Chapter 20 Reputation
Ye Shenggē’s current unconventional behavior was intended to make the Ye family feel she was out of their control. The first objective was to give Ye Xinguó an opportunity to reconnect with Wan Qióng, and the second was to plan for her eventual escape from the Ye family. Once she learned the secret Ye Xinguó knew, she could break free from them.
It was the time when every household was preparing dinner, and Ye Shenggē’s words had been overheard by the neighbors on both sides. However, no one believed that Old Mrs. Ye would starve her granddaughter for a day, given Old Mrs. Ye’s excellent reputation.
Ye Shenggē smiled at Old Mrs. Ye, realizing that a smile could hide any emotion that might leak out.
"Oh, I called you this morning, but you didn't respond, so I left first."
"Grandma, you know I was just discharged from the hospital yesterday, and I didn't hear you call me this morning. I thought Grandma had saved food for me, but the kitchen door was closed. I was so hungry that I went to a classmate's house for a meal."
The neighbors strained their ears, their hearts filled with doubt. Old Mrs. Ye usually doted on this granddaughter, so why would she lock the kitchen door and starve her for a day?
"Heh, it's Grandma's fault. My old age made me close the kitchen door out of habit."
"Mmm, I just thought Grandma forgot. Then, Grandma, have you had dinner? I’ll make it for you."
Ye Shenggē knew that Old Mrs. Ye didn't get to eat much whenever she went back to the countryside, and she would eat immediately upon returning home. She must have already eaten by this time.
"Oh, I already have."
"Thank you for your hard work, Grandma. I'll come back earlier to cook next time. Grandma must have saved food for me, right?" Sudán Novel Network
Old Mrs. Ye was somewhat annoyed. Why was this girl so aggressive now?
"I thought you weren't coming back, so I didn't save any food."
"Grandma, why wouldn't I come back? I never eat out, and after all, Grandma hasn't given me any money."
Old Mrs. Ye’s molars were grinding, realizing this girl was damaging her reputation.
"Grandma just thought you were young and might lose the money."
"It's okay, Grandma. I've never seen what money looks like anyway. Oh, right, Grandma still owes me meal money. I have to pay back my classmate tomorrow. After all, food is scarce now, and it's not easy for them to give me a meal. It was a life-saving gesture."
Old Mrs. Ye had no choice but to fumbled in her pocket and took out a dime.
"Grandma, a dime is really not enough. It was my first time at my classmate's house, and they enthusiastically made me shredded pork with noodles. It was the first time I ever ate meat; it was so delicious. And after eating meat, my body didn't have any adverse reactions; instead, I felt more energetic."
Old Mrs. Ye could no longer bear it and took out two dimes, throwing them at Ye Shenggē. Ye Shenggē accepted the money with a smile, not finding it too little at all.
"I don't know if two dimes are enough for such a big bowl. Then, since there's no dinner for me, can I make something? I see the kitchen door is locked again. Perhaps Grandma forgot about me again."
Ye Shenggē babbled in front of Old Mrs. Ye, her voice loud enough to be heard by the neighbors.
Indeed, the neighbors who heard it exchanged glances. At the very least, it would cast a huge question mark over Old Mrs. Ye in their minds.
"Go ahead and cook. Eat a bit more."
Ye Shenggē happily took the key.
"Thank you, Grandma. I'll only eat half a bowl; I definitely won't exceed the portion."
Old Mrs. Ye was so choked with anger that she quickly turned and went back into the house. She needed to vent quickly, or she would suffocate from suppressed rage.
Ye Shenggē scooped another bowl full of white noodles and put it into her space. Even if she didn't care for it, she wouldn't let that old woman have it.