As Ye Lan’s gaze fell on the person on the ground, he froze, countless unpleasant memories flooding back, leaving him breathless.
However, he wasn’t the only one looking at the person on the ground; that person was also looking up at him, but with eyes filled with resentment and jealousy.
The once pure and beautiful face was now dirty, no longer exuding its former charm.
That person looked at Ye Lan with resentment. How could he have imagined that, after deliberately having the matriarch sell him away, he would still be alive, and living so well!
And as for him, he had schemed to win favor, to retain the matriarch’s affection, finally managing to live a good life, but now he was just like a stray dog after the destruction of the Yao Country, wandering and homeless! And enduring endless scolding.
A sharp pain shot through his body, and Lin Yu dared not think any further, hastily turning around and grabbing the woman’s thigh, “Mistress, it’s my fault, please don’t hit me anymore, I can’t bear it.”
Facing the woman he could rely on, Lin Yu was humble to the extreme.
“Hmph, you’ll go hungry today! There’s not much food left for you to eat.”
“Yes, Mistress, I understand.”
Lin Yu bowed his head and retreated to the side, glaring at Ye Lan with his eyes.
Xu Qi noticed Ye Lan’s discomfort and reached out to hug him, “What’s wrong?”
She asked softly.
Ye Lan, feeling like he was lacking water, suddenly grabbed Xu Qi’s collar, “Wife, Wife!”
The appearance of an old acquaintance made him even more uneasy, only holding onto his wife could bring him some comfort.
“Yes? I’m here, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Shall I take you to Doctor Chen?”
Ye Lan shook his head, saying there was nothing wrong, but his face was unnaturally pale, “I want to go back, let’s go back.”
He grabbed Xu Qi’s hand with an unusually strong grip, even at the most exciting moments, she had never felt him exert such force through the thick clothing.
“Alright, let’s go back.”
Xu Qi thought he was just feeling cold, not thinking much else. Even though she hadn’t sold much pork, she still closed up shop and went back.
The people around were all envious of Ye Lan, with one uncle saying, “Look how good Qi’er is to her husband, my wife can’t compare to her.”
“That’s right, Qi’er is known for pampering her husband. Who wouldn’t like a woman like her?”
The gazes behind him felt like needles pricking Ye Lan’s body. Lin Yu’s jealousy was intense. Why was he so lucky?
“Ah Lan, Ah Lan? Are you okay?”
Xu Qi was a little worried.
Ye Lan glanced behind him, then turned back, forcing a smile at Xu Qi, “I’m fine, Wife, don’t worry.”
“Oh.”
Xu Qi didn’t know what else to say, so she just responded. Her eyes, however, remained on Ye Lan.
He didn’t want to talk, and she didn’t force him. It was probably because their feelings weren’t enough, even though it was clear that something was bothering him, he wouldn’t tell her.
Xu Qi felt a little sad, but she decided not to bother Ye Lan. After all, if he didn’t want to talk, she wouldn’t force him.
After they returned home, Xu Qi jumped off the donkey cart first, then silently went to help Ye Lan down.
Ye Lan placed his hand on hers and slowly got off the cart, his face clearly still troubled!
Hmph, if you won’t speak, then I won’t listen!
As Ye Lan stood still outside, his expression suddenly changed, and he hurriedly followed up.
Inside the house, Xu Qi had already started a fire.
Ye Lan approached again, “Wife, let me do it.”
“Hmph, no need, you just sit over there.”
She pointed to a nearby small stool.
Ye Lan, accustomed to obeying, sat down nervously.
Feeling somewhat uneasy, he whispered, “Wife…”
He called out softly again.
“Don’t speak!”
Xu Qi’s sudden increase in volume startled Ye Lan, and his eyes became slightly red, seemingly unable to control his emotions.
After speaking, Xu Qi realized her voice had been too loud. Despite the crackling sound of burning firewood in front of her, there was silence from Ah Lan.
But so what? Her usually talkative husband suddenly hiding something from her!
He was fine when he left, could it be that he saw some beautiful woman on the street and was tempted?
If that were the case, she would definitely have to pin him down and beat him!
Unreasonable!
Intentionally ignoring Ye Lan, who was already feeling aggrieved, he hesitated to approach her after seeing her fierce demeanor earlier, afraid to start a conversation.
He remained silent, and Xu Qi naturally didn’t speak either, silently stuffing the firewood and waiting for the pot to boil. She then mixed a bowl of noodle dough and added two eggs.
The dumplings cooked quickly, and the pot soon boiled.
Xu Qi scooped out two bowls and brought them to the table, then hesitated before fetching two pairs of chopsticks from the cupboard. Turning around, she saw Ye Lan still sitting in place and called out, “Aren’t you coming to eat?”
She could clearly see Ye Lan straightening his back slightly before silently walking over.
“Wife.”
He called out softly.
“Sit.”
Xu Qi lowered her head and began to eat, making Ye Lan even more nervous.
After eating a few mouthfuls, he began to sweat, whether from nervousness or the heat, a drop of sweat formed on his nose. After a while, as if unable to bear it any longer, he asked Xu Qi, “Wife, what’s wrong?”
Xu Qi ate quickly, and the piping hot dumplings soon disappeared from her bowl.
Seeing this woman, Ye Lan’s beloved wife, raise her eyes coldly and say emotionlessly, “Nothing.”
Ye Lan’s face turned pale. He was always thinking too much. Now he was wondering if his wife found him annoying and didn’t want to talk to him anymore.
Xu Qi discreetly glanced at Ye Lan, seeing him lost in thought.
“Hmph!”
She made a sound again, apparently trying to get Ye Lan’s attention.
However, Ye Lan was absent-minded, completely ignoring her.
Xu Qi: …
Xu Qi was furious.
She want to smile.
She tried to smile, then turned her head and accidentally dropped her bowl.
Pretending it was unintentional.
Ye Lan finally came to his senses, hearing the sound of the bowl breaking, and seeing his wife seemingly about to bend down to pick it up, he quickly pounced over, pressing down on Xu Qi’s hands.
“Wife, don’t touch it, be careful not to hurt your hands.”
Ye Lan’s voice trembled as he hugged Xu Qi tightly.
Xu Qi moved a bit, feeling how tight his hug was!
“Why are you hugging me so tightly? Let go.”
Ye Lan froze again, then slowly released Xu Qi after a moment.
He thought his wife was annoyed with him, so he moved away silently.
But when Xu Qi got up, the first thing she did was grab his hand and stop him from backing away.
Ye Lan stared at the hand holding his wrist, speechless.
“What’s wrong with you today?”
“I, I’m fine.”
He had completely forgotten about the incident outside and only felt that his wife was unjustly blaming him for something she had done wrong.
“Oh.”
Xu Qi replied emotionlessly, then stood up to leave.
Luckily, Ye Lan reacted quickly this time, standing up and hugging her again.
“Wife, what’s wrong? Did I do something to make Wife angry? If Wife is unhappy, just tell me. Don’t, don’t ignore me…”
His words were pitiful, and Xu Qi decided to give Ye Lan another chance.
“Today, when we were outside, I asked you what’s wrong, and you said nothing. Was it really nothing?”
Ye Lan was stunned.
So Wife had noticed…
He opened his mouth but couldn’t speak, his silent appearance irritating Xu Qi.
Xu Qi shook off his grip with some annoyance and scolded him, “Let go!”
But Ye Lan held her even tighter.
“Wife, It’s the person I served before.”
Thinking of that man, Ye Lan forgot to change his address, closing his eyes, tears streaming down his face as he leaned against Xu Qi’s back, as if waiting for some kind of judgment.