Meng Ning opened the box to find a pair of rings inside. She glanced at Fu Tingxiu and instantly understood what it meant.
He said, "Wedding rings. We didn't have time to get them when we registered, so I'm making up for it now."
"When did you buy these?" Meng Ning was moved.
She hadn't cared about having wedding rings, but his attention to detail touched her deeply.
"I bought them yesterday." Fu Tingxiu took her hand, picked up the women's ring from the box, and placed it on her finger himself.
With a candle, a gift, and a bowl of egg noodles, they created a romantic atmosphere.
He said, "Meng Ning, I hope we can walk together in this marriage for a long time."
There were no passionate declarations or sweet words, just simple sincerity.
She hurried to marry, and he hurried to wed. They married in a flash and formed a family, both naturally hoping for a lasting marriage.
"Mm," Meng Ning nodded.
He smiled and took out the men's ring to wear it. "Let's eat noodles before they get cold."
Perhaps it was because of the gift, or perhaps it was the romantic atmosphere that was both charming and full of romance, Meng Ning felt that the noodles tonight were the most delicious she had ever eaten.
In that moment, Meng Ning felt that living with Fu Tingxiu like this forever would be really nice.
Fu Tingxiu was gentle and refined, making her feel very comfortable around him.
The next day.
Meng Ning woke up early and needed to go to the market to buy groceries for lunch preparations.
As she changed her shoes to leave, Fu Tingxiu was also up. "Where are you going so early?"
"To the market. My mom and the others are coming for lunch at noon, so I need to buy groceries. Oh right, did you invite your relatives?"
"I made the calls," Fu Tingxiu said. "Wait a moment, I'll change and go with you."
There might be quite a bit to buy today, and Meng Ning needed some help, so she agreed to let Fu Tingxiu come along.
They went out together, ate a bowl of wonton soup at the entrance of the community, and then headed to the market.
Meng Ning was already familiar with the nearby market. She knew what she wanted to buy and went straight to the stalls, with Fu Tingxiu following behind to carry things.
It was his first time in such a chaotic market—crowded and noisy—and he felt a bit uncomfortable.
After buying everything they needed, they hurried back home to start cooking.
As for the issue of the electricity being cut off due to unpaid bills, Fu Tingxiu took care of it with a call to Fu Boxuan.
Meng Ning worked in the kitchen, preparing the food, while Fu Tingxiu wore an apron and assisted her.
Fu Tingxiu, born with a silver spoon, might not need to do these things, but that doesn't mean he can't. Around half past ten, the doorbell rang. Meng Ning was stewing pig's trotters, and Fu Tingxiu went to answer the door. It was Fang Qiong and Fu Boxuan. Both of them were stunned to see Fu Tingxiu wearing an apron.
"Son, are you cooking yourself?" Fang Qiong was astonished.
Fu Boxuan looked like he had been struck by lightning, sizing up Fu Tingxiu and giving him a thumbs up. "Big brother, a model husband, a good man at home."
Fu Tingxiu glanced at Fu Boxuan. "If you want to stay for dinner, talk less."
Fu Boxuan chuckled. "Got it."
In the kitchen, Meng Ning asked, "Fu Tingxiu, who's here?"
Fu Boxuan raised his voice. "It's me, sis-in-law."
Fu Boxuan stepped in, and Fang Qiong followed. "Xiaoning, I'm here to help."
Today, Fang Qiong dressed more casually and plainly, not as refined as usual.
"Auntie, please sit in the living room and rest. I'll manage here," Meng Ning smiled and said. "Fu Tingxiu, please entertain Auntie."
The kitchen wasn't big, and Fu Tingxiu gestured for Fang Qiong to sit and relax in the living room.
Fu Boxuan, on the other hand, made himself comfortable as a guest, lounging in the living room with his legs crossed, munching on sunflower seeds.
Shortly after, Qin Huan and Meng's mother also arrived. It was their first time here and unfamiliar with the way, so Fu Tingxiu went downstairs to the community gate to meet them.
Upon learning that Fu Tingxiu was the CEO of Shengyu Group, Qin Huan didn't act as casual as before; she seemed a bit reserved.
He was a billionaire CEO, at the pinnacle of the pyramid, yet here he was so down-to-earth, helping out in the kitchen of a three-bedroom apartment?
If it hadn't been for Qin Huan's repeated confirmations and seeing Fu Qiong, the mistress of the Fu family, here, she might have doubted her eyes again.
Qin Huan had been quietly observing Fang Qiong's attitude towards Meng Ning. Fang Qiong seemed to like Meng Ning a lot and was very warm towards Meng's mother. She was even more puzzled—what exactly was the Fu family up to?
Suddenly, Qin Huan needed to use the restroom urgently. "Ningbao, can you tell me which room is yours?"
The guest bathroom was occupied by Fu Boxuan, and Qin Huan was desperate, so she wanted to use the master bedroom's bathroom.
"My room doesn't have a bathroom," Meng Ning said, looking at Fu Tingxiu. "Can I borrow yours?"
Fu Tingxiu nodded. "Sure."
Their brief conversation inadvertently revealed surprising information to everyone.
"My room?" "Your room?"
These two aren't sleeping in the same room?
If a husband and wife don't share a bedroom, what does that imply?
Fubo Xuan and Fang Qiong exchanged glances, and Meng's mother and Qin Huan also looked at each other. Meng Ning didn't realize anything was wrong and led Qin Huan to the master bathroom.
After Qin Huan was done and came out of the bathroom, she pulled Meng Ning aside and whispered, "You and Fu Tingxiu don't share a room? You sleep separately?" Qin Huan had also noticed there were no women's items in the master bathroom.
Meng Ning didn't think much of it and smiled lightly, "Yes, we're not familiar with each other, so of course we sleep separately."
Qin Huan: "..."
Not familiar?
Qin Huan reminded her, "Ningbao, you two are married. Haven't you... you know... yet?"
Meng Ning shook her head shyly. Just then, Meng's mother also came in and quietly asked, "Xiao Ning, have you and your husband been sleeping separately all this time?"
While Meng Ning was being questioned in the bedroom, Fu Tingxiu was being interrogated by Fang Qiong in the living room. Fang Qiong was already thinking about having grandchildren, and it surprised her that her son and daughter-in-law were sleeping separately.
Meng Ning nodded, "Yes, Fu Tingxiu and I both think we should take some time to get to know each other and see if we're compatible."
Qin Huan pressed, "And if you're not compatible, will you get a divorce?"
Qin Huan thought to herself that it was a blessing from heaven that Meng Ning found such a good family. No matter what, she wanted to ensure they stayed together. A man like Fu Tingxiu was hard to find.
Meng Ning glanced at her mother and Qin Huan and said, "Probably. If we're not compatible, we can't force it."
Life is long, and an unhappy marriage is painful. Meng's mother thought for a moment and said, "Xiao Ning, you're right. Take some time to see how things go. You two got married too hastily. It's good to observe first."
"Got it, Mom," Meng Ning replied. Remembering the food in the kitchen, she said, "Oh no, the pork trotters are still simmering. I need to check on them."
After Meng Ning left, her mother pulled Qin Huan aside and asked, "Xiaohuan, has Ning shown any unusual behavior lately or mentioned anything to you?"
"No, Auntie, why?" Qin Huan replied.
Meng's mother looked worried. "Yesterday, Ning said she remembered something. I'm afraid she might recall that incident, and if she does, her current life will be ruined."
Qin Huan's heart skipped a beat. If Meng Ning really remembered or if Fu Tingxiu discovered Meng Ning's secret, their relationship could be over. That incident had happened years ago, and even Qin Huan had almost forgotten about it.
"Auntie, don't worry. I'll keep a close eye on Ning and make sure she has a happy marriage with Fu Tingxiu."
Meng's mother sighed, "Ning is lucky to have a friend like you. Xiaohuan, I've been having dreams lately, dreaming about that child. She was my biological granddaughter, and I just..."
Thinking about that incident filled Meng's mother with regret.