The gentle sunlight has now become piercing.
"Dad, I really..." She lifts her head to the deep blue sky, the image of Xingye Dajie begins to emerge in her mind.
"It’s me, I screwed everything up..."
Mei Xiang squats down helplessly, buries her head in her arms, letting the tears flow freely.
She sobs for a while before drying her tears.
She looks in the direction where Chen Cheng left, fully aware that she can’t just give up, otherwise Xingye Products is truly beyond help.
And the only people who know Chen Cheng well, aside from Xia Yubing and Tong Jialu whom she just met, is another person who might be able to help her.
Mei Xiang takes out her phone, finds Wen Shulin’s number, her thumb lingers on the call button for a moment but ultimately makes the call.
"Mei Xiang?" Wen Shulin’s voice comes through, tinged with a hint of confusion and concern, "Mei Xiang, why aren’t you speaking?"
Hearing the familiar voice of Wen Shulin, Mei Xiang can no longer hold back and says with a sobbing voice: "Aunt Wen, I think I’ve offended Mr. Chen."
Wen Shulin is taken aback for a moment on the other end of the phone, then asks: "What happened? Take your time, what occurred?"
Mei Xiang takes a deep breath, trying to calm herself down and tells everything that happened to Aunt Wen.
"How could your stepmother... do something ..." Wen Shulin frowns upon hearing Mei Xiang’s story.
"Don’t panic, Mei Xiang, I will think of a way," Wen Shulin comforts, "As for Mr. Chen, I will help you explain."
"But..." Mei Xiang hesitates, "Mr. Chen seems to be completely disappointed in me, I..."
"I screwed everything up." Mei Xiang speaks in pain.
Wen Shulin: "I trust your father’s judgment, and I trust your character. Plus, you are not someone who gives up easily, right?"
Wen Shulin’s words reignite a glimmer of hope in Mei Xiang’s previously despairing heart.
"Aunt Wen, can you help me arrange a meeting with Mr. Chen?"
Mei Xiang emphasizes: "Alone, just him and me."
"I’ll try. However, I can’t guarantee that he will agree."
"Thank you, Aunt Wen. As long as you’re willing to help me, there’s still hope."
After hanging up the phone, Mei Xiang’s heart is still fraught with unease.
She is unsure whether Wen Shulin can persuade Chen Cheng, nor does she know if there is still a chance to salvage everything.
But she knows she must try.
For Xingye Products, and for herself.
While eating the ice cream that Xia Yubing offers, Chen Cheng answers a call from Wen Shulin.
"Dear, is everything going smoothly for you in Japan?"
Chen Cheng: "Mei Xiang called you?"
"You really can’t hide anything from you," Wen Shulin responds, "Her stepmother asking for a 50% premium is indeed too excessive, even wanting Mei Xiang’s family house. Such a harsh heart."
Chen Cheng pats his butt, stands up, and walks to the other side.
"Yahata Reina has agreed to transfer the shares," he continues, "I am now trying to control the premium."
Wen Shulin understands immediately, "So what is the price you have in mind?"
Hearing this, Wen Shulin says, "That’s acceptable. If we could get it all..."
"How come you think just like me?" Chen Cheng says with a smile.
"Because I understand you."
Wen Shulin, knowing Chen Cheng’s plan, promptly speaks of Mei Xiang’s request, "Mei Xiang said she wants to meet you alone to explain herself."
Wen Shulin ponders for a moment, "Then later... no, better you tell her yourself."
"She probably hasn’t left yet."
Chen Cheng grunts, "Alright, I’ll hang up first."
"What’s up?" asks Chen Cheng.
Wen Shulin: "Have you missed me?"
Wen Shulin lets out a light laugh, "I thought you might be having too much fun with those two sisters to think of home."
"Not at all." Wen Shulin makes a kissing sound, "Wait for you to come back."
After hanging up the phone, Chen Cheng sends a message to Mei Xiang: "Spring Festival Grand Shrine entrance."
The message is instantly replied: "Okay!"
Chen Cheng walks back and says to Xia Yubing, "You two sit for a bit; I’ll be right back."
Tong Jialu looks up, "Brother Cheng, you haven’t complimented me yet!"
Chen Cheng pinches her cheek, "Eat less, you’ve gained weight."
Xia Yubing gives Chen Cheng a firm look, watching this man disappear from view again.
Ten minutes later, Chen Cheng’s figure appears within Mei Xiang’s sight.
Mei Xiang takes a deep breath, walks up to Chen Cheng, and bows deeply, "I’m very sorry for the disturbance, thank you for agreeing to meet me!"
Chen Cheng doesn’t speak, just looks at her quietly, waiting for her explanation.
"I know, my behavior before disappointed you."
Mei Xiang looks down, her tone sincere, "Leaving without saying goodbye was my fault. I was too scared, I..."
She pauses, "I’ve lost my father, and in Beijing, I’ve seen fair-weather friends."
Mei Xiang looks up again, "But Mr. Chen, your care for me brought warmth."
"Warmth?" Chen Cheng finally speaks.
Mei Xiang nods emphatically, "Not only the care you showed me in Beijing, but also yesterday, your protection of me in front of my stepmother..."
"The reason I was reluctant to contact you is that I feared facing you!"
"You have Aunt Wen by your side, the beautiful Sister Xiao Er at Wanbao Hall, and those two around you..."
Mei Xiang’s eyes are reddening, "I feel unworthy and dare not hope for too much."
"But you are the light that shone into my life’s darkest moment!"
"I remember all your comfort and encouragement."
Mei Xiang bows again, her voice steady, "Mr. Chen, please start a relationship with me! Please!"