A man’s happiness is actually very simple.
Whether it’s the comfort brought by skilled technique, or the sense of conquest from naiveté and stiffness, both can be exhilarating.
On his way to pick up Meng Wanning, Chen Cheng’s mind intermittently conjured images of Liu Zhiying’s shy yet earnest demeanor—clumsy seriousness that was as heartrending as it was amusing.
He wasn’t oblivious to Liu Zhiying’s feelings, but her leg injury truly required rest. He didn’t want her to suffer any consequences from acting on impulse.
Arriving downstairs at the CCTV building, he spotted Meng Wanning waiting by the roadside from afar.
The car slowly approached, and Chen Cheng unfastened his seatbelt, leaned over, and opened the door for her.
Seeing that it was Chen Cheng driving in person, Meng Wanning was quite surprised, "Boss, why did you come yourself?"
"Why? Not welcome?" Chen Cheng asked with a smile.
"Not at all, I thought Brother Xiao Hai would be driving over." Meng Wanning got into the car, and the vehicle started again.
Chen Cheng gently turned the steering wheel, "I said I would come to pick you up, so of course, I’d come myself."
Meng Wanning said with a happy laugh, "Boss, you’re really nice."
Chen Cheng drove with one hand on the steering wheel and reached out with his right hand towards the passenger side. Meng Wanning naturally placed her hand in his palm.
"How was it? Tiring rehearsal?"
Meng Wanning had lost the displeasure of a few hours earlier; at least in this moment, she had Chen Cheng all to herself.
"Not too bad, but..."
Meng Wanning said earnestly, "My program is after midnight, this New Year’s..."
Chen Cheng continued, "Then at that time, I’m still going to pick you up here, and we’ll celebrate the New Year at my place."
"Of course, it’s real," Chen Cheng tightened his grip on her hand, his tone gentle but firm, "when have I ever lied to you?"
An indescribable sense of happiness spread in Meng Wanning’s heart. In the upcoming festival, she too would have company, have someone to depend on.
"Then are you going back home for the New Year this year?" Chen Cheng asked.
Meng Wanning smiled sweetly: "Wherever you are, that’s home."
Chen Cheng caught a glimpse of her twinkling eyes, "Alright, this year we’re going to have a joyful New Year!"
The car continued its journey towards Houhai, and the increasingly congested traffic on the road did not dampen their spirits. The warm air in the car was in stark contrast to the gradually dipping temperature outside.
They chatted sporadically, talking about the gala program, hometown customs, and interesting childhood New Year stories.
Meng Wanning spoke animatedly about making dumplings with her grandmother as a child, her tone filled with nostalgia.
"Boss, what did you use to play with during New Year as a kid?" Meng Wanning asked curiously.
Chen Cheng recalled for a moment and said with a smile, "When I was a kid, my favorite thing was to set off firecrackers, competing with Shu Biao and the others to see whose firecrackers were the loudest and whose fireworks were the prettiest."
"Back then, the New Year was so lively."
"Now they don’t allow firecrackers, so it doesn’t feel like New Year anymore," Meng Wanning said with some regret.
"Yes," Chen Cheng sighed, "Times are changing, a lot of things are changing."
He held Meng Wanning’s hand tight, "But this year is different."
"How is it different?"
"I get to see Wan Wan perform on TV, that’s a great blessing."
Meng Wanning’s smile continued, "By then I’ll be all made up, and you won’t recognize me."
Chen Cheng laughed heartily, "How could I not recognize you? All of Wan Wan’s looks are etched in my mind."
Meng Wanning playfully hit him, "Boss, you’re always so good at cheering me up!"
The car stopped and started periodically, and by the time they returned to the courtyard’s garage, it was almost 8 p.m.
The two got out of the car, and Chen Cheng escorted her up the elevator to the main courtyard’s kitchen.
Even before entering the room, they could already smell the delicious scent of the food.
This wasn’t Meng Wanning’s first visit. She stepped over the threshold and called out delicately, "Senior Sister~"
"Eh~!" Xiao Meier was still busy by the stove, spatula in hand, and turned around, "You’re here?"
Meng Wanning walked up to her, "It smells so good, I could smell it from outside."
"Look, I knew you can’t handle spicy, so I made steamed fish and sweet and sour ribs," Xiao Meier pointed at the two dishes already prepared on the stove,
"You’ve lost weight recently. You need to eat more tonight."
"Miss Meng." Mei Xiang also came over.
She knew she’d face issues after learning that Meng Wanning was coming tonight.
The events in the makeup room still lingered in her mind, but Mei Xiang knew that she had to adapt since she had made her choice.
Seeing how close Meng Wanning and Xiao Meier were, she felt even more that she should take the initiative to build a rapport and integrate sooner.
Meng Wanning clearly paused for a moment, "Miss Mei Xiang, hello."
"You two already know each other? I was going to introduce you to each other," Xiao Meier said.
Chen Cheng then stepped in, "Didn’t I say when I brought Mei Xiang to see my sister-in-law, I met Xiao Meng?"
"Look at my memory! I’ve been so busy." Xiao Meier said with a laugh: "Go wash your hands, we’re about to eat."
Meng Wanning rolled up her sleeves, "Senior Sister, let me help you."
"No need, no need! Those delicate hands of yours aren’t made for this," Xiao Meier glanced at Mei Xiang, "and also, Mei Xiang knew you were coming and went out of her way to make you sushi herself. You’d better eat more."
The two looked at each other with faint, perhaps courteous, smiles, and nodded.
Around the small dining table, four people sat.
Xiao Meier, as always, served Chen Cheng first, saying, "Twice-cooked pork, your favorite."