Qin Zheng had never confessed his feelings to anyone before. He didn't know what to say to please a girl.

After struggling for a long time, among countless options, some gentle and affectionate, some passionate and unrestrained, Qin Zheng chose the simplest and most straightforward way.

"Yes, I like you."

This was the first time Ruan Mianmian heard such a direct confession, including in her previous life. This was the first time she heard someone directly tell her that they liked her.

As soon as the words came out, it was as if the dust had settled. Qin Zheng's heart was at peace, and Ruan Mianmian's heart was also at peace.

The atmosphere fell into silence again.

They looked at each other, but there was no charming atmosphere.

Qin Zheng's eyes were straightforward and frank, the deep affection that was usually shrouded in coldness was now exposed without any cover.

Ruan Mianmian's eyes were full of confusion and doubt.

"Can I ask you when you started liking me?" "I've known him for only a few months at most.

"I've liked you for a long time." Once you say you like someone, there's nothing to hide. It was indeed a long, long time ago.

A long time ago?! Qin Zheng had been in Xiangyang Brigade for less than two years. Could it be that he fell in love with her at first sight?

"Did you fall in love with me at first sight when you came here?" I thought so in my heart and asked.

"Yeah." Qin Zheng nodded. "I guess so."

Qin Zheng's frankness and straightforwardness made Ruan Mianmian give up her original plan to be more tactful.

He deserves to speak his truth, and it is disrespectful to treat him with ambiguity.

After taking a deep breath, Ruan Mianmian said, "Thank you very much for liking me. I can see that you are a very outstanding and very good person. It is really my honor to be liked by someone like you..."

"But I have no intention of having any romantic relationship with anyone."

"This has nothing to do with anyone. It's my own problem. Simply put, I don't believe in love or any man."

"I hope you won't waste your time here. I can't give you any response."

Ruan Mianmian finished speaking in one breath, without leaving herself any chance to breathe.

Qin Zheng looked at her, as if she was relieved. Except for her fingers slightly stiffening, there was nothing unusual about her.

He nodded and said, "I understand."

Then, he reached out and began to put the things he had taken out of the sack into the cupboard one by one.

Ruan Mianmian reached out and grabbed his hand, stopping him, "You don't have to do this. This is my life, I can handle it myself."

Qin Zheng curled his lips and smiled, "You shouldn't do this. You just don't like me now. It doesn't mean we are not friends anymore. If we can't be lovers, can we still be friends?"

This was the first time Ruan Mianmian saw Qin Zheng show such an expression. He was always cold, even indifferent and distant at times. Only when facing her would he reveal a little tenderness.

That's why she could easily see his liking for her.

However, this was the first time she saw him smile like this. But why did he seem a little sad even though he was smiling?

"Qin Zheng, do you understand? You like me, so you will do things that are good for me, for example, you will send food to Da Huang, but in fact you are sending it to me. However, I don't like you, so I can't accept your kindness without shame. This is taking advantage of you and making a fool of you." Ruan Mianmian's voice unconsciously became louder, and she felt a little out of control.

"I know. But I don't think you are taking advantage of me." Compared to Ruan Mianmian, Qin Zheng's emotions were still very stable. He said slowly, "I like you, it's my business, it has nothing to do with you. So I don't think you are taking advantage of me and treating me as a sucker. Of course, if you feel that my approach now makes you uncomfortable, you can tell me, and I will keep a good distance."

It was clearly a confession of love, but Ruan Mianmian felt a hint of humiliation when she heard it.

She hadn't figured out why anyone liked her.

"That's not what I meant..."

"Okay, let's not talk about this for now. I'll help you put your things away. If you feel bad about it, just give me money. Just give me ten dollars for these things." Qin Zheng ended the topic early.

He didn't want to continue talking, he was afraid that if he continued, he would no longer be qualified to come to this courtyard.

Ruan Mianmian didn't know how she ended up having to pay for the things Qin Zheng brought.

After receiving the money, Qin Zheng did not stay for long. He walked out of the kitchen without even paying attention to Da Huang and left directly.

After leaving the yard, he closed the door.

Ruan Mianmian stood in the kitchen for a long time without moving.

She didn't understand what was going on now? !

Does this count as a successful rejection, or a failed one?

Qin Zheng left Ruan Mianmian's yard and went straight to the river in the village.

This stretch of riverbank is quite steep, so villagers rarely come here. To wash clothes or fetch water, they go to the riverbank further downstream, which is flatter.

A man sat on a big rock by the river, looking at the rushing water. He took out a cigarette and lit it.

He hadn't smoked for a long, long time, and this was the first time he smoked in his life.

Perhaps it was because his body was not used to it, he choked when he took the first sip.

After coughing violently for a while, he looked at the cigarette in his hand, which was emitting swirling smoke. Through the smoke, his vision seemed to pass through the fog and saw another scene.

He is Qin Zheng.

He is from the Qin family in Haicheng. His father, Qin Jianhong, was once a famous patriotic businessman. During the Anti-Japanese War, he donated a large amount of money and materials to support the war. There are also many good men from the Qin family and its branches who joined the army and served the country.

He originally had older brothers and sisters, but they all sacrificed their lives for their country and nation.

It can be said that for the sake of this country, the Qin family not only donated almost all of their wealth, but also sacrificed the lives of most of the Qin family members.

After the founding of New China, my father, who was alone, married his mother Fang Nianci under the arrangement of his elders from the same clan.

When he was born, his father was almost fifty years old.

The Qin family has been doing business for generations, so even if they lost all their family business and had to start all over again, it would not be difficult for Qin Jianhong.

However, in just over a decade, the Qin family regained its former glory.

It’s a pity that the good times didn’t last long...