"There's a minimum charge for the private rooms here, let's just sit outside."
Worried that he might misunderstand her as being stingy, she quickly explained, "It's not that I don't want to treat you to a private room, but there are only two of us, and we can't eat that much. If we order too much, it would be wasteful."
Fu Hanzheng chuckled softly, "Our first meal after getting married shouldn't be too shabby, and you've been injured, you need to nourish yourself properly. As for the minimum charge, that's something your man should worry about."
Xu Ningxi felt somewhat flirtatiously charmed when she heard him emphasize "your man."
Listening to his tone, it seemed he wanted to pick up the check and treat her.
She was well aware that Fu Hanzheng was not in a good financial situation, so how could she let him pay?
"It doesn't matter who pays, suggesting Zhouqin was my idea, so I'll take care of the bill." She didn't hold him back any longer and followed him as he moved forward, "I think you're right, spending a bit of money for a sense of ceremony is a good thing, it sets a nice starting point for our marriage."
Fu Hanzheng's lips curved up at her "consideration" for him.
Her thoughtfulness made him all the more eager to treat her well.
After they entered the private room, Xu Ningxi was still a little startled.
Though she came from a decent background and had seen the world, the decor of a mere private room was beyond her imagination.
On the wall hung a painting by Master Qing Lang, who had recently won another big award, causing his works to skyrocket in value.
One of his paintings like this would now be worth tens of millions.
Fu Hanzheng pulled out a chair for her with gentlemanly ease, inviting her to sit.
Xu Ningxi snapped back to reality and took her seat.
Fu Hanzheng watched her with his deep, ink-dark eyes and smiled faintly, "What were you thinking about just now? You seemed lost in thought."
Xu Ningxi pointed to the painting, "That's a work by Master Qing Lang, it must be genuine. This is my first time here, I feel just like Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden. I must say, the money spent today is worth it, it balances out psychologically."
Fu Hanzheng smiled faintly again.
He hadn't expected that old Master Qing Lang's painting would catch the eye of Xu Ningxi.
Originally, it was that old fellow who had insisted on hanging it here, despite his disdain for it.
He poured her a cup of tea and gently placed it before her, "If you like it, then we can come here often."
Xu Ningxi was taken aback for a moment, giving him an extra glance.
She didn't know with what kind of mindset he had said those words.
If she wanted him to treat her often, wasn't he taking her for quite a fool?
The minimum charge for this private room is forty thousand yuan.
Splurging forty thousand yuan on a meal was a rarity even for her and Ruan Tiantian.
He probably thought she was a wealthy, naive girl, ready to be fleeced for a hefty sum.
It's said that many good-looking young men enjoy this tactic, saddling rich women with bills they're compelled to pay.
They can get kickbacks from the restaurant and enjoy a life of luxury.
If Fu Hanzheng had that kind of mindset, it was truly frightful to contemplate!
There was also the possibility that Fu Hanzheng wanted to be her host.
Then it must be said that he really didn't understand his own limitations.
If they came here often, not even her own wallet could sustain it, let alone his.
Fu Hanzheng had no idea that his one sentence had led Xu Ningxi to speculate so much. He only saw Xu Ningxi looking at him with a complex expression on her face.
He smiled a little, "Is there something on my face?"
Xu Ningxi came back to her senses and shook her head, "No... there's nothing."
Fortunately, a waiter came over to take their order, easing her embarrassment.
To meet the minimum charge, Xu Ningxi ordered red wine.
But she was uncertain and hesitant about the two recommended bottles.
Fu Hanzheng asked the waiter to give him the wine list, glanced over it, and picked one of the bottles.
He then patiently explained to her the vintages and origins of both wines, pointing out the superior bottle.
As Xu Ningxi listened to his detailed explanation, she couldn't help but feel impressed.
She could tell that he truly understood wine.
This man was no mere duck; he had real skills.
It seemed that hanging around a rich woman had broadened her horizons, enhanced her education and capabilities. After some interaction, she started to catch on.
Fu Hanzheng slightly leaned his body against the chair back, crossing his hands together, and said in a gentle, unhurried voice, "From now on, don't fret, just choose what you like. Life should be lived freely, following your own heart is enough."
Xu Ningxi was still startled by his words.
And looking at his nearly boss-like sitting posture, she felt embarrassed for him.
A duck with little money, bragging so frequently and putting on such airs.
Could it be that their whole circle was like this?
Full of restlessness and impatience?
This was not a good trait of his, and she would have to teach him to change these bad habits in the future.
Soon, the food was served, and it was all exquisite delicacies.
Xu Ningxi was also hungry and enjoyed a wonderful meal.
Using the bathroom as an excuse, she took her cellphone to the cashier to pay the bill.
But the moment she tried to swipe her card and no money came out, she was dumbfounded.
Calling the bank, she was informed that her card had been frozen.
It was Xu Hongyuan's doing.
After the call, Xu Ningxi's face turned red with restraint.
She hadn't expected to be truly penniless.
Xu Hongyuan forbade her from coming home and froze her money, leaving her with no way out.
She was about to call Ruan Tiantian to borrow some cash to tide her over when someone lightly pressed on her shoulder.
"I'll do it."
Fu Hanzheng smiled at her, took out his card from the wallet, and handed it to the cashier.
Xu Ningxi watched, wide-eyed, as he once again extricated her from an awkward situation, and her face swiftly turned red.
Even though she had insisted on treating, she had just scorned him for posing as a big spender.
Yet unexpectedly, in the end, it was he who paid for the meal, saving her.
Fu Hanzheng had already heard about her predicament and told her, "Don't worry, you have a husband now, and it's a husband's job to provide for you."
Xu Ningxi tried to struggle, "This is just temporary, I will repay you."
Fu Hanzheng didn't care, "We're legally married, a husband and wife are one, what's mine is yours, it's no trouble."
Xu Ningxi sighed, "It's not the same, our marriage is based on an agreement, different from other couples, it's better to keep things clear."
Fu Hanzheng was at a loss with her, not arguing back.
By the time the two finished their meal, it was already very late, time to go home.
Xu Ningxi took Fu Hanzheng to her house and pulled out her keys to open the door.
But she found that her key wouldn't fit in the lock.
Upon closer inspection, she saw that the lock had been changed.
She was almost enraged to the point of passing out; after calling property management to inquire, she learned that Xu Hongyuan was the one who had changed the lock!
She didn't even have a place to stay anymore.
The most awkward part was that her promise of a matrimonial home to Fu Hanzheng was gone.
Her promise had turned to hot air.
She was incredibly embarrassed, "I'm sorry, I… I'll think of something else."
Fu Hanzheng, on the other hand, didn't mind and shrugged casually, "It's not your fault, you don't need to apologize, just manage one night at my place for now."
Xu Ningxi couldn't help but take another look at him.
Fu Hanzheng was just an economically struggling duck, like many ordinary people who come to the big city and can only manage to rent a tiny studio apartment.
She could imagine that Fu Hanzheng probably lived in such a cramped room.
Just accommodating him in that space must be difficult enough.
If she moved in too, it would only be adding to his problems.