Chapter 556: Chapter 313: Outing with Four Friends_2
Mei Xiang smiled sweetly, "Aunt Wen, you are too kind."
She turned her head to look at Chen Cheng, "And also, I trust Brother Cheng."
Chen Cheng returned a gentle look, holding her small hands warmly in his palm.
Wen Shulin watched the sweet interaction between the two, feeling both envious and emotional.
She cleared her throat, steering the conversation back on track: "In that case, let’s postpone the contract signing date to March 1st next year. I will handle the CGG matter as quickly as possible, and strive to complete the transition early."
"Okay, Aunt Wen," Mei Xiang readily agreed.
"Then it’s settled..." Wen Shulin showed a relaxed smile. "Thank you so much for today..."
Knock knock knock.
The knocking on the door interrupted their conversation.
Wen Shulin turned around and said toward the door, "Come in."
The secretary opened the door, "Chairman Wen, Miss Li Ya has arrived."
As soon as the words were spoken, Su Liya appeared at the door, looking radiant.
The first person she saw was Chen Cheng, and her eyes, not having seen him for a long time, could hardly conceal her joy.
But then, seeing Mei Xiang sitting next to him, there was a hint of sourness mixed with her anticipation.
"Alright," Wen Shulin nodded, waving her hand toward Li Ya.
As the door closed, Chen Cheng tensed up.
"Brother Cheng?" Mei Xiang felt the large hand holding hers tighten for a moment. "What’s wrong?"
"Nothing."
Su Liya approached the three of them, looking as stunning as ever today.
Although she was fully covered up, that tight-fitting black knit top outlined her exquisite figure.
The yoga pants on her lower body wrapped around her slender legs, and paired with a pair of brown short boots, they highlighted her tall figure and exceptional temperament.
Her gray wavy hair casually draped over her shoulders, a few strands playfully falling beside her cheeks, her red lips slightly pursed, revealing a hint of girlish shyness, yet unable to hide her inherent passion and boldness.
"Why didn’t you call?"
Wen Shulin patted the spot next to her, inviting Su Liya to sit down.
"Mr. Chen," Su Liya called out, then turned to Mei Xiang, "Mei Xiang, long time no see."
Mei Xiang nodded slightly, "Li Ya, long time no see."
"Li Ya, what’s with that?" Wen Shulin frowned, "Isn’t Mei Xiang your best friend? Why so distant after meeting?"
"Ah? No, no!" Su Liya immediately beamed, "I saw Mei Xiang has a red nose, is she catching a cold? I was just worried about her."
Mei Xiang replied, "I’m fine, Li Ya."
Wen Shulin took Li Ya’s hand, "Why are you here?"
Su Liya pulled out her phone, flipping to the chat history, "Mommy, you promised to take me to Universal Studio today."
Wen Shulin looked at the text, "Right, right, right, I have been so busy lately, I forgot."
She turned her gaze to Chen Cheng and Mei Xiang, "Mei Xiang, Mr. Chen, I’m sorry, but I agreed to take Li Ya to Universal Studio today, what do you think..."
Understanding, Mei Xiang stood up, "Aunt Wen, you should go. Now that the mine deal is settled, we should be heading back."
Chen Cheng also rose to his feet, "Then we’ll be off."
"Alright, alright." Wen Shulin hurriedly said, "We’ll do this another time..."
"Don’t discuss another time," Su Liya quickly moved next to Mei Xiang, linking her arm, "Why not all go together? Wouldn’t that be nice?"
"Ah?"
"Ah?"
Su Liya looked at Mei Xiang, "Mei Xiang, you haven’t had a chance to have fun since you arrived, right?"
Mei Xiang shook her head.
"That’s just perfect!" Su Liya said with a smile, "Let’s all go together, and it’s also been a long time since I hung out with Mei Xiang!"
She turned to Wen Shulin, "Mommy, that’s a good plan, right?"
First stunned, Wen Shulin then also nodded with a smile, "Sure, it’s more lively with more people. Mei Xiang, do you want to join?"
Mei Xiang looked toward Chen Cheng, seemingly waiting for his opinion.
"If you want to go, then go," Chen Cheng said.
"Fantastic~" Su Liya took Mei Xiang and headed out, "Mei Xiang, let me tell you..."
Thus, the original plan for Wen Shulin and Su Liya became an outing for four.
Su Liya, with her arm linked with Mei Xiang’s, led the way, chattering about girl stuff.
As Wen Shulin also picked up her bag, following Chen Cheng, they trailed behind the other two and entered the elevator.
When they reached the parking garage, Chen Donghai had already opened the car door.
"Then Mr. Chen, follow us in our car," Wen Shulin said.
"No problem," Chen Cheng agreed.
"No, Mommy, I don’t want to sit separately from Mei Xiang," Su Liya said as she half-squatted and leaned her head on Mei Xiang’s shoulder.
"You child..."
Wen Shulin helplessly looked towards Mei Xiang, who covered her mouth and laughed: "Aunt Wen, it’s fine."
"Then the two of you can ride with me," Chen Cheng offered a solution, extending his hand to Wen Shulin.
Wen Shulin was momentarily stunned, her eyes filled with confusion.
"The keys, I’ll drive," Chen Cheng said.
"Oh! Here."
After taking the keys, Chen Cheng turned to Chen Donghai and said, "Xiao Hai, drive slowly, to Universal Studios."
"Understood, Mr. Chen."
Su Liya, pulling Mei Xiang with her, scrambled into the back seat of the Da Lao, while Chen Cheng and Wen Shulin headed towards the Maserati.
Both cars left CGG’s underground parking lot, with the Maserati leading the way.
"What were you up to with Mei Xiang last night?" Wen Shulin asked, bringing up the subject that hadn’t been fully addressed earlier, "And how did she catch a cold?"
Driving, Chen Cheng replied, "Just strolled around outside for a while, then took her to Green City Center to enjoy the night view. The rooftop wind was strong, she caught a chill by accident."
"You’re quite the romantic, huh?"
Wen Shulin, sitting in the front passenger seat with arms crossed, commented, "Even went to see the night sky, did you count the stars too?"
"No way, are you even jealous of Mei Xiang?" Chen Cheng teased on purpose.
"Jealous my foot!" Wen Shulin poked Chen Cheng’s arm, but before she could pull her hand back, Chen Cheng caught it.
"I just love seeing you like this," Chen Cheng, holding her hand, kissed it and said, "my adorable little woman, so endearing."
Wen Shulin’s face turned slightly red as she scolded, "What are you doing at a time like this, still talking nonsense. Aren’t you afraid Mei Xiang will see?"
Chen Cheng smiled and said, "She’s in the car behind, she can’t see. Plus, you should know that you always have a place in my heart."
"Hmph."
Wen Shulin shot Chen Cheng a coquettish glance, retracted her hand, and placed it on her lap, subconsciously stroking the spot he kissed, "Just focus on driving!"
Chen Cheng chuckled, his hands naturally restless.
His right hand reached over the center console, and Wen Shulin’s long legs naturally leaned in.
Chen Cheng caressed the smooth suit pants, nodding in satisfaction, "That’s right, my little woman."
In contrast to the ambiguous atmosphere inside the Maserati, the conversation between Mei Xiang and Li Ya in the back seat of the Da Lao was a bit delicate.
Li Ya looked straight at her, "Mei Xiang."
"Hmm?" Mei Xiang blew her nose, "What’s up, Li Ya?"
"Are you with Brother Cheng now?"
Mei Xiang’s brows furrowed slightly, especially after hearing Li Ya call Chen Cheng "Brother Cheng" instead of "Mr. Chen" as she did in front of Wen Shulin, feeling that something was amiss.
She sat up straight, "Yes."
"Do you know about the relationship between him and my mom...?"
Mei Xiang didn’t hide anything, "I know."
Upon hearing the answer, Su Liya, not sure whether to feel angry or resentful, also crossed her arms just like Wen Shulin did.
"And what about you?" Mei Xiang asked.
"Me... What about me?" Su Liya looked at Mei Xiang flusteredly.
"I’ve heard other girls also call him Brother Cheng," Mei Xiang said indifferently, "Without exception, they all have an indescribable relationship with him."
Her gaze returned to Su Liya, but she asked the driver Chen Donghai, "Right, Brother Xiao Hai?"
Chen Donghai, who had been nervously listening to the conversation of the two women in the back seat, hastily replied upon being called out, "Miss Mei Xiang, I’m not too clear about Mr. Chen’s affairs."
Su Liya pursed her lips, facing Mei Xiang’s probing gaze, "Right, I do like Brother Cheng. I just like him!"
Mei Xiang gazed at her deeply, "Does Aunt Wen know?"
"How could I tell her something like that~" Su Liya quickly added, "It’s a little secret between me and Brother Cheng~"
Mei Xiang, anxious as well, pressed further, "Then what stage have you and he reached?"
Su Liya’s thoughts were quickly drawn back to that one experience in the storeroom, she murmured, "Brother Cheng... he..."