Chapter 42: Returning Licheng

In the middle of the night, Meng Ying was awakened by the piercing sound of a car horn. Reflexively, she sat up in bed. The room was pitch black, with only occasional flashes of light coming through the window.

She sat there for a while, her hair disheveled, before getting out of bed. Yawning, she opened the door and headed to the bathroom. As she passed through the living room, she noticed a faint glow coming from inside.

She glanced in.

Xu Dian was sitting on the sofa, his laptop on the coffee table. He was leaning forward, wearing glasses, his large hand gripping the mouse as he focused intently on the screen.

His profile was cold and stern.

His black pajamas contrasted sharply with his fair skin.

Usually, his imposing presence overshadowed everything else.

No one paid much attention to his complexion.

But now, it was strikingly obvious.

The man was lean in clothes but well-built underneath, with clearly defined abs.

Hmph.

Meng Ying averted her gaze and walked to the bathroom.

In her hometown, bathrooms were usually shared, one per floor.

After using the bathroom, she walked back into the living room and bent down to pour herself some water.

The living room was quiet, and her entrance felt somewhat abrupt. Xu Dian looked up, his peach-blossom eyes behind the lenses coolly scanning the woman not far away.

Her hair was quite long.

It cascaded over her shoulders, and there were faint red marks on her neck—left by him when he got carried away.

After finishing her water, Meng Ying turned around and met the gaze of the man on the sofa. She glanced at him, then yawned and walked away.

Xu Dian suddenly pushed the laptop aside and chuckled.

He tilted his head and asked, “Going back to Licheng tomorrow?”

“Yeah.”

Meng Ying’s voice was lazy as she responded.

Then, she closed the door.

With a loud *bang*.

Xu Dian leaned back on the sofa and chuckled again.

A few seconds later, he bent forward and continued working on his documents.

Most companies in Licheng had already started their holiday breaks, but as the boss, there were still many things to handle, including numerous social engagements.

The next day, at the breakfast table, Meng Ying mentioned that she would be flying back to Licheng in the afternoon. Chen Jiao was stunned, her first instinct being to get angry. But because Xu Dian was present, she hesitated and asked him, “You too?”

“I’m going back with her,” Xu Dian said, putting down his white porcelain bowl.

“Well…” Chen Jiao wanted to say more, but the thought that Meng Ying was returning with Xu Dian made her think that perhaps Meng Ying would get to meet Xu Dian’s family during the New Year.

She immediately smiled and said, “Alright then. You both have busy jobs, and it’s normal not to have time for the holidays.”

Meng Yulin, however, was reluctant. He asked Meng Ying if she could stay a few more days. With only two or three days left until the New Year, going back to Licheng now would mean spending the holiday alone.

Before he could finish, Chen Jiao pulled him aside and hissed, “Why say so much? Meng Ying will definitely spend the New Year with his family this year!”

Meng Yulin: “…”

Meng Xiao also seemed reluctant, but with Chen Jiao around, he kept his mouth shut and focused on eating. Occasionally, he glanced up at Meng Ying. Meng Ying, resting her chin on her hand, ate her fried dough stick and looked at Meng Xiao. This trip home hadn’t been without its gains. Her younger brother, who had never been close to her and rarely sought her out, seemed to be more cautious around her now.

She had always thought that the favored child would have a sense of superiority.

But unexpectedly, Meng Xiao didn’t have that. Instead, he seemed more careful around her. He was much better than Chen Jiao. She realized she hadn’t bought him anything this year.

Maybe next year she could get him something.

She had always sent money home to support the family, but she rarely bought gifts—something that felt too intimate. She didn’t want to do it.

Looking at Meng Xiao, she felt a sense of being wronged. For years, she had been immersed in that feeling, which naturally made it hard to get close. But this year, with her broader perspective and newfound confidence, she began to notice things she had previously overlooked. Xu Qing had once told her that overcoming emotions often came down to simple self-liberation.

Their flight was scheduled for around 2:30 PM. A little past 11:00 AM, Chen Jiao cooked two bowls of rice noodles for Meng Ying and Xu Dian. Afterward, Xu Dian went to get the car.

The black Maybach was parked by the roadside again.

It drew the attention of many onlookers.

“Call us when you arrive,” Meng Yulin said, holding Meng Ying’s hand.

Meng Ying nodded, “I will.”

Chen Jiao added, “Your brother still plans to study abroad. He has good grades, and we can’t let that go to waste.”

Meng Ying gave Chen Jiao a cool look, then turned to Meng Xiao. He was standing by the screen door, holding his phone, lips pressed together, silent.

Meng Yulin glared at Chen Jiao.

Then, as Xu Dian closed the car door and walked over, he whispered to Meng Ying, “In a relationship, it’s better if one person is more yielding. He doesn’t seem like the type to give in easily…”

“As a girl, being more obedient will work in your favor.”

Normally, Meng Yulin wouldn’t say such things. He knew his daughter’s personality well—she was gentle and kind. But now that she was involved with someone of Xu Dian’s status, he couldn’t advise Xu Dian, nor did he have the right to. But he could advise Meng Ying, hoping his daughter would be more accommodating.

Meng Ying smiled, “Alright.”

Yeah, right.

“Let’s go,” Xu Dian said, stepping up and lifting two suitcases with ease. He nodded politely to Meng Yulin and Chen Jiao, “Thank you for your hospitality. Auntie, your cooking is excellent.”

“If you like it, remember to come back next year,” Chen Jiao quickly replied. Then she added, “Oh, Xu Dian, I still need your birth details. Make sure to tell Meng Ying so I can have someone calculate your compatibility.”

Xu Dian glanced at Meng Ying.

Then, his eyes behind the lenses seemed to sparkle with amusement, “Sure.”

With that, he walked down the steps.

Meng Ying wrapped a scarf around her shoulders and followed.

Suddenly, the door across the street opened. Li Ping came out with her daughter. Li Ping exclaimed, “Oh, are you leaving? Why not spend the New Year at home?”

Chen Jiao replied, “Meng Ying is going to Xu Dian’s family for the New Year. His parents are waiting.”

“Oh, I see. So, is that car… rented?”

Chen Jiao’s expression changed.

Meng Xiao walked out, lifting his chin and said, “It’s not rented. My brother-in-law has a company in Jianghui City, and Yiwan Shanshui is his property!”

“What? Yiwan Shanshui?” Li Ping’s face also changed. What is this man’s status? She had intended to come out and mock a bit, but now she ended up with a swollen face from the slap.

Li Manyu shook off Li Ping’s hand, “Mom!”

Embarrassing.

She hurried inside, but before entering, she couldn’t help but glance at the handsome man walking to the car. He was opening the car door for Meng Ying, who was nestled in her scarf, looking up and saying something to him. He smiled faintly, his hand on Meng Ying’s waist as he helped her into the car.

“Hey, Li Ping, come out and continue chatting. Where’s your son-in-law? Has he gone back too?” Chen Jiao stepped down the stairs, deliberately calling out to Li Ping, who gritted her teeth and said, “He’s upstairs working, preparing his lessons.”

“Is that so? He must be very busy.”

“Yes, by the way, has Meng Ying mentioned when they’re getting married?”

Chen Jiao’s expression stiffened slightly, “Not yet, but they have plans.”

“Well, they should hurry up then,” Li Ping said, squinting with a smile.

At that moment, her daughter inside called out, “Mom, hurry up and grab the discounted air tickets!”

“Oh? Still grabbing discounted tickets? Our Xu Dian came here on a private jet, and now he’s flying first class with Meng Ying…” Chen Jiao pressed her advantage.

Li Ping’s face turned as dark as a rag, and she turned to go inside, slamming the door shut behind her.

Meng Yulin didn’t know what to say to Chen Jiao and also went inside, preferring not to see anything.

Meng Xiao stood on the steps, hesitated, and then said, “Sister bought business class tickets, and brother-in-law followed suit and bought business class too…”

Chen Jiao turned around, glared at her son, then softened, her voice lowering, “What’s the difference between business class and first class? It’s all the same to me!”

“Go inside,” Chen Jiao pushed her son inside.

The Maybach drove off, the town’s scenery slowly passing by the car windows. The car’s interior was spacious. Meng Ying was scrolling through Weibo, while Xu Dian was driving in the front.

He lit a cigarette and held it in his mouth.

There’s only one airport in Jianghui City, and they soon arrived. As the car stopped, a young man in a black suit politely approached and opened the car door for Meng Ying. She was momentarily stunned, then stepped out, pulling up her mask and putting on sunglasses as she looked down.

She stood on a step.

Xu Dian got out of the car, took the cigarette from his mouth, extinguished it, and threw it into a trash bin. The young man went to the trunk, took out two suitcases, and pushed them over. Meng Ying reached out to take them, and the young man was slightly taken aback. Seeing Xu Dian approach, he let go and respectfully said, “Mr. Xu.”

Xu Dian adjusted his collar and handed the keys to him.

“Drive it back to the company.”

“Understood. Manager Yu said the report has been sent to your email,” the young man replied as he took the keys.

Xu Dian nodded, then bent down, picked up both suitcases, and glanced at Meng Ying, “Shall we go?”

Meng Ying adjusted her mask and followed by his side.

They entered the airport terminal, then went to collect their tickets. They didn’t check in any luggage, and although they were in the VIP lane, they still had to queue briefly.

Standing together, they somewhat resembled a couple.

Since they were in a bit of a hurry, they didn’t go to the lounge and headed straight to the business class. Meng Ying had bought her ticket earlier and chose a seat further back. Xu Dian, having bought his ticket later, was left with the two front seats. He pushed his suitcase aside, carried Meng Ying’s suitcase, and walked to her seat to stow it away.

As he moved, his shirt rode up slightly. He looked down at Meng Ying, who was seated, and she caught a glimpse of his well-defined abs through his shirt.

Xu Dian leaned down, pulled down her mask, kissed her, then pulled it back up.

Meng Ying: “…”

He returned to his seat and sat down.

The beautiful woman sitting next to Meng Ying looked at her, then craned her neck to look at Xu Dian.

Meng Ying put on her eye mask, ready to sleep.

They arrived in Licheng in the afternoon, a little past four. Meng Ying had slept through the flight until it taxied, waking up a bit disoriented. She turned on her phone and saw a missed call from Liu Qin. She answered the call while reaching for her suitcase, but another hand was quicker. She turned to see Xu Dian’s peach blossom eyes without his glasses.

Liu Qin asked on the phone, “Have you arrived? I’m at exit B of the airport.”

“Several celebrities are posing at the airport today. You should come out through the VIP channel.”

“Okay.”

Meng Ying’s suitcase was being pulled by Xu Dian, so she had to follow. After hanging up, Meng Ying reached out to take back her suitcase, saying, “Liu Qin is waiting for me outside.”

Xu Dian raised an eyebrow, “Not taking my car?”

“No.”

Xu Dian chuckled and stepped aside, letting her go first.

Meng Ying didn’t stand on ceremony and walked ahead.

The sound of rolling wheels mixed together on the ground. Faintly, she heard a woman in high heels approaching Xu Dian and softly asking, “Hello, could I get your WeChat?”

The woman’s voice was gentle and distinctive.

Meng Ying didn’t look back.

Xu Dian put on his glasses.

His gaze fell on the back of the woman in front. He pressed his lips into a thin line and said, “Why don’t you ask the woman in the black coat in front if I can give you my WeChat.”

The woman was taken aback.

She glanced at the tall woman’s back ahead.

Hesitated.

Then understood—he was rejecting her.

She apologized and quickly walked away, pulling her suitcase.

Meng Ying felt someone brush past her side, a floral skirt swishing by, a beige coat paired with a floral dress—it was the woman who had been sitting next to her, wearing a Cartier bracelet on her wrist.

The pick-up area was quite crowded with cars. A black Hummer and a black business car were parked at the entrance. As soon as Meng Ying arrived, she saw Liu Qin waving at her, then coming forward to take her luggage. Meng Ying headed towards the business car. The door of the black Hummer opened, and Zhou Yang stepped out, a playful smile on his lips, “Happy New Year, Meng Ying.”

“Happy New Year, Mr. Zhou.”

“That’s too formal. Hasn’t Xu Dian started calling you ‘wife’ yet?” Zhou Yang chuckled, glancing at Xu Dian who was approaching, then suddenly added, “If he starts calling you ‘wife’, I might have to call you ‘sister-in-law’ or ‘younger sister-in-law’?”

Meng Ying smiled, “Mr. Zhou, you’re quite the talker. Why don’t you go on a gossip show?”

Zhou Yang: “…”

You’re quite the retorter too.

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