Chapter 31.1

Xu Yuan didn’t stay long in the Public Welfare Project Department. After bidding farewell to Shen Ming, she left.

Shen Ming was so angry that he couldn’t focus on work anymore. After glaring fiercely at the office staff, he also left.

If he stayed in the company any longer, he feared he might not be able to resist confronting Meng Zhengrong, and that would be the stupidest move.

Xu Yuan enjoyed watching others suffer. She was in high spirits all the way back to the Finance Department, feeling a sense of accomplishment even dealing with a small fry like Shen Ming, perhaps because she had been idle for too long.

When Assistant Sun returned to the President’s office, Meng Zhengrong was already there.

“Where did you go? Why couldn’t I find you?” Meng Zhengrong asked as he sat down and turned on his computer, without lifting his head.

This wasn’t Assistant Sun’s usual style. Unless it was something important, he wouldn’t be unreachable during working hours.

On the way back, Assistant Sun had been debating whether to tell Meng Zhengrong about the incident. Seeing Meng Zhengrong’s face erased all his hesitation.

His direct superior was President Meng, not Mrs. Meng. This distinction couldn’t be blurred.

Thinking of this, Assistant Sun no longer hesitated and looked at Meng Zhengrong, saying, “Your wife came to see me today.”

Xu Yuan? What did she want with Assistant Sun?

Meng Zhengrong didn’t ask directly but looked at Assistant Sun with puzzled eyes.

Assistant Sun had been with Meng Zhengrong for several years and knew what his look meant. He dared not keep him in suspense and honestly replied, “Your wife asked me to have afternoon tea…”

Before he finished speaking, Meng Zhengrong’s face grew cold, and his voice became a bit icy, “She asked you to have afternoon tea?”

Assistant Sun almost gasped in surprise and hurriedly explained, “No, no, actually she just wanted to know some details about the Public Welfare Project Department.”

“Oh?” Meng Zhengrong’s expression softened considerably, “What did she ask?”

Assistant Sun, who had a good memory, recounted every question Xu Yuan asked and his answers to Meng Zhengrong.

Previously, his contact with Xu Yuan wasn’t much. He had just thought she was very polite. After today’s interaction, he realized how naive he had been. No matter how young and innocent Xu Yuan appeared, she was the eldest daughter of the Xu family before marrying Meng Zhengrong. Growing up in that environment couldn’t have been simple. Moreover, the Meng family wouldn’t have chosen a naive girl as their daughter-in-law. Impossible.

Meng Zhengrong had similar thoughts now. He suddenly realized he had underestimated Xu Yuan before.

In this regard, he hadn’t been as thorough as she had. He should have informed Xu Yuan about the Public Welfare Project Department’s situation earlier.

“And then?” Meng Zhengrong asked.

Assistant Sun, recalling the scene, couldn’t help but sweat for Shen Ming. Xu Yuan had completely overpowered him, leaving no room for rebuttal.

“Madam bought afternoon tea to reward the colleagues in the Public Welfare Project Department. She said you visited impoverished areas a few days ago and assured everyone that you were very concerned about public welfare. She also announced that she would replace you in the Public Welfare Project Department in the future…”

Meng Zhengrong was initially stunned, then burst out laughing, visibly pleased.

How could he not be happy? Just thinking about his uncle’s suffering could add a bowl to his dinner tonight.

It was just unfortunate that Assistant Sun wasn’t sharp enough. If he could have captured his uncle’s expression at that moment, it would have been perfect.

Alas, what a pity.

Now, he no longer had to worry about Xu Yuan being at a disadvantage with his uncle. Instead, he should be concerned about his uncle’s heart condition.

Thinking about it now, his decision was incredibly wise. Unlike him, Xu Yuan wasn’t directly related by blood. Hence, she wouldn’t be criticized as he might be.

Every man has his own type.

Meng Zhengrong had dated various types of women. Those unaware assumed he liked busty, slim-waisted, flashy women or pure, delicate types. But in fact, he admired intelligent women the most.

Intelligent women come in different forms: some are smart but flamboyant, others smart but reserved.

Thinking that he might discover more qualities he liked in Xu Yuan, Meng Zhengrong couldn’t help but feel excited.

Initially planning to work overtime today, Meng Zhengrong decided to take his work home after hearing about Xu Yuan’s actions in the Public Welfare Project Department.

When Meng Zhengrong arrived at the Finance Department, Xu Yuan had already packed up. Seeing him appear in the office, Xu Yuan was momentarily surprised.

Leaving the office together and taking the elevator to the parking lot, which was almost empty after work hours, Meng Zhengrong didn’t rush to leave once they were in the car. Instead, he asked with a smile, “I heard you went to the Public Welfare Project Department today?”

Xu Yuan knew there was no hiding this from Meng Zhengrong. Since he already knew, there was no need to conceal it. She nodded frankly.

Meng Zhengrong, teasing her, said with a straight face, “Why didn’t you tell me beforehand?”

Xu Yuan glanced at him calmly, “You should first consider your own stance.”

He just wanted to tease her and wasn’t actually angry. Fearing she might get upset, Meng Zhengrong grinned sheepishly, “I was just joking. Mom shouldn’t interfere with this anymore, and Dad will soon take her on a trip.”

At least that was some good news.

Actually, it wasn’t necessary for Mother Meng to take sides. As long as she remained neutral and uninvolved, it would suffice. Now it seemed Father Meng supported them and was helping them. Thinking of this, Xu Yuan’s face looked much better.

Meng Zhengrong, observing Xu Yuan’s face, saw that her expression had improved and joked, “Didn’t I do a good thing? Shouldn’t I get some encouragement?”

Xu Yuan thought Meng Zhengrong’s thick skin was comparable to a city wall. She hadn’t noticed it before because they hadn’t interacted much. Now, with a common goal, their relationship had become much closer, revealing his true character, different from his initial gentlemanly demeanor.

Of course, even Xu Yuan hadn’t realized that she had started showing less formality towards Meng Zhengrong, now daring to show her displeasure directly.

“How should I encourage you?” Xu Yuan’s tone remained unchanged despite her internal annoyance.

Meng Zhengrong, in a particularly good mood today, partly due to his uncle’s plight and partly due to discovering Xu Yuan’s merits, felt proud. He leaned closer, pointed to his cheek, and said, “Give me a kiss.”

In Meng Zhengrong’s mind, their relationship was now really good and close…

Xu Yuan looked at him calmly without saying a word.

The silence lasted so long that Meng Zhengrong, realizing his mistake, coughed awkwardly and started the car without another word.

Back home, Meng Zhengrong didn’t go straight to dinner but returned to the bedroom, continuously examining himself in the bathroom mirror.

With Xu Yuan, he often doubted his charm. Why else would she show no reaction?

Could it be that his pursuit wasn’t adequate?

Meng Zhengrong could only console himself with this thought now.

However, such comfort had little effect. Meng Zhengrong, sitting on the toilet, took out his phone and scrolled through his contacts.

Most of his friends were experienced in relationships, so they should know more about pursuing girls than he did. However, he couldn’t bring himself to ask them.

After all, he is thirty-one now, no longer a clueless boy. Having had several relationships, asking his buddies for advice on wooing his own wife would be too embarrassing.

After much thought, he decided to search online for private and reliable advice.

The search results were straightforward—

In a situation where the other person doesn’t dislike you, physical contact is essential to build intimacy. Of course, not in a lewd way, but casual touches to build comfort. For instance, touching her hand casually. Respect the girl’s boundaries!

Meng Zhengrong found this advice commendable and more useful than any other he had received.

Looking at it from a different perspective, this advice was brilliant. For men, if they didn’t dislike a woman, accidental touches would evoke feelings. Habit is a strong force; once accustomed to physical contact, winning the girl over would be easier.

He decided to test tonight whether Xu Yuan was uncomfortable with his touch.