Chapter 1756: Sensible

Ye Chenghu complained nonstop while eating, accusing them of going to Magic City without him and accusing those two of deliberately making faces and hiding from him.

Even eating couldn't shut his mouth.

Ye Yaodong threatened him with his paycheck, and only then did he shut up, finally enjoying a quiet dinner.

"Go to sleep right after eating, don't argue with them; you're too old for that."

He lowered his head and mumbled back, "I'm not that old; I'm still a child..."

Ye Yaodong tapped the table twice with his finger, and he immediately shut up.

Meanwhile, after hearing his footsteps fade away, Ye Ye Chengyang and Ye Ye Xiaoxi still didn't feel safe, fearing a trick; they waited a while before cautiously opening the window again and leaning out to look.

"He really left this time, right?" Ye Ye Xiaoxi poked her head out the window, looking sneaky.

"Could he be hiding at the stairwell corner?"

"Should we climb out the window right now and take the stairs on the other side?"

"Go, go faster, or once he gets the key and comes up, we won't be able to leave."

The brother and sister moved a stool to the window to step on, taking turns jumping out; Ye Ye Chengyang didn't forget to close the window.

"Go... hey, why did you run without waiting for me?"

Ye Ye Xiaoxi turned halfway back, "Hurry up, or Big Brother will catch up."

The two quickly went down the stairs, asking as they walked, "It's almost dark; where are we going?"

Ye Ye Chengyang couldn't think of anywhere to go either; they couldn't run outside since their father forbade them from going out alone, and there were guards at the gate, so even if they wanted to leave, they couldn't.

"Go to Father's office?"

"Ye Ye Erge, are you stupid? Big Brother went to get the key from Father; we'd run into each other."

"The most dangerous place is the safest place; Big Brother has been gone so long, he must have the key by now; if we go now, we'll miss him."

Ye Ye Xiaoxi happily ran off, "Then let's check Father's office first to see if it's still there; it was still there when we went to eat."

"Maybe Father went to eat; let's check as we walk."

The two were on high alert against meeting Ye Chenghu, looking just like thieves, glancing around cautiously, full of a thieving vibe.

"What are you two doing? Acting so sneakily? It's almost dark; are you going to commit a robbery?"

Ye Ye Xiaoxi happily ran over and shouted, "Father, we came to find you."

Ye Yaodong was still picking his teeth with a toothpick; she grabbed his arm, and the toothpick was still stuck between his teeth.

"Always making such a fuss; a girl should act like a girl. Stand properly; if you have something to say, say it."

Ye Ye Xiaoxi kept holding his arm without moving, even hugging it tighter, "I'll stay like this! Just like this!"

Ye Ye Chengyang said, "Father, we want to go to your office."

"What do you want to do in my office? The door is locked."

"I want to call home; I miss Great-Grandma."

Ye Ye Xiaoxi widened her eyes in disbelief, huh? Isn't this about hiding from Big Brother?

Ye Yaodong glanced at him knowingly, then walked toward the office, "So cunning; isn't it just to hide from your Big Brother? Such sweet talk, missing Great-Grandma."

"Hehe."

Ye Ye Xiaoxi quickly chimed in, "Father, I miss Great-Grandma too; let's go call Great-Grandma!"

"Alright."

"Father, did you see Big Brother?"

"I saw him; he's eating in the cafeteria behind us. If you speak any louder, he'll hear and come looking for you."

Ye Ye Xiaoxi covered her mouth, giggling as she ran off quickly, and Ye Ye Chengyang followed closely behind.

There were still many people eating in the cafeteria; the noise inside was so loud that outside sounds couldn't be heard, otherwise, with Ye Ye Xiaoxi making such a fuss, Ye Chenghu would have heard and run out long ago.

"We agreed to call Great-Grandma; just make one call back; Great-Grandma asked about you a few days ago, saying you didn't come back for summer break and she missed you."

"I miss Great-Grandma too; I'll call Great-Grandma." Ye Ye Xiaoxi eagerly grabbed for the phone.

Ye Yaodong asked Ye Ye Chengyang, "Why did you provoke your Big Brother again? He just got back and is chasing you."

Ye Ye Chengyang scratched his head, "I don't know either; after seeing him, we happily called out to him, and after just two sentences, he looked at us suspiciously, so I pulled my sister and ran."

"I don't know whether to call you smart or stupid; a smart fool."

"Hello, Great-Grandma... it's your little Jiujiu... I miss you, Great-Grandma; do you miss me..."

Ye Ye Chengyang rolled his eyes hearing her sweet talk; he had heard that line countless times since childhood, saying it to everyone.

But somehow, everyone fell for it, smiling broadly upon hearing it.

Not just the person hearing it, but even bystanders couldn't help but smile warmly, just like Ye Yaodong.

Ye Yaodong couldn't help but show a motherly smile at that moment.

Ye Ye Chengyang rolled his eyes even wider.

"Great-Grandma, we went to Jinjiang Park a few days ago, and the zoo was so much fun; when will you come over again? I'll take you; it's so much fun..."

Ye Ye Xiaoxi chattered nonstop on the phone, pouring on the sweet talk.

"Ye Ye Erge, it's your turn."

Ye Ye Chengyang glared at her; she had said everything, so what could he say?

"Hello, Great-Grandma, we'll be back soon..."

The two took turns coaxing Great-Grandma, making her forget to ask about Ye Yaodong; only after hanging up did she remember she had forgotten to ask about her eldest grandson.

Ye Yaodong looked at the two of them, "You two finished and hung up; what about me?"

"Huh?" Ye Ye Chengyang was confused; wasn't this the excuse he came up with?

"Do you want to make a call too?"

"Go, go, go, play by yourself; don't stick around me; I'm locking the door and heading out."

Ye Ye Xiaoxi, worried, asked, "Has Big Brother returned to the dormitory? He said he'd punish us!"

Ye Ye Chengyang focused on a different point. "Dad, it's almost dark. Where are you going? You're not going back to sleep, are you?"

"Sleep? What time is it to be sleeping? You children need plenty of sleep to grow tall. Go back to bed now and don't meddle in adults' affairs."

"What will I do if you're not here?" Ye Ye Xiaoxi looked at him. "You said the brothers are grown men now, and I'm grown too, a girl. We can't sleep with them, so I have to share a room with you. But if you're not here, I'll be scared sleeping alone in the room."

Ye Yaodong frowned, looked down at her, and hesitated. "Then tonight, just roll up your bedding and go sleep in their room."

"You've said everything. It wasn't allowed before, but now it is."

Ye Yaodong tapped her small head. "Why so many words? You're grown now. Why are you scared sleeping alone in a room? You're not afraid in your room at home."

"Home is home. You're all there. This place is so big, and there are so many strange workers downstairs. Anyway, I'm scared sleeping alone."

"Alright, Yangyang, pack her luggage. Tonight, move her over to sleep with you."

"Okay, Dad, but Big Brother said he'd punish us!"

"So many complaints. Then the three of you can just fight it out."

After speaking, Ye Yaodong walked out; he still had social engagements to attend.

Seeing the two still standing there staring at each other, he knocked on the door. Only then did they obediently come out. He reached out, turned off the light, and locked the door.

"Go back to the dormitory. I've already calmed your Big Brother down. I told him about the outing a couple of days ago. He already knows and has gone back."

"Eh? Dad, when did you tell Big Brother?"

"Just now while eating in the cafeteria. He's probably back at the dormitory by now. You two go, but don't disturb his sleep. He's been tired from being out at sea for a few days. Do not bother him. You two hurry up and do your summer homework."

The brother and sister both felt relieved. Big Brother already knew, and Dad had told him. That meant they could act without restraint, no need to hide anything. They could proudly show off everything they had done, share their experiences and feelings, and how much fun it was.

The two happily ran toward the dormitory building.

Poor Ye Chenghu had just finished eating and washed his clothes before returning to the dormitory. He had just lain down when the two came running in cheerfully.

"Big Brother!"

His body, which had just settled, straightened up again. "I didn't go to catch you, yet you come walking right into my trap. Are you tired of living?"

"Big Brother, Dad told you to move the bedding over for our sister."

"Move it over for what? Didn't we say men and women should be separate? She's grown now. What would it look like if she sleeps in the same room as us?"

"Dad went out on business. He said he won't be back early tonight. Leaving her alone in the dormitory scares her, so she's moving over to stay with us for now."

"So many complaints. Before, you said she couldn't live with us. Now that you're going out, she can live with us?"

Ye Ye Xiaoxi quickly interjected, "Dad said so."

"Ask your Second Brother to move it for you. He's got nothing to do. How hard can moving a bedding be? I'm going to sleep. Don't disturb me."

Seeing that Ye Chenghu also looked very tired, Ye Ye Chengyang went to move the bedding himself.

Earlier, seeing him return, they thought he could still chase after them, assuming he wasn't tired and had boundless energy.

"Keep the noise down."

Ye Ye Xiaoxi had already taken her schoolbag and was obediently looking for her homework. "We know. Big Brother, you sleep. We'll do our homework absolutely silently and won't disturb you."

Ye Chenghu was satisfied.

When they are well-behaved, they are very obedient. When they are not, they give people headaches. Fortunately, right now they are being well-behaved.

Ye Ye Chengyang also obediently found his homework and started writing. Big Brother really did look very tired now, with none of the vigorous energy he had when he first returned.

They had to work during the day, so they only had the evenings to do their summer homework.

It was almost dark. If they didn't do their summer homework, they couldn't go out. There was no entertainment, and it wasn't time to watch TV yet.

Now, only after the evening news broadcast would the popular TV dramas air.

During this gap, they could only do their homework. Otherwise, there was nothing to do. If they waited a bit later to watch TV, by the time they finished and came back, they'd have to sleep, and they definitely wouldn't do their homework.

Ye Chenghu had been at sea for a week. He could still muster some energy upon returning, but after eating and relaxing, his body had already signaled exhaustion. As soon as he got back to the dormitory, his eyelids started fighting each other.

With no one disturbing him now, he closed his eyes and fell asleep instantly, even starting to snore.

Ye Ye Xiaoxi silently mouthed to Ye Ye Chengyang, "Snoring~"

Ye Ye Chengyang put his index finger to his lips, silently shushed her, then pointed to his homework on the desk, signaling her to obediently start writing hers too.

She whispered, "I'm going to the cafeteria to watch 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes'. Second Brother, remind me of the time."

Ye Ye Chengyang nodded. "I want to watch it too! Hurry up and write. Once we're done, we'll go watch!"

The two rarely focused so intently on their homework.

Normally, when doing homework, the three of them could never be together. As soon as they were together, none could write seriously. They'd write a couple of characters, then start giggling, influencing each other, until no one could write anything.

They had to be separated so they couldn't see each other's work; only then could they write with peace of mind.

Today's harmony was a first in living memory.

They were being sensible, not wanting to disturb Big Brother.

The two quietly did their homework until past 7:30. When the time came, they put down their pens, quietly moved their stools, and carefully opened the door to go out.

"Second Brother, run faster! It's all your fault for not reminding me. We're late; it must have already started."

"It's not that fast. There are commercials. It won't start until 7:40 or 7:45. We can still make it if we go now."

"Did you bring money..."

Ye Ye Chengyang became alert. "What? You have your own money. Don't think about spending mine."

"Stingy ghost. I brought money. I was just asking if you wanted to buy an ice pop. Let's go buy one together."

"You're treating me?"

"Dream on. You won't let me spend your money, yet you expect me to spend mine on you?"

Ye Ye Chengyang snorted, ran even faster, and didn't wait for her.

He didn't believe her. She was that kind? Asking if he had money? She definitely wanted him to buy it for her, not for them to each pay their own way, or for her to treat him.

"Slow down! Dad told you to take good care of me!"

"Treating a chicken feather like a war arrow—hurry, quick, the TV drama is about to start…"

The two kids' biggest entertainment hobby now is watching TV. If they didn't have to work during the day to earn money, they could sit in the canteen all day staring at the television.

Besides, eating in the canteen is convenient—when hungry, they can get food right away, and whenever they want a snack, they can buy one at hand.

By now, many Hong Kong and Taiwan TV dramas had been introduced one after another. The mid-nineties was the explosive era of Hong Kong dramas. Not to mention the kids—even grown-ups watched them utterly enthralled. Every day, as soon as they got off work, they'd huddle in the canteen; it was practically a second home.

The moment the siblings ran into the canteen, it was bustling inside, already packed with workers who didn't have the night shift. Everyone poured a couple taels of cheap wine, drinking and chatting while waiting for the TV drama to start.

"Still this many people…"

"This many people every day. Just look at the dormitory building pitch-black and you'll know everyone's here."

"I'm going to buy a popsicle—eat it while I watch!"

"Buy me one too… here's the money. I'll go save us a seat."

Only then was Ye Ye Xiaoxi satisfied.

The Legend of the Condor Heroes being aired at this time was the 1983 version. Although it had already broadcast for years in Hong Kong Island, the mainland had only introduced it less than two years ago, and it was still a hit show—especially now in the summer slot, playing on rotation day and night.

Usually the daytime was a rerun.

Even the past few days when they were playing in the Demon Capital, they kept watching and didn't miss a single episode.

Not to mention the Demon Capital or Zhou City—at this time, provincial and municipal TV stations all over the country were repeatedly rerunning this drama. Its influence was enormous, and it was an unsurpassable classic in the hearts of a generation.

"It's starting, it's starting…"

The canteen had originally been buzzing with noise, but the moment they saw the TV was about to start, everyone immediately fell silent.

PS: Didn't get back from the Zhiyin Hao until 11, was so tired I fell asleep in the car, rushed back to grind out the chapter.