"Xiao Meng, are you up?"
The door of the west wing room opened, and a neatly dressed Meng Wanning appeared at the door, "Senior sister, good morning."
"I thought you were still asleep?" Xiao Meier said with a smile, "Let’s go, time for driving practice."
"I have to go back to the theatre company today, so I can’t practice," Meng Wanning replied.
Xiao Meier shrugged, "Okay then, take care on your way. Will you come back for lunch at the shop?"
Meng Wanning shook her head, "No, senior sister, you keep it up."
"For sure! My driving skills have improved a lot~"
After that, Xiao Meier waved her hand and walked out of the courtyard.
It wasn’t until Xiao Meier’s figure had completely disappeared from sight that Meng Wanning finally breathed a sigh of relief.
She went back to the dressing table, tidied up her makeup, and left.
Chen Cheng had been waiting at the entrance of the alley; it was only after he saw Chen Donghai drive away that he showed his face.
He too let out a long breath.
However, his breath still carried the alcohol from last night.
"Not easy at all, feels like a spy meeting up with a contact," Chen Cheng said, joking at himself.
Chen Cheng jolted, turned around, and saw Meng Wanning covering her mouth with laughter.
Chen Cheng waved his hand, "Still sobering up. Let’s go."
"You shouldn’t be driving, let’s take a cab," Meng Wanning moved closer to Chen Cheng and took a sniff, "How much did you drink last night? You reek of alcohol."
"Not much, just a little," Chen Cheng pinched her cheek, "Well, it was the grand opening so I was happy."
Meng Wanning gave him a rare reproachful glance and took his arm, "Come on, we’ll take a taxi."
Chen Cheng was half-dragged by her, and Meng Wanning continued, "Once I get my driver’s license, I can drive you around."
"Okay, then I’ll just sit back and enjoy the scenery," Chen Cheng responded, "Once you get it, I’ll give you a car as a gift. Any car you want, how about that?"
Meng Wanning flagged down a taxi, "I don’t want your things, I can buy it myself."
"A luxury car too? Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Porsche, Land Rover, pick any," Chen Cheng generously offered.
Meng Wanning shook her head firmly, "No, I don’t want any."
Chen Cheng said, "Being so formal with me? Besides, if you get a license, shouldn’t I give you something as a gesture?"
"I just feel that I should strive for what I want on my own. It feels more substantial that way."
Chen Cheng was taken aback, then chuckled in realization.
Yes, with Meng Wanning’s personality, how could she accept such a gift?
She had always been independent and strong, and that was what he admired about her.
"Alright, my mistake, I shouldn’t have offered it that way."
Chen Cheng corrected himself, "Once you get your license and want to buy a car, tell me, and I’ll be your advisor."
"That’s more like it." Meng Wanning smiled sweetly, "I plan to start with a second-hand one to practice."
They got into the taxi, which smoothly drove along the road. Outside the window, the morning sun bathed the city in light, full of vitality and energy.
The place they were heading to was Jin Baogen’s cottage.
Somehow, Jin Baogen had been discharged from the hospital unexpectedly last night and had sent Chen Cheng a message, asking him to bring Meng Wanning over today.
Chen Cheng was puzzled; Jin Baogen hadn’t mentioned his hospital discharge in advance, nor did he understand what Jin Baogen’s intention was.
"Mr. Jin is in such a rush to have us come over, could there be something urgent?" Meng Wanning asked, puzzled.
Chen Cheng shook his head, "But since he asked us to come, let’s just go; we don’t have much else to do right now."
Meng Wanning nodded, said no more, and turned to look out the window.
The warm autumn sun streamed through the window and fell on her face, giving her an aloof appearance when not smiling.
The taxi soon arrived in front of Jin Baogen’s cottage.
Chen Cheng paid the fare, and he and Meng Wanning got out of the taxi.
Just as they approached the entrance, the butler came out to greet them with a hint of joy on his face, "Mr. Chen, Miss Meng, you’ve finally arrived, Mr. Jin has been waiting for you for a long time!"
The two walked towards the small garden, and Chen Cheng asked, "Is Mr. Jin feeling better? Why was he suddenly discharged?"
"Mr. Chen, you know, when the old man decides to do something, no one can stop him," the butler said helplessly, "But he seems to be in good spirits, and he specially ordered the kitchen to prepare lots of delicious food, waiting for you to come."
Chen Cheng and Meng Wanning exchanged glances, Chen Cheng jokingly said, "Good thing we didn’t have breakfast, otherwise, we’d miss out."
They arrived at the small garden and from a distance, they saw Jin Baogen sitting in a wheelchair, sipping something green.
Chen Cheng approached, and Jin Baogen glanced up, gestured with his hand, and Chen Cheng sat on a stone bench nearby.
Meng Wanning was much more reserved, standing upright and politely greeting, "Mr. Jin, good morning."
"Uh-huh~ morning," Jin Baogen put down his glass, wiped his mouth, "Xiao Meng is here, take a seat."
He enthusiastically said, "I had the small kitchen make some pastries, you can try them later."
Meng Wanning obediently nodded, "Okay."
Compared to Meng Wanning’s reserved demeanor, Chen Cheng was as casual as if he were in his own home, "Mr. Jin, why were you discharged?"
"Too long in the hospital is no good, no liveliness!"
Jin Baogen laughed heartily, patting his own leg, "Besides, I’m well aware of my own body, nearly recovered, so I came back to rest. Staying in the hospital is terribly dull."
Chen Cheng nodded in understanding but then saw Meng Wanning curiously examining the glass on the table, so he asked, "Mr. Jin, what are you drinking?"
"Celery juice, plus spinach and avocado," Jin Baogen gestured, "This stuff is tough to drink, not as good as soy bean milk."