Chapter 33

The next day, Ye Feng got up early, and his mother also got up at the same time. To their surprise, Qin Yan had already risen even earlier.

Qin Yan was wearing a set of short-sleeved, short-panted sportswear, her face flushed, looking as if she had just returned from a run.

Mother was busy preparing breakfast and had just entered the kitchen when she saw a steaming bowl of soy milk and fried dough sticks already placed on the table.

Qin Yan pushed the two of them into the kitchen and said with a smile, "I just got back from my run and bought soy milk and fried dough sticks on the way. Auntie has been getting up early to make breakfast for me these past few days, which makes me feel very guilty. I'm afraid that if I get used to Auntie's cooking, I won't be able to adapt to not having it in the future. I'm actually quite clumsy and not good at cooking, Ye Feng, don't laugh at me."

Ye Feng politely replied, "How could I? My cooking skills are also average."

At this moment, Mother suddenly chimed in, "It's normal for girls from big cities not to know how to cook. Qin Yan, if you like eating what I cook, I can make it for you every day, okay?"

Mother looked at Qin Yan and smiled, finding more and more that there was nothing wrong with this girl.

Qin Yan's face suddenly turned red, as Mother's words had a clear double meaning. She pushed Mother into the dining chair and said, "Auntie, you and Ye Feng eat first, I'll go wash up and tidy up."

After saying this, she hurriedly turned and left.

Ye Feng felt the atmosphere suddenly become awkward and said, "Mom, how can you cook for Lawyer Qin every day? I was planning to send you back by train today."

Mother sighed, "I wish I could cook for her every day, but I don't have that kind of luck. You, my child, are already grown up, and I don't want to nag you anymore to avoid making you annoyed. In short, this year when you go home for the New Year, you must bring a girlfriend back for me and your father. Otherwise, you won't be allowed to go out to work next year. If you have the means, it would be best to bring Lawyer Qin back."

Ye Feng subconsciously replied, "Why would I bring Lawyer Qin back? Besides, our place is so poor; Lawyer Qin might not even want to go there."

Mother tapped Ye Feng's forehead with her chopsticks and said angrily, "Why is this child so dense?"

Ye Feng, after being hit by Mother, finally realized what she meant—she wanted him to pursue Qin Yan.

How could that be possible? Qin Yan is a famous lawyer, and he is just a small laborer; how could they possibly end up together?

Ye Feng smiled bitterly and said, "Mom, I understand your meaning, but don't worry about it. I promise that when I go home for the New Year, I'll try to bring a girlfriend back, okay?"

Mother's anger turned to a smile, "Good, just remember. Don't just focus on making money. You're right; I should go back. I've been a bother to Qin Yan for so long. Now that you're fine, I should go home early to avoid worrying your father and grandparents."

Ye Feng smiled, "Okay, after we finish eating, we'll say goodbye to Lawyer Qin and leave. There are many trains from Mingzhu to Yanshi in Jisheng Province, and there are even high-speed trains now. I'll buy you a high-speed train ticket so you can experience the speed."

"Why spend that extra money? I can take the regular train. Xiao Feng, no matter how long you live in the big city or how much money you make, remember not to spend it recklessly. Learn to save and be frugal."

Ye Feng nodded, "Don't worry, I'm not that kind of person."

After breakfast, Ye Feng and his mother tidied up and formally proposed to Qin Yan that they would send Mother back.

Qin Yan's face clearly showed a hint of disappointment. She actually didn't want Ye Feng's mother to leave. Over these few days, the two of them had developed some feelings. Thinking about her own parents being far away in another province and the prospect of living alone in her cold and empty home, she felt quite unaccustomed.

But Qin Yan couldn't say anything to retain her, knowing that Ye Feng's family was waiting for his mother to return and take care of them.

Qin Yan asked Ye Feng to wait a moment, then went to the living room, packed some tea and liquor she had planned to bring home for the New Year, and handed a large bag to Ye Feng, saying, "Ye Feng, I don't have much to give Auntie, but these tea and liquor, though not very expensive, are my heartfelt gift. Please make sure Auntie takes them back."

Ye Feng and his mother tried to refuse a few times but couldn't persuade Qin Yan, so they finally accepted it without further ado.

Qin Yan made a phone call to her law firm and said, "Let's go, I'll drive you and Auntie to the train station."

After seeing Mother off on the train, it was already close to noon. Mother had returned home, and although Ye Feng felt a bit reluctant, he also felt a bit relieved. His mother had worried and been anxious for so long, and now it was finally over.

Unfortunately, the Yin-Yang fruit in the space had not yet matured, so he couldn't give it to his mother and family to improve their appearance and health. He would have to wait until he went home for the New Year.

After leaving the train station and getting back into Qin Yan's car, Ye Feng said, "Lawyer Qin, I'm really sorry for keeping you from your work this morning."

Qin Yan smiled, "Why are you being so polite? After handling your case, I've gained a lot of fame. I plan to take a few days off and not take on any new cases. Ye Feng, what are your plans for the future? Are you going to look for a new job?"

Ye Feng nodded, "Yes, I definitely need to find a job, but before that, I need to rent a place to live. I've already been fired from the construction site, so I'm homeless, as you said."

Qin Yan almost blurted out, "Why don't you just stay at my place? My house is so big," but she held back, thinking about the difference between men and women. She felt her face heat up, realizing that she had such a thought and was completely unguarded around Ye Feng.

"Ye Feng, I can help you find a place to rent and a new job. How about I contact someone for you now?"

Ye Feng shook his head, "No, I've already troubled you enough. Besides, the jobs I can do are mostly physical labor, and there are many of them, so I'm not worried about finding one. As for renting a place, if you can help me with that, that would be great."

"Sure, what kind of place are you looking for? I know some people who have empty apartments for rent. With me as the intermediary, the rent won't be too high."

"I don't have many requirements. The place doesn't need to be too big, and the rent shouldn't be too high. Preferably in Xiahui District."

"Xiahui District, that's a good choice. It's by the sea, with fresh air. That's one of the main reasons I bought a house there. Your choice is good. You have good taste." For some reason, Qin Yan felt inexplicably happy when she heard that Ye Feng wanted to live in Xiahui District.

Ye Feng smiled, "I'm not particular about that. The main reason is that I've found a new job in Xiahui District, so it will be convenient for me to go to work."

"Really? You already have a job in mind? What kind of job is it? Can you tell me in advance?"

"It's not certain yet. I plan to check it out today or tomorrow. I'll tell you when it's settled, and I'll treat you to a meal."

"Sure, since you mentioned treating me to a meal, I should fulfill my bet. Didn't you say you really wanted to eat he饹饹面? That place, what's it called, He Luo Guan, shall we go there now? I'll make sure you eat your fill. Let's go, you give me directions, and I'll drive."

Ye Feng didn't expect Qin Yan to really want to fulfill her bet and said, "Lawyer Qin, the main reason I made the bet with you was to vent and balance things out. I didn't really mean to bet. You don't have to treat me to a meal. Besides, that place is quite far from here, and it will take about an hour to drive there, even longer if there's traffic. I think we should just forget it. You can drop me off anywhere in Xiahui District."

Qin Yan rolled her eyes at Ye Feng and pouted, "Ye Feng, why are you being so fussy? Fine, I said I would treat you to a meal, so I will. If you feel uncomfortable, you can treat me back a few times in the future. The main road is Yuhua Road, right? Let's go now. If everything goes smoothly, it won't take an hour to get there. We can talk about renting a place while we eat."

Seeing Qin Yan's pout, a rare expression she had never shown him, Ye Feng's heart skipped a beat. He didn't think much more and said, "Okay, let's go."