Qin Hongxing was filled with mixed emotions. Her hand trembled slightly as she reached out to touch Rong Zhaonan: "Brother Nan, all these years... how have you been?"
It must have been her imagination. Brother Nan would never show that kind of expression, especially in front of a country woman!
Rong Zhaonan took a step back and looked at her calmly: "Comrade Qin Hongxing, it's been a long time. What brings you here?"
Qin Hongxing felt a chill when he called her that, so politely, coldly, and distantly.
Her eyes instantly reddened, her body swayed, and she took a deep breath: "Brother Nan, can I... come inside and talk? This isn't the place to talk."
She didn't want to become a spectacle for the country folk at the door.
Rong Zhaonan said calmly, "Comrade Qin Hongxing, it's better to say what you have to say here. The room is messy and not suitable for receiving leaders from Beijing."
Qin Hongxing paused for a moment, gripped the sheepskin gloves in his hand tightly, and said softly, "Brother Nan, I'm here on behalf of Uncle Rong and your company."
Ning Yuan hadn't said anything at first, just watching the show from the sidelines. She was surprised to see that even someone as arrogant as Qin Hongxing could endure this grievance and speak to Rong Zhaonan.
She admired him quite a bit. It seemed that this young lady from the capital had deep feelings for Rong Zhaonan. So why did she break off the engagement with Rong Zhaonan in the first place?
Ning Yuan suddenly spoke up: "Rong Zhaonan, I'm a little thirsty. Since our guest has come all this way, why don't we go inside and sit down, as long as she doesn't mind that our place is shabby?"
Yes, her gossipy nature is kicking in.
Rong Zhaonan glanced at Ning Yuan and saw that her big, dark eyes were gleaming.
Is this little spy trying to extract information or just watching the show?
However, he stepped aside and said expressionlessly, "Since Comrade Qin doesn't mind, please come in with the other two comrades."
Ning Yuan chuckled and went inside.
Qin Hongxing felt a mix of sadness, relief, and torment as he watched him move aside.
With just one sentence from that village girl, Brother Nan actually let her into the house.
With mixed feelings, she closed her eyes briefly, then coldly said to the door, "You two wait outside."
After saying that, she went into the house with a sullen face and slammed the door shut.
The two militiamen outside the door didn't look too good.
The motorcyclist couldn't help but mutter a complaint: "What kind of behavior is this guy!"
“Forget it, she’s a girl from Beijing, she has a bad temper. We just need to complete the reception tasks assigned by the department.” Another person shook his head.
Inside the house, hearing the door slam shut, Rong Zhaonan poured water while coldly saying without turning his head, "Comrade Qin Hongxing, they are militiamen sent by the county, not your servants."
Qin Hongxing was stunned, then gritted his teeth: "Brother Nan, I didn't..."
“If you don’t like it, then speak properly. This isn’t the place for you to throw a tantrum like a spoiled princess.” Rong Zhaonan glanced coldly at Qin Hongxing and handed the enamel water cup to Ning Yuan.
Ning Yuan took a sip of warm water and said with some surprise, "You made red date, longan, and chrysanthemum tea."
Rong Zhaonan: "You like this flavor, right? After making the glutinous rice balls, I had some brown sugar left, so I brewed a pot of tea."
Ning Yuan smiled and said, "Yes, I like it. It's good for replenishing qi and blood."
Qin Hongxing felt a pang of bitterness and resentment as she watched him interact so gently with Ning Yuan, yet he spoke coldly to her.
Moreover, there seemed to be a special atmosphere between the two that no one else could enter, making it unbearable for others.
Qin Hongxing frowned, his expression still aloof, and took a deep breath: "Brother Nan, there are some things I want to say that are not convenient for others to hear."
Rong Zhaonan said calmly, "Ning Yuan is no other than my lover, or rather, my spouse on the household registration."
Qin Hongxing gripped her gloves tightly, stared at him, and said stubbornly, "But she really isn't suitable to listen to our conversation. You know about the confidentiality regulations!"
Ning Yuan suddenly smiled and said, "It's alright, you guys catch up, I'll go check on the kitchen."
After saying that, she held the jujube, longan, and chrysanthemum tea, waved her hand, and walked towards the backyard.
If I keep squatting in the main room, this aloof young lady named Qin Hongxing will probably cry from anger.
It wasn't that she felt sorry for Rong Zhaonan's fiancée, but she couldn't hear the gossip while she was inside the house.
What's the point of living if you don't listen to gossip?
Especially gossip about Boss Rong; he usually keeps his mouth shut as tight as a clam shell!
After she strolled leisurely to the backyard, where no one could see her, she...
With lightning speed, Ning Yuan crouched down under the back window of the main room—holding a teacup, squatting in the corner, her ear pressed against the window frame.
Seeing Ning Yuan go to the backyard, Qin Hongxing finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Being rejected by someone like Ning Yuan was unbearable for her self-esteem.
"Please sit down." Rong Zhaonan turned around indifferently and walked to the table to sit down.
Qin Hongxing also walked to the table and looked at the bamboo and wooden table, which looked like it had just been made for the New Year. It was paired with four bamboo stools and was reasonably clean.
But she still placed a handkerchief on the stool before sitting down.
Who knows if women in the countryside are truly clean?
Seeing her actions, Rong Zhaonan's expression turned cold: "I broke this stool. I'm sorry, Comrade Qin Hongxing, you've been wronged."
Qin Hongxing froze. Was it really the chair he made?
She couldn't help but ask, "Brother Nan, why won't you open the door for me?"
Rong Zhaonan said expressionlessly, "Because I am not prepared to receive guests, and also, our conversation should ideally involve confidentiality clauses."
Qin Hongxing raised her slender eyes, a bitter expression appearing on her fair and aloof face: "Brother Nan, you won't even pour me a glass of water or exchange pleasantries?"
Rong Zhaonan didn't speak, but lowered his eyes and drank his tea.
Qin Hongxing suppressed his pain and said softly, "Brother Nan, I know you... have suffered."
Once the pride of heaven, the sharpest blade on the battlefield, he has fallen to the status of a farmer tending cattle and making furniture in a rural cowshed. It is truly pitiful and heartbreaking.
No wonder he doesn't want to see his ex-fiancée; he must feel inferior. She should be understanding.
Qin Hongxing couldn't help but look around. Newspapers were pasted all around the cowshed hut. Apart from the table, chairs and cupboard, which were newly made from cheap bamboo, the other furniture, such as the chests of drawers and wardrobes, were old, although they were still relatively clean.
Just by looking at this environment, you can tell that Brother Nan has had a tough time these past few years.
The wardrobe, small table, windowsill, and even the dining table are decorated with simple vases made from earthenware pots and wine bottles.
Clumps of small flowers are inserted inside, giving it a unique wild and pastoral charm.
Qin Hongxing sneered inwardly. What kind of taste could a country girl have? This was probably arranged by Brother Nan.
And that bed...
She spotted the bed in the corner immediately; it was huge, at least three meters wide.
There were two pillows and two quilts on the bed, covered with old but clean sheets pieced together.
Qin Hongxing couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy, and she gripped her gloves tightly again: "Do you really need such a big bed?"
Could it be that he's going to be having sex with her? The thought alone made her unbearable—
How could Brother Nan have marital relations with that village girl? How could he bring himself to do it! So what if that village girl is a little prettier?
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