"It's fortunate to share a birthday with your father; it's more lively to celebrate together."
"But it's too late to go back now."
"Not too late, about forty-five minutes."
The man said this and sent a text message to Song Ci with his phone.
"Forty-five minutes?"
If Meng Jingwei had believed him earlier, she now thought Qing Muye was joking.
She leaned against the passenger seat, quietly eating the leftover cake from Qing Muye, wondering what he intended to do.
Five minutes later, the car arrived at an open area where a helicopter was already parked.
Qing Muye got out of the car, and Meng Jingwei followed, getting into the helicopter with him in disbelief.
Only when the helicopter's cabin door closed and the rotors began to hum did she finally realize that Qing Muye was indeed going to take her home.
And by helicopter!
"Are you really taking me back?"
She asked the man beside her loudly.
Qing Muye pursed his thin lips, not answering.
But Meng Jingwei was already convinced that Qing Muye wasn't lying. She immediately sent messages to her adoptive parents via WeChat: [Wait for me, I'll be home in a little over half an hour.]
After sending the messages, her adoptive parents' calls came in shortly after.
Because it was too noisy in the helicopter, she didn't answer, communicating with them solely through messages.
Thus, immersed in joy, Meng Jingwei rested her head against the window, looking out at the scenery, a slight curve on her lips, in a very good mood.
Suddenly, she felt that Qing Muye wasn't so bad after all.
Thirty minutes later, the helicopter landed on the basketball court in North Village, Zhutang Town. Meng Jingwei and Qing Muye disembarked, and after walking out of the basketball court, the helicopter had already flown away.
Meng Jingwei watched the helicopter gradually disappear into the distance, then reached up to tuck away a strand of hair that had been blown askew by the wind. She couldn't help but ask, "How did you know where I live?"
The man, dressed in a suit, placed one hand in his trouser pocket and adjusted his tie with the other, flashing a devilish smile without saying a word.
Although Zhutang Town was relatively remote, many people came out for a walk after dinner. Coincidentally, they saw the two of them getting off the helicopter and stopped to watch, discussing amongst themselves.
As the two walked out of the sports field, two cars were parked outside.
Seeing them walk over, a man in a suit and tie immediately stepped forward, handing the keys to Qing Muye. "Boss, everything is ready."
"Thank you for your hard work."
Qing Muye said, then got into the car.
Meng Jingwei sat in the passenger seat.
The car slowly started moving towards Meng Jingwei's home.
Along the way, Meng Jingwei's attitude towards Qing Muye was complex, even perplexing.
Qing Muye had clearly been invited to Qing Family's old residence by Madam Qing for dinner, yet he stood her up and took her back to Zhutang Town just to celebrate her father's birthday.
Was Qing Muye someone who lacked people to celebrate birthdays with?
Clearly not.
After thinking about it, Meng Jingwei touched her nose and couldn't help but ask, "Qing Muye, do you like me?"
Screech!
As soon as she spoke, the car braked sharply, stopping on the road.
The man's surprised gaze flickered towards Meng Jingwei, a hint of unnaturalness flashing in his eyes.
"Why are you looking at me like that? If you didn't like me, why would you inexplicably take a helicopter to send me back for my dad's birthday? Business people are never without ulterior motives, and merchants are always cunning. You must have a purpose."
Meng Jingwei was very sure.
Qing Muye gripped the steering wheel tightly, his heart racing. Normally, even negotiating a billion-dollar deal didn't make him this nervous.
Had his feelings for her already become so obvious?
"If I say..."
Beep beep beep—
Before the man could finish his sentence, the car behind them honked, interrupting him.
He furrowed his dark brows, looked back at the cake in the back seat, and reached out to steady it, as it was about to fall. "I'm bored."
"Bored?"
Meng Jingwei gave him a side-eye, completely believing him.
It was indeed boredom, otherwise, why would he come all this way?
Five minutes later, the car stopped in front of Meng Jingwei's old house.
In the dim twilight, Du Juan was waiting anxiously. Seeing the car stop at the gate, she immediately walked over.
Meng Jingwei got out of the car and threw herself into Du Juan's arms. "Mom, I'm back."
"You crazy girl, you left this morning and you're back now? Are you with Xiao..."
"Auntie, I apologize for the late arrival. I've disturbed you."
Qing Muye took the cake and a bouquet of flowers from the back seat and walked up to Du Juan, saying.
The car's headlights were still on, and Du Juan only then realized it was Qing Muye. "Oh, Young Master Qing, why... why is it you?"
Seeing Qing Muye, Du Juan was quite surprised.
She reached out and pinched Meng Jingwei's arm, glaring at her, as if to say: Why him? Shouldn't it be Xiao Cheng? You unfaithful girl!
"Ah Wei said that Uncle's birthday is today. As his elder brother, I should naturally come to celebrate with Uncle." The man, changing his usual aloof demeanor, chatted very casually with Du Juan.
Ah Wei?
So intimate it was nauseating.
Was Qing Muye always this hypocritical, calling her so affectionately in front of her mother?
Putting on a show? Hypocritical!
"Yes, Mom. Madam Qing recognized me as her god-granddaughter, and he is Madam Qing's grandson, so I should call him brother."
Meng Jingwei, afraid her mother would overthink things, chimed in with an explanation.
"Oh, I see. Young Master Qing, please, please come in. My humble abode is simple, please don't mind, Young Master Qing."
"Auntie, you jest."
"Old Meng, Old Chen, come and see who's back," Du Juan called out towards the main hall.
Meng Tianhua and Old Chen came out together.
Meng Jingwei ran over cheerfully, giving her father a hug. "Dad, happy birthday. I came back in a hurry and didn't bring you anything."
"What are you talking about? Your return is the best thing. Why did you come back so late?"
Meng Tianhua was beaming, very happy.
"Qing Muye brought me back."
She smiled happily, then walked up to Old Chen and affectionately put her arm around his shoulder. "Master, let me introduce you, this is my... uh... brother. His grandmother recognized me as her god-granddaughter, so he's essentially my god-brother."
Saying this, she turned to Qing Muye. "Look, this is my Master, Old Chen."
Old Chen held his pipe, exhaling a faint mist that blurred his vision.
But behind the mist, a weathered face flashed with a hint of something different. His sharp gaze swept over Qing Muye. After the light smoke dissipated, he tilted his head back and laughed, "A fine-looking young man, hahaha."
Qing Muye stepped forward. "Greetings, Uncle, Master Chen."
His demeanor was very respectful, a humility Meng Jingwei had never seen before.
"Uncle, this is the cake and flowers Ah Wei bought for you," Qing Muye handed the items to Meng Tianhua.
"Oh, this girl, she already bought a cake, why did she buy another one?"
Meng Tianhua looked at Meng Jingwei and sighed.
"Dad, he bought this," Meng Jingwei was very grateful to Qing Muye for bringing her back today and naturally didn't want to accept too much credit.
"Alright, alright, let's all go inside and sit. Why are we standing at the door?"