Rebirth: The Courtyard Bride Is Cool and Radiant

Chapter 372: Chapter 372 Showdown

Wen Yue was already heartbroken. She never expected that her Third Aunt—no, her biological mother—would say such things in front of so many family members, and her face instantly turned several shades paler.

Xia Dongxue held back her heartache, turning her face away, afraid she would soften.

It wasn’t that the family couldn’t keep Wen Yue, but doing so would be profoundly unfair to Yunyi. Xia Dongxue didn’t want her daughter to return home only to live with unease. The thought of Wen Yue enjoying their affection for all those years—affection that should have been her daughter’s—while her own child had been deliberately taken out into the harsh winter and abandoned by that scoundrel Fang Zhichun, made her heart ache as if pricked by needles.

Wen Yue saw that her mother wouldn’t look at her. Her father was comforting her mother, and her older brothers, Ye Wenhui and Ye Wenhao, kept their heads down. Only her youngest brother, Ye Wenyang, looked at her with sympathy, and a wave of sorrow washed over her.

Knowing she had no choice but to move in with her Third Uncle, she no longer resisted. She stood up. ”Dad, Mom, I know what I said just now was a bit selfish. Thank you for all the love you’ve shown Wen Yue over the years. I’ll pack up and move to Third Uncle’s place as soon as possible.”

Although she said this, she didn’t actually want to move in with her Third Uncle. She planned to pack her things and move everything to the dormitory at the cultural troupe.

Having often observed Wenjuan’s life at home, she didn’t want to live like Wenjuan. She didn’t want to listen to her Third Aunt’s nagging every day, and she especially didn’t want her Third Aunt to dominate her life.

When Xia Dongxue heard Wen Yue’s words, her heart ached so much she could hardly breathe. Her three sons were rather wild, and among them, it was Wen Yue, her little cotton-padded jacket, whom she cherished most. She truly couldn’t bear to let her go.

Ye Bingyu didn’t want to drag things out any longer. ”Alright,” he said, ”don’t wear yourself out. Have your second brother and youngest brother help you. Remember, even if you’re not our main house’s daughter from now on, you’re still our niece. None of this is your fault, and we still love you.”

Wen Yue choked out, ”Thank you, Eldest Uncle.”

Her own word, ”Eldest Uncle,” made her tears fall like rain. Thinking of all the past moments shared with her parents, older brothers, and younger brother, Ye Wenyue could no longer hold back and ran out.

Second Elder Master Ye immediately said to Ye Wenqing of the third branch, ”Wenqing, hurry and follow your sister.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Wenyang of the main house ran out, and then Ye Wenqing, reacting a moment later, also followed.

Ye Wenhui and Ye Wenhao also looked outside anxiously, but remembering the family’s earlier discussion, they forcibly suppressed the urge to follow.

Wen Yue had to adapt. They couldn’t let her hold onto too many lingering hopes, as that wouldn’t be truly loving her. They also feared that the two girls, now effectively sisters, wouldn’t get along.

Their father was right: indecisiveness only leads to more trouble, and they didn’t want to witness such a scene.

Now that everything was out in the open, Elder Master Ye said, ”Everyone, disperse. Wenhui, Wenhao, you two go out and check on Wen Yue. Make sure nothing else happens.”

The two brothers received their instructions and replied, ”Yes, Grandfather.”

Zhang Baoxiang thought about her sister-in-law from her maiden family, who might be arrested soon, and felt unbearably upset. She got up and walked outside, intending to call and notify her eldest brother first.

But someone acted faster. After comforting his wife, Ye Bingyu went straight to the study and called the village committee where the Zhang family lived.

When Zhang Baosheng was called over by the village loudspeaker, his hands were covered in white lime.

The brigade leader, worried Zhang Baosheng would dirty the telephone receiver, said, ”Baosheng, go wash your hands first, so I don’t have to clean the phone afterward.”

Zhang Baosheng then remembered he had been working. Hearing the loudspeaker, he had run straight to the office without even washing his hands.

He had just finished washing them when the phone rang.

The brigade leader gestured for him to take the call. ”Hello, this is Zhang Baosheng,” he said into the receiver.

Ye Bingyu took a deep breath before speaking. ”Baosheng, this is Ye Bingyu.”

The investigation was complete. He didn’t know if Fang Zhichun had mentioned anything to him, but he couldn’t wait any longer. He absolutely couldn’t. After all, they had once been comrades-in-arms.

He felt it necessary to give him a heads-up. After all, Fang Zhichun had claimed that Zhang Baosheng was completely unaware of the child-swapping incident.

Zhang Baosheng hadn’t expected Ye Bingyu to call. His voice tinged with excitement, he asked, ”Bingyu, why are you calling? Is something wrong?”