NOVPUB
Chapter 119: Chapter 117 Sugar Daddy Cheng
Leaving the hospital and on the way back to the Communication University, Liu Zhiya hung her head low.
Her slender fingers rubbed the hem of her white T-shirt; her pale pink fingernails turned white from the rubbing, but she had no idea how to start a conversation with Chen Cheng.
Chen Cheng noticed Liu Zhiya’s unusual behavior; his sharp instincts guessed what she was thinking.
Yet, he did not ask.
As they were about to reach the school gate, Liu Zhiya could no longer hold back and spoke up:
"Brother Cheng, can you tell me how many girls you have around you?"
Chen Cheng turned to look directly into those clear eyes and calmly said, "Xiao Ya, I don’t want to hide it from you."
"There are indeed four or five of them."
"Four... five..."
Liu Zhiya’s head drooped again, her hand rubbing the shirt hem even harder.
She had thought that aside from that gorgeous sister at Wanbao Hall, she was Chen Cheng’s second choice.
But just now in the hospital room, Liu Zhiying’s display of admiration and affection for Chen Cheng—all of it was palpable to her.
Now, upon hearing Chen Cheng himself confirm this daunting number, Liu Zhiya’s innocent heart felt as if it was precisely grasped by those very hands she had voluntarily reached out for. 𝓃𝓸𝓋𝓹𝓾𝓫.𝒸ℴ𝓶
Liu Zhiya’s breathing became a bit rapid; she struggled to hold back the tears that threatened to spill, her voice trembling slightly as she asked:
"Then... what place do they have in your heart?"
Chen Cheng: "Just like the spare ribs dry pot we had at noon. Some are the best cut of the lot, the main dish, while others are merely seasonings in this dish."
Liu Zhiya looked up, her eyes filled with uncertainty and doubt, "Brother Cheng, then what am I?"
Chen Cheng looked at Liu Zhiya and slowly said:
"Xiao Ya, you’re not the prime cut, nor are you the seasoning."
"You are the beverage that complements the meal, with a hint of lime."
Liu Zhiya wasn’t foolish; she understood Chen Cheng’s words.
She was not indispensable.
A dry pot without spare ribs could not bear that name.
Without seasonings, the dish wouldn’t taste good.
But the variety of drinks in the refrigerator can be replaced by thousands; without lime flavor, there could be orange, lychee, and even more.
Although she knew this would be the outcome, those disobedient tears could not help but fall.
Chen Cheng said composedly: "Xiao Ya, if you can accept me as I am, I’d be glad and honored."
"If you’re unwilling, I won’t force you." He smiled, "Just like when you ask me out to dinner, I’ll leave the choice up to you."
Liu Zhiya sniffled,
"Brother Cheng, I’m just scared; I’m afraid..."
"Fool, what’s there to be afraid of?"
"I know that for a man as successful as you, it’s impossible to lack women by your side."
Liu Zhiya sniffled, "I’m just afraid that sister... she likes you too."
She bit her lower lip, "Just now, I saw it, she held your hand too."
"Also, you took such good care of her, I can feel that she..."
Liu Zhiya lifted her head, staring into Chen Cheng’s eyes:
"Since childhood, with a face identical to hers, I couldn’t outshine her in anything, whether it was studying or life."
"I’m like her shadow, never winning once. Now she likes you, and I like you too. Brother Cheng, I don’t dare to contemplate if..."
Chen Cheng reached out, caressing Liu Zhiya’s hair, "Xiao Ya, why do you always compare yourself with others?"
"I..."
"You have the same appearance, but you are Xiao Ya, and she is Liu Zhiying. Each person is different."
Chen Cheng’s expression became serious, confident as he said, "I’ll give you time to think it over thoroughly. Whatever your decision might be, I’ll respect it."
Liu Zhiya looked at the man before her, a romance that could have started with a sweet encounter yet altered by the script of their first meeting.
If it hadn’t been for the need for money, if she hadn’t agreed to Wen Shulin, but met Chen Cheng in a different manner, perhaps she could have had an enviable relationship.
But Liu Zhiya was clearly aware that she liked this man who took her virginity.
Only that this first time was exchanged for money.
At this moment, she couldn’t help but think: If life could be redone, could there be a pure beginning with Chen Cheng, and perhaps a different outcome?
But there is no such thing as a regret medicine in the world, and what has happened will not change.
"Brother Cheng, I..."
She lowered her head again, "I’ve made up my mind, I’m willing to accept such a relationship."
Liu Zhiya lost to Liu Zhiying once again, just as she had for the past twenty-one years.
"I will give you everything a girlfriend can have except for the title," Chen Cheng said calmly.
Liu Zhiya looked up; she understood Chen Cheng’s meaning.
Chen Cheng opened his left arm, and Liu Zhiya snuggled into his embrace.
"Now that you’re with me, don’t go to any commercial performances or fashion shows," Chen Cheng made his first request.
"Okay, I understand."
Chen Cheng rubbed her shoulder, "As for money, don’t worry, I’ll take care of your expenses."
"I..."
"The second request," Chen Cheng said.
"Brother Cheng, please tell me."
Chen Cheng’s expression was usual, "Don’t cause me trouble."
"I understand."
Chen Cheng pulled Liu Zhiya closer, "That’s a good girl."
Liu Zhiya hugged Chen Cheng’s waist, "Brother Cheng, I really do like you."
Chen Cheng looked down, whispering in her ear, "Still calling me Brother Cheng?"
Liu Zhiya’s face turned red, and she proactively leaned in, whispering the nickname Chen Cheng had said into her ear when getting into the car, "Daddy."
Big Willow Tree stopped in front of the university’s main gate, and Liu Zhiya grabbed Chen Cheng’s hand, "I’m going back to school now."
Chen Cheng ruffled her hair, "Once I’m not so busy, I will come to see you."
"Okay."
"Do you have enough money?"
Liu Zhiya gripped her phone tightly, "I do."
Chen Cheng’s lips curved into a smile, "Off you go, be good."
Liu Zhiya left another kiss on Chen Cheng’s face before reluctantly stepping out of Big Willow Tree.
As she looked back repeatedly at the closed car window, myriad thoughts flooded her heart.
She knew that from this moment on, the trajectory of her life may have already changed.
...
That night, at Wanbao Hall.
Chen Cheng was greeted by a rare moment of leisure.
He set up a small dining table under the big willow tree not far from the door, enjoying some small dishes, sipping chilled beer, watching the bustling customers inside the shop, and the presence of her by his side.
"Xiao Cheng, come on, have a drink."
Xiao Meier raised her glass with a radiant smile.
Chen Cheng laughed, "You seem especially happy."
"Yes! It’s been three days since you had dinner with me!" Xiao Meier bluntly stated.
"That can’t be right?"
After downing the refreshing beer, Xiao Meier explained, "Alone."
That was indeed the case; Wanbao Hall had many visitors these past few days, and Chen Cheng had been busy entertaining.
"Meier, I really have neglected you lately," Chen Cheng took hold of Xiao Meier’s hand.
Xiao Meier shook her head with a smile, "I know it’s for the good of Wanbao Hall, for us to have a better life."
"How about we go out and have fun for a couple of days?" Chen Cheng suggested.
"Sure! I have never been to the Great Wall!"
Chen Cheng in disbelief, "Really? You’ve been here for over ten years and never been?"
"Why would I lie to you?"
Xiao Meier counted on her fingers, "Not just the Great Wall, I’ve never been to places like the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, or the National Museum."
"I’ve passed by Tiananmen a few times, but I’ve never watched the flag-raising." She added.
Chen Cheng smiled, "How about we don’t sleep tonight and go line up to watch the flag-raising?"
Xiao Meier giggled behind her hand, "If we don’t sleep, where will we get the energy to attend the shop tomorrow?"
"Life can’t be all work! If you have a wish, we should go fulfill it."
"Are we really going?"
Chen Cheng nodded and took out his phone, "I’ll make a reservation."
"You having a meal?"
A voice with a magnetic timbre carried over.
Xiao Meier looked over to see Wen Shulin, who had visited again within the same day, somewhat surprised, "Miss Wen? Are you here for dinner?"
Chen Cheng also turned his head to look at her, who had stormed off at noon, "So you did catch the scent."
Wen Shulin appeared much better, with a boat-like smile on her lips, "I haven’t eaten yet. I just went to the shop and the server said you two were outside, so I came here."
Xiao Meier stood up, "Please come inside."
"No need," Wen Shulin glanced at the dishes on the small table, "Miss Xiao, could you add another set of utensils?"
"I’ll go get that for you," Xiao Meier cheerfully laughed, "and order two more dishes from the kitchen."
"Thanks for the trouble."
Xiao Meier: "Don’t mention it."
Once she was far enough away, Wen Shulin dropped her smile and fixed her stare on Chen Cheng.
"No wonder you seemed in such a good mood just now," Chen Cheng shifted his seat, "But why do you look unhappy when you see me?"
"What do you think?"
Wen Shulin sat down, "I’ve already arranged the diagnosis report."
"That fast?" Chen Cheng was somewhat surprised.
"While you were busy flirting, I managed to get the diagnosis report and Li Ya’s psychological assessment done."
She looked at Chen Cheng, "When are you going to call that eager Chaoyang resident?"
"Hold on, girl. Am I supposed to make this call?" Chen Cheng pointed at his own nose and asked.
"Who else?"
Wen Shulin took out a piece of paper from her bag and nonchalantly placed her Hermes bag on the ground, "This is Li Hao’s address."
"I checked the surveillance at the company before coming; he left at 5 o’clock."
Chen Cheng glanced at it, "Then how do you know he went back?"
"That’s why I need you to call and check!" Wen Shulin took a deep breath, "I also checked the surveillance for your visit to the CGG Fund Department and know you went to see him."
Chen Cheng put down his phone, "But I have no reason to see him, do I?"
"I guess you must have lured some information out of him through the product launch," Wen Shulin smartly said, "Just call and ask if he’s in the office because you want to discuss further with him."
"Wouldn’t that reveal his location?" she added.
Chen Cheng pursed his lips, "You are perfect in every way, just too smart."
Wen Shulin flipped her hair confidently, "Compared to those naive female college students you’re involved with, I’m not so easy to fool."
Chen Cheng picked up his phone, "Whoa, from the sound of it... you wouldn’t happen to be—?"
"Don’t overthink it. Do you think I’d be jealous of you?" Wen Shulin diverted her gaze from Chen Cheng.
Her voice was as faint as a mosquito, "After we finish eating, help me with this favor; thank you, Mr. Chen."
