“But wouldn’t Gu Hongdao offend Ning Zheng by acting like this?” Wu Mangmang couldn’t help but ask curiously, “You don’t mess with a friend’s wife.”
Lu Qingqing laughed, “Haha, that’s only when the friend’s wife isn’t rich enough. Who wouldn’t like a diamond-studded woman like Shen Yuanzi? He and Ning Zheng are just friends, but if he marries Shen Yuanzi and solidifies his relationship with the Shen family, would he still be afraid of offending Ning Zheng?”
Wu Mangmang thought about it and agreed.
“Are you going to the engagement banquet tomorrow?” Lu Qingqing texted Wu Mangmang again.
“Yes.” Wu Mangmang replied. Since Shen Yuanzi had personally delivered the invitation, how could she not go?
Actually, Wu Mangmang was quite “flattered” – she never expected that she could actually pose a threat to Shen Yuanzi’s position as Mrs. Ning. They really thought too highly of her.
At the engagement banquet, Shen Yuanzi was truly beautiful. The red dress made her look as noble as a queen, except her smile was too cold, while Ning Zheng was expressionless.
Liu Lewei brought Wu Mangmang and Wu Dandan to greet Shen Ting’s aunt, Shen Jingmei. The siblings were both very well-behaved, because before coming, Ms. Liu had threatened them respectively with pocket money and smashing car models.
“This must be Mangmang? So pretty and well-behaved. Lewei, you’re truly blessed.” Shen Jingmei was surprisingly gentle, a world of difference from the Shen Ting and Shen Yuanzi siblings.
Wu Mangmang quickly thanked her.
“Really beautiful. No wonder our Shen Ting, someone like him, nodded approvingly when he came back that time.” Shen Jingmei said, “Though our Shen Ting has a somewhat cold personality and never shows his feelings on his face. Actually, as long as the girl takes a bit of initiative, she can definitely win him over.”
Wu Mangmang could only smile along. She couldn’t handle Shen Ting’s cold demeanor.
“Yes, this is the new era. If modern women don’t take initiative, all the excellent men will be snatched away by others.” Liu Lewei flattered.
Shen Jingmei smiled and nodded, then turned to wave at Shen Ting not far away.
When Shen Ting walked over, Shen Jingmei smiled and said, “Shen Ting, could you help me look after Mangmang? Your Aunt Liu and I still have things to discuss.”
This was definitely “blatant” matchmaking.
Shen Ting nodded and stayed to accompany Wu Mangmang for a while. After a minute, Shen Ting asked, “Why aren’t you talking?”
Wu Mangmang lifted her eyelids, “Didn’t you say you were very satisfied with how little I talked?”
Shen Ting actually smiled for once, and after a moment suddenly asked, “Last time when you were with Gu Hongdao, were you there to translate for him?”
Wu Mangmang didn’t understand why Shen Ting suddenly brought this up. “Oh, not really translating. He paid me to be his female companion.”
Shen Ting frowned, “How did he know you? Are you short on money?”
Wu Mangmang said, “A bit during that time. His secretary found me online.”
Shen Ting frowned again, “You should avoid doing such things in the future. It’s too dangerous for girls.”
Wu Mangmang blinked, somewhat confused by Shen Ting’s attitude.
Shen Ting didn’t speak again. He wasn’t particularly good at socializing with women – usually it was women who socialized with him.
If Wu Mangmang didn’t pick up the conversation, Shen Ting didn’t know how to continue.
Shen Ting somewhat regretted misunderstanding Wu Mangmang last time. After becoming familiar with Gu Hongdao later, he had asked him about it, and only then did Gu Hongdao explain that he and Wu Mangmang didn’t have that kind of relationship.
At this moment, Shen Ting wanted to apologize, but had no good reason to bring it up.
Wu Mangmang, on the other hand, didn’t like Shen Ting’s elder-like tone, so she responded perfunctorily and stopped talking.
Finally, Shen Ting spoke first, “Why didn’t you return my calls after coming back from the yacht?”
Wu Mangmang honestly confessed, “Actually, I talk a lot normally. That day it was only because you were constantly on the phone that you thought I didn’t talk much.”
Shen Ting hadn’t expected to hear Wu Mangmang’s rejection. He wasn’t a thick-skinned person, and being able to bring up old matters today was already very unusual for him.
Hearing this, Shen Ting nodded to express his apology, then left.
Wu Mangmang breathed a sigh of relief. High-and-mighty male gods were a bit too much for her to handle. Besides, given Shen Ting’s serious nature, he probably couldn’t stand her when she had her episodes.
Wu Mangmang actually felt a bit regretful too. Looking at Shen Ting’s waist and hips, his figure was quite good.
Wu Mangmang was lost in thought when Liu Lewei grabbed her elbow, “Lu Sui has arrived. Come with me to say hello.”
Wu Mangmang looked up and saw that Lu Sui’s entrance was like stars surrounding the moon, almost stealing the spotlight from the newlyweds. There was a long line of people waiting to chat with him, so Wu Mangmang didn’t think this was a good time.
“There are too many people around him. It wouldn’t be good for us to rush over like this, would it?” Wu Mangmang said.
Liu Lewei glared at Wu Mangmang, grabbed Wu Dandan and headed toward Lu Sui. Wu Dandan cleverly grabbed Wu Mangmang’s hand.
Wu Song also came over to join Ms. Liu at this moment, and the family of four walked “grandly” toward Lu Sui.
Wu Mangmang felt her face burn with embarrassment. The feeling of rushing over to flatter someone was really uncomfortable.
“Mr. Lu.” Wu Song raised his voice slightly to greet Lu Sui. He was actually a bit nervous inside – although Lu Sui was relatively easygoing, he didn’t give face to just anyone.
At this moment, everyone around Lu Sui looked toward Wu Song, their faces all saying “Who is this?”
Lu Sui heard the voice and looked over, his eyes first scanning Wu Mangmang, then looking at Wu Song, and remaining silent for a moment.
Just when everyone fell silent, waiting to see this suddenly appearing family make fools of themselves, they heard Lu Sui say, “Mr. Wu.”
Wu Song immediately breathed a sigh of relief. When Liu Lewei had urged him to come over earlier, he hadn’t wanted to. Approaching someone for small talk without introduction was very taboo.
Wu Song hadn’t expected Lu Sui to actually know his surname. This was truly an unexpected pleasant surprise.
Everything’s difficult at the start, but now that they had broken the ice, Wu Song could chat with Lu Sui about trivial matters.
Wu Dandan, this little rascal, ignored Wu Mangmang’s attempts to stop him and had already rushed to Lu Sui, looking up ready to address him.
Wu Mangmang’s heart tightened, afraid Wu Dandan would call Lu Sui daddy, which would make Ms. Liu famous.
“Hello, Uncle Lu.” Wu Dandan politely greeted him, “Thank you for the car model you gave me last time.”
“You’re welcome.” Lu Sui nodded.
“My mom says it’s impolite to take things from people casually, so I should give you a gift in return, but I didn’t bring it today.”
Children’s innocence was truly the ultimate weapon in social situations, unstoppable.
Lu Sui smiled slightly, “Thank you.”
Ms. Liu quickly joined in, “Yes, Mr. Lu, Dandan was ignorant last time and caused you trouble. Would it be convenient to have the gift sent to your residence?”
Lu Sui said, “Thank you, just give it to my assistant.”
Well, the pleasantries ended there. Boss Wu and Ms. Liu being able to occupy the financial god’s time for this long was already quite good.
More importantly, Lu Sui graciously accepted the gift instead of refusing.
Ms. Liu and Boss Wu were internally excited enough to throw a party.
Both couldn’t help but highly praise little Wu Dandan. Ms. Liu hugged Wu Dandan and kissed him repeatedly, and to all of Wu Dandan’s unreasonable requests, Boss Wu had only one response: “Good, good, good, buy, buy, buy.”
Wu Mangmang just stood silently to the side. She didn’t want to watch, but unfortunately these three were really too exaggerated, especially Ms. Liu, who had called him “Mommy’s good boy” countless times.
Too bad Wu Mangmang didn’t have a mirror, though even if she did, she probably wouldn’t dare look at her own face right now. It was probably as sour as could be, more sour than unripe green oranges.
Ning Zheng stood not far away, just casually glancing over, but saw an expression on Wu Mangmang’s face that he never thought would appear there.
Lonely yet longing.
She was just a young girl. Ning Zheng had thought Wu Mangmang would only have youthful carefreeness – vanity, pride, ignorant naivety were all acceptable.
But this kind of loneliness that penetrated to the bone was not acceptable, because it was truly heartbreaking.
Ning Zheng followed Wu Mangmang’s gaze.
Family affection?
Something that becomes fickle when there are more children?
For his old man’s family affection, he had to marry Shen Yuanzi.
Ning Zheng watched for a moment, then stepped toward Wu Mangmang’s direction, but just as he took half a step, Shen Yuanzi took his arm.
“The ceremony is about to begin.” Shen Yuanzi smiled at Ning Zheng.
“Mangmang.” Lu Lin’s voice sounded near Wu Mangmang’s shoulder.
“Sister Lu Lin.” Wu Mangmang put on a smile.
Ms. Liu naturally had sharp eyes and saw Lu Lin, and seeing her actually greeting Mangmang first, quickly walked over, “Ms. Lu.”
Lu Lin glanced at Liu Lewei, and Wu Mangmang quickly introduced, “Sister Lu Lin, this is my mother.”
“Ms. Lu, I’m your loyal fan. I absolutely love your designs.” Liu Lewei said. The dress she was wearing tonight was actually a Double L haute couture piece.
Lu Lin smiled, “It’s my honor. Mangmang came to see this season’s new collection show. I wonder if she saw anything suitable for Ms. Liu? If so, I could send one to your mother in advance.”
Liu Lewei was simply flattered, smiling so broadly she could barely contain herself.
After chatting for a few sentences, Lu Lin said again, “I have a friend who’s holding a personal violin concert tour in the city next month. Would Mangmang be interested in listening?”
“Is it Wang Yuan?” The name Liu Lewei spoke was household-famous in the country, and also a violinist who had successfully brought Chinese people into the world-class halls.
Lu Lin nodded.
Wu Mangmang had never been able to appreciate such highbrow arts. When occasionally dragged out to cultivate her temperament, she would sleep through to the end.
But in front of Ms. Liu, Wu Mangmang couldn’t refuse, and suddenly understood what Ning Zheng meant.
If Ms. Liu forced Wu Mangmang to marry Lu Lin, Wu Mangmang thought about it – she really wasn’t sure if she would refuse.
“Mangmang learned violin as a child too, and has always greatly admired Wang Yuan.” Liu Lewei gently pinched Wu Mangmang’s waist.
Wu Mangmang had no choice but to say, “Thank you, I do greatly admire Wang Yuan.”
To achieve such accomplishments, one must practice repeatedly and tediously many times, right? Beyond ordinary people’s capability.
“I’ll have my assistant send you the tickets later. If Ms. Liu is interested, please come along to show support. Thank you very much.” Lu Lin smiled and nodded before leaving.
The engagement banquet was very successful, and the ceremony was grand, but what did it matter how grand it was?
Wu Mangmang couldn’t help complaining to Wu Yong, “Tell me, they don’t respect marriage at all, so why do they want to get married? And why can’t they just get married directly? Why do they need to get engaged first? Isn’t this obviously giving everyone a chance to back out?”
“Engagement is probably just a custom in their circle. Besides, isn’t giving everyone a chance to regret a good thing?” Wu Yong said.
“No, if they might regret it, they shouldn’t make marriage promises in the first place.” Wu Mangmang lowered her head, hugging the cushion on the sofa and resting her chin on it.
Wu Yong made a few notes on paper.
Wu Mangmang didn’t want to continue discussing the heavy topic of marriage, and instead said dejectedly, “Dr. Wu, I always feel like I’m a guest in my own home. No matter how hard I try, I feel like I can’t get close. Is it too pretentious of me to still have such thoughts at my age?”
“No.” Wu Yong told Wu Mangmang with certainty.
Wu Mangmang’s eyes looked at the floor somewhat confusedly, “You know what? I was even thinking at the time that if I could become Wu Dandan, I would be willing to marry Lu Lin even if Ms. Liu asked me to. Do you think I’m crazy?”
Wu Mangmang suddenly looked up at Wu Yong.
“Mangmang.” Wu Yong put down his pen and looked at Wu Mangmang seriously, “You’re not crazy. You have these thoughts only because you desire it too much.”
Wu Mangmang used the back of her index finger to wipe the moisture from her eyes, “I know, I’m just thinking randomly. If there really was a fairy godmother who could grant my wish, I probably wouldn’t want to become a lesbian after all.”
Wu Mangmang perked up, “Actually, Dr. Wu, when I watch TV and magazines, when I see women’s bodies, I also feel excited and will look for quite a long time. Do you think I actually have lesbian potential?”
“Most women react as you do when they see women’s perfect figures. This is very normal, but if you only react to women’s bodies, then you might have lesbian tendencies.”
Wu Mangmang’s mind involuntarily flashed to Lu Sui’s abs, and confirming she would also drool, she breathed a big sigh of relief.
But Lu Lin’s offensive was too fierce, and Wu Mangmang was somewhat overwhelmed, so she actively asked Ms. Liu to arrange a reliable blind date for her.
Having a boyfriend would be safer.
Wu Mangmang had never looked forward to a successful blind date as much as she did now. She urgently hoped that when she went to see Wang Yuan’s violin concert tour next month, she could bring along a freshly minted boyfriend.