Chapter 35

Chapter 35: Family Hierarchy

When Ye Youran and Ye Xiao pushed the door open, their father, Ye Jianning, was sitting upright on the sofa, reading the newspaper.

On the coffee table in front of him sat a cup of Goji berry tea quietly.

Even at home, Ye Jianning was dressed very formally and neatly, with a head of thick black hair that showed some signs of aging at the temples.

“You little rascals, you finally know to come back! Ye Xiao, where have you taken your sister off to again? You bring her home and don’t even think to come back and see us first!”

Noticing the noise from the door, Liu Yun immediately blocked the entrance, carefully scrutinizing her two daughters.

Her words were full of reprimands, but her eyes were filled with deep concern, which was clearly directed towards Ye Youran.

A child who is close is not as dear as a child who is far away. Ye Xiao, who is always in Binhai City and under the eyes of the couple, how can she be as pleasing to the eye as Ye Youran?

“I…”

Ye Xiao wanted to explain but, seeing Liu Yun’s gaze, instinctively backed down.

However, Liu Yun had no intention of pursuing Ye Xiao further, her attention quickly shifted to Ye Youran.

“Finally back! Look at how thin you’ve gotten from your studies abroad. You both insisted on letting Youran study overseas, what’s so good about foreign countries? You’ve made her so skinny!”

Liu Yun grabbed Ye Youran’s hand and started to fuss over her.

She asked how life was abroad, whether Ye Youran was in a relationship, and inquired about her health and studies while overseas.

Ye Xiao helplessly spread her hands, wondering why she was being treated so differently.

She thought her sister, with her curves in all the right places, had nothing to do with being thin.

“Cough, cough, dear, our daughters has finally come home. Are you really going to make them stand at the door?”

After being silent while reading the paper, Ye Jianning finally spoke. Ye Youran looked relieved, if Liu Yun continued to nag, they might be stuck at the entrance all day.

“Oh dear, look at my mind! I got so excited to see Youran back. Come in quickly!”

Saying this, Liu Yun pulled Ye Youran into the inner room, while Ye Xiao seemed to be forgotten, as if she were a child picked up off the street.

Ye Xiao shook her head in frustration and headed straight toward the living room.

This was the real big boss of the day.

Sitting on the sofa, Ye Jianning exuded a sense of quiet authority.

Fortunately, Ye Xiao had been repeatedly reassuring herself on the way here that she was Ye Jianning’s most beloved and well-behaved daughter, fearing that when she finally faced Ye Jianning, she might blurt out something ridiculous, getting herself into a heap of trouble.

As Ye Xiao reached the side of the sofa, Ye Jianning finally set down his newspaper, studying his daughter as if waiting for something.

“Dad~ Look, Mom only cares about my sister and treats me like I’m invisible~”

Ye Xiao’s eyes darted around before she leaped into Ye Jianning’s embrace.

Compared to Ye Youran, Ye Jianning showed Ye Xiao more affection, while Liu Yun’s attitude was the opposite.

Ye Xiao was his favorite daughter.

Ye Jianning could easily pick up his daughter and lift her high, something he loved to do in the past. But with Ye Youran growing up, it was impossible for him to be as intimate with her as he once was.

But Ye Xiao was different, she was small, always looking as if she never grew up.

Ye Xiao’s petite, doll-like appearance kept Ye Jianning in a constant state of conflicting emotions.

Feeling his daughter cuddle in his arms, a warm smile appeared on Ye Jianning’s face.

He extended a rough but warm hand, gently stroking Ye Xiao’s head.

Ye Xiao squinted her eyes, snuggling into her father’s embrace, feeling the safety and love emanating from him.

In her previous life, Ye Xiao hadn’t experienced much paternal love, and her current identity perfectly filled that void.

A sense of relief washed over her.

Although she had taken over Ye Xiao’s identity, since she had already traversed into this world, she ought to shoulder the original’s responsibilities towards her parents.

“Xiao Xiao, I heard you’ve been getting close to that Gu family’s son’s wife lately? You even plan to start a company?”

Ye Xiao looked up, blinking in surprise that her father was so interested in her affairs.

He actually knew about the two biggest things she had done since arriving in this world.

“Well, CEO Gu is busy, and Sister Gu was bored, so she came to play with me. As for the company, I do have such plans. Aren’t you going to support your most adorable daughter?”

“Alright, alright! Starting a company is fine. Just don’t make a scene too big that you can’t handle it. Your dad here doesn’t have much ability. I’ve muddled through life in Binhai City without much success. Here’s 1 million for you, I can’t give any more, considering I have a hundred people to support myself.”

Huh? Ye Xiao was taken aback, her phone chimed with the delightful sound of a transfer.

Another million had been added to her account.

She had been prepared to face difficulties and had planned to use a tough approach, but her main obstacle had just collapsed without her even having to try.

She had never imagined such a wonderful start.

“Dad! You’re the best dad in the world! Mua~”

With the memories of the original and the continuous self-reassurance, Ye Xiao felt no resistance towards her cheap dad’s identity.

Following the original’s habits, she planted a big kiss on her father’s cheek.

“Hahaha~”

Ye Jianning’s face lit up with delight, completely shedding his earlier calm demeanor.

“By the way, Xiao Xiao, you and your sister haven’t eaten yet, right? Since you’ve come back so hard to come by, stay home for dinner. I’ll have your mom make something delicious for you!”

Eat! They must eat! This was a command from her dad, and how could Ye Xiao possibly disobey?

“I’ll go call your mom! What are you talking about? Don’t keep us father and daughter waiting. Xiao Xiao, don’t worry; I’ll talk to your mom for you!”

“Mm~ I knew you were the best, Dad!”

Ye Xiao was immensely pleased at this moment. With a supportive dad behind her, why would she be afraid of her cheap mom?

Thus, Ye Xiao watched as Ye Jianning strode confidently toward the inner room.

However, within a minute, she heard the wails of her dad, who had just assured her he would help deal with her cheap mom.

“Wife! It hurts~ It hurts~ Can’t you give me a little respect when our daughter finally comes back?”

Then Ye Xiao saw a picturesque scene: a beautiful middle-aged woman dragging a middle-aged handsome man by the ear, pulling him out of the room.

It was a sight too painful to watch!

Ye Jianning’s grand image had collapsed in Ye Xiao’s eyes.