Chapter 85
From the moment Leng Feng first saw her, he didn't like her very much, and even hated her a little.
No, this kind of hatred may have started earlier, as early as when Xie Jinxuan and the others were in high school.
Leng Feng went to the same high school as her and often accompanied Xie Jinxuan to look at Xia Qingtang from a distance. Naturally, he also knew clearly how many boys had pursued Xia Qingtang.
Her fame spread far and wide. Not only did the boys in her own school give her love letters and candies, but people from other schools also came to see her in an endless stream.
In his inherent impression, Xia Qingtang is a person who has been attracting many men since she was a teenager. There are too many opposite sexes around her. This is what he thinks is a trouble, and it is also his own discrimination.
Leng Feng looked at Xia Qingtang's big eyes that were spitting anger, frowned slightly, and said in a deep voice: "Don't you really know what your problem is?"
Xia Qingtang sneered and said, "Yes, I said before that I am a stupid person. I don't know anything and I am not very good at studying. So I don't know what my problem is. Isn't it normal? If I knew, why would I be so humbly asking you for advice?"
Her tone was very unpleasant. Leng Feng probably sensed the strong hostility, so he said coldly: "Then let me tell you, your problem is your appearance. Your appearance is too eye-catching, which is not a good thing. And you have a face like this, and you don't pay much attention to it. You always smile at everyone, which makes it easier for people to misunderstand you."
“Haha!” Xia Qingtang stretched out the last syllable and said, “So, my problem is that I’m too good-looking, better looking than everyone else, which makes it easy for people to misunderstand me.”
Leng Feng said dissatisfiedly: "Yes, that's right."
"Hahahaha! Isn't this too funny? Leng □□, do you think that being good-looking is my problem? I am good-looking, what have I done to offend anyone? I am good-looking, is it a mistake? Who said that beauty is a mistake? Did you say that? Who do you think you are? It is obviously you who have problems. When you see good-looking girls, you have wild thoughts and associate them with being immoral and thinking that they will do something promiscuous. Now you put the blame on me? Leng Feng, are you shameless?"
Leng Feng was stunned. It was probably the first time someone said he was shameless. He didn't even respond immediately.
Xia Qingtang continued to taunt, "I'll tell you today! All the troubles you think are caused by you men and people with discriminatory eyes, and have nothing to do with me! You have dirty hearts, and you dare to blame me? What's the difference between this and blaming Daji and Yang Guifei after the country was destroyed in ancient times? It's obviously the man's incompetence and meanness, but it became the beauty's fault? Leng Feng, you are too funny! I am kind to people because I have a good personality. I just like to smile at everyone. Is it your business? If a beauty smiles, it is a sin and seduction? Isn't this a typical case of judging the king by a mean heart? Zi Zhi Bu, is it a typical case of someone who has feces in his heart and sees others as feces? Xie Jinxuan really misjudged you. He always told me that you are an upright and noble person, but now it seems that you are no different from those despicable men. You are extremely dirty inside, so you think I am dirty too, and you think there is something wrong with my ordinary smile. But unfortunately, I am a clean and innocent person, but you, take a good look at your heart, your heart has long been so dirty that it cannot be seen by others! How dare you point fingers at me? If you have the time, you might as well cleanse your black heart!"
After saying that, Xia Qingtang left a look of extreme contempt and rode away on his bike.
Leng Feng had just helped her last night, so she shouldn't have said such harsh words, but she was indeed very angry and disappointed just now, so she couldn't control her emotions.
She originally believed what Xie Jinxuan said, and she was also willing to believe that Leng Feng was an upright, kind person who could distinguish right from wrong.
But now the facts are before us. Leng Feng is not the person Xie Jinxuan imagined at all. In other words, Leng Feng is two different Leng Fengs in front of his good brothers and in front of outsiders.
Xia Qingtang didn't know what the beautiful girl had done to him. At such a young age, he had such a big misunderstanding and discrimination against beautiful people, and he also looked down on Xia Qingtang's character with a condescending attitude.
What is this?
Xia Qingtang dared to guarantee that if this happened to Luo Xiangqian, he would never avoid suspicion because of it. He would even comfort Xia Qingtang and tell her that she had done nothing wrong.
The thing Xia Qingtang regrets most now is asking Leng Feng for help last night. If she had known earlier that this man had such a dirty nature, she should have gone there and called the police herself. Now that she has been exposed, the worst that can happen is that she can find another way.
Xia Qingtang was holding her anger and was rushing forward aimlessly when suddenly a huge force came from behind and grabbed the back seat of her bicycle.
Xia Qingtang was startled. The bicycle was pulled along with her body and the body stopped suddenly. She fell to the ground involuntarily. Fortunately, the seat of the ladies' bicycle was not high. She quickly landed her right foot on the ground to avoid close contact between her body and the ground.
"What are you doing?" Xia Qingtang was furious and immediately yelled back.
The person holding the bicycle was Leng Feng. His face was slightly red and his nostrils were flaring. He must have been running all the way here.
When Xia Qingtang saw that it was him, she became even angrier and was about to start cursing, but Leng Feng pointed forward and said, "It was just a quarrel. Are you so upset that you want to commit suicide by crashing your car?"
Xia Qingtang was startled, and when she turned around, she realized that she had already reached the intersection. A bus happened to pass in front of her. If Leng Feng hadn't grabbed her bicycle, she would have rushed forward...
The evil fire in her heart was immediately suppressed, but she still felt very uncomfortable, because Leng Feng was now her enemy, but she was actually saved by her enemy!
Seeing Xia Qingtang looking ahead with a complicated expression, with countless emotions flashing in her eyes, but she just gritted her teeth and said nothing, Leng Feng said: "You are not in a good mood now, don't ride your bike on the road alone. If something happens, how will Jinxuan bear it when she comes back?"
Xia Qingtang's eyes flashed with rage, and she squeezed out a few words from between her teeth: "Who made me become like this? Am I just getting angry for no reason?"
Leng Feng said: "You may think it has something to do with me, but no matter what the reason is, you are an adult and have been working for so long. If you can't control your temper, don't go out carelessly, so as not to cause trouble to others. If you ride your bike recklessly like you just now, even if you don't hit a car, you are likely to hit a passerby. If you hit a child, it will be even worse."
Xia Qingtang took a deep breath and slowly calmed down. She said, "You make sense. I will calm down before leaving. You can let go now. Otherwise, if others see us, it will cause trouble for you again."
Leng Feng's expression changed slightly, and he said, "Then I'll go back first. Be careful not to ride your bike on the road when you are angry, so as not to endanger others."
After saying that, Leng Feng let go of the back seat of the car and walked towards the courtyard.
Xia Qingtang pushed his bicycle to the corner of the road, where he took deep breaths. When he was almost calm, he got on the bike and rode to Xie Xiaoshuang's home at a slower pace.
Since Jia Guangrong was arrested, Xie Xiaoshuang has been living in her own home. Although today is Sunday, she has nowhere to go except the steel factory, so when Xia Qingtang arrived, he saw her sitting in the open space in front of her house, mending an old piece of clothing in her hands.
Xie Xiaoshuang was very surprised to see Xia Qingtang and stood up immediately: "Why are you here?"
"I came to see you." Xia Qingtang whispered, "How is your family doing?"
She leaned over and looked into the room. It was quiet, as if no one was there.
Xie Xiaoshuang said, "Don't look, they are not home. In the morning, the police came to investigate a case. When they passed by my aunt's house in front, they arrested all the people playing cards, including my mother. The factory has known about this now. My father is at the police station, trying to help plead for mercy, but the police ignored him. I also went there in the morning, and came back with my brother and sister to cook at noon. After dinner, I don't know where they ran off. I didn't want to go to the police station again, so I mended my clothes at home."
Xia Qingtang said: "What is your factory's attitude?"
"I don't know what the attitude is yet, but everyone says my mom and her friends are unlucky. So many people were playing cards, why were they the only ones arrested?" Xie Xiaoshuang whispered, "I'm actually quite happy. I heard they'll be detained for ten days this time. It'll save me a lot of trouble if she's not at home."
"Since she is not at home now, and neither is anyone else, do you want to move all your luggage now? Then you can live in the steel plant, and tomorrow you can find someone to buy old furniture for you. The house has been cleaned a long time ago, and you don't have to make it too grand by yourself. Xie Jinxuan said he can help you find discarded tables and chairs from the government, and then you can buy an old bed and an old cabinet yourself, and we will help you get some bedding and other things, and then you can move in. You don't even have to worry about bedding. You see, it will be summer soon, and you don't need to cover yourself with a quilt in summer. You'll have time to buy bedding slowly." Xia Qingtang said seriously.
After hearing this, Xie Xiaoshuang looked very excited, but her big eyes still showed timidity.
"Now that my mom has been arrested, if I move out, will my dad...beat me..."
Xia Qingtang said, "Where will they beat you? Will they beat you in your food factory or in the steel factory? What are you worried about at the steel factory? Uncle Hu is a good man, and he is very strong and tall. If your father beats you, Uncle Hu will definitely stop him. The neighbors over there are also enthusiastic people. I am familiar with them. Seeing that you, a girl, are beaten, everyone will help you. As for your factory, you have just suffered such an injustice as the Jia family. Will the people in your factory not sympathize with you? If your father goes to the food factory, you can call your colleagues to help you. Besides, your food factory has very strict management. I remember that outsiders are not allowed to enter the workshop because it is unhygienic. Since he can't enter the workshop, what are you afraid of? At most, he will block you on the road. The food factory has two doors, front and back. If he blocks the front, you will go from the back. If he blocks the back, you will run to the front. Just adapt to the situation. He also has to go to work. Can he really block you every day in your factory? Tell me, what are you afraid of?"
Xie Xiaoshuang nodded as she listened. After listening, she said, "What you said makes sense. Then I...then I will move all my things to the steel plant now!"
"Yes, if the Hu family can't put it in, I'll bring some of it to the bungalow for you. Anyway, you will move there sooner or later, and it will be more convenient to put it in the bungalow." Xia Qingtang looked around and saw that no one was at the neighbor's house, so she said, "Hurry up, while everyone is away, leave quickly."
"Then I...should I leave them a note?"
"No need to stay, just leave. I think it will take several days for your dad to find out that you don't live at home anymore." Xia Qingtang sneered, "You don't think they will look for you everywhere tonight, do you?"
Xie Xiaoshuang's face turned pale, and her hands began to tremble slightly: "You are right, I will leave now, and you don't need to leave any note."
Seeing her with that expression, Xia Qingtang knew that she was still attached to her family. Even if something like that happened to her at home, even if she was killed by her mother herself, she still missed the family affection that did not exist at all.
No, it is precisely because there is no family affection that she is attached to it and that is why she forces it, just like she did in the past...
Xie Xiaoshuang ran into the house to move the luggage she had packed long ago. She had a large backpack and a luggage bag, which she had used when she went to the countryside before, and now it was just the right size to carry all her belongings.
It’s quite sad to think about it. The only traces of Xie Xiaoshuang’s twenty years of life are actually these two bags of things. Nothing else.
After walking out, she closed the door and the window, walked to Xia Qingtang's side, and found that she was distracted.
"Qingtang? Qingtang, what's wrong with you?" Xie Xiaoshuang asked in a low voice.
Xia Qingtang came back to his senses: "Nothing, I was just thinking about something. What I said to you just now was very wrong. I apologize to you. I'm sorry, I must have hurt you with that."
Xie Xiaoshuang laughed instead: "You are telling the truth. They wouldn't miss me anyway."
"Then I can't say that. I can change to a better way of speaking." Xia Qingtang blamed herself, "I'm sorry."
"Don't say sorry. I should be sorry to you and Yanni. You have helped me so much, but I still don't dare to move out until today. I don't know what I am afraid of... I obviously hate them so much, but I always think that otherwise we will all die together... I would rather think like this than move out." Xie Xiaoshuang said, biting her lower lip tightly again.
Xia Qingtang said: "It's normal to be afraid. You have never lived alone. When you were in the countryside, you lived in a small community where everyone looked after each other, so you don't worry about whether you can survive alone. Now you move out and live alone. Everything is unknown, so of course you will be afraid. But you can think of it this way. Try moving out. If you live well alone, that's a good thing. If you don't live well alone, you can find a chance to move back. You know, you are so good-looking. As long as you tell your mother that you are willing to marry an old man to help her make money, she will definitely take you in."
Xie Xiaoshuang said, "Why bother coming back? Finding an old man for money means you'll get married anyway, so why should I let her get away with it? Wouldn't it be better if I could find an old man myself and keep the money for myself?"
Xia Qingtang laughed and said quickly, "Yes, that's the truth. What's so scary about moving out? If you really can't live alone, there are other ways to go. Finding someone to marry is one way, and getting into a school is another way. If you can go to school, you will have a dormitory to live in and a big group. You won't be afraid in the group, right?"
There are dormitories at the food factory, but the conditions are similar to those at the cotton mill. The environment is very poor, and there are many people living there. Xie Xiaoshuang had asked people about it before and heard that it is very easy to lose things living there, so she gave up the idea of living in the food factory dormitory.
As for getting a single room, forget it. Housing in the food factory is even more scarce than in the cotton mill. It is difficult for two working couples to find an empty house to share.
Xie Xiaoshuang said: "How can I be admitted to the school?"
"Why can't you do it? The greater the pressure, the greater the motivation. If you really come to that step, you will always be able to pass the exam." Xia Qingtang said: "I want to say that there are many solutions. Don't be afraid to move out because of timidity and attachment. How do you know that this is a simple thing if you don't try it?"
Xie Xiaoshuang nodded, took a deep breath, and said firmly: "Then let's go now. I have to take this step."
Xia Qingtang took her out on his bicycle. When they arrived at the gate of the family area, Xia Qingtang saw Xie Xiaoshuang's sister. She was standing with a little girl of the same age, and the two were playing shuttlecock. Seeing her sister riding a bicycle and carrying a lot of things, her sister was stunned for a moment, but still said nothing. She just watched Xie Xiaoshuang leave blankly.
When they rode to the steel plant, Hu's father was not at home, but Hu's mother and Hu Yanni were there. Hu Yanni was very happy to see that Xie Xiaoshuang had moved out all her belongings.
"You finally moved out. I was worried about you. Now everything is fine, I don't have to worry about you anymore. My mother also said that she would help you buy furniture. She has asked someone, and someone wants to move out your old bed and old cabinet. Don't worry about other things. I will give you the washbasin and spittoon. It's just that the quilt is a little difficult to find, but you can always buy a new one." Hu Yanni held Xie Xiaoshuang's hand and jumped for joy.
Hu's mother also said, "Yes, I have already asked for the bed and cabinet for you. If you are willing, I will take you to buy them next week. The man also said that he can help deliver them to the place by tricycle."
After Xie Xiaoshuang came out, she heard good news one after another, and she became happy: "Then I will go buy a bed and a cabinet next week."
Xia Qingtang immediately said, "Come back with me later. I'll have the guards recognize your face and then give you the key to the bungalow. After that, even if I'm not at home, you can always bring someone to deliver the furniture."
"Okay, I'll go with you later." Xie Xiaoshuang said, "This package contains thick clothes, thick pants and some unused items. How about we take them with us today?"
"Yes, I'll take her there today." Xia Qingtang looked at his watch and said, "I'll take Xiaoshuang there first. She'll have to take a bus back later, so we shouldn't waste time, lest we get there too late."
Hu Yanni said, "Oh, you are always in a hurry. You leave after just a few words."
"I can't help it. I'm really busy. Xiaoshuang, this is serious business." Xia Qingtang stretched out his hand and pinched her face, saying, "You've lost weight again. Is it because you study too hard? I met your Gu Xingan the other day. He asked me about you. I told him that you were studying hard. If he wanted to see you, he could come to the steel plant to find you. Did he come to see you?"
"No, no, he doesn't have time either. They are very busy and work very hard in their studies." Hu Yanni blushed and looked back at her mother in the room. She said, "Please keep your voice down. Don't let my mother hear you."
"Don't worry, I only asked you because I saw your mother go into the inner room." Xia Qingtang shouted into the house, "Auntie, I'm going home."
Hu's mother ran out and said, "Be careful on the road."
"I will. Goodbye, Auntie. Goodbye, Yanni." After saying that, Xia Qingtang rode his bike back with Xie Xiaoshuang and a bag of luggage that they didn't need for the time being.
When they arrived at the gate of the compound, Xia Qingtang carefully introduced Xie Xiaoshuang to the guard room and showed a certificate from Xie Jinxuan's unit, proving that the unit allowed him to lend the wedding house allocated to him to his relative Xie Xiaoshuang for a period of three years.
Because Xie Xiaoshuang had the same surname as Xie Jinxuan, Xia Qingtang directly introduced her as Xie Jinxuan's cousin, which saved a lot of trouble.
The guard office confirmed the official seal on the certificate and wrote down Xie Xiaoshuang's name, age, work unit and other information, indicating that she could enter and exit the compound normally from then on.
Xie Xiaoshuang followed Xia Qingtang in, with a slightly nervous look on her face.
"It's so formal here, there are people standing guard over there..."
"It's better to be formal. The bad guys outside can't get in, but there are bad guys inside, so when you move in, you must lock the doors and windows at night." Xia Qingtang said: "The current door lock is replaced by someone Xie Jinxuan has installed. There are several layers of latches behind the door, and the front and back windows have also been repaired and reinforced. Unless someone hits the door with tools at night, as long as you close the door, there should be no problem."
Xie Xiaoshuang nodded: "I understand. Thank you, and thank you Comrade Xie."
"Hey, you should change your words carefully. Let people in the compound think that you are a relative of the Xie family. This is much better than saying you are my classmate. You know, his grandfather is a big leader." Xia Qingtang gave him a look.
Xie Xiaoshuang quickly said: "Then what should I call you?"
"Since you are my cousin from the same clan, then call me brother. Don't be embarrassed. If someone asks, you must say that he is your cousin. If you are in front of Jinxuan, just call him Brother Xie. If someone else hears it, at least you have the word brother to cover up the lie."
"You're so thoughtful." Xie Xiaoshuang sighed again: "You've changed a lot."
When they rode past the basketball court, they found that Zhao Xiaoqiang was still standing there holding the wooden sign, but his face was getting darker and darker, and there were tear marks in the corners of his eyes, as if he had been crying.
But even after crying, he didn't dare to leave, because Leng Feng and Luo Xiangqian were standing ten meters away from him, watching him.
Seeing Xia Qingtang riding a bicycle back with a girl, Luo Xiangqian immediately ran over from the other side: "Xiao Xia, who is this? Is she your relative?"
"No, this is Xie Xiaoshuang, a relative of the Xie family." Xia Qingtang said, "I brought her here to put some things away. She couldn't put them there anymore."
Luo Xiangqian immediately said, "Do you want my help?"
"No need, just go ahead and do your thing. We can get it done quickly by bike." Xia Qingtang smiled at him and left.
When they arrived at the single-room bungalow, Xia Qingtang pointed to the rows of houses and introduced them.
There are still quite a few residents here, all of them are young couples who got married in recent years. The vacant houses are used as warehouses and are filled with a lot of things.
To the left of the house that Xie Jinxuan was assigned was a warehouse, and to the right lived a young couple who had only lived there for less than two years.
Xia Qingtang greeted them, unlocked the door and took Xie Xiaoshuang in.
"It's quite a big room." Xie Xiaoshuang looked at the empty room and seemed a little surprised. "It's much bigger than the single room we have in the factory."
"Yes, the houses in this family quarters are generally not small. This single room can be converted into two rooms by adding a wooden partition. The inside is the bedroom and the outside is the living room, so it won't be too crowded to live in. The walls here have been repainted, and the roof is also repaired once a year in the family quarters. It should be pretty good to live in, but you'll need to use the public toilet." Xia Qingtang said.
Xie Xiaoshuang said, "I don't have a toilet at home either. I've been using public toilets for so many years, I'm used to it. Besides, this house is so big, I've already thought of how to decorate it. I'll make a wooden partition to separate it into a bedroom, and I can also draw a curtain in the bedroom and put a spittoon. I'm alone, so there's nothing to be embarrassed about. Also, this window is so big and bright, I'll buy some curtains and hang them up. There's a faucet outside the door, I'll get a kerosene stove and cook for myself."
Seeing Xie Xiaoshuang smiling and enthusiastically planning her ideas in the room, Xia Qingtang knew that he had made the right move.
Give her a push and let her come out, and everything will be fine after that.
After Xie Xiaoshuang's excitement ended, they put down their luggage and went out.
Xia Qingtang handed her both keys and said softly, "You have the right to use this house for the next three years. You can live in it however you want. I know you still long for home. But I think home is just a concept. Sometimes, being alone can also be a home. As long as you are at peace, determined, and strong in your heart, you are your own home."
Xie Xiaoshuang's eyes turned red and she hugged her: "Qingtang, thank you, thank you."
"You're welcome." Xia Qingtang said, "You didn't get defeated after going through such a thing. I believe you will also overcome your fear of your parents, and one day, make them fear you."
Xie Xiaoshuang sniffed and nodded vigorously: "I will, I will definitely try my best to do it!"
"Okay, I'll take you to the station now. Yanni's family eats dinner early, so if you go back now, you can help them cook." Xia Qingtang laughed.
She rode her bicycle to take Xie Xiaoshuang to the bus stop, and only turned back home after she got on the bus to the steel plant.
When they arrived at the basketball court, Zhao Xiaoqiang finally ended the torture. He stood in front of Leng Feng holding a wooden sign, like an elementary school student listening to the principal's lecture, as obedient as a little chicken.
Leng Feng said a few words with a sullen face, and Zhao Xiaoqiang nodded and said a few words as well. Then Leng Feng waved his hand impatiently, and Zhao Xiaoqiang turned around and ran away as if he had been pardoned, dropping the wooden sign.
Xia Qingtang looked at Leng Feng's expression when facing Zhao Xiaoqiang, and became more certain of his guess. This man was only loyal and affectionate when it came to his good brothers, but he had no feelings at all when it came to outsiders.
Luo Xiangqian ran over again: "Xiao Xia, you're back? I saw you send that girl out just now."
"Yes, she just came here to put something down, and now she has to go back to eat." Xia Qingtang said, "You went out today?"
"I didn't go out today. I went out drinking last night and slept at my colleague's house when I got drunk. When I woke up in the morning, they invited me to have lunch, so I came back after lunch. When I came back, I saw Leng Feng beating up that Zhao Xiaoqiang. I was so mad. If I had caught up with him, I would have slapped him hard! Leng Feng is just too polite. He doesn't even hit people in the face. He even insisted that hitting them in the stomach wouldn't leave any marks. This guy is really too cautious."
Xia Qingtang didn't say anything, so Luo Xiangqian continued, "Are you unhappy?"
"Why do you say that?"
"That Zhao Xiaoqiang said that you were having an affair with Leng Feng. Jinxuan wasn't at home right away. Are you worried that Jinxuan would be suspicious when she comes back? Let me tell you, Jinxuan is not that kind of person. He won't believe such a ridiculous joke." Luo Xiangqian said seriously.
Xia Qingtang said: "I know that Jinxuan trusts me absolutely."
"Then don't take it to heart. Let's just let it go. Leng Feng has already taught Zhao Xiaoqiang a lesson, and now everyone in the compound knows what happened. Don't be upset."
"Okay, I'll listen to you. I'll go home happily to cook dinner." Xia Qingtang smiled.
It is difficult to refuse the kindness of someone like Luo Xiangqian.
Luo Xiangqian immediately said, "What are you guys having for dinner? My family has oil-splashed noodles at night. I usually like that, but I drank so much last night that my stomach felt uncomfortable. It would be nice if I could have something light at night."
Xia Qingtang said, "So what do you want to eat? I'll go back and tell Aunt Six, and I'll cook it with her. Anyway, we haven't decided what to eat, so any dish will do."
"I want to eat millet porridge, add some vegetables and salt, and eat it with steamed bread while it's still hot. That's how comfortable it is."
"Sure, that's easy. I'll go back and do it now. You just need to come over for lunch before 6:30." After saying that, Xia Qingtang rode back on his bike.
Aunt Liu was just sitting at the kitchen door picking vegetables. When she heard that Luo Xiangqian wanted to eat vegetable porridge cooked with millet, she quickly scooped out the millet.
"But it's too late to make the dough now. I'll go to the cafeteria and get some steamed buns for Xiang Qian. How about we have vegetable pancakes?"
"Okay, let's eat vegetable pancakes. I'll go make steamed buns later." Xia Qingtang washed his hands and started to help Aunt Liu.
Aunt Liu made a big pot of millet porridge with plenty of vegetables, fried a large portion of cabbage, roasted a large pot of loofah, and scooped out some dried radish and mixed it with cooked oil.
At 6:15 in the evening, Luo Xiangqian appeared in the yard with a loud voice: "Grandma, Aunt Liu, I'm here to eat!"
Xia Qingtang walked out with a smile and opened the door. Just as she was about to speak, her smile froze on her face, because Luo Xiangqian not only came by himself, he also brought Leng Feng with him.
Luo Xiangqian didn't notice Xia Qingtang's expression changed at all. He strode happily into the house and took his grandmother's hand as soon as he entered.
Leng Feng stood in the yard and confronted Xia Qingtang silently for a while. Neither of them spoke, but just exchanged angry looks.
He waited until Luo Xiangqian shouted Leng Feng's name loudly in the house before he silently walked around Xia Qingtang and went into the house.
Xia Qingtang had no choice but to close the door and go back into the house.
This is not her home, she cannot refuse Leng Feng's invitation to come for dinner, but she can choose to remain silent and ignore him.
"Grandma, there's no one at Leng Feng's house to cook today, so I brought him here. Just as that happened during the day, I thought I should let Leng Feng come and talk to grandma, right?" Luo Xiangqian said enthusiastically.
Grandma said, "What happened during the day was just the neighbors' mischief. Afeng taught him a lesson. I'll talk to his parents tomorrow and it will be over. The main thing is, Afeng, don't take it to heart. You've been a thoughtful kid since you were young, and grandma is afraid you'll think too much."
Leng Feng said: "I didn't think too much about it. When Jin Xuan comes back, he won't think too much about it either."
"That's fine. Let's go and eat." Grandma took the lead and walked towards the dining table.
Xia Qingtang said nothing, but silently helped Aunt Liu bring out the food, and then ate in silence.
The dinner was actually delicious, but Xia Qingtang was in a bad mood, so she didn’t taste anything.
After dinner, she went upstairs to rest, saying that she was too tired after going out during the day.
Her grandmother and the others noticed that she was in a bad mood, and asked her what was wrong the next morning, but she fooled them by saying that she was not feeling well.
But she did feel uncomfortable during that time because she had her period. Although she didn't have stomach pain, she still felt a little uncomfortable during those days every month and seemed a little irritable.
Fortunately, everything went smoothly at work and there were no unexpected situations.
On Friday afternoon, Xia Qingtang rode his bike excitedly back to the small western-style building and saw Xie Jinxuan, whom he hadn't seen for several days.
He was wearing a half-worn white shirt and a pair of light gray trousers, and was sitting on the sofa talking to his grandmother.
"Xie Jinxuan! You're back! I missed you so much!" Xia Qingtang threw away her cross-body bag and rushed over.
Xie Jinxuan reacted quickly. She stood up and caught Xia Qingtang who was rushing towards her. Then she picked her up high and turned her around in circles in the room.
"I miss you too." Xie Jinxuan buried her head in Xia Qingtang's neck, took a deep breath, and smiled contentedly, "I really... miss you very much."
Grandma and Sixth Aunt didn't say anything, but just looked at them with a smile.
They waited until Xie Jinyun, who was hungry, came running down the stairs before they reluctantly parted.
"Sixth Aunt, I'm hungry. When are we going to eat?" Xie Jinyun had no idea that she had disrupted the reunion of her brother and sister-in-law. Instead, she asked with an innocent look on her face.
Aunt Six smiled and said, "Your parents will both get off work on time today, and we'll have dinner when they come back."
"I'm so hungry now. Can you give me something to eat first?" Xie Jinyun said pitifully.
Grandma said, "Your brother brought back this cake from over there. Eat some of it to fill your stomach. But it's made of glutinous rice. If you eat too much, you won't be able to digest it. You won't be able to eat dinner later, so you can only eat a little."
Xia Qingtang said: "You brought back some delicious food again? Then I'll try some too."
The two of them sat down hand in hand. Grandma took out the peanut cake and sesame cake that Xie Jinxuan had brought back and gave a small piece to Xia Qingtang and Xie Jinyun respectively.
While eating, Xia Qingtang asked him softly whether the business trip went smoothly. Xie Jinxuan slowly told him what happened on their trip. After a while, Xie Chengye and his mother came back from get off work.
While eating dinner, everyone listened to Xie Jinxuan talk about the local customs and culture, as well as some special snacks.
Xie Chengye was very happy to hear this. After dinner he continued to ask questions, but was patted lightly by his grandmother.
"Mom, why are you taking pictures of me?" Xie Chengye looked puzzled.
Grandma said, "Jinxuan must have worked hard since coming back from here. Let him go upstairs and have a good rest."
Xie's mother also rolled her eyes at Xie Chengye, and he finally reacted and said quickly, "Yes, Jinxuan, go upstairs and have a rest."
Xie Jinxuan pulled Xia Qingtang to the third floor, and the two hugged each other as soon as they entered the bedroom.
"If we do something now, will it be too... obvious? Everyone downstairs will know..." Xia Qingtang whispered, "But, I really miss you."
"I miss you too. Don't worry about them. We are husband and wife. It's normal to do anything in the bedroom." Xie Jinxuan kissed her earlobe lightly, and then whispered, "I took a shower when I got home."
"Then what are you waiting for?" Xia Qingtang threw the person directly onto the bed, not thinking about anything else.
But after all, they were in the home of their elders, so Xia Qingtang and Xie Jinxuan were very restrained and neither of them dared to make a sound. Xia Qingtang bit her lower lip almost the entire time, and when it was over, there were deep teeth marks on her lower lip, which was bright red.
Xie Jinxuan reached out and rubbed her head, saying, "We'll go home tomorrow night."
"Well, let's go home, but we have to go back early to light the stove and clean the house." Xia Qingtang said.
"I'll go back and do it tomorrow at noon, don't worry." Xie Jinxuan said, "By the way, have you helped me water the vegetable garden these days?"
Xia Qingtang told the truth: "I didn't, it was Aunt Six who watered it."
Xie Jinxuan couldn't help laughing: "I knew you didn't like tidying up the vegetable garden. Later on, I won't grow vegetables anymore. I'll grow flowers for you. We'll grow whatever flowers you like."
Xia Qingtang thought for a moment and said, "I don't know what kind of flowers I like. I haven't even thought about this question."
"Then think about it slowly in the future. You will eventually come across a flower you like." Xie Jinxuan kissed her forehead and said, "Shall I get you some bath water? Come back and sleep after you're done?"
"Okay." Xia Qingtang showed a satisfied smile, "It's great that you're back. You don't know how much I missed you this time..."
"Did something happen? As soon as I got home, I could clearly notice that you were in a bad mood." Xie Jinxuan stroked her fingers gently.
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