CHAPTER 401: CHAPTER 242: LOVE IS SPLIT IN TWO

"Did you sleep well last night?"

"Very well."

Chen Cheng looked at the spirited Meng Wanning in front of him, and his mood also became cheerful, "You seem much more lively than yesterday."

Following Chen Cheng’s steps, Meng Wanning walked out of the hotel, "Where are we going?"

"A date."

Upon hearing these two words, Meng Wanning’s face unconsciously revealed a smile.

"Having a local-style date."

Chen Cheng chuckled, then walked to the car, "I made the plans last night."

Meng Wanning covered her mouth and laughed, "Do you always speak so straightforwardly?"

"Of course, I don’t like beating around the bush." Chen Cheng responded, "Honesty is a good start for us, isn’t it?"

"You’re right."

She reacted, "Just the two of us?"

"It wouldn’t really be a date if we brought a third wheel, would it?"

"Not... it’s not that... I mean, there seems to be someone with you all the time."

Chen Cheng smiled, "Not today."

He opened the car door, gesturing for Meng Wanning to get in, "Today, my time is devoted solely to you."

Meng Wanning felt her heart rate quicken slightly, her cheeks flushing with a touch of red. She settled into the car, fastened her seatbelt, and turned to look at Chen Cheng with a hint of shyness and anticipation in her eyes.

"Where would you like to go?" Chen Cheng started the car and asked.

Meng Wanning pondered for a moment and said, "You’ve made all the plans, so I’ll leave it to you."

Chen Cheng’s lips curved into a smile, "Alright, let’s set off!"

The car left the hotel, joining the morning traffic of Qianzhou City. The sunlight streamed through the car window, casting onto Chen Cheng’s profile, accentuating his mature and steady features.

Meng Wanning’s gaze lingered on his face for a while before turning to look out the window, a sweet and happy feeling welling up inside her.

Chen Cheng took Meng Wanning all the way to a restaurant near Qianling Mountain Park, parked the car, and casually chose a mutton noodles shop to have breakfast.

"Boss, two bowls of mutton noodles, one with chili and one as clear soup."

Chen Cheng ordered skillfully, while Meng Wanning asked curiously, "I remember you can’t eat spicy either."

"I can eat it, just not fond of it." Chen Cheng replied, "But since we’re here, we ought to give it a try, right?"

Meng Wanning nodded, not expecting Chen Cheng, usually so prim and proper, to have such a down-to-earth side, taking her to a street-side stall.

And as for taking care of personal tastes, just as Chen Cheng said before departing, he thoroughly did his homework and took very good care of her.

Soon, the steaming hot bowls of mutton noodles were served.

The fragrant mutton broth, combined with the smooth rice noodles and spicy chili oil, was appetizing.

Meng Wanning’s bowl might not have chili, but the bright green garlic sprouts floating on the creamy white surface of the soup seemed equally tempting.

"Give it a try, how does it taste?" Chen Cheng asked.

Meng Wanning took a small sip and said, "Hmm, it’s delicious."

Chen Cheng, following the local dining customs, picked up some pickles and dried chilies on a small plate, placing it in front of himself before taking a bite of the noodles.

"How is it? Is it spicy?"

Meng Wanning asked concernedly, noticing Chen Cheng furrow his brow slightly.

"It’s okay, bearable."

Chen Cheng smiled and asked, "I’ve always been curious, is it that you can’t eat it, or are you not allowed to?"

"Chili?"

Chen Cheng nodded.

"My master doesn’t allow me to eat it."

Meng Wanning explained, "Of course, there are roles where I can eat spicy food. It’s a personal preference."

"Anything else I should know about your diet?"

Meng Wanning tilted her head and pondered, "Actually, there’s nothing special, just can’t eat too greasy or drink cold stuff before a performance."

"Normally, I’m pretty easygoing." She paused, then added, "Oh right, I’m allergic to seafood."

Chen Cheng listened attentively, committing her preferences to memory.

"Got it, I know now."

Meng Wanning looked at the dried chilies in front of Chen Cheng, "Is it spicy?"

"I didn’t really taste any spice."

Unexpectedly, Meng Wanning also picked up one, her red lips slightly parting as she took a tiny bite.

"You’re not..."

Meng Wanning smiled, "You are right, since we’re here, I should at least try."

As soon as she said this, her face instantly turned beet red, and tears began to well up at the corners of her eyes.

"Cough cough cough..."

Meng Wanning started coughing violently from the spiciness, her usually pale skin taking on a light blush.

"Water, water..."

While coughing, she reached for the water cup on the table.

Chen Cheng promptly handed her his water cup, gently patting her back and asking with concern, "Are you alright? Nothing serious, right?"

Meng Wanning took the water cup and gulped down several mouthfuls of water, finally catching her breath.

She looked at Chen Cheng, her face still flushed, and said sheepishly, "I’m fine, just a bit spicy..."

Seeing her like this, Chen Cheng was both annoyed and amused.

"So, you wanted to try and ended up being too bold, didn’t you?" His tone was teasingly reproachful.

Meng Wanning stuck out her tongue, looking like a child who had done something wrong, and lowered her head.

"Alright, no need to be so brave next time. Don’t eat such spicy stuff again." Chen Cheng spoke gently.

"Okay." Meng Wanning obediently nodded, feeling a warm current inside.

She knew that Chen Cheng cared about her.

"Thank you."

Chen Cheng sat back down, "Why the formalities with me?"

After a simple breakfast, the two of them arrived at the foot of Qianling Mountain Park.

Once they had scanned the code at the entrance, Chen Cheng and Meng Wanning were faced with their first choice.

"To the left is the cable car, to the right is the walking path."

Transforming into a tour guide, Chen Cheng explained, "The cable car isn’t as tiring, and if you walk, there’s a zoo on the way, with pandas. There’s also a temple that’s said to be quite efficacious."