Chapter 91: Can You Take a Punch?

After chatting about household matters in the living room, half an hour passed quickly.

With fifteen minutes until ten o'clock, the doorbell rang.

Mother Wang said, "They're here," and Wang Yuzhen stood up, saying, "I'll go open the door."

The doorbell rang three times, and Wang Yuzhen went to the entrance to open the door.

Two people stood outside the door; in front was a man of thirty-five or thirty-six, of medium build, with a stern face, wearing a black Zhongshan Suit.

Beside the man was a tall woman, who was none other than Zhao Ruyi, who had been peeking at Ning Weidong from the second floor yesterday.

Today, Zhao Ruyi had dressed up meticulously; not only was her hair coiled, but she had also applied lipstick, and she wore a light gray trench coat over her upper body, revealing her calves, with black trousers and small black high-heeled leather shoes.

She also had a colorful silk scarf tied around her neck, but there was no shyness on her face typical of a young woman on a blind date.

Parked outside the door was a Jeep.

"Brother Lichun!" Wang Yuzhen greeted with a smile.

The person who came with Zhao Ruyi was indeed her older brother, Zhao Lichun.

"Yuzhen, it's been many years since we last met~" Zhao Lichun laughed heartily; judging by his tone, it seemed he had known Wang Yuzhen since childhood.

Zhao Ruyi, standing beside him, also revealed a smile and called out, "Sister Yuzhen."

Wang Yuzhen let out an "Ah," looking at Zhao Ruyi with a grin so wide her gums were almost visible, looking quite like someone eyeing a daughter-in-law.

After letting the two in, everyone in the room stood up.

Zhao Lichun took a few quick steps forward, bowed to Mother Wang, and presented a gift.

Mother Wang accepted it with a smile, handed it over to Ning Weiguo, and introduced, "Lichun, you two haven't met yet, right? This is Yuzhen's husband, Ning Weiguo."

Zhao Lichun extended his hand: "Comrade Weiguo, hello~"

Ning Weiguo shook his hand: "Comrade Lichun, your great name has reached my ears like thunder~" As he spoke, he looked at Wang Yuzhen: "Whenever Yuzhen talks about things from when she was little, she can never avoid mentioning you, the 'king of the children'."

Zhao Lichun laughed out loud: "I'm afraid she didn't say anything good about me. Back then, we were only ten or so. The first time I saw Yuzhen, she looked just like a tomboy, spoke very aggressively, and took down two boys as soon as she got her hands on them. I just assumed she was bullying people..."

Mentioning the embarrassing stories of her childhood, Wang Yuzhen blushed, which was a rare sight.

Zhao Ruyi, however, had her eyes light up, not expecting Wang Yuzhen to have such a glorious history.

Zhao Lichun gave a bitter smile: "How was I to know she was a girl? I knocked her down, and she didn't even make a sound. It wasn't until I got home that evening that I found out I'd hit a girl, and my dad gave me a beating with his belt."

Ning Weiguo looked at Wang Yuzhen with some surprise; he really hadn't known about this.

Wang Yuzhen's mouth twitched, and she hurriedly changed the subject, tugging at Ning Weidong: "Um, this is Weidong, our family's Weiguo's younger brother." She then looked at Zhao Ruyi: "Weidong is also from the Red Star Factory, working in the Security Division. Ruyi, you two are in the same unit; you should visit each other more often in the future."

Ning Weidong was stunned. Zhao Ruyi was actually from the Red Star Factory too? Ning Weiguo and Wang Yuzhen hadn't told him before~ Perhaps they had forgotten, or they had just assumed he knew.

Ning Weidong stood beside Ning Weiguo, nodded at Zhao Lichun and Zhao Ruyi across the coffee table: "Brother Zhao, Sister Zhao, hello."

Zhao Lichun leaned forward, took the initiative to extend his hand, and said, "Hello."

Ning Weidong hurriedly shook it with him.

Zhao Ruyi did not reach out, and Ning Weidong did not take the initiative either; they just sized each other up.

Zhao Lichun had noticed Ning Weidong the moment he entered the room, and despite his critical gaze as a prospective brother-in-law, he had to admit that Ning Weidong was worthy of the description "dashing and handsome."

Zhao Ruyi was also somewhat surprised.

Although she had taken a peek in advance yesterday, she had been on the second floor, separated by a window, and couldn't see anything at all.

Only now did she see Ning Weidong's features and eyes clearly for the first time.

That was secondary; Ning Weidong's height and physique made her eyes light up.

Zhao Ruyi was an outlier in her family.

The Zhao family were all of medium build, but she alone, this daughter, had been tall and sturdy since childhood, actually growing to one meter seventy.

Her older brother Zhao Lichun was only one meter seventy-four, and her second sister Zhao Yushui was one meter sixty-two; when she wore high heels, she was even taller than her brother.

In this era, one meter seventy-four was not considered short for a man, and it was truly not easy to find someone who could match Zhao Ruyi in height while also having comparable conditions in other areas.

And this was one of the reasons why the Wang Family ultimately chose Ning Weidong; his height of one meter eighty-five and weight of over one hundred and eighty jin was a perfect match for Zhao Ruyi.

Once they had all been introduced, they sat back down on the sofa.

It was mainly Zhao Lichun and Mother Wang talking; this time, Zhao Lichun had come representing the Zhao Family.

Actually, for an occasion like this, it would have been more appropriate for Zhao Ruyi's mother to come, but Zhao Ruyi's mother had passed away a few years ago, so they had no choice but to let her older brother, Zhao Lichun, bring her.

After talking for a while, Mother Wang gave Ning Weiguo a look.

Ning Weiguo understood and said to Zhao Lichun: "Comrade Lichun, I have read your thesis on economic reform; the viewpoints are quite profound. I have a few questions I would like to ask for your advice on..."

Zhao Lichun hurriedly said: "I wouldn't dare call it advice; let's discuss it together."

While they called it discussing questions, it was actually a tactful way of inquiring about Zhao Lichun's attitude.

If he took a liking to Ning Weidong, going to discuss questions with Ning Weiguo would mean he agreed to let Zhao Ruyi and Ning Weidong spend time alone.

Zhao Ruyi watched her older brother being called away by Ning Weiguo and pouted slightly.

Mother Wang and Wang Yuzhen, however, were all smiles.

Mother Wang pulled Zhao Ruyi over and patted the back of her hand: "Ruyi~ Auntie will make dumplings for you at noon today."

Then, using the excuse of preparing the dumpling filling, she left Ning Weidong and Zhao Ruyi alone.

For a moment, only the two of them were left sitting across from each other at the coffee table.

Ning Weidong looked at the woman opposite him.

She was twenty-three this year, two years older than him, and quite beautiful. Unlike the gentle beauty of Bai Fengyu or An Ning, the corners of Zhao Ruyi's eyes and brows were slightly upturned, making her look more aggressive.

As the others left, Zhao Ruyi's posture, which had been quite dignified, suddenly relaxed. She leaned back against the sofa, lifted her long legs, crossed them, and sat with her legs crossed; her entire temperament changed.

Ning Weidong raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes, and asked: "You're also at the Red Star Factory?"

Zhao Ruyi's lips curled slightly: "I'm in the Factory Office."

Ning Weidong said: "No wonder I haven't seen you. A female comrade as beautiful as you, if I had seen you, I would definitely have a very deep impression."

The Factory Office was on the second floor, and the Security Division was on the third; they didn't even use the same door to enter and exit, so it really wasn't easy to run into each other usually.

"Is that so?" Zhao Ruyi curled her lip: "I have actually seen you. Ning Weidong, originally at the West Gate, only transferred to the Office Building last week, nicknamed Ning the Blockhead..."

Ning Weidong listened, not too surprised.

Matters like arranged blind dates, especially for the woman's side, if the family has the means, they will certainly investigate beforehand.

The Zhao Family certainly has this capability; it is not strange for Zhao Ruyi to state his past.

Ning Weidong felt helpless inside; it was another mess left behind by the original owner.

But then again, knowing these circumstances, Zhao Ruyi still came, which is enough to show their positive attitude toward this marriage alliance.

Compared to politics, the marriage of a daughter is too insignificant.

Ning Weidong smiled: "I didn't even know I had this nickname."

Zhao Ruyi raised an eyebrow, not expecting Ning Weidong to have this reaction, not feeling ashamed, but rather proud.

She couldn't help but feel secretly annoyed; she mentioned this on purpose to suppress Ning Weidong, but who knew this guy opposite her, while looking decent, was actually shameless. Zhao Ruyi took a deep breath; she saw that Ning Weidong was a tough nut to crack, so she stopped beating around the bush and said in a deep voice: "Ning Weidong, I think you should understand that we are not suitable for each other."

Ning Weidong had no reaction, raising his hand to signal her to continue.

Zhao Ruyi said: "We are just a link for the cooperation between our two families..."

Ning Weidong suddenly interrupted: "If you didn't want to marry me, you shouldn't have come today."

Zhao Ruyi choked; of course she didn't want to come, but did she have a choice? In a family like hers, from the day she was born, she enjoyed material supplies far exceeding ordinary people brought by the family, educational conditions far exceeding ordinary people, and job positions far exceeding ordinary people.

To enjoy the benefits of all this, one must bear the corresponding responsibilities.

Therefore, when her family needed it, she could not say 'no'.

However, she was unwilling to marry a blockhead who was missing a screw in his head.

Even though this blockhead was tall and handsome.

Zhao Ruyi changed the direction of her crossed legs, was silent for a moment, and said: "I can marry you..."

Ning Weidong smiled without smiling, pulling a cigarette from his pocket: "Sounds like there are quite a few additional conditions~"

Seeing Ning Weidong's cigarette, Zhao Ruyi frowned.

"Don't like it?" Ning Weidong shook the cigarette.

Zhao Ruyi said: "I don't like the smell of smoke."

"I don't like it either, but once you get used to it, you can't leave it." Ning Weidong stood up and said: "It's not good to smoke inside someone's house, shall we go outside for a walk?"

Zhao Ruyi frowned, thinking to herself that this man was really not a gentleman; he asked if she didn't like it, but instead of not smoking, he wanted to go outside.

Yet she couldn't refuse; this marriage alliance between the Zhao Family and the Wang Family was imperative.

As the subjects of the marriage alliance, neither Ning Weidong nor she had the qualifications to object.

Therefore, for the sake of the future, she must take the initiative between the two and ruthlessly suppress this 'straw bag' of a Ning Weidong.

Ning Weidong's proposal to go outside also suited her wishes.

Zhao Ruyi stood up and agreed.

Ning Weidong went to the kitchen side with a smile.

Just now, in order to leave space for them, Wang Yuzhen and her daughter had specifically closed the door.

Ning Weidong pushed the door open: "Auntie, Sister-in-law, I'm taking Comrade Zhao Ruyi out for a walk."

The two women in the kitchen had their eyes light up; could it be that the two of them had taken a liking to each other? They came out of the small building.

Zhao Ruyi tightened her trench coat and turned to look at Ning Weidong: "Where to?"

Ning Weidong said: "How would I know? It's my first time here today, let's just walk along~" As he spoke, he pulled the Lighter given by Li Peihang last time from his pocket and lit the cigarette: "Speak up, what are the conditions?"

Zhao Ruyi stepped to the side and fanned the air in front of her: "First, within three years after marriage, I will not share a room with you."

Ning Weidong raised an eyebrow, speechless for a moment.

Could it be that he got it wrong before, and he transmigrated into a cheesy female-oriented novel?

Contract marriage, not sharing a bed after marriage, does there also have to be a 'white moonlight' or a 'cinnabar mole' or something? Discovering Ning Weidong's strange expression, Zhao Ruyi had a feeling he wasn't thinking of anything good, and frowned: "What's with that expression?"

Ning Weidong took a puff of the cigarette: "That... let me ask you something, do you have a childhood sweetheart you grew up with? You already had secret feelings for each other, but this time you had to enter a marriage alliance, forcing you to separate..."

Zhao Ruyi was stunned for a moment, blinking her eyes in confusion.

"What are you talking about?" Zhao Ruyi reacted, immediately pulling a long face, and said angrily: "What white moonlight, cinnabar mole, are you sick in the head?"

"No?" Ning Weidong smiled amusedly: "If not, then forget it. Look at you, getting all worked up. What other conditions are there, say them all at once."

Zhao Ruyi took a deep breath; originally, Ning Weidong's appearance had added many points when they first met, but the bad attitude he was showing now already made her feel disgusted.

"Second, I heard you are involved with a widow in your courtyard; you must cut it off immediately. I don't want to hear similar rumors again."

"Widow?" Ning Weidong was startled, then immediately realized she was referring to Bai Fengyu.

Perhaps Zhao Ruyi's source of information was off, mistaking Bai Fengyu for a widow.

But it was close enough.

Ning Weidong was noncommittal and said indifferently: "Anything else?"

Zhao Ruyi had been observing Ning Weidong's expression just now, but couldn't see his joy or anger.

Supposedly, both of her demands were quite excessive; any ordinary man would have flipped out long ago.

Zhao Ruyi simply continued: "Third, in our future life, for all matters big and small, and social interactions, I must have the final say."

Ning Weidong sucked his teeth, made a tsk sound, and frowned: "On what grounds? Regardless of whether it's a marriage alliance, after we get married, I am the head of the household. Why should I listen to you for everything?"

Zhao Ruyi said as a matter of course: "You make thirty-two point five a month, I make sixty-seven point six a month. You tell me on what grounds?"

Ning Weidong opened his mouth, thinking to himself that this reason was actually quite sufficient.

He simply didn't argue and continued to ask: "Besides this? Anything else?"

Zhao Ruyi shook her head to indicate there was nothing else.

In reality, she proposed these conditions mostly as a test.

She wanted to see what Ning Weidong's reaction would be.

Zhao Ruyi knew clearly in her heart that these three conditions were all unreasonable and were forcing someone to do the impossible.

If Ning Weidong could grit his teeth and agree to even this, she would really have to carefully consider her future way of interacting with Ning Weidong.

Deeply calculating and nursing vengeance, he was likely a treacherous villain of the Sima Yi variety.

Ning Weidong was not a tapeworm in her stomach and did not know what this woman was thinking; he flicked the finished cigarette butt into a trash can by the side of the road and said with a half-smile, "These three conditions of yours don't count as anything..."

Zhao Ruyi was stunned; Ning Weidong had actually agreed! He hadn't even bargained or negotiated terms.

But the next moment, a single sentence from Ning Weidong made her instantly burn with rage.

Ning Weidong said, "I can agree to all three of your conditions, and even three more wouldn't be a problem, but I'll ask you one thing: can you take a beating or not~"

Zhao Ruyi didn't react for a moment, and it took a turn of her brain to understand.

What the hell is 'can you take a beating'; it turns out that after talking for so long, he was just messing with her!

"You're looking for death!" Zhao Ruyi glared, and without another word, she immediately attacked.

Previously, Ning Weiguo and Wang Yuzhen had both warned that Zhao Ruyi had a wild temperament.

This wasn't just talk; it was something Zhao Ruyi had fought her way to in their circle, otherwise, how wild could a girl who looked like a little kitten really be?

Unless she was a tigress herself.

————

Asking for subscriptions for the new book; also, regarding updates, from now on, barring any accidents, there will be two updates every day, totaling over eight thousand words, and if the writing goes smoothly, ten thousand words, roughly at twelve noon and five in the afternoon.

(End of this chapter)