NOVPUB
Chapter 152: Chapter 147 I’m Really Scared This Is Just a Dream
Exquisite dishes that look and taste terrific were brought to the table.
Despite dining in the outdoor pavilion, several cooling devices still provided a gentle breeze, dispelling the heat of the noon.
Sunlight dotted through the gaps in the leaves, with the sound of flowing water, cicadas, and ongoing congratulatory voices in the ears.
"Miss Xiao, today was rather rushed, and I didn’t prepare much for a gift."
Li Zhida stood up first and handed over an exquisite wooden box, "I hope you won’t find it lacking."
The wooden box was labeled "Beijing City Development Bank·Zodiac Commemorative Gold Coins."
Xiao Meier gently opened the box, and inside were twelve circular gold coins neatly encased in acrylic panels.
Each coin weighed 3 grams, with the zodiac patterns on the front and the finest works of ancient architecture on the back.
Such as Beihai North Pagoda, Temple of Heaven Prayer Hall, Wuhan Yellow Crane Tower, The Number One Pass Under Heaven, Yueyang Tower, and so forth.
The delicate relief sculpture was pleasing to the eye.
"President Li, thank you," Xiao Meier
Li Zhida waved his hand with a smile, "Just a little token."
Observing this, Li Bo also stood up with a smile, holding a small box in his hand,
"Miss Xiao, I prepared a pair of earrings for you."
Xiao Meier opened it again to find a pair of diamond earrings totaling 1 carat, sparkling intensely with a perfect cut.
And the brand was Cartier.
"I received a call from Mr. Jin early in the morning and rushed to the store as soon as it opened," Li Bo explained: "In my view, only diamonds can complement your beauty."
Zhou Xiansheng, not to be outdone, took a slender box from his pocket, also wrapped by Cartier.
He didn’t play coy and directly opened the box.
"Miss Xiao, this was purchased on my request by Li Bo. I hope you like it."
Xiao Meier had never received so many gifts all at once.
Whether it was the gold coins, jewelry, or designer bags, beauty cards from Wang Xinan and Zhang Zhenchao, each item was expensive.
Roughly estimating, the total value of gifts received within just a few minutes neared 200,000.
At this point, Chen Jin cleared his throat, "Although all the gifts you’ve given are exquisite, I believe they lack a bit more thought."
"Oh? Lao Chen, what treasure are you planning to give?"
Xiao Meier looked at him somewhat familiarly, "Chairman, haven’t you already given me a smartphone?"
"A smartphone is a smartphone, a gift is a gift," Chen Jin said with a smile, "The gift I prepared this time is even more special."
As his words fell, everyone’s attention focused on him.
He took out a white document bag with the logo of Nio clearly visible.
"Mrs. Chen, I am giving you a car," said Chen Jin.
The entire pavilion fell into a brief silence.
Xiao Meier: "Chairman Chen, this gift is too costly!"
Wang Xinan joked with a laugh, "Lao Chen, your gesture is really grand, making us feel embarrassed to present our modest gifts."
Zhang Zhenchao added, "Exactly, Chairman Chen’s move has outdone us all."
Chen Jin said with a smile, "It’s a Nio ET7. The main documents, the driving license, are all inside, Mrs. Chen can drive it whenever she likes."
Gifts under 20,000, Xiao Meier dared to accept.
But this electric vehicle nearing 500,000, she didn’t extend her hand.
Her gaze, however, turned to Chen Cheng and Jin Baogen who had been quiet.
Jin Baogen squinted with a smile, "Xiao Er, just accept it. Don’t belittle Lao Chen’s kind intentions."
Chen Cheng also nodded.
Xiao Meier looked troubled and hesitated, "But this really is too valuable."
"Mrs. Chen, this modest gesture is nothing, there are many more occasions where I’ll need your help in the future!"
Saying that, he placed the document bag in front of Xiao Meier.
"Then thank you, Chairman Chen."
Chen Jin waved his hand, "Lao Chen, Lao Chen!"
Everyone at the table had given their gifts, except for Wen Shulin.
"Chairman Wen, you and Mrs. Chen are the best of friends, what surprise have you prepared?" Chen Jin asked.
Wen Shulin smiled and lifted a beautifully wrapped box from under the table.
The box was roughly 40x40 square.
"Xiao Er, just a small token."
Compared to the lengthy list of gifts, Xiao Meier was eager to see what Wen Shulin had for her.
Under everyone’s gaze, she unwrapped the outer packaging and looked intently; her entire demeanor startled.
Wen Shulin had given a golden Ruyi, carved with exquisite cloud patterns and dragon and phoenix motifs, symbolizing good fortune and auspiciousness.
It was solid to the touch.
Its arrival immediately heightened the atmosphere of the entire pavilion.
Even overshadowing the electric vehicle Chen Jin gifted.
"Chairman Wen is really thoughtful."
"This Golden Ruyi is simply a piece of art!"
Wen Shulin grasped Xiao Meier’s excited hand, "Xiao Er, I wish for your life to be smooth sailing and free from worries."
"Sister Lin, words cannot fully express my gratitude towards you."
"We don’t need to thank each other, and I hope the bond between us will remain as everlasting as this Golden Ruyi."
"Yes!"
Jin Baogen’s lips curled into a faint smirk that went unnoticed.
He led the applause, and everyone else followed suit. The joyful clapping echoed through the pavilion.
"Today is really a great day. Little girl Xiao Er has received so many gifts, thank you all for your thoughtfulness," Jin Baogen said with a laugh.
"You’re welcome, Mr. Jin."
"Come, let’s raise a glass and drink to celebrate Xiao Er!"
Everyone raised their glasses, Xiao Meier’s face brimming with happiness and emotion, this day marking an important milestone as she neared thirty.
"Thank you everyone, thank you."
...
After three rounds of drinks and five different dishes.
Everyone was quite merry, except for Wen Shulin.
Her face wore a smile throughout the event, but her heart felt suffocated.
"Xiao Wen."
She, coming out from the restroom, was stopped by Jin Baogen in the corridor.
Chen Cheng was also there.
She walked over, "Mr. Jin."
Jin Baogen gestured for her to sit next to Chen Cheng, smiling and asking, "You seem unhappy?"
Wen Shulin didn’t hide her thoughts, "Mr. Jin, I have no objections towards Xiao Er, but asking me to give the Golden Ruyi, that’s..."
Chen Cheng instantly understood.
He initially thought that giving those gold items was Wen Shulin’s own idea, as living on Hong Kong Island for many years, it was common to give gold during happy occasions.
But now it seemed intentional.
"Those items were sent by me, but weren’t the words your own?" Jin Baogen smiled and countered.
Wen Shulin faltered to speak, under those circumstances, she indeed had to say that.
"Mr. Jin, I understand your intentions. But since I’ve agreed, don’t worry."
Jin Baogen smiled and shook his head, "Xiao Wen, you misunderstood."
"Misunderstood?"
"Aren’t you two heading to Magiland? You will need this Golden Ruyi."
Wen Shulin suddenly got it, "Mr. Jin, this..."
"Xiao Wen, thank you for your forbearance and sacrifices."
"I didn’t..." Wen Shulin glanced at Chen Cheng beside her, "actually, I am willing, too."
Jin Baogen put out his cigarette and stood up.
"Alright, you two chat. I’ll go and check over there."
Both stood up to say goodbye.
In the corridor, only Chen Cheng and Wen Shulin were left.
Wen Shulin stared into Chen Cheng’s eyes, "Chen Cheng."
"Why are you formally using my full name?" Chen Cheng asked with a smile.
"I think..."
Wen Shulin hesitated internally, but ultimately her deepest desires prevailed.
She sneakily took Chen Cheng’s hand, her delicate thumb caressing the back of his hand, "Mr. Chen, actually I’ve always wanted to tell you something."
Chen Cheng responded with a gentle smile, "You say it, I’m listening."
"During the time we’ve spent together, I’ve realized my feelings for you... I don’t know if this is too sudden, but I don’t want to hide my feelings anymore."
Wen Shulin looked up, "I like you, the gentle you, the mischievous you."
She took a deep breath as if she had made up her mind.
The breeze in the corridor whisked her skirt and stirred her heart.
"Shulin, I understand your feelings." Chen Cheng said.
Tears of excitement or emotion glistened in Wen Shulin’s eyes, "Call me that again."
"Shulin."
Wen Shulin’s lips trembled, she wanted to throw herself into Chen Cheng’s arms, to be a little woman.
But she was also a bit scared.
So, holding Chen Cheng’s hand, she squeezed even tighter,
"I’m really afraid this is just a dream."
Chen Cheng looked into Wen Shulin’s tender eyes, "If this is indeed a dream, I won’t ever let you wake up from a nightmare."
"Mr. Chen..."
Chen Cheng chuckled, "Now that we’re alone, why so formal?"
"What do you want me to call you?"
"What do you think?"
Wen Shulin pursed her lips, her cheeks blushing, her eyes shy and playful.
She slightly lowered her head, unable to directly gaze into Chen Cheng’s eyes, a few strands of hair dancing with the breeze, adding a touch of allure.
After a moment, she seemed to muster the courage, looking up at Chen Cheng with firm and fiery eyes, she whispered shyly, "Dear, is this all right?"
After speaking, she quickly lowered her gaze, but the corners of her mouth couldn’t help but rise, her heart pounding like a little deer inside her.
A smile curved upon Chen Cheng’s face; he too lowered his head, looking towards Wen Shulin’s blushing cheeks.
"It’s rare to see you so well-behaved."
"You!"
Wen Shulin suddenly looked up, never expecting Chen Cheng to boldly kiss her.
Her eyes widened, filled with surprise.
But quickly, she closed her eyes, wholeheartedly surrendering to the kiss.
Long after, Chen Cheng let go of Wen Shulin, her cheeks blushing with shyness and bliss, her breathing slightly hurried.
"You... Why are you so sudden?" Wen Shulin spoke sweetly.
Chen Cheng smiled tenderly at her, his eyes full of deep love and affection, "This is what I wanted to do most right now, Shulin. I want to let you know my feelings."
Wen Shulin bit her lip gently, leaning into Chen Cheng’s embrace, feeling his heartbeat and warmth.
"From now on, we’ll both be better." Wen Shulin whispered softly.
"Of course."
Chen Cheng hugged her tightly, "No matter how many challenges the future holds, we’ll face them together."
