Crossing the famine to find the white moonlight

Chapter 21 Ye Shun's Provocation

As Ye Wan gradually gained prestige within the team, her younger brother, Ye Ershun, and his family gradually grew resentful of her. This was especially true of her sister-in-law, Li Ruotao, who was sensitive and jealous. Seeing Ye Wan gain respect and attention within the team, she grew increasingly displeased. She always considered Ye Wan an ordinary village girl, yet she had earned respect through her unearthed knowledge and skills, even rising to become a leader within the team. She felt that these honors should belong to her family, not Ye Wan.

Li Ruotao secretly harbored resentment. Every time Ye Wan helped the team find water or food, the gratitude and dependence of the people around her felt like thorns, piercing her heart. She felt ignored. Not only did no one actively seek her advice, but even Ye Ershun often followed Ye Wan silently, listening to her instructions. This made her feel even more angry and humiliated.

Finally, one night, Li Ruotao couldn't help it. While Ye Ershun was resting alone, she sat down next to him and said softly, "Ershun, look at how everyone has been following Ye Wan all this time. It's like she's become the backbone of this team. We're her brothers and sisters-in-law, but we're like strangers who have been left out. Don't you feel wronged?"

Ye Ershun was stunned when he heard this. Although he was somewhat puzzled by Ye Wan's behavior, he usually didn't think much about it. After hearing Li Ruotao's words, he began to feel a sense of imbalance in his heart. After all, they were a family, and Ye Wan seemed to be paying more attention to the strangers in the group. He frowned and asked, "So, what do you think we should do?"

Li Ruotao smiled slightly, a hint of coldness flashed in her eyes, and she whispered, "I see, it hasn't been easy for us along the way. If we continue to be suppressed by Ye Wan like that, we'll always feel suffocated. Otherwise, find an opportunity to let her go on her own, and we can live our own lives alone without being controlled by her."

Ye Ershun was shocked by this. Although hesitant, he was genuinely unconvinced by Ye Wan's gradual rise to become the team's "leader." Coupled with Li Ruotao's instigation, he began to waver, vaguely feeling that perhaps Ye Wan's presence was indeed a "threat," an "obstacle" that constantly suppressed him and Li Ruotao, preventing them from realizing their full potential.

Ye Wan didn't ignore the strangeness of her brother's family. She was acutely aware of Li Ruotao's indifference and hostility. Her occasional disdainful glances and Ye Ershun's increasingly distant attitude made her wary. She knew her relationship with her sister-in-law, Li Ruotao, was strained, but she hadn't expected her to express her displeasure so openly.

She observed her brother's behavior carefully and noticed that Ye Ershun, under Li Ruotao's influence, had begun to distance himself from her, even occasionally showing disdain when she made decisions. Although these behaviors were not obvious, she felt a sense of unease. She knew that her sister-in-law Li Ruotao might not only be dissatisfied but might also take further action.

Ye Wan then secretly began to be on high alert, carefully observing the movements of Ye Ershun and Li Ruotao. She had a premonition that Li Ruotao might stir up trouble at a critical moment, or even plot something behind the scenes. If she didn't take precautions, it would likely put herself and Xiaotong in danger.

One night, Ye Wan and Xiao Tong returned to camp and were about to rest when they heard a low, arguing noise not far away. She crouched down, gently pulling Xiao Tong aside, and carefully distinguished the sound, realizing it was the whispers of Li Ruotao and Ye Ershun.

"I think if you hesitate any longer, she will really take advantage of you! We are a family, she is just an outsider, why should she steal our attention!" Li Ruotao's voice was full of resentment, with a hint of provocation and disdain.

"Don't be anxious, take your time. I don't want things to get too awkward. If people find out that we are targeting Ye Wan, things will only get more troublesome..." Although Ye Ershun's voice was hesitant, he seemed a little shaken.

Ye Wan's heart trembled upon hearing this. She stopped eavesdropping, gently picked up Xiaotong, and quietly returned to her temporary residence, where she began to plot secretly. She knew that Ye Ershun and his family would not give up easily, and she had to devise a strategy to avoid being framed or expelled at a critical moment.

Over the next few days, Ye Wan acted with increasing caution. While distributing supplies, leading the group in gathering wild vegetables, and searching for water, she maintained a low profile, not deliberately displaying her abilities. She also tried to avoid frequent interactions with Ye Ershun's family. She hoped this would ease the guard of Li Ruotao's family and prevent their provocations from escalating the conflict.

However, Li Ruotao didn't seem to stop; instead, she intensified her actions. She secretly spread rumors within the team, instigating some women to question Ye Wan's actions. She deliberately spread false accusations, implying that Ye Wan only cared about helping strangers and neglected her family. She even accused Ye Wan of feigning kindness only to gain attention.

Some members of the team began to doubt Ye Wan. While most still trusted her, a few began to discuss things quietly, even questioning her decisions. Ye Wan became aware of these rumors and felt a subtle sense of anger and helplessness, but she didn't respond publicly, knowing that arguing with Li Ruotao would only make the situation worse.

One day, when the team stopped to rest, Li Ruotao deliberately shouted in the crowd, "Ms. Ye Wan, aren't you tired of helping outsiders like this? Everyone along the way has seen that you are a kind-hearted person, but I see that you care little about your family. Tell me, if you really were in danger one day, would you abandon your family first?"

Her words were sarcastic and provocative, drawing the attention of some people around her. Ye Wan glanced at her calmly and said calmly, "Ruo Tao, we're all on the road fleeing famine, and supporting each other is the most important thing. Family is important, of course, but everything I've done along the way has been to keep more people alive."

Li Ruotao snorted coldly after hearing this and said disdainfully, "You're really good at talking! I wonder how many people are laughing at you!"

Ye Wan didn't argue, but quietly turned back to her work. She knew that explaining was pointless and would only make Li Ruotao more aggressive. She secretly resolved to remain calm and resilient no matter what, and to earn the trust of the others in the team through her actions.

That night, Ye Wan gathered several senior members of the team and the young men who trusted her. She quietly explained the situation and briefly mentioned Li Ruotao's provocation. She did not directly accuse Li Ruotao, but reminded everyone to pay attention to safety during the trip, especially to maintain order and calm when distributing supplies.

Those who trusted her expressed their support. The elders said with confidence, "Don't worry, Miss Wan. We know you work hard for everyone, so we won't listen to those gossips."

Ye Wan felt a warm feeling at hearing this sincere support. She knew that true trust was earned through action, not swayed by a few rumors. She resolved to continue leading the team, despite the dissatisfaction of Ye Ershun's family, and to protect everyone as they journeyed further on their journey to escape famine.

This invisible struggle is not over, but Ye Wan knows that only calmness and wisdom can truly win the hearts of the people. No matter how Ye Ershun and Li Ruotao provoke her, she will stick to her original intention and continue to protect the people she cherishes with practical actions.