This warmth brought a slight smile to Cheng Jinyu’s lips.
After about half an hour, Cheng Jinyu came out of the kitchen carrying a plate.
“Let Momo rest for a bit. Come eat.”
But Momo seemed addicted to playing and kept staring eagerly at the ball in Meng Chu’s hand.
“One last time,” Meng Chu held up a finger.
She threw the ball again, and Momo sprinted after it.
This time, after catching the ball, Momo ran directly to Cheng Jinyu’s feet.
She looked up at him, and he squatted down, extending his hand.
Momo immediately obediently dropped the ball.
“Alright, Chu Chu, it’s time to eat,” Cheng Jinyu ruffled Momo’s head.
Meng Chu heard him call her “Chu Chu” again.
She pursed her lips, feeling something she couldn’t quite explain.
She was usually very guarded; very few people called her Chu Chu.
But now, it seemed there was one more.
Thinking back, this nickname had come from the last time she introduced herself to Momo.
A flush of embarrassment rose to her cheeks.
Sure enough, humans tend to become baby talkers around little animals.
She hadn’t expected to be an exception.
“Wash your hands and come eat,” Cheng Jinyu raised his chin, nodding toward the bathroom near the living room.
Meng Chu had just been playing with Momo, but she still took the time to wash her hands thoroughly.
When she came out, she saw Cheng Jinyu setting the dining table.
He’d somehow brought out candle holders of varying heights.
The crystal glasses held white candles, and a delicate, lush bouquet was arranged beside the table.
Seeing her approach, Cheng Jinyu glanced at her and asked softly, “How is it?”
“Very beautiful,” Meng Chu said quietly.
Indeed, it was beautiful.
The polished marble tabletop sparkled under the neatly arranged crystal candle holders.
Cheng Jinyu took out a lighter and lit each candle one by one.
He then walked to a chair and gently pulled it out.
Seeing this, Meng Chu slowly sat down.
She pressed her lips and said, “Thank you.”
Cheng Jinyu sat opposite her.
As Meng Chu reached for the knife and fork beside her plate, he suddenly asked, “No photos?”
“Oh, right. Photos.”
She suddenly realized why Cheng Jinyu had gone to such lengths.
He really put a lot of thought into this.
After she took some pictures and successfully posted one to a Moments post visible only to her mother—
“All right, eat before it gets cold,” Cheng Jinyu said softly as she put down her phone.
Meng Chu picked up her knife and fork and started enjoying the steak.
The tender, juicy meat filled her mouth, and she was immediately impressed by the rich flavor.
“Wow, delicious.”
Cheng Jinyu looked up.
She continued, “I didn’t expect your steak skills to be so good.”
He couldn’t help but think that she had just been showering Momo with praise too.
“Are you always this good at complimenting people?” Cheng Jinyu asked.
Meng Chu was slightly puzzled. “Me? Not really, I’m pretty bad with words.”
Cheng Jinyu nodded knowingly. “So you’re only good at praising others, right?”
Meng Chu had been concentrating on cutting her steak, but when she heard that, she looked up blankly.
She blinked.
Was he referring to himself as that “other person”?
He really was—
The same as always.
Meng Chu had gradually figured out how to handle him: just let him say whatever he wanted.
“Did Auntie ever talk to you about me?” she asked as she lowered her head to eat.
Cheng Jinyu glanced up. “About me?”
He looked at her with amusement. “After all, I’m your boyfriend on your Moments.”
Meng Chu smiled. He really hadn’t let go of that role.
She said, “Actually, my mom has always respected my life. Even when she was anxious, she only asked me occasionally, never pressured me. Since she met you—at that candlelight dinner last time—she’s asked a few questions.”
“Hmm. If Auntie wants to meet me,” Cheng Jinyu paused briefly, then said evenly, “I’m always available.”
Meng Chu was stunned.
Meet him?
Why would she want to meet him?
Though she didn’t voice her doubts, her expression gave everything away.
Cheng Jinyu stared at her and said slowly, “You’re not still going to keep me as just your Moments boyfriend, right?”
Only then did Meng Chu realize his meaning.
Their marriage was originally to reassure both families.
Meng Chu had been paving the way on Moments for Xu Qingying in preparation for announcing their marriage.
Once the marriage was public, meeting the parents was inevitable.
So he was talking about meeting the parents.
“Not yet… not that soon,” Meng Chu tried to keep her tone steady but stammered slightly.
Cheng Jinyu seemed to notice her nervousness, chuckling softly.
“Don’t be nervous. It’s not like you’re meeting the mother-in-law.”
Mother-in-law.
Hearing those words so casually from him made her face flush involuntarily.
How could he say it so naturally?
Just then, Cheng Jinyu looked at her and suddenly asked, “Why is your face red?”
“Is it red?” Meng Chu pretended to be calm.
He stared carefully at her cheeks, like discovering a new continent.
Then he said slowly, “Pretty red.”
“Must be the heat,” Meng Chu gripped her knife and fork tightly.
But this time, Cheng Jinyu didn’t press further.
She breathed a sigh of relief and quickly lowered her head, focusing on her steak.
They ate quietly, hardly speaking.
The steak was impeccable in quality and doneness.
When they were almost done, they put down their cutlery almost simultaneously.
Meng Chu glanced over and took the initiative. “Shall I clean up?”
“Sit down,” Cheng Jinyu said as he stood and took her plate.
He put it in the dishwasher and started it immediately.
Meng Chu looked at the dishwasher in the kitchen and almost laughed to herself.
Of course, no luxury home would be without one.
Cheng Jinyu then walked over. “Why don’t we sit on the sofa? There’s something I want to discuss with you.”
Hmm?
Something to discuss?
Meng Chu’s curiosity was instantly piqued.
She moved over first, and Cheng Jinyu poured a glass of warm water, placing it on the coffee table in front of her.
He sat down on the sofa.
His tall frame caused a slight vibration when he settled in.
Her heart unknowingly tightened.
Seeing that he didn’t speak, Meng Chu couldn’t help but ask, “What did you want to talk about?”
“Actually, the last time you got drunk at that work event, I know it was part of your job, and sometimes these things happen at work dinners,” Cheng Jinyu said, looking her straight in the eye.
Meng Chu hadn’t expected him to bring it up again since it had been a few days.
She blinked and politely didn’t interrupt.
“When I’m in Shanghai, I want to pick you up, but when I’m not here, I don’t trust others to take care of you.”
Meng Chu explained, “I don’t get drunk every time. It’s rare.”
“Besides, many partners we work with are quite reasonable.”
“And the richer they are, the more they care about their health.”
“No one likes to drink themselves into the ground unless they meet someone who deliberately causes trouble — that’s just bad luck.”
“I have a driver who’s pretty reliable. How about I have him pick you up and drop you off from now on?” Cheng Jinyu said quietly.
A driver?
Meng Chu suddenly understood what Cheng Jinyu wanted to discuss.
She immediately said, “That’s way too much trouble.”
“Don’t worry. The driver doesn’t mind,” Cheng Jinyu smiled reassuringly.
Meng Chu was speechless.
That was his answer to the problem.
She replied seriously, “I just think it’s too much fuss.”
Cheng Jinyu nodded faintly.
Meng Chu thought he’d drop the idea.
“Fine. If you think it’s too much trouble to involve others,” Cheng Jinyu tilted his head, looking at her, “Then I’ll pick you up and drop you off every day starting tomorrow. If I’m not in Shanghai, then the driver will handle it.”
Meng Chu was shocked.
“You…” she seemed at a loss for words.
Then she said, “Cheng Jinyu, I know I worried you last time when I got drunk. But trust me, I’m a twenty-eight-year-old adult. I’m fully capable of taking care of myself.”
She even gave an example. “Like the last time I went to the hospital, I went alone just fine.”
After she spoke, she froze.
Cheng Jinyu’s eyes, which had been warm and soft, suddenly shifted.
“When was the last time you went to the hospital?” His voice turned sharp.
Meng Chu closed her eyes briefly.
Why did she have to choose that example?
“When was it, Meng Chu?” he asked again, staring at her.
Meng Chu explained, “Just recently. It was a minor issue. After the IV drip, I was able to return to work immediately.”
But this time, she saw Cheng Jinyu close his eyes tightly, as if struggling.
She realized she might be making things worse.
“Then it’s settled. Starting tomorrow, I’ll pick you up and drop you off every day,” Cheng Jinyu said quietly.
For the first time, he regretted restraining himself from contacting her after registering their marriage.
Meng Chu was completely stunned.
After a long moment, she took a deep breath and said, “Won’t that be exhausting for you?”
“Between worrying and being a little tired,” Cheng Jinyu’s face was bathed in soft light, his eyes sincere beyond words, “I’d rather be a little tired.”
“You…” Meng Chu seemed to want to say more but didn’t know what.
Then Cheng Jinyu tilted his head. “Though it’s my first time, I said I’m a quick learner.”
At that moment, the heart in Meng Chu’s chest suddenly started pounding wildly.
Even more violently than under the umbrella before.
After a pause that seemed to stretch on, Cheng Jinyu looked at her again.
“I will learn to be a good husband.”