Ye Wenjie, watch my moves closely.

Chapter 24 No One Repents

Stepping out of the deep mountains, Ye Wenjie sensed that everything was recovering.

Students with children appeared in universities, Chinese classics were sold out in bookstores, technological innovation in factories became a remarkable achievement, and people approached science with the sincerity of primary school students.

Ye Wenjie would occasionally recall that blood-red dawn that betrayed humanity, but she was no longer afraid. Instead, she faced her own heart and sincerely pondered a question:

Is the level of civilization directly proportional to morality?

After leaving the Red Coast Base, she no longer had the means to receive replies from extraterrestrials. The answer to the question would probably have to be something she pondered for the rest of her life.

After returning to the city, Ye Wenjie did not rush to report to the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

She first returned to her alma mater and settled in her father's old small house, patiently raising Yang Dong.

Every month, Xiao Yangdong unlocks a new skill, from rolling over to sitting up, and then to babbling and learning to speak.

Ye Wenjie's wounded soul was constantly being healed by the little life.

After some time, Ye Wenjie learned about her mother Shaolin's situation.

After her father died, Shaolin married a down-on-his-luck high-ranking official who lived in a cowshed. This investment quickly paid off, and her husband was reinstated a few years later and rose rapidly through the ranks to a very high position.

Taking advantage of this favorable wind, Shaolin became a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and was transferred from Tsinghua University to become the vice president of another prestigious university.

"I want to take Dongdong there."

At night, after putting Yang Dong to sleep, the couple sat in the living room and talked.

Yang Weining had little contact with his mother-in-law, but he was aware of Shaolin's almost heartless selfishness.

He worried that if Ye Wenjie went again, she would suffer heartbreak once more.

"Old Yang, I'm just going to see her. Dongdong is her granddaughter after all."

Yang Weining frowned, pondered for a long time, and said, "I'll ask You Yu for leave, and tomorrow I'll go with you and Dongdong."

"I can go by myself."

Ye Wenjie said, "You're busy with work, it's not good for you to leave."

Upon returning, Yang Weining first went to report to the Deep Space Research Department. Ye Wenjie only knew that he was delving into the theoretical direction of microscopic quantum mechanics, which is a cutting-edge discipline. As the person in charge, it was already difficult for Yang Weining to go home every day.

"Not missing a day won't make us miss a major physics discovery. Comrade You Yu instructed me to prioritize my family. Your matter is of paramount importance to me."

"Come on."

Yang Weining's life in Qijiatun has changed somewhat.

He talks more than he did at the Red Coast Base, and often says things that are cloying or offensive.

Although Ye Wenjie didn't respond, she was still happy inside.

The next morning, Yang Weining carried some gifts and went to Shaolin's residence with Ye Wenjie.

Having given prior notice, Shaolin warmly welcomed Ye Wenjie's family. She inquired about how the young family had managed over the years, marveling at Dongdong's intelligence and cuteness, and meticulously instructed the cook and nanny on the dishes Ye Wenjie liked to eat.

Everything was done so properly, so skillfully, so perfectly.

But Ye Wenjie could clearly sense the distance between them. They carefully avoided sensitive topics and did not talk about Ye Wenjie's father.

Yang Weining watched his wife's changing expressions silently.

After dinner, Shaolin and her husband walked Ye Wenjie's family a long way.

Ye Wenjie seemed preoccupied, her face showing little expression.

"Little Ye,"

At this moment, Shaolin's husband spoke up, "I have something to say to you."

He winked at Shaolin, who nodded and said, "You two chat, I'll head back now."

At this moment, Yang Weining, who had been silent all along, suddenly pulled Shaolin aside and turned to the vice minister, who was many levels above him, and said, "Let the mother and daughter talk. If you have anything to say, just tell me, and I will pass it on to Wenjie."

In an instant, the deputy minister's face changed from a warm smile to icy coldness. "Xiao Yang, this doesn't seem to be your business."

Yang Weining nudged Ye Wenjie with his hand, then put his arm around his father-in-law's neck and said, "This has nothing to do with you. Let's go outside and talk."

The deputy minister, no match for Yang Weining's strength, was helped along to the shade of the trees. A surge of anger rose within him. He said to Yang Weining, "I welcome you to bring your children, but on one condition: do not bring up past grievances! Ye Wenjie's mother bears no responsibility for Ye Zhetai's death; she was also a victim. It was Ye Zhetai who was obsessively attached to his beliefs, going down a dark path and abandoning his responsibilities to his family, causing his mother and daughter to suffer so much."

"Shaolin asked you to pass on this message, didn't she?"

Yang Weining addressed her by her first name, showing no respect whatsoever for Ye Wenjie's mother.

Ye Zhetai is an unavoidable obstacle in Ye Wenjie's heart, but his wife deliberately avoided talking about her father during this visit.

This is her fight for her mother.

What did Ke Shaolin do?

She specifically instructed her husband to say these accusatory words because she knew Ye Wenjie's personality; she even remembered what Wenjie liked to eat.

If you say something like that, what will Wenjie do?

Yang Weining didn't need to guess; he was certain that his wife would never have any contact with Shaolin again.

Would Shaolin not know? Would her husband, a high-ranking official, not know?

Shaolin clearly didn't want to have anything to do with Wenjie anymore, but she still had to pretend to be a loving mother.

This selfish and callous scheming was like sand hidden in rice; even as an observer, Yang Weining felt a chill run down his spine.

When they came out of dinner, Yang Weining guessed what was going on by looking at the exchange of glances between Shaolin and her husband.

Wenjie's expression had been off since the afternoon, and with her intelligence, she must have known about it much earlier.

Therefore, Yang Weining wanted to take Shaolin's husband away.

He wanted Shaolin to confront Wenjie directly and tear off her own hypocritical facade.

Once Shaolin revealed her true intentions, she lost her dignity as a mother in front of Wenjie.

Wenjie no longer needs to suffer internal strife because of the abnormal mother-daughter relationship.

If Shaolin continues to maintain the facade and preserve this mother-daughter relationship, then she herself will become the one suffering internal strife.

No matter how many justifiable hardships she attributed to her past experiences, Wenjie's existence constantly reminded her that she was an extremely cold-hearted egoist.

So, make your choice, Shaolin.

Yang Weining blocked Shaolin's husband behind her, his eyes darting around as he watched the mother and daughter talking not far away.

Not long after, Ye Wenjie returned carrying Yang Dong.

She took Yang Weining's arm with a sigh of relief and said, "Let's go, Lao Yang, let's go home."

Throughout the entire process, Ye Wenjie never looked at her stepfather or Shaolin again.