Fu Tingxiu sat helplessly in the car, and even the driver couldn't help but smile.
"Mr. Fu, it's late. Madam will surely worry if you don't go back," the driver remarked.
"Don't be so talkative," Fu Tingxiu replied in a deep voice. "Head back to Shuimu Tiancheng."
The driver started the car and headed towards Shuimu Tiancheng. On the way, he also received a call from his wife at home, asking when he would return.
Fu Tingxiu heard the woman on the phone mentioning that she had saved dinner for him and then proceeded to express concern over their children's studies.
The driver said to his wife, "I know, you're always so chatty. I'll hang up first."
Although he said this aloud, he felt sweet inside, with a happy smile on his face.
Curiously, Fu Tingxiu asked, "Uncle Li, does Aunt Li remind you every day to come home for dinner?"
Driver Uncle Li chuckled. "Yes, she says that a couple must eat together at the table to truly enjoy the meal. It's been over a decade since we got married. She manages the household impeccably, and the children are obedient and sensible. Having a woman at home, no matter how tired you are, makes coming back comforting."
Uncle Li had been Fu Tingxiu's driver for seven or eight years and wasn't so formal in his speech.
Fu Tingxiu couldn't help but think of his own home with Meng Ning. He often entertained late and returned to find she had already cleaned up. In his memory, their home was always tidy, with the scent of fresh flowers in the air.
Arriving home, Fu Tingxiu unlocked the door and saw that Meng Ning had left a lamp on for him. As he entered, he admired the neat and cozy home. Though small, it was very welcoming, just as Uncle Li had described.
Meng Ning was already asleep. He walked into the kitchen and saw that the rice and dishes were kept warm in the rice cooker.
Fu Tingxiu smiled. Despite having eaten at the old mansion, he still scooped himself a bowl of rice.
The next day, another Monday, Fu Tingxiu got up early to go to the company. Meng Ning woke up half an hour earlier than usual to prepare breakfast for him.
After finishing his morning routine, Fu Tingxiu came out to find that Meng Ning had already set a bowl of millet porridge, a plate of side dishes, and an egg on the table.
Meng Ning said, "Eat first before heading to the company."
"Okay," Fu Tingxiu sat down and explained about the previous night, "My phone died, and by the time I got back, you were already asleep."
"It's okay," Meng Ning smiled. "Hurry and eat. Otherwise, you'll be late. You should clock in at eight-thirty, right?"
Fu Tingxiu didn't need to clock in; he went to the office whenever he chose.
"Not in a hurry."
They sat down together and had breakfast before Fu Tingxiu finally left. As for yesterday when Gu Changming came looking for Meng Ning, Fu Tingxiu didn't inquire, pretending to know nothing about it.
After Fu Tingxiu left, Meng Ning resumed cleaning and then started doing handicrafts. Around eleven o'clock, Meng Ning received a call from the personnel department of the jewelry company under Shengyu Group, inviting her for an interview the next day.
Excited, Meng Ning eagerly responded, "Sure, what time tomorrow?"
"At two o'clock in the afternoon, A Building on Jing'an Road."
"Great, no problem. Thank you."
After the call, Meng Ning couldn't wait to share the news with Fu Tingxiu. She messaged him: "I received an interview invitation for tomorrow. Shengyu Group headquarters."
In the spacious conference room of the company, several senior leaders were seated for the weekly meeting. Fu Tingxiu sat expressionless, emitting an aura that warned others not to approach. Just moments ago, he had reprimanded a regional manager from the South China region.
A message notification saved the regional manager from further embarrassment. Fu Tingxiu glanced at his phone with a cold and composed expression.
Fu Tingxiu replied on his phone: "Congratulations, prepare well."
Meng Ning received the message, feeling pleased. She increasingly saw Fu Tingxiu as a gentle and gentlemanly man. Putting away her phone, she began preparing for the interview.
Little did she know, the man she perceived as gentle was seen as a stern figure by the high-level leaders of Shengyu Group.
"The meeting is adjourned," Fu Tingxiu stood up, his sharp gaze sweeping over the others. "Shengyu Group does not tolerate idleness. I hope you all understand what you should be doing. The company can function without any one of you."
With that statement, implying that those lacking capability didn't deserve their positions, Fu Tingxiu walked out, followed by his secretary, Luo Cheng.
In his office, Luo Cheng reported, "Mr. Fu, the interviews you arranged have been scheduled. As of now, over four hundred people have applied..."
"And also, we've found a suitable bone marrow donor for Zhou Ping's son. The transplant surgery is scheduled for next week, and we've secured Angel Fund sponsorship, covering all of his medical expenses..."
Fu Tingxiu remained impassive. "Hmm, well done."
Luo Cheng, a bit curious, asked, "Mr. Fu, why did you go to such lengths to find bone marrow for Zhou Ping's son?"
"Luo Cheng has followed Fu Tingxiu for many years, so he naturally knew that Zhou Ping was just an ordinary person and should have no connection with Fu Tingxiu.
Fu Tingxiu's lips curved slightly. 'I accepted a gift of 200 yuan from him, a gesture of goodwill. It's only natural to reciprocate.'
Luo Cheng was even more puzzled. Remembering something, he produced a stack of documents. 'Mr. Fu, these are the relevant documents from Changming Law Firm. It's a newly registered company, and interestingly, Gu Changming rents both his car and his house. He has some reputation abroad and likely came back to develop his career, feeling superior with his talents.'
Naturally, Fu Tingxiu would investigate anyone who harassed his wife.
Hearing about Gu Changming, Fu Tingxiu's brows furrowed slightly, and his articulate fingers casually skimmed through the documents.
Luo Cheng added, 'The largest shareholder of the law firm is actually Zeng Jing. They were classmates, and with fierce competition among domestic law firms, newly established firms like this one rarely get significant cases, often handling small disputes and legal aid.'
After reviewing the documents, Fu Tingxiu was dismissive of such a rival. 'Give them something to do, keep them from idling.'
Idleness might lead them to harass Meng Ning.
Luo Cheng understood. 'Got it.'
At five o'clock that afternoon, Meng Ning went to set up her stall and learned from Zhou Ping that his son's surgery was arranged.
Zhou Ping was very excited. 'Xiao Meng, my son has found a suitable bone marrow donor. The surgery is free, and I heard it will be performed by an internationally renowned expert.'
'Brother Zhou, really?' Meng Ning was also delighted. 'That's wonderful.'
Zhou Ping's tightly furrowed brows finally relaxed, hope shining in his eyes. 'Yes, after all these hardships, we're finally seeing a way out.'
Meng Ning remembered something Fu Tingxiu had said before: 'After hardship comes happiness.' Suddenly, she felt Fu Tingxiu was like a prophet; everything he said seemed to come true."