Meng Ning didn't hide anything. She understood Zeng Jing's intentions and played along, using the opportunity to cut off Gu Changming's thoughts.
Meng Ning was so straightforward that Qin Huan didn't even have a chance to salvage the situation.
Gu Changming glanced at Qin Huan, silently asking what was going on. Previously, Qin Huan hadn't disclosed Meng Ning's marriage.
Qin Huan was helpless too. Meng Ning's flash marriage was something she had only recently learned about, and as an outsider, she didn't feel it was her place to say anything.
The people at the table exchanged glances, creating a somewhat awkward atmosphere as they all looked at Gu Changming's reaction.
Gu Changming gripped his wine glass tightly, feeling a sudden surge of frustration, and took a big gulp of wine.
A classmate laughed and broke the silence, "Meng, our beautiful Meng, you got married without telling us in the group to celebrate? That's not very nice of you. Do you look down on us old classmates? If you'd told us, we would have come for sure, bringing gifts and all."
This was just empty talk, being polite. A group of old classmates who hadn't kept in touch since high school suddenly receiving a wedding invitation would likely gossip behind the scenes, thinking it was more about the gift money than the old friendship.
That's the reality of human relationships and social conventions.
Moreover, Meng Ning wasn't even in the classmates' group, so this comment was just for show.
Meng Ning deliberately said, "We just registered our marriage and haven't had a chance to hold a wedding yet. Once we set a date, we'll definitely invite everyone for a celebratory drink."
Meng Ning didn't plan on hosting a banquet; she said this just to shut them up.
Sure enough, as soon as Meng Ning spoke, the classmate's smile froze slightly. To save face, they awkwardly laughed and said, "Of course, of course, we'll definitely be there." Then they fell silent.
Qin Huan stifled a laugh. This was the Meng Ning she knew—silently making people shut up.
Another female classmate, in a somewhat jealous tone, said, "Meng, our beautiful Meng, why didn't you bring your husband along? Let us see what kind of man managed to marry our school's belle."
Zeng Jing hadn't expected Meng Ning to be married. Upon hearing the news, her guard against Meng Ning dissipated, and she looked at Meng Ning with a friendlier gaze.
"Yeah, Meng Ning, call him over. Let's all get together since everyone's here," Zeng Jing encouraged. "Don't you all want to see what Meng Ning's husband looks like?"
"Of course we do."
"Meng Ning, what does your husband do? My husband runs a fireworks factory. We should stay in touch."
Meng Ning thought saying she was married would shut these people up, but it only brought more trouble.
Meng Ning politely said, "He works at Shengyu Group. He's been really busy lately. Next time, I'll bring him so everyone can meet."
Who would stay in touch after the reunion? Who knows when they'll meet again? Meng Ning was just making excuses.
Hearing that her husband worked at Shengyu Group, Zeng Jing glanced at the visibly upset Gu Changming and smiled at Meng Ning, saying, "That's a big company. Which department does your husband work in?"
"When we graduated, some of us applied to Shengyu Group too, but we didn't even pass the initial screening."
"Shengyu Group has very high hiring standards and offers great benefits. It's a leading company, and countless graduates dream of getting in."
"Meng Ning, your husband is impressive to have gotten into Shengyu Group. What's his degree?"
Meng Ning didn't actually know. She only knew that Fu Tingshu worked at Shengyu Group but wasn't clear on his position or department.
Meng Ning said, "I haven't asked about those details..."
"You're married. How can you not know? Meng Ning, you're being a bit unfair. Are you afraid we'll ask your husband for favors?"
A classmate said sarcastically, "Shengyu Group is impressive, but what does that have to do with Meng Ning's husband? He's not the CEO, just a minor employee. What are you all thinking?"
"A company employee's annual salary isn't much. Besides, he's still just a worker. Look at Gu, the great lawyer who has his own firm."
This comment made many realize the truth.
Yes, Meng Ning only said he worked at Shengyu Group, but he might just be a minor employee.
All of Meng Ning's clothes combined were worth less than 200 yuan, and her skincare products were cheap brands, indicating she wasn't living well. Her husband probably wasn't that capable either.
Sitting here, either they owned their businesses or had married well. The male classmates casually showed off car keys to BMWs, and the female classmates carried LV bags.
Thinking that the former school beauty and top student was now not doing well and had married poorly gave these people a sense of superiority.
Meng Ning understood her classmates' insinuations and replied calmly, "Happiness isn't determined by money. As long as two people are united, nothing else matters."
She couldn't stand seeing these people look down on Fu Tingshu and belittle him.
Seeing that Meng Ning was upset, some laughed disdainfully while others pretended not to hear and took a sip of their drinks.
"Poor couples have a hard time in everything. How can the quality of a marriage be the same with or without money?"
"Meng Ning, don't be angry. Everyone's just joking," Zeng Jing said, putting her hand on Meng Ning's shoulder, trying to play the peacemaker.
Just then, Meng Ning's phone rang. It was Fu Tingshu calling.
Meng Ning glanced at the caller ID. Before she could react, Zeng Jing exclaimed, "Is that your husband calling? Perfect timing, ask him to join us."
Meng Ning hesitated, "He..."
Zeng Jing took Meng Ning's phone and answered it, smiling, "Hello, is this Meng Ning's husband? I'm her classmate. We're at Mingyue Tower. Meng Ning is inviting you to join us. Everyone is eager to meet the man who married our school belle."