After rebirth, I rejected the rich yandere lady

Xu Musen had planned to leave after delivering the items.

But the most polite saying among Chinese is "Since you're already here, have a meal with us."

Zhao Lianmai's mother had always wanted to properly thank Xu Musen and had enthusiastically insisted that he stay.

Seeing that it was mealtime, Xu Musen gave up declining any further, deciding to stay and chat with Zhao Lianmai's mother, praising Zhao Lianmai's work performance thoroughly.

This made Zhao Lianmai's mother both happy and reassured.

"I should also thank you for giving her this opportunity. Our family now relies on her. She might have been a bit introverted since she was little... If there's anything she can't articulate well, please don't hold it against her."

"There's no worry about that. Xiao Mai has a very distinctive personality. Although she can be sparing with her words, she performs well both in work and in caring for others. I also really like this aspect of her character."

Xu Musen spoke sincerely, his smile as warm as sunlight.

Looking at this young man, Zhao Lianmai's mother couldn't help but smile, "You truly have the makings of a great boss with the way you speak."

"I just love to speak the truth."

Xu Musen's hearty laughter echoed into the kitchen a wall away.

Zhao Lianmai was currently preparing dinner, adeptly plucking and chopping vegetables. The potatoes and carrots she cut could pass a needle through, and she was quick and precise with chicken, duck, and fish.

Yao Mingyue, sitting in a wheelchair, was helping by keeping an eye on the fire.

Zhao Lianmai had furnished the house with many pieces, including a gas stove in the kitchen, but the old wood-burning stove was still kept. Meat stewed in this kind of pot tasted especially delicious.

Yao Mingyue remembered such stoves from her grandparents' house, something she hadn't seen in over ten years.

She held the fire poker, occasionally stirring the wood, finding the task quite fun.

She watched Zhao Lianmai's quick and efficient movements in chopping vegetables and butchering meat, feeling a bit of admiration.

Handling tasks like slaughtering chickens and butchering meat was something many girls would hesitate to do.

"Xiao Mai, I didn't expect you to be so skilled at cooking."

"It's nothing special; cooking isn't a big deal."

Zhao Lianmai's tone was as soft as if she was talking to a friend.

"I can't cook, and I find it quite tough to learn."

Yao Mingyue, in a rare admission, acknowledged her shortcomings.

Zhao Lianmai's gaze shifted slightly, showing a hint of a smile, "Those who don't cook usually have others to cook for them; you're lucky."

Yao Mingyue felt a secretly delighted smile tugging at her heart upon hearing this and hummed, "It's his good fortune. Others don't get the chance to invite me to eat. People who cook for others do so because someone looks forward to having meals with them."

Zhao Lianmai slowed her chopping a bit, agreeing with the sentiment.

Spending her summer vacation back home, making meals for her mother and sister also made her very happy.

Caring for someone makes even giving feel joyful.

Like the meal today...

Honestly, she was overthinking things again. Zhao Lianmai continued slicing radish strips as if she were severing her myriad worries.

She glanced sideways at Yao Mingyue, sitting in the wheelchair, her face brimming with a naive and sincere smile, looking just like An Nuannuan when they first met...

Before her, the figures of the two girls seemed to merge gradually. Indeed… they were quite alike.

Zhao Lianmai silently thought of something.

"You and Nuannuan actually look alike; no wonder…"

Zhao Lianmai said, hinting Xu Musen felt deeply about both of them... Essentially, he had always favored this type of girl.

So, was he truly devoted to pure love?

Alright, emotions are complicated, and men are often terrible...

Yao Mingyue paused briefly, then smiled, "Yes, sometimes I also feel I and Nuannuan are quite alike, as if sometimes our hearts are connected... Of course, my chest isn't as large as hers."

Yao Mingyue once again rarely acknowledged a topic she least liked to discuss.

"Pfft~"

Zhao Lianmai couldn't help but laugh, and at that moment, the girls felt more like close sisters than rivals.

...

Outside in the yard.

Xu Musen was playing with a small yellow dog, looking towards his little sister peeking at him.

Xu Musen smiled and waved at her.

The little sister seemed shy but felt fondness for Xu Musen, who had helped her mother and sister; her shyness was more pronounced now.

"Hello, little sister." Xu Musen smiled as he looked at the young girl.

She seemed about the same age as Nannan but with a completely different temperament.

And the young girl had a slightly tan complexion, looking healthy and radiant at her age, with a delicate face and bright, clear eyes. Though shy and nervous, her gaze was pure.

It seemed that her family had protected her well, and Zhao Lianmai's thorny character was probably a means to guard her timid little sister.

"Hello, big brother…"

The little girl looked up at Xu Musen and then bashfully lowered her head.

Xu Musen smiled and reached out to touch her neatly braided hair. "Who braided your hair for you?"

"My sister did."

The young girl spoke softly and with a hint of pride.

Xu Musen was somewhat surprised; the girl's hairstyle was very delicately done, rivaling that of professional salons.