Waiting for you at the place where you are reborn

"Uncle, I can't go—" Ruan Xiaojing said, "I have a lot of things to do. I will probably have to work overtime until seven or eight o'clock."

"Why are you so busy?" Ruan Peijun said, "I've already told you that some things should be handed over to the people below."

"It's my own business," said Ruan Xiaojing. "I did a quality inspection of a batch of traditional Chinese medicines from suppliers for the production department last week, and I have to catch up on other things that have been delayed."

"Is it the traditional Chinese medicine from the replaced supplier?" Ruan Peijun asked.

"Yes. Uncle, you know too?" Ruan Xiaojing replied.

"He has been praised frequently by President Song recently. He did a perfect job on this matter, and President Song didn't even go to the base for an on-site inspection," said Ruan Peijun.

"It's quite hard for him too. He stays at the base for several days. The conditions there are quite poor. When he comes home, his shoes are covered with yellow mud and his clothes are torn," said Ruan Xiaojing.

"You two are both very serious about your work," Ruan Peijun said, "but I remind you that the better you are, the more jealous you will be of people with ulterior motives, and conversely, the more you will attract the attention of the opposite sex."

"I understand, uncle. I will remind Fang Zheng and myself." Ruan Xiaojing said.

After hanging up the phone, Ruan Xiaojing stared at the computer and fell into deep thought.

Since Fang Zheng went to the base for inspection, she went to Beijing to attend a conference without seeing him for a day. Counting the days, she hadn't seen Fang Zheng for more than ten days. Working overtime every day, in the eyes of outsiders, was hardworking and serious, but she knew that as long as Fang Zheng was not there, she didn't want to go home and face the empty house alone.

Fang Zheng had only been the head of the production department for a few months, but he was able to attend the drug development conference with the head of the R&D department. Ruan Xiaojing was confident in Fang Zheng's ability, but she was not sure about his ambition. He was not doing this for a meteoric rise, but for a certain purpose he wanted to achieve.

The more satisfied he made Song Siyao and the happier Ruan Peijun was, the more worried and anxious Ruan Xiaojing became.

Just now, she lied to Ruan Peijun that she didn't have to work overtime. Today, Fang Zheng came back from a business trip, and she wanted to get off work early and prepare dinner for him when he got home.

……

Fang Zheng and R&D Director Yang Shouyi held a five-day drug development meeting in Beijing.

It was not Fang Zheng's purpose to volunteer to attend the R&D meeting, but he could use this opportunity to get close to Yang Shouyi, understand the R&D department's procedures, and see if he could find any loopholes in the prescription.

Yang Shouyi had a stern and serious look on his face. Apart from contacting Fang Zheng about going out and boarding the plane, he hardly ever chatted with him.

Fang Zheng wondered, are all researchers so old-fashioned? They are so stupid doing academic research.

On the last night, Yang Shouyi suddenly felt dizzy after dinner. Fang Zheng helped him to the hotel room and measured his blood pressure and blood sugar using the medical equipment that Yang Shouyi carried with him.

After seeing that all indicators were above the standard, Fang Zheng patiently gave Yang Shouyi a head and neck massage, and then pressed several acupoints on his hands.

Yang Shouyi thanked him repeatedly and asked, "Minister Fang, do you also know Chinese medicine?"

"I just know a few simple acupoints. Renying, Baihui, and Hegu can lower blood pressure; Zhongchong, Laogong, and Yuji can lower blood sugar. When I was in the quality inspection department, I learned from a colleague who graduated from a traditional Chinese medicine university. I hope it can be of some use to you."

Yang Shouyi smiled and said, "It worked. The dizziness has been relieved. No wonder Director Song always says that you are smart and clever."

Fang Zheng said to Yang Shouyi, "No matter how good the method is, it is not as good as taking good care of yourself. Minister Yang, if you have the three high symptoms, it is best to eat a light diet, mainly high in protein and vitamins. This afternoon's twice-cooked pork and braised pork are not suitable for you to eat."

After hearing this, Yang Shouyi said to Fang Zheng with embarrassment: "I haven't eaten for a long time, so I took a few extra bites. Thank you so much for tonight."

Fang Zheng said: "No matter how much you like it, you have to exercise moderation when you are sick. After all, you are getting older, and your body is your own."

Minister Yang nodded repeatedly, "That's right."

Walking back to the room, Fang Zheng felt secretly happy. At least, he could leave an impression in Yang Shouyi's heart. This was a good start.

……

He returned to the company, walked into the office, sat by the window, and stared at the R&D building opposite. He smiled with hope. Maybe one day soon, he could walk into this building...

The cool breeze blew into the room through the window, and Fang Zheng realized that he was exhausted. Assistant Ding Ya brought him a cup of ginseng tea and said with a smile: "This is what Minister Ruan bought for you a few days ago. As soon as you got off the plane, he called me to make it for you. She said that you have been very busy recently, and it can refresh you and improve your immunity. Your wife is very considerate."

"Thank you." Fang Zheng felt a warm feeling in his heart. He just gave Ruan Xiaojing a message when the plane landed. He didn't expect that she had asked Ding Ya to make preparations in advance.

"I just drank the ginseng tea you prepared. See you at your house this afternoon." Fang Zheng sent a message to Ruan Xiaojing.

"If you are too tired, go home and rest. I will come back to cook for you later." Ruan Xiaojing replied.

The ginseng tea did not eliminate the fatigue of the past few days. Fang Zheng decided to listen to Ruan Xiaojing and go home to have a good sleep.

After sending a message to Ruan Xiaojing and explaining things to Ding Ya, Fang Zheng left the company.

Driving on the way home, the autumn streets were filled with withered trees and fallen leaves, and it was a desolate scene everywhere.

Suddenly thinking of his life experience, Fang Zheng felt even more lonely. He unknowingly took a detour to the courtyard where Jiang Shunying lived. He parked the car at the door, rolled down the window and looked forward to seeing his mother walk out of the courtyard like last time.

After staying for more than half an hour, the door was still closed.

Fang Zheng sighed in disappointment. His biggest internal injury was that he had never been able to recognize his mother. Thinking that one day he would be able to recognize his ancestors and his biological mother, this was his belief in climbing up in Yide regardless of everything. While feeling sad, he thought about how long he hadn't been to his aunt's house. By the way, he also wanted to ask if Du Qingqing's mother had recovered. Since the last hospitalization, he knew nothing about Du Qingqing's condition. He took out his mobile phone and dialed Bo Tong's number.

After answering the phone, Bo Tong still resisted Fang Zheng's tone and said "Hello".

"Botong--" Fang Zheng asked: "How are you guys doing lately?"

Bo Tong didn't answer for a long time, and finally said: "You will know whether it is good or not if you come back and take a look yourself."

"I've been on a business trip recently, so I haven't been back--" Fang Zheng asked cautiously: "How is Qingqing--how is her mother?"

"She--" Bo Tong seemed not to want to continue and suddenly hung up the phone.

What happened? Fang Zheng had a bad feeling in his heart. He called Bo Tong again, but the phone rang for a long time and no one answered. The more this happened, the more uneasy Fang Zheng became. He continued to call without giving up.

After dialing several times in a row, Bo Tong finally answered the phone. Before Fang Zheng could speak, he said, "Why do you keep asking about Du Qingqing? Why do you have to ask me? If you don't want her anymore, then just stop asking her, okay?"

"Botong--" Fang Zheng said, "I just want to know if she is okay."

"She..." Botong struggled for a long time before saying, "Her mother passed away a week ago."

"Dead?" Fang Zheng repeated Bo Tong's words. He hadn't reacted yet and couldn't believe what he heard. "Who-who died?"

"Du Qingqing's mother passed away—" Bo Tong repeated, "Did you hear that clearly?"

"Du Qingqing's mother--" Fang Zheng's cell phone slipped from his hand to the floor of the carriage. Du Qingqing's mother passed away. This must be a lie, a lie that Bo Tong told him. "How could she pass away--" He looked ahead and talked to himself. His brain seemed to be stuffed with cotton and he couldn't think. He couldn't connect death with Du Qingqing's mother.

Du Qingqing's mother passed away. What about Du Qingqing? How was she? How could she endure so many separations and deaths in such a short period of time?

Fang Zheng started the car and stepped on the accelerator, his mind full of Du Qingqing's lonely and helpless appearance.

He didn't know how he drove the car bumping and bumping, tossing and turning to get to the door of Du Qingqing's house. When he got here, Fang Zheng felt that all the strength in his body had been lost. His hands were shaking, his legs were weak, and his eyes were staring at the door of Du Qingqing's house.

He stretched out his hand but paused in the air, not daring to knock on the door. What should he do? What should he do? How should he face Du Qingqing? How should he face his future life?

The moment he stretched out his hand to knock on the door, the door of Du Qingqing's house was gently pushed open by his weak strength. It turned out that the door was not closed.

Fang Zheng walked in tremblingly. The room was empty and everything was the same as before. However, on the table facing the door, there was a portrait of Liu Yun.

Liu Yun in the photo smiled lovingly, but the few small white flowers placed next to the photo made the room feel a little more desolate.

Fang Zheng paused while looking at Liu Yun's photo. Liu Yun's smile shook his heart. Liu Yun, who had trusted him the most, entrusted her daughter to him, but he betrayed her. When Liu Yun passed away, how much worry and reluctance would he have in his heart? From then on, her beloved daughter would live alone.

Fang Zheng's tears burst out, blurring his eyes in an instant. God was so unfair to Du Qingqing.

There were rustling footsteps in the bedroom. Fang Zheng looked over and saw Du Qingqing coming out and leaning against the door quietly. Her long hair was parted in the middle and pinned behind her head, with a white flower pinned between her temples. She was wearing a black sweater over a white shirt. The sadness exuded by the black and white made her look even more pitiful and not so delicate.

She looked at Fang Zheng not far away in astonishment, and the tears in her eyes rolled down without thinking the moment her eyes met Fang Zheng.

Fang Zheng wanted to walk to Du Qingqing's side. He should wipe away her tears and share her sorrow, but he couldn't move his feet. He let her down. He actually let her down.

Du Qingqing bit her lip tightly, then she ran to Fang Zheng like a gust of wind, threw herself into his arms, leaned against his chest tightly and whispered: "Fang Zheng - Fang Zheng -"

Fang Zheng was choking with sobs and unable to speak. He hugged Du Qingqing tightly in his arms, his tears soaking Du Qingqing's hair. How could such a weak Du Qingqing have gone through so much?

"Fang Zheng..." Du Qingqing trembled gently in his arms, "You left, and mom left too - I can't sleep every night, just thinking about you and mom -"

"Qingqing," Fang Zheng held her face and stared at her, "I'm sorry, I didn't know, I didn't know your mother——"

Du Qingqing looked back at him, her eyes full of longing. She sobbed and whispered, "Please don't leave. Please don't leave. I would rather this be a dream. I would rather never wake up."

"Qingqing——" Fang Zheng's eyes were moist. He couldn't find the right words, so he could only hold her head tightly.

Du Qingqing melted into his arms, her whole body trembling with excitement and tears.

Fang Zheng's heart was completely disturbed by Du Qingqing's tears. "I'm sorry--" Apart from sorry, he couldn't find any other words that could better comfort Du Qingqing.

Du Qingqing looked up at Fang Zheng, tears in her eyes sparkling, "Is it really you? I can still lean on your arms and listen to you like this."

Fang Zheng looked at her, "It's me, you can hate me or blame me, and scold me with the most vicious words——"

Du Qingqing immediately covered his mouth with her soft hands, her eyes filled with the same persistence and tenderness as before, "How could I hate you or blame you——"

Looking at Du Qingqing's expression, Fang Zheng was shocked. He asked himself blankly what he was doing. He hugged Du Qingqing so recklessly. How could he face Ruan Xiaojing and explain to Du Qingqing?

He hurriedly pushed Du Qingqing away and kept his distance from her, and said decisively: "I will take care of you like a brother in the future. I will not ignore you."

Du Qingqing's tears flowed again. She looked at him absentmindedly, "Brother?" She stepped back to the corner, "I-I don't want to be your sister."

"Qingqing..." Fang Zheng looked at her, "There are some things I can't help myself..."

Du Qingqing looked at Fang Zheng in despair. "Ever since you found me on that rainy night, you carried me home, and you kissed me, I have decided that I am yours for the rest of my life. If you don't want me anymore, I won't be your sister anymore. I will take care of myself." She tried to wipe the tears from her face with strength. "I will take care of myself."

Fang Zheng's mind was in a mess. Du Qingqing didn't want to be his younger sister, but how could he just abandon her like this, the little girl who had been with him and Bo Tong since she was a child.

"Qingqing——" Fang Zheng said, "Please let me do something for you."

"I - I want the Fang Zheng who loves me in the past. Can you do it for me?" Du Qingqing said.

Fang Zheng was stunned. He could no longer be the Fang Zheng who loved her in the past. Because of his unbearable past, he could only betray her and give up on her. He turned around helplessly and walked towards the door, "I'll let my aunt and the others come to accompany you——"

The moment he was about to open the door, Du Qingqing rushed behind him and hugged him tightly, "Please don't leave, I shouldn't have so many requests. I just want to see you. As long as I can see you, I can ignore everything. If you let me be your sister, I will be your sister, as long as you don't leave, as long as you don't leave."

Fang Zheng held her hand tremblingly. Frustration, helplessness, guilt, heartache, all kinds of feelings surged into his heart. He wished he could split himself into two people.