After Rebirth, Minor Character Only Wants to Level Up
Chapter 20 - 019: Preparation

Chapter 20: 019: Preparation

After Bai Xue talked with her mother-in-law, she returned to the room, fearing her youngest daughter would notice and she’d feel embarrassed. So she didn’t say much about what happened in the East Room, just took out the clothes she needed for the company visit yesterday, set them aside, and then went to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Dinner was still potato stew with cabbage, just like the morning meal, with not a trace of meat.

Old Mrs. Ye was not a picky eater, but she felt sorry for her eldest granddaughter. She glanced at the dish basin and remarked calmly, "Did the family not prepare any meat for the New Year? Even though times are hard now, even the village adds more oil during the Little New Year to make the meals richer. How can we have such bland food?"

Bai Xue knew her mother-in-law was upset; otherwise, she wouldn’t be picking on her like this. Even if she didn’t like something, she wouldn’t openly say it, especially in front of the children.

Before Bai Xue could open her mouth to explain, Old Mrs. Ye continued, "I can eat anything at my age. We used to be poor, doing with sparse foods, but the children are growing, and it’s New Year’s. They shouldn’t have to skimp like us. Besides, life is about knowing when to save; we should cut back on ordinary days, but not during New Year’s. I saw when the Liu family’s children came over, you made meat, so why are you so reluctant to give it to your own children?"

These words pinned Bai Xue with guilt.

Bai Xue couldn’t take such intentions to heart; she cared about her reputation, whether in front of outsiders or her youngest daughter, and explained aggrievedly, "Mom, it’s all my fault; I didn’t make the meat even though it’s at home. I was thinking about going to the company tomorrow; if we eat too much now, we might get sick of it and can’t eat. So I thought we’d have meat when back from the company after New Year’s Eve."

Not daring to argue more, she hurriedly admitted her mistake first.

Ye Qian also noticed grandma was difficult to mom, but knew she must side with grandma to calm her down, "Mommy, I also want to eat meat."

As soon as she spoke, she saw her sister looking over. But when Ye Qian glanced, she saw Ye Ling burying her head in the meal, not having looked at her.

As for Bai Xue, she naturally understood her daughter was helping her, so she kept admitting her fault repeatedly, "It’s all Mommy’s fault, just thinking we’d eat well at the company tomorrow, not realizing you all like meat."

In her heart, she felt her youngest daughter wasn’t pampered in vain.

Then seeing her eldest daughter silently eating with her head down, she thought of her as unaware and unlikable.

Old Mrs. Ye didn’t get along with her daughter-in-law, but she couldn’t embarrass her youngest granddaughter, so she stopped talking, and the meal was finally eaten quietly. This time, Ye Qian didn’t stay by her mother’s side acting sweetly but stayed close to Old Mrs. Ye, talking about her father, which made Old Mrs. Ye smile a bit.

When it was time to sleep back in the room at night, Ye Qian let out a heavy sigh, "Mom, grandma is upset because sister hasn’t been with you growing up, and now it’s New Year you didn’t make food she likes, not because she’s angry at you."

Though seemingly comforting, it stirred up Ye Ling.

Bai Xue always liked her youngest daughter and didn’t think deeply, instead venting her anger at the eldest daughter and not wanting to ruin her kind image in front of the youngest daughter, so she just smiled and said nothing more.

Ye Qian glanced at her mother, then went to tidy things up, not saying more, changing the subject, "Mom, I have a pair of pants; let sister wear them; her pair looks dirty."

"You don’t have many good pants yourself; keep them. Besides, she’s taller than you and can’t wear them." Bai Xue was reluctant.

Ye Qian sat beside her mom holding the pants, "Mom, you made these pants for me with extra length; let them out, and sister can wear them. I’ll take them over; otherwise, sister wearing bad clothes would make others think we don’t care about her. What would they think of you?"

Bai Xue said nothing.

Ye Qian cheerfully got up, "I’ll go give them to sister now; I’ll be right back."

"Go ahead." Bai Xue finally spoke.

She thought of taking old clothes to the countryside for her eldest daughter, who was happy considering them nice things. If this pair of pants could make her eldest daughter happy, then her mother-in-law’s mood would brighten too.

The youngest daughter went out and shortly returned, empty-handed, and Bai Xue smiled, "Quickly wash your face; there’s warm water in the pot, and sleep early since we need to rise early tomorrow."

Ye Qian took a towel, smiling, and went out.

In the East Room, Ye Ling saw the pants Ye Qian brought were ones she’d worn before, but she didn’t say if she wanted them or not; she just asked Ye Qian to leave them.

Once Ye Qian left, Old Mrs. Ye glanced at her granddaughter, seeing neither displeasure nor happiness on her face. She couldn’t say what she felt; she knew from experience her daughter-in-law was subtly compensating the eldest granddaughter after her own anger.

Every time her daughter-in-law returned, she brought worn clothes from the youngest granddaughter, making Old Mrs. Ye uncomfortable; she felt bad for her shallow-eyed granddaughter but couldn’t say anything for fear of hurting her.

Now seeing her eldest granddaughter not immediately putting them on as she used to, Old Mrs. Ye actually felt happy inside.

The next morning, as the courtyard’s horn sounded, house lights gradually turned on. Many company families would spend New Year at the company, and even if not, hearing the horn prompted them to jog. Moreover, today was New Year’s Eve, and each family rose early to hang decorations.

Ye Ling looked at herself in the bathroom, her single eyeline and slightly dark skin, with her face’s sharp features looking raw and like a fourteen or fifteen-year-old who hadn’t matured, with youthful naivety.

Since being born anew, Ye Ling’s demeanor had changed greatly; her facial stubbornness also disappeared, making her seem much calmer.

She wore a gray western collar blouse, bought during a street visit with her mother, and the emerald trousers Ye Qian brought last night, straight-legged.

Her previous ribbons were replaced with a ponytail, making her appear more energetic, but compared to the sweet, articulate Ye Qian, she appeared so rustic.