Chapter 34

Chapter 34

On the other end of the line, Zou Shuqing responded gently, “Alright, I’ll wait for you at the entrance of the residential complex.”

Not long after, Wang Ming drove up to the entrance.

He saw Zou Shuqing standing there gracefully, clutching her handbag with both hands. Her long, wavy hair swayed gently in the breeze.

She was still wearing light makeup, her features exuding a gentle warmth. A charming curve played at the corners of her lips, and her entire being radiated an irresistible mature beauty.

Wang Ming slowly got out of the car. Before he could even find his footing, Zou Shuqing stepped forward quickly and took his hand. Her face was filled with concern as she asked softly, “Have you been very busy these past two days?”

Wang Ming looked at her. “There were some things at the company, and a friend ran into some trouble. I’ve been so busy my head is spinning. I’m sorry I couldn’t ask you out.”

Zou Shuqing shook her head gently, her eyes full of heartache. “We have plenty of time. Don’t push yourself to the point of exhaustion.”

Wang Ming’s lips curled upward as he teased, “Are you afraid I’ll work myself to death before I’ve even had a chance to enjoy life with you? Then you’d better hurry things up.”

Zou Shuqing gave Wang Ming’s hand a playful, reproachful tug, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. She feigned anger as she said, “I think you’re the one in a hurry. Every time you look at me, you have that lecherous glint in your eyes.”

Wang Ming laughed heartily, then asked, “Why aren’t you afraid of Zou Mengmeng coming back and seeing us today?”

Zou Shuqing pursed her lips and smiled. “Zou Mengmeng isn’t coming back tonight. She’s staying at her boyfriend’s place.”

Wang Ming nodded, secretly delighted. *Isn’t this the perfect opportunity!*

The mission triggered by Zou Shuqing was to spend the night at her house. If he didn’t make a move now, when would he?

He took a deep breath and summoned his courage. “Since she’s not coming back, can I stay the night at your place?”

Hearing this, Zou Shuqing immediately let go of Wang Ming’s hand, her eyes widening. “You’re really pushing your luck. I let you hold my hand, and you’re already thinking about staying the night.”

Wang Ming quickly explained, “You misunderstood. I just wanted to watch movies with you all night.”

Zou Shuqing crossed her arms over her chest, her tone becoming even more dissatisfied. “Watch what kind of movies? Adult movies?”

Wang Ming spread his hands helplessly, a bitter smile on his face. “Of course not. We can watch whatever you want, as long as you let me stay the night. She’s not coming back anyway.”

Zou Shuqing frowned, questioning him, “All night? Don’t you have to work tomorrow?”

Wang Ming lifted his chin confidently. “I’m a leader at the company now. I’m in charge of my own schedule.”

Zou Shuqing nodded. “I heard from Mengmeng about your promotion. Her boyfriend went to work at your company too, and you two even got into an argument. She said you said a lot of bad things about her.”

Wang Ming’s eyebrows shot up instantly, an unpleasant expression crossing his face.

“What do you mean ‘bad things’? I was just stating facts, and he couldn’t handle it.”

Seeing that Wang Ming was getting a bit angry, Zou Shuqing quickly took his hand again and said gently, “It’s all in the past. Don’t be angry over their business anymore. You have me now, don’t you?”

Seeing how affectionate Zou Shuqing was being, Wang Ming took the opportunity to lean his head in. Zou Shuqing quickly backed away, a hint of shyness on her face as she waved her hand.

“No, you can’t. And I can’t let you stay the night. What if Mengmeng suddenly comes back?”

Wang Ming felt an increasing urgency to speed up the process of unlocking the Mall. Not for the money, but for his own pleasure!

He intentionally feigned a look of disappointment, hanging his head with a lonely gaze.

“I’ve been so busy these past few days that my head is spinning. I thought I’d be able to spend a bit more time with you today and really relax.”

“I didn’t expect you to have this kind of attitude. Forget it, I’ll just go home.”

“I might not be able to see you for the next few days. It’s fine. It’s not like you care anyway. Bye.”

After saying that, he gave a slight sigh and turned to leave.

Seeing Wang Ming turn away in disappointment, Zou Shuqing’s hesitant expression immediately shifted to one of concern. She opened her mouth to say something but found herself momentarily at a loss for words.

After a moment of stunned silence, she finally cried out, “Hey, darling!” Her voice carried a hint of desperation.

Wang Ming turned around slowly, the sadness in his eyes deepening.

Zou Shuqing bit her lip, her heart caught in a whirlwind of conflict.
Looking at the man before her, clearly dejected on her account, Zou Shuqing couldn’t help but reflect.

Her daughter, Zou Mengmeng, was out living her best life in her early twenties, while she-an ‘old biddy’-had never experienced romance like this. She was even hesitating over spending a little more time with the man she liked.

She felt she was being far too stiff. Why not just let him stay the night? It was just a movie, after all!

Taking a deep breath, she summoned her courage and said, “Then… why don’t you stay tonight?”

Zou Shuqing’s voice trembled slightly as she spoke, a rosy flush creeping up her cheeks.

Wang Ming’s dull eyes instantly lit up, and a wide grin spread across his face.

He stepped forward, took her hand, and kissed it. “Then let’s get dinner ready. We’ll eat at home, alright?”

Zou Shuqing nodded shyly. “Okay.”

The two walked toward Wang Ming’s car.

As she sat in the passenger seat, Zou Shuqing’s face grew even redder. She clasped her hands nervously in her lap.

She had never let a man stay the night before; things with Wang Ming were moving faster and faster.

She whispered to herself in her heart: *Oh, Mengmeng, your mom is going to be a little selfish. Anyway, he’s the man you didn’t want, so you won’t blame me, right?*

Sitting in the driver’s seat, the corners of Wang Ming’s mouth curled up. *Once tonight is over, the reward is mine.*

*Then, once I find out where Liu Guohua’s family supermarket is located, I’ll open one right next to it! Hahaha…*

They arrived at the wet market. It was evening, and the place was bustling with people coming and going.

Wang Ming held Zou Shuqing’s hand as they walked, asking, “What do you want to eat?”

Zou Shuqing tilted her head in thought, a happy smile radiating from her face. “Hmm… I’ll make you braised pork belly and some stir-fried seasonal greens.”

Wang Ming smiled and nodded. “Sounds great.”

They picked out ingredients together. Wang Ming would occasionally pick up some vegetables to ask for her opinion.

When it came time to choose the meat, Wang Ming specifically selected a piece of pork belly with the perfect ratio of fat to lean meat for the braised pork.

“Boss, weigh this piece for me,” Wang Ming said, pointing to the pork belly.

“Do you have any ribs left? Lean ones?” a familiar voice came from beside him.

He snapped his head around to look. Li Zhixuan was standing right next to him with her bag on her shoulder, staring at the meat stall.

Li Zhixuan also turned her head and saw Wang Ming.

“Wang Ming!”

“Zhixuan.”

“What are you doing buying groceries here?” Li Zhixuan asked in surprise.

Wang Ming frowned. “I was about to ask you the same thing. Don’t you live in Xiaohu District?”

Li Zhixuan smiled. “My lease was up, so I moved. I’m living right above this market now.”

Wang Ming was even more confused. “But your workplace is in Xiaohu District. Why move all the way here?”

Li Zhixuan sighed. “I really haven’t had the heart to work. I just resigned today. I know Baiyun District too well; Zhang Jian’s shadow is everywhere there. I just wanted a change of scenery.”

Wang Ming nodded. “That’s probably for the best.”

Only then did Li Zhixuan notice Zou Shuqing on Wang Ming’s other side.

Seeing Li Zhixuan’s gaze shift to her, Zou Shuqing offered a gentle smile. “Hello. We’ve met before.”

Li Zhixuan nodded politely in response. “Yes, Auntie-oh, no, no… Sister-in-law!”

Zou Shuqing’s face flushed bright red instantly. She waved her hand frantically. “Don’t call me that. We’re just… boyfriend and girlfriend.”

Li Zhixuan turned back to Wang Ming. “Since it’s such a coincidence, why don’t you both come over to my place? You can see where I live. I haven’t had a chance to properly thank you for the money yet.”

Wang Ming thought about it for a moment. Any other day would be fine, but he couldn’t go today. Opportunities to stay over at Zou Shuqing’s place didn’t come often.

“The two of us have plans today. How about another day?”

Li Zhixuan’s lips curled into a smirk as she teased him, “I get it… Have a good time, then… Let’s catch up another day.”

With that, Li Zhixuan called out to the butcher, “Do you have lean ribs or not?”

“Yes, yes! I have a whole slab I haven’t chopped yet. I’ll cut it for you now. How much do you want?”

“Two pounds.”

After buying her meat, Li Zhixuan waved goodbye to Wang Ming. “Bye-bye.”

As she left, she waved to Zou Shuqing. “See you later, Sister-in-law!”