Chapter 318: Why Does Everyone Think I

The next morning, Li Ye didn't sleep in; he woke up early by reflex, put on his sneakers, and went out for a slow jog.

Because at school, Li Ye would take Wen Leyu out for morning training every other day.

Slow jogging, bayonet drills, leg stretches—a full routine that helped the girl build strength while keeping her supple and resilient.

As for why they trained every other day, it was based on research by German sports scientists: human recovery time exceeds thirty-six hours; daily training isn't healthy and gradually makes you forget the joy of sleeping in.

Li Ye ran out the door, moving and breathing the crisp winter air, hoping to warm up quickly.

But after running just a few dozen meters, he heard movement from a nearby grove of trees.

The sky was still dim; Li Ye couldn't make out what it was, so he took two cautious steps forward without getting too close, then listened carefully.

What if it was just two dogs falling in love? Wouldn't it be rude to interrupt them?

But after listening closely, Li Ye smiled.

"Hey~ You're asking for it!"

"I can't beat Mom, but can't I beat you?"

"You sneaky little thing, daring to trick me."

Li Ye walked over, and with the first light of dawn breaking on the horizon, he saw his little sister, Li Ying.

Li Ying wore a fluffy fur hat, a cotton coat, and cotton boots, bundled up like a little bear cub, vigorously shaking a elm tree as thick as a bowl.

No—she was wrestling with the elm tree.

"Hey hey~! Who's this kid? You're about to shake this elm tree to death!"

Li Ye's sudden shout startled Li Ying; she leapt sideways in a flash, then realized it was her brother.

"Hehe, Brother, don't worry—this elm's tough as nails. I'm too weak to hurt it."

Li Ying grinned at Li Ye, adjusted her sable fur hat, and giggled: "Brother, this hat's amazing—so warm."

The hat had been personally delivered to Jingcheng by Sun Xianjin's father—real sable fur, not a single stray hair, and different styles could match Wen Leyu and Li Ying for all kinds of adorable vibes.

"If you're weak, don't rely on brute force,"

Li Ye adjusted her hat and added: "If you can't beat her, join her. Think—what does your sister need most?

What do you have? What does she have? Exchange things. Sisters should love and help each other, not act like enemies."

"But—but—"

Li Ying hesitated, then pouted: "But everything I have, she wants. Everything she has, she won't give me. She always picks on me—I'm always the one getting shortchanged!"

"That's not right at all!"

Li Ye quickly replied: "Doesn't your sister help Mom with chores? Doesn't she wash your clothes and scrub your shoes?

Doesn't she fight the kids who bully you? Isn't she not just picking on you?"

Li Ying blinked her big eyes, wanting to say something but holding back.

Doesn't her helping Mom with chores come naturally? She's strong enough now! How old am I?

Washing my clothes? I can't just call her sister for free, can I?

And defending me? Well, having a sister is useful.

Li Ying nodded her fluffy little head: "Okay, Brother. I won't hold a grudge about yesterday."

"Exactly! Sisters who fight grow more hostile. Be sweet, and she won't even dare to pinch you."

Li Ye praised Li Ying a few times, then asked: "One more thing—where do you get the candy and clothes you sell at school?"

"I—"

Li Ying grew uneasy and didn't answer right away.

Li Ye pressed: "Is it Han Chunlan? Or An Xiaoxu?"

Han Chunlan was Han Chunmei's younger sister, Li Juan and Li Ying's aunt, who once gave Li Ye a digital watch when he was in school.

An Xiaoxu was Hao Jian's brother-in-law; these two were the easiest to get close to the Li family, so Li Ye assumed one of them.

Sure enough, Li Ying couldn't withstand Li Ye's "pressure" and confessed: "It's my aunt. She often comes to school to see me and always slips me money.

Mom says I'm a Li now—I shouldn't take money from my aunt—so I asked her for some goods instead, but I paid her back the cost. I didn't take anything for free."

"I never said what you're doing is wrong," Li Ye rubbed her sable hat gently. "But your job now is studying. Don't keep being the bottom of your class. Earning money can wait until college."

Li Ye was genuinely pleased. It's so easy to take money without working—yet Li Ying refused. A girl with principles? Impressive!

But Li Ying's thinking was different. After hearing Li Ye, she immediately asked: "Brother, when I get to college, the money I earn will be mine, right?"

"Yes."

Li Ye nodded: "Even the money you earn now—if you hide it well and no one finds out—it's yours."

"Yes yes yes! Hide it, hide it!"

Li Ying beamed, suddenly feeling she had a huge backing.

From now on, if anyone forced her to hand over her money, she'd pull out Li Ye as a shield.

"My brother says if I hide it, it's mine."

Pulling the tiger's skin as a banner—the little girl understood perfectly.

Huang Suwen and Huang Gang stayed on Dongshan for several days. Li Yue acted as their guide for three days, driving them to see the mother river that nurtured flower culture, and to Lingyan Temple, the filming site of the TV drama "Wu Song." They returned to Jingcheng by the end of the twelfth lunar month.

"Qiangzi, drive slow! If you're tired, stop and spend the night in Jinghai. Don't drive at night—stay safe."

Li Yue handed the Volga's keys to Wang Qiang and gave him travel advice.

How come neither of these two brand-new drivers, one barely a year into driving, found it funny to exchange long-distance driving tips with each other?

While they were talking, Li Ye pulled Huang Gang aside.

"Huang Ge, have you adjusted to the climate here on Dongshan?"

Huang Gang replied politely: "Very well, very well. The yellow carp here is excellent—delicious."

Li Ye nodded: "It's cold in winter, and there aren't many places to visit. Come back next summer vacation—we'll go to Daosheng together. The seafood there's great."

Huang Gang laughed: "Li Ye, you're too kind. We have seafood in Jingcheng too. When your winter break ends and you return, let me treat you properly."

Li Ye heard the politeness in Huang Gang's tone, thought for a moment, then spoke plainly: "We haven't hidden Qiangzi's family situation from you.

I understand you, as an older brother, might have reservations—but I guarantee you, Suwen won't be mistreated when she marries into our family."

Though Huang Suwen had laughed and played happily with Li Yue and Wang Qiang these past few days, Huang Gang—the Jingcheng chatterbox—had been unusually quiet.

He hadn't said anything, but Li Ye could guess: he was deeply dissatisfied with the way Wang Qiang's family had treated his sister.

Which older brother doesn't dote on his little sister? If his sister was mistreated at her in-laws', uncles would storm in, overturn tables, and start fights.

So a brother-in-law always judges his brother-in-law with extreme scrutiny.

For example, Li Yue and Yang Yumin were objectively "perfectly matched," but to Li Ye's eyes, everything was wrong—he kept looking for bones in eggs.

"Li Ye, you don't need to tell me this—I know Qiangzi well. Honest, kind, loyal, steady, devoted. Honestly, even if he saw a beautiful girl on the street, he wouldn't even glance twice."

"But whether she's mistreated—how can you guarantee that?

My father treated my mother well, but when I was young, she fought constantly with my grandmother, then had to serve my father when she got home, crying alone in secret.

Even the wisest judge can't settle family disputes. No matter how close your friends, they can't help."

Huang Gang wasn't hypocritical—he openly voiced his disapproval of Fan Chunhua.

Whether a daughter-in-law is mistreated? Over ninety percent of the time, it's the mother-in-law's fault. After raising a son for over twenty years, suddenly having him obey another woman? Even the most open-minded woman has a grudge.

"You're wrong. About Qiangzi's situation—we brothers really can help."

Li Ye firmly refuted Huang Gang: "I won't hide it—Qiangzi is where he is today because of us brothers' support. His family contributed nothing.

Besides, his house and salary are only part of his wealth. The other portion of his dividends? I've been holding it for him."

Li Ye smiled and offered Huang Gang a cigarette: "Think of me as his older brother, his family. As long as I'm alive, Qiangzi and your sister will never lack for anything."

Huang Gang stood frozen for a long time, even failing to notice when Li Ye lit his cigarette.

Wang Qiang owned a sihe courtyard in Jingcheng, paid in full—Huang's family knew that.

And two years ago, Wang Qiang had said his monthly salary was several hundred yuan.

In 1983, a bureau-level official earned only a few hundred yuan!

But now—what was Li Ye saying?

This was only part of Wang Qiang's wealth?

What even is "wealth"? I'm not well-educated—can you explain the meaning of these two characters?

Huang Gang finally said: "Li Ye, our family… isn't greedy."

"I know your family has integrity. You, Huang Gang, have worked hard, endured hardship, yet refused to take even a penny of advantage from Pengcheng's Seventh Factory."

Li Ye smiled: "I just want you to know Qiangzi is a golden bachelor, his personality fits your family perfectly. Him and Suwen finding each other is a rare blessing.

When we return to Jingcheng, I hope you'll be understanding, support Suwen's wishes, and speak well of her to your parents."

Huang Gang: "..."

【I never meant to say anything bad?】

The Volga drove north along National Highway 104. In the car, Huang Suwen finally asked her brother:

"Brother, what did you say to him just now?"

Huang Gang sighed: "He told me—not me telling him—to keep quiet when we get home, and that everything's your decision."

Huang Suwen blinked, then glared: "Wait—you mean you were going to tell Mom something? You want to break me and Qiangzi up?"

"I didn't! I was just going to say nice things! Why does everyone treat me like the villain?"