Fu Tingxiu glanced in the direction Meng Ning had gone, but amidst the bustling night market crowd, all he could see were the backs of people's heads; Meng Ning was nowhere in sight. Although he hadn't spent much time with Meng Ning, Fu Tingxiu could sense her simplicity.
Fu Tingxiu agreed, "Brother Zhou is right, a good wife brings prosperity to three generations."
Brother Zhou chuckled, "Brother, cherish her well. You two are a perfect match, destined to be together. Oh, by the way, she didn't even mention your marriage. Here, take this as a token of my appreciation."
Brother Zhou took out a red envelope containing not much, just two hundred yuan. However, this was his weekly food budget and money for his child's medical expenses—a small gift in value but heavy with sentiment.
Fu Tingxiu tried to decline, "Brother Zhou, you're too kind. Please take it back. Meng Ning and I appreciate your gesture, and your child needs the money for medical expenses."
"If you're a man, don't be so stubborn, just take it," Brother Zhou stood up, took a drag of his cigarette and said, "My child needs medical care, and Meng Ning has helped us a lot. I can't offer much, but please accept this money. Otherwise, I'll feel uneasy."
It was a matter of a man's pride.
Fu Tingxiu squeezed the red envelope; despite containing only two hundred yuan, it felt weighty to him.
"Thank you," Fu Tingxiu accepted without further hesitation, lit a 13-yuan Liqun cigarette, and took a drag. The smoke was pungent, making him cough a few times.
Brother Zhou chuckled, "Brother, you don't smoke much, do you?"
"No, I don't," Fu Tingxiu replied, "Sorry about that."
Brother Zhou had a straightforward nature, and the two soon began chatting casually.
Before long, Meng Ning returned with two cups of milk tea and two bowls of snail noodles.
Before Meng Ning even got close, Fu Tingxiu smelled something foul, "Meng Ning, what did you buy?"
"Snail noodles!" Meng Ning proudly placed the bowls on the small table and said, "You've probably never had them before. Despite the smell, they're delicious. Give them a try. I also got milk tea. I didn't know your preference, so I got taro pearl milk tea for both of us."
Fu Tingxiu never drank this kind of street-side milk tea; he usually preferred freshly ground coffee or brewed tea. Fu Tingxiu grimaced at the smell of the snail noodles, "Can this... be eaten?"
It smelled difficult to stomach.
Meng Ning explained, "It's like stinky tofu. Try it; it's really good. I promise you'll love it."
Meng Ning held the bowl of snail noodles up to him, almost ready to feed him directly.
Fu Tingxiu suppressed the smell and looked at the bowl, then at Meng Ning.
Meng Ning looked at him expectantly, her eyes sparkling like stars, making it impossible to refuse. Fu Tingxiu held his breath and picked up a bite with his chopsticks, his expression varied.
Meng Ning laughed, "Isn't it delicious?"
Fu Tingxiu swallowed hard to suppress his nausea, quickly took a sip of milk tea, and said, "The milk tea is delicious."
He really wasn't accustomed to snail noodles.
Meng Ning didn't force him, "Okay, you drink your milk tea first. I'll buy you something else to eat."
Brother Zhou chuckled from the side, "Brother, I can't get used to snail noodles either."
Although Fu Tingxiu didn't like snail noodles, he unexpectedly fell in love with milk tea. Normally, he drank bitter coffee without sugar and tea with a hint of bitterness, so this sweet milk tea was quite enjoyable.
By the time Meng Ning returned, Fu Tingxiu had almost finished his milk tea. Throughout the night, Meng Ning was busy managing the stall, taking care of business, and looking after Fu Tingxiu.
Fu Tingxiu felt like he was more of a hindrance than help. He repeatedly asked if she needed assistance, but Meng Ning insisted he relax and sit down.
As Fu Tingxiu contemplated helping Meng Ning sell all the jewelry so they could close up early and she wouldn't have to work so hard, a familiar voice suddenly sounded above them.
"Big brother, it's really you? You're here... running a stall?"
Fu Boxuan was somewhat incredulous. He had been brought by his new girlfriend to visit the night market, and upon a casual glance, he saw Fu Tingxiu running a stall.
A billionaire CEO, running a stall on the roadside?
The world was truly surreal.
Fu Boxuan thought to himself, "Even in chasing after a wife, does he need to go this far?"