Chapter 519: Bad Boy
Chapter 519: Chapter 519: Bad Boy
"Has anyone had seafood before? If you’re allergic, you shouldn’t eat this," Ye Ling cautioned, not wanting to cause any trouble.
Li Jing chimed in, "Ye Ling, I’ve eaten sea crab before, and I’m not allergic. I can eat seafood."
"I’ve had fresh squid before, so I can eat dried squid."
"I’ve never had seafood, but I think I’ll be fine. I’m pretty tough!"
Luckily, the guy wasn’t allergic. Everyone munched on the squid shreds. They had a slight taste of the sea, but were also pleasantly sweet. All in all, they were pretty good.
They were a great snack, and everyone ate with gusto. The only downside was that they made everyone a little thirsty.
After eating the squid shreds, they got up to drink water.
Drinking so much water led to middle-of-the-night bathroom trips.
It made for a rather restless night.
However, the young men were still full of energy and it didn’t affect their morning exercises at all.
At first, Ye Ling was only friendly with the guys sitting near him, but since he shared the snacks, everyone got to try some.
Everyone warmed up to Ye Ling and started chatting with him more.
During the monthly exams on Thursday and Friday, Ye Ling let his results do the talking. He took first place in the class, beating the previous top student, Chen Susu, by eighteen points.
People are naturally drawn to the capable. Ye Ling wasn’t just good-natured and generous, he was also a top student. With that, he firmly established himself, made a good number of friends, and embarked on his new life.
When the weekend came, Han Xiaorui arranged for the driver to pick up Ye Ling, but he declined the offer.
He took the bus home with Li Jing instead.
"Ye Ling, I didn’t realize you lived in Jinshan Bay! I’m from White Crane Village, right next door. We can travel to and from school together from now on."
Ye Ling nodded. "Yeah. I wanted to take the bus anyway, to see the sights."
The bus stopped at the final station in Jinshan Bay, and Ye Ling got off, shouldering his bag.
However, he didn’t head straight home. Instead, he walked to the entrance of the junior high to wait for his younger brother, Ye Chen.
After waiting for about fifteen minutes, the school gates opened.
Students swarmed out of the entrance, and Ye Ling kept his eyes glued to the gate, afraid he might miss his brother.
A moment later, he saw his brother perched on the back of Yang Minmin’s bicycle like a lord.
His long legs were dragging on the ground, and he had a lollipop in his mouth.
Yang Minmin struggled to pedal, her face flushed from the effort.
"Ye Chen! Minmin!" Ye Ling didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. ’This brother of mine is too much,’ he thought. ’How could he make Yang Minmin pedal him around?’
Seeing Ye Ling, Ye Chen quickly hopped off Yang Minmin’s bike. "Second Bro, what are you doing here?"
Ye Ling smiled. "I came to walk you home. It’s pretty hot out. Come on, I’ll treat you two to some ice cream bars."
"My brother’s the best!" Ye Chen immediately bolted toward a nearby convenience store, picked out his favorite ice cream bar, and waited for his big brother to come pay.
Yang Minmin yelled indignantly, "Ye Chen, you jerk! You said you twisted your ankle and made me give you a ride. And you were faking it the whole time!"
Ye Ling looked at a pouting Yang Minmin. "Minmin, don’t be mad. Ye Chen’s just a pain. Just ignore him from now on. I’ll buy you an ice cream bar."
"Thanks, Second Uncle," Yang Minmin said. She was from the same generation as Pingping and An’an, so while she called Ye Feng "Uncle," she called Ye Ling "Second Uncle."
As for Ye Chen, he and Yang Minmin were about the same age, so she just used his name.
Ye Chen had already made his selection. He handed his brother a vanilla ice cream bar and gave Yang Minmin a red bean one. "Minmin, don’t be mad anymore. Third Uncle is treating you to a red bean ice cream bar."
Yang Minmin snatched it with a huff. "It’s Second Uncle who’s treating, not you."
Ye Chen shook his head. "You’re not looking at it right. My brother came here to pick me up. If it weren’t for me, he wouldn’t have come to the school, and you wouldn’t be getting any ice cream. When you think about it that way, aren’t I the one treating you?"
"You’re just twisting words!" Yang Minmin pouted. She couldn’t eat while pushing her bike, so she put the ice cream bar in her basket. "Second Uncle, I’m heading home!"
Before she left, Yang Minmin shot Ye Chen a glare. "Cry wolf too many times, and no one’s going to believe you anymore!"
Watching Yang Minmin ride away, Ye Ling and Ye Chen started for home, walking along the side of the road and eating their ice cream bars.
Ye Ling shook his head with a laugh. "You’re so mischievous."
Ye Chen chuckled. "I was bored. And when I see Yang Minmin, I just have to tease her. She’s just so sassy."
Ye Ling reached out and ruffled his brother’s hair. "You’re her senior, you shouldn’t tease a junior like that. Speaking of which, are you keeping up with your schoolwork?"
Ye Chen replied, "Yeah! Don’t worry about my grades, I’m keeping up just fine. What about you, Second Bro?"
Ye Ling raised an eyebrow. "It’s in the bag. When you get home each day, make sure you help out with your nephew and nieces."
Ye Chen’s face fell. "I’m the one who helps Pingping and An’an with their homework, and it really tests my patience. They learn so slowly!"
Ye Ling said softly, "You’re forgetting they were in intervention programs for three years. If it wasn’t for our sister-in-law’s dedication, they wouldn’t have been able to enroll in a regular school at all."
"It’s okay if they’re a little slow, and it’s okay if they don’t get it right away. But you have to be patient. You also need to teach them to be a bit more savvy. And if anyone bullies them, remember to stand up for Pingping and An’an."
Ye Chen nodded. "Second Bro, don’t worry, that’s what I do. I’m not mad at them, just a little anxious. Pingping and An’an are so pretty and their eyes are so bright... they don’t seem slow. I just feel like it’s going to click for them eventually."
Ye Ling smiled. "Then let’s both work on it. If teaching them directly isn’t working, try to think of other methods."
"Okay!" Ye Chen nodded. "Hey, Bro, give me some money. I want to go buy some chili candy. Ever since I brought some home for the little ones last time, they’re always asking if I have more."
"But our sister-in-law won’t let them eat too much candy, so she won’t let me buy it. But since you’re home today, it’s okay to buy some."
Ye Ling nodded. "Alright."
The two brothers bought the chili candy and strolled home together.
Even though it was a new environment, they had spent a lot of time here during the summer vacation, so it didn’t feel strange at all.
When they got home, Pingping and An’an came running over with Ningning and Zhuangzhuang in tow, their eyes wide with anticipation for the candy.
Sure enough, when they saw the chili candy Ye Ling was holding, the four little ones were thrilled. "Thank you, Second Uncle! You’re the best, Second Uncle!"
"So Third Uncle isn’t the best?" Ye Chen asked, pouting and feigning hurt.
Pingping giggled. "Third Uncle is the best, too."
Over dinner, Han Xiaorui and Ye Feng asked the boys about school while they ate.
Listening to their stories about school, Han Xiaorui knew they were having a fulfilling time and adapting well.
On Saturdays, no matter where Ye Zheng was on business, he would call his son and grandchildren.
Instead of growing distant, they had actually become closer.
And as for Pingping, An’an, Ningning, and Zhuangzhuang, they chattered about their grandpa all day long.
Ye Ling and Ye Chen didn’t forget to write letters to their mother, either. Even though it was a long way to Africa, their small envelopes were filled with their love and encouragement for her.
When Ye Zheng learned that his two grandsons were adapting well in Shencheng and that their grades hadn’t slipped, he was completely relieved.
The winds of change were blowing even stronger this year. But the stronger the wind, the bigger the fish—it all came down to who had the skill to reel one in.