“Where are we going?” Ji Yunqi asked.
She was very unhappy. She had been dragged out of bed early in the morning to see someone.
But Ye Mingkong did not tell Ji Yunqi who she was going to see, which left her completely unprepared.
In this cold weather, she should have been enjoying the warmth of her bed, but going out was really not her style!
If it were in the past, she would have been willing to visit others during the New Year, but now she was really reluctant to visit.
(3) _Si 0 Qi Er Er Si Ba Shi @_ Leng
Perhaps it was because she was pregnant, which made Ji Yunqi lazier and lazier.
“To a… friend’s house.”
Ye Mingkong did not tell Ji Yunqi directly who this friend was. He had spent a lot of time searching for his life trajectory and current situation in the past few days.
However, it was not as prosperous as Ye Mingkong expected, but rather… quite meager.
Feeling guilty, Ye Mingkong still wanted to visit. He was someone he trusted, even after decades.
He did not intend to hide his identity. Hiding it from him was, to some extent, disrespectful.
“What kind of friend is it that you dragged me here so early in the morning? And it’s been so many years since you last met, will they still recognize you?”
This was what Ji Yunqi truly wanted to complain about. After so many years, even true friends, the key point was that you had changed so much, who would remember you?
Unless they revealed their identity…
But if it was a friend worth revealing their identity for, why had there been no contact at all in these decades?
In the past few decades, Ji Yunqi had also been very curious about Ye Mingkong’s past circle of friends, but Ye Mingkong had never contacted his old friends, as if he wanted to forget the past and embrace the future.
This resulted in Ji Yunqi and Ji Chengyun knowing very little about Ye Mingkong’s past. Moreover, Ye Mingkong was mischievous as a child, and Ye Lingyu rarely interfered in his daily life.
This also meant that Ye Lingyu, as a father, did not really understand what Ye Mingkong’s circle of friends was like when he was young.
“Just follow me, don’t ask so many questions.”
“Okay, okay~” What else could Ji Yunqi do? Ye Mingkong was in charge at home now, so she had to listen. Could she resist?
Following them, they walked into a relatively dilapidated and old residential area.
Ji Yunqi found it rather strange.
Logically speaking, when Ye Mingkong was young, she was the eldest daughter of the Ye family. Even if the Ye family was low-key, there should still be a significant difference between them and ordinary people.
Therefore, her circle of friends must have been among people not easily accessible to ordinary people. However, the dilapidated and old residential area they were walking into looked like a resettlement area.
What is a resettlement area?
It is a residential area composed of relatively ordinary houses. Both the facilities and the environment here are of very poor quality, almost existing solely to resettle people in special circumstances.
And such people should theoretically have no intersection with Ye Mingkong, and yet they were considered friends by Ye Mingkong.
It was not that Ji Yunqi looked down on them, but even if a family had fallen on hard times, a family that had once been prominent would not have fallen to this extent.
Thinking of this, Ji Yunqi became even more curious about Ye Mingkong’s friend.
What kind of person could make him not forget him for decades?
Seeing the many things in Ye Mingkong’s hands, Ji Yunqi became even more curious.
As the two arrived at a door…
A door that looked like it carried the traces of time…
“Knock, knock, knock~”
“Who is it?” A gentle male voice came from inside the door. Ji Yunqi felt this voice was somewhat familiar, as if she had heard it somewhere, but she couldn’t recall it at all.
“Ye Yun Chu…”
With those three simple words, the door, full of vicissitudes, was opened.
What came into view was none other than the man Ji Yunqi had seen before – Yao Qing!
Ji Yunqi, who had not understood why Ye Mingkong would visit a friend, now completely understood.
This was not just a friend, but in name only a friend; in reality, he was almost like family.
After all…
Ye Mingkong had told Ji Yunqi some things about Yao Qing. Although he didn’t reveal much, she still remembered the doting look in Ye Mingkong’s eyes when he mentioned him.
It was not the doting of romantic love, but a look of… viewing a junior!
It was like looking at his own junior, which was the same as what Ye Mingkong had said, that he was like his younger brother.
“You are…” Yao Qing did not recognize the two people in front of him. For him, he met many people every day, and he didn’t remember strangers.
The only reason he opened the door was because of that name.
“What, you’re not letting me in?”
Yao Qing frowned slightly, and after thinking for a moment, he moved aside.
Since they were related to his Yun Chu sister, he assumed they would not harm his family. After all, he had never offended anyone, and there was no profit to be gained from him.
Entering the house, Ye Mingkong began to look around. The furnishings inside were very simple. Both the furniture and the walls looked particularly old and weathered.
However, it was still evident from them that the owner of the house was a clean person. As the saying goes, “a sparrow is small but has all its vital organs,” it was just like this.
Although the interior had a certain sense of age, it was exceptionally clean and tidy. Moreover, it had everything it needed and a warm feeling.
“Dad, who is it?” Following the sound, a girl about 15 years old, wearing pajamas and rubbing her sleepy eyes, appeared.
Ye Mingkong naturally recognized this little girl. She was the little girl who had sold them flowers last time, named Yao Yun Chu.
“Hey, little brother, it’s you! Why are you here?” Although Yao Qing didn’t remember him, Yao Yun Chu did. After all, Ye Mingkong and Ji Yunqi were both attractive, and they were willing to interact with her, leaving a good impression on Yao Yun Chu.
“Little friend, we meet again. Brother has brought you a gift today~” Saying this, Ye Mingkong shook the gift bag in his hand.
Seeing the pile of gift bags in Ye Mingkong’s hand, the little girl’s mouth opened, and she didn’t know what to say.
Would all of these be for them?
“Here, look at this…” Ye Mingkong ignored Yao Qing, who wanted to say something, placed a bag on the sofa, and opened it.
Inside was a white down jacket, which looked exquisitely made.
“Wow, what a beautiful down jacket!”
Yao Yun Chu wanted to pick it up and look at it, but she seemed to remember something and turned to look at Yao Qing.
She was a good child. Although her family was poor, she couldn’t accept other people’s kindness casually; it was wrong.
Yao Qing was about to say something when Ji Yunqi pulled him aside.
She had seen it all clearly. Ye Mingkong wanted to give this little girl a small gift, and Yao Qing might not agree. She could see that the little girl liked it very much.
“Girl, you…”
“Hey, hey, hey, Brother Yao, it’s okay, just a small gift for the child, no need to be so formal~”
After Ji Yunqi pulled Yao Qing away, Ye Mingkong looked at Yao Yun Chu again.
“Here, try it on to see if it fits.”
When Ye Mingkong bought this down jacket, he did so based on his memory of Yao Yun Chu’s height when he last saw her. Moreover, it was a size larger.
After all, girls in their mid-to-late teens have not fully developed, and they might grow taller in a couple of years.
Then they wouldn’t be unable to wear the down jacket because it was too small.
Seeing that her father had “no objection,” Yao Yun Chu no longer hesitated and took the down jacket from Ye Mingkong’s hand and put it on.
Hmm~~~
It fits perfectly!
“It suits you very well, little friend.”
“Little brother, you don’t need to call me little friend. After all, I’m only about 4 years younger than you?” This was Yao Yun Chu’s opinion, as Ye Mingkong looked very young, around 18 years old.
Ye Mingkong waved his hand: “Little girl, you don’t think I’m only 18, do you?”
“Ah? Otherwise?” Yao Yun Chu was confused. This person clearly looked 18. Even with good maintenance, he wouldn’t look as young as he did.
“Hahaha, look at you. If I told you that I’m actually older than your dad, would you believe me?”
“I don’t believe it!” Yao Yun Chu shook her little head like a rattle drum. She really didn’t believe it. What was this?
Someone who looked only 18 years old couldn’t possibly be older than her dad. That was too ridiculous.
However, she immediately thought that since this little brother dared to say so, could it be true?
After all, her dad’s maintenance was quite good; at least people always said her dad looked young.
“No way…”
Ye Mingkong nodded: “Yes, little girl, I am indeed a few years older than your dad.”
“Then… what about that sister?” Yao Yun Chu, as if unwilling to give up, looked at Ji Yunqi, who was chatting with Yao Qing.
Ji Yunqi shouldn’t have any problems, right? Her face looked so young, and her skin was very smooth, and she didn’t look like a middle-aged person at all.
“Her? She… is my wife. We are almost the same age, what do you think?”
“Ah?!!”
The conversation completely overwhelmed Yao Yun Chu’s CPU. What was this? Such a young and beautiful little loli was a decades-old old man?!!
Looking at Ye Mingkong’s undeniable gaze, Yao Yun Chu actually felt that this conclusion was correct!
Ji Yunqi, who was listening to their conversation from the side, felt quite speechless. Why did this person still like to lie to children so much?
Although it couldn’t be considered lying, since Ye Mingkong hadn’t said anything wrong, had they? They were indeed older than Yao Qing, just their souls, not their bodies.
In any case, they hadn’t lied to the little girl, right?
“Miss Ji, so why are you looking for us?” Yao Qing felt that he didn’t know the two people in front of him, and they still refused to state their purpose, which made Yao Qing feel a little uneasy.
He was an isolated person with no power or influence. No one would support him. He had been living a timid life all these years. His only daughter was found outside, and she was his only reliance.
“Do you remember a person named Ye Yun Chu?”
Ji Yunqi was no longer procrastinating and got straight to the point.
Upon hearing this name, Yao Qing’s pupils contracted, and he looked up at Ji Yunqi’s eyes: “You… know where he is?”
Ji Yunqi nodded: “Of course, I know where he is, otherwise why would I come to find you?”
“Then… how has he been all these years?” As soon as he said this, Yao Qing wanted to slap himself. She was the eldest daughter of the Ye family. Even if she traveled alone, she would be fine. Why did he need to worry?
“He’s naturally doing well, but I heard you haven’t been doing well, so I came to see you.”
Yao Qing subconsciously looked towards the door, but he saw nothing except the interior decoration. The disappointment in his eyes immediately showed.
Ji Yunqi turned her head to look at Ye Mingkong. She saw that Ye Mingkong had already tricked Yao Yun Chu into putting on all the warm clothes and pants he had brought. Ji Yunqi knew that the time had come.
“Xiao Yun Chu~”
“What is it, sister?” Yao Yun Chu turned her head to look at this woman who was about her height… and decades old…
“Can you take sister to buy something in the residential area? Sister can’t find her way~” Saying this, she also gestured to the little one with her eyes.
After all, she was a teenage girl, and she was sensible. As soon as Ji Yunqi hinted, she understood. This little brother had something to say to her father.
So, as a daughter, she needed to avoid it.
“Okay, little sister, I’ll take you!”
By coincidence, the weather was quite cold outside, and she also wanted to see how well this new outfit repelled the cold, as it was one of the few gifts she had received in so many years.
In the past, it was always her dad who gave her gifts, and… forget it…
Seeing his daughter leave with Ji Yunqi, Yao Qing also looked at the young man in front of him.
He was not worried that Ji Yunqi would harm Yao Yun Chu, as his father and daughter had little value and were not worth harming. On the other hand, he had lived for so many years and could tell whether a person had malicious intent.
“You…”
Ye Mingkong slowly got up and walked to the window, looking at the snowflakes drifting outside…
At the same time, he put his hands behind his back, raised his head slightly, and thought in his mind…
Does he look like a senior in this posture…?
“Ahem… You, how have you been all these years?”
Yao Qing still couldn’t quite understand all of this. Why was the young man in front of him caring about him like an elder, when they were complete strangers and he was just a child?
“Sorry, I don’t quite understand what you mean.”
“Alas…”
“Perhaps it’s normal that you don’t recognize me because I’ve undergone some changes. I am your Yun Chu sister…”
???
Yao Qing’s brain suddenly twitched, and he didn’t react at all to what was happening. What did he just hear?
This kid said he was his Yun Chu sister?
No, buddy, what’s the relationship between you two? They don’t look related at all!
If you had said you were Yun Chu sister’s son, I would have believed it!
“Little brother, if you are sincerely here to tease me, then please leave. I won’t see you off!”
Ye Mingkong, who knew Yao Qing’s way of doing things, could naturally tell that this guy was angry… As expected, after so many years, his angry look was still the same.
He was fierce but timid. His bad childhood experiences made it impossible for him to truly say harsh words to anyone. As long as they were normal people, he couldn’t be truly cruel.
Such people… rarely offend others, but they are easily bullied.
“I’m not lying.”
Ye Mingkong had no choice but to briefly recount his experience, which finally made Yao Qing believe him.
To say he believed it was just that Yao Qing didn’t immediately kick him out. He was still in a state of doubt and hadn’t fully believed Ye Mingkong’s words.
After all…
The resurrection of the dead and the return of the soul were too fantastical for him to understand…
“What, you don’t believe me?”
Yao Qing shook his head. No one would believe such a thing, unless this person could say something that only the two of them knew.
Otherwise, he would never believe it.
“Then let’s talk about something only we know, shall we?” Ye Mingkong smiled wickedly, and his gaze towards Yao Qing changed.
For some reason, Yao Qing suddenly felt a chill down his spine, but could he retreat now that the words were at the tip of his tongue?
No way!
“Say it, I’m listening. As long as you can say it, I’ll believe you!”
“Okay!”
“I remember… when I was a child, I took you to catch crabs in the river, and you were caught by a crab and cried for me to save you…”
“Stop!”
Before Ye Mingkong could finish speaking, Yao Qing called out to stop him. Why would he remember such a thing?
Why would he choose to mention this embarrassing incident instead of all the good memories?
“Do you believe me now?”
“I believe… I believe…”
How could he not believe? His underwear had been exposed. Fortunately, his daughter had been taken out, otherwise, the old father would have no face left…
“You… you are really Yun Chu sister?”
Ye Mingkong nodded: “Naturally, genuine. I’ve just changed my appearance.”
“Sister…” Facing Yao Qing’s actions, Ye Mingkong did not refuse. This was the kid he had raised, his brother. What was wrong with hugging him?
Moreover, he was a big man now, what was the big deal?
“Alright, you’re 40 years old, and you still act like a child. How can this be?”
After being reprimanded by Ye Mingkong, Yao Qing immediately adjusted himself.
“It’s great that you’re back. I thought I would never see you again in this life, but I didn’t expect to meet you again at this time.”
Ye Mingkong sat back on the sofa: “By the way… where is your wife?”
Yao Qing’s hand holding the tea paused slightly: “This… I don’t have a wife.”
“Ah?”
“You don’t have a wife, so where did your daughter come from?”
Facing this question, Yao Qing first looked at the door to make sure his daughter hadn’t returned yet, and then explained to Ye Mingkong: “Sister, I picked up this child. However, I haven’t told her about her background, and I hope you won’t reveal it either. I hope to tell her when she grows up in the future.”
“Picked up…”
These words greatly stimulated Ye Mingkong. In the past, they always liked to use these words to scare the younger Ji Chengyun.
When Ji Chengyun was mischievous, they would say he was adopted, and if he was more mischievous, they would give him away. Every time they finished speaking, Ji Chengyun would look at them with a disdainful expression.
They knew very well that the child did not believe them, and they never intended for the child to believe them, as they could say these things in a joking tone.
Their original intention was just to scare the young Ji Chengyun.
At that time, they never thought that there would be children around who were truly adopted…
“I know, I’ll keep it a secret.”
“Thank you, sister.”
“Don’t be so polite with me. Don’t call me sister anymore. Call me brother. After all, I’m a husband now, right?”
As soon as she said this, Yao Qing’s gaze towards Ye Mingkong changed instantly. He never expected that his sister was actually a…
“You…”
Sensing the change in Yao Qing’s gaze, Ye Mingkong suddenly realized what this guy was thinking.
“She is my husband, and she is in the same situation as me.”
After a simple explanation, Yao Qing was stunned again.
So there was more than one such miracle?
“Since I’m back, you, as my brother, naturally can’t be living so miserably. I’ll arrange a job for you later, and you can just go there then. No one will dare to make things difficult for you.”
Ye Mingkong’s words were very domineering, leaving Yao Qing no room to refuse.
Of course, Yao Qing had no intention of refusing. Ye Mingkong had always been very kind to him, and this had never changed. Now that he was arranging a job for him, he would naturally accept it as his sister’s help, and at the same time, he would do his best to live up to this kindness.
“Thank you, Sis… Big Brother!”
Ye Mingkong nodded: “That’s right.”
After all, he was the one he had raised. Even without any background, Ye Mingkong had never thought of abandoning him. He had just… forgotten him for a while due to his own reasons…
Although this period was a bit long, it was only a few decades. Isn’t he still fine?
He also had a little girl to entertain himself.
Back then, since he had taken care of him for a long time, he should take care of him until he could be independent. After all, he had chosen the other party himself.
This is what is called karma. If you choose him, you must take good care of him, not abandon him halfway…
“Do you… resent me for abandoning you back then?”
Yao Qing smiled slightly and then shook his head: “Without you, I wouldn’t be who I am today. Even if you suddenly left my world, I wouldn’t blame you. You have your life and shouldn’t be bound by me.”
“Instead, I’d rather be your helper and help you soar to the heavens, rather than be a shackle that restrains you and hinders your progress.”
Ye Mingkong’s expression stiffened for a moment, and then he lowered his head.
This kid…
Just talk properly, why do you have to be so philosophical and so sentimental?
Forget it, he was his person, and there were infinite possibilities in the future!
………………..
