Reborn as a Rich Woman in the Eighties
Chapter 668 - 667: What’s Not Good?

Chapter 668: Chapter 667: What’s Not Good?

The winter in the north is bitterly cold, with the howling wind and very low outdoor temperatures, though indoor warmth is still tolerable thanks to the heating.

Meng Xiangzi looked radiant and bright.

Still, to avoid arousing suspicion from others, she tried her best to restrain the corners of her mouth, not to let anyone detect anything amiss.

Meng Xiangzi was absent-mindedly thinking, she had finally managed to visit Lu Zheng’s workplace once again as she had wished.

Although it took a lot of effort for her to devise a legitimate reason to come here, the outcome ultimately satisfied her.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t Lu Zheng who was assigned to escort her; it was the man who had helped her up the other day from their department.

However, when she heard that Lin Xia hadn’t returned with Lu Zheng, her disappointment immediately diminished.

With Lin Xia not at home, Lu Zheng would probably go to the cafeteria.

In that case, she would have many opportunities to see him.

Just thinking of Lu Zheng, no matter what Meng Xiangzi did, she didn’t feel the bitterness or fatigue!

But the others who had come with her were full of complaints.

Behind closed doors, everyone grumbled, wondering what those higher up were thinking, saying that experiencing life here was sheer madness.

During mealtime in the cafeteria, people cast curious glances at them.

The gazes were purely admiring and not malicious in the slightest.

Meng Xiangzi didn’t mind those annoying stares, her eyes searching the crowd for Lu Zheng’s figure.

When she saw Lu Zheng sitting upright near the food serving window, eating, she subconsciously gripped the chopsticks in her hand tightly.

This man was originally supposed to be hers, yet now she had to exhaust her mind thinking of how to win him back... it all felt intolerably unjust.

Suddenly, a soft voice interrupted her reverie!

"Xiangzi!"

Yang Wanmeng had finally found Meng Xiangzi in a crowd of people and called out her name happily.

Ever since learning that Meng Xiangzi had arrived, she had been truly delighted.

Even though Meng Xiangzi said they would keep in touch and write to each other when they parted, they were after all just acquaintances who had known each other for two days.

She couldn’t even think of what to write about in letters.

Now, with Meng Xiangzi returning here, they would often interact, and Yang Wanmeng didn’t believe she wouldn’t be able to become good friends with someone from such a distinguished background as the relationship grew.

Meng Xiangzi immediately switched to a cheerful expression and called out warmly, "Wanmeng! Come, have a seat!"

A colleague beside her quickly and insightfully moved to make space.

Once Yang Wanmeng sat down, she glanced at Meng Xiangzi’s lunchbox and asked with a concerned expression, "Xiangzi! Are you getting used to the food here?"

"It’s OK! How have you been lately?"

"Pretty good! I really didn’t expect you to be among those coming here for the social experience!"

Meng Xiangzi, unfazed, replied, "I didn’t expect it either! It’s such a coincidence!"

"Yeah!" Yang Wanmeng echoed with a laugh, "Come over for dinner at my place tomorrow night!"

Meng Xiangzi hesitated deliberately, "Ah? Wanmeng! That wouldn’t be too good, would it?!"

She wanted opportunities to run into Lu Zheng; a setting like the cafeteria just wouldn’t suffice.

Going to Yang Wanmeng’s home, with Lu Zheng living just a floor away, could very well lead to an unexpected encounter.

"What’s not good about it? Aren’t we allowed to have dinner in the evening? We’re friends, and now that you’re here, can’t I, as your friend, invite you over to my place for a meal?

You just relax! I’m sure nobody, not even Manager Li or the others, will have anything to say about it!" Yang Wanmeng was sincerely inviting her and certainly didn’t want to be refused.

Meng Xiangzi put on an air of reluctance before agreeing, "Well... okay then! Wanmeng! I’ll definitely come!"

Yang Wanmeng gently stood up from the table, "Great! Then just come over to my house tomorrow evening! You can find the way, right?"

Meng Xiangzi hid the complexity in her eyes, "I can! I remember!"

Although she had only been to that place once, because it was right below Lu Zheng’s home, she had etched it deeply into her memory.

She even dreamt of entering Lu Zheng’s home after returning.

Yang Wanmeng discussed her plans with Nie Siming.

"I’ve already told Xiangzi about inviting her over for dinner tomorrow evening! Can you get the canteen to bring back some meat and ready-to-eat dishes?"

She knew her cooking skills were not refined, and at this time of year, there was mainly just sauerkraut, potatoes, and Chinese cabbage available.

So she thought to buy some ready-made food, chop it up, and plate it to entertain Meng Xiangzi.

"Wanmeng! Do you need to go to such lengths for just one girl? Can’t I cook, or ask Auntie Li downstairs to help prepare a few dishes?"

Nie Siming had gotten a rough idea about Meng Xiangzi from Yang Wanmeng.

He didn’t object to his wife making friends; if she could be happy having friends, then he was willing to support whatever she wanted to do.

However, their household was not living in abundance at the moment.

Since becoming pregnant, Yang Wanmeng had often had sudden cravings, wanting to eat this and that, so every month just before their salaries were due, they found themselves a bit strapped for cash.

Yang Wanmeng instantly felt a surge of frustration mixed with a deep sense of grievance. What was she doing all this for?

"Do you think she’s just an ordinary girl? Her family is so well-off; what delicacies hasn’t she tasted?

If I invite her over and only serve potato slices and sauerkraut, won’t that be embarrassingly meager?

And why am I doing all this? Isn’t it to build a good relationship with her, so that someday she might be able to give you a hand and pull you up?

Do you really want to spend your whole life stuck in this secluded little place? Even if you don’t think of us, don’t you have to consider our son?

What about his schooling in the future? Is he going to the same rundown town school as the kids downstairs, coming home once a week?

If that’s the case, I’d rather teach our child myself!"

By the end, Yang Wanmeng had burst into tears, and Nie Siming, at a loss, took out a handkerchief to wipe her eyes.

All the while, he gently wiped her tears and soothed her in a warm tone, "Wife! It’s my fault! Please don’t cry! Wasn’t I just thinking about saving some money to buy you the things you want to eat? I didn’t mean anything else!"

Yang Wanmeng sobbed softly, "Siming! I’d rather we go a little hungry than let people look down on us!

We are not like the couple from the East Wing with their powerful connections and wealth; we can only rely on ourselves!

We finally come across someone with connections, and if we don’t seize the opportunity, we’d truly be fools!"

She envied and was jealous of Lin Xia, lucky to have found someone like Lu Zheng who was good-looking and well-off, but she couldn’t express these thoughts.

Nie Siming couldn’t find words to argue back and could only listen with murmurs, his mind wandering far off.

Meng Xiangzi came to visit Yang Wanmeng’s home.

This time, as she went upstairs, she only glanced at Lu Zheng’s tightly shut door, no longer daring to pause as she had before.

Upon reaching the third floor, she knocked gently on the door and someone came to open it.

Yang Wanmeng, with a full smile, pulled Meng Xiangzi inside.

Meng Xiangzi saw Nie Siming stir-frying in the kitchen, while three dishes were already placed on the dining table in the living room.

Yang Wanmeng introduced the two, and Meng Xiangzi and Nie Siming exchanged greetings politely.

In fact, she was not unfamiliar with Nie Siming, but under these circumstances, she had to pretend to be unacquainted.

"... Wanmeng, if it’s just the three of us, isn’t it wasteful to prepare so much? Perhaps it’s better not to cook the rest of the dishes!"