Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“You and Song Yan are both slacking off every day, doing very little work in the field. You’re leaving all the dirty and tiring tasks for Yan Han to do.
“My dad used to slack off a lot when he worked, and he got fined by the factory manager several times, you know?
“My younger brother is even more irresponsible. We’ve already finished dinner, but he hasn’t returned yet. Is he out asking you guys for pocket money to treat someone again?
“We barely have any money at home, and he’s going around acting all extravagant. It’s just because he’s young, those people hang around him.
“What do you think people are after from Xia Yu? Isn’t it just to freeload off him?
“Xia He can use the money you all worked hard for to show off, but why can’t that money be used to support me, so I can buy nice clothes, a new backpack, toys, or even take extra classes to improve my grades?”
Xia He slammed the table in frustration, standing up and saying, ‘Who gave you the right to talk to our parents like this?
“We are the ones who brought you into this world, and we decide if you can go to school or not.
“It’s already a privilege for you to attend school. Do you really want extra classes? If you put in enough effort, pay attention in class, how could your grades be bad?”
Xia Yu, witnessing the anger in Xia He, felt a twinge of fear deep down.
Back when she was younger, her father had even beaten her with a stick, and that fear ran in her veins.
Xia Ye took a step back, creating some distance from Xia He.
She continued to protest, “You two are just useless parents, still favoring your son and showing gender bias. In your eyes, your worthless son is a treasure, and no matter how hard I try, you’ll always see me as worthless.”
Xia He grew even angrier upon hearing this and raised his hand, ready to slap
Xia Ye.
Chen Lian, however, couldn’t bear to see her daughter treated this way. She quickly intervened, stopping Xia He. “Don’t be impulsive, Xia Ye is just being a bit foolish. She used to be so obedient. It’s probably Xia Wan’s influence at school.
“Well, Xia Ru isn’t any better. Xia Ye used to be the most obedient child in our family. She’s just being a bit confused right now.”
While trying to calm Xia He down, Chen Lian signaled Xia Ye to leave quickly.
Xia Ye had let out all the resentment she had hidden in her heart. Seeing Xia He ready to strike her, she hurriedly fled. As a high school senior, getting beaten by her father and having it spread around would be incredibly embarrassing.
She wandered aimlessly through the village, feeling increasingly aggrieved.
Unable to contain her emotions, she ended up by the riverbank, crying quietly.
When Song Yan returned from the fields, she happened to witness this scene.
She had been in the fields checking on the crops she had planted and was surprised to find Xia Ye crying by the riverbank.
Song Yan approached and asked, “Xia Ye, what’s the matter? Why are you crying?”
Hearing Song Yan’s voice, Xia Ye quickly wiped her tears and stood up, looking somewhat uncomfortable as she faced Song Yan.
“I’m not crying about anything. I’m just a bit upset because I didn’t do well in my exams.”
She smiled and comforted, ‘You’re a girl, even if your studies aren’t great, it’s okay. As long as you can get a high school diploma, there are plenty of boys in our village who would love to marry you.
“By then, I’ll ask your parents to make more money and help you establish connections. Maybe we can find you a stable job.
“When the time comes, I’ll also find you a good matchmaker to introduce a respectable man with a good job. That way, your life will be set.”
Xia Ye forced a smile and said, “Thank you, Auntie, for your kind words. I think
I’ll take a walk for now; my mind’s a bit confused.”
After speaking, Xia Ye hurriedly left. She didn’t agree with anything Song Yan had said, especially the condescending attitude behind her words. She knew that Song Yan had always looked down on her.
As the sky darkened, Xia Ye still didn’t dare to return home.
Out of nowhere, Liu Shi emerged from the bushes, carrying a bundle of firewood on his back, as if he had just returned from collecting it nearby.
Seeing Xia Ye, Liu Shi was surprised.. “Xia Ye, it’s late, why aren’t you home? What are you doing here?”