Because she had a big argument with Meng Yu the night before, Meng Yu still didn’t come out for dinner.
Meng Yao didn’t indulge her either, telling Zhao Meilan and Meng Zhihong that she had already eaten and there was no need to bring food to her room.
The two elders believed it and really didn’t bring her any food.
Meng Yu went hungry for another night.
The next day, Meng Yao got up early, slung a small basket over her back, and rode Uncle Wang’s cart to the county town.
Several women in the cart asked Meng Yao what she was going to the city for, and Meng Yao lifted the cloth covering her vegetable basket.
“Goodness, how did you grow these vegetables? They look so fresh and tender!”
“Yeah, look how vibrant and crisp they are. Were they just picked from the field?”
The women chattered away, asking one question after another.
Meng Yao replied, “Yes, Auntie, they were just picked from the field.”
Of course they were fresh—her vegetables drank Spirit Spring Water every day! If she weren’t short on money right now, she wouldn’t even be willing to sell them!
Meng Yao had often come to the county town before to sell things to help support the family, so she was familiar with the place and quickly found her way to the market area.
It was early in the morning, but she had arrived a bit late, and all the good spots were already taken, leaving only a cramped corner for her to set up.
She didn’t mind, though. She simply found a spot, lifted the cloth from her basket, and revealed the lush, vibrant little cabbages inside, which immediately caught the attention of the neighboring vendors, who asked her how she grew them.
Meng Yao chatted with them for a bit, but by the time she was done, the morning rush had passed. Everyone already had their hands full of groceries they’d bought, and although her cabbages were appealing, no one was buying.
She wasn’t in a hurry, though. Instead, she pulled out her English textbook and started memorizing a few English words.
Ye Lei wandered around the market with a basket in hand, still unable to pick out any vegetables. His wife was pregnant and needed to eat fresh produce, but after finishing morning classes with his students, he arrived at the market only to find that all the fresh vegetables had already been snatched up.
His eyes continued scanning the area until, in a corner, he suddenly spotted a patch of strikingly fresh green.
He walked over and said, “Comrade, how are your vegetables—”
Meng Yao looked up from her textbook at the sound of his voice.
Ye Lei’s words cut off abruptly, and he exclaimed with delight, “Hey, aren’t you that helpful young comrade from the other day? What are you doing here selling vegetables?”
Meng Yao thought: What a coincidence…
“Haha, I’m helping my family sell vegetables. Teacher Ye, how much do you want? I’ll weigh some for you.”
She was quite happy to sell to Ye Lei, especially since Fangxiu was pregnant and would benefit the most from eating vegetables grown with Spirit Spring Water.
“Why weigh them? I’ll take them all. Your Aunt Fangxiu just got out of the hospital a couple of days ago and has been talking nonstop about the two kind souls who helped her that day. You absolutely must come to my house today.”
Despite his refined appearance, Ye Lei was surprisingly efficient. As he spoke, he crouched down and started helping her pack up her stall.
Meng Yao: “…”
Ye Lei deftly picked up the basket, leaving Meng Yao no choice but to gather her textbook and stand up.
With sharp eyes, Ye Lei noticed the English textbook in her hand and grew curious.
“Do you like English?”
Meng Yao slung her bag over her shoulder. “No, I want to take the college entrance exam, but I can’t read English, so I just have to memorize it by rote.”
Ye Lei didn’t mind at all. He hoisted the basket onto his back, blocking Meng Yao’s path, and proudly adjusted his glasses, looking at her with sparkling eyes.
Meng Yao didn’t understand what he meant and called out, “Teacher Ye, aren’t we leaving?”
Ye Lei was speechless. This girl was calling him “Teacher Ye,” so why wasn’t she catching on?
Ye Lei stepped aside to make way for her, and the two walked one after the other. Ye Lei said excitedly, “What’s your name?”
“Meng Yao.”
“Comrade Meng, I’m actually a high school teacher! If you want to take the college entrance exam, I can help you! Such a great resource is right beside you.” Ye Lei pointed at himself.
Meng Yao paused. Oh, right, Teacher Ye is a high school teacher, isn’t he?
She asked, “Teacher Ye, do you teach English?”
“No, I teach math!” Ye Lei replied.
Meng Yao wilted again. “Then what’s the use? I can’t read English.”
Ye Lei was speechless. “Even though I don’t know English, I know an English teacher!”
Meng Yao wilted even further and told the truth. “Teacher Ye, I appreciate your kindness, but I really don’t have any money, so…”
She’d better rely on herself.
She couldn’t just latch onto Fangxiu’s help for tutoring without paying just because she happened to save Aunt Fangxiu once, could she? Meng Yao wasn’t that shameless and felt too embarrassed to do so.
Seeing that he couldn’t persuade her, Ye Lei knew she had her own principles and decided to drop the topic for now. Once they got home, he’d let his wife take over—after all, she was the most formidable women’s director, and no one could resist her persuasive skills!
Ye Lei lived in a residential building with a courtyard downstairs. When they reached the courtyard, neighbors chatting together looked over curiously at the pretty girl Ye Lei had brought back.
Ye Lei led her to the second-floor landing and knocked on the door. “Fangxiu, look who I brought back!”
The door opened, and Fangxiu, with her large belly, blinked in surprise at the sight of Meng Yao, her face lighting up with joy.
“Come in, come in.” Fangxiu asked Ye Lei, “Where did you run into this comrade?”
“Aunt Fangxiu, my name is Meng Yao.” Meng Yao introduced herself, feeling a bit embarrassed.
Fangxiu took her hand and led her inside. “Comrade Meng, please come in.”
Meng Yao followed her in. Ye Lei’s home was warmly decorated, clean and tidy. Behind the door was a shoe rack, and the living room came into view. The table was even covered with a charming floral tablecloth, and the faint scent of laundry detergent lingered in the air.
“You two chat first. I bought some meat today, so I’ll start cooking. We’ll properly thank Comrade Meng today.” Ye Lei picked up the groceries and headed to the kitchen.
Fangxiu was very hospitable, bringing out all the snacks in the house and urging Meng Yao not to stand on ceremony.
The three of them had lunch at home. Ye Lei must have cooked often, as the food turned out surprisingly delicious.
Toward the end of the meal, Fangxiu asked Meng Yao, “Comrade Meng, you left in such a hurry that day, and I never got the chance to thank you properly. Here’s fifty yuan—you must take it as a token of our gratitude.”
Fangxiu pushed five ten-yuan bills toward her.
“No, I can’t accept this money. Please don’t make it difficult for me.” Meng Yao truly didn’t know how to refuse Fangxiu’s enthusiasm.
That day had just been a small favor, and Fangxiu’s family seemed like ordinary folks. With a baby on the way, they’d surely have many expenses. She couldn’t possibly accept fifty yuan for such a trivial matter.
Seeing her refusal, Fangxiu changed the subject. “If you won’t take our money, I don’t know how else to repay you. I heard from my husband that you’re preparing for the college entrance exam. Since he happens to be a high school homeroom teacher, why not let him tutor you? That way, we can at least do something for you and feel better about it.”
Meng Yao: “…”
Well, so this was the trap waiting for her!
Ye Lei lowered his head, laughing so hard his shoulders shook. Under the table, he pinched his wife’s leg, silently giving her a thumbs-up.
Fangxiu: That’s more like me!
Seeing the two of them so persistent, Meng Yao stopped refusing. “Alright then, but please try not to interfere with Teacher Ye’s work hours.”