Chapter 146: Chapter 146

"AnAn, why are you here?"

The woman, dressed in a loose long dress with a slightly protruding belly, smiled at Meng Cheng’an.

The moment Meng Cheng’an saw her, the smile on his face faded, and then he said, "Nothing much."

The woman was momentarily stunned, then asked with surprise, "Is Xiangxiang here? Where is she? Let me see her!"

Meng Cheng’an’s expression was distant, "She’s busy, don’t disturb her."

The woman awkwardly smiled and then nodded, "True, she’s going on stage tomorrow."

Meng Cheng’an: "What are you doing here?"

The woman smiled, "I came to pick up the performance list, and I’ll be leaving soon."

Meng Cheng’an nodded, ignoring her, and continued to keep his eyes on the stage ahead.

The woman followed his gaze.

On stage, a troupe of seven or eight men and women were rehearsing a program.

With so many people and in makeup, she couldn’t guess who Tian Xiang was.

The woman glanced at her stepson who no longer paid her attention and turned to leave.

On stage, after Tian Xiang finished a set of movements, she waited at the edge.

Taking the time, she also checked the situation below the stage.

The Meng Family’s stepmother had left.

Indeed, that person was Meng Cheng’an’s stepmother, with everything about her revealed on her forehead.

Unbelievable that Meng Cheng’an’s dad actually remarried, and that woman seems pregnant.

It was a bit far, so Tian Xiang didn’t see clearly.

But even if not now, it would happen sooner or later, after all, that woman was quite young, looking like she’s in her early thirties.

Calculating, Meng Cheng’an’s dad must be in his forties.

Well, he’s not too old, so remarriage is normal.

Just that Meng Cheng’an seemed cold and not too happy.

How could he be happy? Anyone in his position wouldn’t be.

Always raised by Grandpa, never enjoyed much fatherly love, it was a necessity due to circumstances in the past.

Now with no such issues, his father hastily reformed a family, who could be happy about that?

Rehearsals ended, Tian Xiang stepped off the stage, took the water handed by Meng Cheng’an, and asked him, "How did we perform just now?"

This person never says more than ’good,’ regardless of what you ask.

Tian Xiang: "Who are the people joining us for dinner tonight?"

Tonight’s plan was to have dinner with Grandpa Meng at a restaurant.

Meng Cheng’an: "Grandpa and Aunt."

"Just the two of them."

Judging by Meng Cheng’an’s demeanor, he didn’t want to bring up matters about his father’s side.

Tian Xiang didn’t press further, not wanting to upset him.

After the afternoon rehearsal was dismissed, Tian Xiang notified the leader, changed clothes, removed makeup, and went to the restaurant with Meng Cheng’an.

The hotel booked by the old man wasn’t far from there, just two bus stops away.

The two arrived early, sat down, and sipped some tea until Grandpa Meng and Aunt Meng arrived.

Mr. Meng was still as spirited as ever, laughing heartily upon seeing Tian Xiang.

This time, because Meng Cheng’an’s eldest aunt was abroad for work, only the younger aunt came.

The younger aunt of the Meng family, named Meng Zhi, was a great beauty. Thirty-eight or thirty-nine looking as if she were in her late twenties, without a wrinkle on her face. Dressed in a white cheongsam, she had a fantastic figure, exuding elegance.

She was also a new-age woman, unmarried at her age, working as a painter with a bit of reputation abroad.

When the family incident occurred, Meng Zhi was studying overseas, and subsequently didn’t return home. It wasn’t until the old man was reinstated late last year that she applied to return home.

Meng Zhi was quite enthusiastic towards Tian Xiang, even gifting her a painting and a cheongsam.

Seeing her classical charm, Tian Xiang thought she must have studied Chinese painting, but when she saw the painting, it turned out to be an oil painting, and it depicted the handsome Meng Cheng’an.

Meng Zhi even said, "You’re also beautiful, would you like Auntie to paint one for AnAn?"

"What’s there to forget, you both are already engaged. There’s no need to be shy. Tomorrow, have someone take a few photos, then I’ll keep one, paint it, and send it straight to you once it’s done."

Seeing Tian Xiang silent, Meng Zhi whispered, "Perhaps you want to paint something else, for example..."

Meng Zhi whispered something softly in Tian Xiang’s ear.

Tian Xiang nearly jumped up.

"That’s enough, a regular painting is fine."

Clearly someone who studied abroad, her forward-thinking was a bit hard for Tian Xiang to keep up with.

The meal lasted over an hour, filled with warmth and laughter.

Afterward, when they dispersed, Mr. Meng even asked if Tian Xiang wanted to stay at their home since the rooms were cleaned.

Tian Xiang declined, as there was a performance the next day and staying at the inn was more convenient.

The old man offered to have a driver take her there, but Tian Xiang refused again.

It was so close, taking the bus would be just fine.

Alright then, Xiangxiang is very considerate.

As Meng Cheng’an and Tian Xiang left, the old man stood at the restaurant entrance and began to sigh.

Meng Zhi: "Why the sigh, you’re going to get more wrinkles."

The old man glared at her, "Look at what you’re saying. You don’t know how to make this old man happy. You should learn from Xiangxiang, see how considerate she is. AnAn’s father didn’t come, and she didn’t ask anything; otherwise, I wouldn’t know what to say."

Meng Zhi: "It’s already a foregone conclusion, don’t overthink it."

Meng Cheng’an and Tian Xiang had already boarded the bus.

At night the bus wasn’t crowded and there were seats available.

With only two stops to go, they sat near the door.

Tian Xiang was still admiring the painting.

The young aunt’s painting was exquisite, capturing the handsome face and eyes vividly.

Meng Cheng’an asked quietly, "Is the painting better looking than me?"

Seeing his jealousy, Tian Xiang put the painting away.

Meng Cheng’an: "Are you full?"

So many dishes, most being meat, definitely full!

Tian Xiang: "Why do you ask?"

Meng Cheng’an checked the time, "It’s only past eight, do you want to take a walk when we get off the bus?"

He was reluctant to part.

She also wanted to spend more time with him.

Soon, they reached their stop.

They got off and instead of heading back to the inn, they continued walking slowly ahead.

It was early and being in the central area, the streets were busy with people, including couples on dates now and then.

On the bustling street, they felt too shy to hold hands and just chatted as they walked.

But as they continued, it gradually got darker. Tian Xiang looked around and found Meng Cheng’an had led her to the side of a building.

Meng Cheng’an: "This is the city library, lots of people during the day."

But as it wasn’t near any malls or residential areas, it was deserted at night.

Tian Xiang: "It’s closed."

Tian Xiang: "Maybe if there’s time tomorrow we can come."

Thinking he wanted to bring her to the library, before she could finish, Cheng’an suddenly kissed her.

Looking up to see his somewhat evasive glance, Tian Xiang looked around for anyone and then wrapped her arms around his neck.

A kiss worked wonders, with all embarrassment gone, they became a couple in love again.

Returning to the inn again, it was already past nine.

The team leader urged Tian Xiang to quickly wash up and rest. They needed to get up early as the performance wasn’t in the vicinity; they’d have to travel there.

Meng Cheng’an: "Then I’ll be leaving."

"Yeah. You should rest early too."

Meng Cheng’an also had to get up early the next day since there was a celebration at his school, and he would come to see her performance in the afternoon.