Reborn as a Rich Woman in the Eighties
Chapter 186 - 185: Together?

Chapter 186: Chapter 185: Together?

Lin Xia turned her head to look at Lu Zheng, who was standing there with one hand in his pocket, and made the introductions, "This is my older brother’s coworker, engineer Lu Zheng!"

"Lu Zheng! This is the second brother we’ve been looking for, Jiang Mingyuan!"

The two men observed each other, greeting one another, before their gazes clashed in front of Lin Xia.

As soon as Jiang Mingyuan heard his surname was Lu, he understood everything.

When Lin Dong went to buy Lingzhi mushrooms, it was for this man.

And now this man not only showed up at Lin Xia’s home but also seemed like he’d been staying there.

He never would have imagined that, after all the dangers he’d faced, he would witness this scene in Lin Xia’s home.

Lu Zheng also formed a preliminary understanding of Jiang Mingyuan. Although the man was currently disheveled, it did little to hide the sharpness and shrewdness in his eyes.

Just from his posture and bearing, he could tell this kid had some skills.

Having such a rival in love, Lu Zheng naturally couldn’t underestimate him.

"Haven’t had breakfast yet, right? Join us?"

Only then did Lin Xia react, "Second brother! Come in and have breakfast, freshen up before heading back!"

Jiang Mingyuan nodded, "Alright!"

He felt the situation was unclear, and he couldn’t easily give up.

After all, he had a better chance, didn’t he?

Once the three of them entered the house, Lin Xia helped Jiang Mingyuan get water to wash his face.

Lu Zheng, finding the scene irritating, sent Lin Xia away, "Lin Xia! I don’t know where the dishes and chopsticks are!"

"Ah! I’ll get them!" Lin Xia handed the towel to Lu Zheng as she spoke.

Lu Zheng stood by Jiang Mingyuan, watched him wash his face, then handed him the towel.

Jiang Mingyuan accepted it, saying lightly, "Thanks!"

"You’re welcome," Lu Zheng responded in kind.

Both men understood the feelings they harbored for Lin Xia were probably no less than the other’s.

When Jiang Mingyuan sat down at the table, Lin Xia served him porridge, "Second brother! Eat up!"

She could tell he must have suffered along the way, as it was clear to see his cheeks had grown leaner.

"Alright! Thank you!" Jiang Mingyuan took the bowl and asked, concerned, "Lin Xia! What happened to your lips? Did you get blisters because you were worried about me not coming back? Don’t worry now, see, your second brother has returned safely, hasn’t he!"

Lin Xia indeed was worried about him, but facing Lu Zheng’s intense gaze, what should she say?

"Yeah! That’s right, second brother! After you’ve eaten, we should quickly let Sheng Big Brother know; he’s been looking for you these past few days! And so has Auntie Zhao..."

"Alright!" said Jiang Mingyuan, his eyes darkening. He noticed a difference in Lin Xia’s treatment of him this time—was it because of this man?

Lin Xia watched him eat in silence.

Lu Zheng also sipped his porridge, but his eyes frequently drifted toward Lin Xia.

Lin Xia scratched her cheek, feeling the situation was somewhat awkward.

In the past, she didn’t know, but now she was aware that her second brother liked her, and just yesterday, Lu Zheng had made his feelings clear to her.

She was truly pleased and delighted by her second brother’s unexpected return, but whether it was because of Lu Zheng’s presence or because of what Jiang Mingqing had said, she subconsciously maintained a proper distance from him.

After Jiang Mingyuan quickly finished his bowl of porridge, he then began to explain why he had only now returned.

Turned out, he had been robbed on the way and only managed to retrieve his money and get the goods after following the thief. Naturally, he wouldn’t mention the dangers involved to Lin Xia and the others.

But even if he didn’t say it, anyone could guess—it couldn’t have been easy, could it?

Jiang Mingyuan asked Lin Xia, "Your big brother is okay, right?"

Lin Xia’s older brother’s colleague arrived at their home, and he naturally asked this question.

Lin Xia shook her head, "No problem! He’s doing well!"

"Glad to hear it!" Jiang Mingyuan was relieved. He glanced at Lu Zheng beside him, the meaning clear—since Lin Chun was fine, what was he doing here?

At that moment, Lu Zheng spoke up, "I came here for personal reasons!"

As for what those personal reasons were, he let Jiang Mingyuan guess for himself.

Jiang Mingyuan’s expression changed subtly, and he hummed in response, no longer prying.

After dinner, it wasn’t just Jiang Mingyuan who needed to go see Sheng Yijin.

The several calls that Lu Zheng had made yesterday, he also needed to inform them that the person had already returned.

Lin Xia followed the two men out. As she turned around to lock the front door, both Lu Zheng and Jiang Mingyuan stood there waiting for her.

Lin Xia felt her back burning under their intense scrutiny, a sensation which wasn’t comfortable.

She forced herself to stay calm as she walked with them toward Sheng Yijin’s workplace.

Lu Zheng positioned Lin Xia on the inside of the sidewalk, himself walking in the middle, leaving Jiang Mingyuan no choice but to walk on the outside.

Fortunately, Sheng Yijin’s workplace was not far from Lin Xia’s home. They walked the entire way in silence, and soon arrived.

When Sheng Yijin saw Jiang Mingyuan, he hugged him tightly.

"You scared the hell out of us! What exactly happened? Do you know how anxious we were looking for you?"

"I know! I made you all worry!" Jiang Mingyuan said and glanced at Lu Zheng and Lin Xia behind him, his eyes darkening.

Lu Zheng went to make a phone call, and Jiang Mingyuan pulled Sheng Yijin out of the office to talk.

Lin Xia was contemplating where she should be when Lu Zheng gestured for her to come to his side.

He pointed at a chair. "Sit here and wait for me!" And he stood there on the phone.

Lin Xia obediently sat down, her gaze inadvertently resting on him.

Lu Zheng, while on the phone, was not idle with his eyes; he winked at Lin Xia.

Lin Xia quickly lowered her head and fiddled with her braids, refusing to look at him anymore.

She realized that this man was not as serious as he appeared on the surface.

On the contrary, he was quite interesting and knew how to playfully tease.

Since he had revealed his feelings yesterday, even though she had not agreed, he seemed like a changed person.

Outside the office, near the staircase, Sheng Yijin and Jiang Mingyuan were whispering to each other.

Sheng Yijin asked, "Mingyuan, where did you come from? What on earth happened? Have you eaten?"

"Yes, I’ve eaten. After getting off the car, I went straight to Lin Xia’s place and had breakfast there! I ran into a pickpocket on the way, but later I managed to get the money back..." Jiang Mingyuan briefly recounted what had happened.

Sheng Yijin was alarmed as he listened, realizing that if not for Jiang Mingyuan’s martial prowess, it might have been uncertain whether he could see him at all.

But thinking about the man in the office and the dim look in Jiang Mingyuan’s eyes, "Is he staying at Lin Xia’s place?"

"Mm! It seems like he is living there! Yijin, has Xiaoqing come looking for you?"

Sheng Yijin could not hide it; he felt it was better to be upfront, "Xiaoqing came to see me yesterday. Lin Xia had noticed that you hadn’t been back in so long and was worried something happened to you. Then she came to look for me, but we couldn’t find you.

Later, Lin Xia said she wanted to let Xiaoqing know; it was I who said not to tell Xiaoqing for the time being, because your mother’s heart condition had flared up. I was afraid something would happen, and by the time you returned safely, something might happen to your grandmother, and we wouldn’t know how to explain it to you!

I think Xiaoqing has a big misunderstanding about Lin Xia, probably because of something that was said. Then I tried to give some advice..."

Jiang Mingyuan’s face remained calm but his fists tightened, "Is that so! I got it!"

At this moment, Lu Zheng and Lin Xia emerged from the office together.