Chapter 58: Marriage First, Love Later, and a Side of Scum-Bashing 36
Ning Qingqing’s memory of when Gu Youchen took her to shower was a bit blurry.
Anyway, the red bedsheet they bought got a bit dirty, so Gu Youchen spread the quilt they sunned yesterday underneath. He held Ning Qingqing, covered with that floral thin quilt, and fell asleep.
When she woke up the next morning, Ning Qingqing found herself confined in the man’s arms. Something was pressing against her, making her uncomfortable, which was why she woke up.
Her whole body felt tired, especially her throat, which felt like it was about to smoke.
She moved slightly, and Gu Youchen sensed she was awake.
He lowered his head and kissed her forehead naturally. “Qingqing, morning.”
“Morning.” Ning Qingqing only uttered one syllable before realizing her voice had become like this.
Gu Youchen noticed it too and quickly let go of her. “I’ll go pour you some water.”
He was only wearing boxer briefs. When he got up, Ning Qingqing saw several red marks on Gu Youchen’s back.
Obviously her masterpiece from last night.
Thinking of this, her cheeks rapidly began to heat up.
So when Gu Youchen poured water and brought it over, Ning Qingqing barely dared to look at him.
He helped her up, waited for Ning Qingqing to drink the water slowly sip by sip, and asked her, “Qingqing, how about sleeping a bit longer? I’ll go buy breakfast?”
Ning Qingqing shook her head. “Not sleeping anymore. Let’s go out to eat together.”
Gu Youchen said naturally, “Won’t rest at home for a while?”
Ning Qingqing discovered that this man was treating her like she was in postpartum confinement…
Although she felt a bit tired, she felt much better after drinking water and resting a bit.
So she shook her head. “I want to go out for some fresh air. Besides, we’re going to Nancheng soon. I still want to eat some delicious hometown food.”
Gu Youchen chuckled low, picked a broken hair sticking to Ning Qingqing’s face off, and said, “Okay, I’ll go wash up first.”
Only after he left did Ning Qingqing get up quickly. Her gaze swept around and saw the two small boxes on the table by the window near the bed.
Two boxes had obviously been used and thrown away. Two boxes remained lying quietly. The packaging of one was torn open, but it hadn’t been used.
Apparently, because she was too tired last night, a certain someone had reluctantly let her off…
Not long after, the two cleaned up and went out together.
After last night, some things seemed to have become different.
Ning Qingqing found that Gu Youchen was clingier.
They bought souvenirs in town to take back to friends and family. Halfway through, Ning Qingqing saw something nice on the opposite side, so she told Gu Youchen to choose here while she walked over.
However, the man held her hand and wouldn’t let her go. “Qingqing, no rush for time. Let’s go over together.”
He really picked things with one hand while holding her tightly with the other, making the shop owner grin with an “Auntie smile” (fond smile) the whole time.
In the end, they bought many bags of things and put them all in the car.
Finally returning to the small house, Gu Youchen carefully put away the two beads on the table, somewhat regretful. “Time is too tight; didn’t have time to wash the quilt.”
Ning Qingqing saw the quilt and bedsheet, and instantly felt uncomfortable all over.
The images from last night replayed in her mind. She pretended to be calm. “We can only leave them spread out at home to air out. We’ll clean them next time we come back.”
“Mm.” Gu Youchen nodded and really spread the things out.
Ning Qingqing took a quick glance at the bedsheet, then turned to go downstairs to pack her small backpack.
They organized everything and came out together.
Gu Youchen locked the door, walked to the flower bed at the entrance, and moved that brick.
Seeing his familiar manner, Ning Qingqing couldn’t help feeling it was a bit sweet.
She said, “In the future, we can bring your parents to stay for a while too.”
Gu Youchen nodded. “Mm, but my mom is busy lately getting tips from the other wives about the wedding layout, plus painting for us. I guess they’ll only have time after our wedding.”
There were only two months left until their wedding. The style and measurements for the wedding dress had already been taken. They were just waiting for it to be made and delivered to try on, to see if the size needed adjustment.
Thinking of this, Ning Qingqing seemed to finally react. “Ahhh, I seem to have gained weight recently?”
Will she not fit into the wedding dress when it arrives? No way, right???
Beside her, Gu Youchen didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Where are you fat? I think it’s just right.”
In the past, this sentence had no ambiguity, but now it did.
Ning Qingqing realized that the man’s line of sight was angled 45 degrees downward. Given his height and the distance between them, he was looking at her chest!
Ning Qingqing stood on tiptoes to cover Gu Youchen’s eyes. “Not allowed to look, not allowed to think wild thoughts!”
Gu Youchen let her cover his eyes, looking innocent. “Qingqing, what did I look at? What did I think?”
Ning Qingqing huffed, turned around, and ignored him.
Playfully fighting all the way, they arrived at the parking lot and drove to Nancheng.
Their flight was at a little past four in the afternoon, so they had ample time.
Driving from here, it was fast once they got on the highway. They didn’t need to go to Ning Ruojun’s company to return the car; they could just drive directly to the airport.
So the journey to the airport was smooth. The two first boxed and checked the local specialties they bought, then went to the airport restaurant to eat.
Halfway through, Gu Youchen went to pay the bill. Ning Qingqing happened to receive a call from Qiao Xiaomian.
“Darling, are you coming back today?” Qiao Xiaomian’s voice was excited. “How was the honeymoon?”
Ning Qingqing cleared her throat guiltily.
Hearing that sound, the person on the other end understood instantly. “Ahhh, did you experience it?”
Ning Qingqing’s cheeks instantly burned a little. She looked at the man standing at the cashier swiping his card, but her mind automatically conjured up images of him without clothes.
Clearly, she was dazed at the time; why did she remember it clearly now?
“Mm, just… just experienced it for one night,” Ning Qingqing stammered.
Qiao Xiaomian was instantly excited. “How was it? Did it live up to the size?”
Ning Qingqing: “…”
Seeing that Gu Youchen had settled the bill and was coming over, afraid of another awkward situation, she quickly said, “He’s coming, talk later!”
With that, she snapped the phone shut.
Qiao Xiaomian, who had only smelled half the meat fragrance before the meat was taken away: “…”
Ning Qingqing put away her phone, pretending to be serious.
Gu Youchen sat down opposite her, his gaze falling on her face. “Qingqing, are you hot?”
“Not hot.” Ning Qingqing hugged her arms, trying to cover up. “The AC is so low, how could I be hot? Cold is more like it.”
Hearing this, Gu Youchen pulled a chair to sit beside her and pulled her into his arms. “Is that better?”
He was a bit annoyed. Why did he check all the luggage? Ning Qingqing had brought a jacket before, but now it was checked and couldn’t be taken out.
However, Ning Qingqing had a guilty conscience. She squirmed in Gu Youchen’s arms. “It’s fine, not cold anymore.”
Gu Youchen looked at her red ears and couldn’t help teasing her. “Qingqing, still shy?”
Ning Qingqing glared at him.
Gu Youchen chuckled low, happy in his heart.
Their flight was fairly on time. By the time they flew to the Imperial City, the sky was already dark, so they went straight home. The gifts would be delivered to friends and family later.
At 9 PM, Gu Youchen looked at Ning Qingqing, who was processing emails in the study, and said, “Qingqing, tell me when you’re done.”
Ning Qingqing nodded. “Mm, I estimate another half hour.”
Gu Youchen replied, “Okay.”
He went to the master bedroom to shower first.
When Ning Qingqing came out after preparing the materials for tomorrow’s meeting, Gu Youchen’s hair was already dry.
Seeing her, he asked, “Qingqing is done?”
Ning Qingqing nodded and stretched.
Gu Youchen naturally pulled her to her bedroom and said, “Qingqing, move in and live with me.”
Oh—
Ning Qingqing finally realized something. An unknown fire surged in her heart, but the expression on her face feigned calmness. “Okay.”
It was just changing bedrooms. Basically, putting the clothes she wore often into Gu Youchen’s closet, and moving her skincare products to the master bathroom along the way.
So the two finished quickly. Ning Qingqing continued to pretend to be calm. “I’m going to shower. You go ahead.”
Gu Youchen nodded, watching her flee to the bathroom.
He sat on the bed in the room reading a book. Hearing the sound of water inside, his reading efficiency was half of usual.
When the water sound inside stopped and the sound of a hair dryer started, Gu Youchen naturally went in, took the hair dryer from Ning Qingqing’s hand, and began to blow-dry her hair for her.
The light was soft. As he blew her hair, the direction gradually changed.
She didn’t know how they got back to the bedroom. Her back was pressed into the soft bedding, and in front of her was the man’s burning breath.
When extremely tired, Ning Qingqing muttered a rule: “In the future, at most one box a night.”
Gu Youchen’s voice was husky as he agreed lowly, “Okay.”
The next day he insisted on driving her to work, claiming she was tired from “exercise” and didn’t have the strength to drive.
Gu Youchen’s car had privacy glass, so every time he dropped Ning Qingqing off downstairs, he demanded a kiss.
Ning Qingqing couldn’t help asking, “Why so clingy?”
A certain someone said openly, “Have to make up for the ten years missed.”
On Wednesday, Ning Chuang officially moved in.
That day, reporters had long been waiting downstairs at the building until the convoy of Ning Ruojun and her party arrived.
Ning Qingqing had arrived at the company early, waiting with her colleagues for Ning Ruojun and the others to arrive.
Holding a bouquet of flowers, she came to Ning Ruojun. “President Ning, congratulations on the relocation!”
Ning Ruojun accepted the flowers, hugged her daughter, and greeted the employees who had arrived early one by one before leading the senior management team inside.
The reporters were ready, camera shutters clicking incessantly.
Just as they were preparing to interview Ning Ruojun, several more cars arrived separately.
Gu Heng and Li Lan stepped out together. Behind them was Gu Youchen, holding a gift.
Seeing him, Ning Qingqing was a bit surprised. Her husband had dropped her off at the company an hour ago and demanded a kiss for at least 5 minutes, without mentioning a word about coming over later.
Gu Heng and Li Lan walked side-by-side to Ning Ruojun. “President Ning, congratulations on the move!”
A meeting of the in-laws on such an occasion was rare. Many reporters had their drafts ready.
Behind them, Gu Youchen came over. He handed the painting in his hand over. “Mom, this is a gift from my mother to you.”
Ning Ruojun accepted the painting. It was an impressive landscape painting.
Li Lan rarely painted landscapes; this was one of her few landscape works. Collectors had previously offered high prices for it, but she hadn’t been willing to part with it. Now, she gave it to Ning Ruojun.
The surrounding reporters instantly sniffed something—
In this marriage alliance, both parties are probably very satisfied!
Just as they were thinking, they saw Gu Youchen go to Ning Qingqing’s side after giving the painting and take her hand.
He lowered his head, seeming to say something to her.
The man’s eyes were gentle, and the girl’s eyes held a smile. To anyone watching, it was a warm picture.
So when the Si family arrived, this was the scene they saw.
Si Yunli had prepared a gift and waited until Ning Ruojun finished chatting with the Gu family before coming up to present it.
“President Ning, now that you’re here, please look after us in the future…” Si Yunli was smart this time; he brought Si Kai. As for Kenny and Si Luoqing, they hadn’t appeared since being scolded by the whole internet that day—perhaps grounded by the Si family.
Surface politeness was maintained. Ning Ruojun exchanged pleasantries with them, invited everyone to drink tea in the company, and then saw off the people who came to congratulate her on the relocation one by one.
However, Gu Heng and Gu Youchen went to their company to handle matters, while Li Lan stayed behind.
She sat in Ning Ruojun’s office. The two women sat side by side on the sofa looking at the wedding planning brochure.
Li Lan said, “I think both of these plans are good. One is romantic, one is solemn. I asked Youchen, and he said he was satisfied with both, so now I’m a bit undecided.”
Ning Ruojun looked carefully and said, “A bit romantic is good. My daughter’s personality is actually relatively soft. She looks mature and steady on the surface, but she actually has quite a girlish heart; she just doesn’t say it herself.”
Li Lan laughed upon hearing this. “Okay, then we’ll choose the romantic one. I’ll communicate with them again.”
Ning Ruojun nodded. “Sorry to trouble you with the wedding matters, in-law. I just moved here and have a lot of things to handle, so I’m afraid I can’t help much.”
Li Lan shook her head. “It’s fine. I’ve always liked designing various scenes. In the past, I worried my son wouldn’t get married. Now that he’s finally married a wife, I have a place to use my skills!”
The two discussed the details together before finalizing everything.
Thus, a week later, Ning Qingqing and Gu Youchen’s wedding invitations were finally customized according to the wedding style.
99 invitations were prepared. The cover was a solemn true red, but inside was a pop-up 3D picture.
It read—
“We cordially invite you to witness our wedding on October 6, 2022. Ning Qingqing & Gu Youchen.”
In the office, holding the invitation, the first person Gu Youchen thought of was Shen Zhiqian.
Coincidentally, there was a project today initiated by the project party, inviting various cooperating clients, including the Shen Corporation.
Gu Youchen put a few invitations in his briefcase and went to the club for the dinner with his special assistant, Zhou Luo.
Upon arriving at the destination, several business partners had already arrived.
Subsequently, Gu Youchen saw Shen Zhiqian coming in with Shen Yeyuan.
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