Wife, please behave yourself.

Chapter 192 Suitable for Oneself
Ning Mengyao had left an extremely deep impression on Liu Changcun.

However, this impression has both a good and a bad side.

Liu Changcun has never liked people who lack their own opinions. Even when he first came into this world, he was annoyed by Liu Wanqiu, who often cried at home.

Having never been a father before, he initially didn't know how to get along with his children.

Fortunately, as he spent more time with his family, he gradually learned to be more tolerant.

After all, children are just children. No matter how mature they appear, they are still just teenagers at heart.

Children should not be judged by the standards applied to adults.

However, it's different for adults.

Liu Changcun has his own set of standards for judging people.

It was because of these standards that he judged his ex-wife Lin Wanran to be unsuitable for the family, and it was also because of these standards that he hoped the timid and cowardly Ning Mengyao could change.

At first, Liu Changcun didn't have a very good impression of Ning Mengyao.

Although she is a rare beauty in terms of looks alone, at 29 years old she has shed the naivety of her youth and gained a mature woman's charm.

However... Liu Changcun disliked her personality very much.

After all, the way Ning Mengyao handled the various incidents she encountered angered Liu Changcun, who was watching.

She not only faced slander from her ex-husband, but also endured endless grievances.

Or perhaps it's about obsessively researching new tea drinks based on a casual remark you made.

Although she seemed to care about others, Liu Changcun knew perfectly well that this was just a tactic Ning Mengyao used to please them.

Liu Changcun didn't know what kind of environment Ning Mengyao had lived in since childhood. He only knew that Ning Mengyao was a people-pleasing personality who didn't care about her own feelings and only knew how to be nice to others.

Such kindness may seem to benefit the person being flattered, but in reality, it can put immense pressure on others without them even realizing it.

Just like when Ning Mengyao was hired as a shop assistant.

At that time, she wanted to devote herself entirely to Liu Changcun. No matter how hard or tiring it was, she never complained. Every time she saw Liu Changcun, she had a happy look on her face.

Ning Mengyao seemed not to have moved on from her previous failed marriage.

She simply shifted her emotional attachment from Li Mingche to Liu Changcun.

It was precisely because they realized this.

That's why Liu Changcun repeatedly hinted to the other party.

However, Ning Mengyao did not understand his hints, so Liu Changcun, who was already tired, let go completely and brought the issue to the forefront in public.

Coincidentally, since then, Liu Changcun has also begun to focus on the production of new programs.

For a long time, he had not seen Ning Mengyao in front of him.

That's why Liu Changcun was so pleasantly surprised when he saw her after the changes recently.

After all, compared to the timid and submissive Ning Mengyao who devoted herself entirely to him, this was a far cry from the Ning Mengyao of the past.

What he wants and hopes to see more is Ning Mengyao shining brightly at work and striving to live her own life well.

With his gaze fixed on the woman opposite him, Liu Changcun stared at her, who was in a daze.

"Humans are actually very selfish creatures. If you want a fulfilling life, the most important prerequisite is to learn to be selfish first."

Liu Changcun looked at Ning Mengyao in front of him.

"You used to care too much about what others thought and lived too cautiously. In fact, this will not make others pity you, but will only make them think you are easy to bully. Therefore, after figuring out your temperament and personality, they will abuse you even more."

"In my opinion, the most important thing to live a good life is to learn to be good to yourself."

"Only in this way can you let go of your troubles and live a fulfilling and carefree life."

Looking at Ning Mengyao, who remained silent in front of him, Liu Changcun smiled.

"So I'm happy to see the changes in you. At least now you don't look as miserable as before."

"..."

The series of remarks left Ning Mengyao speechless.

She remained silent, gazing at the man before her.

When she saw the faint smile on the other person's face, she felt as if she had been sucked into a vortex. It took her an unknown amount of time before she regained control of her mind.

Taking a deep breath, Ning Mengyao composed herself.

She looked directly at the man in front of her again, meeting Liu Changcun's unwavering gaze.

"I don't agree."

Four simple words came from her mouth.

She, who had always unconditionally trusted Liu Changcun's words, now offered a rare rebuttal.

Compared to Liu Changcun's smiling face, she now looks serious.

The two seemed to have switched personalities.

At least... at this moment.

"I do not agree with your statement that people must be selfish in order to live a good life."

After a slight pause, Ning Mengyao added after thinking for a moment.

"I think that if people are excessively selfish, they will only reap unexpected and tragic lives. On the contrary, only by caring can people better embrace the future."

"You're not a selfish person."

“You care about Liu Songyan, and you also care about Liu Wanqiu, because they are your children, so you care about them.”

"If, as you say, one must become selfish to achieve happiness, then you are... not selfish at all right now."

As Liu Changcun's employee, Ning Mengyao had little contact with his family, but she had witnessed Liu Changcun's choices when it came to his children more than once.

Whether it's Liu Songyan, who seems to be going through a rebellious phase or not.

Even Liu Wanqiu, who possesses astonishing strength.

Two children with very different personalities are unconditionally loved by their father.

If what Liu Changcun said is true, then the selfish remarks he just described cannot be reflected in him.

If it were the Ning Mengyao of the past, she might have pondered Liu Changcun's words silently until late at night, and ultimately trusted him unconditionally.

However, she has indeed changed now.

At least she is no longer the foolish woman who used to believe everything Liu Changcun said without any opinions of her own.

“You care about your family and about me, who had nothing to do with you back then. You can’t be considered selfish at all, but you are very happy living like this now.”

Looking at Liu Changcun, whose smile slowly faded, she saw him standing in front of her.

Ning Mengyao continued, "I also want to be happy, which is why I care about you and pay attention to you. It seems that only in this way can I gain my own happiness."

“Ning Mengyao…”

"What should we do, Mr. Liu?"

Hearing the name from Liu Changcun's mouth, Ning Mengyao did not choose to listen quietly.

Instead, he took the initiative to speak and add more.

"It seems you've produced a student who's giving you a real headache..."

"..."

Hearing Ning Mengyao's remarks, Liu Changcun, who had originally wanted to interrupt, fell completely silent.

Looking at the woman smiling again in front of him, the two of them had switched places once more.

Liu Changcun looked down at the dining table in front of him, which was covered with a tablecloth.

Recalling the remarks she had just made.

When I looked up again...

"This time... I've learned a lesson."

He spoke in a very calm tone, as if he were recounting a trivial matter.

Liu Changcun never imagined that he would be taught a lesson by Ning Mengyao. Looking at the timid and foolish woman in front of him who used to fawn over others unconditionally.

No one is born stupid. Even children with intellectual disabilities can master behaviors that seem impossible to ordinary people with systematic training.

This statement is equally apt for Ning Mengyao.

In just a few months, her growth has far exceeded Liu Changcun's expectations.

Ning Mengyao now... can no longer be considered a stupid woman.

"I didn't expect that."

He muttered something as if in a sigh, but Liu Changcun looked quite happy at the moment.

Looking at Ning Mengyao sitting down in front of him, and seeing her serious expression with a smile on her face.

The waiter brought the food for the two of them, and after setting it out, he began to cut it into pieces in front of everyone using cutlery.

Chopsticks were placed in front of the two of them.

Only after the waiter left did Liu Changcun pick up his chopsticks and take a piece of cut beef.

The rare steak was seared on the outside, but still red on the inside.

Use chopsticks to pick it up and pass it to the other side.

"Consider this a toast to you. I don't have any wine on hand right now, so I'll use this piece of beef instead."

"..."

Liu Changcun's words have always been unpredictable.

When Ning Mengyao saw the other person holding a piece of food and handing it to her, she thought the other person was going to feed her personally.

But after hearing the man's statement, she realized just how conventional her understanding had been.

Liu Changcun... is a very special person.

His every move and word cannot be viewed from a normal perspective.

It is precisely because of his special qualities that she now cares so deeply for him.

He smiled and nodded.

Coming to her senses, Ning Mengyao followed suit and picked up a piece as well.

Their steaks touched, and then they each put them into their mouths.

Chewing, then swallowing.

Liu Changcun asked the woman in front of him with a smile.

"How did you feel after tasting it? Is it the flavor you've been longing for?"

"To be honest... I'm a little disappointed."

Steak, once unattainable, is now easily enjoyed.

The staff cut the steak to a suitable size, but after taking a bite, I don't know if it was because my expectations were too high, but after actually tasting it, I realized that it wasn't as delicious as I had imagined.

Ning Mengyao suddenly felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

During her previous marriage, she had always dreamed of one day being able to taste Western cuisine that she only saw in TV dramas, just like she did today.

But... the food I had been longing for was far less delicious than I had imagined.

The higher your expectations, the greater your disappointment will be when you receive them.

At this moment, Ning Mengyao suddenly realized something.

Perhaps more important than the result is the process.

Putting down her chopsticks, Ning Mengyao stared blankly at the steak on the plate in front of her.

After a long while, he began to mutter to himself again.

"It wasn't as delicious as I imagined. It was just the taste of the meat itself with a little bit of base flavor... To be honest, I thought it was just average."

"I already advised you against it when we were in the store, but it's okay to eat there once in a while."

"Yes," Liu Changcun said, facing Ning Mengyao.

"If you don't come and taste it for yourself, your subconscious will keep idealizing how delicious the steak is."

He paused, then added.

"Only through personal experience can you understand whether something is right for you."

"..."

Hearing these words from the man, Ning Mengyao did not choose to refute them this time.

After all, just as Liu Changcun said, having personally tasted steak, she didn't find the seemingly high-end food particularly delicious.

Just as he said, if she didn't try it herself, she would keep thinking about it for a long time to come.

Whether it's food or other things we encounter in life.

Some things... can only be truly understood once she experiences them firsthand.

Only then will you know whether it's suitable for you.

(End of this chapter)