Xiao Meier gave Chen Cheng a look, "Xiao Chen, why don’t you escort Xiao Meng."
Turning to Meng Wanning, she said, "Xiao Meng, let’s meet another day."
The two walked out of Wanbao Hall, the moon was bright, casting long shadows of them.
Meng Wanning walked beside Chen Cheng and spoke quietly, "Mr. Chen, how many women do you actually have?"
Chen Cheng slowed his pace, "What do you mean?"
Meng Wanning stopped, "Sister Meier, and that foreign girl earlier, who was talking to you at the door..."
"I can tell she’s interested in you."
Chen Cheng stopped walking, turned around, and quietly looked at Meng Wanning under the moonlight.
"So? What are you trying to say?"
Meng Wanning took a deep breath, courageously staring into Chen Cheng’s eyes, and said word by word, "I want to know, with so many girls around you, and Sister Meier is so nice, why would you still bring me sunflower seeds."
Chen Cheng was silent for a moment, "You’ve misunderstood."
"I don’t understand opera, I didn’t even know what you were singing that day." Chen Cheng answered straightforwardly, "Giving you sunflower seeds and saying that thing about Xue Liang, all those were taught by Mr. Jin."
Meng Wanning was stunned for a moment, not expecting this answer.
"He taught you? Why would he teach you those?"
Chen Cheng smiled, "I don’t know either."
Saying this, Chen Cheng paused for a few seconds, then added, "If my actions have caused you trouble, I apologize to you right here."
Meng Wanning smiled bitterly, "That’s true, I should have realized."
"Nowadays, not many people understand opera. You obviously don’t frequent Li Garden, how would you understand it?"
She looked at Chen Cheng, "Mr. Chen, thank you for telling me the truth."
"As for those sunflower seeds, I’ve already given them to my master."
Chen Cheng was curious and asked, "By the way, Miss Meng, you’ve always mentioned your master, but on the car ride today you said you were from Shanghai Drama Academy..."
Meng Wanning answered, "My master, Cui Xiaoling, she and Mr. Jin are old acquaintances."
Chen Cheng raised an eyebrow, remembering that Jin Baogen once said he had countless female friends.
Listening to Meng Wanning saying this, it seemed the yet-to-meet Cui Xiaoling was one of them.
Seeing an intriguing expression on Chen Cheng’s face, Meng Wanning paused, then continued, "She took me as her last disciple, then recommended me to the affiliated opera school of the Shanghai Drama Academy."
Chen Cheng gave a thumbs up, "That’s pretty impressive."
Meng Wanning’s ride-share had arrived at the roadside. She checked the time and said with a smile, "It’s getting late, I should go now."
Chen Cheng nodded slightly, "Alright, be careful on the way."
Meng Wanning put her hand on the door handle, turning back, "By the way, Mr. Chen, you haven’t answered my question."
"How many women do you actually have?"
Chen Cheng was startled for a moment, then smiled and asked in return, "Miss Meng, how many do you think I should have?"
Meng Wanning didn’t back down because of Chen Cheng’s evasion, after seriously thinking for a while, she said, "I think three."
"You are quite accurate." Chen Cheng replied.
Meng Wanning bowed slightly, "Goodbye, Mr. Chen."
Chen Cheng watched the ride-share leave until the taillights were out of sight before returning to Wanbao Hall.
"My husband, has Xiao Meng left?"
Xiao Meier, who was calculating the accounts at the bar, asked.
Chen Cheng poured himself a cup of tea, saying lightly, "Yes, she called a car herself."
Xiao Meier sped up her movements, quickly finishing today’s accounts, and walked out.
"Didn’t expect Xiao Meng to be so caring."
Xiao Meier: "Then shall we go home?"
Chen Cheng looked at the clock on the wall, teasingly said, "It’s only 9 o’clock, heading home already? Doesn’t sound like you."
Xiao Meier glared at Chen Cheng playfully, "You heartless man, I just want to go back early with you."
Chen Cheng smiled, took Xiao Meier’s hand, "Okay, let’s go home."
The two left Wanbao Hall and got into the car.
On the way, Xiao Meier leaned on Chen Cheng’s shoulder, quietly enjoying this serene moment.
Back at their courtyard house in Houhai, Xiao Meier prepared a cup of honey water for Chen Cheng, "Have some of this, you didn’t drink much tonight, did you?"
Chen Cheng smiled as he took it, "Not at all, I didn’t drink several glasses."
Xiao Meier gently tapped Chen Cheng’s forehead, "Clever you."
Chen Cheng took a sip of the honey water, set down the cup, and pulled Xiao Meier into his embrace.
"I haven’t taken a shower yet~"
Chen Cheng: "Together?"
Xiao Meier blushed, "Naughty, you go first."
In the bathroom, there’s a transparent skylight.
Although it’s not easy to see the stars in Beijing, life needs a bit of romance, just like cooking needs salt.
As Chen Cheng showered, his mind was filled with what Li Ya had said in front of Wanbao Hall.
But he was more concerned about Liu Zhiya.
Listening to Su Liya’s tone, the situation seemed quite serious, but he couldn’t understand why Liu Zhiya hadn’t called or messaged him.
"Even if I changed my number in Japan, there should be a WeChat message, right?" Chen Cheng thought to himself.
After much pondering, Chen Cheng decided to find an opportunity to ask tomorrow.
A chain of thoughts kept Chen Cheng so occupied that he didn’t notice Xiao Meier’s approach.
When a familiar touch came from his back, Chen Cheng finally reacted.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Chen Cheng slowly turned around, seeing her with her hair up, looking down, his gaze softened.
He gently lifted Xiao Meier’s chin, and she smiled lightly, "Husband, you’re finally back."
That single phrase spirited Chen Cheng.
Love is like nurturing a flower.
Chen Cheng of course wouldn’t let the gentlest Xiao Meier down.
The bathroom was filled with steam, Xiao Meier finally reunited with the one she had been longing for.