"Hey, why are you up?"
Meng Wanning rubbed her eyes, looking at Chen Cheng who was sitting on the sofa, and then sat up as well.
Chen Cheng turned his head, "Did I wake you?"
Meng Wanning shook her head, "No, I sleep lightly anyway. Plus, with the lake water lapping, I didn’t sleep well."
She glanced at the teacup in front of Chen Cheng, noticing that the water was more than half gone, suggesting he had been up for a while.
"Is something on your mind?"
Chen Cheng smiled and walked back to the bed, snuggling into the warm covers, holding Meng Wanning, "No."
"Did you drink too much earlier? Are you feeling unwell?"
"Maybe." Chen Cheng responded evasively, his gaze drifting out the window, contemplating the serene lake surface.
Although Meng Wanning didn’t know what was troubling Chen Cheng, she knew how to lighten his mood.
"Lie down, let me hold you."
Chen Cheng chuckled, "You hold me?"
"Yes!" Meng Wanning gestured towards her bosom, "Lay down here."
Chen Cheng smiled and lay down, resting his head against Meng Wanning’s soft bosom, feeling her warmth and subtle fragrance.
Meng Wanning gently massaged Chen Cheng’s temples, "Is this comfortable?" Follow current novᴇls on NoveI~Fire.net
Chen Cheng closed his eyes, "Very comfortable."
"I don’t want you to frown or worry..."
Meng Wanning softly hummed and caressed Chen Cheng’s hair, "I also don’t want you to wear the wrong sash of mine~"
Her voice always had a magical quality, making Chen Cheng feel at ease.
"The maiden’s sash is a silver chain, but the lover’s sash has an Eight Treasure Ruyi Hook~"
Chen Cheng’s mouth curved slightly upward, the playful tune carrying a special charm from Meng Wanning’s lips.
He opened his eyes and looked at Meng Wanning, her gaze still as gentle as water.
"You can sing this too?"
Meng Wanning nodded slightly, "Yes, I heard my master sing it."
Meng Wanning fiddled with Chen Cheng’s hair, "I know nothing about business, but if anything is troubling you, you can talk to me."
Chen Cheng pondered, "Wan Wan, what do you think the purpose of life is?"
Meng Wanning paused, her gaze thoughtful as she looked at Chen Cheng.
She had never seriously considered this question before.
In the past, she had struggled for survival, worked hard to fulfill her master’s expectations, and given herself to Chen Cheng’s love.
Her life seemed always propelled forward by these goals, never stopping to ponder what she truly wanted.
"I don’t know," Meng Wanning answered honestly, her confused eyes looking at Chen Cheng,
"Previously, I thought living was about mastering my skills and repaying my master’s kindness. Now..."
She paused, "Now, I want to be with you, forever."
The simplicity and purity of the answer touched Chen Cheng deeply.
"Me?" Chen Cheng thought for a moment, "I used to think living was about making something of myself, achieving great things, and earning respect from everyone. I thought I needed to earn lots of money to control my own life."
He paused, a hint of self-mockery in his tone, "In my youthful arrogance, I believed that possessing these external things would bring true happiness."
"But later, especially recently, I’ve felt a certain emptiness."
Chen Cheng nodded, "Out there, people call me Mr. Chen, Mr. Chen, and I can’t deny that I enjoy the attention and the thrill money brings."
"I have wealth that an ordinary person can’t earn in several lifetimes, but as the wealth grows, so does the feeling of emptiness inside."
Meng Wanning listened quietly, "Wan Wan, do you think I’d fail at anything?"
"With your abilities, how could you fail?" Meng Wanning answered without hesitation, "In my heart, you’re the best."
Chen Cheng smiled, "But I’m afraid of failure."
Meng Wanning was a bit surprised, she never expected the seemingly invincible Chen Cheng to harbor such fear deep down.
She cupped his face, speaking softly, "Everyone has fears, it’s normal. Even if you fail, I’ll always be by your side, facing everything together with you."
"Even if you run out of money, I’ll perform and sing for you." Meng Wanning said firmly.
Chen Cheng looked at her earnest expression, knowing well that Meng Wanning genuinely loved him.
Of course, Chen Cheng wasn’t actually going broke, he was just worried about not being able to complete his latest business venture.
"Wouldn’t that make me a freeloader?" Chen Cheng joked.
"Then you can be my capable house-husband, alright?"
Meng Wanning playfully blinked, "You just stay charming, and I’ll earn the living."
Chen Cheng was amused by her adorable expression, gently tapping her nose as she coyly dodged.
"Let’s sleep." Chen Cheng left Meng Wanning’s embrace, "Once it’s daylight, there’ll be a way."
"Okay! Hold me as we sleep, will you?"
Meng Wanning snuggled into Chen Cheng’s arms, clinging closely to him.
Chen Cheng held her tightly, planting a kiss on her forehead before closing his eyes as well.
"Hope there’ll be good news from Shulin." he thought to himself.
The next day, after saying goodbye to Cao Yue and his wife, Chen Cheng took Meng Wanning straight to HCG.
Visiting for the first time, she felt a bit reserved, not expecting the man she had once talked about, Wen Shulin, to own such a large company.
Sitting in the reception room, Meng Wanning placed her hands on her knees, looking around discreetly.