Fu Tingxiu led her to the bedrooms. "There are three bedrooms here. Feel free to choose one. Since we just got married and don't have a strong emotional foundation, I imagine you wouldn't want to share a room with me."
Meng Ning, a bit embarrassed at having her thoughts revealed, appreciated Fu Tingxiu's sensitivity.
Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, she said, "I will try my best to manage our marriage well."
She meant it. Life is about the simple things: three meals a day and the changing seasons, finding a good person to share a romantic journey with until old age. Although she hadn't known Fu Tingxiu for long, she was quite satisfied with him so far.
Fu Tingxiu smiled but didn't comment on her promise. "There's another room where you can bring your mother to stay. If the house needs anything, feel free to add it. I'll work hard so that we can buy a place of our own and won't need to rent anymore."
In truth, this apartment was already theirs, bought after their marriage, but Meng Ning was unaware of this. Fu Tingxiu's words were also a way to gauge her reaction and see if she was someone who coveted money.
Meng Ning said, "The environment here is great, and the transportation is convenient. As long as we have a place to live, it doesn't matter if it's rented or owned. Don't stress too much about it."
Thinking of her own income, Meng Ning realized she probably couldn't contribute much to buying a house. Even with Fu Tingxiu's income, purchasing a house in Beijing wouldn't be easy. Mortgage payments could be overwhelming. Renting, after all, was cheaper than buying.
Fu Tingxiu's offer to let her mother stay with them surprised and touched Meng Ning deeply. How many sons-in-law would be willing to live with their mother-in-law? It's akin to many daughters-in-law not wanting to live with their in-laws.
Meng Ning's understanding made Fu Tingxiu feel quite comfortable. "Alright," Fu Tingxiu said, "let's do it your way."
Having such an accommodating husband, Meng Ning felt a bit unused to it. "Fu Tingxiu, you have great qualities. You're handsome, a local, have a car, and a respectable job. Why did the dating website say you went on many dates but never found the right person?"
Fu Tingxiu followed her line of thought and replied, "These things depend on fate. Maybe my fate hadn't arrived yet. I earn about 30,000 yuan a month, plus bonuses and a year-end bonus, making my annual income around 500,000 yuan. Nowadays, women prefer men with houses. With Beijing's high property prices, it's difficult to buy a house with my income. My conditions aren't considered good in Beijing."
This was the truth. A man earning about 500,000 yuan annually in Beijing, with car and mortgage payments, and no help from his parents, would struggle to support a family. If they had children, the costs for formula and education would be daunting.
This is the capital, and the expenses are terrifyingly high. Even with a monthly income of over 10,000 yuan, she could barely make ends meet.
"Oh." Meng Ning nodded slightly, then worried if Fu Tingxiu might have some hidden illness, but she couldn't ask directly. She asked tactfully, "Then why were you willing to marry me?"
"You said it yourself: the purpose of dating is to get married. Marriage is a gamble. If you're willing to take the risk, why should I be afraid?"
This answer was reasonable.
Fu Tingxiu looked around the three-bedroom apartment and said, "Let me know when you plan to move in, and I'll help you with the move."
"I'll talk to my mom. We can move anytime…"
Before Meng Ning could finish, her phone rang.
"Sorry, I need to take this call."
Fu Tingxiu nodded, indicating she could go ahead.
Meng Ning answered the phone, and an urgent female voice came through, "Xiao Ning, it's Aunt Cai. Your mother fainted and was just taken to the hospital by ambulance. She's at the People's Hospital."
Upon hearing this, Meng Ning's face turned pale. "Aunt Cai, how did my mom suddenly faint?"
Meng Ning's mother worked as a cleaner in a hotel to help support the family. The call was from her mother's colleague.
"I'm not sure either. We were changing bed sheets, and she suddenly collapsed. You should hurry to the hospital."
"Okay, thank you, Aunt Cai."
Meng Ning hung up and told Fu Tingxiu, "My mom had an accident and is in the hospital. I need to go there right away."
Fu Tingxiu had overheard the conversation. "I'll go with you."
Meng Ning nodded. At that moment, she was in a state of panic. She and her mother had depended on each other for so long. If anything serious happened to her mother, what would she do?