Chapter 139 Fu Ci understood and made a decision in a second...
Unable to find Li Zhengdao, Fu Ci and Tang Mingli had no answers to their many questions, and in the end, they could only leave the clothing store with a belly full of doubts.
However, after taking only a few steps, Tang Mingli came up with another idea and said to Fu Ci, "Wait here for me for a while, I'm going to check out the clothing store next door."
There is more than one clothing store on this street; there is one just two storefronts away from Liren Clothing Store.
Tang Mingli wanted to try to find out some information from her colleagues.
Fu Ci, of course, wouldn't stop his wife and patiently waited on the side of the street.
About ten minutes later, Tang Mingli came out of the clothing store next door, carrying a bag in her hand, obviously having bought a piece of clothing on the spur of the moment.
As she got closer, she couldn't wait to tell Fu Ci what she had found out.
It turns out that after Li Zhengdao broke up with their partnership, he took on a big business deal, hoping to make a fortune. However, the other party later reneged on the contract. But the goods had already been delivered, and the deposit he received was far from enough to cover the payment.
Within a few months, Li Zhengdao was completely unable to make ends meet and had no choice but to sell the clothing store.
It's that simple.
One decision so easily ruined a career that had lasted for several years.
Tang Mingli remarked with deep emotion, "Success is so difficult, but destruction can happen in an instant."
Fu Ci frowned and said, "Li Zhengdao isn't such an impulsive person. He wouldn't do something so uncertain."
Tang Mingli had worked with Li Zhengdao for a period of time, and her understanding of Li Zhengdao was indeed as Fu Ci had described.
She thought for a moment, then said, "Others may not know this very well either; they may just be combining and analyzing what they have seen and heard to make up their own conclusions."
Fu Ci nodded, agreeing with what his wife said.
However, since Liren Clothing Store no longer belonged to Li Zhengdao, the plan to help Tang Mingmei took an unexpected turn.
They couldn't think of a solution to this unexpected turn of events in a short time, so the two decided to go home first.
-
The Fu family was somewhat worried when they learned that the two were going to the hospital for a medical check-up today.
Especially Madam Fu, who was restless all morning.
Grandpa Fu couldn't stand it anymore and wanted to comfort her, but he said in a harsh tone, "If the two children find out about you acting like this, won't that put pressure on them in a roundabout way?"
Words of comfort sounded more like accusations.
Madam Fu immediately glared at him and said unhappily, "They're not home, how could they possibly know? Or are you going to be like that gossipy woman and spread rumors about them?"
When accused of gossiping, Old Master Fu quietly defended himself, saying, "How could I possibly gossip?"
Madam Fu still wouldn't let him off the hook: "Since it's impossible to gossip, why are you nagging?"
"I was just worried about you because you seemed so restless all morning."
This was one of the few times he showed his emotions, and he even seemed a little embarrassed after speaking.
Not only him, but also Old Madam Fu felt a little embarrassed.
“If you’re worried, just be worried. Why say things like that when you know I’m worried about my two children?”
Grandpa Fu trembled twice, but ultimately couldn't bring himself to apologize.
"You know my personality; I'm not the type to say nice things."
Don't think that lowering your stance will make Old Madam Fu let him off the hook. She still said rudely, "If you can't talk, then shut up."
Grandpa Fu really shut up.
The two of them remained silent for the entire morning until Fu Ci and the others returned.
Grandpa Fu exclaimed as if he had seen a savior, "You're finally back!"
Fu Ci and Tang Mingli paused upon hearing this, stopping their steps as they were about to go to the bathroom to wash their hands.
Fu Ci asked, "Grandpa, is there something you need?"
Grandpa Fu quickly replied, "It's nothing, it's nothing, I'm perfectly fine."
Only then did the two feel relieved enough to wash their hands.
Back in the living room, Tang Mingli told Madam Fu about the Liren Clothing Store.
Upon hearing this, Madam Fu exclaimed in surprise and frowned, saying, "It's only been half a year, how could it have turned out like this?"
Tang Mingli shared this sentiment and uttered a rather philosophical remark: "Things in the business world are just like that, changing in an instant."
After hearing this, Madam Fu looked at Fu Ci and couldn't help but say, "You have to be careful."
Fu Ci smiled and nodded.
Tang Mingli laughed and said, "Grandma, don't worry, Fu Ci is born to be a businessman, he's very smart."
Madam Fu did not deny that her grandson was intelligent, so she nodded in agreement.
“That’s true. Fu Ci has been smart since he was little. He’s not so easy to fool…” At this point, Madam Fu suddenly had an idea and said to the others, “Do you think Li Zhengdao was set up?”
Tang Mingli and Fu Ci hadn't really thought of it that way.
Especially Tang Mingli, who has witnessed the backstabbing and scheming in the workplace decades later, finds the current environment incredibly simple and honest.
But as the saying goes, it's better to be safe than sorry.
Even in the most honest and simple environment, there will always be treacherous people.
Could Li Zhengdao have really been set up?
The more Tang Mingli thought about it, the more likely it seemed.
After all, the Liren Clothing Store is doing so well that it's no exaggeration to say that it's a cash cow that will place orders.
If that's the case, then it truly is a case of "possessing a treasure is a crime."
She was a little curious about who had bought the Liren Clothing Store.
Fu Ci could tell what his wife was thinking and was worried that her curiosity might harm her, so he advised her, "Curiosity killed the cat, so don't do anything reckless."
Especially since he's going back to Shenzhen the day after tomorrow, if something happens to her, it will take time even if she rushes back.
Tang Mingli understood what Fu Ci meant and nodded: "Don't worry, I won't do anything reckless."
Even if she's very curious, she's not the kind of childish person who gets controlled by curiosity.
After discussing the Liren Clothing Store, Madam Fu could finally ask what she cared about most.
"Did your medical check-up at the hospital go smoothly today?"
Tang Mingli knew she would be more comfortable answering the question herself, so she nodded and said, "The doctor was very happy that we had the awareness to get a checkup. When the two of us appeared in front of him today, it was as if he saw a ray of hope."
This metaphor is exaggerated, but it does vividly describe the doctor's reaction at the time.
When Mrs. Fu and Mr. Fu saw that Tang Mingli spoke of this matter in such a relaxed and cheerful tone, they breathed a sigh of relief and thought that there should be no problem.
Otherwise, if there were any problems, no matter how you try to cover them up, it would never look so natural.
After all, having lived together for so long, we understand each other to some extent, if not 100%.
Madam Fu then asked, "Does the medical examination results also take about a week to come out?"
"Yes, I left my home phone number. The hospital will call to notify you when the time comes."
A week later, Fu Ci was already in Shenzhen.
This feeling of waiting is a bit agonizing.
When they were on the second floor alone, he said to his wife, "When the medical report comes out, no matter what the result is, you must tell me the truth."
Tang Mingli, who had originally planned to practice writing, looked up at her husband with a smile.
"Are you worried that you'll find out something wrong? You seem to lack confidence."
The last sentence was deliberately spoken at a slower pace, clearly in jest.
Fu Ci's ears turned red from the teasing, but he still pretended to be calm and said, "I'm not afraid of any problems, I'm afraid that if there are problems, you will hide them from me."
Tang Mingli looked at her husband, who rarely showed such embarrassment, and thought he looked absolutely adorable.
She laughed and countered, "If there really is a problem, why would I hide it?"
Why else? Naturally, it's to protect his masculine pride.
But he couldn't bring himself to say it.
Fu Ci looked helpless, but said in a doting tone, "I'm serious."
"I know." Tang Mingli smiled and said in a slightly coquettish tone, "Okay, don't be nervous, I think you'll be fine."
As she spoke, she reached out and touched his handsome face.
She was just teasing him on purpose because she didn't want him to be too nervous.
However, this touch revealed a problem.
Fu Ci's eyes darkened, and his Adam's apple bobbed.
In preparation for the medical examination, the two had been abstaining from sexual activity for several days.
Tang Mingli was all too familiar with that change in her eyes.
Realizing she had accidentally started a fire, she quickly withdrew her hand and reminded him with a smile, "It's broad daylight, watch your image!"
After saying that, he quickly picked up a pen, looking as if he was about to write.
"In this matter, do I still have any image left in your eyes?"
Since he had already been seen through, Fu Ci was even more determined to go all out.
He leaned forward and took the pen from his wife's hand, only to find that her fingertips were stained with ink.
He gently wiped it, trying to clean it, but unexpectedly the black stain only got bigger.
From Tang Mingli's perspective, however, she felt that he was playing with her fingers, which seemed quite ambiguous.
I gently rubbed it again and again.
The warmth at my fingertips was suddenly magnified dozens of times, covering every part of my body.
That's the downside of being an old married couple; their bodies have an almost physiological and fatal attraction to each other.
Unable to wipe away the ink droplets, Fu Ci gave up. He leaned forward slightly even further.
Being so close, the natural sense of pressure that comes with being a man immediately comes out.
Tang Mingli dared not be arrogant anymore and whispered, "During the daytime..."
Fu Ci hummed in agreement and said in a serious tone, "It's not like we haven't tried during the day."
Upon hearing this, Tang Mingli's ears turned red.
Passion during the day is often more intense than at night.
"But we..."
Before Tang Mingli could finish speaking, Fu Ci stopped her from saying anything more.
Their lips met, and Tang Mingli immediately surrendered.
Forget it, there's no need to punish someone for daytime debauchery.
As for not showering since coming back from the hospital, it doesn't matter, I'll shower later.
However, not going to bed without showering after returning from outside was her bottom line... So when Fu Ci picked her up and walked to the study door, Tang Mingli instinctively said, "No, I haven't showered."
Fu Ci understood immediately, made a decision in a second, and closed and locked the study door behind him.
In the spacious study, their traces are everywhere—on the desk, the chaise lounge, the sofa, even in front of the bookshelves.
...
Just like every grand symphony, it has its climax.
As Tang Mingli drifted off to sleep, she wondered if Fu Ci was alright. Was there anyone in the world who understood him better than her?
No, no.
She resigned, she resigned.
Tang Mingli clung tightly to his shoulders, calling his name in her heart.
That unseen and intangible happiness is right here at this moment.
-
On a sunny day, Tang Mingli lay lazily in bed, gazing thoughtfully at the sunlight streaming through the window.
A moment of indulgence, a night of indulgence, a day of indulgence... She had read about these things in novels, but she never thought that indulging day and night would one day happen to her.
It's really... I'm afraid people will misunderstand and think I'm showing off if I say it out loud.
After lying there for an unknown amount of time, Tang Mingli yawned contentedly and finally sat up lazily.
Fu Ci is supposed to take a bus to Shenzhen at noon today. It's already 10 o'clock, and as his wife, she should be getting up and getting ready, but she's still lying in bed.
It's not that she wasn't trying her best; she simply lacked the ability to do so.
As if he had a premonition that his wife would get up, Fu Ci pushed the door open and came in shortly after Tang Mingli sat up.
He smiled as he looked at his wife, who was still clearly struggling, and asked, "Awake?"
Tang Mingli looked at the culprit in front of her and snorted softly.
Fu Ci walked over, sat down on the edge of the bed, and patiently coaxed, "Are you still tired? Do you want me to rub your back?"
Tang Mingli quickly refused: "No, I can't accept that."
Every time he rubbed her, it came at a heavy price.
Fu Ci understood the implication in her words and chuckled, "Silly girl, I'm about to leave. What can I possibly do to you?"
That's true. Even if Fu Ci is blinded by lust, he's not the kind of person who would let his mind be affected by important matters.
She hummed twice, which meant she accepted his explanation.
Seeing this, Fu Ci brought her clothes and considerately helped her change. He then took her to the bathroom, squeezed toothpaste onto her toothbrush, and helped her wash up.
Looking at herself in the mirror, Tang Mingli was radiant and relaxed, clearly a woman who was living a very happy life.
Love truly nourishes people; even someone as cold and selfish as her has been nurtured into a kind and gentle person.
Fu Ci assumed she was admiring his own beauty and looked at her reflection in the mirror.
Cute, beautiful, charming, and endlessly captivating.
Fu Ci suddenly said, "If I were a mirror, I would have no regrets if you could buy it."
"What?"
Tang Mingli could hardly believe her ears. After spitting out the bubbles in her mouth and rinsing her mouth a few times, she was finally able to speak clearly.
"Why did you say such cheesy things out of the blue? I almost swallowed the toothpaste foam."
Fu Ci noticed that there were still some bubbles on the corners of her mouth that hadn't been washed off, so he reached out and wiped them off with his thumb.
She said softly, "It's the truth."
Whether it's a mirror, a toothbrush, or even a cup for rinsing his mouth, if it's for her use, he feels he has no regrets.
The atmosphere in the large bathroom was slowly changing.
Fu Ci looked at the corner of her mouth that he had gently wiped, and could no longer resist. He lowered his head and kissed it.
Their intimate moments today have a subtle minty flavor.
However, thinking about going out at noon, Fu Ci didn't dare to be too indulgent.
He kissed her lightly for a moment, then released her before losing his temper.
"It's cool, so it might not be suitable to buy mint-flavored toothpaste when it's cold."
Tang Mingli knew this, of course, but at this time, all toothpaste seemed to taste like this.
Fortunately, it was just warm water, so it was fine.
She remembered the poorest winter in her past life, when she bought a large bottle of mint-scented shower gel because it was on sale.
That winter, her body felt cold after taking a shower.
"Let's go, it's time to go downstairs."
I'm going to Shenzhen, and it'll be a long time before I can come back. I need to spend some time with my family.
The Fu family members were downstairs, sitting on the sofa talking. When they saw Fu Ci and his family come down, they immediately stopped chatting and looked at them with smiles.
Tang Mingli walked over and sat down next to Madam Fu, smiling as she asked, "Grandma, did you think I heard you talking on the phone just now?"
Madam Fu nodded and told the two who came down later, "I just received a call from your Aunt Caiping."
"What did you talk about?"
"What else could it be?" Old Madam Fu said angrily.
Tang Mingli instantly understood; it must be related to Gu Lin.
Human nature is too complicated for her to understand. Since this marriage has caused so much pain for both families, what is the point of continuing it?
Just because divorce doesn't look good?
Chinese people whose lives are bound by their reputation.
It's impossible to make Grandpa and Grandma sever ties with Aunt Caiping and ignore them. But if things continue like this, the negative emotions that Aunt Caiping brings will also affect the two elderly people's moods.
What method should we come up with?
Tang Mingli decided to teach her grandmother a method she had heard about in her past life.
“Grandma, if Aunt Caiping calls you again to tell you how badly Gu Lin is doing, just go along with what she says, and even say it more sincerely than she does.”
"How should we proceed from here?"
Tang Mingli gave an example: "For instance, if she says, 'My poor Gu Lin, how could she have such a miserable life,' you would follow up with, 'Yes, poor Gu Lin, I've never seen anyone more miserable than her.'"
Madam Fu, being a woman of life experience, quickly grasped the essence of Tang Mingli's method.
“Oh, I get it. If she tells me how bad Gu Lin’s in-laws are, I’ll go along with it and denigrate them even more, to the point where they’re practically inhuman. If she insults Gu Lin’s in-laws, I’ll insult them even more harshly than she does.”
Tang Mingli paused for a moment, thought about it, and felt that this understanding might not be wrong.
I'm afraid that Aunt Caiping will feel that she has finally found a kindred spirit and will call Grandma more and more frequently to curse people together.
But let's give it a try first, and see how things unfold. Perhaps she still thinks that they are her granddaughter's in-laws, and she can't tolerate others belittling them like that.
Perhaps Tang Mingli's method was somewhat satisfying, because Madam Fu was already looking forward to her sister-in-law calling again.
-
Soon, it was past eleven o'clock.
After a simple lunch, the family saw Fu Ci off at the bus stop.
Only after watching him get on the bus and drive away did I slowly go home.
Although this was not the first time, the sorrow of parting still lingered in the hearts of the Fu family.
Fu's mother said, "The beginning and end of the year are usually the busiest times. Fu Ci may not be back for several months again."
In the first half of last year, Fu Ci only came back twice, and both times it was after April.
Tang Mingli could tell that her mother-in-law was really reluctant to part with her, and her voice even sounded nasal, so she comforted her, "Mom, when your work is less busy, I can take you to Shenzhen to see Fu Ci."
Going to Shenzhen?
Fu's mother had never really thought of that.
In her mind, Shenzhen is where her son works. If they go there, will it affect his work?
Fu's mother was tempted but also worried, asking, "Wouldn't this be inconvenient?"
Tang Mingli misunderstood her meaning and quickly said, "No, Fu Ci has plenty of dormitory space in the factory in Shenzhen. He will definitely have a place to stay when he goes there."
“That’s not what I meant. I was worried it would disturb his work.”
Tang Mingli smiled, "Mom, when Fu Ci is focused on his work, who can disturb him?"
These words enlightened Fu Mu.
Yes, when her son is focused on something, who can disturb him?
She was overthinking it.
She immediately smiled and said, "That's a good suggestion. We'll discuss it with Fu Ci when things aren't so busy at work."
Tang Mingli hummed in agreement.
This is the respect that the elders of the Fu family have for the younger generation. Even among their closest family members, they do not take it for granted that they can do whatever they want. They always discuss things with each other.
-
After Fu resigned from his job in Shenzhen, Tang Mingli rested at home for two days and went out for the first time after recovering her energy.
She wanted to go find Zheng Hao.
Firstly, I wanted to see how my life was now after I stopped working at the Liren Clothing Store.
Secondly, I wanted to find out through Zheng Hao what exactly happened when the clothing store was sold.
Relying on her memory, she took a car to the vicinity of Zheng Hao's home.
After asking several people, they finally found Zheng Hao's home.
It's a small courtyard at the end of a narrow alley, where several families live.
Perhaps because there are many people and little space, many things are placed under the eaves of each household.
Tang Mingli asked an elderly woman who was resting at the doorway, "Ma'am, do you know..."
She stopped talking before she could finish, because she saw Zheng Hao come out of another room.
When Zheng Hao saw her, he was taken aback at first, but then he was very happy.
"Boss lady, what are you doing here?"
Tang Mingli smiled and said, "I came to see you."
Looking for me?
Although he found it unbelievable, Zheng Hao still warmly welcomed them into the house.
"I'm sorry, my home is small and messy, please bear with it."
Tang Mingli looked around the living room, which was about seven or eight square meters.
It is indeed small, but it is definitely not chaotic.
The huge house was kept very clean and tidy.
Zheng Hao brought Tang Mingli a cup of tea, sat down beside her, and said, "Boss lady, what can I do for you?"
"I went to the Liren Clothing Store and found that you didn't work there anymore, and the store has been sold. What happened?"
Zheng Hao sighed when the clothing store was mentioned.
"To put it simply, Mr. Li was greedy and wanted to make a fortune, but who knew that the other party was an untrustworthy swindler who disappeared on the delivery date. A large part of the money Mr. Li used to purchase the goods was borrowed, and it was impossible to sell so many goods in a short time. Unable to repay the money, the creditors came knocking on his door, and in the end, he had no choice but to sell the shop."
“I could have continued working there, but I felt that the guy was a bit shady, so I decided to quit.”
"Indecent?" Tang Mingli thought of a lecherous man.
Zheng Hao nodded, pointing to his left arm: "He has a huge, scary tattoo here, and he talks rudely and unreasonably. I don't think he's a legitimate businessman. Even..."
At the turning point, Zheng Hao hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but stopped himself.
Tang Mingli pressed further, "Even what? Is it inconvenient to say?"
"No, it's just that I'm not sure I'm right either."
"It's okay, tell me about it."
Meeting Tang Mingli's encouraging gaze, Zheng Hao gained courage.
"I even think that Mr. Li was set up. The so-called big boss who got the goods from him and the owner of the clothing store are probably in cahoots."
Zheng Hao's idea coincided with Tang Mingli's.
Tang Mingli said, "Actually, I also had this suspicion, which is why I wanted to come to you to find out what's going on."
"Boss lady, you've already withdrawn your investment, why are you still concerned about these things?"
Tang Mingli said frankly, "After all, Liren Clothing Store is my husband's first business after he left his job, and he has put a lot of effort into this clothing store."
Zheng Hao understands this feeling.
Just like an animal you raised yourself, even if it later runs away from home, you don't want to see it having a bad life outside.
However, she still wanted to remind Tang Mingli.
"Boss lady, I think you'd better not have any more contact with Boss Li."
"Why?"
Tang Mingli knew that Zheng Hao must have meant well in giving her advice, but she didn't quite understand.
Would Li Zhengdao really hurt her?
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