CHAPTER 391: CHAPTER 372: SWIFTLY RESOLVING COMPLICATIONS

In Zhao Renjie’s eyes, Cheng Shi had quite a few merits, he was decisive, loyal and reliable, and had excellent fighting skills, but his intelligence and emotional intelligence were both quite average, not exactly brilliant.

However, his recent remark hit the nail on the head.

In Wang Meijuan’s heart, Cheng Shi was an impressively built, simple-minded sweetheart.

Yet, that was precisely what she loved about him.

Being too smart wasn’t good for a man either, with all the pretty temptations around, who knows if they’d turn bad one day. Only a simple sweetheart like him was reliable.

At the moment, Cheng Shi felt his skin crawl under their stares, so he couldn’t help but pick up his glass and take a big gulp.

Luckily, his tolerance for liquor was pretty good!

"Why are you all looking at me like that? Isn’t that right? Mr. Shen is a medical equipment engineer, now working for Mr. Leng. Bai Long is probably worried he’s too formidable and could affect Li Zishen, so they targeted his wife when we were all away, busy protecting the lady and..."

Cheng Shi explained earnestly, his bright eyes shifting from Zhao Renjie to Wang Meijuan.

The old lady was right, the more one talks, the more mistakes one makes!

Next time, I better just quietly eat my meal; flaunting my ignorance won’t do.

"Wow, you sure think fast!" Zhao Renjie said thoughtfully, then added appreciatively.

"Isn’t it obvious?"

Wang Meijuan: "..."

"Oh? You mean to say... I’m not as smart as you, can’t see through appearances like you, don’t have your investigative skills, and my brain doesn’t work as well?"

Cheng Shi: "?"

Forget it, forget it, forgot again!

"No, Meijuan, I didn’t mean that, I just think that Bai Long..."

"Hmph, go sit over there, keep your distance."

Cheng Shi scratched his head helplessly and didn’t dare say more, quietly shifting his chair.

He liked Wang Meijuan but was also quite afraid of her.

Actually, in Tang Mei’s heart, loyalty was more important than intelligence for a bodyguard. That’s why years ago, she chose Cheng Shi, whose IQ and EQ were both quite ordinary, among twenty-something kids, sponsored his education, and arranged for him to join the army.

But as he studied continuously and was influenced by his surroundings, his investigative skills naturally improved a lot.

At that moment, Zhao Renjie inwardly sighed with relief: Ah, thank heavens, finally got these two involved!

Then, he seized the opportunity to bring up the medical equipment company on Huanhai Road, Hai Sheng, and the seven-star hotel Chi Sea, which had just been acquired that morning. Since both were now under Tang Xiaowan’s name, which one would she choose to go to work at tomorrow morning?

Thus, the awkward atmosphere was naturally dissolved by this new topic.

"Probably Hai Sheng."

"No, no, no, the lady seemed more interested in Chi Sea. Before dinner, she asked Bai Long a lot... about hotel matters," Wang Meijuan countered thoughtfully.

"Actually, over at the hotel... as long as the staff arrangement is good, there’s no issue. The lady is in charge, she doesn’t need to clock in or anything, just a phone call will do."

After saying this, Zhao Renjie then poured a glass of wine for both Cheng Shi and Wang Meijuan.

...

While the three discussed enthusiastically, in the master bedroom on the second floor, Tang Xiaowan, her cheeks flushed, was lost in thought over another matter.

"Ah..."

Sigh after sigh.

Noticing something was off after her shower, Leng Lingxiao asked with a grin, "Is it because the zipper on your dress broke... and you’re mad at your husband?"

Tang Xiaowan rolled her eyes at him and then covered her head with a thin blanket.

Her face, already red, turned even redder.

"Alright, alright, I’ll stop teasing. Come on, tell your husband what’s the matter, hmm? Who upset my sweet little Tangtang?"

Seeing Tang Xiaowan remain silent, Leng Lingxiao smirked, "Alright, looks like you don’t want to talk to me. Then I’ll just have to reluctantly... find the answer myself, what could it be, could it be..."

Saying so, Tang Xiaowan felt a cool breeze on the left side of her body.

"Stop it, don’t lift someone’s blanket!"

"Then confess quickly? My patience is limited, a minute countdown starts now, beware the consequences." As Leng Lingxiao spoke, he slowly lay next to Tang Xiaowan.

In less than ten seconds, Tang Xiaowan poked her head out from under the blankets, swiftly followed by her phone.

"Here, see for yourself."

Two hours ago, Tang Mei had sent a message to Tang Xiaowan, but Tang Xiaowan had been busy all evening and only saw the message when Leng Lingxiao went to take a shower and she had some free time.

Leng Lingxiao took the phone, glanced at it, and immediately furrowed his brows, signaling to Tang Xiaowan that this was indeed a difficult issue.

"Ye Wanhua wants to recognize you as her daughter? Might she come to Chicheng tomorrow?" Leng Lingxiao asked in a heavy tone.

Tang Xiaowan nodded, her expression anxious. "Yes, that’s exactly it. I know this might be hard for you to accept, right? I feel the same—out of the blue, she wants to recognize me as her daughter? And the key point is... Grandmother actually agreed and didn’t object. Has she been bribed?"

Leng Lingxiao was silent for a moment, then deeply looked at Tang Xiaowan and said softly, "Didn’t we secretly test your blood relation with Ye Wanhua last time?"

"That turned out negative!" Tang Xiaowan frowned and replied, clearly reluctant.

"Tangtang, to be honest, I kind of hoped you were related. So... this might also be fate, and like Grandmother, I have no objections."

Hearing this, Tang Xiaowan’s nose tingled, and she suddenly hugged Leng Lingxiao’s waist. The man’s long arms stretched out, embracing the little wife burdened with worries tightly into his chest.

Having lacked motherly love since childhood, she could be mischievous and wilful, but when it came to family, she became very sensitive and helpless.

Tang Xiaowan’s tears dampened Leng Lingxiao’s silk robe, but he did not specifically comfort her. Instead, he gently stroked her black hair.

He naturally understood her vulnerability.

"Tangtang, are you suspecting... that this is Wang Junchen’s conspiracy, right?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Xiaowan’s spirit perked up immediately, and she subtly rubbed against Leng Lingxiao’s robe to conceal the traces of her recent tears.

Leng Lingxiao saw all of this and teased, "Guessed right?"

"Mmm, that’s part of it. After all, he has the entire Shen Shiyi behind him, definitely planning to use me against the Leng Family. There’s no good intention."

Leng Lingxiao gently held Tang Xiaowan’s hand and said firmly, "Before, we didn’t know who the mastermind behind the scenes was and where he hid. It’s different now; we know him... so don’t be afraid. Whatever decision you make, I will support you."

Tang Xiaowan’s eyes, slightly red, moistened again as she stared at Leng Lingxiao, feeling warmth in her heart.

"Are you moved already?"

"Huahua, I’m really very lucky, extremely lucky... to have met you. You’ve taught me so many survival skills and took me to so many interesting places without ever complaining."

Leng Lingxiao patted Tang Xiaowan’s back and said softly, "Fool, I’m the lucky one!"

They embraced each other tightly, feeling the warmth of one another. Although the problem before them was troubling, Tang Xiaowan believed that as long as they supported each other with enduring love, everything would be resolved smoothly.

Actually, Tang Xiaowan also felt affection toward Ye Wanhua; authoritative yet gentle, exactly fitting her ideal image of a mother.

But unfortunately, Ye Wanhua’s husband, Wang Junchen, was the leader of Shen Shiyi—fate was playing tricks!

Leng Lingxiao could feel Tang Xiaowan’s inner conflict and struggle. He knew she felt positively about Ye Wanhua and also liked Wang Jinhui, the humorous and funny prospective grandfather; however, she could not ignore Wang Junchen’s identity and past behavior.

This put Tang Xiaowan in a dilemma, unsure of what to do.

If she outrightly refused, she feared hurting Ye Wanhua’s feelings and also worried that it might embarrass Wang Jinhui, especially since Wang Jinhui was currently fiercely pursuing her grandmother Tang Mei with sincere affection.

"Do you need... my help to sort this out?" Leng Lingxiao asked tenderly.

Tang Xiaowan frowned, deep in thought.

"Forget it, let’s cut the Gordian knot. When Ye Wanhua calls tomorrow, I’ll simply decline gently. Then... I’ll tell her I really like her, but not as a mother. It would be nice to have a friendship transcending age. She’s so young and beautiful, right? As for... If Wang Jinhui ends up with Grandmother later, we’ll address it then. Anyway, we won’t see each other often!"

Leng Lingxiao nodded in strong agreement.

"Right, exactly! She’s meant to call before coming."

"Even if it’s in person, I’ll say the same."

"I wholeheartedly support you; hands and feet!"

"Wow, suddenly I feel so clear-headed and comfortable!" Tang Xiaowan felt relieved, exhaling a long breath.

"You haven’t told me the other reasons. Apart from Wang Junchen, the big villain, what else is there? Come on, spill the beans!"

"That’s because... I firmly believe that my mom and dad are still alive, definitely."

"So you don’t need anyone else to replace them?"

"That’s right. Besides... I still have you, my all-capable pretend mom! Shall we role-play again? You be the mom, and I’ll be the baby!"

"In the middle of the night, how much do you charge for an appearance?"

With that, Tang Xiaowan blinked her big eyes, looking pitifully cute.

But soon, she gave a sweet smile.

Leng Lingxiao walked straight to the wardrobe and earnestly started selecting dresses, but unfortunately, being so tall, his options were limited.

"Should I have a few tailor-made for you?"

At this, Leng Lingxiao chuckled mischievously and grabbed the flashiest one, charging towards Tang Xiaowan.