Wen Shulin’s eyes slightly reddened. She turned her head away, not wanting Chen Cheng to see the tears in her eyes.
"Who’s ’us’?" she choked out, "I’m certainly not the ’everyone’ you mentioned."
Chen Cheng walked up to her, lifted her chin, and made her look into his eyes.
"Shulin, there’s no need to be stubborn," he said softly, "I know you have me in your heart, just as I have you in mine."
Wen Shulin’s tears finally broke free and fell. "You... you bastard!"
Chen Cheng gently wiped away her tears, "I’m a bastard, I’m a bastard," he said with a smile, "So, stop pretending to be strong, okay?"
Wen Shulin could no longer hold it in and threw herself into Chen Cheng’s arms, hugging him tightly and bursting into tears.
Chen Cheng gently patted her back, allowing her to release the long-suppressed emotions.
He knew that Wen Shulin’s strength was just a facade; her heart was actually very fragile.
Startled and a bit coquettish, this utterance made Wen Shulin spring out of Chen Cheng’s arms like an electric shock.
She half-turned, quickly wiping the tears on her cheeks.
Chen Cheng was also startled, but upon seeing it was Meng Wanning, he casually asked with one hand in his pocket, "What’s up?"
"They... they’re calling you to play ball..." Meng Wanning also appeared somewhat helpless.
After responding to Meng Wanning, Chen Cheng looked back at Wen Shulin, "Then I’m going inside first."
Wen Shulin still didn’t turn back, "Mm."
Chen Cheng walked toward the gym, and Meng Wanning didn’t follow him inside.
She kept watching Wen Shulin’s back until she turned around.
Wen Shulin nodded slightly, then walked towards the parking lot on the side.
Just as she took the first step, Meng Wanning called out to her, "Wait a second."
Meng Wanning stepped forward and meticulously scrutinized this elegant sister, finding her beauty different from Xiao Meier’s.
"He mentioned you before," she said.
Hearing this address, Wen Shulin finally realized that the ’Master Cheng’ previously mentioned wasn’t referring to "Mr. Chen."
"Mentioned me?" Wen Shulin didn’t understand what Meng Wanning meant.
Especially that clear gaze, unlike any girl she had come across.
"You are very beautiful, I’m glad to have met you." Meng Wanning extended her hand generously, "My name is Meng Wanning."
Wen Shulin was stunned for half a second before coming to her senses and also reached out to gently shake her hand, "Wen Shulin."
Meng Wanning withdrew her hand, a playful smile on her face, "I know."
She paused, "Actually... you also like him very much, don’t you?"
Wen Shulin’s heart throbbed; she did not expect Meng Wanning to be so direct.
She wanted to deny it, but felt there was no need, since her feelings were already so apparent.
"What are you trying to say?"
Meng Wanning shrugged, "I don’t really want to say anything, I’m just curious what types of women are around him."
She counted on her fingers, "The ones I remember the most are you and senior sister, both of you are exceptionally beautiful."
Wen Shulin was somewhat taken aback by this sudden compliment, furrowing her brows slightly, "Senior sister?"
"Oh, Xiao Meier, sister Meier, we both learned to drive together."
"Do you really like him?" Wen Shulin countered.
Meng Wanning nodded without hesitation, "Yes, very much, very much."
She looked at Wen Shulin, "What about you?"
Wen Shulin avoided Meng Wanning’s gaze, uncertain how to answer.
Did she like Chen Cheng?
The answer was yes. But this type of liking wasn’t as pure as that for Xiao Meier or Meng Wanning; initially, their relationship was fixed, she couldn’t even clearly distinguish her own feelings.
"I..." She opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing.
Proud Wen Shulin found it hard to open up her heart to a girl much younger than herself, even if she truly loved that man, she just couldn’t do it.
"Actually, you don’t need to answer me, because your actions towards him have already spoken for your heart," Meng Wanning continued. "He told me he isn’t a good man, but I think he’s pretty good."
"So, don’t cry anymore." Meng Wanning smiled lightly, "Rather than being unclear, you might as well just talk to him honestly about your thoughts, he will understand."
Only then did Wen Shulin realize that the young girl in front of her thought she was jealous, thus the tears while clinging to Chen Cheng.
"Why... why are you telling me this?"
Meng Wanning spread her hands, "Probably... because I don’t like to see him unhappy."
Wen Shulin’s heart shook; it turns out, Meng Wanning wasn’t motivated by possessiveness towards Chen Cheng, but purely wished for his happiness. This transparency and kindness made her even more ashamed.
"Is he... happy?" Wen Shulin asked again.
Meng Wanning thought for a moment, then answered earnestly, "I think so, he’s quite happy now. He opened a basketball court, his career is prospering, and everyone greatly respects him."
"So, I don’t want him to be unhappy."
Understanding this earnest effort, Wen Shulin nodded, "Alright, I understand."
Only then did she step forward and get into the car.
Hands gripping the steering wheel, she recalled Meng Wanning’s recent words and couldn’t help but smile wryly.
Meanwhile, Meng Wanning watched as the Maserati drove away, sighed, and thought she had done a great deed in helping Chen Cheng solve a major problem.
"Ah, Master Cheng handling emotional matters is indeed not as astute as his business dealings."
Inside the gym, Willow Tree Three Tigers were playing ball with three bosses from Financial Street.
Frequent small ball players like Chen Jin and others, naturally lacked skill in big ball games.
But men never admit defeat; even after just two rounds of offense and defense, already panting heavily, they didn’t spare each other’s pride.