Rebirth: Splendid Marriage in the 80s Chapter 2285: 2221: I'm Just a Passerby

Observing her in this state—beaming at him, teasing him, and being so near that a simple reach could pull her into a hug or a slight lean could result in a kiss—was truly magnificent.

He had fully accepted his obsession. To cherish a woman to such a degree, where a mere few days of separation felt like an eternity of suffering, was a fate he anticipated enduring repeatedly throughout his life.

Chiang Xiao nestled into his chest, a soft smile playing on her lips as she lightly bit her own.

The pair leaned against one another, their eyes fixed on the sky painted with the colors of the setting sun. In that moment, a rare sense of tranquility and warmth filled them, allowing the bitterness and grief of the past to fade into oblivion.

“Ahem!”

Suddenly, a figure rose slowly from behind a row of bean stalks in the neighboring yard.

Chiang Xiao jumped in surprise.

What? There was someone on the adjacent rooftop?

Was there something wrong with her hearing? She hadn't detected even the slightest movement until now!

“These old bones of mine are going numb from all that crouching,” a voice remarked, laced with a hint of amusement. It was clearly the voice of an elder.

“However, I finally caught the culprit. Last time, I had a tomato that had just ripened; I was planning to use it for candied fruit because the old man loves that sweet and sour flavor. But in the blink of an eye, it vanished.”

Chiang Xiao’s eyes snapped toward Meng Xinian, widening in realization.

Heh heh, Tyrant Meng, you’re in trouble now! You were caught red-handed stealing tomatoes!

Finding the situation hilarious, she quickly shoved him away and retreated several steps. “I don’t even know this man!”

Meng Xinian’s expression was instantly clouded with dark frustration.

He shot a glance at Chiang Xiao before turning toward the elderly man with a forced cough.

The man was a thin elder, appearing to be over sixty years old, yet his eyes remained sharp and bright. He held two slices of melon while observing Meng Xinian.

A waist-high red brick wall separated the two properties. While it would be a difficult climb for the old man, Meng Xinian could leap over it effortlessly in an instant.

“Old Yang.”

As Meng Xinian addressed him, Chiang Xiao speculated that this must be Yang Zhiqi’s father.

In the past, Yang Zhiqi had been a subordinate of Old Meng, but his father was also known to be quite a formidable personality. A conflict had occurred between the father and son, which was the reason Yang Zhiqi had departed with Old Meng in a fit of rage.

Looking at him now, the resemblance between Yang Zhiqi and the elder standing before them was undeniable.

“Young Meng,” Old Yang replied, his gaze shifting to Chiang Xiao, “is this your wife?”

Chiang Xiao shook her head vigorously, waving her hands in denial. “No, no, I have no connection to him whatsoever. I’m just a passerby, a total stranger! Old man, ignore me and settle your scores with him.”

Meng Xinian: “…”

Who claimed this girl had softened? It was obvious she was still nursing a grudge.

Wasn't there a saying about how even a married couple would fly in opposite directions when disaster strikes?

Bah, forget that.

If this girl actually tried to fly away, he would simply have to hunt her down.

The sideways look Meng Xinian gave Chiang Xiao carried a dangerous edge that she immediately recognized.

Ha, Tyrant Meng is definitely plotting something wicked right now.

Old Yang looked back and forth between Chiang Xiao and Meng Xinian, suddenly breaking into a laugh as he enjoyed their banter. “I heard that Young Meng had finally been tamed. I didn't believe the rumors at first, but it seems they were true. Come here, young lady, would you like to visit this old man’s house for some fruit? These small apples from my hometown are incredibly sweet.”

“Old Yang, I only took one of your tomatoes. There’s no need to kidnap my wife as well, is there?” Meng Xinian’s face darkened further.

His wife had traveled a long distance just to see him; ideally, they would remain inseparable without anyone interfering.

If Old Yang lured her away, there was no telling when she would return.

Old Yang chuckled softly, “The girl clearly stated she has nothing to do with you.”