Chapter 89: Mom Has A Few Friends Who Would Love To Meet You
Translator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio
Ning Qing was a little surprised. Last night, Lu Shaoming’s lighthearted “good thing” seemed to have agitated Xu Junxi. She had watched Xu Junxi rush away but had not thought that he had rushed off because he could not wait to couple up with Ning Yao on the roadside.
This Xu Junxi was no longer the Xu Junxi that she used to know.
“Ning Qing, last night when the police opened the car door. Xu Junxi’s clothes were untidy and he didn’t even have time to lift his trousers up. A group of reporters rushed in madly and kept taking pictures. They were locked up all night and released this morning. Guess what happened then? Xu Junxi’s mother arrived and gave Ning Yao a slap on the spot, then took her son with her and left fuming.”
Xiao Zhou laughed loudly from where she was. “This is the front page headline today, the number one scandal. Xu Junxi’s mother’s slap is telling Ning Yao “you s.l.u.t, who asked you to seduce my son!” Ning Yao’s reputation has gone down the drain now, and the “Pink Lady” crew has been submerged by reporters. They’ve already announced this morning that they will stop filming.”
Ning Qing hadn’t realized that the matter was so serious. She was a little confused. “Xiao Zhou, with Xu Junxi’s present influence, do the police still dare to go up and investigate and handcuff him? It’s too much of a coincidence that both the police and the journalist arrived at the same time. Seems like it had been planned by someone.”
“Oh, my young mistress,” cried Xiao Zhou, “do you really not get it? It’s definitely planned. Is there anyone else besides your husband Lu Shaoming who dares to prank Xu Junxi so boldly like this in T City? Your husband is avenging you!”
Lu Shaoming?
They had already agreed that he would not partic.i.p.ate in her affairs, and he had not intervened so far. Had Xu Junxi somehow agitated and irritated him?
However, that guy Lu Shaoming was really evil; it was all or nothing for him when dealing with someone.
From here on, this scandal would become the dinnertime gossip of the denizens of T City. Ning Yao’s image of a pure and clean woman had been completely destroyed, and it would be difficult to recover that image.
“Xiao Zhou, other than Xu Junxi and the others, am I included in today’s news?”
“Nope, your dance with Young Master Lu last night has flown by the wayside. n.o.body knows about it other than the n.o.bles. But Ning Qing, your sponsors.h.i.+p propositions arrived this morning. They are all big brands in China. You have become the new darling of the advertising ladies industry.”
Ning Qing had already antic.i.p.ated this outcome. A man like Lu Shaoming would not allow himself to be deeply involved in gossip and rumors. He had a prominent ident.i.ty.
Last night, he had said that he would help bring her name to the headlines. But that didn’t happen. All the people who had attended last night’s dinner were the top officials in T city. He had helped her make the headlines in those people’s minds.
No matter how popular a female star becomes, they were worthless in the eyes of rich people. That was why many female stars eventually choose to retire and marry into a rich family. The female stars were climbing high into the social ladder.
And her ident.i.ty had soared with him overnight. Maybe what he had really wanted to give her was everyone’s gaze. He wanted to make her a Ning Qing that everyone could see.
Ning Qing was very touched. This man’s love was so delicate and broad, touching lives silently, saying that he won’t interfere. But in the end, he still wanted her to have a higher starting point in the entertainment industry; he wanted to make things easier.
He really loves her.
…
After ending the conversation with Xiao Zhou, Ning Qing went to the hospital to see her mother.
Ning Qing realized that something was wrong with her mother. When they chatted, her mind often wandered away. When Ning Qing saw her mother fall asleep after lunch at noon, she went to ask the nurse what had happened.
The little nurse answered, “I don’t know, but Auntie Yue’s health is much better these days. She would often chat with her former patient friends. It seems like they had a fight or something unpleasant had happened while they were chatting. So Auntie Yue’s in a bad mood.”
Chat?
Who was Mom talking to?
Ning Qing thought about it. It was probably Auntie Kong, Kong Yang’s mother, and the auntie in the ward next door. Ning Qing went to Auntie Kong’s ward in order to understand the situation.
She stood by the door. The door of the ward was not closed. She saw four or five aunties chatting inside.
“That Auntie Yue said that her daughter is married, and her son-in-law has good looks, good character, and good prospects. She is 100% satisfied with him. I don’t believe it.”
“Yes, I think Ning Qing is only about 20 years old. We haven’t heard that she is married. Young people nowadays are very open-minded, they’ll live together after getting a boyfriend. When they bring their boyfriends to their mother, they’ll introduce the guy as her husband. They are not embarra.s.sed at all.”
“That’s right, even if that son-in-law exists, why haven’t we met him? If the Son-in-law’s condition is so good, why not bring him out for us to see. I usually think Auntie Yue is a very nice person, but I didn’t expect her to love boasting.”
“Well, isn’t there a phrase now, pseudo-rich. Auntie Yue and Ning Qing had better not be deceived by others.”
Ning Qing was amused as she listened outside the door. Was this the legendary gossip session between aunties? She had experienced it for the first time.
Mother was 45 years old. Women like to boast about their children when they reach this age. She hadn’t expected her mom to be so satisfied with Lu Shaoming.
No wonder mother was unhappy. Any mother who had been cross-examined by others regarding her daughter would be unhappy. Besides, she really is married to a good man.
So, what should she do?
If she went in to explain, these aunties would certainly not listen to her. Mother had no relatives, friends, or sisters. Those aunties were the only ones she could confide in, and the only people she could boast about were her daughter and son-in-law. Was she really going to do nothing about this for her mom?
Ning Qing thought for a moment and took out her mobile phone to make a phone call.
“h.e.l.lo, Shaoming.”
“Yes? Have you eaten yet?” The man’s environment at the other end was usually very quiet. If he was not in the conference hall, then he would be in his own office.
“Yes. Have you eaten yet?” Ning Qing’s lips lifted as she bantered with him.
Actually, these aunties weren’t the only ones who had a hard time believing that she’d married a good man. She would sometimes feel as if she were dreaming as well. She didn’t understand why he had married her.
“Not yet, after I finish everything I had on hand. Where would you like to have dinner tonight? Does Mom like anything? I’ll ask Zhu Rui to reserve a table.”
That was what she was getting at. Ning Qing became hesitant and embarra.s.sed, stuttering as she spoke. “Shaoming, erm… can we have dinner earlier tonight? My mom has a few friends who would love to meet you.”
…
At five o’clock in the evening.
Ning Qing stood at the entrance of the hotel. A luxury Rolls-Royce pulled up. The valet opened the door and Lu Shaoming, dressed in a black s.h.i.+rt and black pants, stepped out.
Ning Qing jumped down the stairs, grinning like a flower as she grabbed his arm with an expression of flattery as she said, “Shaoming, you’re here.”
Lu Shaoming handed the keys to the hotel worker for him to park the car. He brought Ning Qing into the hotel lobby and looked down. He gazed at her gently and asked, “You admit that you’re wrong?”
Ning Qing stuck her pink tongue out and her delicate little face was full of wit. “What, it’s because you’re so excellent. My mother likes you so much, she boasts about you so much to her friends that no one believes her now. Only you can prove my mother’s innocence.”
Whatever, she’ll just praise him first.
Lu Shaoming listened but didn’t react to her words. He was dressed in black, not as elegant and gentlemanly as he was in a white s.h.i.+rt, but he looked tall, stylish and n.o.ble.
Ning Qing saw that they were nearing the room. She took his arm and shook it a couple of times. Her small head peeped out in front of him as she acted like a charming woman. “Shaoming, be patient later, laugh more and give my mother face.”
Lu Shaoming glanced at her and remained silent.
…
The waiter opened the door and the two of them went in. Yue Wanqing and four aunties were sitting together. When the aunties saw the door open, their gazes swept over with a whoosh.
Ning Qing saw that the gazes of those aunties were unfriendly. She raised her eyes and saw a room full of hostile provocations and deliberations. Ning Qing understood that these aunties wanted to scare Lu Shaoming a little.
People in the countryside loved to do this.
But even though she could understand, Lu Shaoming might not understand. A big president like him was being eyed and treated like goods now, would he be displeased?
He often had an unhappy expression in front of her and was very willful.
Ning Qing glanced at the man secretly. Surprisingly, the man’s hard and handsome face was soft. He looked at the aunties gently and slowly. His eyes were full of attention and respect for them. His red and thin lips moved as he said. “h.e.l.lo, aunties.”
A couple simple words, but Ning Qing could feel the tension.
She wanted to laugh and was very touched. This was probably this man’s first time dealing with these kinds of people in his 30 years, and he was not used to them.
Lu Shaoming’s impeccable appearance and graceful manners caused the aunties’ eyes to s.h.i.+ne. Where were the lines that they had prepared just now? They had forgotten the entire game plan.
Lu Shaoming pulled out a chair for Ning Qing gentlemanly. Ning Qing sat down. The waiter pulled another chair. Lu Shaoming was sitting between the mother and daughter.
“Mom.” Lu Shaoming called out.
“Yes!” Yue Wanqing replied happily.
She was worried that her son-in-law would be unwilling to come. She grew up in an orphanage before she turned eight. She had kept in contact with several sisters in the orphanage after the Ning family had selected her. But Ning Zhenguo didn’t like that very much. The rich people were very respectful of their appearance and dignity. They thought that dealing with the poor would cause them to lose their status.
But her son-in-law was here!
As everyone settled down at the table, the hotel manager stood behind Lu Shaoming, ready to serve him as two waitresses poured warm tea for the four aunties.
“Ahem,” an auntie coughed gently as she asked, “Umm, little Lu, do you have a house? Where about is your house?”
“Yes, our house is at Tea Pavilion.” Lu Shaoming replied in a low and mellow voice.
“What?” An auntie asked in confusion as she turned away with disgust. “What kind of place is that? I’ve never heard of that place. Rich people’s houses in T city are all in Diaoyu Island, where the most expensive villas in this city are. The price is about 70,000 per square meter, and it costs 10 million average. Xiao Lu, have you ever heard of it?”
“Oh,” Lu Shaoming listened carefully and answered frankly, “I’ve just come to T city, so I’m not very familiar with it.”
So the aunties rolled their eyes at Shaoming, full of contempt. Showing that they thought of him like a frog in the bottom of the well, with a narrow outlook and not in the same world as them.
Ning Qing’s little face turned red. It’s over! their family’s president has been despised and people had rolled their eyes at him!
Another auntie then asked, “Little Lu, do you have a car? What kind of car is it?”
Lu Shaoming thought for a moment before replying, “There’s a garage at home. I usually drive the Bentley.”
“Garage, Bentley?” The auntie frowned and was very dissatisfied. “Little Lu, let me tell you this, auntie used to look after garages for others. There are all kinds of bicycles and electronic scooters in the garage, but nothing with four wheels. I don’t care about whatever Bentley you’re driving. Auntie won’t require you to buy Ning Qing a BMW that most businessmen in T city drive, but you have to at least have a Shanghai Volkswagen.”
“Pfft.” Ning Qing heard a slight laugh and looked up. The two waitresses were trying to hold back their laughter and were about to lose it.
The waitresses expressions seemed to say – What’s wrong with you?!
Ning Qing secretly lowered her head. What bicycles, electronic scooters, Shanghai Volkswagen, etc? She felt extremely embarra.s.sed.
She dared not look at Lu Shaoming’s face now, for fear that he would shoot her with a disdained expression that said, look at the riff-raff that you’ve found!
And the auntie had not seemed to notice the expressions of others at all, and continued, “Xiao Lu, have you heard of BMW? My son drives that, and it costs more than a million.”
Lu Shaoming held up his teacup. An expensive watch was on the wrist of his big hand that was slender and beautiful, paired with the blue and white porcelain teacup pattern, it added a layer of n.o.bility and elegance in his handsome temperament.
He knitted his handsome brow slightly, and his expression was somewhat amused as he said. “I’ve heard of it.”
“Now that you’ve heard about it, just take owning a BMW as your goal in the future.” The auntie said proudly.
Lu Shaoming took a sip of tea, his Adam’s apple bobbing s.e.xily as he said one simple word, “Sure.”
Ning Qing, “…”
Then another auntie said, “Xiao Lu, how old are you this year? Our Ning Qing is only 20. You look as if you are quite old.”
Ning Qing’s heart thumped in her chest, she wanted to stamp her feet as she thought, auntie, do your questions have to be so sharp?
Asking about his age was a big taboo.
A 30-year-old man was mature and charming in her eyes, but in the eyes of these aunties, he would become as cheap as cabbage. How would that make him feel?
What would he think?
Ning Qing secretly stretched out her little hand and placed it on his thigh. She caressed him lightly as if she were petting a tiger and telling him, be good, let’s bear it.
Her little hand was clasped by a big palm, as the man grabbed her hand directly and place it on his crotch.
Ning Qing’s small face was red. Hey hey hey. What are you doing?
She took her little hand back.
“This, little Lu…” Yue Wanqing also felt that this question was too much. She opened her mouth, wanting to help Lu Shaoming.
But Lu Shaoming sat upright, two proud long legs under the table crossing together casually, becoming more languid as he gently opened his mouth and said, “Auntie, I am 30 this year, 10 years older than Ning Qing. My age is the perfect age because I know how to pamper others. Ning Qing will not suffer when she’s with me.”
Yue Wanqing was very satisfied with her son-in-law’s answer and even threw a couple of praising gazes at Lu Shaoming.
Ning Qing’s heart felt as sweet as honey, and even her mouth felt sweet.
He doesn’t speak sugared words very much, but he never stints on sugared words when he has to use them, and he was full of a strong petty bourgeoisie sentiment.
Those aunties had nothing to say for the time being. They agreed that the material conditions of this Xiao Lu were not so good, but they could not pick out any big problems.
When the waiter came in and served them, the aunties salivated as they watched the beautiful food on the table. There was a saying that goes “the gift blinds the eye.” An auntie laughed as she said, “Little Lu, it’s just a casual meal, why have you picked such an expensive restaurant? This table must have cost thousands of dollars. You must have spent a month’s salary here.”