The broth in the hot pot was bubbling and boiling.
Dumplings were brought to the table too, each bite of pork and green onions’ richness, chive and egg’s fresh aroma, shrimp and corn’s sweetness, was filled with the taste of home.
"Mei Xiang, try this dumpling." Xiao Meier picked up one, "There’s vinegar here, see if you like it sour."
"Li Ya, you try too." Xiao Meier took care of these two girls, who were about the same age and not local.
Wen Shulin smiled lightly, "Xiao Er, stop busying yourself. Come, let’s have a drink."
Xiao Meier raised the red wine, "Sister Lin, happy new year."
At that moment, the screen outdoors projected the image and sound of the Spring Festival Gala host, "Central Television..."
"Hey, is it starting already?" Feng Biao and others were drinking, saying, "But this gala gets worse every year, not fun anymore. Back when we were students, it was thrilling to watch."
Ding Zhaohui said, "Well, it’s for the hustle and bustle, isn’t it?"
Xia Gaoqiang chimed in, "It’s like the annual dumplings, there’s got to be some every year."
Chen Cheng raised his eyebrows, "This year might be different."
"Different?" The three looked at him puzzled.
Xiao Meier said proudly, "Because my junior sister is performing in the gala tonight!"
"Hahaha, Sister Xiao Er is drunk, didn’t you just say that?" Su Liya laughed.
"Oh, look at me~" Xiao Meier said sheepishly, waving her hands, "Talking happily made me repeat myself."
Everyone was amused by her demeanor.
Feng Biao got interested, put down his glass, and leaned forward towards Chen Cheng, "Brother Cheng, you know Miss Meng, tell us about what she’s performing at the gala?" The rightful source is novｅlfire.net
Chen Cheng knew Meng Wanning’s performance but still uncertainly asked Xiao Meier, "Opera? Right?"
"I think you’re the one who’s drunk! You can’t even remember the program!" Xiao Meier tapped Chen Cheng’s forehead.
Chen Cheng raised his glass, "I said you three shouldn’t crowd me! Just starting, don’t want to be asleep in half an hour."
Mei Xiang and others knowingly understood why Chen Cheng said this.
"No, there’s another person performing!" Su Liya suddenly said, "Last time Yu Xinwei mentioned it! She’s on there!"
As a loyal fan, Mei Xiang nodded continuously, "Right! Not right! Miss Meng revealed it!"
Wen Shulin and Xiao Meier asked simultaneously, "When did you meet?"
Realizing they slipped, the two kept quiet, and Chen Cheng’s raised glass halted in the air.
At the last courtyard hot pot gathering, everyone attended except Xiao Meier and Wen Shulin.
Just as he was frantically searching his mind for excuses to smooth things over, Tong Jialu spoke up, "Was it last time when I accompanied Miss Mei Xiang to shop, running into Miss Meng?"
Mei Xiang nodded heavily, "Yes, yes! That’s it!"
Wen Shulin looked at Su Liya, not wanting her romantic affairs known, "How about you, Li Ya?"
"I..." Su Liya’s eyes darted, "I think it was...at school?"
"Yeah! She came to our school for an event, and as soon as I saw her, I leveraged Brother Cheng’s reputation to get her autograph!"
Su Liya lied without turning red, "She’s Brother Cheng’s spokesperson, definitely gave Brother Cheng face! My classmates envied me!"
Both extricated themselves cleanly, but Chen Cheng listened with trepidation.
"What do you mean my spokesperson?" Chen Cheng chuckled dryly, "That’s the spokesperson for Xiao Er’s Camellia."
When Xia Yubing heard Chen Cheng say this, she quickly helped ease the situation, "Yu Xinwei’s tea sponsorship is now so popular. The other day I ordered delivery for lunch, wanted to try it, and it took over an hour to arrive."
"Isn’t it," Du Yuan chimed, "My office colleagues, school students are all drinking it, saying it tastes great."
"Yes, indeed." Liu Ying said, "Especially the line ’Camellia blossoms, only for you,’ really has a feeling. Sister Er, did you come up with that slogan?"
Xiao Meier waved her hands, "I don’t have that ability, all thought up by Xiao Cheng."
"Hey, I don’t have that ability either." Chen Cheng raised his glass towards Wen Shulin, "All introduced by Chairman Wen."
"Seems the celebrity effect is really different." Feng Biao lamented, "When Brother Cheng said he’d open a tea shop, I was kind of worried! But on the opening day, as soon as Yu Xinwei appeared, I knew it was secure!"
"Brother Cheng, how did you think of inviting Yu Xinwei for spokesperson back then?" Ding Zhaohui was genuinely curious.
Chen Cheng casually said, "Actually it’s nothing much, just thought she suited the Camellia tea brand image, fresh, natural, elegant."
"She’s currently the hottest actress, her endorsement must be expensive, right?" Ding Zhaohui pursued.
Chen Cheng smiled, not directly answering, "Money, as long as it’s worth spending."
Wen Shulin and others looked at him, aware of the real reason for Yu Xinwei’s endorsement.
"Aah! Yu Xinwei! My goddess!" Su Liya exclaimed excitedly, "Mei Xiang, look!"
On screen, Yu Xinwei in a red dress, radiant.
"Really beautiful." Feng Biao marveled, "That charisma, that presence, truly a star."
"Isn’t it, beautiful and delightful to hear." Xia Gaoqiang also remarked.
As everyone’s attention shifted to Yu Xinwei, Chen Cheng finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He nodded towards Xia Yubing and Tong Jialu, and the sisters responded with secret smiles.