CHAPTER 521: CHAPTER 297 RETREAT_2

"Hmm? You’re not listening to me?"

"I am too."

"These stockings are pretty slippery, huh."

"Yeah. I changed them on purpose, they even smell like chocolate."

Just as the two finished discussing the first matter, the passenger-side car door was opened.

Tong Jialu, who had just finished discussing the payment period, saw Xia Yubing’s dazed look in the back seat, and squeezed into the car in a rush.

"Sis! You’re sneaking snacks again!"

For these two sisters, the appearance of Chen Cheng was a rare event.

They didn’t dare to ask for anything actively, so they could only passively wait to be summoned.

"I did not." Xia Yubing hurriedly denied it, "I’m discussing business with my husband."

"Discussing business with your leg on him?" Tong Jialu pouted, her eyes brimming with emotion as she looked at Chen Cheng, "Brother Cheng, it’s been a long time for you too..."

"Hahaha." Chen Cheng laughed, patted Xia Yubing’s thigh, and sat up straight, "So, have you finished discussing?"

"Yes, President Zhao agreed to go with our plan."

As Tong Jialu spoke, she handed the drafted contract to Chen Cheng, "A down payment of 4 billion, the remaining 4 billion to be paid off over three years, at 1.33 billion each year, so that after three years, the full payment for the building is settled. As for the interest, we’ve negotiated that as well, calculated at an annual rate of 4.5%, with a progressively decreasing interest payment each year."

Chen Cheng took the documents and, rather than rushing to open them, asked with interest, "Tell me the specifics of the interest payments."

Tong Jialu was well-prepared and explained smoothly, "In the first year, based on the principal of 4 billion, the interest is 180 million; in the second year, the principal is reduced to 2.67 billion, the interest is 120 million; in the third year, with a remaining principal of 1.33 billion, the interest is 60 million. The total interest over the three years adds up to 360 million."

She paused, then added, "To avoid the pressure of a large lump-sum interest payment, we agreed to make interest payments quarterly.

That is to say, in the first year, each quarter, 45 million is paid in interest; in the second year, 30 million each quarter; in the third year, 15 million each quarter."

While speaking, Tong Jialu leaned over from the front seat, flipped open the document, and pointed to a table on one of the pages for Chen Cheng to see: "Brother Cheng, look, here’s a detailed quarterly payment schedule, including the timing, amount of principal and interest payments, as well as the specific payment methods and so on. I’ve made detailed annotations for your reference."

Chen Cheng glanced at it and said, "I trust in your work."

Hearing Chen Cheng’s praise, Tong Jialu’s face also revealed a bright smile.

Chen Cheng closed the document and patted the seat beside him; Tong Jialu immediately got the hint and squeezed in next to him.

Chen Cheng, embracing one on each side, said, "I’ve just discussed things with Yu Bing; now it’s your turn."

"Discuss what?" Tong Jialu was puzzled.

Xia Yubing, sitting beside her, detailed the matters that Chen Cheng had assigned, and upon hearing it, Tong Jialu initially reacted like Xia Yubing did, but then shrugged indifferently,

"Whatever Brother Cheng does, I’ll do." She said.

Chen Cheng nodded with a smile, "Alright, then the first matter is settled. Let’s move on to the second."

Upon hearing this, both Xia Yubing and Tong Jialu’s smiles faded.

In their view, the first matter that changed their career paths was significant enough; what Chen Cheng was about to discuss might be even more serious.

Chen Cheng, with one hand touching glossy silk and the other touching mink oil, began, "Mei Xiang has come to the country."

"What?!"

"Ah?!"

He could distinctly feel the two different textures of beautiful legs tighten up.

"Such a big reaction?" Chen Cheng looked from side to side, glancing over.

"No... nothing." Xia Yubing spoke first, "Is Miss Mei Xiang here for tourism?"

"Must be." Tong Jialu chimed in, "Brother Cheng, then you..."

"What I mean is, Mei Xiang is not leaving."

Upon hearing this, the two legs that Chen Cheng was holding tensed up even more.

Xia Yubing and Tong Jialu exchanged glances; they both knew about the relationship between Chen Cheng and Mei Xiang. They thought this girl from Japan wouldn’t follow Chen Cheng to this country, but it turned out she really did.

"I’m telling you this because Mei Xiang is unfamiliar with life here, she doesn’t have any friends." Chen Cheng revealed his thought, "You two have met her a few times, after all. If she wants to go shopping or something, accompany her."

The two lowered their heads in dismay, their minds swirling with mixed feelings.

They understood what Chen Cheng meant; he was asking them to accept Mei Xiang and even to get along with her. Despite some reluctance, they also knew that since Chen Cheng had spoken, they couldn’t refuse.

Xia Yubing broke the silence first, managing a strained smile, "Husband, rest assured, we’ll take good care of Miss Mei Xiang."

Tong Jialu echoed, "Yeah, Brother Cheng, we’ll show Miss Mei Xiang hospitality as hosts, we’ll take good care of her."

"That’s good." Chen Cheng nodded with satisfaction, "I’ve said all I wanted."

"Where are we going now?" Tong Jialu asked eagerly, her eyes unable to hide her impatience.

"I want to take a nap; last night was too exhausting." Chen Cheng yawned.

Xia Yubing spoke, "Then let’s go home, shall we?"

"You guys decide." Chen Cheng leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes.

Seeing this, Tong Jialu rolled down the window and called out to Chen Donghai not far away, "Brother Hai, let’s go."

The Rolls-Royce began to move slowly, heading straight for Jinmao Mansion.

The car interior was unusually quiet.

Chen Cheng felt the changes in the light and shadow, aware that this was also an escape route for the two women.

...

...

After a restful nap at Jinmao Mansion, Chen Cheng felt completely refreshed, body and soul.

Groggily picking up his phone, he opened his eyes to see three new messages.

Xiao Meier: Xiao Cheng, did I drink too much again last night? Sigh! I really won’t drink anymore!

Meng Wanning: Master, I’m awake. You’re not here? I... Thank you.

Mei Xiang: Brother Cheng! Ah! I lost my composure! Did you change my clothes? Ah ah ah~ How embarrassing!

Chen Cheng sat up, stretched lazily and a hint of a smile appeared on his lips.

"Woke up?" Xia Yubing walked over with a cup of warm water.

"Yeah. Just woke up." Chen Cheng took a sip.

Looking at Xia Yubing in front of him, he said, "You really are the most considerate."

Xia Yubing smiled gently, seeing it as an honor to take care of Chen Cheng.

And to her surprise, Chen Cheng had really come just to sleep.

The moment he entered, he lay down and fell asleep.

So much so that she and Tong Jialu hadn’t even finished changing clothes when they heard his light breathing.

"I knew you were tired, so I didn’t wake you. Are you hungry? I can make something for you."

Chen Cheng caught her hand and gently pulled, and Xia Yubing happily sat down on his lap.

"No hurry, just stay with me for a while." He wrapped his arms around Xia Yubing’s slender waist.

"Okay."

"Where’s Xiao Lu?"

"She’s outside," Xia Yubing said softly.

Tong Jialu also heard the noise and quickly ran into the room.

Chen Cheng beckoned her over, and she drew close.

"Sleeping here feels so secure." Chen Cheng stroked both of their heads, "It’s way more comfortable than at a hotel."

"Hubby, as long as you’re happy."

"Brother Cheng, I wish you’d come here more often." Tong Jialu pouted playfully.

"I can’t come here too often," Chen Cheng said with a laugh.

"Why not?"

"Yeah, why not?"

Chen Cheng lifted their chins, "It’s lethal."

"Stop it~"

"Brother Cheng, you’re so bad!"

Chen Cheng laughed, "Is there anything to eat?"

Tong Jialu nodded vigorously, "Yes! I’ll go get it."

With that, she slipped out of bed.

Chen Cheng leaned back against the headboard, "Let’s find a movie to watch."

Xia Yubing grabbed the remote control and lay beside him, "What do you want to watch?"

"Anything’s fine, how about a romance?" said Chen Cheng.

"Romance it is..."

As Xia Yubing browsed through the movie list, she muttered under her breath, "There don’t seem to be any new romance movies released recently..."

Chen Cheng hugged her, chin resting on her shoulder, and casually remarked as he looked at the screen, "Then just pick an old one, it’s nice to revisit a classic."

Xia Yubing’s eyes lit up as she spotted an old movie, "How about we watch ’Titanic’? It’s been a long time since I last saw it."

Chen Cheng smiled, "Sure, it’s a classic."

Xia Yubing pressed play, and as the familiar melody started, the massive ship slowly left the port, and the story began.

Tong Jialu came in with a plate of cut fruits and snacks, joyfully exclaiming as she saw the movie on, "Wow, ’Titanic’! I love this movie!"

She placed a small tray on the bed and cuddled up to Chen Cheng’s other side along with the food.

"Brother Cheng, have a grape."

"Mmm~ It’s a bit sour."

"Then... how about a peach?"

"This is better."

...

...