Chapter 100
When Ye Zhi’s parents entered, he was drinking soup. The soup was made by Madam Huo’s cook, renowned for her skill, especially in making nourishing bone broth. This particular soup was enriched with yams and several medicinal herbs, filling the room with a fragrant aroma. Huo Youcheng had been diligently attentive, often taking over tasks despite having hired a caregiver. Though his efforts were clumsy, no one criticized him for it.
As soon as the soup was brought in, Huo Youcheng ladled out a bowl and tried to feed Ye Zhi himself. Ye Zhi, with a slight blush and downcast eyes, softly said, “I can do it myself.”
His tone wasn’t cold; it seemed more like he was shy. The flutter of his eyelashes struck a chord in Huo Youcheng’s heart. Faced with this gentle refusal, Huo Youcheng wasn’t annoyed. Instead, he smiled and sat beside him, watching him drink. “How does it taste?” he asked.
“It’s very delicious.”
Huo Youcheng smiled warmly. “I think the soup you make tastes even better.” He hadn’t had it often, having despised Ye Zhi too much in the past to appreciate anything he did. But recently, he found himself regretting those times, replaying their interactions over and over in his mind. Seen from a new perspective, everything felt different.
Qualities he once scorned as awkward or timid now seemed endearing and gentle. Even Ye Zhi’s resilience, which he once dismissed, now seemed a virtue.
Ye Zhi paused for a moment, then softly replied, “I’ll make soup for you when I’m discharged.”
Huo Youcheng’s eyes crinkled with joy at that.
Ye Zhi’s parents walked in on this affectionate scene. Surprised but preoccupied, they hurriedly presented the already signed documents, not even asking about Ye Zhi’s injuries.
Although Ye Zhi was hearing about this for the first time, after Huo Youcheng explained it, he didn’t feel any particular emotion.
No pain, no sadness, just a sense of relief.
Ye Zhi had longed for his parents’ love, even a fraction of what they gave his brother, but he had never received it. From childhood, he had never been praised, kissed, or caressed by his mother. Instead, he faced constant criticism and high expectations, with little warmth.
Slowly, Ye Zhi walked to the table and sat down, picking up the pen to sign his name. After he did, Ye Wan immediately looked at Huo Youcheng, “Will you issue the letter of forgiveness now?”
“In such a hurry?” Huo Youcheng sneered. “One son stabs the other, and you don’t even care about the injured one, but you’re so concerned about the other? Was Ye Zhi adopted from a trash bin?”
Ye Wan didn’t respond, only fixed her gaze on him. “You promised. You can’t go back on your word!”
“I won’t,” Huo Youcheng replied, collecting the signed documents leisurely. “But even with our letter of forgiveness, given the clear evidence of his crime, who knows how many years he’ll be sentenced to.”
Ye Mu was ultimately sentenced to six years in prison.
Ye Zhi didn’t look at the trial records, but Qing Qing, who had attended, told him about it.
Since discovering that Ye Zhi felt more at ease around Qing Qing, Huo Youcheng often asked his friend to visit and keep Ye Zhi company. They had indeed become friends, not inseparable but closer than most.
Qing Qing’s good nature helped; his personality was somewhat similar to Ye Zhi’s, though without the same timidity. Perhaps due to his family background and physical condition, he was somewhat insecure and had a people-pleasing tendency, often shy but very kind-hearted.
“I heard the prison is far away and the conditions are harsh. There are sandstorms for most of the year, making the skin dry and cracked,” Qing Qing said, even feeling some sympathy despite knowing Ye Mu’s character.
Ye Zhi’s mood darkened. After a long pause, he softly said, “It’s alright. They will probably follow him there.”
A camel, even when starved, is still larger than a horse. Even though the Ye family had gone bankrupt, they wouldn’t be destitute. Ye Wan was capable enough to make a decent living in a new place as long as they didn’t indulge in excessive spending.
Seeing Ye Zhi’s expression, Qing Qing remembered his purpose for visiting and quickly brightened, saying, “The past is the past. Let’s not dwell on it. It’s sunny today. How about we go for a walk?”
Ye Zhi’s wound was healing quickly. Though it wasn’t particularly deep and hadn’t hit any organs, the best hospital and medication, courtesy of Huo Youcheng, ensured minimal pain with slight movements.
He was actually ready to be discharged, but Huo Youcheng insisted he stay a few more days, planning to discharge him over the weekend.
