VIP Volume Chapter 071: Divergence

The orchard had been indisputably contracted; the agreement was signed, and the five-year lease took effect from that moment. Ye Xiaoxuan paid no mind to Chen Jiatang’s ambiguous expression, halfway between laughter and tears, as he carried the lockbox and returned home with Little Fish and Ye Dajun.

Wen Xiaoyu watched as Ye Dajun placed the lockbox on the bed and said to Ye Xiaoxuan, “It’s not safe to keep so much money at home. Shouldn’t we deposit it?”

Ye Xiaoxuan nodded. “Later, we’ll go to the township and buy a car—a used van will do, it’ll make getting around easier. The rest of the money we’ll deposit in the bank and let Jiaran manage it as our reserve fund.”

Ye Dajun hesitated. “Old Cucumber said the recruitment notice Bad Boy sent out has been released, but nobody signed up. Not only did those scoundrels refuse to apply, they said… some pretty nasty things.”

Ye Xiaoxuan’s lips curled in a mischievous smile. “It doesn’t matter. This is just the beginning. Give it time, and they’ll be scrambling to join us.”

When Ye Xiaoxuan mentioned buying a car in the afternoon, Wen Xiaoyu asked curiously, “Do you have a driver’s license?” Ye Xiaoxuan shook his head. Ye Dajun chimed in, “Xiaoxuan used to drive a tractor!”

Wen Xiaoyu stamped her foot in exasperation. “That’s not the same! Without a license, your car can’t go to the city. You’ll just be driving around the villages—why even bother buying a car? A motorcycle would do.”

Ye Xiaoxuan realized she was right. “That’s easily solved—I’ll just hire a driver! We won’t need to go to the city often anyway. Whoever has a license and time, we can pay them to drive for us.”

Wen Xiaoyu nodded; it was a good solution. Looking at the lockbox on the bed, she complained to Ye Dajun, “Big brother, why are you so careless, carrying the money box around? You shouldn’t flaunt wealth—if any thieves start eyeing us, we won’t have a peaceful life.”

Ye Dajun scratched his head. “Jiaran told me to do it this morning before she left for school. I don’t know why.”

Ye Xiaoxuan shook his head and said to Wen Xiaoyu, “It was the right thing to do. Do you think, with my current status, I can make those old foxes back off? Nothing is more persuasive than strength; a box full of money speaks louder than any boast. Jiaran already considered this.”

Wen Xiaoyu pouted. “Since it’s cousin’s decision and you say it’s right, what’s left for me to say?”

Ye Xiaoxuan and Ye Dajun exchanged glances and burst into laughter. Ye Dajun clapped Ye Xiaoxuan’s shoulder. “Xiaoxuan, your wife is starting to manage the household. I think you should hurry up and take care of your business too!”

Wen Xiaoyu’s cheeks turned crimson, like blood seeping through. She spat at Ye Dajun, “You’re hopeless, big brother! Keep gossiping and you’ll be a bachelor for life!”

At noon, when Jiaran returned from school, Ye Xiaoxuan told her about buying a car, and she agreed. He wanted to take her with them to the township, but she had afternoon classes, so he had to give up. Before leaving, Jiaran said to Ye Xiaoxuan, “Deposit all the money for now. Once the orchard is stable, we’ll withdraw it to build you a house. When the house is finished, you’ll be able to marry Little Fish in grand style.”

Wen Xiaoyu blushed. “Silly sister, why do you tease me like big brother does?”

Jiaran hugged her fragrant shoulders and laughed. “It’s not teasing—I truly want you as my sister-in-law! I like you.”

Wen Xiaoyu covered her face shyly. “But you shouldn’t rush me into marriage. You and big brother are both single—at least wait until you two settle things! By the way, sister, do you have someone you like?”

Jiaran and Ye Xiaoxuan’s hearts trembled simultaneously; they glanced at each other and quickly looked away. Jiaran forced a smile. “Silly Fish, I’m in no hurry. I have plenty of students to keep me company—I’m already content.”

Ye Xiaoxuan looked at Jiaran, as if suddenly emboldened, and said to Wen Xiaoyu, “Fish, actually…”

Jiaran immediately cut him off. “Enough, don’t ramble! Otherwise, you’ll be coming and going till midnight. Hurry up and get on your way!” As she spoke, she shot Ye Xiaoxuan a fierce glare, barely noticeable.

Ye Xiaoxuan could only close his mouth, and left the house with Wen Xiaoyu and Ye Dajun, catching a three-wheeled cart at the village entrance to head to the township.

Upon arrival, their first stop was the bank, where they deposited the money in the hundred-thousand account. At Wen Xiaoyu’s insistence, they kept five thousand on hand for emergencies.

Leaving the bank, Wen Xiaoyu wanted to drag Ye Xiaoxuan to buy some nicer clothes, but after wandering for a while, they found not a single boutique. The styles in the clothing shops were old and outdated, so she gave up.

One task remained: buying a car. They might not be able to drive it home that day, but at least they could find someone selling a used vehicle.

Buying a secondhand car in the countryside was nothing like the city, where there were dedicated markets. Usually, people posted a few ads on the street, and all contact was handled through the phone numbers on them.

Ye Xiaoxuan wandered a while, but found nothing suitable, and said to Ye Dajun and Wen Xiaoyu, “If it doesn’t work out, we’ll go back and try the city tomorrow morning.”

“I agree!” Wen Xiaoyu immediately pouted, “And I’ll buy you some decent clothes. You’re practically a small boss now, but you dress like a beggar! You should meet my parents, stay at my house for a night. Your family only has one TV, and it’s not even in the bedroom—what do you do at night?”

Ye Xiaoxuan looked at her calmly. “Is it very boring?”

Wen Xiaoyu pouted. “Of course it’s boring! Aside from eating and sleeping, there’s nothing to do. No parks, no decent shops to browse—how do you stand it?”

Ye Xiaoxuan’s lips curled in a helpless, bitter smile. “Tomorrow I’ll take you home, all right?”

Wen Xiaoyu smiled. “That’s what I was saying! I’ve been away so long, I want to go home and see my family. Xiaoxuan, now that we have money, we could buy a house in the city and live there instead, couldn’t we?”

Ye Xiaoxuan shook his head, enunciating each word. “No. My home is here—I can only live here.”

Wen Xiaoyu finally sensed the difference in his tone and looked up at his expressionless face, fear creeping into her voice. “Xiaoxuan, what’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?”

Ye Xiaoxuan took a deep breath. “Fish, tomorrow I’ll take you home. You really don’t belong here. Your home is in Xianhu City, not this little Reed Village.”

Wen Xiaoyu asked tremblingly, “And you? Will you come with me?”

Ye Xiaoxuan slowly shook his head. “You can’t leave your home, and I can’t leave mine. We’re people from two different worlds.”