Chapter 295: 295 congenital defect Chapter 295: 295 congenital defect Mrs. He was not a lazy person, but she simply enjoyed feeling as if she were an old lady.

Just as old man Ye was about to step out, Mrs. He suddenly remembered, “Old man, how are we going to arrange lunch this afternoon?”

Mrs. He thought to herself, it would be quite a slap in the face if they prepared everything, and the guests did not come.

Although old man Ye also had concerns, his desire to reconcile with Ye Zhong won out over all else, “You start by preparing a few dishes, and then slaughter a chicken, let’s just do that for now!”

Old man Ye figured that even if Ye Zhong didn’t want to come over, they could just eat the food themselves, as their household was now well-off and a few eggs from a chicken weren’t a big deal.

After old man Ye left, Ye Jiu asked Mrs. He, “Mother, what’s this about eating again?”

Mrs. He resignedly explained to Ye Jiu what had happened in the field that day.

Upon learning there was a cousin suffering from a chronic illness who had studied for several years, had become a Child Scholar at the age of twelve, and was known as a young genius of Wangshan Village,
everyone had once predicted that Ye Changsheng would surely become a Scholar and a provincial graduate, achieving great success. Unfortunately, such a genius had to quit school because of his health, right after passing the Child Scholar exam.

After hearing about it, Ye Jiu felt it was truly a pity.

Moreover, she had already taken a liking to her elder cousin, of course, provided that he was at least a decent person.

Because they had a grandson who was frequently ill, Ye Zhong’s family could be described as living beyond their means.

But that was okay, she had money, and Ye Changsheng had knowledge, Ye Jiu’s request was not high; she just wanted to be taught how to read traditional characters.

That afternoon, while Mrs. He was busy slaughtering the chicken and preparing dishes, Ye Jiu quietly took a breadbasket from home, filled it with some cherries, and ran out.

Ye Jiu knew where Ye Zhong’s house was, it was just a bit far.

When they had divided up the family property, the grandmother had insisted on living with old man Ye, so they had given their home to him, while Ye Zhong had built his own house elsewhere.

Ye Zhong had felt resentful at the time, so he deliberately chose a remote location for his house.

Ye Jiu walked for several minutes before she finally arrived at Ye Zhong’s house.

The main door was unlocked, so Ye Jiu pushed it open and entered, “Is anyone home? Changsheng, are you here?”

Ye Jiu called out as she entered, but while she received no response, she heard continuous coughing after finishing her own words.

Following the sound, Ye Jiu walked into the room and saw a young man lying on the heated brick bed coughing vigorously, covered with what appeared to be a thick blanket despite the hot weather.

After pouring a cup of water, Ye Jiu brought it over and with great effort helped Ye Changsheng sit up halfway. She handed him the bowl of water, “Drink some water, catch your breath.”

After just a few sips, Ye Changsheng indicated he didn’t want any more, then looked at Ye Jiu in confusion, “You are…?”

“I am your little aunt, Ye Jiu.” Ye Jiu said and then took the basket from the table and walked out. When she returned, she was holding a basin of washed cherries.

Ye Jiu placed the cherries close to Ye Changsheng’s bed within arm’s reach, “I brought you some cherries, eat them when you’re bored to pass the time.”

“Thank you, little aunt.” Ye Changsheng said calmly.

Ye Changsheng knew of Ye Jiu, even though he hadn’t left the house for years, Ye Jiu had been quite well-known, both when she was sick years ago and even now.

“Changsheng, your health…” Ye Jiu hesitated.

Since Ye Changsheng had been housebound for several years due to his health, it was common knowledge and there was nothing to hide, “Premature birth. It’s a problem I’ve had since I was in my mother’s womb. It is what it is.”