Chapter 17: Forever Restless and Unattainable

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Ye Siran glanced at He Yongchang, who sat a few rows ahead, occasionally turning back to look at her, hesitating to speak. “Uncle He, what do you want to ask?”

“Ranran said she would be back within two years at most. Is there still a chance for Hongwen?” He Yongchang asked with hopeful eyes.

“Uncle He, don’t joke around. Brother Hongwen has already registered his marriage with Sister,” Ye Siran replied ambiguously, her words carefully measured.

She didn’t truly know He Yongchang’s real thoughts. In her previous life, she had feared this father-in-law greatly; the few words they exchanged in a lifetime were far fewer than what they said yesterday.

Though she had been reborn, in Jing City she was an isolated, helpless orphan.

No matter how capable she was, she could only be a lonely little flower; besides, right now, she wasn’t capable at all.

He Yongchang’s sharp gaze scrutinized Ye Siran’s eyes, dark like a shadowed lake.

Within them flickered a stubborn light, yet beneath that gleam lay deep-seated fear.

This girl was guarding herself against him!

His voice softened. “I just want to tell you, if you’re unhappy over in Qing Province, come back. Hongwen’s heart belongs to you.”

“...”

Ye Siran dared not respond lightly, only remaining silent.

“The reason I chose Ye Ruyue was because she carries the blood of capitalists. As long as Ranran is willing, I can always use the excuse of class enemies to force a divorce between her and Hongwen.”

Ye Siran was stunned by He Yongchang’s words!

At the same time, she silently thought: It’s a good thing I didn’t confront this old fox head-on before; even living thirty more years, I might never be his match!

“Ranran, Hongwen really has you in his heart. Yesterday morning, to avoid registering with Ye Ruyue, he ran to the restroom more than ten times. In the afternoon, when he learned I had arranged the marriage certificate for him, he even argued with me.”

Hearing He Yongchang’s words, if she hadn’t lived a whole lifetime, Ye Siran might have believed them.

But having lived through it all, she knew Hongwen’s behavior wasn’t love, but rather unwillingness to let go because he couldn’t have her.

“Uncle He, there is a saying: what you can’t get always stirs unrest; what you have, you discard like old shoes.

Those who are favored become reckless, while the neglected are always cautious. Hongwen doesn’t love me; he’s just unwilling to accept defeat.”

This time, He Yongchang was left speechless. His face showed no expression, but inside he was a storm of emotions.

He hadn’t expected that this seemingly insignificant young girl could see through everything so clearly. How much suffering must she have endured to awaken like this!

Yesterday, seeing his son weep bitterly, he truly thought Hongwen had come to his senses, finally realizing Ranran’s worth and falling for her.

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It turned out he was just unwilling.

After a long pause, He Yongchang spoke with guilt, “Ranran, Uncle is sorry for letting you suffer!

I thought Ye Jianping would treat you better for my sake, but I didn’t realize you endured so much pain where we couldn’t see.”

“Uncle He, there’s no need to blame yourself. My stepfather—oh, no longer now—I’ve cut ties with all four of them.

Ye Jianping didn’t mistreat me, but he didn’t make things easier either. It was my own mother who did things worse than any stranger.”

In her past life, she had endured thirty years of her mother’s strange and cruel torment.

“Ranran, Song Chunhua abused you? Why didn’t you tell us?” He Yongchang asked in disbelief.

The malicious deeds of her biological mother hadn’t yet occurred in this timeline, especially since He Yongchang’s family was nearby and the Ye family hadn’t completely fallen yet.

Ye Siran considered carefully before replying, “I wouldn’t call it abuse. It was all voluntary. Since I became aware, I always felt I was a burden to her. Not wanting to make things difficult, I took on all the household chores myself.”

In her previous life, from the moment she became sensible, she was a dependent, married to Hongwen without his affection.

Her whole life was confined to trivial family matters; her perspective never extended beyond parents and relatives.

Her thoughts and concerns were narrow, tinged with petty small-mindedness.

Ye Ruyue, on the other hand, had gone to university, had a job, and confidence. That’s why He Hongwen was utterly biased toward her.

“Ranran, when you arrive, remember to send me a telegram if you encounter any problems you can’t solve...”

He Yongchang personally carried a large bag, nagging on the way. The reluctance in his eyes made Ye Siran feel a twinge of sorrow.

Once on the train, Ye Siran realized that this green train had no seats, only an empty carriage.

He Yongchang helped her find a window seat and placed the big canvas bag under the window. “Ranran, is there anything fragile in this bag?”

“No, it’s fine. Uncle, you can get off now!” Ye Siran quickly understood his concern.

“All right, I’m getting off now. Ranran, once you find your grandparents, send me a telegram. Don’t get involved in any troubles.”

“Okay.”

After He Yongchang got off, Ye Siran leaned out the window and saw the family members bidding farewell, standing by the train.

They looked up, sorrowful expressions fixed on the faces of their children aboard, repeating their reminders.

It truly resembled the heartbreaking farewell scenes in future-generation TV dramas, scenes too painful to watch.

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As the train began to move, the relatives on the platform ran alongside for a long while. Ye Siran also caught sight of the dazzlingly bright He Yongchang.

Twenty minutes earlier, she had doubted his true feelings.

Clang… clang…

The train rattled rhythmically over the tracks.

Ye Siran knelt on her luggage, hands resting on the window frame, calmly watching the scenery recede.

This green train was bound from Jing City to Qing Province. Not all the youths in this carriage were from Jing City.

Many had come from surrounding counties—young volunteers heading to support the rural northwest.

For now, there were no human traffickers aboard; whether any would board later was unknown.

There were no elderly or children either, and no fights over seats, since there were none.

At first, everyone’s faces were full of enthusiasm—some excited, some nervous, some uncertain.

When eyes met, greetings were exchanged. Ye Siran neither initiated nor rejected contact.

Her head was bowed, eyes naturally avoiding others. Occasionally, when spoken to, she would reply.

Hours later, the initial fervor cooled; familiar faces leaned on each other to sleep.

Ye Siran, alone, did not seek comfort from others, and those around her hesitated to lean on her.

Every few hours, she visited the restroom—actually, to retreat into the spacious space of her mansion to prepare food.

After eating, she practiced taekwondo and some Shaolin kung fu, skills familiar from her past life.

After two days and nights, everyone looked worn out, but the spiritual spring water nourished Ye Siran’s complexion, making her glow.

She rubbed some of the black soil from her space onto her face and clothes to avoid standing out.

After three days and nights, the train finally reached its destination, and the arrival announcement sounded.