Waiting for you at the place where you are reborn

Fang Zheng smiled: "This is not a feudal society, an era where parents interfere in marriages."

Aunt Feng from next door came over and asked, "Fang Zheng, did you go out to play on the weekend?"

Fang Zheng hurriedly greeted her, "Hello, Aunt Feng."

Aunt Feng looked at Ruan Xiaojing beside Fang Zheng in confusion, "What is this?"

Ruan Xiaojing smiled, "Hello, Auntie."

Aunt Feng responded as if she had come to her senses, "The girls around Fang Zheng are all very pretty—" She felt something was wrong halfway through and quickly changed her words, "Go back quickly, your aunt and the others must be waiting for you to have dinner."

Fang Zheng's steps became heavy and his heart was in his throat. Half a year ago, Aunt Feng met him and Du Qingqing and clamored to attend their wedding.

Ruan Xiaojing glanced at Fang Zheng beside her, and his expression became unfathomable. Aunt Feng said that the girls around him were all very beautiful, except herself. She should be talking about Du Qingqing.

When I walked into the house, I saw a table full of dishes prepared by Boxingfa and Yang Hua.

When they first saw Ruan Xiaojing, everyone felt a little embarrassed.

Fang Zheng put down the pile of gifts that Ruan Xiaojing bought for the family and said to Yang Hua and Boxingfa, "Uncle and aunt, this is Xiaojing."

"This is my uncle and aunt, and this is my cousin Botong."

"Hello, uncle and aunt, hello, cousin Botong." Ruan Xiaojing greeted politely.

"Xiao Jing——" Yang Hua called, "Sit down and eat."

Boxingfa said to Fang Zheng: "Hurry up and ask Xiaojing to sit down."

Bo Tong glanced at them and said nothing.

Fang Zheng took Ruan Xiaojing to sit on the chair. To ease the dull atmosphere, he smiled and said, "There are my favorite squirrel fish and beef with vegetables. Thank you for your hard work, uncle and aunt."

Yang Hua couldn't help but look at Ruan Xiaojing. She was wearing a light blue mid-length dress with long hair tied back. She looked delicate, calm and well-mannered. She immediately liked her more and asked, "Xiaojing, you are one year younger than Fang Zheng, right?"

"Yes, aunt." Ruan Xiaojing nodded, and Fang Zheng put some food into her bowl.

Boxingfa said, "Xiaojing, eat more. Your aunt's cooking skills are very good. Come to our house for dinner more often in the future."

"Okay uncle, Fang Zheng and I will come to visit you often." Ruan Xiaojing said.

Fang Zheng looked sideways at Ruan Xiaojing, "I can cook a lot of dishes, and I'll cook them for you in the future."

Yang Hua smiled and said, "Fang Zheng's cooking skills are better than mine. He is especially good at cooking fish, all kinds of fish."

Ruan Xiaojing looked at Fang Zheng and said, "My uncle and aunt have had a great influence on Fang Zheng. He is warm, kind, and helpful. He is very popular in our department."

Yang Hua said: "He has been sweet and likable since he was a child, and all the neighbors like him very much."

Fang Zheng put a piece of fish into Ruan Xiaojing's bowl and said, "The squirrel fish made by my aunt is very delicious. You should try it."

"So, Fang Zheng is also very popular with you." Bo Tong looked at Ruan Xiaojing suddenly and said.

Ruan Xiaojing could sense Bo Tong's hostility towards her and didn't know how to respond, so she subconsciously glanced at Fang Zheng.

Fang Zheng tried to smooth things over: "Botong just came back from a temporary assignment in the countryside. He's not in a very good mood and still misses rural life."

Yang Hua shouted, "Botong, after you finish your meal, go to the supermarket and bring me some clothes."

Bo Tong stood up angrily and said, "I'll get it for you now."

As he spoke, he walked to the door and just as he opened it, he almost bumped into someone outside. It turned out to be Du Qingqing.

Bo Tong was so frightened that he froze, not knowing whether to open or close the door. He asked in panic, "Qingqing, what's the matter?"

Du Qingqing was holding a basket of vegetables in her hands. She glanced into the room and saw Fang Zheng and Ruan Xiaojing sitting at the dining table.

Bo Tong quickly blocked her sight, "Are you going to deliver food to us? Um... Please accompany me to the supermarket to get something first."

Du Qingqing stood motionless at the door.

Ruan Xiaojing looked towards the door and was startled. Was she Du Qingqing? She had long hair, delicate features, and a gentle and peaceful look with a hint of sadness.

This girl is Fang Zheng’s beloved. Her expectant and touching look makes people feel pity for her involuntarily.

Fang Zheng was also stunned. He couldn't remember how long it had been since he last saw Du Qingqing, even though he deliberately missed his commute time every day to avoid meeting her.

Just now, when he met her clear eyes and looked at her fair and thin face, his heart tightened instantly.

"Qingqing, you brought us food again? Have you eaten?" Yang Hua walked up to Du Qingqing in panic, fearing that such a meeting would cause some conflict.

Du Qingqing glanced at Yang Hua and said, "Auntie, these are fresh vegetables brought by the uncle from the countryside." She put the basket in her hand on the ground and prepared to leave.

"Qingqing, I'll take you there." Bo Tong followed Du Qingqing.

Du Qingqing walked forward with her back to Botong, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably. This was Ruan Xiaojing. She had seen this woman from afar.

That day, it was drizzling, and Ruan Xiaojing drove Fang Zheng home. She clearly saw Fang Zheng had walked far away, but Ruan Xiaojing's eyes lingered on Fang Zheng's back for a long time...

She couldn't understand why Ruan Xiaojing, who was so beautiful and had so many admirers, was interested in Fang Zheng. She only had Fang Zheng in her heart, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't resist the attacks from the people around her. Fang Zheng never belonged to her.

……

After dinner, Ruan Xiaojing helped Fang Zheng clean up the dishes.

While washing dishes, Fang Zheng stared blankly at Du Qingqing's kitchen across the street. Du Qingqing's appearance disrupted his thoughts. He always thought that he could forget her by escaping, but once they met, he found that he couldn't leave her behind, the little sister who had been with him since childhood and called him brother.

"Let me wash it." Ruan Xiaojing tied on an apron and pulled Fang Zheng away. She had noticed his abnormality a long time ago. Perhaps Fang Zheng's heart had gone far away with Du Qingqing.

Her action startled Fang Zheng. He came to his senses and looked at Ruan Xiaojing beside him, "I'm sorry, I——"

Ruan Xiaojing smiled kindly, "I understand. I'll wash the dishes, you go and have a rest."

Yang Hua walked into the kitchen, "After you two finish washing the dishes, come out and let's talk about meeting Xiaojing's parents for dinner."

"Okay." Fang Zheng replied, looking at Ruan Xiaojing's back as she washed the dishes. Two emotions came over him at the same time: guilt towards Ruan Xiaojing and concern for Du Qingqing. Unable to strike a balance, he would become this kind of person once he embarked on this road of no return.

……

Botong has always had a lot of dissatisfaction with Fang Zheng. When the two meet at home, Botong always turns a blind eye and deliberately avoids him.

Yang Hua asked Bo Tong: "Why are you so angry with Fang Zheng? Love is free, marriage is free. Since Fang Zheng chose Ruan Xiaojing, we can't keep deadlocking. We must give Ruan Xiaojing an explanation. I think Ruan Xiaojing is also very good, gentle and hardworking, not a spoiled girl."