Black Bellied President Dotes on Wife Chapter 2: Were You an Excavator Student?

Every individual possesses unique habits, and punctuality is generally regarded as a virtue.

Shangguan Ning herself disliked being tardy, and she accepted responsibility for the delay on this specific occasion.

Therefore, a sincere apology was offered: "I am extremely sorry. I encountered an unexpected issue and am en route now. Please commence without me."

"Then please make haste. I shall await your arrival," the voice on the other end of the line still conveyed displeasure.

Shangguan Ning found the sensation peculiar after ending the call, a bizarre feeling that was difficult to articulate.

Could this be... a date?

Goosebumps prickled Shangguan Ning’s skin at the mere thought of the word.

They had only shared a single dinner, and Guo Shuai had insisted on reciprocating the gesture today. As colleagues who saw each other daily, declining his invitation had proven challenging.

Following her return to China, she had taken up a teaching position at University of X. Both she and Guo Shuai instructed freshman students; she was part of the Foreign Languages Department, while he belonged to the Chinese Language Department.

They had crossed paths on several occasions, exchanging pleasantries and brief conversations, but nothing more had transpired. Several days prior, a dinner together had occurred accidentally, and out of courtesy, Shangguan Ning had split the bill, a proposition Guo Shuai had not opposed.

That was the extent of their interaction. It was hardly a genuine "date," was it?

However, cell phone conversations proved inadequate for conveying the nuances of the situation. She intended to provide a more thorough explanation in person.

Shangguan Ning drove with such urgency that a fifteen-minute journey was completed in merely ten minutes. She arrived at the western restaurant shortly thereafter.

Donning a black woolen coat and securing her handbag, she entered the establishment.

The restaurant was sparsely populated, likely due to its recent opening. Within moments, her eyes located Guo Shuai, seated by a window.

Mr. Guo Shuai, aged 32, held a Doctor's Degree from a second-tier domestic university. His complexion was slightly tanned, and he sported a pair of gold-rimmed glasses. He indeed projected an image of a cultured and educated academic, standing a few centimeters taller than Shangguan Ning's 168cm. His build was somewhat stout, and his appearance was average, seemingly falling short of the "handsomeness" implied by his parents' aspirations for him, reflected in his name.

Shangguan Ning had deliberately chosen to wear flat-soled shoes today, mindful of Guo Shuai's sensitivity regarding height.

She approached the table and took a seat. Picking up a glass, she took a sip of lemon water before calmly stating, "I sincerely apologize for my tardiness, Mr. Guo."

In truth, Guo Shuai had noticed her arrival the instant Shangguan Ning entered. Nevertheless, he feigned ignorance. At this point, he offered a slight nod and responded with an indifferent "hmm."

Women should not be overly indulged, particularly those like Shangguan Ning, who had resided abroad and possessed both charisma and beauty; otherwise, they were bound to become exceptionally demanding later in life.

Nonetheless, Shangguan Ning’s striking beauty was undeniable. Despite appearing weary and wearing no makeup, her elegance and refinement remained palpable.

Guo Shuai found it difficult to maintain anger when faced with such an exquisite countenance.

Yet, he did not display excessive warmth towards Shangguan Ning, as she did not seem particularly invested in him.

"Ms. Shangguan, we are both educated individuals, and you, in particular. You have lived abroad, though... ah yes, it was merely a small place like New Zealand, wasn’t it? Do people in New Zealand commonly exhibit rudeness by arriving late for appointments?"

Shangguan Ning’s brow furrowed. She had previously perceived him as a kind and amiable person, perhaps with a touch of intellectual loftiness, but ultimately a dedicated teacher devoted to literature. Today, however, his demeanor resembled that of a jaded twenty-year-old cynic.

"Ning, why the frown?" he inquired.

Ning! He was addressing her by her given name now?

He had referred to her as Ms. Shangguan only moments before. How had he suddenly transitioned to such a familiar form of address? Shangguan Ning’s fair, delicate arms were overcome with goosebumps.

"I am several years your senior, so I can offer you some guidance. What women require most is nurturing affection. Do not maintain excessively high expectations. You are no longer a young girl, and with each passing year, your value diminishes. At present, you are fortunate to find an exceptional match like myself, but as time progresses, you may find yourself with no alternative but to marry the security guards at our university entrance! Why did your parents never impart such wisdom..."

Before Guo Shuai could conclude his tirade, Shangguan Ning forcefully slammed her glass onto the table, the resounding crash drawing the attention of the other diners.

She paid no mind to the questioning glances of those nearby, focusing instead on her attempt to keep the lemon water from splashing onto the man seated across from her.

Her mood had already soured; any politeness shown to Guo Shuai stemmed solely from her guilt over being late. Now, it was abundantly clear the man was deliberately provoking her. What was the point of holding back any longer!

“Mr. Guo, did you forget to brush your teeth before leaving home today?” she inquired.

Guo Shuai, not quite grasping Shangguan Ning’s words, shot her a confused glare.

Without waiting for his response, Shangguan Ning declared bluntly, “Because your mouth stinks!”

“You...”

“I've not only visited New Zealand but also Great Britain, America, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and more! The men in those countries are all gentle and refined. Why is it that every time I return to China, I keep encountering these unsophisticated country bumpkins?”

“What do you mean by bumpkins? Who exactly are you referring to??”

Shangguan Ning completely disregarded Guo Shuai, who was visibly growing irate.

She responded with a mocking tone, “Mr. Guo, you must have studied incredibly hard to attend this university as a vocational school student. What was your major? Perhaps the study of excavators? It seems you have a particular talent for digging your own pits to fall into. If you wish to compliment me, just say it directly. Nobody has the time or the ability to decipher your roundabout pronouncements.”

“You...”

“It's no wonder, Mr. Guo, that you speak like a country bumpkin. You must have done a tremendous amount of digging, so much so that even a Master's or Doctoral degree can't conceal your inherent rustic nature. Don't feel inferior to others; I'm not mocking your background, I'm simply looking down on your moral character.”

“I...”

“Do you believe you're superior to the security guards at University of X? No, no, no. While those guards may not possess your level of education, their morals are far superior to yours in every conceivable way. Did you gain admission to University of X through some illicit means? If not, wouldn't it be too great a risk for the school to permit a student specializing in excavators to teach the Chinese language?”

In reality, Guo Shuai was quite learned and had secured his position legitimately. Shangguan Ning was simply intent on infuriating him.

Guo Shuai felt increasingly agitated, unsure if it was due to his strenuous efforts to restrain himself or simply because of his extreme displeasure.

He stood up abruptly, his face contorted.

Tilting his chin up, he retorted disdainfully, “Shangguan Ning, you will undoubtedly pay for every word you've uttered today. Bah!”

With that, he gathered his belongings and stormed out.

Good… he’s finally gone. Blissful silence has finally returned to the world.

The restaurant exuded a European ambiance, complete with a classical charm. Soft, melodious music filled the air, creating a perfect setting for a meal.

Shangguan Ning removed her coat and signaled to the waitress. “I’d like to place an order, please.”

The steak was exceptionally tender and fresh, releasing an irresistible aroma. The pasta was smooth and delectable, while the vegetable salad served as a delightful starter, complemented perfectly by a side of Chinese-style corn-pea porridge. Shangguan Ning, ravenous, felt utterly content after savoring the dishes.

She had cast aside all unpleasantness, immersing herself completely in the exquisite food.

After finishing her meal, she drank half a glass of lemon water. As she headed towards the counter, a young woman with short hair, sporting a light grey Prada blouse, approached the table in front of her.

Shangguan Ning expressed slight surprise, “Anan, what are you doing here?”

Zhao Anan casually swept her short hair back, a radiant smile gracing her lips. “This is my restaurant. Is there a problem with the owner making an inspection?”