Chapter 76

Xia Qingtang didn't want to hear such things in the first place. She came here to relax and accompany her grandmother, but the more she listened, the more upset she became. So when she heard Xie Jinxuan's voice, she immediately jumped up: "I'm here!"

When Xie Jinxuan walked into the room, she ran over and hugged his arm tightly. After he greeted her, Xia Qingtang said, "Let's go home first, so as not to disturb mom and the others from talking about business."

The female comrade looked at them awkwardly, still saying, "Jinxuan, why are you leaving right after you come back?"

Grandma smiled and said, "They young people have their own things to do. Let's talk about ours and let them go back."

She also knew that young people didn't like to get involved in such things, so she asked them to stay away.

Xie Jinxuan said: "Uncle and aunt, we won't disturb you guys chatting anymore. Goodbye."

Xia Qingtang also said goodbye, and quickly pulled Xie Jinxuan out. The two walked all the way to the path. Xie Jinxuan whispered, "Why are you running so fast? What was going on in the room that scared you like this?"

"It's not a scary thing. I was just upset. I wanted to come and see grandma and chat with her to relax. Who knew someone would ask mom for help? The more I listened, the more I couldn't sit still. I just wanted to leave quickly. Fortunately, you came back in time." Xia Qingtang said, "Actually, it's not easy for a family like yours. I don't know how many acquaintances and friends come to you for help throughout the year. It's not right to help, and it's not right not to help."

Xie Jinxuan said: "I will definitely help if I can, and I can only tell the truth if I can't help."

As they were talking, the two of them had already walked to the door of their house. Xie Jinxuan did not lock the yard door when she came out, so she could just push the door and walk in.

Xie Jinxuan opened the door with the key. As soon as she walked in, Xia Qingtang hurriedly asked in a low voice: "How is that incident going? Have you been there?"

Xie Jinxuan said: "I went there, and today I paid more money and food. The other party said that they would start next week, and if they are unsuccessful, they would return the deposit to me."

"There's also a deposit, it's quite formal." Xia Qingtang held his arm tightly, "Xie Jinxuan, is this really okay? If this doesn't work, Xie Xiaoshuang will only have the most dangerous way to go."

Moreover, whether it was a fight to the death or using drugs, if she wanted to take action against Jia Guangrong, she had to marry him...Xia Qingtang couldn't guarantee that Xie Xiaoshuang wouldn't choose to marry her just because the wedding date was approaching.

Her current condition is extremely dangerous. On the one hand, she must still have a glimmer of hope, but on the other hand, she has actually long wanted to give up living, so a small thing can make her brain go out of control.

"As long as we proceed according to the plan, there will be no problem. I have also made arrangements for other places, so nothing will be missed. Now we just have to wait for Jia Guangrong to take the bait. As long as he takes action, he will be caught in the act." Xie Jinxuan rubbed her head with her other hand, then whispered in her ear, "But... there is a small problem..."

"What's the problem?" Xia Qingtang's eyes widened. "Don't scare me."

"Don't be nervous. This is what happened. After we saw the doctor this morning and sent Teacher Guan and his sister back to the university, I said I had something to do and planned to leave on my bike alone, but Leng Feng noticed that something was wrong with my expression, so he secretly followed me and went to the place where the person I was looking for was. Since he was already here and knew what the person I was looking for did, I simply didn't hide it from him and told him the plan directly. Of course, I didn't say that this matter had anything to do with you and your classmates. It was indeed my negligence that he followed me, but fortunately Leng Feng is a very reliable person, he will never tell anyone, and this matter will only rot in his heart." Xie Jinxuan said slowly.

Xia Qingtang let out a long sigh: "So that's how it is. I thought something was wrong! Don't scare me... I really can't stand your scares."

Leng Feng knew it once, this person was Xie Jinxuan's good brother. Although he looked cold-hearted, he was steady and reliable, and he would never betray his brothers.

Xie Jinxuan quickly hugged her and apologized to her: "I'm sorry, there was something wrong with the way I spoke just now. I scared you."

Xia Qingtang hugged his waist and whispered, "Don't blame you. It's my own fault. I was too worried that Xie Xiaoshuang would do something stupid."

"Don't worry, there will be good news next week. If it really doesn't work, I can think of other ways." Xie Jinxuan lowered her head and kissed her forehead, "Don't worry... I can always help you think of other ways."

Xia Qingtang stayed quiet in his arms for a while, and her originally chaotic mood slowly calmed down.

She whispered, "Xie Jinxuan, you are such an amazing person."

She could always feel a sense of security and reliability around him.

Xie Jinxuan smiled: "Really? Why do I feel like you are the magical person?"

"Then we are both magical people. I hope our magic can bring good luck to the people around us."

In this life, she has rewritten her own destiny, and she also hopes that those she cares about can live a happy life.

Especially for Xie Xiaoshuang, after experiencing such a tragic experience, Xia Qingtang only hoped that she could forget everything and live without worries afterwards.

After nuzzling against his arms for a while, Xia Qingtang reluctantly got out of Xie Jinxuan's arms. "It's getting late. I'm fine now. I can go make dinner now. But we didn't go shopping today, and Aunt Six didn't send any food over. We can only make a few simple dishes. Is that okay for you three? Otherwise, you can go to grandma's place and ask Aunt Six for some food."

Seeing her peaceful eyes, Xie Jinxuan knew that she was indeed fine, so she said, "It's okay, just fool them for a while, if not, just have a bowl of noodles, no need to make a feast. You've been out all day today, and you still have to work hard to cook for them at night. No matter what you cook, it's a reward for them. Besides, Leng Feng can't drink alcohol yet. Although his wound has healed, he is here to continue to recover from his internal injuries. You also know that he almost injured his important organs. The parts on his body have healed, but the insides still need to be recovered for a long time. Doctor Qu said today that Leng Feng should go to bed and get up early, eat well, and take medicine regularly. People who take medicine can't drink alcohol."

"Your first course of treatment is over, so can you drink today?" Xia Qingtang took off his coat, went to the kitchen to wash his hands and put on an apron.

"It's okay today. I have to wait a week before starting the second course of treatment. But you can't drink too much. Let's have a couple of drinks today to cheer Xiang Qian up. Leng Feng is back, and we are both very happy."

"I'm happy for you too. All your good friends are back. If Leng Feng can be discharged from the army this year, you can often eat and drink together in the future. By the way, what about Teacher Chenxiang? Can her leg be cured?" Xia Qingtang hurriedly asked Guan Chenxiang.

Xie Jinxuan said: "It can be cured, but it's a little troublesome. She needs to go to Dr. Qu for acupuncture every other day, combined with some Chinese medicine. In three or four months, her right leg should be able to regain its function. But if she wants to walk, she still needs to exercise. After all, Teacher Xiaoguan's legs haven't walked normally for a long time, and her muscles have atrophied a little."

"There is definitely no problem with exercise. As long as he can walk normally, Teacher Chenxiang will definitely exercise well. The only thing is that he needs to go for acupuncture every other day... Teacher Guan doesn't have a bicycle at home, so how can he go for acupuncture?" Xia Qingtang asked.

"I can lend them my bike and quickly get them a bike ticket. Until I can get a new bike, I can walk to work."

Anyway, his workplace is really close, so it’s not a problem for him to walk to work.

Xia Qingtang nodded: "Then it's decided. Let's send the bicycles to their house tomorrow night. I'll go with you, and when we come back, you can ride my bike and take me with you."

"Okay." Xie Jinxuan kissed her again and said, "Then let's start cooking now?"

"Let's start cooking. Go outside and cut some leeks. I'll soak the dried black fungus and dried kelp." Xia Qingtang said as he opened the cabinet to get the ingredients.

The dry goods in the house were all brought by Aunt Liu. The stock is quite rich, including dried black fungus, dried kelp, dried cowpea, dried eggplant, dried shrimp, etc. There are also some remaining carrots and potatoes in the vegetable basket. With just these ingredients, we should be able to make a few side dishes.

If all else fails, there are fried peanuts under the coffee table, which can be used to make you drink two cups of coffee.

Xia Qingtang thought there was no problem and started cooking.

Xie Jinxuan cut a handful of leeks, washed them, and then hurried out to light the earthen stove outside.

The two of them were busy in the kitchen for an hour when Luo Xiangqian's loud voice rang out outside the yard: "Jinxuan, I came over to ask if Xiaoxia is back. Are you having dinner and drinks at your house tonight?"

Xia Qingtang pushed open the kitchen window and shouted outside, "Yes, go call Lao Leng over, you can drink first!"

"Okay, I'll go now!" Luo Xiangqian was very happy and ran out.

About ten minutes later, Luo Xiangqian came over with Leng Feng.

When the two of them walked into the house, Xie Jinxuan was driven out by Xia Qingtang: "Go and talk and drink with them. There's nothing else you can do to help here."

Xie Jinxuan wiped her hands and walked out, saying, "Would you two like some tea? Make your own tea."

Leng Feng stuffed two bottles of white wine into his hands: "My dad asked me to bring them."

"Then let's drink this today. It's a pity that you can't drink it." Xie Jinxuan said with a smile: "Then you can drink tea."

Luo Xiangqian deliberately said, "Isn't it bad to drink tea? He still needs to take medicine. Isn't it said that drinking tea can eliminate the effects of the medicine? I think we should drink some wine, and give Leng Feng some malted milk or brown sugar water, which is nourishing to the body."

Leng Feng said expressionlessly: "Okay, drink malted milk."

Xie Jinxuan smiled and nodded: "I'll rush it for you."

"Leng Feng, you really drink malted milk?" Luo Xiangqian scratched his head and said, "You didn't drink these sweet things before."

"You've said it yourself, these are nourishing foods. I know my current physical condition best. As long as it's good for my health, I'm willing to do it." Leng Feng said lightly.

But after listening to this, Luo Xiangqian felt guilty: "Oh, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that, I should have been considerate of you. You must have felt so bad after being injured... I'm so sorry..."

"It's okay, you are telling the truth. But I still have confidence that I can get my body back on track." Leng Feng was still calm.

As they were talking, Xia Qingtang came out with two plates. She smiled and said, "The food is being prepared. You can have some snacks first. There are peanuts under the coffee table. They can also go with wine."

She put a plate of cold-mixed black fungus and a plate of hot and sour shredded kelp on the table, and said, "I only added a little chili oil to the shredded kelp to enhance the flavor. If Lao Leng can't eat it, I'll make you something that's not spicy at all."

Leng Feng said: "Thank you, it's okay, don't worry about it."

Xia Qingtang smiled and went back to the kitchen, bringing out three sets of bowls and chopsticks for them and placed them on the dining table.

They started eating and drinking with two cold dishes and fried peanuts outside. Luo Xiangqian liked wine but couldn't drink it, so Xie Jinxuan only brought out the smallest wine glass. The few of them talked for a while before taking a small sip, which was considered a very controlled drinking method.

After that, Xia Qingtang did not serve any more dishes. She waited until the stewed rice was ready before serving the rest.

The side dishes included dried cowpeas with a small amount of bacon, scrambled eggs with leeks, and carrots with black fungus. The staple food was dried eggplant and potato stewed with rice, with soy sauce and lard. After cooking, it was quickly mixed. The aroma drifted directly from the kitchen to the living room, and Luo Xiangqian stood up with greed.

"There's a lot of stewed rice, so you should all eat more. And Lao Leng, you should eat more eggs and carrots, they're good for your health." As he said that, Xia Qingtang used clean chopsticks to pick up some food for Leng Feng.

Leng Feng thanked him calmly: "Thank you, you have worked hard today, the food you cooked is delicious."

Xia Qingtang smiled and said, "Thank you for the compliment. I didn't prepare anything today. Most of the vegetables at home are dried, so I can only make these. Next Sunday, Xie Jinxuan and I will buy some fresh vegetables and come back to cook a good meal for you to taste."

Luo Xiangqian said, "Your meal today is already very good. Although they are all dried vegetables, they are all good dried vegetables. The salads taste really good, and the stewed rice is so fragrant. I say, Xiaoxia, your cooking skills should be no worse than Aunt Liu's."

"Indeed, Qingtang's cooking skills should be comparable to Aunt Liu's, but they each have their own strengths, and the taste of their dishes is slightly different." Xie Jinxuan smiled gently.

Luo Xiangqian slammed the table and said, "Look how proud you are! You think you are so great just because you got married first! If I hadn't gone to the countryside to work in the production team, I might have gotten married earlier than you!"

"Yes, yes, you must be earlier than me." Xie Jinxuan smiled and picked up a carrot for him with chopsticks, "Eat more, and take care of your health. Try to find a wife this year."

Luo Xiangqian rolled his eyes and whispered, "Xiao Xia, how old is the female classmate who came to your house today?"

Xia Qingtang smiled lightly and deliberately asked, "You are about the same age as me. What's wrong? Why are you asking this?"

As expected, Luo Xiangqian fell in love with Hu Yanni.

"I'm just curious, because I haven't seen your friends and classmates here." Luo Xiangqian said, "Hey, she's the same age as you, and she's your classmate, so shouldn't we have met when we were in school? Why don't I have any impression of her? Jinxuan, you liked to stare at Xiaoxia at that time, do you have any impression of Xiaoxia's classmates?"

Xie Jinxuan said: "Of course, I also know the name of Qingtang's classmate."

"Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win every battle, right?" Luo Xiangqian smiled and said, "Leng Feng, do you remember that girl this morning? Didn't we often accompany Jin Xuan to see Xiao Xia back then? Why don't I remember seeing her?"

Leng Feng said: "You used the wrong idiom."

"It's wrong, it's wrong. I'm not going to college. I'm talking about something else."

"I remember that the female comrade in the morning used to be with Xiao Xia. During the breaks, the three of them always acted together. The one in the morning had the surname Hu, and the other one had the same surname as Jinxuan, Xie, so I remember them all." Leng Feng said lightly.

Luo Xiangqian rubbed his nose and said, "Hey, you see them so clearly, don't you have any ideas?"

Leng Feng gave him a disdainful look: "I just have a good memory. Do you think everyone is like you and can't remember people or things?"

"Hey, I'm just not as smart as you and Jinxuan. But it's okay, my strength is not here." Luo Xiangqian said with a smile, then raised his glass and took a sip, then showed a happy expression.

Xia Qingtang said: "Hu Yanni has a very good personality. She is gentler and kinder than me. She cooks delicious food. She has an older brother who is still in the countryside. Her family relationship is very simple. Although her family is not well-off, she grew up in love. She used to be a good student. If she can get into university this year, I think she is very suitable to be a teacher."

Hu Yanni has a kind and simple personality. It would be best if she could study at a normal college and become a teacher directly after graduation. She is good-looking and patient. She can be a good teacher no matter in elementary school or middle school.

Luo Xiangqian listened attentively and said after listening: "It's good to be a teacher. I think she looks like a female teacher, gentle and kind."

"You are very interested in my classmate." Xia Qingtang looked at him, "Why? Do you have any ideas?"

Before Luo Xiangqian could speak, Xia Qingtang continued, "You can't have any ideas about my classmates."

"Why?" Luo Xiangqian was surprised, "Jinxuan said your classmate has no partner."

"My classmate doesn't have a partner, but you have a female colleague you like. How can a person like two people at the same time? It's not a good habit to have two girlfriends at the same time. Besides, my classmate is so good, she deserves someone who loves her wholeheartedly." Xia Qingtang's tone was relaxed, but the meaning of his words was very clear.

Luo Xiangqian smiled bitterly and said, "You and Jinxuan are indeed a couple. He said something similar this morning."

Xia Qingtang immediately looked at Xie Jinxuan, his eyes gentle, and nodded slightly at her.

Xia Qingtang said: "Since Jinxuan has said it, I won't say much. Lao Luo, you are indeed a good person, but it is definitely not okay to play two women at the same time."

"I'm not two-timing. How could I have ever done that? I've never been in a relationship with anyone. I don't have that kind of relationship with the female colleague who borrowed money from me."

"I know. You like her, but she doesn't like you." Xia Qingtang said, "Isn't it obvious? You couldn't pursue your female colleague, so you fell in love with my classmate as a second choice, right?"

"No, no! I'm not in love with my female colleague. I just felt sorry for her and wanted to help her in a special way." Luo Xiangqian tried to explain: "I really don't like her! I can swear to God!"

Xia Qingtang said, "But you lent her 300 yuan. Many families can't even afford this amount even if they empty their savings. But you have only worked with her for a few months, and you can lend her so much money. Can this be an ordinary relationship?"

Xie Jinxuan also said: "Xiang Qian, what Qingtang said makes sense. You are so generous to her. You swear that you don't like her. Do you believe it yourself? I have been working longer than you, but if an old colleague in the office asked me to borrow 300 yuan, I would probably be unwilling. For colleagues, the most I can lend is 100 yuan."

Luo Xiangqian scratched his head and said with a wronged look: "I really didn't get to that point! You don't know, my female colleague is very pitiful. She was forced to borrow money to pay back her family. Her father died a long time ago, and there is only one sister and mother in the family. Her sister is in the countryside now. Although she stayed in the city, her mother was frail and sick. In order to treat her mother's illness in the past few years, she took her mother to many places, and used a lot of herbal prescriptions in the countryside. The money at home was not enough, so she owed hundreds of yuan. Recently, she was The creditors have been chasing her for debts. They are not bad people, but relatives and friends. It is not easy for everyone. She had no choice but to ask me for money. You see, my family doesn't need my money. Anyway, I eat and live at home. Even if I use all my salary to pay off the debt, it is okay. That's why I borrowed money from you, because you must have enough money. A child who grew up in a family like ours can at least come up with a few hundred yuan. How can I compare with my colleagues? Tell me, isn't she pitiful? Should I help her?"

Xie Jinxuan said: "Your colleague really has a hard time. Your sister doesn't make much money in the countryside, but she works in the Grain Bureau. Her family should be wealthy, right?"

"Her father used to work at the Grain Bureau, so she was able to come in. But she has only been working for a few years, and occasionally has to support her sister in the countryside. Her mother's medical treatment costs money, so she usually lives frugally. She is the only young person in our unit who wears patched clothes, and she only eats the worst food in the cafeteria just to save food coupons to support her sister. She is such a good person, she is serious and responsible at work, and everyone says she is good. In fact, I am not the only one who helps her, many people in our unit are helping her."

Xia Qingtang ate a spoonful of stewed rice and said slowly: "Who are the people helping her? Are they all male colleagues?"

Luo Xiangqian was stunned for a moment and said, "There are also female colleagues, some of whom are quite old, who feel sorry for her and think it's not easy for her as a girl."

"Most of the people helping her are male colleagues, so why doesn't she borrow money from other people instead of borrowing from you, a new colleague?" Xie Jinxuan asked.

"Ah... why did you ask me to borrow money? I... I don't know. Maybe everyone asked it and finally asked me."

Leng Feng suddenly said: "She should know who your grandfather is and who your father is."

"How is that possible? I never said that at work!"

"How can you keep this secret? Be careful not to fall into someone else's trap." Leng Feng said, "She asked you to borrow money. Did you ask her to write a note?"

"You need to write an IOU?" Luo Xiangqian was shocked. "I didn't ask you to write an IOU when I lent you money before."

"What is the relationship between you and me? Is she and you like us? Three hundred yuan, how many years does it take to save up that much money? If it were a normal colleague, who would ask a newcomer who has only been here for a few months to borrow so much money? Luo Xiangqian, whether you like that person or not, you are not suitable for her. You are simple-minded, and that person is too cunning." Leng Feng said and continued to eat.

Luo Xiangqian was stunned. He held the wine glass and didn't speak for a long time.

After a while, he looked at Xie Jinxuan with a confused look: "Jinxuan... this..."

"Leng Feng's words make sense. In fact, I have wanted to say this for a long time. It is a bit unbelievable to ask a new colleague like you to borrow 300 yuan. But if she has found out about your family background and came to you to borrow money, then this person is indeed more cunning than you, and the two of you are really not suitable. However, I think she must be very good-looking, so you have such a good impression of her. But you have to think clearly. If you like her, don't think about other people."

Luo Xiangqian smiled awkwardly again: "You guys...really, I've already said that she and I are not that kind of relationship, and I don't like her. At most, I have a little affection for her. I think she is a young lesbian and it has not been easy these years."

"Heroism is at work." Xia Qingtang said, "If you love saving others so much, why not help lonely elderly people? That will give you a greater sense of accomplishment."

Xie Jinxuan couldn't help laughing, and even Leng Feng's mouth corners were pulled up.

Luo Xiangqian also laughed, and then he said, "You're right. I might actually be a bit heroic. After all, both of them are real heroes who have made real contributions. I'm the only one who has done nothing."

"Then you really have to help the lonely elderly. If you want to be a hero, how can you just help beautiful female colleagues?" Xia Qingtang said.

Luo Xiangqian gave a bitter smile: "I've never been in a relationship before, isn't it human nature to be nice to someone who is pretty and pitiful? Isn't it because you're pretty that Jinxuan likes you?"

"What you said is true. I like Qingtang not just because she is pretty. I like her for everything about her. I am not that superficial. Besides, our Qingtang is beautiful on the outside and even more beautiful on the inside." Xie Jinxuan immediately said seriously.

"Okay, okay, you like everything about her." Luo Xiangqian muttered, "What's the big deal? Isn't it just marrying the person you love? I tell you, I can do it in the future..."

He mumbled and drank several more glasses of wine, and finally got drunk.

After the meal, Luo Xiangqian lay on the table again without moving.

Leng Feng said: "Why is he still like this? He gets drunk as soon as he drinks."

"We're at home anyway, it's okay if he gets drunk." Xie Jinxuan said, "Let him lie down for a while, and you sit for a while. I'll clean up the dishes and send him back."

Leng Feng said: "Just do your thing, I'll take him there."

"Forget it, your injury has just healed, don't move. Just wait for me to wash the dishes and clean up the kitchen, it will be quick." Xie Jinxuan said, and started to clean up the dishes.

Leng Feng also stood up and helped him clean up. Xia Qingtang said, "Lao Leng, you are a guest, don't touch those things. Come and sit over here. I will make you another cup of milk. Milk is nutritious. Drink it for a while so you can go back and sleep."

Leng Feng said: "It's okay, Jinxuan and I are not outsiders."

He helped put all the dishes into the kitchen, then walked to the living room sofa and sat down.

Xia Qingtang placed the hot milk in front of him, then said with a smile: "I haven't asked Jinxuan yet. Lao Leng went to see the doctor today. Did he also say that he should go for regular checkups?"

Leng Feng said: "Jinxuan's previous injury was in the bones, and mine was in the stomach, so we don't need acupuncture, but we have to go there every week to get medicine and boil it at home to drink."

"Fortunately, both of you are safe." Xia Qingtang glanced towards the kitchen and said, "Jinxuan is very happy that you are back for vacation this time."

"I know. He and Xiang Qian both advised me to retire and come back. I'm still considering it. I will only come back if I really can't be trained again." Leng Feng's expression was indifferent, but his eyes revealed a firm look.

Xia Qingtang suddenly felt that Xie Jinxuan was very lucky. These two brothers, one is cheerful and enthusiastic, and the other is smart and introverted. They will surely be able to help each other in their careers in the future.

Because Leng Feng was a man of few words, Xia Qingtang tried her best to find things to talk to him about. She finally managed to hold on until Xie Jinxuan came out of the kitchen. Xia Qingtang was almost sweating because he really didn't know what else to talk about.

"Qingtang, I poured the hot water in the kettle into the thermos and am boiling it again now. I'll take Xiang Qian home and you can take a shower first." Xie Jinxuan dried her hands and came out.

Xia Qingtang quickly stood up: "Okay, then you guys be careful."

Xie Jinxuan walked to the table and shook Luo Xiangqian, but he only made a humming sound, which showed that he was sleeping soundly and could not wake up at all.

Leng Feng walked over to help him. Xie Jinxuan carried Luo Xiangqian on her back. Xia Qingtang hurried out to open the door for them, and then ran to the yard entrance and opened the yard door.

There was no power outage today, and Xie Jinxuan strode forward under the light of the street lamps.

Leng Feng walked to the gate of the yard and whispered, "Thank you for your hard work today."

"It's just cooking a meal, what's so hard about it? You can come and eat often when you are free. If I can get fish next Sunday, I will stew fish for you to try." Xia Qingtang said with a smile.

Leng Feng whispered, "I hope you can be nicer to Jinxuan and try not to cause trouble for her."

Xia Qingtang was stunned, and the smile froze on his face: "What do you mean by this?"

"Literally, you know better than me what Jinxuan did today. He is a very honest and kind person. I don't agree with him doing those things for you. But you are husband and wife, and I, an outsider, can't dissuade Jinxuan. But I hope you can understand that Jinxuan is very kind and loves you very much, but you should not abuse his kindness." After Leng Feng finished speaking, he nodded at her, turned and left.

Xia Qingtang stood at the gate of the yard and did not respond for a long time. It was not until the people from the next yard came out to wash clothes that she closed the gate and went back into the house.

Because they had dinner early, it was only seven o'clock now. Xia Qingtang took some clothes to the bathroom, took a quick shower, and then went back to the bedroom to lie down.

Twenty minutes later, Xie Jinxuan came back from outside. He locked the yard door, went back into the house, walked to the bedroom door and looked inside. He saw Xia Qingtang sitting on the head of the bed, reading English seriously.

"You're back? The hot water should be ready. Take a shower quickly and we can go to bed early." Xia Qingtang smiled sweetly at him.

Xie Jinxuan nodded: "Then I'll go wash now."

Xia Qingtang continued to read English. Just as he finished this week's content, Xie Jinxuan walked in, wrapped in water and smelling of soap.

He also leaned back on the bed and looked at Xia Qingtang's expression.

Xia Qingtang put the book away and turned around to see Xie Jinxuan looking at him with a worried look on her face. She couldn't help but ask curiously, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Leng Feng told me that he said something to you at the door. You might be unhappy, so I was observing your expression."

"Ah, well, I'm not unhappy, I just felt a little guilty when he said that. But there's nothing I can do about the guilt, I can only let the thing be done. Leng Feng is your good friend, he really cares about you, and what he said is right, what qualifications do I have to be angry?" Xia Qingtang said softly, then snuggled into Xie Jinxuan's arms.

His chest was strong and warm. Nestled in his arms, Xia Qingtang felt only happiness and peace.

"He apologized to me, saying that he was an outsider and shouldn't have interfered in our affairs, let alone blame you. I accepted his apology and forgave him, but I said I hope he will apologize to you the next time he sees you. After all, he was indeed meddling too much in this matter." Xie Jinxuan said: "I'm sorry, I didn't expect Leng Feng to say so much to you. In fact, he doesn't talk much..."

"He rarely speaks, but whenever he does, he says something very important," Xia Qingtang said, "including when he talked about Lao Luo. He always hits the nail on the head. His words are all correct, but a little scary."

"Scary?"

"I don't mean to be scary. What I mean is that he sees everything so clearly, and he speaks directly and mercilessly. Anything wrong with ordinary people like us will be exposed in front of him, which is quite scary. I feel that I can hide some things in front of you, but in front of him, it seems that I can only be an upright and transparent person. It's quite scary to think about it this way." Xia Qingtang explained.

Xie Jinxuan said: "So that's how it is. I finally understand why Leng Noodles is not popular after so many years."

"But he is indeed a good person and treats you very well. He is a qualified friend. As for an apology, there is no need for that." Xia Qingtang let out a long sigh and got out of his arms. "I think he is right, and I agree with him. It's my own fault. I want to help my friend, but I can only ask you to do it for me."

"Qingtang, we are husband and wife, it is my duty to do things for you..."

"It's not like that. If it's something between the two of us, then you should do anything for me because we are husband and wife. But this is not the case. I just let you do this because you love me." Xia Qingtang held his hand tightly and whispered, "Leng Feng also sounded a wake-up call for me today. I am very grateful to him. I promise you that this will never happen again."

If it happens again, she must learn to solve it on her own. Otherwise, what's the point of independence and future development?

Xie Jinxuan was stunned for a moment. He held her hand and pondered for a while before saying, "I always feel that you were frightened by Leng Feng, so your thoughts changed in the wrong way. Are you secretly thinking that if you encounter such a thing in the future, you will never tell me?"

Xia Qingtang didn't say anything, but Xie Jinxuan knew she was right.

He didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and said, "I'm going to settle accounts with Leng Feng tomorrow. This man has never dated a girlfriend, let alone been married. I want to tell him that this is not how couples settle accounts. You are my lover, and you are willing to tell me these things and even give them to me. This shows your trust in me. I am very happy because this is the safest way to do it. If you don't tell me and solve it secretly by yourself, what should I do if something happens to you?"

Xia Qingtang was stunned: "But..."

"Leng Feng may be right. Because I love you, I am willing to do anything for you, but this is because I want to be with you forever. Now that I have the ability to handle these things, let me go. You are still young, you haven't worked for long, and you don't know many people, but you are constantly learning and improving. When the day comes that you are able to handle these things by yourself, then I will feel at ease to let you do it. Because no matter who of us does such a thing, the purpose is to be together for the rest of our lives, right?" Xie Jinxuan's tone was slow and gentle, and his big hands gently kneaded Xia Qingtang's small hands.

Xia Qingtang sighed softly: "Okay, what you said makes more sense."

"Then listen to me. Rely on me now. When you become stronger in the future, I will rely on you. Okay?"

"You will definitely be more powerful by then, why would you rely on me?"

"Didn't you say that you would make a lot of money in the future and give me a good life? I don't know how to do business, so I can only rely on you. You have to work hard and let me rely on you more in the future." Xie Jinxuan smiled and leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.

Seeing his gentle features and handsome face shining under the warm light, Xia Qingtang's mood gradually improved. She threw herself on him and said, "The time for ideological education discussion is over. Let's have another better discussion!"

Xie Jinxuan readily agreed and immediately hugged her and crawled into the bed.

However, the discussion tonight did not last too long because Xia Qingtang had been busy all day, so Xie Jinxuan was very restrained and only discussed it once. Then she fetched water to help her clean up and hugged her to sleep.

The next morning, Xia Qingtang felt refreshed. After breakfast, he walked out of the house hand in hand with Xie Jinxuan, and saw a tall figure standing outside the yard.

"Leng Feng?" Xie Jinxuan asked, "How long have you been standing here?"

"Not long ago, I just got here." Leng Feng looked at Xia Qingtang through the courtyard door and said, "I came here to apologize."

"Um... it's okay, you don't have to apologize to me." Xia Qingtang walked over and opened the courtyard door. "I didn't take it to heart. On the contrary, I think you are a very good person."

Leng Feng frowned and looked at Xia Qingtang with a puzzled look.