Wen Shulin’s gaze was fiery.
She tilted her head slightly, one hand resting on Chen Cheng’s shoulder, the faint scratching from her nails, her narrow eyes shining with a misty light.
Warm breath puffed on Chen Cheng’s face, his eyes fixed only on those trembling lashes and gradually approaching red lips.
Wen Shulin’s lips curled into a playful smile, her delicate thumb gently caressing Chen Cheng’s lips, as if testing his courage.
"Li Ya visited Wanbao Hall yesterday."
This sentence was like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing the passion in Wen Shulin’s heart.
She abruptly sat up, seated on the nearby chair, her hands tightly clasping her chest, her eyebrows tightly knotted.
"How did she know about Wanbao Hall?"
Wen Shulin muttered under her breath, clearly very surprised and uneasy about Li Ya’s appearance.
Chen Cheng also sat up, pulling a piece of tissue paper and wiping his face where the hydrating fluid remained.
He detailed how Wu Dongyi had met Li Ya and how she came to be taken to Wanbao Hall.
After listening to Chen Cheng’s account, Wen Shulin’s frown deepened.
"She managed to find you like that," she sighed, "I really didn’t expect it."
She also told Chen Cheng about Su Liya discovering the note in the wallet.
Chen Cheng couldn’t help but laugh after hearing this. "I thought you had thrown it away."
"I initially wanted to throw it away, but..." Wen Shulin paused, "I also felt what you said made sense."
Chen Cheng sat beside Wen Shulin, his large hand naturally resting on her left leg, while Wen Shulin casually lifted her right leg, trapping Chen Cheng’s hand between her legs to prevent him from moving recklessly.
"I don’t want her to know about our relationship," Wen Shulin confessed, "That’s why I’ve been hiding it from her."
Chen Cheng: "Does anyone else know about our relationship, apart from Mr. Jin?"
Wen Shulin shook her head, "I mainly don’t want Li Ya to think her mother is someone frivolous."
Her eyes fixed on Chen Cheng, "Especially with the number of women around you; I’m not the only one."
Chen Cheng smiled as he withdrew his hand, "Look at what you’re saying!"
"Am I not stating the facts?"
Chen Cheng took a moment to regulate his breathing, "What if we meet up?"
"What?" Wen Shulin was taken aback.
Chen Cheng slowly said, "I guess she wants to meet me because of that video, right?"
Wen Shulin nodded, "That’s right."
"The more we hide, the greater Li Ya’s suspicions become. Better to formally introduce us and clear things up once and for all," he suggested.
Wen Shulin pursed her lips, "I’ll think about it."
She pondered for a moment, clearly hesitant about Chen Cheng’s suggestion.
"Think about it, if Li Ya keeps doubting, she will only become more sensitive about our relationship. Plus, since she has already found Wanbao Hall, it proves she is determined to find the truth."
Chen Cheng continued, "Us sneaking around only gives her more room for imagination."
Wen Shulin sighed, "You have a point. But, I’m still worried..."
"Worried about what?" Chen Cheng looked at her.
"Li Ya is very smart, I’m afraid she will see right through us."
Chen Cheng smiled and lifted Wen Shulin’s chin, "As long as you don’t get emotional like you did that day, I’ll have no problem on my end."
Before she could speak, Chen Cheng’s lips sealed hers.
Whatever she intended to say was thoroughly drowned out by this sudden tenderness.
Chen Cheng’s kiss, insistent with unyielding power, slowly invaded her territory.
Wen Shulin’s breathing became rapid, she closed her eyes, allowing herself to be immersed in this unexpected gentleness.
Her hands instinctively wrapped around Chen Cheng’s neck, pulling her body even closer to his.
It wasn’t until Wen Shulin felt short of breath that she gently pushed Chen Cheng away.
Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes laced with a hint of annoyance.
"You are getting more and more presumptuous!" Wen Shulin chided coyly.
Chen Cheng smiled slightly, drawing her into his arms, "Didn’t you say I wouldn’t dare? There’s nothing your man wouldn’t dare to do."
Wen Shulin playfully punched his chest, "You’re quite domineering."
"With you, I have to be a bit overbearing," Chen Cheng once again lifted Wen Shulin’s chin, "Otherwise, how can I hold my own against the lofty Chairman Wen?"
Wen Shulin laughed and brushed off Chen Cheng’s hand, looking up at the robust man before her,
"So, we really meet with Li Ya next?"
Chen Cheng nodded, "Make the call, today."
Wen Shulin thought for a moment and silently nodded, "Xiao Er probably has four more hours, so let’s meet at the coffee shop nearby."
After speaking, she stood up and walked toward the door.
But before her steps had carried her a meter, Wen Shulin suddenly turned around, tiptoed, and her arms hung around Chen Cheng’s neck.
"I like tenderness, I don’t like domineering."
Chen Cheng was briefly stunned, then a smile crept onto his lips as his hands circled Wen Shulin’s waist, he said, "Shall we have one more gentle round?"
Yet unexpectedly, Wen Shulin let go of her embrace.
"Also, I like to take the initiative."
Su Liya’s appearance was undoubtedly another eye-catching storm.
Her tight milk tea-colored camisole burned like a flame on her hot body.
The two thin straps wound around her prominent collarbones, stretched taut.
Her shorts were so short that one could be mistaken, hugging her perky buttocks tightly and showcasing perfect curves.
People turned their gazes one after another, some marveling at her beauty, some drooling over her figure, and yet others astonished by her doll-like face.
However, Su Liya seemed to be in another world, her eyes focused solely ahead, eager to see the person she wanted to meet.
"Li Ya." Wen Shulin waved to her.
Su Liya immediately revealed a hearty smile and walked over swiftly.
Chen Cheng was still drinking coffee, curiously observing such a hotly dressed beauty and wondering why Wen Shulin, this mother, didn’t remind her daughter.
But on second thought, since Su Liya didn’t grow up in the country, her casual style was probably a normal thing considering her upbringing.
Su Liya called out softly in her soft Taiwanese accent, though her gaze was fixed on Chen Cheng, whom she met for the second time.
She was thrilled after receiving a call from Wen Shulin.
After dressing herself carefully, she even painted her ten tiny toenails with the recent trendy cherry color.
Her pale little feet in black flip-flops made for a visually striking impression.
"Li Ya, this is Chen Cheng, you should already know him," Wen Shulin introduced.
Su Liya repeated the name with her distinctive accent, her mouth curving slightly, "Hello, I am Su Liya."
"Mimi, I have something to ask Mr. Chen," Su Liya turned her head towards Wen Shulin.
Wen Shulin nodded, "Mm."
Su Liya regained her senses and sweetly said to Chen Cheng, "Mr. Chen, I want to ask you about that video..."
She paused for a moment, "Did you give it to Mimi?"
Chen Cheng nodded in acknowledgment.
"Mr. Chen, thank you!" Su Liya’s smile was especially joyful, her eyes curved into crescents, shining with vivacity and mischief.
"You are too polite, Miss Su," Chen Cheng smiled and said, "Miss Wen and I are business partners, and it is my honor to be able to help her."
Wen Shulin smiled beside them.
Su Liya sat up straight, "Mr. Chen, you can just call me Li Ya."
She placed her hands on the table and said earnestly, "Mr. Chen, because of your video, I knew that I hadn’t done anything wrong."
She shook her head slightly, altering her phrasing: "I mean, I haven’t harmed anyone."
"Li Ya, I believe you are innocent."
Chen Cheng spoke with firm and sincere tone, "That video simply restituted the truth of the matter."
Su Liya nodded, her eyes twinkling with gratitude.
She took a deep breath as if she had lifted all her burdens.
"Mr. Chen, I really super appreciate you!"
Su Liya expressed her gratitude again, "If not for you, I would probably still be burdened with this misunderstanding."
"There’s no need for thanks." Chen Cheng smiled and shook his head, "I only did what I should have done."
Wen Shulin watched the two converse harmoniously, feeling very relieved in her heart.
She knew Su Liya had been under great pressure for a while, but now she could finally let go of her burdens and face life anew.
"Li Ya, since the matter has been settled, you should enjoy your life."
Wen Shulin spoke gently, "Don’t let those unhappy things affect your mood anymore."
She patted Su Liya’s hand, "Baby, no matter what, Mimi will always support you."
Chen Cheng also encouraged, "Miss Wen is right, now that you’ve let go, look forward."
"En! I will." Su Liya revealed her brightest smile in a long time, saying, "Mimi, I want to go back to studying."
Wen Shulin was very indulgent, holding her hand, "No problem, Mimi promised you, and I will definitely make it happen."
"I also want to eat tiramisu and drink cappuccino!"
"That’s easy, it can be done right away." Wen Shulin stood up, "Mimi will go buy it for you now."
Wen Shulin walked towards the counter, her steps exceptionally light.
If she had known that Li Ya would recover her spirits so quickly after meeting Chen Cheng, she would have arranged this meeting much sooner.
Su Liya took out her phone, "Mr. Chen, can I add you on WeChat now?"
"Of course, you can."
Su Liya got her wish, and upon seeing the message "I’ve accepted your friend request, now we can start chatting," she sweetly looked towards Chen Cheng.
"Mr. Chen, can I note you as ’Uncle’? Is that okay meh?"
Chen Cheng felt a bit uneasy listening to the whiny Taiwanese accent.
"Uncle? I’m not that old, am I?" Chen Cheng smiled awkwardly, "Just Chen Cheng is fine."
Su Liya shook her head, she showed the noted WeChat to Chen Cheng and said with a laugh, "Uncle, you are like my superhero!"
Her finger gently touched her lips, "Shh! Please don’t tell Mimi, okay~ This is our little secret~"