Maximize Interest, My Money Grows Infinitely-Chapter 230 - 181: One Set After Another

Da Lao has been with Chen Cheng for almost a month now.

But this is the first time he sits in the passenger’s seat.

"Xiao Meng, have some water."

Xiao Meier handed a bottle of water to Meng Wanning, and curiously asked Chen Cheng in the passenger’s seat, "Hubby, how did you meet Xiao Meng?"

Chen Cheng didn’t turn his head but glanced at the rearview mirror instead.

In the mirror, Meng Wanning paused and her gaze unwittingly met Chen Cheng’s.

Chen Cheng: "Before going abroad, I heard Miss Meng sing opera at your godfather’s place."

"Opera?"

Xiao Meier looked at the fashionably dressed girl next to her with surprise, utterly unable to associate her with singing opera.

"Xiao Meng, you’re really so talented! It doesn’t show at all!" she exclaimed.

Meng Wanning caught the key phrase in Chen Cheng’s words, "Sister, you’re Mr. Jin’s goddaughter?"

Xiao Meier nodded generously in acknowledgment, "I didn’t expect we’d have this connection!"

"I’m just a performer, no match for you," said Meng Wanning admiringly.

Xiao Meier quickly retorted, "Don’t say that. To make a living with your ability in this society is already very impressive!"

"So you specialize in singing opera?" she inquired further.

Meng Wanning nodded, "Currently, I’m following my master at the Wanshou Peking Opera Troupe."

Xiao Meier was even more surprised; she hadn’t realized that in today’s society, this line of work still upheld such traditions.

Meng Wanning saw Xiao Meier’s puzzlement and explained: "I became an apprentice at five, performed on stage at seven. Afterwards, I was admitted to the Peking Opera performance major at Shanghai Drama Academy."

"That’s just too amazing!" Xiao Meier exclaimed, then asked, "So is learning to sing opera very hard?"

"I studied for six years at the Shanghai Theatre Academy Affiliated Opera School, and had to start warming up my voice before 6 o’clock every morning, practicing morning exercises."

Meng Wanning continued: "Legwork, somersaults, acrobatic fighting, singing, speaking, acting, and martial arts, not one aspect could be neglected." freewebnøvel.coɱ

"Even until this morning, it’s still the same."

She gave a smile, a trace of having weathered hardships to see sweetness in her elegant grin.

"You’ve really had it tough," said Xiao Meier sympathetically.

"Speaking of which, I’ve never seen Beijing Opera before!" Xiao Meier continued, "Xiao Meng, when you have a performance, I’ll definitely come to show my support!"

"Sister, if you want to watch, there’s no need to wait for a performance, I can sing a section for you right now," replied Meng Wanning.

"Really? That would be wonderful!" Xiao Meier said excitedly, patting the passenger seat, "Honey, we’re in for a treat!"

Just as Meng Wanning was ready to begin, Chen Cheng opened the car door, saying, "I’ve heard it before, I’m going to step out for a smoke."

After finishing, Chen Cheng stepped out of the car and closed the door behind him.

Xiao Meier’s eyebrows were slightly furrowed, "What’s wrong with him?"

Meng Wanning also looked toward Chen Cheng outside the car window and asked, "Sister, do you still want to listen?"

"Listen! Listen! Listen!" Xiao Meier sat up straight, "Don’t mind him, he lacks artistic sensibility, has no appreciation."

Meng Wanning smiled faintly and began singing, "...advising the emperor, to drink and enjoy the Yu songs. To alleviate your worries, drowning the heart’s gloom..."

Chen Cheng, after leaving the car, walked over to Chen Donghai, "Xiao Hai, do you have a smoke?"

Chen Donghai immediately took out a pack of Lotuses and offered them to Chen Cheng.

Chen Cheng took one, and with both hands, Chen Donghai brought the lighter close to Chen Cheng.

The orange flame flickered, and after the first wisps of smoke dispersed, Chen Cheng, leaning against the hood of the car, could still faintly hear Meng Wanning’s singing.

Her sobbing and melodious voice carried the unique charm of Beijing Opera, mixed with sorrow and resolution, yet filled with deep emotion.

Xiao Meier listened, mesmerized; she had never imagined that Beijing Opera could be so captivating. Each word, each syllable seemed to strike at her heart, irresistibly drawing her into its spell.

After the song ended, Xiao Meier was still lost in its lingering enchantment, unable to snap back to reality for a long while.

"How was it, sister?" Meng Wanning asked softly, with a hint of anticipation.

"Fantastic! Xiao Meng, you sing so well!"

Xiao Meier spoke candidly, "Although I might not have understood everything, you sing in a very unique way, especially that tune, it seems different from the Beijing Opera I’m familiar with."

Meng Wanning smiled and explained, "I am a descendant of the Cheng school, so my singing is a bit different from the mainstream styles of the Zhang, Chen, Mei, Shang, and others."

Xiao Meier gave a thumbs up, "No matter what, you are the most impressive!"

"You flatter me, sister."

Both women’s gaze shifted in unison to Chen Cheng at the front of the car; without turning around, amidst the swirling smoke, his profile appeared somewhat hazy, adding a touch of mystery and solitude.

"Sister, are you married to Mr. Chen?" inquired Meng Wanning.

Xiao Meier laughed and shook her head, "Not yet."

Upon hearing this, Meng Wanning said, "I heard you calling Mr. Chen ’hubby’, and I thought you were..."

She paused, seemingly choosing her words carefully, "already married."

From Meng Wanning’s perspective, being Mr. Jin’s goddaughter was a background that most people could only dream of.

She had also met many rich ladies and daughters of wealthy families, but Xiao Meier felt different from them.

Wealthy, but down-to-earth.

Like a girl next door, making others feel less defensive and adverse.

Moreover, as they shared the same coach, their relationship had rapidly progressed over these few short days.

"Not yet," Xiao Meier’s eyes were filled with anticipation.

Though she and Chen Cheng hadn’t gotten married officially, their relationship and way of life were no different from that of a married couple.

She said with a smile, "But I believe in Xiao Cheng, he will marry me."

"Sister, you’re so fortunate," Meng Wanning’s voice carried a tinge of envy, "to meet a man who loves you so much."