Song Ci clutched his throat with one hand and the passenger seat with the other, sitting sideways. His face was flushed red from choking, veins bulging on his forehead, a truly chilling sight.
Meng Jingwei was startled. Without hesitation, she handed him the soy milk in her hand. "Assistant Song, please have some soy milk."
Song Ci glanced at Meng Jingwei, then at the soy milk in her hand, his expression full of resistance.
"I've never drunk it before."
Only after she said she hadn't drunk it did Song Ci take the soy milk and gulp down a large mouthful, finally recovering.
He let out a long sigh, patting his chest. "Damn, I almost choked to death."
"Choke to death!"
Meng Jingwei retorted angrily at Song Ci, "Truly, birds of a feather flock together, and you're just like your boss. Almost choked to death and you're still complaining, questioning if it's soy milk I've drunk. What kind of person are you!"
"Hehehe, thank you, Miss Meng."
Song Ci gave an awkward smile, grateful to Meng Jingwei for the life-saving soy milk she had handed him.
He decided then and there, he would never eat tea eggs again.
He started the car and slowly drove away.
Meng Jingwei, sitting in the back, looked at the closed-eyed, seemingly napping Qing Muye. She found him increasingly petty. Was it such a big deal to treat him to a three-yuan breakfast that he held a grudge?
She touched her nose, thought for a moment, and said, "Actually, there are many delicious things at roadside stalls, like clam noodles, grilled skewers, mala tang, and so on. How about... I take you out to eat them tomorrow evening?"
The man slowly opened his eyes, his peripheral vision flicking towards Meng Jingwei. "Three-yuan mala tang?"
"What, three... Hahaha..."
His words made Meng Jingwei burst into laughter. "Hahaha..."
She doubled over, laughing heartily, slapping her thighs without any regard for her image.
Meng Jingwei's inexplicable laughter left Qing Muye and Song Ci bewildered, wondering what had gotten into her.
One looked at her sideways, the other stared at her through the rearview mirror. Meng Jingwei finally curbed her laughter and whispered, "Some things shouldn't be said carelessly."
"Hmm?"
Qing Muye was completely perplexed.
"About mala tang, there's a saying, about taking you to eat three-yuan mala tang, but it's actually... Forget it, never mind."
Some things were 'not suitable for children', better left unsaid.
She waved her hand. "Never mind the price of the mala tang, I'll definitely let you eat your fill tomorrow."
To secure free breakfasts in the future, Meng Jingwei had to reluctantly spend money and treat Qing Muye to dinner again.
Qing Muye didn't ask further. The three returned to the Ye Se apartment.
Upon returning, Shu Yao had already left for work. Meng Jingwei changed her clothes and greeted Qing Muye, "I'm going to work, bye-bye."
She stood in the living room and yelled towards Qing Muye's bedroom.
As soon as she finished speaking, Qing Muye, dressed in a dark gray suit, opened the door and walked out, his posture perfectly straight. Radiantly energetic, he exuded an air of noble arrogance, like an unreachable immortal, handsome and extraordinary.
Such a distinguished man, even a glance at him was pleasing to the eye.
Meng Jingwei merely glanced at Qing Muye inadvertently and was deeply captivated by his exquisite beauty, instantly falling for him.
How could this darn man be so handsome?
Nuwa had clearly played favorites.
"I'll drive you."
Qing Muye said.
"That's great, saves money."
She chuckled.
The two were getting along harmoniously for a rare moment, without any conflict.
They entered the elevator together. In the space between the top floor and the second basement level, Meng Jingwei pursed her lips and said, "I'm planning to leave Lancheng soon."
"...When will you be back?"
From Meng Jingwei's tone, it was clear she intended to leave Lancheng permanently, never to return.
But Qing Muye still asked.
The young woman was also wearing a black, waist-cinching professional suit, her neck-length black hair tied into a bun, with a strand of hair dangling at her temple, exuding a capable yet cute charm.
Compared to her previous long hair, her short hair made her look younger, versatile, and adorable.
Meng Jingwei raised her hand to brush a strand of hair from her temple behind her ear, shaking her head. "I don't think... I'll be back."
She had drunk a lot yesterday, but that didn't mean she was truly drunk.
She had carefully considered some matters.
While avenging her foster parents was important, she was no match for the Qing and Li families. Why engage in a futile struggle like a moth to a flame?
Instead of seeking death, it was better to endure the humiliation, go home, and accompany her foster parents. That was better than anything.
Qing Muye's gaze remained fixed on the young woman beside him, looking at her profile, her features defined, delicate, and lovely.
He remained silent.
The two fell into silence.
Upon reaching the second basement level, Song Ci was already waiting for them in the car.
After they got in, Qing Muye said, "To Honghui."
"Young Master Xiao's Honghui Company changed its name to 'Junlin' a month and a half ago," Song Ci corrected Qing Muye.
Beside him, Meng Jingwei's lips twitched. So this guy had known all along that she worked at Xiao Cheng's company.
No wonder he hadn't asked which company she represented when they went to Liangchuan for charity.
She had thought that Qing Muye wouldn't care about Xiao Cheng's small company, but it seemed she had underestimated him.
"Why did the company name suddenly change?"
Qing Muye seemed somewhat curious.
Song Ci explained as he drove, "After Honghui became Junlin, there was a major reshuffle of the company's top management. Young Master Xiao suddenly became motivated. Perhaps it's the so-called 'indirect ambition'."
"Assistant Song, that's not right. Xiao Cheng is working very diligently now."
Meng Jingwei couldn't stand it and directly retorted at Song Ci.
She admitted that when she first joined Honghui, the entire company's employees were lazy and slack. But after she was kidnapped abroad and returned, Xiao Cheng's company suddenly changed its name to 'Junlin', and there was a significant change in the company's middle and senior management. Xiao Cheng also became increasingly dedicated to the company.
Meng Jingwei had simply thought Xiao Cheng had suddenly awakened and wanted to strive for progress.
She didn't know that everything Xiao Cheng did was to make himself stronger, so that he could better protect Meng Jingwei once his wings were fully grown.
The reason for calling it 'Junlin' was because Xiao Cheng liked the saying, "You accompany me to rise from the ashes, and I will accompany you to rule the world!"
"Yes, yes, yes, Miss Meng is right."
Song Ci did not argue with her.
Qing Muye's long, narrow phoenix eyes lowered, his pupils losing their luster, but he remained silent.
Half an hour later, Meng Jingwei arrived at Junlin Company and waved goodbye to Qing Muye. "Bye-bye."
"I'll pick you up tonight to return to the old house."
"Okay."
Meng Jingwei responded, picked up her bag, and entered Junlin Company.
In the car, Qing Muye watched Meng Jingwei gradually walk away. His expression turned serious, and he asked in a deep voice, "Have you found out the identity of the person from Dongpu Village?"
What Qing Muye was referring to was the masked man from Dongpu Village.
"I am incompetent, I couldn't find this person."
Song Ci was somewhat helpless. "I only know that this person's identity is not simple, and he is definitely not someone sent by the Li family to harm Miss Meng."