Chapter 61

Gu Changming now suspects everyone of wanting to harm him.

"Gu Changming, you've gone mad," Zeng Jing said with disappointment. "I've been with you for so many years, you know my thoughts best. What benefit would I gain from harming you? The law firm was a joint investment with me. I put all my savings into it and even sold my parents' house. How could I harm you?"

"Then who? Who wants to harm me?" Gu Changming's mind was in a haze. "My father's factory also had trouble. There must be someone plotting against me. It must be Meng Ning, that mistress."

Gu Changming couldn't think of anyone else. Fu Tingxi knew that his luxury cars and homes were rented. Out of jealousy, he could have ruined his reputation.

Zeng Jing asked, "You mean that person surnamed Fu?"

"I had a conflict with that Fu yesterday. I sued him, and then both the law firm and the factory had trouble. If not him, then who?" Gu Changming questioned.

Zeng Jing doubted, "He's just a worker. How could he have such influence?"

"There are no secrets in this world. Fu must have investigated me and exposed my affairs." Gu Changming called the police station to check on Fu Tingxi's whereabouts, but they said there was no such person or record of an incident the previous night.

Upon hearing this, Gu Changming realized he had underestimated Fu Tingxi and knew nothing about him besides his name and workplace. He had let his guard down.

"Zeng Jing, do me a favor. Go to the R&D department of Shengyu Group and investigate this Fu's background."

"Gu Changming, are you still worried about Meng Ning's affairs? You should think about how to save the law firm. Your lawyer's license could be revoked, and the firm might shut down. We invested millions into it, and we can't afford to lose it all."

This was why Zeng Jing had come to Gu Changming—to gain his favor and save the law firm. Gu Changming's eyes turned fierce.

"None of that matters now. If I can't figure out who's behind this, everything will be futile. Go and find out who this Fu is for me."

Zeng Jing, stunned by his outburst, ultimately complied and left. Shortly after, creditors barged into Gu's house demanding money, forcing him to pay up. In the chaos, Gu was beaten by the creditors, and his mother called the police in fear.

...

Meanwhile, Meng Ning slept soundly that night, ready to start her new job at the company the next day. Early in the morning, she woke up, unsure of what to wear, feeling a bit conflicted.

She took a few sets of clothes to help Fu Tingxi choose. There were three dresses and a set of jeans with a shirt. Fu Tingxi glanced at them and picked up the jeans and shirt.

"Let's go with this set," he said.

Meng Ning held it up against herself and gestured, "Won't this look too plain?"

Fu Tingxi replied seriously, "Not at all. It complements your complexion."

Meng Ning laughed, "It covers everything up tight. Besides my face, you can't see any skin tone, so what's there to complement?"

Fu Tingxi was clearly pulling her leg, but she understood his intention — to ensure she didn't reveal any skin to outsiders.

Fu Tingxi cleared his throat lightly, "Wear this set today. In a couple of days, I'll buy you a few more outfits."

Meng Ning smiled and teased, "Fu Tingxi, is it that all you men are like this? You like seeing other men's wives dressed up nicely, letting them wear as much as they want, while your own wife only gets to wear so little."

In her teasing, the emphasis on "so little" in the first instance and "so much" in the second instance was clear.

Fu Tingxi smirked, "I can't speak for others, but I only look at my own wife. What other men's wives wear is none of my concern."

His flirtatious words made Meng Ning feel like every cell in her body was filled with sweetness.

Meng Ning pursed her lips and smiled. Since the two watched a movie together, their feelings had warmed considerably.

"Then let's go with this outfit," she said.

Meng Ning took the jeans and shirt into the room to change. Fu Tingxi waited in the living room and also sent Meng Ning's measurements to an international fashion designer to customize several new outfits for her.

Fu Tingxi's clothes were all custom-made, without prominent brand logos. People who didn't understand fashion wouldn't recognize the value of his attire.

After the message was sent, Fu Tingxi added a few more conditions: the outfits should be fashionable and attractive yet not too revealing. He also ordered a set of couple's pajamas to be custom-made and completed by the end of the week.

The international fashion designer on the other end of the phone saw Fu Tingxi's requests and felt a hint of curiosity. She had been serving Fu Tingxi for many years, and this was the first time he had asked her to make women's clothing. Could it be that their boss, who rarely showed personal interest, had found a girlfriend?

Not daring to delay, she quickly replied: "Received."

Meng Ning was unaware of these arrangements. When she emerged after changing, Fu Tingxi had already put down his phone.

"Do I look good?" Meng Ning asked.

Fu Tingxi looked up at Meng Ning and instantly regretted choosing this outfit. The tight jeans showcased Meng Ning's slender legs perfectly.

Meng Ning's legs were long and slender, not overly thin but with a hint of muscle, perfectly proportioned. The jeans didn't hide her beauty; instead, they added to her allure.

The white shirt, neatly buttoned, exuded endless allure.

Her exquisite fair face, lightly made up, was stunning.

"You look great," Fu Tingxi wished he could keep Meng Ning hidden away at home; her beauty was something he wanted to enjoy exclusively.

"Then let's hurry. It's impolite to be late on the first day," Meng Ning urged.

Meng Ning changed into a pair of high heels at the entrance. Today, they drove to the underground parking lot and headed to the office of a jewelry company under Shengyu Group for Meng Ning's first day.

Halfway there, Fu Tingxi tentatively said, "Once I save up some more money, you won't have to work so hard. I'll let you be a full-time housewife then—do some beauty treatments, go shopping with friends. Just having me earn money to support the family will be enough."

Meng Ning shook her head. "That won't work. Women must be financially independent. Even if there's a man to rely on, they shouldn't lose their ability to survive or their self-worth. That's the bottom line."

Meng Ning had been independent since childhood. How could she give up herself and become a full-time housewife just because of a few words from Fu Tingxi?

Moreover, men's promises all come with an expiration date, limited to the honeymoon phase.

Meng Ning was clear-headed; no matter how far her marriage with Fu Tingxi could go, she would not lose herself.

Fu Tingxi realized his words had been hurtful earlier, so he reached out and held Meng Ning's hand. "Whatever you decide to do, I'll support you."

If Meng Ning, his woman, didn't want to be just a man's appendage, he would be her strong support, letting her fly freely. He would always be her backbone.

Meng Ning smiled. "Didn't you say so? We still need to buy a house. It's too hard for you to earn alone, and Qin Huan also mentioned that if we have children in the future, expenses will increase..."

Meng Ning suddenly fell silent. Fu Tingxi hadn't fully committed yet. Was she rushing things by bringing up having children?

Little did she know, Meng Ning's plans for their future delighted Fu Tingxi.

From initially treating him with respect but not needing him, to now including him in future plans, this change indicated that Meng Ning had him in her heart.

His lips curved into a smile, and he continued her words, asking, "Meng Ning, do you prefer a boy or a girl?"

Meng Ning knew that once she answered, their relationship dynamics would change. Planning for a child might soon become a priority.

She had just found a new job; would trying to conceive lead to discrimination at work? After all, which company would willingly hire a pregnant woman?

After a moment's thought, Meng Ning replied, "I like girls. I could tie her hair in little braids, dress her in pink princess dresses, and design unique accessories for her to make her look dazzling."

Fu Tingxi nodded. "I also like girls."

The car soon arrived at the office building, not Shengyu Tower. Fu Tingxi could only drop her off at the entrance.

"Meng Ning, I'll pick you up after work."

"Okay," Meng Ning smiled. "Drive safely."

Meng Ning watched Fu Tingxi leave before turning to enter the company.

As soon as she stepped into the office, she received a call from an unfamiliar number.

"Meng Ning, you've ruined everything for me. Now I'll ruin you too."

It was the sinister voice of Gu Changming on the other end of the line.