After Rebirth, Minor Character Only Wants to Level Up
Chapter 33 - 032: Go Home

Chapter 33: 032: Go Home

The next day, seeing the two triangular bags filled to the brim, Ye Ling guessed that the old clothes must have been stuffed inside, and the smile disappeared from her face. She already seemed silent to outsiders, and now not speaking made her whole demeanor appear even more gloomy.

Old Mrs. Ye was leaving, and naturally, the whole family had to see her off at the station. Ye He Ping walked ahead carrying the two large triangular bags, Bai Xue held the youngest daughter’s hand on Old Mrs. Ye’s left side, while Ye Ling was on the right. Along the way, Bai Xue first reminded her mother-in-law to take care of her health, fulfilling her duty as a daughter-in-law, before turning to advise her eldest daughter.

"When you get home, help your grandma with some work. Your grandma is getting old and you can’t let her toil for you anymore."

"Study hard, don’t fall behind in your lessons while playing. Our family’s situation is clear; if you pass this time, we can’t afford to let you repeat."

"If anything happens, write home. We haven’t received a letter from you all year, and your dad and I are worried about you and your grandma."

In short, Bai Xue said a lot, but Ye Ling didn’t respond at all. Bai Xue maintained the appearance of a benevolent mother and naturally didn’t show any displeasure, only shook her head with a face full of regret, which in turn made Ye Ling’s impression on others even worse.

Ye Ling could easily see her mother’s intentions, but she was utterly indifferent, keeping her head down and silent, walking beside her grandma. Old Mrs. Ye observed it all; she didn’t perceive her daughter-in-law’s intentions but did feel her eldest granddaughter was too stubborn. Such a disposition, when returning to her parents’ side, would not fit in well, and the relationship might not be close.

The family took the bus to the train station, and on the fifth day of the New Year, it was the peak of the return journey. Fortunately, Ye He Ping had connections to buy hard seats. When it was time to get on the train, only Ye He Ping accompanied them. The aisle was crowded, and after getting them seated, Ye He Ping was drenched in sweat, not because of exhaustion but due to the crowd.

Old Mrs. Ye sat down, took a breath, and urged her son to leave, "He Ping, you should go down. The train seems about to depart, and since it’s just the two of us, going back with seats is even less concerning. Don’t worry."

"Mom, have Lingzi send a telegram to inform me they’re safe when you reach home." Ye He Ping didn’t plan to stay any longer, and he turned to his eldest daughter, "Lingzi, see your dad off."

It was clear he had something to say privately.

Old Mrs. Ye also wanted the father and daughter to talk more, "Lingzi, go ahead."

Ye Ling nodded, stood up, and followed her father to the junction of the train cars. Ye He Ping arrived first, stopped, and when his daughter got closer, he took ten yuan from his pocket and slipped it into her hand.

Ye Ling was stunned at the money in her hand and looked up.

"Study well." Ye He Ping sighed and then turned to get off the train.

Ye Ling put the money away, and her heart was full of mixed feelings. She thought there was no emotional bond with her parents, but the father in front of her was evidently concerned about her. Yet in the past life, when she divorced, he didn’t acknowledge her as his daughter, and she died alone far away.

The matters of the two lifetimes tangled together, confusing Ye Ling and causing her distress, so she simply chose not to think about them. When she returned to her seat, Old Mrs. Ye smiled sweetly.

"Your dad gave you money?"

"Grandma, I didn’t believe it when others said you were old." From such a distance with so many people, she could see it; indeed, she had sharp eyesight.

"I just saw your dad slip something to you, and you didn’t carry back anything else, so it could only be money." Old Mrs. Ye was obviously delighted.

"Grandma, you’re really sharp." In her past life, Ye Ling didn’t have the mind to notice these things.

Unexpectedly, grandma could deduce it. But unlike the previous life, dad didn’t give her money, and they didn’t even celebrate the New Year here; she and grandma returned to the countryside. Thinking back on how cold the rural home was, Ye Ling was now looking forward to it.

Finally, she could return home, despite it already being her second life.

The green train was cold at this time, even though there were many people on it. Sitting still for the night couldn’t resist the chill.

Ye Ling rummaged through her triangular bag, finding a half-worn military coat, pulled it out, and since Grandma Ye was sitting by the window, she placed the coat between the window and grandma, wrapped herself from behind, and squeezed closer to grandma. This way, the two of them were warmer together.

That night was much more comfortable than the incoming journey, and with the prospect of finally returning home and adding to her good mood, Ye Ling leaned against grandma and slept soundly. As dawn broke the next day, the carriage became lively again, and Ye Ling awoke, seeing that grandma was also spirited, setting her mind at ease.

In the past life, grandma passed away the summer Ye Ling graduated middle school. In this lifetime, Ye Ling was determined to never leave grandma’s side and try to nurture grandma’s health, hoping she lives many more years.

Old Mrs. Ye lived in a small village that was quite remote, but transportation was convenient, especially to distant places. The train stopped there, making travel by train easy.

The small mountain village housed over a hundred families, with relations slightly intertwined, living in the same place for generations, so every household was familiar with one another.

Around eight o’clock, the train stopped, and Ye Ling helped grandma off, taking the two large triangular bags herself. The village, blanketed in white snow, was surrounded by poplar trees, and far in the distance, dog barking and chicken crowing could be heard. It was winter, so work was scarce, and people woke up late. Only a few families had chimney smoke rising, considered early risers.

When Ye Ling and grandma reached home, the village hadn’t woken up yet, and the Ye Family lived at the west end of the trees, without passing through the village center, making it unnoticed.

Old Mrs. Ye opened the door, and Ye Ling saw the bare soil house. Upon entering, there was a small corridor sectioned off, with the stove at the innermost part near the north wall, and connecting the walled-off section to the stove was the door leading inside.

The house hadn’t had a fire for more than ten days, and apart from blocking some wind, it was as cold inside as outside. After putting down her things, Old Mrs. Ye didn’t stop and went to fetch water.

Ye Ling followed out, "Grandma, I’ll help you with it."

In the past life, Ye Ling never did such things.

Now, thinking back, she realized she was quite immature.

Old Mrs. Ye couldn’t bear letting her granddaughter work, "No need, warm yourself up inside first. I’ll fetch water and then heat the bed."

Ye Ling knew talking wouldn’t help, so she went along. Old Mrs. Ye saw her, knowing she couldn’t be stopped, so she didn’t try any longer. The village had only two wells, one at the west end and another at the east end, and all villagers fetched water there. Ye Ling and grandma carried a water bucket each, struggling. Realization dawned on Ye Ling that grandma usually fetched alone despite her age, and she felt how truly inconsiderate she’d been.

One bucket of water was used for rinsing and boiling, so it was gone quickly. Ye Ling stood beside the stove, first helping to light the fire, and when the bucket ran out, let grandma heat water while she carried it out.

Old Mrs. Ye initially wanted to stop her, but realizing her granddaughter was finally considerate and caring, her heart warmed. She even discreetly wiped the corner of her eye while her granddaughter was fetching water.

Unexpectedly, when Ye Ling reached the well this time, she encountered someone, none other than Wang Hai, the nearby neighborhood scoundrel.