Three years of school, with a year and a half left until graduation, everyone has settled into a fixed mode of interaction, especially the agreement set between Ye Ling and Xiang Weilai. Although their interaction with everyone is no different on the surface, those who know about it still feel a bit awkward. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Take Zhao Guodong for example. Although he has accepted it, ever since that day, whenever he sees Xiang Weilai, he gives him a fierce glare, as if Xiang Weilai owes him money. Everyone understands his temperament and doesn’t say much about it; small friction occurs among a few people but nothing major.

After boarding the train, Ye Ling joked with a few others, "In the past, others envied the children from the compound for their gatherings, never mingling with those outside. Now I’m no longer from your compound, shamelessly joining you and squeezing into the sleeper berth. Next time, I’ll buy my own ticket."

"After all these years, you’re still being polite with us." Zhao Guodong didn’t like hearing Ye Ling say that, knowing about the Ye Family’s matters as well, "Tomorrow we’ll be home, and later I’ll go visit Uncle Ye. I heard from my dad that the place you rented is near Lining’s family flat. When we have some free time, we’ll stay at Lining’s flat and be able to hang out together."

Xiang Weilai chimed in with a teasing smile, "Count me in then."

Zhao Guodong glared at him, "Are we that familiar?"

"Grew up in the same compound, aren’t we familiar?" Xiang Weilai replied calmly.

Seeing the two about to bicker again, Zhang Linong and Wang Ping laughed but didn’t intervene. Ye Ling felt a bit embarrassed and nodded at Zhang Linong, stood up, and slipped away, intending to go to the restroom. But upon arriving, she heard Sun Mingjie complaining loudly.

"Why not tell Weilai? This is his family’s matter. With his dad in such a state, if he doesn’t come forward to share the burden, how does that make sense?"

Then came Liu Zhiyuan’s calm voice, "How do you plan to tell him? I’ve grown up with him since we were kids. Now that there’s an issue with his dad’s work, not only can I not help him, but I also have to tell him to ask my dad for help. Do you think doing this wouldn’t ruin the friendship we’ve had all these years?"

Liu Zhiyuan and Sun Mingjie were talking at the train doors on either side, so they hadn’t noticed Ye Ling coming by to use the bathroom. Sun Mingjie continued, "As you mean, your dad is considering Weilai as a potential brother-in-law for you. If Weilai agrees and talks to your dad, then Uncle Xiang’s issue can be resolved; otherwise, it’s imprisonment. If you were his son, watching your father heading to prison, would you choose to be with the woman you love and can’t help your family, or to be with someone you don’t love and help your family? This matter is obviously right here. No matter who it is, they would choose family, because those are the parents who birthed and raised us. I know you think I’m biased against Ye Ling, but think carefully, is it fair not to tell them both about this matter? If Weilai finds out later, and by then he’s already with Ye Ling, would he blame Ye Ling?"

"This isn’t the time to be biased against Ye Ling; it’s the time for them both to face the issue. Think about it, if you only tell Ye Ling, can she keep it from Weilai? Surely, she knows what’s better for Weilai now; besides, they’re only currently agreeing, it doesn’t mean they’re truly together. If Weilai chooses your sister, it wouldn’t count as tearing them apart. I’ve said all I could say. If you truly consider Weilai a friend and good brother, you should tell him about this." Sun Mingjie spouted, emptying all the words from his gut.

The carriage remained quiet as well. Ye Ling didn’t wait for Liu Zhiyuan to speak again before quietly turning to leave, only to find Xiang Weilai standing behind her. In shock, she couldn’t decide what to say, while Xiang Weilai quietly grabbed her hand and led her back to their sleeper berth. Ye Ling didn’t listen to him, instead, she led Xiang Weilai to the junction of the opposite carriage. Zhao Guodong and the others glanced over, secretly feeling disgruntled but said nothing.

Once at the other end, Ye Ling looked at Xiang Weilai, "You’ve probably heard everything. What exactly happened to your dad? How come you haven’t mentioned it to me? Listening to Sun Mingjie, seems like he already knows, don’t tell me you’re unaware."

"I heard it’s due to accepting things from others in exchange for helping with job placements. The job wasn’t arranged, and then someone reported my dad for accepting things." Xiang Weilai’s expression remained lightly smiling, "However, Liu Zhiyuan and they only just mentioned it; I truly was unaware, just overheard it recently."

It’s bribery.

In a company, this is a serious issue. Nowadays, for a private company to grow this large, it has to have unique attributes.

Ye Ling looked at Xiang Weilai, suddenly with a bitter smile, "Do you think I’m foolish, not knowing about such a major event, only hearing it from others? In your eyes, am I heartless? Or do you think I’m not worthy of trust and reliance?"

"Don’t think that way, I just didn’t expect my dad to be involved in something like this." Xiang Weilai wanted to lift his hand to touch Ye Ling’s face, but it fell under Ye Ling’s gaze, turning to gaze out the train window instead, his back to Ye Ling, "In my impression, my father has always been a righteous man. Hearing this, I was very surprised and felt quite disappointed inside. Since childhood, I’ve thought that anything I wanted, I would certainly achieve it, but never expected that the father I’ve been proud of could be involved in something like this. I didn’t dare to tell you, afraid you’d despise me."

"Weilai, I know you’re upset. I’m angry that you treated me as an outsider. I still remember when my dad was sick, the warmth you gave. At that time, you said you liked me, so I thought I couldn’t miss such a gentle and considerate person. After agreeing to you, I’ve never regretted it, thinking I made the right choice." Ye Ling embraced Xiang Weilai’s waist from behind, feeling his tense body gradually relaxing. Ye Ling’s face showed a painful expression, her voice fiercely controlled, "Weilai, I’m really foolish, especially when it comes to affection, only knowing how to receive, never giving. Meeting you is the happiest thing in my life. Hearing Sun Mingjie and Liu Zhiyuan today, I guessed this issue must be serious; otherwise, they wouldn’t debate over it. The Liu Family chose you because they recognize your excellence. I’m quite proud looking at my chosen person being so sought after."

"Ye Ling, stop, please stop talking." Xiang Weilai’s voice became soft, tinged with nasal sound. (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for recommendation tickets or monthly tickets on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)