Ning Meng had good business tonight and sold several pieces of jewelry in no time. Seeing her designs so well received gave her more confidence for tomorrow's interview.
During a short break, Ning Meng video-called her mother. As they chatted, her mother suddenly gossiped, "Xiao Ning, it seems your elder cousin's husband has someone outside."
"Yang Liu's husband?" Ning Meng was quite surprised, feeling the news was sudden. "Mom, who told you that?"
"I saw it myself." Her mother said from the other end of the video. "I'm not too sure, but today a man and a woman came to the hotel. I thought the man looked like your elder cousin's husband. I greeted him, and he was holding a woman in his arms. When they saw me, they were obviously uneasy."
A man and a woman entering a hotel inevitably led to assumptions.
Ning Meng quickly asked, "Mom, have you told Aunt about this?"
"Not yet. I thought if it was a mistake, it could ruin Yang Liu's marriage, and that wouldn't be good." Her mother worried, "Yang Liu has been married for eight years without a child. I fear this man has changed his heart. Your aunt is proud of her son-in-law. If something happens, she wouldn't be able to take it."
"Mom, if it's not confirmed, don't say anything yet." Ning Meng reminded, "Whether it's true or not, you won't gain anything from speaking up."
In today's society, 99% of the time when a man has a mistress, the wife is the last to know. Even if people around know, it's not convenient to remind her.
Some things are difficult once the truth is out, and the person who reminds may be blamed. Aunt Zhou Wenxiu always boasted about her daughter marrying well. If this was brought up, it could be mistaken for jealousy and stirring trouble.
Her mother said, "I understand what you mean. I hope I'm just overthinking. Xiao Ning, don't stay out too late. I checked the weather forecast, and it says it will rain tonight."
Ning Meng glanced at the night sky. "Mom, it doesn't look like it will rain. Business is good today; I'll pack up a bit later."
"Then let your husband pick you up. It's not safe for a girl to be out alone."
Her mother had always been worried about Ning Meng going out to do night business. Whenever she could, she would accompany Ning Meng. Even if she didn't go along, she would wait up until Ning Meng returned.
Her mother feared a repeat of an incident from a few years ago, causing Ning Meng harm again.
To reassure her mother, Ning Meng told a white lie. "Okay, he said he would come to pick me up later. Mom, your health is not good. Rest early. I have customers now, so I won't talk any longer."
"Alright, you take care of your business." Her mother ended the video call, looking at the cold and empty home, feeling a wave of loneliness.
Her mother sighed, preparing to rest, but then she heard someone in the neighborhood scolding a child.
The child's heart-wrenching cries echoed through the community, and her mother couldn't help but go to the window to look.
It was the neighbors in the building across the way disciplining their child again. Meng Ning's mother felt a pang in her heart and thought of the child she lost years ago. This was a knot in her heart; she didn't want her daughter to follow her old path. Having walked that path herself, she knew how difficult it was.
At the night market, Meng Ning was busy until ten o'clock before she packed up and left. The weather forecast was inaccurate; it didn't rain. She packed up her stall, started her car, and on the way back, she stopped by a milk tea shop. Remembering that Fu Tingshu liked milk tea, she bought two cups just before the shop closed.
When Meng Ning got home, Fu Tingshu was not back yet, and the house was quiet. She turned on the lights, placed the milk tea on the table, and, sweating, went to the bedroom to take a shower. After showering, wrapped in a towel and before she had time to change, she heard her phone ringing in the living room. Thinking Fu Tingshu was not home, she went to the living room with the towel wrapped around her to answer the call.
The call was from Qin Huan. She put it on speakerphone and sat on the sofa, drying her hair. As they chatted, she heard noises at the door—it was Fu Tingshu coming back. When Fu Tingshu opened the door, he saw Meng Ning wrapped in a towel on the sofa, her legs crossed in an especially alluring manner.
Before Meng Ning could say anything, Qin Huan's voice came from the phone, "Ning Ning, you can't be too rigid as a woman. Wear the nightgown I gave you, and I guarantee Fu Tingshu will be at your mercy."
Meng Ning: "..."
Her toes curled in embarrassment, wishing she could dig out a three-bedroom apartment with them.