Gu Changming's words carried a hint of stubbornness and a veiled threat. Mengning felt extremely uncomfortable. If only she had known earlier, why did things have to turn out this way?
Back then, Gu Changming insisted on studying abroad and gave up their relationship. After he went abroad, she sent him a breakup message and, after waiting a day without a reply, blocked all his contacts. They hadn't been in touch for five or six years.
Now that she was married, he suddenly appeared.
After a brief moment of thought, Mengning said over the phone, "I'll be right there."
She was willing to meet Gu Changming not out of ulterior motives but to formally clarify their past. Putting on her shoes, Mengning headed out. Sure enough, Gu Changming's Maybach was parked on the roadside at the entrance of the residential area.
Luxury cars naturally had an attraction for men. Even the security guard couldn't help but glance a few more times when Mengning passed by.
"Women, they're all so pragmatic. Beautiful women are all from wealthy families."
When Mengning arrived, Gu Changming hurriedly got out of the car with a smile. "Mengning, you're here. Shall we have a cup of afternoon tea together?"
"No need. I just had bubble tea and I'm full." Mengning's expression was cold. She didn't get into the car and said calmly, "Gu Changming, please don't come to see me again. It might give my husband the wrong idea."
"Mengning, I know you're still angry about my studying abroad back then. As long as you can calm down, anything is possible." Gu Changming tried to change the subject, smiling, "I have the ability now to give you a better life."
She remembered Gu Changming's mother had disapproved of her as a single-parent family and strongly opposed their relationship. Perhaps that was why Gu's mother had insisted on sending him abroad.
However, Mengning didn't want to dwell on past pain anymore. She said calmly, "Gu Changming, let's leave the past behind us. We're in the past. I'll say it again. Please don't disturb my husband and my life. Thank you."
She knew she had to draw a clear boundary with Gu Changming. She turned to leave, but he grabbed her arm, a bit emotional. "Mengning, he's just a poor guy. What can he offer you? A junior employee with a car worth over a hundred thousand? He can't give you happiness."
Mengning sneered, "So in your eyes, happiness is measured by money? Gu Changming, is that really meaningful?"
"Mengning." Gu Changming frowned. "In Beijing, someone who doesn't even have their own house, relying on your husband's salary, won't be able to afford a house in this lifetime. You once said you wanted a home. I bought a villa in Nanshan for you. I've done all this for you..."
"Enough." Mengning looked him in the eye and said, "You can do anything for your parents, for your ambitions, but please don't think it's for me. Please don't come to see me again."
Mengning withdrew her hand from Gu Changming's grip. If there had been a hint of nostalgia before, Gu Changming's recent actions had now shattered even the last remnants of those memories.
"It's not like I never waited for you, Gu Changming. After all these years, my heart has gradually cooled, and I've let go," Mengning said.
"I've heard about you dropping out of university," Gu Changming began. "I visited your professors yesterday and learned the real reason behind your decision. It was because of a man."
Mengning's face darkened at the mention of dropping out of university. "Gu Changming, is this necessary? It wasn't because of you, I..."
She thought Gu Changming was referring to himself. Even though his influence was indeed part of the reason she dropped out, she wasn't ready to admit it now.
"I know. It was because of another man," Gu Changming stated calmly.
Mengning looked at him in disbelief. "Another man?"