Nanjiang Garden, Cao Yue’s place.
"Brother, I’m really sorry to bother you on a weekend."
"You’re being too formal. Come on, pass me that flour."
Beside him, Meng Wanning never expected that Chen Cheng’s solution would be to go directly to Cao Yue.
She handed over the stainless steel bowl filled with flour, and Cao Yue glanced at her, feeling she looked familiar.
Chen Cheng noticed the confusion in his eyes, "Look at my memory, I forgot to introduce her. This is Meng Wanning, Xiao Meng. She has been volunteering in your county, helping those left-behind children."
Only then did Cao Yue remember the group of volunteers waiting at the school gate that day.
"Hey, it’s a small world indeed, after all the twists and turns, you always run into one or two acquaintances."
Cao Yue added some water to the bowl, smiling as he called out, "Xiao Meng, make yourself at home. Xiao Chen and I are sworn brothers, just feel like you’re at your own house."
Though Meng Wanning was inexperienced, she knew her manners.
"Alright, County Cao." She verbally agreed, but instead of sitting down in the living room, she picked up some green beans and started sorting them.
"Xiao Chen, to be honest, I really owe you one."
As Cao Yue mixed the dough, he spoke, "If not for your call, I really wouldn’t have known what to do."
Chen Cheng was also busy chopping meat, "Brother, saying that really doesn’t make me feel like family. Next time your wife comes, just let me know in advance, and I’ll have Xiao Hai pick her up from the airport."
Cao Yue also had his difficulties, he said, "Sometimes, it’s not convenient to do anything in this county."
"Whatever I do, people are watching. I think about letting the driver take a car out, and I worry about people saying I’m using a public vehicle for private use."
He gave a wry smile, "Being incorruptible is easy to say, hard to do."
"Isn’t that the truth!"
Chen Cheng followed the conversation, "Some people just like to make a big deal out of nothing, causing trouble. Especially for you, Brother, sitting in this position, the people watching you, I can’t even begin to imagine."
Cao Yue nodded in deep agreement, "You see clearly, it’s difficult."
Chen Cheng said with a smile, "But there’s one thing I really didn’t expect."
"Brother, you actually got married."
"Getting married is also key." Cao Yue stated candidly, "Some things, one person can’t accomplish, it takes the support of two families."
Chen Cheng caught the hint, the woman Cao Yue married was definitely not from an ordinary family.
But he didn’t ask further, maintaining boundaries is also vital.
"By the way, how long have you two been married?" Cao Yue casually asked while looking at the calm Meng Wanning.
Meng Wanning stopped her hands, looked at Chen Cheng, and quickly lowered her head, her cheeks slightly reddened.
Before she could speak, Chen Cheng chuckled and answered for her, "We’re just seeing each other."
Cao Yue was a bit stunned, then burst into laughter, "I thought you two were a couple, you really look like a good match."
He joked, "Xiao Chen, you better hurry, such a good girl, don’t let someone else take her away."
Meng Wanning’s face turned even redder, like a ripe apple, quietly fiddling with the beans with her head down.
Chen Cheng said with a smile, "Brother, stop teasing me. When fate comes, everything will fall into place."
"Eh? What time is it?" asked Cao Yue.
Chen Cheng checked the time, "It’s five fifty."
"That’s strange, why hasn’t she arrived yet?"
"Brother, don’t worry. Xiao Hai is a steady driver, probably just traffic on the road."
Chen Cheng said as he laid down the kitchen knife, "I’ll give him a call right now."
Just as he took out his phone, a knock on the door was heard.
Meng Wanning said, "I’ll get it."
She jogged to the door and opened it.
At the doorstep, besides Chen Donghai, there was a woman around thirty-two or thirty-three years old.
The woman looked elegant, dressed in a beige trench coat, her fair skin complementing her almond-shaped eyes, smiling gently.
Chen Donghai put down his suitcase at the door and then said to the woman, "Ms. Nie."
Nie Feng nodded back, "Xiao Hai, thank you for your trouble."
"You’re welcome, it’s my duty."
"How about coming in for a bite?" Nie Feng said.
Chen Donghai politely declined, "No, thank you, Ms. Nie, I’ll just wait outside for Mr. Chen and Miss Meng."
After speaking, he bowed slightly and left the doorway.
Meng Wanning watched him leave, unsure how to address the woman in front of her.
But Nie Feng spoke first, "Xiao Meng, right?"
Meng Wanning nodded, "Ms. Nie, hello."
"Just call me Sister Feng." Nie Feng carried the suitcase inside, amiably engaging, "Xiao Hai told me about you on the way here."
"Oh, have you arrived?"
Cao Yue, with hands covered in flour and wearing an apron, came out.
Chen Cheng followed closely behind.
"Lao Cao," greeted Nie Feng, before turning to look at Chen Cheng for the first time.
Cao Yue pointed out, "Xiao Meng."
He then emphasized the introduction, "Chen Cheng, Uncle Jin’s successor."
Turning back to Chen Cheng, he said, "My wife, Nie Feng, from CCTV."
Nie Feng nodded slightly, "Nice to meet you, Mr. Chen. Thank you for today, especially arranging the pick-up."
"You’re too kind, it’s what I should do."
Cao Yue wiped his hands on the apron, "How come you arrived late? Was there a traffic jam?"
Nie Feng smiled, "Speaking of which, your county really needs some management."
"What happened?" Cao Yue was confused.
Nie Feng glanced at Chen Cheng, "Mr. Chen’s car was stopped as soon as it entered the city."
Chen Cheng and Cao Yue both expressed their confusion, though their tones differed.