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Chapter 138: Chapter 136: Go All Out in the Act
When a lie is entirely fabricated, it’s very easy to debunk.
But mix in thirty percent of the truth, and distinguishing fact from fiction becomes difficult.
It’s still Hua Residence, with Chen Cheng and Chen Jin again, and the leftover food and wine from before.
However, the private room had been changed to the next one over, new wine glasses were brought out, and the guests were now the executives of Linkedin Fund.
There weren’t many people, just seven including the two Chens, both men and women.
With this arrangement, it seemed as if the events from two hours earlier had never happened.
"This is Chen Cheng, who helped us secure the 1.36 billion underwriting, Mr. Chen," introduced Chen Jin to everyone.
"He didn’t want you all to have to socialize after work hours, but I thought, since Mr. Chen has given us at Linkedin such a great honor, it would be rude for you not to show your faces."
"Chairman, we all understand. It’s our honor to meet a person like Mr. Chen," one person hurriedly said.
Chen Jin nodded, "Mr. Chen, this is Lao Xu, our COO at Linkedin. He was a real talent from Tsinghua School of Economics and Management back in the day!"
Chen Cheng grasped Chen Jin’s approach.
He accepted Chen Jin’s gesture, "Working with Linkedin has been a pleasure. I’m also happy to befriend someone like Chairman Chen."
Chen Cheng raised his glass, "Now everyone, this toast is from me to all of you."
"Mr. Chen is too kind."
Everyone nodded in agreement and then a new round of small talk and toasts began.
Chen Jin whispered: "Mr. Chen, this beats going back and having to talk your mouth off, doesn’t it?"
Chen Cheng replied, "Lao Chen’s ways are quite raw. Just like your private equity."
"Hahaha, true heroes don’t ask about each other’s past, and money doesn’t ask about its origins!" Chen Jin raised his glass again, "Next time, we’ll learn properly!"
"Come on, let’s drink."
The two chuckled and clinked their glasses.
After a while, someone knocked on the private room door.
The waiter opened it to reveal Xiao Meier standing at the entrance.
Chen Jin, sitting next to the main guest seat, immediately said, "Ah, Miss Xiao is here."
Upon hearing his voice, Chen Cheng looked up and saw her standing there, quietly serene.
Xiao Meier had arrived with a worried face, but seeing Chen Cheng safe and sound relaxed her frown.
Chen Cheng got up and walked to the door, wrapping his arms around Xiao Meier’s waist, whispering first, "My phone just died."
Xiao Meier gave a slight nod, then looked at Chen Cheng and said, "I know. I was just a bit worried about you."
Chen Cheng smiled gently, "Don’t worry, as you see, I’m perfectly fine."
Chen Jin came over with a smile and added, "Miss Xiao, you finally came, Mr. Chen was just enjoying our conversation!"
Politely, Xiao Meier responded, "I apologize for interrupting."
"Not at all, not at all." Chen Jin quickly gestured, "We’re even happier that you could come."
Chen Cheng walked Xiao Meier into the private room, and the guests greeted her.
Xiao Meier smiled back at everyone.
Chen Jin vacated the seat beside Chen Cheng and had the waiter set another place.
"Xiao Er, these are all high-level executives from Lao Chen’s company. We’re all gathering here today," Chen Cheng said.
Chen Jin personally poured a glass of wine for Xiao Meier and walked over, "Miss Xiao, no, Mrs. Chen!"
Although Xiao Meier had met Chen Jin a few times, this was her first time dining with such a group.
Her heart felt a bit nervous amidst the table of financial elites, but being addressed as "Mrs. Chen" was calming for her.
"Mrs. Chen, Mr. Chen has entrusted us Linkedin with the 1.36 billion project; we can never fully repay this kindness."
Chen Jin spoke passionately, "Outside, Mr. Chen is highly capable, and you, Mrs. Chen, are his strongest support!"
"Mr. Chen’s youth and success wouldn’t be possible without Mrs. Chen’s support!"
"Yes, Mrs. Chen is so knowledgeable and elegant, clearly from a distinguished family!"
Compliments buzzed around her, and perhaps even Xiao Meier herself didn’t expect to be so praised.
"Eh, none of you hit the nail on the head!" Chen Jin continued, "Mrs. Chen’s cooking is unmatched! Tomorrow, let’s all go to Wanbao Hall and widen your horizons!"
Xiao Meier felt somewhat embarrassed by the praise and just as she was about to stand and give thanks, Chen Jin gestured for her to stay seated, "Mrs. Chen, please remain seated and enjoy."
"Xiao Cheng, this..."
Chen Cheng smiled and pulled Xiao Meier close by the shoulder, "Lao Chen, she’s not much of a drinker."
"Mrs. Chen, just do what makes you happy!"
Xiao Meier nodded slightly, knowing that Chen Cheng was protecting her, so she just took a small sip of wine.
Conversation resumed, and the warm, lively atmosphere continued.
Xiao Meier gradually relaxed and even joined in with a few comments.
Soon after, Zhao Qing burst into the room with a shopping bag in her hand.
Coming up to Chen Jin, she announced, "Chairman, I’ve got it."
Chen Jin acknowledged with a slight nod and immediately placed the shopping bag in front of Chen Cheng.
"Mr. Chen, it’s time you replaced that old phone of yours," he said with a smile.
Chen Cheng had thought the purpose of this reassembled gathering was to provide an answer to an earlier query, but what followed showed him the truth behind the saying that a good act must be played out to the end.
Xiao Meier blinked, equally curious as to why Chen Jin would suddenly gift Chen Cheng a phone.
"Mrs. Chen, you might not know, but Mr. Chen’s phone died on him earlier; he was so anxious~" Chen Jin pointed at Zhao Qing, "My assistant searched high and low before finding a power bank."
Xiao Meier then noticed the phone still connected to the power bank on the table.
"That phone of yours is two years old, isn’t it?" Chen Jin inquired.
Chen Cheng picked up the iPhone on the table and smiled, "Three years old actually."
"You see, Mr. Chen is someone who values old things, a person of loyalties. He’s had that phone for three years and hasn’t thought to replace it!"
He pushed the shopping bag further towards Chen Cheng, "Mr. Chen, you and Mrs. Chen have known each other for quite some time, right?"
Chen Cheng took Xiao Meier’s hand, "She’s someone I’ve known since I was eighteen."
"Whoa! No wonder you two are such a good match! Childhood sweethearts, this is!" Chen Jin was genuinely envious, "A perfect pair made by heaven and earth!"
Other people also agreed in succession.
A blush appeared on Xiao Meier’s face, and her eyes filled with love as she looked at Chen Cheng.
Chen Cheng, on the other hand, was smiling proudly, "Haha, of course."
"The wife can’t be replaced, but as for the phone, it needs to be the newest model," Chen Jin said with a smile: "Just a little token of affection, Mr. Chen please accept it!"
Chen Cheng: "Lao Chen, you’ve really thought of everything!"
"Eh, we’re best of friends, aren’t we?"
"Hahaha..."
After dinner, Chen Jin insisted on escorting the two to their car.
Before leaving, he didn’t forget to hold Chen Cheng’s hand, "Mr. Chen, no need for more words, let’s keep in touch more often."
Chen Cheng nodded, "You’ve spent quite a bit today."
"Eh, the phone wasn’t much." He looked at Xiao Meier carrying the shopping bag, "Next time, I’ll give one to Mrs. Chen as well."
"No, no need," Xiao Meier declined.
Chen Jin: "If Mrs. Chen doesn’t accept it, does that mean you look down on me, Chen, and don’t acknowledge this friendship?"
"It’s too valuable."
"Compared to my friendship with Mr. Chen, this is just a drop in the ocean!"
Chen Cheng, with his arm around Xiao Meier: "If Lao Chen wants to give it, just accept it. Next time he comes to Wanbao Hall, you can treat him to a meal."
"You see, Mr. Chen is always so generous! I’ll remember Mrs. Chen’s sweet bean soup!" Chen Jin said with a laugh.
Xiao Meier thought of something, "Mr. Chen, wait a moment."
She opened the car door and took out the box of sweet bean soup that Su Liya had forgotten.
"It’s not too cold, you can put it in the fridge when you get back."
Chen Jin raised an eyebrow, "Isn’t this perfect for sobering up? Mrs. Chen, it’s just like a timely rain!"
"Hardly."
Chen Jin held the car door, "Then you two head off, get some early rest."
"Lao Chen, we’ll be taking off then," said Chen Cheng.
"Alright, see you!"
"See you."
The Da Lao slowly left Hua Residence, and seated in the back, Chen Cheng leaned on Xiao Meier’s shoulder, saying: "Sister Er, I’m sorry for making you worry today."
Xiao Meier pulled out a tissue and wiped the sweat from Chen Cheng, "I’m just worried you drank too much and something would happen. These days, you’ve been drinking every day. Look at you, you can barely stand it, all sweaty."
She did not dislike Chen Cheng’s smell of alcohol and sweat, and tenderly wiped him over and over.
Chen Cheng grabbed Xiao Meier’s hand, "Aren’t you angry?"
"I was quite angry when I didn’t see you," Xiao Meier touched Chen Cheng’s face, "But when I see you sitting there, safe and sound, what do I have to be angry about?"
"Sister Er is so kind."
Xiao Meier tapped Chen Cheng’s forehead, "You little rascal, stop with the sweet talk."
"Ow!"
"What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?"
Chen Cheng held his head, "Did I drink too much? Why do I feel a bit dizzy?"
"How much did you drink?"
"I started at noon," Chen Cheng replied: "I had to help Lao Chen make some money!" 𝘯𝘰𝑣𝘱𝑢𝘣.𝑐𝑜𝑚
"You also, next time eat something before drinking!" Xiao Meier said with pity: "Tomorrow I’ll put a box of milk and bread in the car, remember to drink it."
Chen Cheng playfully said: "Milk doesn’t taste good, and the bread is dry."
"Then what do you want to eat?"
"It’s been a long time since I’ve had the noodles you make."
Xiao Meier warmly said, "I’ll make them for you when we get back."
"I’ve been waiting all day for this moment!"
The night at Big Willow Tree remained peaceful.
After returning to the noodle shop, Chen Cheng sat at the dining table, truly feeling the room spin.
"There’s only dried noodles left, you sit for a while," Xiao Meier went to fetch the pot for boiling noodles as soon as she came in.
Chen Cheng, propping his head with his hands, "Hmm."
Xiao Meier looked at the still figure and knew Chen Cheng was feeling terrible.
She boiled some water, then took out the honey to mix with the water. After getting the right temperature...
"Don’t drink so much next time," Xiao Meier carried the cup of honey water over.
But she saw that Chen Cheng had already closed his eyes and laid his head on the table.
"Ah, you rascal, really!" Xiao Meier was partly upset, partly amused, but mostly distressed.
"I can’t even move you." She shook her head helplessly.
She had no choice but to go upstairs, move down the cooling mat, set it up again, and manage to get Chen Cheng to lie down on it.
She wrung a wet towel and simply wiped Chen Cheng’s face.
"If you can’t drink, then don’t drink so much!"
Chen Cheng instinctively held onto the hands, mumbling: "Sister Er, I..."
"What do you want?" Xiao Meier bent down, bringing her ear close to Chen Cheng’s mouth.
She only heard, "I... love you."
"You rascal!" Xiao Meier was very emotional, her lower jaw trembling slightly.
Delighted in her heart, but she protested, "You don’t say it when you’re sober, and now you say it; who knows if it’s just the alcohol talking!"
She bent down and kissed Chen Cheng’s forehead.
Turning off the water that hadn’t boiled yet for the noodles, she brought over a basin, placed it beside the cooling mat, and quietly sat down next to Chen Cheng.
As she watched him bathed in the moonlight, just like when Chen Cheng first saw her, she silently protected him with a smile on her face.
