Chapter 10

Growth

After a moment of silence, Min Nan glanced out of the window. “Perhaps he doesn’t care. He does good deeds to have a clear conscience, not seeking your thanks or repayment. It would be better for you to protect yourself and live a good life. That way, you won’t let him down for everything he has done for you.”

Ye Ling paused for a moment, then nodded, feeling much more relieved. “You’re right.”

Since the other person didn’t want to reveal his identity, she didn’t need to be fixated on finding him. Instead, she could focus on helping more people. Perhaps among the people she helped, she would find her life-saving benefactor!

Ye Ling’s eyes brightened again as if the confusion in her heart had dissipated.

“Do you still want to continue living in the educated youth dormitory?” Min Nan changed the topic.

Ye Ling nodded. “Yes, where else can I go?”

“If you return there, be more careful in the future.” Min Nan didn’t express it too directly. After all, from his perspective, although Liu Lin had suspicions, there was no evidence to prove that Liu Lin had framed Ye Ling. He could only remind Ye Ling to be more cautious.

Ye Ling nodded. After her rebirth, she was no longer as innocent and weak as she was in her previous life. Moreover, she had just had a conversation with her ancestor, Ye Xu, and learned many important things. She felt that she had grown a lot.

According to her ancestor’s words, her luck had been stolen by someone, and that person might have also harmed her mother. She had to find that person and investigate the truth!

Thinking of her mother, who had died from a serious illness, grief and anger surged within Ye Ling.

The next day, Ye Ling returned to the educated youth dormitory. As soon as she entered, she sensed a change in the atmosphere.

The dozen or so educated young women who came to the village with her looked at her with complicated gazes.

Disdain, pity, curiosity, indifference… Since the incident with Wu De, they must have thought that something had happened between her and Wu De.

As for the villagers, it went without saying that they would probably make even more hurtful remarks.

If she were the Ye Ling from her previous life, she would have been wounded by the gazes of those around her, feeling ashamed and pained. However, the current Ye Ling wasn’t as fragile. Perhaps it was because she had experienced too much, her heart was calm at this moment.

Ye Ling walked into her dormitory. Her two roommates, who had been chatting loudly, immediately fell silent and resumed their activities. Yet, Ye Ling could sense their scrutinizing gazes upon her.

“Lingling, are you okay?” Liu Lin’s voice suddenly sounded, tinged with concern and anxiety. Then, Ye Ling felt someone holding her arm.

Liu Lin pulled her to sit on the bed and said with guilt and self-blame, “It’s all my fault!”

Ye Ling remained silent, her gaze fixed on Liu Lin, assessing her.

Perhaps it was because her mind had matured, but Ye Ling noticed something different when faced with Liu Lin’s reaction, which was similar to her previous life.

For example, when Liu Lin spoke to her, she didn’t look directly into her eyes. Instead, she focused on the middle of her face. However, during their normal conversations, Liu Lin wouldn’t avoid her gaze.

Why was that? Was Liu Lin truly feeling guilty, or was it because she had a guilty conscience?

Ye Ling remained silent for a moment before calmly asking, “Why did it take you so long to come back that afternoon?”

Liu Lin’s body stiffened for a moment, then she nervously ran her fingers through her hair. “That day…”

Liu Lin’s excuse was no different from what it had been in her previous life. She had accidentally stepped on the corn the old lady was drying and was then dragged by her to compensate, which caused the delay.

“I’m sorry, Lingling…” Liu Lin’s eyes became watery. She clenched her fists and forcefully hammered her knee as if reproaching herself.

Ye Ling shook her head slowly. “It’s alright, it was just my bad luck.”

Because she was currently uncertain whether Liu Lin had done something wrong, Ye Ling didn’t plan to confront her and decided to continue observing. However, she was well aware that she would never consider Liu Lin a true friend again.

She couldn’t forget Liu Lin’s indifferent demeanor when she sought her help.

Liu Lin let out a long sigh of relief. However, Ye Ling’s reaction was also within her expectations since Ye Ling had always been a weak and foolish person, easily deceived.

Liu Lin thought of something else, and her tone became more anxious. “What did you tell the police?”

“Nothing much, just the truth.” Ye Ling maintained her previous persona, speaking slowly and continuing to feign confusion.