Ning Zhen didn't want to touch the glass of juice that Meng Xianwen had already drunk from.
But she was still a little annoyed that he'd turned the tables on her. After some mental preparation, she told herself that they'd already kissed—was it really too late to care about sharing a glass of juice? She steeled herself, and under his teasing gaze, she bit down on the straw and drank it all in one go.
Meng Xianwen leaned back in his chair, looking perfectly at ease, as if he had no idea she was sulking at him.
But he couldn't ignore the strange flutter in his chest.
He calmly changed the subject and asked her, "Aren't you supposed to be at work today? How do you have time to come over?"
Ning Zhen was about to complain to him about all the underhanded tricks Meng Jiaran had pulled just to get some alone time with his sweetheart, but the words died on her lips.
She remembered that in the original story, it seemed like no one knew about Meng Jiaran's secret crush on Song Yuqing. That was just his personality. Meng Jiaran was nowhere near being a "nice guy," but he had plenty of friends, male and female, and as long as you didn't cross him, he was kind to everyone.
Thinking back carefully, he never seemed to show any special attention to Song Yuqing either.
That was just how he was.
He was genuinely sincere toward the family and friends he cared about.
So, did Meng Xianwen, his own brother, know about his feelings? Ning Zhen wasn't sure, and she studied his expression. In the original story, his role wasn't much bigger than hers—he was purely a tool character created to throw obstacles in the way of the male and female leads' romance.
Forget it!
Ning Zhen let out a soft huff inwardly. Who told Meng Jiaran to keep it all bottled up? He didn't want to say anything himself, keeping his brooding young man's heart tightly sealed. Why should she be the one to announce it to the world through a megaphone?
Let him choke on it!
"I went to Hongxin today to do a feature interview with Yuqing's dad," Ning Zhen said, her eyes darting around mischievously. She thought, fine, I won't bring it up—let Meng Xianwen see just how much she kept him in mind. "Funny enough, Jiaran showed up too. I figured I'd get off early, so I had him drop me off here. I came to pick you up from work. Well? Surprised?"
"How did it go?"
The waiter brought over the beef salad. Meng Xianwen took a bite, his expression calm and unreadable, giving no indication of whether he liked it or not.
Her heart stirred slightly. She pursed her lips and asked, feigning nonchalance, "If it didn't go well, could I call you?"
"Seems like it went well," he said.
"…" Ning Zhen was speechless. "Well, if I ever run into trouble, I'm calling you!"
"Did Shengdu pay me a salary?"
Ning Zhen felt that in the few months she'd been with Meng Xianwen, she'd really grown.
At least, these little digs didn't sting anymore. She no longer got angry over them, and she even knew how to handle him.
She used her fork to scoop up all the cherry tomatoes that decorated his plate and dumped them onto his. "A man who eats must listen. I'm paying for this meal—I'll pick up the tab. Unless you want to spit everything back out right now."
Meng Xianwen cast her a lazy glance and said nothing.
But from what she knew of him, that meant he'd agreed.
"What about Jiaran?"
"He said he had something to talk to Yuqing about. The two of them dropped me off in the parking garage and left. Honestly, I can't with him!"
Meng Xianwen looked thoughtful. He picked up his phone, unlocked it, and sent his brother a message: 【Got a minute?】
...
On the other side, Meng Jiaran had just dropped Song Yuqing off near the auction house. He was feeling annoyed and sulky. He'd finally managed to get her alone for a meal, and he'd even planned out an activity for after—but before they'd even finished eating, her phone had rung.
"Just drop me off here."
Song Yuqing unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to him with an apologetic smile. Seeing him looking deflated, she thought for a moment and asked, "Want to come in with me? My mom said there are a few pieces worth seeing."
That was exactly what Meng Jiaran was waiting for.
He was about to nod when he caught the notification that popped up on his screen out of the corner of his eye. He paused briefly. "Nah, my brother seems to need me for something."
"Alright."
Song Yuqing grabbed her bag and was about to open the door.
Meng Jiaran remembered there was still something important he needed to say. He grabbed her arm, and she turned back. "What's up?"
"I've got a favor to ask of you." Gone was his usual laid-back demeanor; his expression was dead serious. "Consider this a heads-up too. Zhenzhen is definitely going to be coming to Hongxin a lot from now on. I can't quite read Uncle Song's attitude, but I trust him—he's always been a senior who takes good care of us younger ones…"
"Watch out for Song Yue. I'm worried he might give Zhenzhen a hard time. She can't take that kind of treatment, and neither my brother nor my whole family would let her suffer even a little. If something does happen, I'm afraid you'd be caught in the middle."
Song Yuqing frowned, remaining silent for a long moment. Then she nodded and said softly, "Okay, I understand. I'll keep an eye on him."
Meng Jiaran let out a breath of relief.
He couldn't go to Hongxin every day, and he couldn't stuff Song Yue's trash-talking mouth shut. All he could do was remind Yuqing to take this seriously.
"Don't worry."
Meng Jiaran let go of her arm and patted his chest. "I'm just giving you a heads-up. If anything does happen, I've got your back."
Song Yuqing had been serious and solemn just a second ago, but now she couldn't help but laugh at him.
The two chatted about this and that for a bit.
It wasn't until Song Yuqing's phone rang again that she got out of the car and said goodbye to him.
He watched her figure grow smaller and smaller until she disappeared from view, then reluctantly pulled his gaze away and replied to the message: 【Brother, I'm free】
Meng Xianwen: 【Go to Yuyuan】
Seeing the message, Meng Jiaran was a little confused.
Hadn't his brother already moved in with Zhenzhen? Why would he need him to go to Yuyuan at this hour?
Despite his confusion, he obediently replied with a "Got it" and navigated toward Yuyuan.
It was in the central district, and since rush hour was over, the roads were smooth and unobstructed. Within less than half an hour, he arrived at the Yuyuan underground garage. Meng Jiaran walked in, familiar with the place, and found the huge apartment empty. Figuring his brother wasn't staying here anyway, he didn't even bother changing his shoes, strolling in casually and sending a message: 【Brother, I'm here】
Meng Xianwen: 【Go to the walk-in closet in the master bedroom】
Was his brother asking him to grab some clothes?
With that guess in mind, Meng Jiaran passed through the living room and dining area, went straight into the master bedroom with its open door, and entered the walk-in closet.
Meng Xianwen: 【See the safe?】
Meng Jiaran: 【Yeah, do you need the seal or—?】
Meng Xianwen: 【Take the whole thing out】
-
On the way back, Ning Zhen didn't bother Meng Xianwen.
Well, she wouldn't have had the chance to anyway. From the end of dinner until now, his phone hadn't stopped—call after call. She'd caught bits and pieces, all of it work-related. She didn't know how he put up with it.
So annoying! Dripping with work-chic!
She curled her lips and decisively rolled down the car window, letting the night breeze rush in.
Mindful of safety, she didn't stick her head out. She just leaned gently against the seat, tilting her face up to watch the dappled shadows of the trees, the pedestrians strolling along the street, and the glittering lights of the city.
"Hey, Mr. Meng, are you still listening?"
Meng Xianwen sat upright beside her, phone in hand, his gaze drifting toward her. He found it noisy and wanted to ask her to roll up the window, but the evening wind carried the scent of citrus from her hair to his nose, seeming to scatter part of his thoughts along with it.
His lapse in attention lasted only a brief dozen seconds. He said in a low voice, "I'm listening. Go on."
Lost in her own little world, Ning Zhen didn't notice this small moment at all.
She had automatically blocked out his voice.
When the car came to a stop downstairs at Building 18, Ning Zhen quickly got out, hoping to leave him behind and head upstairs first. But as she looked up and caught sight of the stars twinkling in the night sky, she froze for a moment. As Meng Xianwen passed by her side, she called out to him, "There are so many stars tonight, and they're so bright. Let's go for a walk in the park across the street!"
Meng Xianwen didn't acknowledge her inexplicable invitation, giving her only the briefest of glances before continuing on his way.
"Honey!"
"…"
That one word made his temples throb.
"Come on, come on." She caught up and grabbed his arm. "Just think of it as walking off a big meal. You've been working all day—aren't you bored?"
"Not bored." He took a deep breath. "Ning Zhen, I'm warning you—"
"Did you forget that you moved here to build a connection with me?" She knew he couldn't stand those two words, so she said them anyway. "Honey."
Ning Zhen's job wasn't exactly easy.
Not to mention she also had a side gig—being Meng Xianwen's girlfriend, which meant accompanying him to business dinners from time to time.
But when the mood struck her, even at night, she'd go for a stroll in the park near the neighborhood. Lying at home was one kind of comfort; walking in the park was another kind of pleasure.
In the darkness.
Meng Xianwen and Ning Zhen stood face to face.
Xiao Ding sat in the car watching, his gaze following their figures as they moved, shifting from left to right. He opened his mouth in confusion—wait, where were Mr. Meng and Miss Ning going now? Weren't they heading home? They were already at the building, so why weren't they going inside but walking back out instead?
Ning Zhen looped her arm through Meng Xianwen's, a triumphant smile curling at the corner of her lips.
She kept chattering away: "That's more like it. Hmph, you dare to warn me? I should be warning you—don't you treat my place like a hotel."
Meng Xianwen gave her a cool sidelong glance with a mocking smile. "Don't worry, I won't."
"What do you mean by that?" She let out a scoffing laugh. "Yeah, yeah, of course—you've never stayed in a hotel room this small. I guess I'm the one trying to mooch off you, okay? I'm just saying, stop with the work, work, work all day. Don't you ever get tired of it—"
He stopped walking and gazed at her quietly.
Clearly signaling that if she kept babbling, he'd turn right around and head back.
Ning Zhen wisely shut her mouth.
Her silence never lasted more than three minutes. As they exited the neighborhood, she said, "The park is really close—just two streets away. Lots of people walk their dogs there. Next time we can sneak Qiansui out from Chang Yi's place and bring him along."
Something about that remark seemed to hit a nerve, because a trace of a smile finally appeared on his otherwise expressionless face.
Ning Zhen's apartment, while not as prime a location as Royal Garden, had everything one could want—every detail accounted for. Cross the street downstairs and there was the park, it was near the subway, and within three kilometers there was a large shopping mall and a top-tier hospital.
They didn't walk long before entering the park.
At this hour, the parents with strollers, the dog walkers, and the square-dancing crowd were all gradually heading home. Ning Zhen stole a glance at the sharply defined profile of Meng Xianwen's face, unable to suppress a grin. At least it was quiet enough out here—otherwise he'd turn around and leave in a second. Not even calling him "daddy" would have worked, let alone "honey."
The further in they went, the fewer people there were.
Meng Xianwen noticed how familiar Ning Zhen seemed with the park and asked casually, "You come here often?"
"I live here, so of course I come often." Ning Zhen said matter-of-factly, "Otherwise, as a distinguished local resident, wouldn't I just be throwing away my perks?"
She always had a rationale for everything.
Meng Xianwen said nothing in response. They reached the lake and sat down on a bench.
He couldn't even remember the last time he'd been to a park—his mind was still searching for the memory when a weight landed on his shoulder. Ning Zhen had leaned against him. He calmly looked away, following the direction of her pointing finger toward the night sky, unobstructed by tall buildings.
"Coming to the park is one of my ways to unwind," she said. "You're definitely curious about my other ways, right?"
"Not curious."
Ning Zhen ignored him, counting on her fingers as she rambled, "Well, there's shopping for clothes, and racking up the credit card."
She went on and on about a dozen things, but he seemed to care about only one thing, asking in a flat tone, "Whose card?"
The answer went without saying.
Because her soft laugh came tapping at his eardrums, one after another—light, pleased, proud.
"Alright, alright." Ning Zhen wanted to call him stingy or cheap, but those words would be too unjust to him. She'd been buying things freely for the past three months, including now—happy or not, she bought stuff, and he'd never held her back.
Of course, that was only right. It was his promise!
Somehow, maybe because there were too many stars tonight, maybe because the scent of him was rather pleasant, she blurted out without thinking, "Maybe I should give you a card, too?"
The moment the words left her mouth, Ning Zhen regretted them.
She bit her lip, her face full of annoyance. Ha! There she goes, getting carried away! Now she'd given him another chance to mock her. She could already predict what he'd say next. He'd let out a cool, faint laugh—"A card that would max out after one meal? Who exactly are you trying to get revenge on?"
Curse this infuriating man and his poisonous tongue!
Kissing him might well take years off her life!
"I—"
She started, trying to tough it out and say, "Just kidding, I didn't really want to give it to you anyway, don't take it so seriously," when he raised his hand and spread his palm toward her, his tone calm, "Come on. Give it to me."
