Chapter 246 - Warmth

With her saying “Mum”, everyone present on scene changed their expressions. The crowd all stopped in their tracks and turned to look at the girl who had said it, Ning Qing.

They only saw her small hand placed on her abdomen for some reason. Another hand was by her side, and her delicate brows were just like a painting — calm and collected. Her eyes were bright and mesmerizing.

She was not flustered or embarrassed. She had a gentle expression as she looked towards Song Yajing.

Song Yajing and Kong Lan both stopped in their tracks. Song Yajing snorted lightly and said, “Miss Ning, who are you addressing as Mum?”

She did not acknowledge her status.

Ning Qing lifted her eyebrows and reassured herself that it was ok. She slowly curled up her lips into a smile and said, “Mum, there are 200 people there and 180 here. If you acknowledge me, the moment you say it, you would be telling everyone here that I am Lu Shaoming’s wife.”

Everyone took a deep breath. The marriage had been hidden for 3 months. It was the hidden secret of T City, and now Ning Qing was provoking Madam Lu out in the open, and announced the marriage out loud. Umm, she was so brave!

Song Yajing did not have a pleasant expression on her face. It was not the first time she has encountered Ning Qing’s glib tongue. Atrocious, she was at a disadvantage again!

At this moment, Kong Lan laughed coldly and continued, “Miss Ning, calling her “Mum” would not be for anyone to do so carelessly. Someone with your status might not know, marriage into a wealthy family includes many factors. If you want to enter the main doors of the Lu family, at the very least, you will also have to gain your future mother in law’s favour.”

Was she stepping on her family background?

Ning Qing had a plain smile as she said, “Madam Zhou, can I try asking, if I am unable to address her as mum, who would be able to do so? Shaoming and I have already gotten our marriage certificates. I am his legal wife. The law has ensured me of my rights. Madam Zhou, are you speaking like that because you want to challenge the laws in our country?”

“You!” Kong Lan was at a loss for words.

“Then again, Madam Zhou talked about marriage into a wealthy family, which involves many other factors. Are you reminding me of marriage between two wealthy families to improve relations? Talking about this, I, Ning Qing, cannot compare to Miss Zhou’s family background, but if Madam Zhou really wants to treat this marriage as an auction event, with the highest bidder winning instead, then there are many women having Miss Zhou’s background and come from wealthy families. Why would Shao Ming have to choose Miss Zhou? Let me remind Madam Zhou — I think it would not be wise to treat your own daughter as a product. Taking a step back to speak, no matter how great the product, if there is no one willing to purchase it, then wouldn’t that be pretty embarrassing?”

Kong Lan was so furious that she gritted her teeth.

“That was straightforward!” Yin Shuiling clapped, and she pointed at Song Yajing. “This Madam Lu here, what were you talking about earlier? Flying into the fire to become a phoenix…?”

At this moment, the journalists were soaking in the atmosphere and excitedly reminded her saying, “Madam Lu said just now that Director Ning wanted to fly into the fire to become a phoenix, and she still advised Director Ning not to dream naively. The big doors of the Lu family are not something Director Ning can dream of entering.”

“That’s right…” The journalists all agreed amongst themselves.

Song Yajing’s expression darkened. This Ning Qing was exceptionally good at swaying others’ hearts. Just now, these people were afraid of Song Yajing, but now they were all defending Ning Qing.

She looked towards the back and scanned the people. There was a little commotion as the crowd went quiet again.

Yin Shuiling hit her head and said, “Oh, it was in fact these words that were said, but what should we do? Our Ning Qing, she now has one foot in the door of the Lu family. She has turned into a phoenix. Madam Lu, your son likes our Ning Qing, and he has said that he would not marry any woman other than Ning Qing.”

Yin Shuiling spread her hands out, and made a gesture that indicated that she was very sorry.

The journalists and distinguished guests were tickled by Yin Shuiling, and they started to cover their mouths to hide their laughter.

At this moment, a bodyguard bent down by Song Yajing’s ear to say a few words softy. Song Yajing scanned Yin Shuiling with disdain and said, “Birds of a feather really do flock together. It turns out to be a family of dogs.”

Yin Shuiling heard the words that she hated the most. The expression in her eyes immediately turned sharp and she wanted to speak. But at this moment, her small shoulders were pinned by a huge palm, and her entire being fell into a broad embrace.

Yin Muchen had one hand in his pocket. He curled his lips and his eyes that were like a black marble looked plainly at Song Yajing. “Madam Lu, who were you referring to just now?”

Song Yajing recognized Yin Muchen. This man had started everything from scratch. He scaled corporate walls in the past four years in the finance sector, and he has become the most popular banker on Wall Street. He’s a real big shot in the finance world.

He was a popular big shot in the finance sector.

He did not have any background, and he was also not from a wealthy family. But this was also his advantage over others.

He was able to gain a footing in the finance sector, and he has made a name for himself. Other than his quick wit, he had the methods that were not of the common people.

This type of person was often the most cold and cruel.

Song Yajing did not want to get involved with him. She knew that if she had bad relations with him, he would cause trouble that she did not want to deal with. So she said slowly, “It turns out that this is President Yin’s younger sister.”

“Madam Lu, you are being too polite, ” Yin Muchen replied, and both of them seemed to be on good terms again.

Yin Muchen lifted his eyes to lightly look at those distinguished guests opposite him. When the distinguished guests met his gaze. He had a cold gaze and they all bowed their heads in fear.

Ning Qing looked at Yin Muchen and gave him a thankful expression.

At this moment, a white figure squeezed out from the crowd opposite her. “Ning Qing.” Xia Xiaofu, who wore a white dress, walked into the hall. Everyone focused their gazes on her, and she walked to Ning Qing’s side.

“Ning Qing, I didn’t see you in the garden out back, so I came to look for you. When I got here, I noticed that everyone is squeezed in here. Why didn’t you call me over?”

“Xiaofu.” Ning Qing held onto Xia Xiafu’s small hand and she shook her head slightly, indicating that Xia Xiafu should not have come over.

It was the Ou family’s charity gala tonight. No matter the status of Xiao Fu’s relationship with Ou Ze, her presence was awkward, and she should not have come.

Moreover Xiaofu’s parents were also part of the upper class in T city. She was different from Yin Muchen who had started from scratch. The Xia family were also hesitant due to the power that the Lu and Zhou families had. Her standing by Ning Qing’s side today would put pressure on her own family.

“Xiaofu.” Ou Ze came over chasing after her, but Ou Ze stopped in his tracks and stood at Kong Lan’s side.

Ou Ze looked at Xia Xiaofu wanting to chide her. He waved over to her and said, “Xiaofu, come over here.”

Xia Xiaofu did not bother with him.

At this moment, Song Yajing knitted her brows and exclaimed, “Ou Ze, the relationship between the Ou and Lu families are good. What is going on? Isn’t that your fiancée standing on the opposite side?”

“Aunt, listen to me explain….”

“Madam Lu.” Xia Xiaofu interrupted Ou Ze and said, “How are you? I am Xia Xiaofu, but I am not Ou Ze’s fiancée; we have broken up.”

Everyone on the scene gasped. Those journalists who were looking for gossip found another piece of shocking news, and they all raised their cameras to take photos. Click click!

Xia Xiaofu ignored these people. She looked directly at Kong Lan and said, “Madam Zhou, when I entered the doors just now, I heard you saying these words, ‘honour and shame.’” Heh, this world has turned upside down now. Ning Qing is Young Master Lu’s wife. Your daughter is a third party in regards to the couple. She has kept herself single for 26 years; is that worthy of praise? I am really very sorry. I only think that she is very pitiful.

“Also, I do not know what both Madam Lu and Madam Zhou are doing here today. Are they kicking away the legal wife to support and officiate the third party?

“That’s right…” The nation’s goddess was not here before, and when she came, her words were so sharp. The elites and journalists all started to murmur among themselves, and the scene was out of control.

Kong Lan curled her fingers into a fist. Song Yajing’s expression was in a daze. “Miss Xia, you better not spout nonsense.”

“Xiaofu…” Xia Xiaofu’s parents were standing among the crowd, and they slightly shook their heads at Xiao Xiaofu.

Ning Qing knew that Song Yajing had given a warning sign. The warning had reached Xiaofu’s parents. She tugged on Xiaofu’s sleeve and said, “Xiaofu, don’t say anything else. Keep in mind that a disaster could happen because of your words…”

Xia Xiaofu’s almond shaped eyes were moist as she laughed and said, “Ning Qing, I know. You still do not want to ruin your relationship with your mother in law. If not for this, you would be exerting your usual dominance. The things that are not convenient for you to say, I will say them on your behalf. Don’t worry about my parents. If worse comes to worst, after Young Master Lu comes, you help me to ask him for a favour.” Xia Xiaofu cheekily winked.

Ning Qing knew that Xiaofu did not want her to feel pressured. That is why she said that. Her mind twisted. She quickly pressed against her chest and bent down to vomit.

“Ning Qing…”

Yin Shuiling and Xia Xiaofu came to pat her on the back. Xiao Xiaofu did not know she was pregnant. Yin Shuiling sighed and said loudly, “Ning Qing don’t be angry, if you hurt your body now what are you going to do? You are already 3 months pregnant. Don’t worry, the public knows justice. Someone wants to steal your husband, the father of your child. Young Master Lu would not let them succeed.”

“What? Pregnant?” The crowd burst out into chattering. The journalists did not bumble about anymore, and they rushed to Ning Qing’s side.

“Director Ning, are you ok? You need to take care of your body. You need to know that your film City of Love is highly anticipated by all. Your 70 million fans are all worried about your health with every passing minute.”

“Yes, Director Ning, we all know your personality and difficulties. Doesn’t Director Ning have a famous saying? ‘Those who understand me know, those who don’t understand me, there is no need for them to understand.’”

Ning Qing was touched. When she was being harshly criticized, her two best friends were by her side, as well as those journalists who no longer feared those in power, and the fans who had always supported her. She was very satisfied.

But she did feel uncomfortable in her gut, as she vomited, she felt tears fall out of her eyes. Where was the man whom she needed most?

Once again, he was not by her side.

Song Yajing and Kong Lan were looking ultimately upset. On one side, there was warmth and care, and on this side, everyone had solemn expressions as they faced one another. It was cold and awkward. The people of upper class society turned the gazes downwards, either due to fear or embarrassment.

At this moment, Kong Lan unintentionally looked outside the door. Two people came in one after another. She was instantly jubilant instantly as she said, “Shaoming, Zhilei, you two are here!”

At this moment, everyone present turned the gazes over and looked towards the door.

Ning Qing was held up by her two best friends. She straightened her waist and turned her gaze to look at the door. A coy voice could be heard saying, “Brother Ming, wait for me.”

The handsome man briskly walked through the door, and Zhou Zhilei, who was behind him, had no time to brake. She crashed directly into the man. She immediately held onto the man’s left elbow and smiled blissfully, “Brother Shaoming, didn’t we promise to come together? How come you left me behind?”

Lu Shaoming did not have any expression. The moment he stepped through the doors, he started to comb through the 4 corners. He found the girl who was being held up a few metres away.

Ning Qing’s gaze collided with his.

“Shaoming, you are here!” Song Yajing and Kong Lan all went to their respective son and daughter’s side. Looking at it like this, they really seemed like a loving family.

“This…” The journalists on this side did not know what to say, and everyone carefully looked towards Ning Qing.