After many years, attending a class reunion meant everyone had entered society, and inevitably there would be comparisons. Meng Ning, once a top student, now found herself in her current situation, which was one of the reasons she hesitated about attending.
Qin Huan asked over the phone, "Meng Ning, are you listening?"
"Yeah," Meng Ning snapped out of her thoughts. "I heard you. About the class reunion on Friday, I'll see if I can make it."
Understanding Meng Ning's concerns, Qin Huan didn't press further. As long as the message was conveyed.
After hanging up, Meng Ning stood on the balcony lost in thought, unaware of when Fu Tingxiu had come up behind her. He handed her a cup of tea, saying, "Have some tea, it'll settle your stomach."
"Thank you," Meng Ning took the tea cup, feeling burdened.
With his hands in his pockets, Fu Tingxiu glanced at her and asked, "Something on your mind?"
Meng Ning hesitated, "Qin Huan just called. There's a class reunion next week, and our former homeroom teacher will be there. She's very kind to me, like a mentor."
Fu Tingxiu understood, "You don't want to go, but you feel obligated to."
Meng Ning nodded.
Fu Tingxiu advised, "Just follow your heart. It's late now, get some rest."
Fu Tingxiu didn't comment further on the matter. He wasn't familiar with Meng Ning's past.
Meng Ning couldn't mention that her ex-boyfriend would also be attending the reunion. She kept that to herself.
"Yeah, you too, get some rest."
They bid each other good night and went to their respective rooms. Meng Ning locked the door and slept peacefully through the night, realizing her worries had been unnecessary.
The next morning, Meng Ning woke up early to prepare breakfast. After Fu Tingxiu left for work, she cleaned the house and then started crafting.
Since she hadn't set up her stall last night, she missed out on earning a few hundred yuan. Today, she needed to make more jewelry and get to the night market early to make up for yesterday's loss.
Fu Tingxiu was busy all day with meetings at the company and had evening social events. He couldn't come home for dinner every day. If he had an event, he would message Meng Ning to eat without preparing for him.
Meng Ning was also occupied, crafting during the day and setting up her stall at the night market by five o'clock. Most of the time, even when she returned from the market, Fu Tingxiu wasn't home.
Fu Tingxiu often came back very late, smelling of alcohol. The next day, Meng Ning would cook a comforting porridge for him, and they always had sobering-up soup on hand at home.
Watching Fu Tingxiu come back tipsy, Meng Ning understood how hard he worked in the big city. If a woman couldn't support herself, she could find a good husband, but men couldn't. They had to support their families and carry the weight of the world.
Amidst their busy lives, the day of the class reunion finally arrived. Qin Huan reminded Meng Ning with an early morning phone call.
The reunion was scheduled for 6 PM. Meng Ning spent the day at home in nervous anticipation. By 5 PM, she changed into a simple dress and applied light makeup. She couldn't afford to look sloppy among old acquaintances.
At half past five, Qin Huan arrived at Shu Mutian City to pick up Meng Ning in her car.
Qin Huan just found out that Meng Ning had moved to a new place and was now living with Fu Tingxiu.
"Shu Mutian City. I looked it up. A place here costs at least eight figures," Qin Huan said. "It's just a pity that with his income, even without eating or drinking, it would still take him forty to fifty years to afford it."
Meng Ning buckled her seatbelt and said, "The property prices in Beijing are high. Many people can't afford to buy a house, so renting is also good. He's not easy either, returning late every day after socializing. Huan Huan, don't say these things in front of him."
"Alright, I won't. Ning Bao, you have to be careful. He works in such a big company and looks so handsome; he's bound to attract young girls," Qin Huan warned. "If he really comes home late every day, you need to be wary."
Meng Ning chuckled, "I don't think so. He gives me all his money, and he really is busy."
"Fair enough. That's thoughtful of him, knowing to hand over his salary."
Soon, they arrived at Mingyue Restaurant, the venue for the class reunion. After getting out of the car, Meng Ning saw the splendid decoration of the restaurant and swallowed nervously. She asked, "Huan Huan, are we going Dutch tonight?"
Eating here would surely be expensive.
Oh well, she had just earned some money these past few days, but now it might all go away.