021 part 1
When Lu Tian and Meng Jingdong returned to their seats from the restroom, they noticed the relieved looks in their parents’ eyes. Did they think the couple’s relationship was going well?
“Although you two have already obtained your marriage license, you haven’t held a wedding yet. In the eyes of outsiders, you aren’t married. Jingdong, you must cherish and protect Tiantian, understood?” Mother Meng instructed carefully in front of Tian Jing.
Before Lu Tian could process the hidden meaning, Meng Jingdong obediently nodded. Did that mean… no getting pregnant before the wedding? They really thought highly of their progress…
After the meal, the two families left together. Mother Meng insisted that Meng Jingdong drive Tian Jing’s family back. Lu Tian naturally got into his car, following Tian Jing’s car.
The interior of the car was quiet. The air was filled with the scent of men’s and women’s colognes clashing and mixing, which smelled unexpectedly good.
She turned her head to look at Meng Jingdong, who was driving. His suit was impeccable, his expression meticulous, and his whole body exuded an aura that kept people a thousand miles away. Yet, she still had a question: “What if your parents want to prepare for the wedding?”
“That’s a matter for next year. We’ll find a reason to delay it when the time comes.”
Neither of them had any intention of holding a wedding. First, they had no feelings for each other; second, weddings were exhausting, and there was no need to torture themselves just to put on a show for others.
Satisfied with the answer, Lu Tian unlocked her phone and scrolled idly. While waiting for a red light, Meng Jingdong glanced at her. She still possessed that gentle and moving appearance, but compared to before, only one word could describe her now—reborn.
“I’ve prepared a house. I might need you to go there and stay for a few days later to keep up appearances.”
“Why? I’m still a student.” Lu Tian hadn’t expected there to be scenes requiring them to play a loving couple.
“Grandpa and Grandma are still recuperating abroad. When they return for the Spring Festival, they might ask about us,” Meng Jingdong explained lightly.
Lu Tian nodded and didn’t ask further. The original novel described Meng Jingdong mostly as an indifferent gentleman, high above and inviolable. But now she realized the “big shot” was human too; his behavior in front of relatives was no different from a normal person. His differences were only apparent when they were alone. He seemed to be ignoring her today—was he unhappy?
However, she couldn’t be bothered to guess his psychology. She continued to look down at her phone. Silence returned to the car. She twitched her nose, realizing her perfume had overwhelmed his with absolute dominance.
…
In the car ahead, Zou Rui was driving. Mother Zou sat in the back, holding the dozing Zou Fan. Her mind was still dwelling on the betrothal gift list. Halfway there, she finally couldn’t help but ask, “The Meng family has such a big background and gave so many betrothal gifts. What about the dowry?”
Tian Jing lowered her head and frowned, daring not let her mother-in-law see her expression in the rearview mirror.
It was impossible not to bring her mother-in-law to the meeting today, but bringing her meant facing this problem. Mother Zou wasn’t bad, but she wasn’t a saint either; she was a normal person who favored her biological grandson and had normal reasoning abilities. The Meng family had put up betrothal gifts worth over a hundred million. If the Zou family only gave a dowry of a million, it would seem unjustifiable. But if the family assets were given to Lu Tian, what would her grandson get? Besides, Lu Tian was a girl…
“I’m just saying, being matched in social status is really important. But fortunately, Tiantian is a girl. Even if the dowry is a little less, people won’t look down on her. It’s a new era now!” Seeing that neither her son nor daughter-in-law answered, Mother Zou tried to smooth things over herself. It wasn’t that she didn’t allow Tian Jing to give Lu Tian a generous dowry, but if it meant shortchanging Zou Fan, she certainly wouldn’t be willing!
Zou Rui knew his own mother best and spoke up at the right moment: “Mom, we’ll handle this ourselves. Don’t worry about it; just wait to drink the wedding wine.”
Mother Zou responded with a hum. Her son could always distinguish between biological and non-biological children. Even if he couldn’t, she would secretly remind him. Speaking out now was just to give Tian Jing a heads-up.
Having lived with her mother-in-law for many years, how could Tian Jing not understand her thoughts? Lu Tian’s dowry absolutely could not be known by her mother-in-law; otherwise, the house would be turned upside down.
When they arrived downstairs at the Zou residence, Tian Jing invited Meng Jingdong up to sit for a while. He politely declined: “Mom, I won’t go up. Let Lu Tian walk with me down here for a bit, and I’ll send her up later.”
The family went upstairs with great understanding. Lu Tian tightened the coat wrapped around her and asked, “Do you have something else?”
“I had someone investigate the van driver. There’s an anomaly. A sum of money appeared in his girlfriend’s account. He and his girlfriend have a child with congenital heart disease, and the surgery requires a large fee. The driver likely took a desperate risk and accepted this job from someone else. We are currently investigating the mastermind. You still need to pay attention to your personal safety.”
“Okay, thank you.” As long as it was confirmed that someone ordered it, the general direction could be determined. She didn’t believe no one in the Lu family was playing dirty.
“If you need any help on your end, call me anytime. I’ll do my best to help you with anything I can.”
Lu Tian smiled with satisfaction and sniffled, disregarding her image: “Thanks, my nose is running. I’ll go back first. Be careful on the road.”
He was stunned for a moment, then smiled gently: “Okay. I’m going to visit Old Master Gu tomorrow. If necessary, we can go together.”
“Okay!” She had almost forgotten about that.
Meng Jingdong walked her to the Zou family’s door and turned to leave. Lu Tian stared at his retreating back for a while. She really couldn’t see through what Big Shot Meng was thinking.
**
Only a few people knew the news of Old Master Gu’s illness. As his health was poor and he was the one in power in the Gu family, people were always prying into his current situation. especially since Old Master Gu hired his lawyer right after falling ill this time. When an old man of his status made any move to hire a lawyer, it was definitely for the sake of his will. The old man’s three sons had a good relationship since childhood, so there might not be a fight over inheritance, as they all knew the old man had always been fair.
But this time was different from the will changed after finding Tian Jing. The inheritance allocation for Gu Yalan and her daughter might be reduced even further.
“Actually, I really don’t care how much inheritance Grandpa leaves me. I don’t lack money to spend. I’m just very sad. Grandpa is really angry this time; he doesn’t love me anymore.” Yu Ningxuan curled up in Lu Zhengyang’s arms, her eyes filled with tears that threatened to fall, looking pitiable.
“I can’t change what happened in the past. I just wanted to make everyone feel a little better now. I didn’t expect it to cause Grandpa to fall ill and make him so angry. Zhengyang Gege (Brother), do you think Grandpa won’t let me see him anymore?”
Lu Zhengyang lovingly tucked a stray hair behind her ear. After thinking for a moment, he said, “Actually, this isn’t your fault at all. After all, no one expected Old Madam Tian to say such things. Your grandfather shouldn’t count the responsibility on your head because of that. How about we go see him together? You haven’t officially introduced me to your family yet.”
Yu Ningxuan was delighted. If Lu Zhengyang helped plead for her, maybe Grandpa wouldn’t blame her anymore?
“Then, I’ll have to trouble you, Zhengyang Gege.”
“Silly girl, my greatest wish is for you to trouble me forever.”
Yu Ningxuan snuggled happily in his arms, secretly imagining the future. She definitely couldn’t interact with Old Madam Tian in the future; such a person wasn’t worth associating with. She should just act with filial piety toward her Grandpa and Grandma, not compete with Lu Tian, and repay them for their years of upbringing as long as they still needed it.
The Yu family knew about Yu Ningxuan and Lu Zhengyang dating. Gu Yalan agreed with it very much: “We should let the Han family see what kind of family you’ve found now. They dared to look down on my daughter; there will come a time when they regret it!”
“Mom, don’t talk about their family. Han Yifan and I have nothing to do with each other anymore. I only love one person now.”
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