Chen Cheng walked to the middle of the three people.
His gaze briefly swept over Tong Jialu's face before ultimately settling on the space between the two cars, which was about the width of a fist.
"Manager Tong, are you okay?"
The clean ending tone carried a hint of laughter, like a feather gently tickling Tong Jialu's heart.
She had braced herself for a scolding, but instead, Chen Cheng did not get angry and considerately asked about her condition first.
"I'm fine, Mr. Chen," Tong Jialu quickly replied: "I don't know what happened just now, my car's system suddenly blacked out and scared me to death."
Chen Cheng said calmly, "It's like this with the C Series, as soon as the temperature gets high, it's prone to system crashes."
He looked up at the sky where the sun was scorching, "With the sun this hot today, even the air conditioning is useless."
Seeing that Chen Cheng had deliberately stepped in to give her an out, Tong Jialu nodded deeply, "Right."
"Since there's nothing wrong, let's not block the road here," Chen Cheng continued: "Everyone's eager to get home after work."
Only then did Tong Jialu notice that a long queue had formed behind the Maybach.
Vehicles on both lanes were deliberately slowing down, wanting to catch a glimpse of the scene.
This made the already congested road even more difficult to navigate.
"Sorry! My apologies!" Tong Jialu kept bowing deeply.
"Such situations are inevitable when you're out and about," Chen Cheng said leisurely, with one hand in his pocket: "How about I call for roadside assistance for you?"
"Let me try to start the car first."
Tong Jialu hurried back to her car, attempting to restart the vehicle.
Fortunately, the car system was now working normally.
When Chen Cheng saw the tail lights of the Mercedes-Benz C light up, he knew everything was fine.
"Get in," he said.
The three of them returned to the Maybach, when Liu Yingcai opened his mouth to ask, "Dacheng, who is she?"
Chen Cheng smiled and said, "Someone's assistant from Jingfa Bank, we've met two or three times."
"An assistant earning enough to drive a Mercedes-Benz C? She looks pretty young too!" Liu Ying's face showed envy.
"Those in finance, who doesn't make money?" Feng Biao chimed in, "If it weren't for Dacheng running into some trouble, wouldn't he also be changing his car?"
Chen Cheng smiled, "Let's go, Meier is probably getting anxious."
Tong Jialu wanted to get out of the car to thank Chen Cheng again, but seeing the Maybach's lights flickering nonstop in the rearview mirror, she dismissed the idea.
She drove off slowly from the scene and dialed Xia Yubing's phone, beginning to report on her work.
"Hello, director. I've screened the companies that submitted their documents today, and I found a very capable one."
"Zhongguancun Xinda Network Technology Co., Ltd."
"Their qualifications are fine, and their cash flow is normal, they have been a customer of our bank for a long time."
"They're applying for a loan of 5 million, I feel it's workable."
"Okay, director. I'll put the documents on your desk first thing tomorrow morning."
"The bird is quite lively, hopping and jumping around!"
After hanging up the phone, Tong Jialu looked at the dozen or so loan applications she planned to take home for overtime work and muttered, "He's only asking for 5 million? That's loaned without a second thought, right?"
...
After Chen Cheng and the others returned to the dealership to switch cars, they then headed for Fennel Noodle House.
Xiao Meier had already prepared dinner, sitting on a stool by the door, looking in the direction of the intersection.
Her delicate face was flushed by the night breeze, as if kissed by the warmth of summer.
Her plump legs were crossed, with flip-flops casually wedged between her toes, making a subtle tap-tap sound as she gently swayed them.
Seeing the Camry draw near, she hurriedly stood up and lifted the dish cover on the table.
"Sister Meier!" Getting out of the car, Liu Ying ran over excitedly.
Carrying the fruit she had bought on the way, she glanced over the table full of dishes, "Wow, we're in for a treat today!"
Xiao Meier greeted her with a smile, "Hurry up and wash your hands, we're about to start eating."
"Sure thing! I've put the watermelon in the fridge! We'll eat it together later!" Liu Ying entering the noodle house felt like coming home.
Chen Cheng and Feng Biao followed close behind.
In Feng Biao's hand was a box of roast goose, "Sister Meier, quick, get a plate."
"There's already so much food, and you still spent the money."
Feng Biao said with a smile, "Dacheng said when you come to eat, you have to bring a 'meal ticket.' So, I specifically went to Fei Xiaofu to buy it, see?"
Xiao Meier glared at Chen Cheng, "You're making stuff up again."
"Don't listen to his nonsense!" Chen Cheng picked up a marinated chicken foot, "He just wanted to eat it himself!"
Smack!
Xiao Meier chuckled and playfully slapped Chen Cheng's hand, "You're a grown-up and still sneaking bites!"
Before long, two boxes of large green beer bottles were being stepped on by Chen Cheng and Feng Biao.
Feng Biao skillfully opened a bottle for each person with the head of his chopsticks, "Come on, let's drink!"
The four clinked their bottles in unison, the clear clinking sound echoing in the twilight.
The icy beer slid down their throats, bringing a hint of coolness, and also taking away their fatigue from the day.
"Sister Meier's cooking is getting better and better!" Liu Ying gnawed on a chicken foot, nodding continuously, "Opening a noodle house really is selling yourself short!"
Chen Cheng raised an eyebrow and looked at Liu Ying, "Hey, Yingzi, how did you know I'm planning to open a restaurant for Sister Meier?"
Seeing Xiao Meier's face turn red with embarrassment, and thinking of Feng Biao telling her that Chen Cheng had been staying here since the breakup, Liu Ying couldn't help but become suspicious.
"That's great! When are you opening? I'll bring a flower basket for the opening!" Liu Ying went along with Chen Cheng's words, "From now on, our company's receptions will also choose Sister Meier's place."
Hearing this, Xiao Meier paused with a handful of spicy stir-fried snails in her hand.
"Yingzi, don't listen to Xiao Cheng. He's always joking around."
Chen Cheng nonchalantly peeled boiled peanuts, "Sister Meier, look at this. The restaurant hasn't even opened, yet business is already coming in! This is really good news!"
"Yeah, Sister Meier. Dacheng's idea is really good. We all know about your cooking skills; opening a restaurant will definitely be a hit." Feng Biao took another sip of beer, "Later on, our car dealership can offer a monthly package or something, no problem at all!"
Xiao Meier was deeply touched. She looked at Chen Cheng, "Are you really opening?"
"Of course, didn't we talk about it last night?"
Yingzi's gossip spirit surged, "Dacheng, how did you promise Sister Meier?"
"Just buy back Grandpa's Wanbao Hall and reopen it, simple as that," Chen Cheng said easily.
At those words, both Feng Biao and Liu Ying furrowed their brows.
Like Xiao Meier, they all had the same question: "That's 2 million! Where are you going to find so much money?"
Chen Cheng leisurely said, "Guess, who took over Wanbao Hall?"
The three shook their heads.
"Jin Baogen." Chen Cheng wiped his hands and slowly revealed this name.
It was then that Xiao Meier realized, "Mr. Jin? No wonder Wanbao Hall has been left untouched after selling it – not opened, nor subleased!"
Chen Cheng nodded.
Feng Biao clicked his tongue in surprise, "Goodness! It's actually him!"