You tricked me into raising your son? You'll divorce me and become my aunt.

"I was also surprised when I saw the final list."

Gu Mingzhou said, "Her name wasn't on the list during the initial review. It was added by Murong Yuan's side during the final review, skipping the institute's assessment and screening process."

Ruan Ning frowned. "So that's why Fu Tingchen brought Bai Xinyao to meet Murong Yuan last night."

-

Friday night.

There was a dinner party between the research departments of Gu Mingzhou's company and Murong Yuan's company.

Tonight's dinner was a meeting between the research departments of the two companies to discuss cooperation, connecting the core research teams and leaders of both sides, in order to finalize the details of the division of labor and timelines for the next in-depth cooperation project.

Gu Mingzhou had informed Ruan Ning in advance and invited her to attend the event.

At 7 p.m., Ruan Ning and Gu Mingzhou arrived at the private room on time.

She wore a simple and sophisticated off-white business suit skirt, her long hair neatly tied back, exuding a cool and intellectual aura.

"Bai Xinyao might come too," Gu Mingzhou said as he walked.

Ruan Ning nodded slightly, "It's okay, I was prepared."

When the two entered the private room one after the other, there were already quite a few people sitting inside.

Murong Yuan was chatting with several high-ranking officials when he saw them enter. He stood up and greeted them with a smile: "Mingzhou, you've come at the right time. We've been waiting for you."

"I was a little late because of traffic, please forgive me."

Murong Yuan: "It's alright."

Gu Mingzhou nodded and introduced, "This is Ruan Ning, the manager of our research department."

Ruan Ning politely extended her hand in greeting: "Hello, President Murong."

"So you're the manager of the research department at Huatian Technology. We met at Xiangmanlou last time." Murong Yuan shook hands with Ruan Ning politely.

After saying that, Murong Yuan immediately said, "Let me introduce you. We have also brought some project-related personnel with us tonight to assist with the follow-up coordination."

Ruan Ning followed Murong Yuan's gaze.

In the private room by the window, Bai Xinyao was wearing an apricot-colored dress with her long hair flowing down her shoulders, while Fu Tingchen, dressed in a black suit, sat beside her.

Ruan Ning had expected Bai Xinyao to come back, but she didn't expect Fu Tingchen to come as well.

According to the project's public information, Bai Xinyao was just an ordinary member who had recently joined the project team and was not a core contact person at all. She was not qualified to attend such a high-level negotiation dinner.

Fu Tingchen has no direct connection with the research collaboration between the two companies, nor does he have any reason to attend.

When Gu Mingzhou saw Fu Tingchen, his expression darkened slightly for a moment, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he quickly returned to normal.

Unaware of the undercurrents among them, Murong Yuan smiled and introduced, "This is President Fu of the Fu Group, and this is Bai Xinyao, our newly promoted project specialist in the research department. She will be fully involved in the technical coordination between the two groups."

Bai Xinyao was shocked to see that Ruan Ning had also come.

According to Gu Mingzhou's introduction, Ruan Ning is actually the research and development manager of Gu Mingzhou's company?

Almost instantly, Bai Xinyao concluded that Ruan Ning must have used some underhanded means to get this position.

Otherwise, with her undergraduate degree and little work experience, how could she possibly become the research and development manager of Huatian Technology?

Fu Tingchen thought so too.

He was looking down at his phone when he heard Ruan Ning's name and looked up abruptly. He was shocked to see that Ruan Ning had come with Gu Mingzhou.

After the initial shock, his face immediately darkened.

He thought the same thing as Bai Xinyao.

Based on Ruan Ning's education and abilities, it would be impossible for him to become the manager of the research department of Huatian Technology.

Thinking of this, the man's face darkened.

Bai Xinyao quickly concealed the shock in her eyes, put on a gentle and polite smile, and took the initiative to greet Gu Mingzhou and Ruan Ning.

"Hello, Mr. Gu, hello, Manager Ruan. I hope you two will take good care of us in future project collaborations."

Gu Mingzhou responded coldly: "Just cooperate with each other and do your job."

Murong Yuan smiled and said, "Please sit down, let's eat and chat. Don't be shy. Tonight's main purpose is to get to know each other better and finalize the details of our cooperation."

Everyone took their seats in turn.

The seating was arranged in advance. Gu Mingzhou and Murong Yuan sat on either side of the main seats, Ruan Ning sat next to Gu Mingzhou, and diagonally opposite them were Fu Tingchen and Bai Xinyao.

Besides them, there were also senior executives and researchers from both companies at the dinner table.

As the dishes were served one after another, the atmosphere in the private room gradually became lively.

Everyone started talking, discussing the technical challenges, cooperation models, and implementation timelines of the research project.

An employee of Murong Yuan Company reported: "Our research team has completed the initial preparations for this brain-computer interface..."

"Regarding the division of responsibilities between the two parties, you need to provide a compliance plan..."

Gu Mingzhou's company's assistant director said, "I will send the preliminary draft to the joint communication group tomorrow."

After discussing work, the two started chatting casually.

Someone looked at Fu Tingchen and said, "I didn't expect President Fu to come tonight. What a pleasant surprise."

Immediately, the man's gaze fell on Bai Xinyao, and a knowing smile flashed in his eyes as he watched her sitting close to Fu Tingchen.

"Mr. Fu and Miss Bai seem to have a very good relationship. Did Mr. Fu come here specifically to accompany Miss Bai today?"

Fu Tingchen nodded. "Mm."

As soon as he said that, several people in the private room took the opportunity to flatter him.

"Miss Bai is beautiful. Mr. Fu, you have excellent taste."

"I had long heard that President Fu had a thoughtful female companion, and seeing her today, I can confirm that the rumors are true."

"Miss Bai looks familiar. I remember Mr. Fu once got into a fight for Mrs. Fu and it went viral. Miss Bai looks a lot like Mrs. Fu in the video. Could it be that Miss Bai is Mrs. Fu?"

Upon hearing this, Fu Tingchen glanced at Ruan Ning.

He instinctively wanted to deny it.

Under the table, Bai Xinyao squeezed his palm.

In such a setting, if we deny that Bai Xinyao is Mrs. Fu, wouldn't that be tantamount to saying that she is actually a mistress?

Fu Tingchen didn't want Bai Xinyao to be looked at differently.

He nodded again.

Of everyone at the table, only Gu Mingzhou knew that the real Mrs. Fu was Ruan Ning.

When Fu Tingchen acknowledged that Bai Xinyao was Mrs. Fu, everyone started saying flattering things again.

"Mr. Fu is so lucky. His wife is not only gentle and beautiful, but also so outstanding. It's truly enviable."

"Mrs. Fu can not only keep up with scientific research projects, but also accompany Mr. Fu to social events, managing both internal and external affairs well."

Hearing these praises, Bai Xinyao was secretly delighted, but her face showed a shy and gentle expression.

She lowered her eyes slightly, feigning humility: "You're all joking. I'm just here to learn. I hope you'll all guide me in the future."

The smiles of the crowd deepened, and they had no doubt about her identity as Mrs. Fu.

Ruan Ning watched all of this with a half-smile, remaining silent throughout.

She could have exposed Bai Xinyao and Fu Tingchen in public and torn off their pretense.

However, it's unnecessary.

The Fu family values ​​face above all else.

The agreement reached between Jin Manrong and her also included helping to maintain the reputation of the Fu family.

As the saying goes, money makes the world go round.

For the sake of that ten million, Ruan Ning didn't expose him.