Chapter 135: Chapter 135

The ceremony is over, and from now on, we’re all considered family. As they left, Tian Xiang went out to see them off. Only when the two cars disappeared from sight did she turn back with her family.

In the courtyard, neighbors who had been cooped up inside finally came out for some air and each one congratulated Tian Xiang when they saw her.

Tian Xiang smiled and handed out candies to everyone.

From the first house, Tian Chuying came out to take a look. When Tian Xiang looked over, she smiled and said, "Sister, congratulations."

Tian Xiang tugged at the corner of her mouth, glanced at Tian Chuying’s forehead, and handed her a handful of candies.

The next day at work, as soon as Tian Xiang returned to the office, Li Huai informed her that she had been urgently assigned as the host for the awards ceremony tomorrow.

"Director, I have no experience in this area!"

Li Huai: "No worries, experience comes with practice. As long as you get on stage, you’ll have it."

Tian Xiang was speechless, "Why am I suddenly the host?"

Li Huai: "Just do it, it’s fine..."

By the time of the afternoon rehearsal, Tian Xiang finally understood that the elder Mr. Meng would be coming to watch the performance tomorrow.

To make Mr. Meng happy, she was temporarily put forward.

Luckily, she wasn’t replacing anyone, just adding a position. Otherwise, this kind of thing would definitely be gossiped about behind her back.

That morning, Meng Cheng’an didn’t come to work, probably hadn’t shaken off the effects of yesterday’s drink.

He came in the afternoon and went over to watch Tian Xiang rehearse.

Tian Xiang was forced into this, so she was inevitably nervous. Holding the script, she spoke haltingly, but Meng Cheng’an kept clapping from below, looking both admiring and delighted.

When he got excited, everyone around joined in clapping, creating the scene where she received the most applause, making Tian Xiang feel awkward.

After the rehearsal, she changed clothes and came out.

The two headed towards the cafeteria, and Tian Xiang said, "I was speaking so clumsily, and you still clapped, making Director Li and Director Liu clap too—I was so embarrassed."

Meng Cheng’an looked at her blankly, "Really? I thought you were great!"

Forget it, love makes one see their lover as perfect; too lazy to argue with him.

The two walked to the cafeteria with their lunch boxes, encountering many familiar faces who waved at them in greeting.

That didn’t happen before.

When people saw her with Meng Cheng’an before, they’d avoid them if they could.

But now it was different; the Meng Family had risen again and became the object of everyone’s flattery.

Yet Meng Cheng’an was the same as always, maintaining his aloof demeanor.

Previously, he was marginalized, not welcomed by others, and he didn’t care to interact with them, serving as a backdrop in this world.

Now he’s the only grandson of the Meng Family, the cherished treasure of Mr. Meng. Wherever he goes, he draws attention, envying everyone.

But after over a decade of neglect, he’s lost any desire to connect with these people, even if they smile at him, he can’t respond.

So, despite being popular now, Meng Cheng’an still had only Tian Xiang by his side, and when they ate at the cafeteria, no one dared approach the neighboring table.

That’s also because many had looked down on them before, and now, feeling guilty, they dared not get close.

After finishing their meal, Meng Cheng’an rode her back home.

There was no need to sneak around now; he could take her directly to the gate of the compound.

Hu Honglian saw him and asked if he’d eaten and if he wanted to come in and sit for a while.

Since there was an awards ceremony the next day, Meng Cheng’an needed to go back early to rest, so he didn’t stay.

The next day, Tian Xiang got up earlier than usual and skipped breakfast, heading out after getting ready.

Arriving at the Bridgehead Restaurant, Meng Cheng’an had already ordered and was waiting for her.

They ate soy milk and fried dough sticks together and returned to the factory.

The awards ceremony was to start at nine in the morning.

Tian Xiang had a part in it and also had to host, so she was quite busy.

Meng Cheng’an was backstage at first, but he was soon called away as Mr. Meng had arrived.

When the awards ceremony began, Tian Xiang did the opening hosting with everyone, and she saw Mr. Meng sitting in the front row, with Meng Cheng’an accompanying him.

Mr. Meng never knew how to avoid suspicion—whenever he appeared, his precious grandson Meng Cheng’an was always at his side.

Seeing his granddaughter-in-law, Mr. Meng clapped his hands in delight and then praised Director Lin next to him, "Xiao Lin, you’re doing a great job. Well done, well done."

Director Lin chuckled.

The awards ceremony began with speeches from the leaders, followed by nominations and the award presentation.

Both Tian Xiang and Meng Cheng’an received the titles of outstanding departmental employees and model workers.

The two went on stage twice to receive their awards in front of all the factory employees.

Below the stage, people had nuanced expressions and clapped dully.

It was impossible for these two awards to be without favoritism, but it was unavoidable—after all, they had a good grandfather.

Because Mr. Meng was present, a handshake and photo session followed the awards ceremony.

Mr. Meng acted reasonably normal towards other winners, shaking hands and offering a word of compliment. But upon reaching Meng Cheng’an, he began to wipe tears, "AnAn..."

Those past days had been rough on his precious grandson.

Meng Cheng’an was quite speechless. Seeing this person staring at him with teary eyes, he reminded him, "It’s time for the next person."

Actually, he really didn’t want to receive this award and didn’t want to be the center of attention, but the factory insisted, putting him on the spot.

Mr. Meng snorted, calling him a brat who didn’t understand a grandfather’s feelings.

Mr. Meng then went up to Tian Xiang, "Xiangxiang, you need to keep him in check."

Tian Xiang gave an awkward smile.

After the award segment, next came the performances.

Tian Xiang and Meng Cheng’an’s act was scheduled for the middle.

Initially, everyone seeing the program list thought that Mr. Meng had forced his grandson and granddaughter-in-law into it again, but when the later program started, Tian Xiang went onstage, flipping through a series of somersaults, leaving everyone slack-jawed.

Impressive, impressive, very capable.

It wasn’t just flashy moves; she truly knew her stuff!

The audience couldn’t help but applaud spontaneously.

Mr. Meng, sitting below, chuckled, surprised to see that Xiangxiang had this talent, as heroic as any man!

From the side of the stage, Lu Feng watched the two on stage silently, feeling a surge of jealousy.

The two were already engaged; ultimately, she had become someone else’s.

Not long ago, he’d heard that the Tian Family disapproved, and the two were breaking up, so Lu Feng had eagerly anticipated getting more contact with Tian Xiang during the year-end awards ceremony, hoping to seize the opportunity.

But before he got his chance, Mr. Meng had already returned.

That day, the two families met and arranged the engagement matters.

On that day, Grandpa Meng went to the PR department to support Meng Cheng’an, and Lu Feng didn’t know why he felt a pang of fear, breaking out in a cold sweat.

Now that he thinks about it, starting that day, it seemed to indicate that he and Tian Xiang would likely never have a chance together.

He really did like Tian Xiang; even if she didn’t care for him, he still liked her.

She’s smart, competent—together, they could have a promising future.

Looking at the old man below surrounded by factory leaders, Lu Feng no longer had the courage to dig at their walls.