Chapter 51: Shenanigans

Meng Ning kept looking at Fu Tingxiu. As a man himself, Fu Tingxiu naturally understood how men think. Was Fu Tingxiu thinking the same way too? Being stared at by Meng Ning, Fu Tingxiu knew exactly what was on her mind.

At a red light, Fu Tingxiu reached out and gently ruffled Meng Ning's hair, saying, "Don't overthink it. Not all men are like that."

Caught in her thoughts, Meng Ning felt a bit embarrassed. But since they had come this far in their conversation, she also stated, "I can't tolerate deception, Fu Tingxiu. If one day you want to part ways, you can tell me openly. I'll let you go, but I hope you won't deceive me and make me look like a fool."

She could accept if Fu Tingxiu fell for someone else one day, but she couldn't accept being deceived. In her view of marriage, there should only be two people, with no room for a third.

If such a day really came, she hoped Fu Tingxiu would be honest, cleanly break things off with her, and then pursue another relationship or marriage.

Fu Tingxiu's deep eyes gazed at her for a moment before he said, "Alright."

That simple "alright" left an indescribable feeling in Meng Ning's heart. Shouldn't most people promise never to let such a day come?

Fu Tingxiu was too straightforward. Indeed, people liked to hear sweet words.

Meng Ning fell silent, turned her head to look out the window, an action tinged with emotion.

Fu Tingxiu noticed her reaction, reached out, and grasped Meng Ning's hand, holding it firmly in his palm.

This intimate gesture made Meng Ning's heart race, and she suddenly turned to look at him.

He kept his gaze forward, a smile playing on his lips. Without saying a word, he tightened his grip on her hand.

Meng Ning realized that Fu Tingxiu was quite adept at teasing.

The slight discomfort she had felt earlier dissipated, and her mood improved.

Before long, the car stopped in front of a restaurant. Fu Tingxiu went to park while Meng Ning waited at the entrance.

At that moment, Meng's mother called again. As Fu Tingxiu had analyzed, Yang Liu and Zhu Jun wouldn't be separating anytime soon. The mistress was using her pregnancy to threaten them, and her eldest daughter also had inheritance rights. If Yang Liu divorced Zhu Jun, there would also be disputes over property division.

Meng's mother chattered on the phone, and Meng Ning didn't express any opinions, just listened.

It was ironic that even an illegitimate child had inheritance rights, indirectly bolstering the mistress's arrogance.

While on the call, Fu Tingxiu finished parking and approached. Meng Ning told her mother, "Mom, Fu Tingxiu and I are having dinner outside. Let's talk more when I get back."

Hearing that her daughter and son-in-law were together, Meng's mother didn't interrupt.

"Alright, enjoy your meal. Ning, take good care of your husband," Meng's mother said, influenced by Yang Liu's situation and somewhat worried about Meng Ning's marriage.

Meng Ning had rushed into marriage, and they still slept in separate rooms. Wasn't this even more prone to problems?

"Alright, Mom, I understand," Meng Ning said as she hung up the phone. Fu Tingxiu walked up beside her and said, "Let's go."

The restaurant Fu Tingxiu chose today wasn't very upscale; he knew Meng Ning was conscious of money. As they entered the restaurant lobby, a middle-aged man in a suit suddenly approached Fu Tingxiu.

"Mr. Fu."

The man appeared very polite. "Mr. Fu, what a coincidence to see you here."

Hearing "Mr. Fu," Meng Ning glanced at Fu Tingxiu. Wasn't he just a junior employee at the company? Why was someone addressing him as "Mr. Fu"?

Fu Tingxiu remained composed and said to Meng Ning, "Go wait for me in the Maple Pavilion."

"Okay," Meng Ning replied and followed the waiter to the private room in the Maple Pavilion on the second floor.

As Meng Ning went upstairs, she stole a glance back at Fu Tingxiu. She couldn't hear what Fu Tingxiu and the middle-aged man were saying, but she could see the deferential attitude of the man towards Fu Tingxiu.

The middle-aged man seemed like a successful person too. Meng Ning had noticed the million-dollar watches on his wrist earlier. Why would such a person be so polite to Fu Tingxiu?

After a while, Fu Tingxiu returned to the Maple Pavilion.

"That person just now is a client of the company. I helped them with a program before," Fu Tingxiu explained.

Meng Ning asked, "But why did he call you 'Mr. Fu'?"

Fu Tingxiu smiled and said, "In the workplace, regardless of whether one holds a high position or not, once you step out, people will politely address you with titles like 'Mr.' or 'Ms.' It's just a formality."