RYEY – Chapter 93 Earning a Little Money

Cheng Qiao handed a small basket on the table to Ye Jun. “Master, Li Huan and I went back to our hometown for a visit. This is a gift for you—please accept it.”

Ye Jun smiled, took the basket, and was about to leave. Mother Li came out and said that her meal was almost ready, and he should eat before going. Embarrassed, Ye Jun sat down.

During dinner, he told Cheng Qiao that he would be going into the mountains to collect herbs for the next few days and might not be in the village. If she needed any medicine, she could get it from his house.

Cheng Qiao, holding the key to Ye Jun’s house, nodded immediately. She figured that while her master was away, she could tidy up things that needed attention.

“Qiao, how is your father? How’s his health?”

Mother Li had been busy cooking since her daughter-in-law returned, and now she finally had a moment to ask. Cheng Qiao set down her bowl, sighed deeply.

“Second sister-in-law, we’re all family. If there’s something troubling you, tell us—we can figure it out together.”

Li Le, who adored Cheng Qiao the most, didn’t want to see her unhappy.

“Mother, my father-in-law was maliciously reported by Cheng Qiao’s stepmother and has already been sent to Gansu.”

“What? Are there really such cruel people in the world? What happened next?”

Mother Li was so shocked that she dropped her chopsticks. Reported, and sent to Gansu? How would he survive there? They had people like that in Xiangyang Village too—working their heads down, doing the heaviest labor, not daring to utter a single complaint.

“He should have been sent already. We’re waiting for news too.”

“Huan’er, do you have your father-in-law’s address? Maybe we can send some things over first—he won’t be able to live properly without any supplies.”

“Mother, don’t worry. I’ll go to the county town tomorrow to get some items to send to my father-in-law. I won’t let him go hungry or freeze.”

Seeing that Li Huan had a plan, Mother Li relaxed slightly. Looking at Cheng Qiao’s pale face, she said with concern,

“Qiao, don’t worry. Good people are rewarded. Your father will be fine. You’ve got a baby to think of—eat well, rest well. After the village finishes slaughtering the pigs, everything will be okay. I’ll make sure to nourish you properly.”

Cheng Qiao nodded. Starting tomorrow, she could ask Li Huan to go to the county town frequently—giving her an excuse to bring back things like eggs, pork, rice, and flour.

Not only did she need nutrition during this period, but Li Le, who was growing, also required sufficient nutrients. Otherwise, it would affect her growth and development.

Of course, Mother Li also needed nourishment, and Li Huan even more so. Having endured the hardships of her previous life, Cheng Qiao understood better than anyone the importance of the family’s backbone.

“Mother, in a couple of days, that woman’s own daughter will also come to our village as an educated youth.”

“What’s going on?”

“Back then, the mother-daughter duo tricked Cheng Qiao into taking Wang Qin to the countryside. My father-in-law found out and sent Wang Qin as well. That’s why Wang Qin’s mother reported him.”

“Well done! How could that mother and daughter be so vicious? Qiao, don’t take this the wrong way, but you were too trusting. From now on, you need to be more cautious—don’t let anyone fool you again.”

Cheng Qiao nodded. She had already paid too high a price for her naive kindness, so in this life, she would never make the same mistake again.

“Second brother, why is she coming to our village as an educated youth? Does she still want to trick second sister-in-law?”

Li Le was upset. Her second sister-in-law’s stepmother was so bad; her daughter surely wasn’t any better. She mustn’t be allowed to get close.

“No, she won’t fool Qiao. Her mother did the bad deed, and now her daughter must bear the consequences because we can’t find her mother.”

Li Huan smiled, and Li Le’s hair stood on end. Whenever her brother showed that smile, it meant someone was about to be in big trouble—and it would be serious trouble.

Ye Jun looked at Cheng Qiao and, after they finished talking, carefully asked, “Cheng Qiao, give me your father’s address. I’ll see if there’s anyone there who can help.”

Cheng Qiao froze. Suddenly, a thought came to her mind—Grandpa Ye’s surname is Ye, her master’s surname is Ye; could they be related?

“Master, do you know an old man named Ye Chengying?”

“Ye Chengying? The Ye Chengying who traveled twenty-five thousand li? He’s my cousin. Back then, his father and mine had a falling out over life choices. Looking back, my elder uncle had vision after all.”

“Master, Ye Chengying is my father’s former superior. He has arranged something for my father, but only gave me an address to send supplies—I don’t know where my father is exactly.”

“Your father is a retired soldier, right?”

“Yes. My father said he was injured back then, so he retired and worked at the steel plant.”

“I understand. With my cousin there, your father will be safe. Just be mindful of supplies—things are tough over there.”

Cheng Qiao immediately understood her master’s meaning. It wasn’t just someone like her father who faced difficulties—the military’s supplies were limited too.

“Master, can I try planting medicinal herbs? That way, I can contribute in a small way to the country.”

Ye Jun’s gaze flickered. The little girl was still too young. But if it was just to earn money, he might consider helping her.

“All right, I understand. I’ll leave now. Thank you, Li Huan’s Mother, for the meal—it was excellent.”

“Oh, don’t mention it. You’re making me shy with your praise.”

Mother Li stood up happily. Her daughter-in-law was a soldier’s child, noble and upright. Even if there were problems, they were due to being framed. She would surely clear her father’s name in the future.

She had Li Huan see Ye Jun off. At the gate, Li Huan handed Ye Jun a flashlight and a pack of batteries—they would be useful in the mountains.

Ye Jun already had a flashlight, but his batteries were dead. He had planned to buy some in the county, but the young man had already supplied them for him.

“Don’t thank me. Thank your disciple—she told me to give it to you.”

Li Huan quickly said this, understanding what Ye Jun meant. Ye Jun rolled his eyes—so the naive sweetness was contagious. His disciple wasn’t naive, but this guy had become the silly one instead.

After installing the batteries, Ye Jun left quickly, flashlight in hand. Li Huan returned to the room, and Cheng Qiao smiled at her before disappearing from sight.

“Wife, wife…”

Li Huan caught the faint fragrance left in the air—a scent from Cheng Qiao’s skincare items stored in her spatial pocket. Though subtle, it lingered in the clean, enclosed room.

Li Huan knew Cheng Qiao had gone into her treasure. Since learning the baby inside was safe in Cheng Qiao’s treasure, she would always encourage her to rest there whenever possible.

The night passed uneventfully. Early the next morning, while it was still dark, someone knocked on the courtyard gate. Li Huan, afraid of waking Cheng Qiao, quickly got up to open the door. The village head stood outside with several public security officers.