think of me as your older sister and really worry about me like what you said from your mouth, why didn’t you stop your friend from saying such hurtful words to me?”
Zhang Yu: “……??”
Ye Ying: “……!!”
The onlookers: “……?”
Ye Wei sighed, “Just like earlier, I said that this classmate is as nosy as a dog and you are quick to jump in his defense, yet when it was me that got thrown with such hurtful words, you…… Ai. Forget it, it’s alright. I understand. There is no hurry to explain. I understand, really. I understand everything clearly. It is just preferential treatment to those who you care about. I understand that.”
Some of the people present couldn’t follow Ye Wei’s way of thinking. They glanced at Ye Ying and Zhang Yu. What did she understand?
Ye Ying was driven to tears by her. How could she only discover that Ye Wei really had grudges against her?
————·————·————
Ye Wei received praises, not only from Ye Shicheng and Wang Hui who praised her and affirmed her approach but also from the school, they praised her for being upright and brave to stand up against school violence, which was particularly commendable. Those who bullied her were also criticized and their names were noted down. Although they were not expelled from the school, they got punished for cleaning the toilet for a semester.
The morning next day, Ye Ying stood from below, watching Ye Wei stand on the podium to receive her award and read a speech, “I am Not Brave”
“……I know that if I am not brave, I will always be bullied, Because, once, I was robbed of my lunch. It was a steamed sweet potato made by my Grandma for me. My lunch was robbed and I didn’t have anything to eat, leaving me hungry all afternoon. I was almost unable to walk back to my home because I didn’t have any strength left….”
“… The way home is not far. An hour and a half. But, that day, the way home was as difficult as climbing to Sky. How can returning home be as difficult as an Immortal ascending to Heaven?”
“… If I’m not brave, I won’t be able to return to where I should return. I won’t know that a school can be huge, a classroom can be bright, and uniforms can be beautiful. I won’t know that people’s skin can be so white, people’s smell can be so fragrant. If I’m not brave enough to speak up, I wouldn’t return home…”
The cheers of the students sounded loud, all from Ye Wei’s speech that sounded novel to their ears.
Ye Ying stared at Ye Wei on the platform. She was obviously dark, even her delicate facial features had lost some beauty because of her skin color. But, standing on the podium, Ye Wei was shining.
Recalling her dad and mom’s praise of Ye Wei in the morning, Ye Ying hung her head gloomily.
Then, she heard the chatter around her.
“No way, Ye Wei’s family is that poor? Only a steamed sweet potato for lunch? An hour of walking to go home? She must walk that long to go home? And that is not counting when she went to school, right? Oh god.”
“That’s so terrible!”
“Aiya, if it’s not for Ye Wei being switched at birth, then the person that couldn’t eat enough would be Ye Ying!”
“Heh. Ye Ying still has the face to pretend to be a pure Female Goddess. I tell you this, from what I heard, when it is discovered that Ye Ying is not the true daughter of the Ye Family and Ye Wei is the true daughter, Ye Ying cried every day, expressing she didn’t want Ye Wei to come back…”
“If she did not switch fate at birth, Ye Ying would be the ugly duckling. With her real family background, she couldn’t even turn over fate! Where did she find the courage to still appear aloof and mighty?”
“……”
Yes. If she was not wrongly held, she may always forever be a child of the mountain, living a life without a future, worrying about food and clothing all day long.
Zhang Yu stared at Ye Wei on the podium with a trace of amazement.
The essay written by her, a village girl, was a bit coarse, but unexpectedly, it could amaze him…
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Footnotes
[1] 高岭之花 – gāolǐng zhī huā. Flower high up above the Mountain. Untouchable by the Red Dust of the World. Someone you can appreciate only from a distance because of their untouchable temperament. ↵
[2] 狗拿耗子 – gǒu ná hàozi. Lit. A dog catches rats. Poke one’s nose into other people’s business. A dog shouldn’t catch rats, catching rats is part of the cat’s job. The dog’s job is to guard the door and watch the night. Yet, the dog goes to catch the rats. Isn’t this nosy! (idiom) ↵
Ry’s Corner
There will be a new character in the next chapter, Jiang Fei. He has some loose screws in his brain and I love him.
I have some disdain for characters with the words “Ying” in their name in this novel, Shen Yingying. Ye Ying. Bleh.
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