Chapter 49

Ning Zhen’s face felt a bit numb. 

She had asked a foolish question. 

Sheng Changyu continued walking forward, and Ning Zhen quickly caught up with him. They both walked in silence. 

Once in the car, Sheng Changyu asked her, “Why did you go to the Governor’s residence that day?” 

Ning Zhen answered honestly. 

The dinner invitation had been her grandmother’s idea. After thinking it over, Ning Zhen realized her grandmother was quite wise. 

There was no benefit in the Ning family holding a grudge against Sheng Changyu, especially when there was no irreconcilable feud between them. Someone had to be the first to make amends. 

Sheng Changyu was proud and powerful; it wasn’t likely he would be the one to yield first. 

“…I mentioned that you might not have time, but the elder had good intentions, and I couldn’t go against her wishes. So, I had to come and ask you, even if it meant losing face,” Ning Zhen explained. 

Her grandmother’s suggestion had been well-timed. 

An elder showing gratitude and inviting Sheng Changyu to a meal was a matter of courtesy. Ning Zhen, as the younger generation, had to comply, making it appear that she wasn’t just trying to curry favor. 

If Sheng Changyu didn’t want to go, he could easily come up with an excuse, like not wanting to trouble the elder and cause her extra work. 

“When?” Sheng Changyu’s voice broke the brief silence after a few moments of thought. 

Ning Zhen was surprised but didn’t show it. “When are you free?” 

“After the New Year. I’m quite busy before that with military affairs and various social engagements,” Sheng Changyu replied. 

Ning Zhen responded, “Alright.” 

Then she added, “Thank you, Governor!” 

He had delayed it until after the New Year, which was perfect. 

Her father would be leaving for the military post after the New Year, so he wouldn’t be home; Ning Zhen would have time to mentally prepare herself, and her brothers would have completed their tasks by then, making the situation more stable. 

His response had been carefully thought through. 

It was even possible that Cheng Baisheng had informed him in advance and they had discussed it, rather than it being a spur-of-the-moment decision. 

“Cheng Baisheng truly is a good friend,” Ning Zhen thought once again. 

In fact, she could invite Cheng Baisheng and her brothers to dinner first, to help them get acquainted. 

Cheng Baisheng was one of Sheng Changyu’s trusted confidants. With his help, perhaps Sheng Changyu’s prejudice against the Ning family could be dissolved sooner. 

“Are you going to the theater today without Baisheng?” Ning Zhen asked. 

Sheng Changyu replied, “He’s not my servant, following me everywhere I go.” 

Ning Zhen:  

“Why are you asking about him?” 

“I didn’t see him, so I asked casually,” Ning Zhen said. 

Sheng Changyu didn’t respond further. 

When they arrived at the theater, Sheng Changyu was about to step out of the car when he noticed a few people standing by the entrance, smoking and chatting. He said to Ning Zhen, “Get out of the car and go greet them. They’re all senior officers from the military, and you should give them some face.” 

Ning Zhen took a closer look and recognized the five older generals. She had seen them at least once or twice before. 

One of them was her father’s friend, General Li. 

“Alright,” Ning Zhen said. 

Sheng Changyu had truly changed a lot since becoming Governor. 

He now knew how to show respect to his subordinates. 

As Ning Zhen stepped out of the car, the senior officers turned their attention to her and Sheng Changyu. 

She greeted them with a smile, “Hello, Uncle Song, Uncle Chen, Uncle Yao; Uncle Zhou, Uncle Li.” 

The group smiled back at her. 

“Hello, Madam.” 

“Are you here to watch the opera with the Governor?” 

“It’s been years since we last saw you. You’ve become more beautiful as you’ve grown. I almost didn’t recognize you!” 

“Madam used to fight with Wen Luo when you were kids, and now look at you, all grown up. I nearly didn’t recognize you,” General Yao commented. 

General Li chimed in, “It wasn’t just fighting. Wen Luo’s thin arms and legs were no match for Madam. She was quite the mischievous child, but now she’s grown into a steady and dignified lady.” 

The lively chatter left Sheng Changyu standing slightly to the side. 

General Li then addressed him, “Governor, shall we head upstairs?” 

Sheng Changyu nodded, then turned to Ning Zhen and said, “Come upstairs with us. Watch a show before you leave. You know everyone here; it’ll be nice to catch up.” 

He added, “You calling everyone uncle and elder has lowered my status entirely.” 

Everyone gave face and laughed. 

Seeing that Sheng Changyu appeared relaxed and not angry, Ning Zhen smiled slightly as well. 

The atmosphere was pleasant, and Ning Zhen couldn’t refuse him in front of the senior generals, so she followed them upstairs. 

The theater had been reserved for the day, with officers from the military government acting as bodyguards, patrolling inside and out with rifles. 

As soon as they stepped inside, someone came out from within, their laughter preceding their footsteps. “AYu!” 

Ning Zhen:  

Yao Wenluo, wearing a light purple trench coat, was standing there, looking both elegant and seductive. 

Sheng Changyu looked at her hair, and Ning Zhen followed his gaze. 

Yao Wenluo had curled her hair, with thick waves at the back of her head—fashionable and beautiful. 

“Ning Zhen, you’re here too?” Yao Wenluo exclaimed in mild surprise. 

General Yao immediately said, “Wenluo, don’t be disrespectful. Address her as Madam.” 

“I didn’t expect Madam to be here,” Yao Wenluo responded. “I’m actually happy she’s here—after all, we became friends through a bit of conflict.” 

Yao Wenluo was outgoing and spoke with a certain straightforwardness that Ning Zhen couldn’t match in composure. 

“If I’m here, of course my wife would be here,” Sheng Changyu said. “What are you doing here?” 

Yao Wenluo gave a playful smile. “I came to surprise you! I just had my hair done. How does it look?” 

“A perfectly good person, now turned into a poodle. What’s good about it?” Sheng Changyu replied. 

Ning Zhen:  

She had to hold back a laugh right then and there. 

With Yao Wenluo’s lively demeanor and her constant head movements, she did indeed resemble a poodle more and more. 

Ning Zhen struggled to stifle her laughter. 

But the more you try to suppress something, the harder it becomes. The urge to laugh only intensified. 

She nearly suffocated herself holding it in, eventually turning away discreetly and covering her mouth with her sleeve to laugh in secret. 

“Oh, you just don’t appreciate it! You’ve never got a kind word to say! This is the latest fashion. Don’t be so old-fashioned, or the foreign-educated ladies will laugh at you,” Yao Wenluo quipped. 

Yao Wenluo wasn’t intimidated by Sheng Changyu, treating him almost like a mischievous younger sister would treat her elder brother. 

Unlike Xu Fangdu or Fanfan, who would be on edge the moment Sheng Changyu spoke harshly, Yao Wenluo didn’t take his words to heart, seeing them as nothing more than a sibling’s teasing. 

She even dragged Ning Zhen into the conversation. 

Sheng Changyu glanced at Ning Zhen and said, “She didn’t get a perm.” 

“She’s just pretending to be all well-behaved now that she’s back in the country,” Yao Wenluo teased Ning Zhen with a smile. 

Sheng Changyu leaned closer and asked Ning Zhen with a familiar tone, “Really? Just pretending to be well-behaved now that you’re back?” 

His presence brought with it a crisp scent, tinged lightly with tobacco. 

Ning Zhen didn’t back away and leaned closer as well, “I’ve always been well-behaved.” 

Sheng Changyu said, “Why don’t you take off the gun at your waist before making that claim? What kind of well-behaved girl carries a gun around?” 

Ning Zhen laughed. 

Yao Wenluo pulled her away, putting some distance between her and Sheng Changyu. “There are so many people here, and you two are whispering secrets. I don’t like it; it bothers me.” 

Everyone laughed. 

They all saw it as just playful banter between the younger generation. 

Ning Zhen didn’t mind. If Yao Wenluo truly had the ability to become Sheng Changyu’s second wife, Ning Zhen would happily accept her—someone to share the burden of Sheng Changyu’s temper. 

Compared to Yao Wenluo’s liveliness, Ning Zhen seemed much more gentle. 

As they went upstairs, she stood under the lights first. 

The white fox fur collar made her face appear even smaller, her skin pale, lips red, black hair, and dark eyes—fresh and exquisite. Her usual attire was also elegant, but there was nothing seductive about it. 

Not that she appeared flirtatious or coquettish, but just standing there, she exuded a certain fox-like allure. 

Sheng Changyu thought to himself, “Little white fox.” 

She looked different than usual. 

So, after they were seated in the theater, Sheng Changyu couldn’t help but glance at her a few more times. 

Maybe it was the quality of the fur collar that complemented her temperament so well. 

“The Governor has invited Master Wan to perform. Shall we go backstage and watch him put on his makeup?” Yao Wenluo tugged at Ning Zhen. 

Ning Zhen sensed that they might have serious matters to discuss, so she agreed and followed Yao Wenluo out.