Seeing her like this, Ye Jianguo’s anger flared instantly. He hadn’t even managed to slap that wretched girl yet, and she was already spreading nonsense outside.
When Liu Hongmei saw his expression change and realized he was about to go hit Ye Li again, she quickly grabbed him and gave him a subtle look. If he beat that little bitch in front of everyone, she’d probably drown in people’s spit afterward. Judging from the situation, it was better to smooth things over for now and deal with her later.
She forced a smile onto her face. “Li Li, you’ve really misunderstood your father and me. Zhi Zhi has poor health, and that Duan Jiamie has a crippled leg. If Zhi Zhi married him, how could she endure it? Your father was muddle‑headed, thinking you’re both his daughters, so it would be the same if you married in her place. We didn’t mean anything else. If you don’t agree, then forget it.”
Ye Li looked coldly at Liu Hongmei’s fake smile, then at Ye Jianguo nodding along beside her, and suddenly felt it was laughable. Whenever something bad happened, Liu Hongmei always managed to cleanly absolve herself of responsibility, dumping the entire blame onto Ye Jianguo. And unfortunately, her blind father accepted it gladly.
After hearing Liu Hongmei’s words, Aunt Zhou rolled her eyes and snapped back directly, “So if your Zhi Zhi can’t endure marrying over there, Li Li can? Liu Hongmei, try acting like a human being. Since Li Li didn’t come out of your own flesh, you don’t know how to feel pain for her.”
Ye Li lowered her eyes, hiding the chill within them. When she looked up again, her eyes were brimming with tears. “Really? Dad, didn’t you and Aunt Liu discuss that if I didn’t agree to the marriage swap, you’d secretly sign me up to go to the countryside? You were just joking, right?”
“What? There’s that too?” Aunt Zhou exclaimed, glaring fiercely at Ye Jianguo. She turned back, pulled Ye Li out from behind her, and comforted her. “Li Li, don’t worry! Your brother Chunsheng handles countryside registration. I’ll have him keep an eye out. You have a job—no matter what, it won’t be your turn to go.”
Li Chunyan shot Ye Jianguo and Liu Hongmei a disdainful glance, spat out the sunflower seed shell with a “ptui,” and said, “So what if Li Li lost her mother—does that mean you can bully her as much as you want?”
Liu Hongmei’s face flushed red and then pale. She hadn’t expected that all the pillow talk she’d whispered to Ye Jianguo had been overheard by Ye Li. Looking awkward, she could only plaster on a smile and explain, “Li Li, you must’ve heard wrong. How could your father and I ever say such things?”
Inside, she cursed bitterly. These people really had nothing better to do—couldn’t even finish worrying about their own affairs, yet still had time to meddle in hers.
With tears in her eyes, Ye Li shrank back and glanced timidly at Liu Hongmei. “Aunt Liu, but Zhi Zhi and Jiang Bowen are in love. I shouldn’t be the obstacle between them. I can break off the engagement and fulfill them—just as long as you don’t let my dad hit me.”
Only then did Ye Zhirou recover. She lightly bit her lip, her expression delicate and timid. “Sister, Jiang and I are completely innocent. Please don’t slander us, okay? If you spread such nonsense and ruin my reputation, how will I face people in the future?”
After saying that, she threw herself into Liu Hongmei’s arms and began to sob.
From the onlooking crowd, someone immediately shouted, “That’s right, Li Li, you can’t say things carelessly. A girl’s reputation is the most important.”
“Zhi Zhi usually looks obedient and sensible—she probably wouldn’t do something so shameless.”
“Exactly. Getting involved with her own sister’s fiancé would be laughed at by everyone.”
Ye Li sneered inwardly, a hint of mockery curling at her lips, though her face remained innocent. “Was I mistaken? If you and Jiang Bowen are truly innocent, then why are you asking Dad to force me to swap engagements?”
Ye Zhirou clutched her chest, still leaning in Liu Hongmei’s arms, dodging the question. “Sister, it’s because I’m useless. My health is poor, and Duan Jiamie has a crippled leg. Dad is worried I’ll suffer if I marry him, so he suggested swapping.”
Just like mother, just like daughter—their answer was exactly the same as Liu Hongmei’s. The two of them cared most about appearances, the type who wanted to set up a chastity arch after selling themselves.
The scapegoat, Ye Jianguo, not only failed to refute it but nodded along as before. “That’s right. It was my idea. Zhi Zhi is weak and she’s your younger sister. Can’t you just give in to her a little?”
Watching Ye Jianguo desperately protect Liu Hongmei and her daughter, Ye Li felt nothing but irony. This was her biological father—worse than the neighbors.
“Dad, how can you be like this? Comrade Duan Jiamie was injured for the country. He’s a hero. How can you despise him just because he’s crippled?”
Ye Jianguo valued face more than life itself. The more they cared about appearances, the more Ye Li wanted to expose their ugliness.
Aunt Zhou patted Ye Li’s back and looked displeased at Ye Jianguo. “Li Li has the right mindset. Ye Jianguo, your thinking is wrong—you need to seriously reflect.”
Ye Zhirou’s fiancé was a soldier who had been injured on duty and discharged to recuperate at home. Instead of quickly marrying Ye Zhirou off to take care of him, the Ye family actually despised him for his crippled leg.
Li Chunyan cast a sideways glance at Liu Hongmei and her daughter, patted the dust off her hands, and said, “If you ask me, Liu Hongmei, you should hurry and discuss with the in‑laws, pick an auspicious day, and marry your Zhirou girl over there. She could help out too. Marrying a hero—that’s such an honor.”
The moment she heard this, Ye Zhirou’s body stiffened in Liu Hongmei’s arms. No—she couldn’t marry Duan Jiamie. It was all Ye Li’s fault, that bitch. Why didn’t she just die? If she had obediently agreed to the swap, none of this would have happened.
The child in her womb couldn’t wait. Brother Jiang didn’t like her at all, yet she stubbornly refused to swap fiancés.
Sensing that Ye Zhirou was acting strangely, Liu Hongmei ground her teeth in hatred and secretly tugged at Ye Jianguo. If this continued, it would end badly, and they’d make fools of themselves in front of everyone.
Ye Jianguo understood her intention, glared fiercely at Ye Li, and scolded, “Aren’t you going back yet? Even a small family matter has to be blown up for everyone to laugh at us.”
Ye Li didn’t speak, clutching Aunt Zhou’s clothes, her little face showing defiance. Aunt Zhou’s heart ached. She held Ye Li’s hand, patted her gently to soothe her, then turned to glare at Ye Jianguo. “Old Ye, don’t you dare hit the child when you get home. Otherwise, we won’t stand for it.”
Liu Hongmei forced a sweet smile. “Sister Zhou, look at what you’re saying! Li Li is our Old Ye’s precious daughter—how could we bear to hit her?” She kept her smile and turned to Ye Li. “Li Li, behave. Your dad’s already tired after a whole day of work. Let’s keep things quiet so he can worry less.”
Ye Li blinked and nodded obediently. “Aunt Liu, if it weren’t for Zhi Zhi insisting on swapping fiancés, my dad wouldn’t have hit me either.”
Tch, Liu Hongmei looked gentle but was actually sharp at heart, implying Ye Li was being unreasonable. Her heart twitched—this wretched girl had been like a block of wood before, never making a sound no matter how hard she was beaten. How had she become so troublesome today?
Fearing further trouble, Liu Hongmei didn’t respond and hurried home with Ye Zhirou.
At the alley entrance, a young man leaning on a crutch stood quietly in the shadows. His features were clear and striking, his nose high and straight, his jawline sharp and defined.
A military uniform wrapped around his tall, upright frame; broad shoulders, narrow waist, and a straight back like a spear. His presence was commanding, full of heroic vigor. The cool, stern aura of a soldier emanated naturally, his posture steady and extraordinary.
“Interesting!” His thin lips curved slightly, a glint of amusement in his eyes. He glanced at the gift in his hand, then turned and slowly walked away.