Chapter 58

In the study, the father and daughter of the Ning family sat facing each other in silence. 

Ning Zhoutong, a wise father, rarely showed his children his moments of uncertainty. 

“If that day ever comes, we won’t be without options,” Ning Zhoutong said. 

Ning Zhen replied, “Should we strike first and take him out?” 

Ning Zhoutong remained silent for a moment, then smiled slightly. “Your three brothers are all very proper and conservative, none of them could easily take extreme measures. Even together, they are no match for Sheng Changyu. If we strike first, it would only give him the excuse to kill us all.” 

Ning Zhen nodded, “True.” 

Most people couldn’t outwit Sheng Changyu. 

When Sheng Changyu was scheming, he had a ruthless, reckless edge. He was even willing to risk his own life just to destroy his enemies. 

“If it comes to that, I’ll retire. He can’t stand me, so I’ll disappear from his sight,” Ning Zhoutong said. 

“Father, you’re not even fifty yet,” Ning Zhen reminded him. 

Retiring meant giving up his career completely. Once he stepped down, the Ning family’s influence would gradually fade. Her brothers’ futures were still uncertain, and if her father retired now, the Ning family would eventually decline. 

Every family feared slipping into obscurity. 

Her father had risen from the son of a small landowner, a graduate of the military academy, to his current high status. Should he really abandon everything just because the new ruler disapproved of him? 

“We’ll take it one step at a time,” Ning Zhen said. 

Ning Zhoutong reassured her not to worry, and advised her not to do anything unnecessary, telling her to live quietly at the Sheng family’s old mansion. 

“Your safety is the most important thing. The family’s matters are for me and your brothers to handle,” her father said in conclusion. 

Ning Zhen nodded solemnly, “Father, I will take good care of myself.” 

For ordinary people in the city, life revolved around their basic daily needs. 

There were rumors of military movements outside the city, but most didn’t know or care what was happening. 

“The price of rice went up before, but now it’s fallen, even lower than before. What’s going on?” 

“I heard some speculators went bankrupt and even committed suicide. Maybe they thought there’d be a war, but nothing happened.” 

“Serves them right, those greedy merchants.” 

The ups and downs of life in the city continued. 

Some hoped for profit but miscalculated and ended up bankrupt and dead. Wealth and success had their own destinies. 

Ning Zhen returned to the Sheng family’s old mansion. 

She didn’t call the Governor’s office, but Cheng Baisheng called her. 

“You mentioned your brothers wanted to treat me to a meal before. I’m still waiting for that. Why hasn’t it happened yet?” Cheng Baisheng joked. 

Ning Zhen could tell he was in a very good mood. 

“When are you free?” 

“How about tomorrow night? Let’s go to the YueLai Restaurant for some Huaiyang cuisine,” Cheng Baisheng suggested. 

“Sounds good!” Ning Zhen agreed. 

They set the plan. 

Ning Zhen called her second and third brothers to inform them of the arrangements. 

After finishing her chores in the morning and informing the old lady, Ning Zhen left early in the afternoon and arrived at the entrance of the Yue Lai Restaurant around 4 p.m. to wait. 

When a military government car pulled up, Ning Zhen thought it was Cheng Baisheng. She stepped forward but saw the adjutant open the door, and Sheng Changyu stepped out. 

He was wearing a black cloak that reached his ankles, emphasizing his tall and imposing figure, his demeanor sharp and commanding. 

Ning Zhen instinctively took a step back, but Sheng Changyu had already seen her. 

He nodded slightly and, with no expression, asked, “Looking for me?” 

“Governor,” Ning Zhen smiled, “Are you here for dinner?” 

“Do you need something?” His tone was calm, curious but not impatient. 

He was in a good mood. 

And why not? After taking advantage of the Presidential Palace, he had now seized upon a mistake by their son, forcing the President to sweep the loss of vast wealth and the deaths of twelve men under the rug. Anyone would be in a good mood after that. 

Wen Weinian was too young, unable to contend with Sheng Changyu, and had acted impulsively, paying a heavy price for it. Pity for the twelve officials who had died so unjustly. 

Ning Zhen maintained her smile without a hint of discomfort. “No, Governor. My second and third brothers wanted to invite Baisheng to dinner, and we made reservations at this restaurant too.” 

Sheng Changyu frowned slightly but said nothing further. He turned and entered the restaurant, leaving Ning Zhen standing at the entrance. 

A little later, Cheng Baisheng arrived. 

Ning Zhen asked, “Did you not know, or was it intentional?” 

Cheng Baisheng replied, “I only saw Sheng Changyu’s car when I got here, so I realized he was hosting as well. I certainly didn’t do it on purpose.” 

Ning Zhen said, “I’ll take your word for it.” 

Cheng Baisheng laughed. 

They headed up to the private room on the second floor, but Ning Yishen and Ning Ce hadn’t arrived yet. 

“So, how are things going?” Ning Zhen asked deliberately. 

Cheng Baisheng responded, “Are you talking about the Governor’s residence? They’ve replaced the plaque.” 

Ning Zhen remarked, “That was worth it.” 

“Sheng Changyu doesn’t like losing. If it’s not worth it, he’ll take lives to make up for it,” Cheng Baisheng said. 

Ning Zhen was left speechless. 

A little later, Ning Yishen and Ning Ce arrived, and the meal turned out to be fairly pleasant. 

When Cheng Baisheng wasn’t in cahoots with Sheng Changyu, he was a good friend. His fair, porcelain-like skin and refined, scholarly demeanor made him approachable. 

After the meal, as they were heading downstairs, they ran into Sheng Changyu. 

“What a coincidence,” Cheng Baisheng said, “Ning Zhen, let’s go say goodbye to the Governor.” 

Sheng Changyu seemed to be in a good mood. 

As they approached, Cheng Baisheng said to Sheng Changyu, “Ning Zhen has something she’d like to tell you.” 

Ning Zhen: “?” 

What was she supposed to say? 

“Regarding the rumors spread by Wen Weinian, Ning Zhen felt really bad about it and wanted to explain,” Cheng Baisheng continued. 

Ning Zhen:  

If you hadn’t brought it up, he’d have forgotten all about it! 

I was nearly forgetting it myself. 

Are you really a good friend, or have I misjudged you? 

Ning Zhen was stunned for a moment. 

Sheng Changyu frowned slightly. 

Before Ning Zhen could figure out what to say, Sheng Changyu spoke: “No place to talk here. Get in my car.” 

Ning Zhen:  

She followed him. 

The adjutant left, and they were alone in the car. 

Streetlights shone through the windows like soft moonlight, casting a gentle glow on half of Sheng Changyu’s face. 

His expression remained calm and relaxed. 

“I’m not angry. You don’t need to feel uneasy,” Sheng Changyu said. 

“Thank you, Governor,” Ning Zhen replied. 

“That day, when Wen Weinian drew his gun, you protected me immediately. You showed me respect, Ning Zhen. I know how to appreciate that,” he continued. 

“Thank you, Governor,” Ning Zhen said again. 

She had nothing else to say but to express her gratitude. 

“Everyone has a past. I’m not interested in yours, so you don’t need to explain anything. Your Ning family is full of smart people. Since you’ve become the Governor’s wife, I trust your loyalty. Whoever you might have been involved with before, I won’t hold it against you. That’s my trust in you,” Sheng Changyu said. 

When he first heard Wen Weinian claim that Ning Zhen was his woman, Sheng Changyu had indeed wanted to strike him. 

Because Ning Zhen was now the Governor’s wife, Wen Weinian’s words were a direct challenge to the Governor’s authority. 

When Sheng Changyu had made a move, he had already been planning how to resolve the case of the explosion on the ship. His mind was crystal clear; his act of aggression was just to maintain his dignity. 

At the same time, it was also a way to further provoke Wen Weinian. 

Ning Zhen, thinking it was a serious matter, had wanted to explain, but in Sheng Changyu’s eyes, it was unnecessary. 

As the official wife of the family’s head, she was loyal, smart, and knew her place. To Sheng Changyu, that was enough. 

Nothing more was required. 

“It’s late. Go and rest,” Sheng Changyu said. 

Ning Zhen agreed, got out of the car, and left. 

Cheng Baisheng was waiting for her and asked, “How did it go?” 

Ning Zhen said, “Baisheng, sometimes you’re reliable, but other times you come up with terrible ideas. You nearly scared me to death.” 

“What did the Governor say?” 

“How do you think he responded?” Ning Zhen replied, puzzled. “If you hadn’t mentioned it, he wouldn’t have remembered.” 

Cheng Baisheng: