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 ng Wanning, Chen Cheng’s mind intermittently conjured images of Liu Zhiying’s shy yet earnest deanor—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 ng 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.
"Get in."
Seeing that it was Chen Cheng driving in person, ng Wanning was quite surprised, "Boss, why did you co yourself?"
"Why? Not welco?" Chen Cheng asked with a smile.
"Not at all, I thought Brother Xiao Hai would be driving over." ng Wanning got into the car, and the vehicle started again.
Chen Cheng gently turned the steering wheel, "I said I would co to pick you up, so of course, I’d co myself."
ng 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. ng Wanning naturally placed her hand in his palm.
"How was it? Tiring rehearsal?"
ng Wanning had lost the displeasure of a few hours earlier; at least in this mont, she had Chen Cheng all to herself.
"Not too bad, but..."
"What’s wrong?"
ng Wanning said earnestly, "My program is after midnight, this New Year’s..."
Chen Cheng continued, "Then at that ti, I’m still going to pick you up here, and we’ll celebrate the New Year at my place."
"Really?"
"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 ng Wanning’s heart. In the upcoming festival, she too would have company, have soone to depend on.
"Then are you going back ho for the New Year this year?" Chen Cheng asked.
ng Wanning smiled sweetly: "Wherever you are, that’s ho."
Chen Cheng caught a glimpse of her twinkling eyes, "Alright, this year we’re going to have a joyful New Year!"
"Yeah!"
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, hotown customs, and interesting childhood New Year stories.
ng 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?" ng Wanning asked curiously.
Chen Cheng recalled for a mont 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," ng Wanning said with so regret.
"Yes," Chen Cheng sighed, "Tis are changing, a lot of things are changing."
He held ng 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."
ng Wanning’s smile continued, "By then I’ll be all made up, and you won’t recognize ."
Chen Cheng laughed heartily, "How could I not recognize you? All of Wan Wan’s looks are etched in my mind."
ng Wanning playfully hit him, "Boss, you’re always so good at cheering up!"
The car stopped and started periodically, and by the ti 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 sll the delicious scent of the food.
This wasn’t ng Wanning’s first visit. She stepped over the threshold and called out delicately, "Senior Sister~"
"Eh~!" Xiao ier was still busy by the stove, spatula in hand, and turned around, "You’re here?"
"Yes!"
ng Wanning walked up to her, "It slls so good, I could sll it from outside."
"Look, I knew you can’t handle spicy, so I made stead fish and sweet and sour ribs," Xiao ier pointed at the two dishes already prepared on the stove,
"You’ve lost weight recently. You need to eat more tonight."
"Yes!"
"Miss ng." i Xiang also ca over.
She knew she’d face issues after learning that ng Wanning was coming tonight.
The events in the makeup room still lingered in her mind, but i Xiang knew that she had to adapt since she had made her choice.
Seeing how close ng Wanning and Xiao ier were, she felt even more that she should take the initiative to build a rapport and integrate sooner.
ng Wanning clearly paused for a mont, "Miss i Xiang, hello."
"You two already know each other? I was going to introduce you to each other," Xiao ier said.
Chen Cheng then stepped in, "Didn’t I say when I brought i Xiang to see my sister-in-law, I t Xiao ng?"
"Look at my mory! I’ve been so busy." Xiao ier said with a laugh: "Go wash your hands, we’re about to eat."
"Okay."
ng Wanning rolled up her sleeves, "Senior Sister, let help you."
"No need, no need! Those delicate hands of yours aren’t made for this," Xiao ier glanced at i Xiang, "and also, i 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 ier, as always, served Chen Cheng first, saying, "Twice-cooked pork, your favorite."
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