Chapter 19 Coal
Ye Mu'en knew from the original owner's memories about the awkward position of the Ye family's second branch within the Ye clan. She was the sole male heir of this branch. The original owner's father was unwilling to be controlled by the family, yet he was quite capable. Constantly squeezed out by the other three branches, there was no sense of mutual support among the relatives. In her previous life, the Ye family was also a large family, but each branch worked together with strong kinship, presenting a united front against outsiders. Therefore, the current Ye family didn't need to be maintained; instead, they had to be cautious and vigilant. After discussing with her parents, she decided to withdraw from this circle, leaving her father in his position, as it would be difficult for him to resign even if he wanted to.
"I discussed this with my father. When I was injured this time, my mother almost cried herself to death, wanting to keep me, her only son."
Han Yuyan lowered his head and thought, as if he had made a significant decision.
"Why don't I also resign? We have many boys in our family, and I'm not the most outstanding. Resigning would be good to make way for others."
Ye Mu'en didn't want her decision to affect others, especially since she wasn't the original owner, and their friendship wasn't deep enough for that.
"I made my decision because my family and I have already discussed it. You should consider yours carefully."
Ye Shengbai woke up only when she was hungry. She glanced at her watch and saw there was still an hour left. She quickly got up to get some food. After getting dressed, she hurried to the coal factory and hid behind a large tree opposite the factory gate.
Soon, Ye Shengbai saw Ye Xingguo walking out in a hurry, carrying a canvas bag. They maintained a distance of twenty meters throughout. As it was the end of the workday, such surveillance went unnoticed.
After walking for nearly twenty minutes, Ye Xingguo still hadn't headed home. In her memory, his home had already been passed. Not going home after work meant he had a secret. Ye Shengbai's heart leaped; she hadn't expected to find anything on the first day.
After walking for another five minutes, Ye Xingguo slipped into an alley like an eel. Not wanting to be discovered, Ye Shengbai stopped at the alley entrance, peeking out with one eye.
Soon, she heard voices from her earpiece.
"Meet at the old place tomorrow night."
"Understood, Brother Xingguo. Is there a lot of goods this time?"
"Mm, ten tons."
Ye Shengbai had already noted which courtyard Ye Xingguo had entered. Not wanting to alert them, she moved away first to wait.
It wasn't far from Ye Xingguo's home. Soon, she saw him return. Today's surveillance mission was considered complete.
All the way back, Ye Shengbai pondered what she had heard through her earpiece. Goods, ten tons – she quickly connected it to the coal at the factory, and it was clear they weren't transacting for the first time. If this was true, then Ye Xingguo was incredibly audacious. In any era, stealing national resources and property meant beheading.
Ye Shengbai then recalled what the person named Wan Qiong had said: Ye Xingguo and the entire Ye family were merely tools for raising the original owner, concerning her background. Why did they raise her? What happened back then? Ye Xingguo probably only knew the general idea.
Therefore, as long as Wan Qiong was found, Ye Xingguo would be insignificant. Everything that happened today needed careful consideration. She couldn't rely on her own strength; she needed help.
Lost in thought, Ye Shengbai returned to Old Madam Ye's house. Pushing the door open, she shouted inside.
"Grandma, you've locked the kitchen all day. I'm so hungry I can barely stand."
The houses were separated by walls, and conversations in one yard could generally be heard by the neighbors.
As expected, Old Madam Ye walked out with a somewhat displeased expression. She had deliberately locked the kitchen that day to punish the girl for not listening and for refusing to make her breakfast.