Chapter 48: 048

Cheng Jinlan was on a business trip this time to attend an internal exchange meeting for the hotel industry, and to visit Jiang Meng, who had been suffering a lot due to her pregnancy and was in dire need of comfort from a good friend.

On the first day of the conference, Cheng Jinlan only made a brief appearance, leaving the rest to Tang Yicheng while she went straight to Jiang Meng’s home. Upon seeing her, Jiang Meng’s eyes brimmed with tears as she pulled Cheng Jinlan into a tight 5-minute embrace. Before getting pregnant, she knew pregnancy would be grueling, but only after becoming pregnant did she realize the suffering she had imagined wasn’t even one-thousandth of the actual agony. She had no idea when she would make it through this phase.

Cheng Jinlan patted her shoulder to comfort her, “I brought you some tasty food made by Aunt Qu.”

Jiang Meng’s tearful eyes instantly snapped back as she exclaimed, “What is it? What is it? Hurry, take it out! Jinlan, you’re here to save me. I’ve been craving Aunt Qu’s cooking even in my dreams!”

Cheng Jinlan had specifically brought an insulated box full of food, enough to cover the table so they wouldn’t have to cook dinner separately. Jiang Meng’s husband was also away on a business trip, so Jiang Meng wouldn’t let Cheng Jinlan leave tonight. They hadn’t seen each other in so long and definitely needed to catch up all night.

Jiang Meng reluctantly ate the last rib, patting her belly as she reclined on the sofa. “Jinlan, when you leave, pack me in your suitcase and take me home with you. I’m easy to care for, just feed me Aunt Qu’s cooking three times a day.”

Cheng Jinlan brought her a glass of water, “Sure, as long as you’re willing to leave your husband behind. The trip back, my suitcase is all yours.”

Jiang Meng wrapped her arms around Cheng Jinlan’s neck, “What’s there to be reluctant about? Just let him keep the empty house, I’m coming with you on a honeymoon.”

Cheng Jinlan laughed, “Sounds good. Little Liqi has been missing her Auntie Meng like crazy, asking me every day when she can meet Auntie Meng’s little baby.”

Jiang Meng stared intently at Cheng Jinlan’s neck, squinting her eyes before letting out a shriek.

Cheng Jinlan jumped in fright, “What’s wrong? Does something hurt?”

Jiang Meng grabbed her collar, and Cheng Jinlan immediately understood. There were marks left on her neck yesterday in his car that she had covered up with concealer during the day, but she had forgotten about it after showering at night. Sharp-eyed Jiang Meng had spotted it.

“You have a man now?!” Jiang Meng refused to let go, peering closely at her neck while making continuous tsk tsk sounds. “This force, this intensity, don’t tell me you found yourself a little wolf pup?”

Cheng Jinlan couldn’t break free lest she hurt Jiang Meng, so she could only sit down on the carpet beside the sofa. Annoyed, she shot Jiang Meng a glare, “What little wolf pup. I don’t like little wolf pups.”

“If not a little wolf pup, then a little puppy? Gentle and innocent under the sheets but a ravenous wolf on the bed pressing you down unable to get up?”

Cheng Jinlan slapped her hand. “Stop with this nonsense, watch the baby’s prenatal education.”

Jiang Meng waved her hand dismissively. “Don’t worry, my darling baby is full and asleep. Don’t try to change the subject, and don’t tell me it’s just mosquito bites either. I’m not little Liqi, come on, tell me, if not a little wolf pup or little puppy, then who is it?”

Cheng Jinlan picked up the water glass from the coffee table, fingers stroking the rim, taking a long time before responding softly, “Someone from the past.”

“From the past?” Jiang Meng was puzzled for a second before realizing, tentatively asking, “Little Liqi’s...dad?”

Cheng Jinlan lowered her head to drink some water, not denying it.

Jiang Meng got excited again. “Damn, Jinlan, you definitely have to let me meet him this time. A man who could make you willing to reconcile after so long, he must be some kind of godly figure. Don’t tell me you’re about to get married?!”

Jiang Meng knew Cheng Jinlan had a mysterious long-distance boyfriend in college that none of them had met. She was supposed to bring him to their dorm’s farewell party after graduation, but before that party happened, she and that mysterious boyfriend had already broken up. Later, she became pregnant, and although Jiang Meng never asked, she could guess little Liqi’s father was him.

All these years, with her status, she could have had any man she wanted, and many pursued her, yet she never dated anyone again, not even a hint of flirting. There could be only one reason—her heart still held someone from the past she couldn’t reach.

Cheng Jinlan told her not to get agitated. “He’s no godly figure, just a very ordinary man, and who knows when we’ll separate again.”

Jiang Meng didn’t believe her at all. “I don’t care, a pregnant woman’s wishes must be fulfilled. Before you separate again, let me meet this very ordinary man.”

Cheng Jinlan was helpless against her. “Fine, when the opportunity arises, okay?”

“Then when my darling baby has his one-month celebration, if you two haven’t separated yet, bring him along.” Jiang Meng created an opportunity herself.

“Okay.” Cheng Jinlan finally agreed.

Beside them, the phone screen had darkened after being bumped around in the earlier chaos.

The next morning, Tang Yicheng came with a driver to pick up Ms. Cheng. Today's schedule was important, and Ms. Cheng still had to give a speech on stage later.

Upon receiving Tang Yicheng’s call, Cheng Jinlan headed downstairs. Jiang Meng followed to send her off and take a short walk outside. Cheng Jinlan was chatting and laughing with Jiang Meng when she saw the person standing with Tang Yicheng and her eyes wavered as she stopped mid-sentence.

Tang Yicheng gave a little cough to clear his throat, unsure how to explain the current situation to Ms. Cheng. Because he also didn’t know what was going on. The car had been arranged by the hosts, but when he came downstairs earlier, seeing who was sitting in the driver’s seat gave him a huge shock.

He knew the CEO of Shao Group had suddenly resigned, and Shao Group’s stock was crashing badly as a result. What he didn’t know was that after resigning, Shao Group’s CEO had become a driver, and was now Ms. Cheng’s driver no less. What were the odds?

Jiang Meng recognized Tang Yicheng and greeted him. Her bright eyes naturally slid to the man standing beside Tang Yicheng. She couldn’t help but notice him. “Jinlan, is he from your company too?”

Tang Yicheng didn’t answer, because he didn’t know how to answer.

Cheng Jinlan opened her mouth to speak but closed it again, still unsure how to introduce him to Jiang Meng.

With no one making introductions, Shao ChengZe took the initiative to step forward and introduce himself. “Hello, I’m Ms. Cheng’s temporary driver today.”

Jiang Meng thought, with his looks, temperament and elegance, she would believe it if he said he was the CEO of any listed company. She couldn’t restrain herself from blurting out her thoughts. “You’re the most handsome driver I’ve ever seen.”

Shao ChengZe’s lips quirked up into a faint smile. “You flatter me, I’m just an ordinary driver.”

Jiang Meng found this statement oddly familiar, but her baby brain failed to recall where she had heard it before.

Cheng Jinlan patted Jiang Meng’s arm. “I have to go. There’s a morning meeting, can’t be late. Let’s contact each other later.”

Jiang Meng nodded. “Before you leave, we must meet up for another meal. Otherwise we won’t see each other again for months.”

“Okay, definitely another get-together. I’m going now.”

Just as Tang Yicheng was about to open the car door for Ms. Cheng, the man beside him had already stepped up first, opening the door and keeping his hand above it to prevent her head from bumping. Tang Yicheng wondered if he should say this temporary driver was quite considerate in doing his job.

The car ride was silent. Cheng Jinlan rested with eyes closed in the backseat while the temporary driver in the driver’s seat concentrated on driving. Tang Yicheng quietly faded into the background as a passenger.

At a red light, Cheng Jinlan opened her eyes, meeting the gaze of the driver in front of her through the rearview mirror. Their eyes tangled briefly before quickly looking away again.

Upon arriving at the venue, the driver would normally wait outside, but considering this driver’s special status and the leaders not having voiced otherwise, Tang Yicheng took out his phone, intending to contact the organizers for an extra entry pass.

But the driver beside him had already taken out an event badge from his suit pocket and hung it around his neck. It was the official event badge from the organizers.

Cheng Jinlan looked at him coldly.

Shao ChengZe generously held it up for her to see. “Any questions?”

Cheng Jinlan asked, "Are you very free?" The Shao family was now in a mess, but he seemed to be doing well, working here as a driver for a while, and then as a staff member for the event organizer.

Shao Chengze nodded, "Not very free, extremely free. I was kicked out of the company and lost my job. I'm just an unemployed vagrant now, with nothing much to do but kill time." He took the work pass from Tang Yicheng and walked closer to her, hanging it around her neck. "Did I embarrass you?"

Cheng Jinlan was puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Shao Chengze's fingertip gently caressed her neck, helping her straighten the lanyard. "Because I'm an unemployed vagrant now, you don't even want to introduce me to your friends."

Tang Yicheng had already retreated two meters away. He was practically bursting a blood vessel holding it in. He really wanted to point out that although Shao had been kicked out of the Shao's, he still had Qiongmiao. He was still the boss of Qiongmiao. And he had even transformed into a part-time driver. No matter what, he could never become an unemployed vagrant. Acting pitiful and aggrieved really didn't suit him.

Cheng Jinlan raised her brows. "How do you want me to introduce you?"

Shao Chengze replied, "It shouldn't be about what I want, but what you want. Of course, you can introduce me however you like."

"Since it's all up to what I think, why are you still yapping away?" Cheng Jinlan snatched her pass back and turned to walk into the conference hall.

Tang Yicheng pretended he hadn't heard anything. He quickly followed General Cheng, while Shao Chengze smiled to himself and leisurely trailed after the two, thumb caressing his forefinger which still held her warmth and fragrance.

The attendees were all leaders in the hotel industry. Cheng Jinlan was scheduled to speak first. Unlike others who stuck to their script, Cheng Jinlan was used to speaking off the cuff.

In an ash grey knee-length skirt suit paired with a simply tailored white blouse, her black hair lightly twisted up to reveal her elegant neckline. Pearlescent earrings shimmered brightly on her petite earlobes, making it hard to discern whether the pearls or her translucent earlobes were whiter.

She was relaxed in her posture, her voice gentle and limpid. Her clear gaze occasionally swept across the audience, settling on one spot, then casually shifting away again. A hint of shy red seemed to appear on her fair ear tips, slowly fading from sight.

Shao Chengze lounged lazily in his seat, eyes fixed unwaveringly on the woman on stage, the smile at the corners of his mouth deepening.

Sitting beside Shao Chengze, Tang Yicheng wondered if it was his imagination, but the air in the hall seemed rather viscous, carrying the sour, rotten scent of romance, making this newly heartbroken man, blocked by his ex, feel a twinge of jealousy.

After the meeting was a cocktail party. With Miss Cheng's status drawing attention on its own, and her impressive speech earlier, people kept coming up to toast and chat with her.

Holding a wine glass, Cheng Jinlan effortlessly conversed and socialized. Tang Yicheng followed behind her to collect name cards. Shao Chengze stood to the side, taking her glass from her hand and replacing it with a fresh one, which observant onlookers could discern held water rather than alcohol.

His actions were overly familiar and intimate. Plus, with his outstanding looks and noble temperament, it was hard not to prompt the question, "And you are...?"

Shao Chengze just smiled faintly, not answering. Tang Yicheng and the rest of the spectators pricked up their ears.

Cheng Jinlan's hand clenched around the stem of the glass hesitated briefly before she responded, "My boyfriend."

Tang Yicheng was thrilled. The crowd contained excited, gossipy, and sourly disappointed ones. They had hoped to chat her up and try their luck at winning the fair lady's affections, only to discover she was already taken. Someone had already captured the beauty's heart.

Shao Chengze's expression remained gently smiling as he inconspicuously shifted closer to Cheng Jinlan until their shoulders touched. Dressed in a silvery grey suit and white shirt today, they had unintentionally matched in couple outfits.

Standing together, one tall and stately, the other gentle and delicate, they looked extraordinarily well-matched to anyone's eyes.

Someone introduced themselves and shook Shao Chengze's hand. Shao Chengze likewise extended his hand.

Cheng Jinlan glanced at him. Everyone present was familiar with the name Shao Chengze, but since he rarely appeared publicly, few knew his appearance. If he was exposed as Shao Chengze in this setting, given how quickly gossip spread nowadays, everyone would know the identity of Miss Cheng's boyfriend within the hour, likely causing huge waves.

Shao Chengze briefly clasped the proffered hand before letting go, reporting his name as, "Cheng Gou, Cheng as in 'mission accomplished', Gou as in 'sleep on brushwood and taste gall'."

Tang Yicheng nearly spat out his mouthful of wine. He had no idea where this bizarre name had materialized from, but hearing Shao's explanation, it suddenly sounded like an excellent name.

Cheng Jinlan seemingly indifferently took a sip from her glass, though laughter leaked from the corners of her lips before she smoothly hid it.

The other party was first taken aback, then remarked, "What a nice name. Mr Cheng is also in the hotel business?"

Cheng Jinlan answered for him, "No, he's my chauffeur."

"Yes, I'm her driver," Shao Chengze chimed in, the very image of a henpecked husband.

Everyone unanimously let out a drawn out "oh~~", with varying vivid reactions written across their faces as they imagined the implications. Tang Yicheng couldn't bear to keep watching this scene. Did all bosses have compulsory acting classes? Or were the two bosses he knew just exceptionally gifted at acting without needing to learn?

Over half the cocktail party had passed and Cheng Jinlan was getting tired of socializing. Shao Chengze leaned in to ask her, "Go out for some air?"

Cheng Jinlan nodded.

The two walked out to a cafe outside the event hall. It wasn't very crowded inside, and the air-conditioning was turned up high. Shao Chengze took off his suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders, bringing her to a secluded corner.

"What would you like?" he asked.

Cheng Jinlan propped her elbow on the table, cupping her cheek in thought before replying, "Americano, iced."

He stood while she sat. Shao Chengze's gaze dropped to her as he gently tucked the hair by her cheek behind her ear. "You shouldn't drink iced when you're unwell. It'll make you feel worse later."

Cheng Jinlan batted her lashes at him defiantly. "I'm done with my period already. I want iced." Though she kept Xiao Liqi on a tight leash, she liked cold drinks in summer.

Shao Chengze's eyes grew dark. His thumb stroked her earlobe as he murmured huskily, "I see."

The cafe was very quiet. Both spoke in hushed voices, as if exchanging sweet nothings between lovers.

Shao Chengze returned with the coffees, sitting opposite her. Two cups, one iced, one not. He placed the un-iced one before her, raising the iced cup to her lips. "You can only have one sip, or it'll bother you later."

Cheng Jinlan glared at him. Shao Chengze's lips curved as he held her gaze. Finally Cheng Jinlan conceded defeat and took a sip from his hand. The cup was promptly confiscated after that one sip, as if she might cheat and drink more. She idly stirred her coffee with the straw, sulky over her defeat. Gentle music drifted through the cafe. Shao Chengze wrapped his lips around the straw stained with lipstick and took a sip, before releasing it to softly ask her, "Do you like my new name?"

After a long pause, Cheng Jinlan finally spoke, though she had guessed as much, she hadn't expected him to actually explain it so seriously. "Shao Chengze, I never realized you were so shameless."

Shao Chengze's hand reached across the table and tweaked the corner of her mouth. "Why suppress your smile if you want to laugh?"

Cheng Jinlan slapped his hand away, but the smile at the corner of her lips did not fade again, instead growing bigger. After a while, she covered her mouth and eyes with her hand, lowering her head so that only her shaking shoulders could be seen.

Shao Chengze grabbed the hand she had resting on the table and squeezed her soft palm. "It's fine to laugh for a while."

It took Cheng Jinlan a good while to raise her head again. The smile had not completely faded from her pink cheeks, and the light swirling in her almond eyes was like flowing water. "You're so nosy, telling me whether to eat ice cream, and now telling me to laugh or not."

Her soft voice was sweet and cool, but also carried a touch of charming coquettishness.

Shao Chengze's heart stirred. He leaned over to tightly clasp their hands and sought her gaze. "Then will you watch over me? I'll do whatever you say, if you tell me to go east, I definitely won't go west."

Cheng Jinlan offered him the pink side of her neck, averting her eyes out the window as she spoke to the glass. "I'm too lazy to watch over you."

Shao Chengze's eyes lingered on that tempting shade of pink. He rapped the table with his knuckles and picked up her bag beside her.

Cheng Jinlan looked back at him. "What are you doing?"

"Let's go."

"Where to?" Cheng Jinlan got up to follow him.

With him walking ahead and her behind, Shao Chengze held her hand as they left the cafe and headed straight for the parking lot.

Once in the car, Cheng Jinlan asked again, "Where are we going?"

Shao Chengze picked up her hand and brought it to his lips for a fleeting touch. His tone was half-teasing, half-serious. "Running away to elope. Do you want to come with me?"

The warmth from his lips seared Cheng Jinlan's hand, making her heart tremble. She retracted her hand, staring straight ahead. "You've already lured me into your car before asking if I'd go with you or not."

Shao Chengze locked the car doors. "Anyway I've kidnapped you onto my pirate ship. Whether you want to go or not, you have to come with me now."

Cheng Jinlan scolded him lightly. "Robber."

Though it sounded like a reprimand, to Shao Chengze's ears it was more like she was acting cute. He stepped on the accelerator.

The buildings and trees along the road kept retreating as the scenery outside grew increasingly familiar. Over seven years, some things had changed while others remained the same. She hadn't been back here since graduating. Even when she had business in this city, she would purposely avoid these few streets.

Cheng Jinlan looked at him questioningly, unsure of his intention in bringing her here.

Shao Chengze parked the car in front of a small shop and gestured out the window with his chin. "Want to eat red bean cake?"

Following his line of sight, Cheng Jinlan's eyes lit up with pleasant surprise. This shop was still here! When she was a student, she really loved their red bean cakes and would buy some almost every day for snacks during summer.

Understanding her reaction, Shao Chengze undid his seatbelt and got out of the car. "I'll go buy some."

Cheng Jinlan rolled down her window and rested her elbow on the open frame, propping her chin lazily on her arm as she watched outside. Dappled sunlight filtered through the overlapping tree canopies, falling on the ground and that tall, straight figure.

He suddenly glanced back, his dark eyes directly colliding with hers. Basking under the blazing sun, she momentarily forgot to look away.

Shao Chengze strode back to the car. He held her face in both hands and leaned down to plant a kiss at the corner of her mouth, featherlight and fleeting. "Wait for me, I'll be right back."

There were no passersby on the street, but his unexpected action still left Cheng Jinlan blushing to her neck. She quickly rolled up the window to block out the sunlight and his dazzling smile.

He returned swiftly. The heat had yet to fade from her face when the cool, sweet red bean cake entered her mouth, cooling her down somewhat.

Watching her slowly chewing on those red lips, Shao Chengze asked, "Still the same taste as before?"

Cheng Jinlan nodded. It was still the taste she remembered, unchanged. "Do you want some?"

Shao Chengze started the car. "I'll eat later."

Cheng Jinlan's gaze fell upon the bag he had tossed onto the center console, and the heat that had just receded from her face began climbing again.

The car eventually pulled into a small neighborhood and stopped in front of a red brick, white walled townhouse.

"We're here." Shao Chengze undid his seatbelt first before undoing hers.

Cheng Jinlan didn't move. "What are we doing here?"

When she graduated, she had hired an agent to sell this house, along with all the memories of her and him inside.