Chen Cheng straightened up and checked the time, "Wan Wan, when do you start?"
"Half an hour from now," Meng Wanning replied, her eyes still showing traces of undried tears, but her emotions had stabilized.
Chen Cheng nodded, "Then you should touch up your makeup. After the rehearsal, I’ll come to pick you up."
"Okay," Meng Wanning responded softly, then turned to Mei Xiang, "Ms. Mei Xiang, see you later."
Mei Xiang also gave her a slight smile, "Miss Meng, see you later."
Chen Cheng left the makeup room with Mei Xiang, and Chu Qin immediately came up to them.
"How was it?" Chu Qin asked in a low voice, curiosity filling her eyes.
Chen Cheng smiled and didn’t avoid the question, "What else could happen? Just two young girls, what waves could they possibly make?"
"Don’t underestimate women, especially beautiful ones."
Chu Qin meaningfully looked at Mei Xiang: "Right, Ms. Mei Xiang?"
Mei Xiang, still not over the shock from Chen Cheng’s harem of beauties, heard someone call her, "Huh? What?"
"Nothing, nothing, haha," Chu Qin laughed as she led them downstairs to the parking lot.
"I won’t see you off then," she said.
"Thanks, sister-in-law."
"Lao Cao will be back at the end of the month," Chu Qin continued, "Then you and your brother can catch up. I’ll cook a couple of dishes."
"I definitely need to try your cooking then."
Chu Qin waved her hand, "I’m just average. Bring Xiao Er over early, let her give me some guidance at work."
Faced with Chu Qin’s direct request, Chen Cheng knew that the only person who could accompany him in public was Xiao Meier.
"No problem, I will have her come and help you then."
After another round of pleasantries, Chen Cheng and Mei Xiang finally got in the car and left.
As soon as they were in the car, Mei Xiang leaned sideways and waved her hands in front of Chen Cheng.
"Brother Cheng, nine!"
Chen Cheng pressed down her tender little hands, holding them in his palm and caressing them: "Jealous?"
Mei Xiang shook her head, yet sighed, her tone slightly bitter, "Brother Cheng, nine... Even among the Japanese financial cliques, it’s truly rare."
Chen Cheng raised an eyebrow, interested, "Oh? How so?"
Mei Xiang organized her words, then slowly said, "Japanese financial families, despite appearing glamorous, actually have very complex internal relationships, and marriages are often tools to consolidate family interests. Arranged marriages, political donations, quid pro quo, these are all the norms."
"Many family members, even if they don’t like the marriages arranged by their families, endure it for the sake of family interests. They might have lovers secretly, but having so many openly like Brother Cheng..."
She paused, seemingly searching for the right words, "...so many close relationships, that’s indeed uncommon. Usually, even if they exist, they are very low-key, well-hidden, not blatant like Brother Cheng..."
Mei Xiang didn’t continue, but she believed Chen Cheng understood her point.
Chen Cheng looked at her aggrieved expression, "I haven’t gone public."
"Not really," Chen Cheng stifled a laugh, pinched Mei Xiang’s cheek, "It’s not something worth bragging about. I’d rather keep it hidden."
He paused, his tone more earnest, "I just don’t want to lie to you."
Mei Xiang blinked, digesting Chen Cheng’s words.
Indeed, Chen Cheng had never publicized his romantic life, and could even be said to deliberately keep it low-key.
If Meng Wanning hadn’t confronted her today, she might still be in the dark.
Thinking of this, the frustration in Mei Xiang’s heart eased slightly.
"Then... do Miss Meng and the others know about each other?" Mei Xiang asked cautiously.
"Not all of them. Some know, some don’t. I try to prevent them from meeting, to avoid unnecessary trouble."
Chen Cheng looked into Mei Xiang’s eyes, "I brought you up there today because I wanted to show you the real me."
"You came all the way to China to be with me, I think I should tell you all the advantages and disadvantages."
Chen Cheng continued, "I don’t want you to later accuse me of deceiving or hiding things from you."
He paused, his tone sincere, "Mei Xiang, I respect any choice you make."
Mei Xiang was silent, understanding Chen Cheng’s honesty and his difficulties.
Nine women, for her, was still a number hard to cross.
"Brother Cheng," Mei Xiang spoke softly, her voice somewhat depressed, "I...I don’t know what to do."
She raised her head, her eyes slightly red, "I like you, but..."
Chen Cheng pulled her into his arms, gently patting her back, "I know, I know it’s hard for you to accept."
"But matters of the heart are never black and white, nor as simple as one plus one equals two."
He lifted Mei Xiang’s chin, their eyes meeting, "At least, now, you know the whole truth, and you can make your own choice. I won’t force you, nor will I pressure you."
Mei Xiang looked into Chen Cheng’s eyes, those deep eyes filled with sincerity and tenderness, making her feel secure and yet more confused.
The car fell silent, only the soft sound of breathing.
Mei Xiang leaned in Chen Cheng’s arms, her thoughts myriad.
Japanese financial families’ marriages are like carefully planned business transactions, filled with calculations and exchanges of interests.
She had seen too many such examples from a young age and knew well her own destined fate.
If it were not for this sudden change, she likely couldn’t escape being treated as a pawn.
And Chen Cheng, despite his complex emotional life, had given her an unprecedented sense of security and freedom.