Guo Xuefu's words stirred up a huge wave in Jiang Wanqing's heart, and she suddenly looked at Cheng Ran.

He clenched his fists and glared unhappily at the talkative person.

"I'm fine wherever the organization needs me. It's been years since we last met, and you've become increasingly careless with your words. Do you intend to interfere in my work?"

"Of course not!"

Startled by his words, Puff Kuo quickly denied it, as she was not about to accept such a huge accusation.

"If not, then shut up!"

Just then, the owner started serving the dishes, a total of eight dishes and a soup, all in the style of northern cuisine. Seeing that there was a way to save face, Guo Xuefu immediately put some food on Cheng Ran's plate.

"I'm sorry, Brother Cheng Ran. I didn't mean it. I just felt sorry for you. Your aunt and uncle are also saddened. If you don't like hearing this, I won't say anything. Come on, eat your food. These are all your favorite dishes. I've been remembering them."

She tried to put some food into Cheng Ran's bowl, but he frowned and reached out to stop her.

"Don't put food on my plate while I'm taking medicine."

He refused so decisively, without even a word of politeness. Guo Xuefu's heart ached. If he hadn't gone south for work, the two of them might have gotten married in Beijing. Their families were clearly well-matched, and she had liked him since she was a child. Why did a woman who suddenly appeared get ahead of them?

She awkwardly put down her chopsticks and saw Cheng Ran serving food to Jiang Wanqing, his face full of tenderness.

"I'll tell you when we get back. Let's eat first."

Jiang Wanqing pursed her lips and nodded.

Actually, she didn't want to or would not ask about work-related matters. She was just surprised that Cheng Ran gave up the opportunity to return to Beijing. After all, his work here had already been handed over to Liu Chang. If Liu Chang had put in a little more effort, it wouldn't have been a problem for him to replace Liu Chang. Returning to Beijing would have meant a smooth career path paved by his family. Why did he refuse?

Because Cheng Ran scolded her, Guo Xuefu didn't dare to speak much afterwards. She ate the meal quietly. In the end, she paid the bill and looked at Cheng Ran cautiously before parting.

"My guesthouse is nearby, Cheng Ran, can you walk with me?"

Do you think it's convenient for me?

He was glad he hadn't revealed that his legs were already able to walk, and now he could use that as an excuse.

Upon hearing this, Guo Xuefu paused. She wanted to say that she could push him, but just as she was about to speak, she realized that he might not be able to go back after sending her back to the guesthouse unless Jiang Wanqing came with him, but that would be pointless.

She was both angry and resentful. She adjusted her bag and forced a smile.

"Okay, I'll go back by myself then. Cheng Ran, I'll stay here for a few more days. Can I come see you when I have time? We haven't seen each other for years. I... I also want to help your aunt and uncle find out more about your recent situation, otherwise I won't be able to explain it when I go back."

After his parents were brought up, he couldn't refuse outright, which was considered an admission.

He stroked Jiang Wanqing's hand, which was resting on the handle of her wheelchair, and sighed.

"Let's go."

After walking a distance, Cheng Ran turned to her and explained, "She and I are just ordinary friends at most, nothing more."

"Yes, I know, I can tell. Did you think I would misunderstand?" she smiled and asked in return.

She had seen through the complexities of relationships between men and women through her past life. In the end, all the talk of liking or disliking someone is meaningless. What you fight for may not be obtained, and what you don't fight for may still be obtained. It's just that dramatic.

Seeing that she didn't seem to care at all, Cheng Ran should have breathed a sigh of relief, but for some reason, he wasn't happy. They had been married for several months, and she was so tolerant of him? Not even a little jealous?

"snort."

He gave a soft hum and said nothing more.

"What’s wrong with you?"

Jiang Wanqing hummed in confusion, wondering if she wasn't understanding enough.

"You're so generous."

He said something ambiguous, as if he was still unhappy.

"Then should I kick her out next time she comes to our house?"

"you……"

He gritted his teeth silently, feeling a sense of powerlessness, like punching cotton.

"never mind."

He couldn't tell whether she was just clueless or didn't care about him that much; either way, it wasn't a good thing for him.

It was getting late, and the sky was gradually darkening. A woman with a headscarf covering her head came out of the alley, carrying a dirty cloth bag.

Since moving to the city, life has been far from good; it's even worse than when they lived in Xiyang Village. Especially after Yuan Zhong was suspended from his post, they had no source of income, and Qiao Xuemei didn't care about them. She could only go out every day to pick some vegetable leaves to cook for herself, and sometimes she would pick a couple of cabbages when she passed by someone else's vegetable garden.

Having finally reached a safe place, Jiang Xiu lifted her headscarf and glanced around. She saw Jiang Wanqing and Cheng Ran walking on the street, with a woman staring intently at their backs.

She stood there, her eyes suddenly widening. She recognized that woman!

In my previous life, after Cheng Ran died, people from the capital came to handle his funeral arrangements. Among them was this woman, whose name was Guo... something like that.

Jiang Xiu hissed, unable to quite recall, but one thing was certain: this Guo had feelings for Cheng Ran. In her previous life, after Cheng Ran died, she swore before his spirit tablet that she would take good care of Cheng Ran's parents. She even told her that although she hadn't married into the Cheng family, they were closer than her, who had a marriage certificate.

It seems Jiang Wanqing has already met this woman, but why does the woman surnamed Guo look so angry? Could it be that she can't defeat that little bitch either?

Jiang Xiu, who had been thinking a lot, disappeared in the blink of an eye while standing at the alley entrance.

"Jiang Wanqing, your good days are finally coming to an end!"

She gritted her teeth, already imagining what kind of drama would unfold. Among the women who liked Cheng Ran, Jiang Wanqing was the least presentable, so wouldn't she be defeated without a fight?

In the midst of her unpleasant days, something finally brought her some comfort: she carried her cloth bag back to her rented apartment.

As soon as she opened the door, she smelled a strong odor of alcohol and covered her nose.

"We don't even have money to buy groceries, and you're still drinking! Where did you get the money?!"

"Get out of my way! I can spend my own money however I want, so leave me alone!"

Yuan Zhong tilted his head back and took a big gulp. Being suspended from his post made him feel irritable. Facing Jiang Xiu's gloomy face every day and listening to her monotonous daydreams about the future only made him more depressed.

"Stop drinking! The school has only suspended you, not expelled you. You'll have other opportunities, and in the future..."

"Don't fucking talk to me about the future! Go find me a chance! If you can't, get the hell out of here!"

If it weren't for the fact that he had great potential in the future, Jiang Xiu would have left long ago. She snatched the wine bottle and smashed it on the ground.

"I'll go to the school tomorrow and ask for you. I really don't know what kind of incredible luck Jiang Wanqing had in her past life..."

She mumbled something to herself, but Yuan Zhong didn't hear her clearly. He grabbed her shoulders and shook her a few times.

"What did you say?"

"He didn't say anything! Get out of here, you stink."

She pushed him away, frowning in disgust. She figured it was better to suffer first and then enjoy the sweetness later than to suffer from beginning to end.