Meng Jingwei looked at him, falling into a long silence.
After a moment of eye contact, the man smiled gently, "What, you can't bear to part with me?"
His rugged face was beaming with a smile, making him appear more approachable, but his deep, dark eyes were tinged with loneliness and sorrow.
"All good things must come to an end."
Meng Jingwei’s red lips curved into a smile. She picked up her coffee, leaning slightly forward, "Here, this coffee is to toast your departure."
Seeing her raise her coffee, Xiao Cheng also picked up his and clinked cups with her.
The white porcelain cups, rimmed with gold, met. They held their pose, looking at each other.
He said, "I believe you and Qing Muyie can weather the storm and see the dawn. He loves you dearly, and that's your fortune. Cherish it well."
Xiao Cheng had witnessed many things alongside Meng Jingwei.
Especially this time when Antina colluded with Qing Si’s decree to deal with Qing Muyie. Qing Muyie, knowing that all the accusations stemmed from Meng Jingwei and himself, didn't blame Meng Jingwei. Instead, he took on all the burdens alone.
Xiao Cheng had to admit that Qing Muyie was an exceptionally good man.
Even he himself couldn't compare.
"Yes, I will," Meng Jingwei nodded slightly. "You must take good care of yourself too. Life is short; you must love yourself and strive to live the life you desire."
"Thank you."
Xiao Cheng gently raised his cup and touched hers, then withdrew his hand, taking a sip of his coffee. "If you didn't have things to attend to, I’d really want to drag you out for a drink until we're both drunk."
He knew Meng Jingwei’s purpose for coming to Country C, and he didn't want to say anything, but he couldn't help himself. "This journey is long; have you truly thought this through?"
As he spoke, Xiao Cheng added, "You could have asked Han Junyan to accompany you."
He had considered accompanying Meng Jingwei to the Hidden Tribe, but getting close to her would bring her endless trouble. It was better to stay far away, offering her the best protection.
Xiao Cheng genuinely cared for Meng Jingwei.
"I don't want to trouble him." Meng Jingwei recalled the various things that had happened between her and Han Junyan, feeling an indescribable sentiment towards him.
Suddenly, her eyes lit up. "I heard he brought He Xiao Lüyi to Country C. Is He Xiao Lüyi adapting well?"
She had been in Country C for some time and hadn't contacted Han Junyan, nor had she inquired about He Xiao Lüyi's situation.
"I've seen her a few times; she's quite adaptable." Mentioning Han Junyan, Xiao Cheng smiled. "I don't know what charm Han Junyan possesses that makes He Xiao Lüyi so devoted to him."
"Does Han Junyan like her?"
Meng Jingwei remembered Chu Xue asking her to come to Country C with her at the end or beginning of the year to find Han Junyan. However, due to various circumstances, she couldn't keep her promise.
If Chu Xue knew that He Xiao Lüyi was now by Han Junyan's side, she wondered if it would ignite a 'war' between Chu Xue and He Xiao Lüyi.
"I'm not sure."
Xiao Cheng put down his coffee cup, leaned back against the seat, and shook his head. "However, Han Junyan treats He Xiao Lüyi quite well."
Although Han Junyan was good to He Xiao Lüyi, his attitude didn't reveal whether he liked her or not.
Meng Jingwei and Xiao Cheng sat and talked extensively.
From the present to the past, they reminisced together, recalling the happy moments of their first meeting.
Xiao Cheng laughed heartily. "Back then, you were working as a security guard at the Night Club, and your disguised appearance was truly ugly." He was amused thinking about the past.
Happiness is contagious, and Meng Jingwei smiled along. "I had to support my family back then. Dressing up as ugly helped avoid many things. As for you, even though I was so ugly, you still pestered me every day, dragging me for drinks."