This was the quietest dinner Ning Zhen had ever had at the Meng family home.
No one spoke at the table. The only sounds were the occasional crisp clinks of chopsticks against porcelain bowls. After all, the person who was usually the liveliest was currently keeping his mouth shut, wishing he could bury his face in his bowl and turn himself into an ostrich.
Today was the most embarrassing day of Meng Jiaran’s twenty-four years of life.
He had never imagined that the secret he had kept hidden for so long would be exposed to his closest family in this way. He deeply regretted it. If only he had known, he would never have talked back to his parents today. Wouldn’t it have been better to simply admit his mistake according to the original plan?
Xiao Xuezhen and Meng Jingshan sat facing each other in silence, still shaken to their cores.
They were shaken by their absurd attempt to play matchmaker in the past.
When they had discussed strengthening the relationship between the two families through marriage, their elder son had already been dating Zhenzhen, yet they had kept it hidden. Now they had discovered that their younger son had liked Yuqing from the very beginning—and had kept that hidden too.
What was wrong with these two brothers? Why did they hide everything important?
If something had gone wrong along the way, the consequences for the relationship between the Meng and Song families would have been secondary. What truly mattered was that the brothers might have become estranged from each other forever.
The two exchanged a glance, and their anger instantly flared.
Before dinner was even over, Xiao Xuezhen began driving the unwelcome guests out without the slightest courtesy. “Once you’re finished eating, leave as soon as possible. You’re in the way just sitting here!”
As soon as she finished speaking, the corner of her eye caught sight of Ning Zhen putting down her chopsticks. Her tone immediately softened as she added, “Zhenzhen, take your time. Don’t rush. There’s fruit after dinner too—all your favorites.”
Whatever his wife could think of, Meng Jingshan could think of as well.
His anger also erupted, and he began blasting both sons one after the other. “Didn’t you hear what your mother said? Hurry up and leave once you’re done eating. What are you still sitting there for? Eat, eat, eat! You two still have the appetite to eat? Get out! Just looking at you makes me angry!”
As he spoke, his gaze shifted to Ning Zhen, who had her head bowed. “That wasn’t directed at you. Carry on eating.”
Ning Zhen looked innocent, nervous, and anxious on the outside, but inside, her little inner self was laughing with her hands on her hips.
As Meng Jiaran’s friend and Meng Xianwen’s girlfriend, the fact that she had managed not to fan the flames at the dinner table already proved she was the kindest person in the world.
Both parents were furious enough to chase them away.
Meng Jiaran saw his brother put down his chopsticks and stand up. He immediately followed suit, hurrying after him. The brothers left the dining room one after the other.
Ning Zhen remained motionless in her chair.
She completely ignored the meaningful look Meng Xianwen cast at her before leaving.
She had a good appetite tonight. She wasn’t full yet.
Only after she happily stuffed herself and then stayed to eat fruit with Xiao Xuezhen and Meng Jingshan did she leisurely walk out of the main house. By then, dusk had settled in. A black sedan was parked in front of the entrance. With a relaxed, cheerful expression, she opened the door and got in.
Aside from Xiao Ding and Meng Xianwen, Meng Jiaran—the Baldy—was in the car too.
She asked suspiciously, “Who told you you could get in? This is my car!”
Meng Xianwen switched on the overhead light and took advantage of every spare moment to deal with work. When she got in, he gave her a casual glance without saying anything.
Meng Jiaran, sitting in the front passenger seat, grew irritated. “I’m treating you all to dinner, okay?”
“Can’t you speak properly?” There was a clear trace of displeasure in Meng Xianwen’s calm voice.
“I’m sorry.”
Those three words had practically become Meng Jiaran’s catchphrase.
Ning Zhen gave a smug little hum.
The next second, the man beside her looked at her. “And you? Are you full?”
Meng Jiaran added insult to injury. “She was the happiest one today. She ate the most.”
“Everything was food I like, and I got to watch a show I enjoyed. Of course I ate well.” Ning Zhen urged them, “Hurry up and go. Auntie Xiao and Uncle Meng are going for a walk. If they come out later and see that you’re still here, they’ll get angry all over again.”
“…”
Meng Jiaran immediately gave Xiao Ding an address.
It wasn’t that he was afraid of being scolded by his parents. He had long since grown used to it; it no longer bothered him.
What made him uncomfortable now was the thought of meeting his parents’ probing gazes.
The three of them arrived at a restaurant. As soon as they sat down, Ning Zhen eagerly asked the question that had confused and intrigued her most ever since she had awakened to the plot.
“You like Yuqing. Why didn’t you say anything? Fine, I can understand why you didn’t tell her—you were afraid of being rejected, and you definitely would have been rejected—but why didn’t you tell me?”
Meng Jiaran was speechless.
What did she mean, he definitely would have been rejected?
Even if it was the truth, couldn’t she spare a thought for his feelings before saying it outright?
He took a sip of water, his gaze shifting between his brother and sister-in-law. There was a hint of accusation in his voice. “And you have the nerve to say that about me? You and my brother were dating. Did you tell me?”
Ning Zhen: “…”
She was rendered speechless.
She certainly couldn’t tell him the truth. But being unable to retort after Meng Jiaran had choked her with one sentence was unbearably frustrating. All she could do was bump Meng Xianwen’s knee under the table.
Her intention was to urge him: Honey, look at him! Do something!
Unexpectedly, his dry, broad palm went straight onto her thigh.
“Are those really the same thing?” He played the part of the self-righteous man to perfection. Under the table, his fingers rubbed against her knee, while his expression remained calm and solemn. “Jiaran, Mom and Dad aren’t angry. They’re afraid.”
Meng Jiaran habitually reached up to grab his hair, only to touch his scalp instead. He looked conflicted. “I couldn’t say anything. Yuqing… she likes you.” As he spoke, a trace of gloom flashed across his face. “She doesn’t like me. That’s normal, right? If she had to choose between you and me, anyone would choose you.”
“Not necessarily.”
Meng Xianwen’s fingers tightened.
Ning Zhen’s knee stiffened. She turned her head and met his eyes. She found the situation both amusing and speechless.
The man was so petty.
“Exactly! Not necessarily!” She leaned toward him with a sweet smile, but under the table, she raised her leg and viciously stepped on his foot. “I’ll choose for her. I’d definitely choose your brother without a second thought, but Yuqing is different. She doesn’t even know you like her. What makes you so sure she wouldn’t choose you?”
Meng Xianwen’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
It hurt.
“If she finds out, will she stop talking to me?” Meng Jiaran asked hesitantly.
He hadn’t liked Song Yuqing from the very beginning.
If he had, things would have been easier. He could have simply said whatever he wanted. But he had been her friend for so many years. He yearned for a different kind of relationship, yet he was more familiar with the one they already had—and human instinct often resisted change.
Ning Zhen thought about it. This time, she didn’t consider the original novel. Relying only on her understanding of the real-life Song Yuqing, she gave him a fair and sensible answer.
“I don’t know. But sooner or later, she’ll find out. In my opinion, it’s better for her to hear it from you than to learn it from someone else.”
Meng Jiaran fell into deep thought.
After a few seconds of silence, Ning Zhen suddenly changed the subject. “But there’s one very serious question.”
“What is it? What?” Meng Jiaran pressed.
“If—just hypothetically—one day Yuqing got together with you…” Ning Zhen hadn’t even finished the first half of her hypothetical when Meng Jiaran, sitting across from her, began laughing uncontrollably. He looked utterly pleased with himself.
She was speechless. “You absolutely cannot dredge up the past and hold it against her. I mean her old feelings for your brother.”
At those words, Meng Xianwen paused mid-sip and slowly turned to look at her.
Meng Jiaran was astonished. Without even thinking, he said, “Of course I won’t. What kind of person do you take me for? Why would I do something so classless?”
She turned her head and shot Meng Xianwen a quick glance before nodding solemnly. “Yes, it’s incredibly, incredibly tacky. We must strongly condemn this kind of behavior!”
Meng Xianwen was silent for a moment, then returned her a faint smile that clearly said, Just wait until we get home—I’ll deal with you.
When the meal ended, the three of them walked out of the restaurant. It was already dark. Meng Jiaran had called the driver ahead of time. Just before getting into the car, Meng Xianwen stopped him and, after carefully considering his words in the night, said, “If you really like Song Yuqing, then instead of sending me inexplicable messages when you have nothing better to do, you should do something practical. Stop hesitating.”
Meng Jiaran froze, his face flushing.
If his brother hadn’t brought it up, he would have completely forgotten about the drunken congratulatory message he’d sent that night. Stammering, he said, “I didn’t know at the time… I was wrong…”
Meng Xianwen merely smiled and looked away. His meaning was impossible to read. “Consider yourself not wrong.”
If he hadn’t received that message, he wouldn’t have impulsively gone home—and he wouldn’t have caught her there.
Meng Jiaran didn’t understand. Following his brother’s gaze, he turned his head and stopped a few steps away, where the car was parked. Ning Zhen was afraid of both heat and mosquitoes, so she had hurried into the car the moment they left the restaurant.
Meng Xianwen raised a hand and patted him on the shoulder before brushing past him.
Only after their car had driven out of the parking lot did Ning Zhen notice that Meng Jiaran was still standing there. Curious, she asked, “What did you say to him?”
“Told him to wear a hat whenever he goes out from now on.”
Ning Zhen collapsed against him, laughing hysterically. He lowered his head slightly and kissed the top of her hair.
-
That day, Sheng Ming’s exclusive interview with Sheng Ming came to an end. While Ning Zhen was helping organize the interview transcript, inspiration suddenly struck her. That evening, she arrived in the study with a mysterious air, camera pointed at Meng Xianwen, who was sitting at the desk.
His eyes left the computer screen for a moment as he glanced at her. In a tone that made it clear he knew she was up to something, he asked, “What is it this time?”
Ning Zhen stifled a laugh at the image of him on the camera. “Since the interview you did at thirty-five is mine, it’s not unreasonable for me to start collecting material now, right? I’ll only take up a few minutes of your time!”
Meng Xianwen turned his gaze back to the computer. “You have ten minutes.”
She rolled her eyes shamelessly behind the camera, but still displayed the professionalism of a financial journalist and quickly asked him several standard questions.
He answered each one concisely.
“Mr. Meng, what has been the most expensive lesson you’ve paid for in your life so far? And how much did it cost?”
The question seemed to amuse Meng Xianwen. He turned his head aside, apparently to hide the smile on his face.
Ning Zhen was displeased by his attitude.
Quick as a flash, she picked up the cactus on the desk and held it hostage, threatening him into giving a proper answer.
He straightened slightly. “Ten million. Don’t casually rummage through a poor man’s refrigerator.”
The camera trembled faintly. Ning Zhen tilted her head and mouthed a reminder: “You haven’t finished paying for it yet!”
Meng Xianwen didn’t comment. He lifted a hand and tapped his watch, reminding her that the ten minutes were almost up.
“If you could send one message to your past self, what would you say?” she asked with a light laugh.
He thought for a few seconds before answering slowly, “I’d rather send one to someone else.”
“Huh?” Ning Zhen quickly understood what he meant, the corners of her lips lifting. “Then what would you want to say?”
Meng Xianwen picked up the phone beside his computer and began typing. The words had probably existed in his heart for a long time; he didn’t hesitate or pause even once, and sent the message within seconds.
“Perfect timing. Ten minutes are up. We’re done.”
Under his watchful gaze, Ning Zhen put down the cactus and turned to leave. As she hurried from the study toward the master bedroom, she felt a growing sense of anticipation.
She was simply too curious about what message he had sent her.
Of course it was for her. Otherwise, he shouldn’t even dream of seeing the sun tomorrow!
She flung herself onto the bed, grabbed the phone from beside her pillow, and turned on the screen. Sure enough, there was a new message.
It was only a short sentence, just a few words, but she read them slowly. Once wasn’t enough, so she read them again, then collapsed onto the pillow and secretly giggled.
Meng Xianwen: [Ning Zhen will be my one and only, too.]
