Chapter 15: Wang Hai Arrives

With that, Qin Hongcai turned to Ye Chen and gave him a brief instruction.
"Brother Ye, once I get the medicine tomorrow, I'll have someone deliver it to your home."
"Alright," Ye Chen replied, not bothering with unnecessary politeness. Now that everything was settled, it was time for him to take his leave.
"Since Miss Qin's health is no longer an issue, I'll be going now."
Ye Chen greeted Qin Hongcai, Liu Lan, and Doctor Liu, then prepared to depart.
"Wait!" Qin Sisi suddenly called out to Ye Chen.
There was actually a smile on her face as she approached him.
To Ye Chen, her smile seemed full of mischief.
"Sisi, don't cause any trouble!" Liu Lan thought Qin Sisi was about to make things hard for Ye Chen again.
Qin Sisi turned to her mother with a serious expression. "Mom, Ye Chen saved my life! I realize I was too harsh just now. I want to walk Ye Chen out and properly apologize to him."
Both Liu Lan and Qin Hongcai were taken aback.
When had their daughter ever been so mature?
Qin Sisi took Ye Chen by the arm and led him to the gate of the villa.
Once her parents were out of earshot, her smiling face changed instantly.
She said coldly to Ye Chen, "You rascal, you may have impressed everyone today, but let me tell you, this isn't over between us!"
Ye Chen had already anticipated this, guessing that Qin Sisi wouldn't be so gracious as to see him off for nothing.
He shrugged calmly. "Miss Qin, do as you please. Whatever you throw at me, I'm not afraid."
"I'm leaving now."
Ye Chen couldn't be bothered with Qin Sisi's threats, and turned to leave the Qin residence.
Qin Sisi watched his retreating figure, biting her lip and clenching her fists.
"You just wait, you rascal! I'll show you that I'm not so easily trifled with!"
...
Ye Chen returned to the old courtyard house in the city.
After relaying the events at the Qin family to Ye Xue and Zhou Xiufang,
Zhou Xiufang rested in bed, while Ye Chen and his sister worked together to clean the house.
Both were exhausted. Ye Xue stood in the courtyard, gazing at their home. Despite its dilapidated state, it was still a place to call their own.
Now that her brother was back, the family was finally reunited.
She felt an indescribable joy in her heart.

Ye Chen saw his sister standing there, lost in thought and smiling, and asked with a laugh, "Xue, what's making you so happy?"
"Brother, now that you're home, our family feels whole again. Even though the place is rundown, I believe that as long as we work together, we'll have a good life."
Her eyes shone with boundless hope for the future.
"Let me do the hard work," Ye Chen said, shaking his head. "Just focus on your studies and leave the rest to me."
As he spoke, he suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, Xue, I still don't know how you did on the college entrance exam?"
At this, Ye Xue's face dimmed.
She lowered her head and replied quietly, "Brother, I've made up my mind. I'm not going to university—I'll look for a job in a few days."
She understood their family's situation. College would mean a hefty expense.
She didn't want to burden Ye Chen further.
"No!" Ye Chen immediately stopped her.
His face stern, he spoke seriously, "Xue, you don't need to worry about the family. I'll take care of everything. Your only task is to study hard!"
Because of what had happened five years ago, Ye Chen had missed his own chance to take the exam. He would not let his sister repeat his path.
Besides, now that he possessed extraordinary skills, earning money wouldn't be difficult.
"Xue, show me your exam results," Ye Chen said.
"Alright." Ye Xue took a crumpled score sheet from her pocket and handed it to him.
Six hundred and eighty-nine points!
Ye Chen raised an eyebrow and smiled, "That's my sister! Such a high score!"
"Did you get the university admission notice?"
"Yes, it's under Mom's mattress."
Ye Xue nodded, sighing softly, "Brother, I really don't want to go to school. Any university costs tens of thousands per semester. I think it's better not to go—besides, people graduate and still can't find jobs."
"It's more practical to get experience in society early."
"No, absolutely not!" Ye Chen was unwavering. "Don't worry about the tuition. I'll handle it!"
"Brother..." Ye Xue hesitated. With more than a month before the semester started, she knew that if she didn't go, Ye Chen would have no way to force her.
Ye Chen handed her back the score sheet. "Enough said, Xue. I will make sure you go to university!"
"Alright," Ye Xue replied softly.
Then the two of them worked together to prepare dinner, and the family of three shared a joyful reunion meal.
...
The next morning, at dawn,

A loud quarrel woke Ye Chen.
"Hey, you inside! Get out and pay your debt, or don't blame me for burning this dump to the ground!"
Hearing the shouting, Ye Chen got up and went to the main room.
He saw Ye Xue pressed against the battered wooden door, peeking through the cracks outside.
Her face changed dramatically when she saw the group at the door.
"This is bad—Wang Hai has come with his men!"
From her bed, Zhou Xiufang began to cry, "It's over, we're finished! Wang Hai must be here to settle things with your brother. What are we going to do?!"
Ye Chen's face was cold. Wang Hai had finally arrived!
Time to settle accounts.
He was about to open the door when Ye Xue grabbed his arm.
"Brother, you should run—go out the back door! Leave the rest to Mom and me."
"It's been years. At worst, they'll scare us a little, but they never really do anything."
"That's right, Chen!" Zhou Xiufang agreed, her face filled with determination.
"Chen, take your sister and run. Never come back to Yun City. Find a place where no one knows you, and live a good life! I'm old, and my legs are broken. If I go with you, I'll only hold you back!"
"Go, quickly!"
Ye Xue and Ye Chen's eyes reddened at their mother's words.
With Zhou Xiufang's broken legs, she couldn't care for herself.
Even if Wang Hai didn't come, living alone would be little different from waiting for death.
How could Ye Chen and Ye Xue abandon her?
"Brother, you go. I'll stay and take care of Mom," Ye Xue said, wiping her tears.
"The Wang family has come so many times, but they never really hurt us. At worst, they'll smash things, then leave."
Ye Chen was just about to speak when another furious shout came from outside.
"If you don't come out, I'll pour gasoline and burn this place to the ground!"