After some back-and-forth bargaining, Shi Yalan reached an agreement with Ye Jianguo. The bride price would be 300 coins, plus the “three spins and one ring” ceremony. Ye Jianguo was far from satisfied with this result, but with his daughter’s belly clearly growing, he couldn’t drag things out any longer. Moreover, he was eager to form a connection with Jiang Weiguo—once they became in-laws with the factory director, the benefits would be countless.
“All right! It’s settled then. Pick a good day and have the two children marry as soon as possible. Otherwise, the disgrace won’t just fall on our family.” Ye Jianguo, still fuming, stood up, dropped this remark, and prepared to leave. Shi Yalan didn’t respond, her face cold, and Jiang Weiguo also wore a stern expression, offering only a polite, “Old Ye, take care!”
As for Jiang Bowen, he completely ignored him, treating Ye Jianguo as if he were invisible, leisurely sitting and munching on an apple. Ye Jianguo was so furious that smoke seemed to come out of his ears, but knowing he still had to deal with the Jiang family as in-laws, he forced himself to endure. He hadn’t even had a sip of water at their house and instead returned home stewing in frustration.
At home, Liu Hongmei and Ye Zhi‑zhi eagerly watched him, mother and daughter attentively bringing tea, massaging his shoulders, and kneading his back. Ye Jianguo’s anger finally dissipated. He gulped down water, wiped his mouth, and said, “It’s settled. Zhi‑zhi will marry into the Jiang family.”
Ye Zhi‑zhi beamed with joy and massaged him more energetically. “Dad, you’re amazing! I knew that as long as you take charge, nothing is impossible.” She flattered him until he was completely satisfied. Closing his eyes, he looked proud. “Of course! As long as your dad takes charge, even Director Jiang will have to give some face.”
“But… what if sister causes trouble? She just said she doesn’t want to cancel the engagement with Brother Jiang.” Ye Zhi‑zhi paused her hands and looked at Ye Jianguo with a pitiful expression.
Ye Jianguo opened his eyes, his face cold, and slammed his hand heavily on the table. “If she dares, I am her father! Since ancient times, parents’ orders and matchmakers’ words rule—she can’t overturn that.”
Then he shouted toward Ye Lili’s room, straining his neck, “Ye Lili, come out here!”
At that moment, Ye Lili was hard at work in her space. She had bought some vegetable seeds from the supply and marketing cooperative and wanted to try planting them inside. Using the iron shovel from her house, she had turned over the black soil in the space. Fortunately, the soil was loose, and she easily dug a large plot. She was experienced in planting vegetables—she had plenty of practice during her time in the countryside in her past life.
She raked the soil flat, took out the seeds, and scattered them evenly along the furrows. She was working diligently when she suddenly heard Ye Jianguo’s shout, frowning. She immediately knew it had to do with Ye Zhi‑zhi. Just now, Ye Jianguo had said he would handle it, and now it had apparently already been settled—what efficiency!
On the other hand, her despicable father really did love his stepdaughter Ye Zhi‑zhi. A thought flashed in Ye Lili’s mind, and she froze in place. Ye Zhi‑lei was Ye Jianguo’s biological son—could it be possible that Ye Zhi‑zhi was also his child? If so, that would explain why he cared so much about his stepdaughter. This wasn’t impossible—if she observed carefully, she might discover the truth.
Ye Lili brushed the soil off her clothes, focused her mind, and exited the space. Opening the door, she saw Ye Jianguo standing in the living room, fuming with anger, while Liu Hongmei and Ye Zhi‑zhi looked on smugly. She walked out, feigning ignorance. “Dad, what do you need me for?”
Ye Jianguo pulled a long, stiff face, his tone extremely firm. “Your engagement with the Jiang family is canceled. Your sister Zhi‑zhi will marry into their family!”
Ye Lili looked at Ye Zhi‑zhi, noticing for the first time that she also had the same long, stiff face as Ye Jianguo. She sneered in her heart—so Ye Jianguo and Liu Hongmei had long since gotten together.
On her face, however, she feigned grievance. “Dad, this isn’t right. I have a good relationship with Brother Jiang.”
Hearing this, Ye Jianguo’s anger flared. “A good relationship? Don’t play innocent here! The Jiang family wants Zhi‑zhi now—you’d better not be ungrateful. I’m informing you, not asking for your opinion.”
Ye Lili bit her lip, tears brimming. “Dad, are you really this cruel? For the sake of a stranger, you disregard your own biological daughter’s feelings? No wonder people say: with a stepmother comes a stepfather. Dad, you need to understand—I am your real daughter. Zhi‑zhi’s real father isn’t you.”
Ye Jianguo was momentarily silenced by her words, feeling uncomfortable. He looked at Liu Hongmei and Ye Zhi‑zhi with suspicion. Lili’s words made sense—when Liu Hongmei was pregnant with Zhi‑zhi, her first husband Wang Ergou was still alive. They had just married, and who could guarantee that Zhi‑zhi was really his child?
Meeting Ye Jianguo’s suspicious gaze, Liu Hongmei’s heart skipped a beat. Damn it—this cursed Ye Lili, with just a few words, had made Ye Jianguo start doubting Zhi‑zhi’s parentage. In truth, even she couldn’t be sure who Zhi‑zhi’s child really was. Back when she was pregnant with Zhi‑zhi, she had just married Wang Ergou. At that time, he was full of energy and often bothered her. She had never cut off ties with Ye Jianguo, but she couldn’t guarantee that Zhi‑zhi was really his child.
But now, since she was remarried to Ye Jianguo, she had lied and claimed that Ye Zhi‑zhi was also his child. Thinking of this, Liu Hongmei hung her head, feeling aggrieved, and wiped a tear from Ye Zhi‑zhi’s face. “Old Ye, let this matter go. Zhi‑zhi has had a hard life and has never had a father to care for her.”
Hearing Liu Hongmei’s words, Ye Jianguo’s heart was full of mixed emotions. He was reluctant to give up the opportunity to align himself with the Jiang family, and now he also had doubts about Ye Zhi‑zhi’s parentage.
Ye Lili stood by coldly, feigning ignorance of his scheming thoughts while continuing to stir the pot. “Dad, you’d better think carefully. Don’t end up empty-handed. A child is best when they are truly your own.”
Ye Jianguo’s doubts deepened. He furrowed his brows and paced back and forth. All this effort and worry—wasn’t it because Ye Zhi‑zhi was his biological child? If she weren’t his own daughter, why would he bother at all? Though he disliked Ye Lili, she was his real daughter, and if anything happened in the future, he could still rely on her.
His mind in turmoil, Ye Jianguo didn’t dare question Liu Hongmei in front of Ye Lili. He could only stop pacing and vaguely say, “We’ll take a long-term view of this matter.”
Ye Lili’s lips curved slightly; she knew her words had had an effect. Though she didn’t want to marry the good-for-nothing Jiang Bowen, she still enjoyed vexing them.
Hearing this, Liu Hongmei panicked and quickly grabbed Ye Jianguo’s arm. “Old Ye, Zhi‑zhi is already carrying a Jiang family child; you can’t delay any longer.”
Ye Jianguo, distracted and agitated, shrugged her hand off. “Let me be for a while.”