Chapter 1401: No one is allowed to leave tonight

Afternoon.

4.30 pm.

The rain was light, but it drizzled.

Inside Jiang's mother's living room, Dong Xuebing helped Jiang Fangfang hang up her clothes, tidy up the sheets and covers, and even help her wipe off the dirt from her high-heeled shoes.

"You don't need to bother, I'll do it."

"I accidentally got it dirty."

"It's okay, just leave it. You don't have to worry about it."

"I'm done wiping. Don't get it on your hands."

Jiang Fangfang didn't agree and grabbed the high heels, saying, "I'll take care of the shoes. If you have nothing to do, go wash the vegetables. Check the fridge, take out whatever you like, and we can start preparing the ingredients when I finish. Once my mom wakes up, we can just stir-fry them."

"Alright."

"Remember to turn on the kitchen light."

"No need, I can see."

"The fridge light is broken. I'm afraid you won't see clearly."

In the kitchen, Dong Xuebing opened the fridge to prepare the vegetables. He didn't wait for Jiang Fangfang, knowing that she had been tired these days. He started cutting the vegetables by himself. When Jiang Fangfang finished cleaning the shoes and clothes and came in, he didn't let her do much. He had done almost everything.

After finishing, it was past 5 pm.

With nothing else to do, Dong Xuebing and Jiang Fangfang went to the sofa to watch TV. They didn't sit too close, maintaining an arm's length distance. They didn't dare to watch the news. The TV showed a variety show, which was not bad. Jiang Fangfang was not talkative, and neither was Dong Xuebing. They sat there watching TV without much conversation. After all, Jiang's mother was still in the room, and there were certain things they couldn't talk about. Otherwise, it might expose them.

Not long after, Jiang Fangfang looked at the clock. "It's time to wake up my mom."

"Oh, Sister Jiang," Dong Xuebing whispered, "How did your husband address you?"

Jiang Fangfang remained silent for a moment. "He usually called me Fangfang. When my mom is around, you can call me that, too."

Dong Xuebing nodded. "Got it. I'll talk less."

Suddenly, the bedroom door was twisted open from the inside, and the old lady came out.

Jiang Fangfang moved quickly. She lifted her hips and shifted towards Dong Xuebing, sitting snugly beside him. Then, quite naturally, she held Dong Xuebing's hand. Dong Xuebing was momentarily stunned, but he soon responded and held her hand. The two hands intertwined, and Dong Xuebing could feel the warmth in Sister Jiang's palm and the delicacy of her hand. It was soft, and it felt comfortable to hold. In the eyes of the old lady, the two of them were a couple. It was natural to be intimate after not seeing each other for such a long time. Sitting on the sofa watching TV with such a distant gap wouldn't be appropriate.

"Mom, you're awake," Jiang Fangfang stood up.

Dong Xuebing also stood up, noticing that Sister Jiang hadn't released his hand. He continued holding it.

Jiang's mother smiled, "Awake now. You two are watching TV. Keep watching. By the way, Fangfang, it's time for me to take my medicine."

"You just drank it in the afternoon."

"Did I drink it?"

"You did. It's not time for the evening medication yet."

"Oh, my mind. Xiaotao, are you hungry?"

"Hehe, not really. If you say let's eat, then let's eat."

"Let's eat. There's nothing else to do anyway."

"Then let us cook, and you can sit."

Dong Xuebing and Jiang Fangfang went into the kitchen hand in hand. The old lady watched their backs, smiling and nodding repeatedly, expressing satisfaction.

Once the door was closed, Jiang Fangfang relaxed her grip on Dong Xuebing's hand in the kitchen. Dong Xuebing was still holding her hand, and when he realized it, he quickly let go.

Jiang Fangfang was not uncomfortable. "You've been busy cutting vegetables alone. I'll stir-fry the vegetables. You can assist me. Get the soy sauce and sugar."

"Alright."

"Then let's start the fire."

The meal was quickly prepared and served. The three of them sat down to eat.

The old lady was in a good mood, continuously picking up food for Dong Xuebing. "Come, Xiaotao, eat this. I may be forgetful, but I still remember what you and Fangfang like to eat."

Dong Xuebing hurriedly said, "Thank you, Mom."

Jiang Fangfang also picked up vegetables for her mother, "You eat too, don't mind him."

"Yes, you eat." Whatever Sister Jiang picked, Dong Xuebing also picked. Ultimately, he handed a chopstick of food to Jiang Fangfang and corrected himself, "Jiang…" and then changed it, "Fangfang, here."

Jiang Fangfang nodded.

Calling her Fangfang, Dong Xuebing felt a bit embarrassed.

Suddenly, the old lady asked, "What day is it today?"

"Mom, it's Saturday," Dong Xuebing answered.

The old lady said, "Then you two should take a break tomorrow."

"Yes, we go to work on Monday." Dong Xuebing hadn't figured out why she asked, so he answered casually.

"That's good." Jiang's mother smiled and said, "Xiaotao, you haven't visited me for a while. I'll tell you, you're not allowed to leave today. Stay overnight with Fangfang at home."

Dong Xuebing exclaimed, "Stay here?"

Jiang's mother said naturally, "Yes, don't leave."

Jiang Fangfang interrupted, "Xiaotao still has things to do when he returns. Let him finish his work after dinner."

"No, you're both resting tomorrow," the old lady said with displeasure. "If there's something, push it aside. It's been several months. I finally see my son-in-law again."

Jiang Fangfang looked at her mother, "There's no place to stay at home."

The old lady said, "Every time Xiaotao comes, you two sleep on the floor. Our house is not cold. If that's not good, just put more layers of mats and quilts."

"Mom," Jiang Fangfang said helplessly, "he has something to attend to."

Dong Xuebin said, "Yes, there's something urgent in the evening."

The old lady became stubborn, "Nothing can be done today. Both of you must stay here with me. It's pouring rain, and I'm worried if you drive." Just as she spoke, a loud thunderclap resounded, intensifying the sound outside. The old lady immediately added, "Look at this, such heavy rain."

Jiang Fangfang still didn't agree, "Xiaotao's car is good. It's fine even in the rain. After dinner, let him quickly go and take care of his business."

The old lady glared at her daughter, "You, how can you be so indifferent? What will you do if anything happens to your man on such a rainy day? If you're unwilling to give up the bed, that's fine. Mom will sleep in the living room, I'll sleep on the floor, and you two can sleep in the bedroom."

Dong Xuebing said, "That's not appropriate, Mom."

Jiang's mother behaved like a child, "Anyway, neither of you can leave."

If Dong Xuebing were Jiang's husband, and he didn’t return for so long, the old lady was detaining him like this. Indeed, it wouldn't be easy to leave. Let alone sleeping on the floor. Even if it was in the kitchen, he would have to stay. That was reasonable. However, the problem was that Dong Xuebing and Jiang Fangfang were not married.

Stay here, in a one-bedroom apartment, sleeping on the floor. How could the two of them share the same quilt? This would expose Dong Xuebing and Jiang Fangfang. However, the old lady's attitude was firm, and there was no room for negotiation.

Dong Xuebing and Jiang Fangfang exchanged glances and found no solution.

After pondering for a while, Jiang Fangfang said to Dong Xuebing, "Then I am not leaving."

Dong Xuebing wiped his sweat, and the old lady said satisfied, "That's right. Come, let's eat."