Chapter 47.2

It was truly amusing. Before yesterday, he couldn’t wait for weekends to work just to see her, yet today, he avoided her, fearful of running into her.

Maybe he had always been a coward.

Just as Fang Mingyang arrived at the company, Xu Yuan walked in shortly after. She paused when she saw him but quickly regained her composure.

She had come to terms with her feelings; she now clearly understood that Fang Mingyang was not her cousin, but merely her subordinate. Regardless of what Fang Mingyang thought or how she felt, now that Meng Zhengrong was aware, she needed to resolve this hidden issue in her life.

Yes, an issue. Though it was a harsh way to describe it, it was the truth.

If Fang Mingyang continued to be her assistant, Meng Zhengrong was currently appeased, but who could guarantee that nothing would go wrong in the future? Upon reflection, Meng Zhengrong’s suspicions seemed reasonable to outsiders. It was normal for him to feel jealous and to care; if she continued to ignore this issue and gloss over it, then she would be the one acting irrationally.

Xu Yuan contemplated how to handle Fang Mingyang. He was still in his probationary period, and she could terminate his employment, but would that be appropriate?

She would no longer think about helping Fang Mingyang with his family issues, but it wasn’t right to dismiss him when she knew he was struggling and hadn’t made any mistakes at work.

As she pondered, she recalled Bai Wei. Since she was aware of Bai Wei’s intentions, Meng Zhengrong had dismissed her and compensated her appropriately.

Meng Zhengrong’s decision had made her satisfied at the time, and she couldn’t apply double standards by allowing Fang Mingyang to remain by her side to irritate Meng Zhengrong.

==

Today, Meng Zhengrong was in a good mood.

The monthly departmental meeting was always the most uncomfortable day for department heads, as they had to face Meng Zhengrong’s difficulties, often met with cold remarks and sarcasm. The atmosphere in the departments was tense, as if the manager had faced the brunt of Meng Zhengrong’s wrath, the overall morale would undoubtedly drop.

Some employees had privately discussed that Meng Zhengrong’s mood had a direct impact on the morale of the staff.

Everyone had prepared themselves for a scolding from Meng Zhengrong, yet to their surprise, he was in a rare good mood today. Not only was he tolerant, but he even smiled several times.

A few managers who were on good terms with each other had their own WeChat group, and as soon as the meeting ended, the group chat lit up.

“What’s going on with Meng today? This is the first time we haven’t been scolded. I feel like we should celebrate, but I’m also a little apprehensive.”

“Yeah, I’m worried there might be a bigger storm waiting for me later. Should I ask Song Yu? He’s close with President Meng.”

“Song Yu? Hey, don’t you guys know? He broke his leg and is in the hospital.”

“When did this happen? I didn’t hear anything about it!”

“Just last night.”

Right after the meeting, Meng Zhengrong received a call from Song Yu. Before Song Yu could say anything, Meng Zhengrong began to lecture him. “Why didn’t you come to work today? Are you trying to get your pay docked?”

Song Yu snorted coldly. “Go ahead and dock it all! Take everything away from me!”

Meng Zhengrong knew immediately that something was off with Song Yu. Given that he rarely acted like this, Meng Zhengrong decided to let it slide for now

 After all, he was happy today, and it made sense for him to radiate positivity.

“Where are you?” Meng Zhengrong asked with a good-natured tone.

This was just his cheerful mood; if he were in a bad mood, he would have considered docking Song Yu’s salary.

“I’m at the hospital.”

“You’re sick?” Meng Zhengrong thought for a moment before adding, “The HR department can send a bouquet to cheer you up.”

“Get lost! I broke my leg! I’ll be lying in the hospital for a while.” Song Yu’s tone was rough and laced with frustration.

This was serious. Meng Zhengrong asked curiously, “When did you break your leg?”

They were such good friends; how could Meng Zhengrong not know that Song Yu had been hospitalized?

No, wait. If it was just an ordinary fracture, Song Yu would have told him immediately. Why was he only mentioning it now? Was there something more to it?

Song Yu had been bottling up his anger and, feeling shameless in front of Meng Zhengrong, decided to spill it all out. He explained the whole situation over the phone and added, “This means she still cares about me; otherwise, she wouldn’t have kicked me. She would have just ignored me.”

“I think you’re not breaking your leg but rather breaking your brain.” Meng Zhengrong didn’t hold back his sarcasm.

Nonetheless, after hearing about Song Yu’s ordeal, he felt even happier.

Sometimes, happiness and contentment are built on comparisons. Seeing Song Yu in such a predicament made Meng Zhengrong feel luckier in contrast.

There are indeed differences between people.

It’s a tale of joy for some and misery for others.

Before noon, while many were still busy working, Meng Zhengrong personally brought a lunchbox to the public welfare project department. He realized he hadn’t considered that she was his wife—the one he cherished most. How could he let her run around every day just to have a meal? He should come over to eat with her.

Of course, Meng Zhengrong had his ulterior motives. He knew that Fang Mingyang had ulterior motives toward Xu Yuan but didn’t dare to reveal them due to the power dynamics, so he discreetly prepared bird’s nest soup for Xu Yuan to win her favor. Who would have thought he’d be discovered immediately? It was just his bad luck.

Now, Meng Zhengrong didn’t want to pursue Xu Yuan’s past intentions to help Fang Mingyang; he didn’t care to know.

Life isn’t a math problem; knowing everything isn’t necessary for it to be good. As long as he knew Xu Yuan had no feelings for Fang Mingyang, what was wrong with having a secret?

As soon as the people in the office saw Meng Zhengrong, they instinctively stood up to greet him. Meng Zhengrong gestured for them to sit down, lifted his lunchbox, and smiled, “I’m just here to have lunch with your manager. You all just carry on with what you’re doing; don’t be too formal.”

How could they not be formal? Meng Zhengrong was the boss.

He deliberately lingered outside for a while. When Xu Yuan heard the noise and came out of the office, she was a bit surprised to see Meng Zhengrong and didn’t understand why he had come down.

In the past, Meng Zhengrong didn’t like to mix personal matters with work and was reluctant to share too much of his private life with the employees. But things are different now.

“What are you doing here?” Xu Yuan asked quietly.

Meng Zhengrong followed her into the office, deliberately slowing his pace so that his answer would be audible to the employees outside. It didn’t matter if the others heard; the main point was to let the man who had his eyes on his wife know that he had no chance of interfering in their relationship.

“I came to have lunch with you so you wouldn’t have to run back and forth. I specially asked the kitchen to make your favorite dishes. You should drink more soup; you’re too thin.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the office door closed.

The colleagues in the public welfare project department exchanged glances, and soon after, when it was time to get off work, several of them grouped together and headed to the cafeteria. Fang Mingyang was among them, but he mostly kept to himself.

“Looks like we got fed some dog food again. But honestly, the relationship between President Meng and the manager is really good. He even came to have lunch with her.”

“Right? Asking the kitchen to prepare dishes that the manager likes. My goodness, it’s really suffocating!”

“Did you all know? When the manager first joined the company, there was an employee who seemed to have a crush on President Meng. That guy was really unlucky; the manager found out, but she didn’t say anything. The next day, President Meng fired him. It was truly satisfying!”

“If you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have almost forgotten. Those who know someone is in a relationship yet still try to interfere are really despicable. No morals!”

“Exactly! Right, Mingyang?” a female employee called out to Fang Mingyang, hoping to chat with him for a bit.

Fang Mingyang felt sweat on his palms and smiled, nodding.