The R&D department is a core division of the company and generally does not go out on business trips.
Fu Tingxiu did not expose Gu Changming's lie because when Gu Changming lied for the sake of face, Fu Tingxiu didn't even qualify to be his opponent.
Gu Changming felt like he had punched cotton, especially seeing the two of them standing together so harmoniously, which made his heart even more uneasy.
"I'm not very familiar with the R&D department," Gu Changming forced a smile, his eyes lacking sincerity, and continued to inquire, "Is the head of the R&D department?"
"No," Fu Tingxiu answered candidly, making Gu Changming appear petty.
If he's not the head, then he must be an ordinary employee. Everyone exchanged glances, confirming their suspicions that Meng Ning didn't marry well.
With a table seating twenty already full, there were no empty seats. As the host of the gathering, Gu Changming didn't ask the server to add a chair when Fu Tingxiu arrived.
Gu Changming's attitude was obvious. This was a meeting of the past and present, and he was particularly jealous, embarrassing Fu Tingxiu and asserting dominance.
Others also noticed this. No one would offend the promising young Gu Changming over an ordinary employee of the company, even one as good-looking as Fu Tingxiu, who was not in their league.
Meng Ning felt sorry for Fu Tingxiu being ostracized and became angry. She reached out and held his hand, expressionless, and said to everyone, "My husband has come to pick me up, so we'll be leaving. Different paths lead to different goals, and we won't meet again in this circle."
With this statement, silence fell over the room.
They didn't give Meng Ning face, so Meng Ning wasn't polite either.
Meng Ning had been uncomfortable since Zeng Jing stole the phone, and now she erupted directly.
Fu Tingxiu felt Meng Ning's protection and a trace of imperceptible tenderness flickered in his eyes.
This girl, she's still protective.
Meng Ning continued, addressing the homeroom teacher, "Teacher Li, I'm sorry for today. I'll visit another day."
Seeing the situation wasn't right, Teacher Li smiled and said, "Take care on your way."
Seeing Meng Ning about to leave, Gu Changming hurriedly said, "I drove here. Let me give you a ride."
Fu Tingxiu declined, "No need. I drove here myself."
He didn't care about their attitude, but it seemed Meng Ning also disliked these people, so there was no need to engage with them.
"Then I'll drop you off at the door," Gu Changming insisted, "I have something to do anyway, so I'll walk with you."
Gu Changming's reaction displeased Meng Ning. After so many years apart, she found the current Gu Changming somewhat unfamiliar and a bit aggressive.
Zeng Jing smiled and said, "I'll walk with you too. Changming, give me a lift."
Gu Changming called over a waiter, paid the bill himself, and shamelessly walked with Meng Ning and the others.
Fu Tingxiu parked his car in the open-air parking lot and walked with Meng Ning towards his car, when the headlights of a Maybach nearby lit up.
Gu Changming approached from behind, opened the door of the Maybach as if showing off, and looked at Meng Ning: "Meng Ning, how about I drive you guys?"
Meng Ning understood Gu Changming's intentions and deliberately flaunted her own luxury car worth over a million yuan.
"No need," Meng Ning replied, glancing at Fu Tingxiu. "Let's go home."
Fu Tingxiu smiled and ignored Gu Changming's presence, opening the car door. "Let's go home."
Watching Meng Ning get into a Chevrolet worth about a hundred thousand yuan, Gu Changming's face turned extremely ugly.
Fu Tingxiu drove away, leaving Gu Changming with a darkened expression. He struggled to control his emotions, kicking the tire in frustration.
Zeng Jing, who followed them out, saw this and teased, "Meng Ning's husband seems quite honest. He treats Meng Ning well, and they look good together."
Gu Changming sneered coldly, "A poor boy driving a Chevrolet, what can he offer Meng Ning?"
Hearing his tone, Zeng Jing knew Gu Changming was still unwilling to accept it.
Zeng Jing said, "You and Meng Ning are no longer starting from the same point after all these years. Maybe she prefers ordinary days now."
Gu Changming stared in the direction Meng Ning had left, unwilling to accept it, and muttered, "People can make a difference."
Zeng Jing was surprised, "Gu Changming, Meng Ning is already married..."
"That man isn't good enough for her."
---
On the way back, Meng Ning glanced at Fu Tingxiu several times from the corner of her eye.
Fu Tingxiu's face remained expressionless, his emotions difficult to read.
Meng Ning hesitated. "Um, I'm really sorry. Are you angry?"
"Not at all." Fu Tingxiu smiled and shook his head.
"Really?" Meng Ning said, "Just now my classmate intentionally embarrassed you. I thought you might be angry. I'm really sorry. Don't take it to heart. If you're upset, you can vent it on me."
Fu Tingxiu was amused by her careful concern. "Really, I'm not upset at all, and I didn't take it to heart. Actually, I'm quite happy about it."
The group around Gu Changming wasn't enough to bother Fu Tingxiu.
Meng Ning was surprised. "Happy?"
Fu Tingxiu chuckled. "The way you defended me just now was quite impressive. I didn't expect you to have such a temper."
Meng Ning suddenly felt embarrassed. She chuckled nervously, "I'm usually very calm and never argue with anyone."
She wondered if Fu Tingxiu would mistake her for being quarrelsome.
Fu Tingxiu smiled and glanced at her, then suddenly asked, "Was that male classmate just now your ex-boyfriend?"