Chapter 394: Chapter 238: Meeting Her_2

Chen Cheng followed the direction of her finger and saw two large Golden Dragon buses parked in the lot, which seemed to indicate the presence of a tour group.

It was a spontaneous decision, aimed at ensuring a pleasant dinner experience without the extra hassle, choosing a place that was popular should be right.

“Then let’s just go here,” Chen Cheng nodded, “to try some of their specialty dishes.”

“Sure.” Xu Qiu looked at Chen Donghai, who was silent, and joked, “I wonder if they serve deer blood here.”

“Hahaha…” Chen Cheng burst out laughing, joining in the jest, “Manager Xu, if one day you stop working at CGG, how about coming to work for me?”

Xu Qiu was taken aback for a moment, then realized Chen Cheng was joking, and continued in the same vein, albeit with a probing tone, “Opening doors for Mr. Chen? I’m professionally trained!”

Chen Cheng laughed and shook his head, “That job would be beneath you.”

“How could that be?”

Her eyes twinkling, she changed to an even more professional tone and said,

“But seriously, Mr. Chen, if you really are considering it, I can recommend a few reliable girls to you. They’ve undergone professional training and can serve well in both business receptions and as personal assistants.”

After hearing this, Chen Cheng knew his business was just getting started, and indeed required girls like Xu Qiu to deal with things he himself did not want to do.

“Alright, we’ll touch base after returning to Beijing.”

“Got it.”

The Audi parked in the lot, and Xu Qiu opened the door for Chen Cheng.

The three of them walked over, and a middle-aged woman in her forties came to greet them warmly, “Gentlemen, are you here to dine or stay?”

“Eating.” Xu Qiu replied, “Do you have any seats available?”

“Yes, yes, please come in.” The middle-aged woman led the way, and Chen Cheng asked, “Your business seems booming! I see a tour bus parked at your restaurant.”

“It’s a company’s team-building visit,” the middle-aged woman explained. “But don’t worry, boss, our service won’t slack off just because we’re busy.”

“This way, please.”

The three of them entered a private room, which was small but tidy, and the window offered a wonderful view of the canyon.

Xu Qiu took the menu that was handed to her, “Do you have any specialty dishes?”

The woman brought out paper and a pen, “Our chicken and duck here are all home-raised, and we have wild vegetables and river fish that are all wild, very fresh in taste.”

Xu Qiu glanced at the prices, “Then let’s have a chicken, pickled cabbage fish, and also…”

She looked over at Chen Cheng by the window, “Mr. Chen, what do you think…”

Chen Cheng didn’t turn around, “Just order anything.”

“Then we’ll also have one of our local specialties here, bamboo shoots with cured meat, what do you think?”

The woman gauged their reactions and understood who was in charge, and suggested with a smile.

“Alright, that’s it.” Xu Qiu nodded.

The woman noted down the orders and said with a smile, “Alright, please wait a moment, your dishes will be out shortly.”

After speaking, she turned to leave and made sure to close the door of the private room behind them.

Xu Qiu poured tea for Chen Cheng and Chen Donghai, took out the bowls and chopsticks, “Mr. Chen, going on a business trip with you is quite different.”

“Oh?” Chen Cheng smiled and walked back to the table, “What’s different?”

“Before we used to go to big cities, stay in starred hotels, and dine on exquisite French cuisine.”

Xu Qiu teased with a smile, “Not like now, coming to a rural restaurant and eating farm food.”

“One should always try new things,” Chen Cheng sipped his tea.

Xu Qiu thought Chen Cheng might be upset and hurriedly explained, “Mr. Chen, it’s not that I’m disparaging this place, I just think that this kind of experience is quite fresh and interesting.”

Chen Cheng smiled, “Don’t worry, I didn’t take offense.”

He reassured her, “Today we’re just scouting the place out. If the food and everything are satisfactory, we’ll come here for a team-building session before we leave Kaiyang.”

“Think of it as a way to encourage our makeshift team,” Chen Cheng added.

Xu Qiu held her cup with both hands, touched and said, “Thank you, Mr. Chen, joining you on this trip is my biggest fortune this year!”

Chen Cheng was amused by her hyperbolic tone and shook his head with a laugh, thinking how proficiently this girl had mastered the art of workplace politeness.

While waiting for the dishes to arrive, Chen Cheng and Xu Qiu chatted for a while longer.

Until the sound of singing came from the adjacent private room.

Chen Cheng listened, “Wow, they’ve started singing.”

Xu Qiu heard it too, and said, “It’s a group of young people, singing ‘Fragrance of Rice.'”

“Being young is truly good!” Chen Cheng remarked.

“Mr. Chen is a prime example of being young and successful!”

The two were chatting when the door to the private room was pushed open, and the landlady came in holding dishes, followed by a young waiter who also held dishes in his hand.

“Sorry to keep you gentlemen waiting, all the dishes are served now, please enjoy.” The landlady said enthusiastically, placing each dish on the table.

“Thanks for the hard work.” Xu Qiu said politely.

“You’re welcome, enjoy your meal, and let me know if you need anything.”

The landlady said with a smile, then left the private room with the waiter.

Chen Cheng looked at Chen Donghai, “Drink some?”

“Mr. Chen, I still have to…”

Xu Qiu volunteered enthusiastically, “Mr. Chen, may I have a few drinks with you?”

He didn’t drink last night because the setting wasn’t right.

Today there were no outsiders, and with such a spread of dishes, Chen Cheng also wanted to unwind a bit.

“Sure.”

Xu Qiu stood up, “Then I’ll get the wine from my car.”

“Manager Xu, let me go.” Chen Donghai also stood up, “You stay and chat with Mr. Chen.”

After saying that, Chen Donghai quickly left the room.

The singing from the next private room continued, one song after another, all familiar pop tunes.

Listening to those youthful songs, Chen Cheng gradually relaxed, a smile unwittingly appearing at the corners of his mouth.

“Mr. Chen, do you like to listen to music?” Xu Qiu chimed in.

“Not bad, I…”

Before Chen Cheng could finish, Chen Donghai appeared at the doorway with a Moutai bag.

He stood there, the normally composed man also looking surprised.

“What’s wrong? Why the hesitation?” Chen Cheng caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of his eye.

“Mr. Chen, I’ve run into someone you know.”

Chen Cheng furrowed his brow, he couldn’t think of any acquaintances he might have in Kaiyang, far away from Beijing.

“An acquaintance? Who is it?”

Chen Donghai moved to the right to reveal Meng Wanning standing behind him.

Meng Wanning was wearing a thin coat and blue jeans, just standing there quietly, looking at Chen Cheng.

Chen Cheng was equally surprised to see Meng Wanning; he had never expected to encounter her here.

“Brother Cheng.”

Chen Cheng stood up, “What are you doing here?”

He looked at the logo on her coat, which read “Scholarship Charity Foundation,” and then thought about the expensive information he had purchased, and what Cao Yue mentioned that afternoon, instantly realizing that the person waiting for leaders at the school gate was Meng Wanning standing before him.

Meng Wanning seemed even thinner than a few days ago, her already small face now appeared even more pitiful.

Seeing the way the girl in front of him looked at Chen Cheng, Xu Qiu tactfully stood up, “Mr. Chen, I’m going to add another set of utensils.”

Chen Cheng glanced at the dishes on the table, “Manager Xu, go ask the boss if they have any non-spicy dishes.”

“Okay.”

“Well, uh…” Chen Donghai, not as articulate as Xu Qiu, could only put down the Moutai he brought, “I’ll go order with Manager Xu.”

Only Chen Cheng and Meng Wanning were left in the private room.

Chen Cheng pointed to the seat beside him, and Meng Wanning walked over.

“You probably haven’t eaten much these past few days, have you?” Chen Cheng initiated, “You’ve lost weight.”

Meng Wanning was touched that Chen Cheng still remembered her eating habits and was surprised to encounter him here.

“Yeah, seems like I haven’t quite adjusted to the local conditions.” She nodded in agreement.

Chen Cheng thought for a moment, “It might be the water, there are phosphate mines here, and your stomach might not be used to it.”

He twisted open a bottle of mineral water and passed it to her, looking at her from such a close distance.

Meng Wanning also looked at Chen Cheng, “Thank you.”

She asked softly, “Brother Cheng, why are you…”

“Why am I here?” Chen Cheng picked up the thread of the conversation.

Meng Wanning was as gentle as always, silently nodding, waiting for Chen Cheng’s answer.