Meng Wanning returned a curtsey of over ninety degrees with a supple posture and remained so until Chen Cheng walked back. Only then did she stand up straight and took her leave from the stage.
Jin Baogen’s face was brimming with a satisfied smile, while the brows of sisters Xia Yubing and Tong Jialu were tightly furrowed.
They both understood that there would be a newcomer by Chen Cheng’s side.
"That’s about it for today." Jin Baogen stood up. "I should be going too."
"Are you heading out again?" Chen Cheng asked.
Jin Baogen nodded, "Three more jobs and I’m ready to retire. After that, it’s all up to Mr. Chen."
Chen Cheng remembered what Wen Shulin had said; it seemed Jin Baogen was indeed serious about hanging up his cleaver.
"Shall I see you out?"
Jin Baogen waved his hand, "No need, you all go about your business."
"Then I will notify you the moment there is any news," Chen Cheng said again.
Jin Baogen nodded, "I trust Mr. Chen’s handling of matters."
After bidding farewell to Jin Baogen, Chen Cheng and the two sisters stood by the car.
Just as Chen Cheng’s hand was about to touch the car door handle, Xia Yubing called out to him from behind.
Chen Cheng turned around, "That’s fresh, even with the last name!"
Tong Jialu was also surprised by Xia Yubing’s forwardness and frowned at her.
"Is something the matter?" Chen Cheng asked, seeing her hesitant appearance.
Xia Yubing stepped forward, "Can we have dinner together tonight?"
Upon hearing this, Tong Jialu nodded repeatedly, "Yeah, Brother Cheng!"
Chen Cheng looked at the two faces with clearly different expressions and instantly figured out their little schemes.
"Do you two know how to sing opera too?" he asked with a laugh.
Tong Jialu shook her head, "No..."
"Yes!" Xia Yubing uncharacteristically nodded, "Green Snake and White Snake."
Chen Cheng leaned back, "This Xu Xian here only eats meat."
Tong Jialu, lively and bold, hopped over to Chen Cheng’s side and hooked his arm, "Then I’ll cook, what kind of meat would you like, Brother Cheng?"
"We still need a balanced meal of meat and veggies," Xia Yubing murmured softly, "for a nutritional balance."
Chen Cheng chuckled, "How about hamburgers? Carbs, protein, and dietary fiber, all included."
"Brother Cheng, you’re so naughty!"
Chen Cheng parked the car in the parking lot of the small western-style house and then approached Xia Yubing’s car, "Shall we go shopping for groceries?"
At that moment, Meng Wanning emerged from the western-style house and saw Chen Cheng getting into the car.
Her makeup was still on, only her costume had been changed, and she was holding the small box that Chen Cheng had just given her.
Seeing this scene, especially the happy smiles on the faces of the two women, her head drooped low.
"Wanning, what are you looking at?" a colleague asked.
"What did that boss give you today?"
Meng Wanning cautiously opened the wooden box.
Her colleague caught sight of the full box of golden seeds and couldn’t help but exclaim, "My goodness, that’s incredibly valuable!"
Meng Wanning quickly closed the box, her brows slightly furrowed, her mind swirling with thoughts.
Her colleague continued, "Wanning, this boss is so generous, does he fancy you?"
"Don’t talk nonsense! Maybe..." She looked toward the direction the car had left, "He’s just showing support, right?"
"That’s one kind of support, but I think there’s more to it," her colleague said with a gossipy face.
Meng Wanning remained silent, tightening her grip on the wooden box.
"But come to think of it, that boss is quite good-looking," the colleague continued.
Meng Wanning was momentarily transfixed, with Chen Cheng’s words when he gave her the box replaying in her mind.
Meng Wanning snapped out of it, "Let’s go. I’ll give this to the master later."
She exhale a silent sigh and also boarded the minibus of the theater troupe.
Chen Cheng sat on the sofa, looking at Xia Yubing and Tong Jialu busy and in disarray in the kitchen, knowing these sisters didn’t cook often.
Together with the groceries and oil they had just bought from the supermarket, Chen Cheng couldn’t help but smile.
Soon, Tong Jialu came out holding a plate of something burnt and black, looking somewhat embarrassed she said, "Brother Cheng, this steak... seems to be burnt."
Chen Cheng looked at the disastrous steak and joked, "It’s even harder than a shoehorn, huh?"
At this moment, Xia Yubing also poked her head out of the kitchen, "Oh no, I think the soup is over-salted."
Chen Cheng shook his head helplessly, stood up and said, "Alright, that’s enough, stop fussing over it."
Tong Jialu and Xia Yubing lowered their heads, ready to accept Chen Cheng’s scolding.
But instead, Chen Cheng rolled up his sleeves, "You two go sit down; I’ll handle it."
Chen Cheng walked into the kitchen, surveyed the mess, and thought, "Good thing there’s still some fish and meat left; otherwise, we’d have to order takeout."
Tong Jialu and Xia Yubing exchanged a surprised and touched look, obediently standing where they were.
Sounds of clanging came from the kitchen, and the sisters periodically peeked in.
"Sis, I didn’t expect Brother Cheng to cook for us," Tong Jialu whispered.
Xia Yubing responded, "Neither did I."
Without another word, they quietly headed towards the closet.
Chen Cheng focused on preparing the food until he heard two identical calls behind him, each with a different voice.
Chen Cheng turned his head to see Tong Jialu and Xia Yubing had already changed their attire.
Xia Yubing wore a white chiffon nightgown with shiny white silk stockings, standing serenely.
Her dark nail polish subtly revealed through the white stockings.
Tong Jialu, in a pale green silk slip and thigh-high socks, accentuated the length and straightness of her legs, her white nails coated in a matte black sheen.
Chen Cheng: "So, were there really White Snake and Xiao Qing?"
Tong Jialu coquettishly stepped forward and clasped Chen Cheng’s arm, "Husband, do we look good?"
Xia Yubing also advanced with a graceful gait, her face showing a blush of shyness, "My lord, thank you for cooking today."
Chen Cheng raised his eyebrows, "You two are into cosplay now?"
"It’s to fulfill our promise to play out a scene, right?" Xia Yubing said.
Chen Cheng smiled, "Aren’t we having dinner?"
"Yes! We’re both hungry!" Tong Jialu playfully stuck out her tongue.