Imperial Capital Airport, VIP lounge.
Su Chen looked around with a sense of novelty.
'I've always heard people online talking about how great this or that airport is, and how you can even shower and sleep in the VIP lounges. I thought they were just bragging, but it turns out to be true!'
Aside from the staff, there were only four or five other people in the entire VIP lounge, all of them dressed like business elites.
"Mr. Su~" a somewhat familiar voice called out from nearby.
Su Chen looked up and saw a man in a black face mask and sunglasses walking quickly toward him.
The mask and sunglasses completely obscured his face, so Su Chen didn't recognize him at first.
When the man reached Su Chen's side, he considerately took off his mask and sunglasses.
"Oh, it's you, Brother Chao!" The man was Deng Chao, whom he had met once before at the Bazaar Charity Night.
"I didn't expect to run into you here, Mr. Su. Such a coincidence. Where are you headed?" Deng Chao said, sitting down on the sofa next to Su Chen.
"Back to Shanghai. I was planning to hang around the Imperial Capital for a couple of days, but something came up at home that I need to take care of. And you? Where are you off to?"
A smile spread across Deng Chao's face. "What a coincidence! I'm going to Shanghai too!" As he spoke, he took out his plane ticket and held it up for Su Chen to see.
Seeing the time and seat number on the boarding pass, Su Chen let out a surprised "Huh?"
"It really is a coincidence. Not only are we on the same flight, but our seats are right next to each other, one in front of the other."
"You're by yourself?" Su Chen then noticed a small suitcase next to Deng Chao. 'Shouldn't a celebrity like him have at least an assistant or someone with him when he travels?'
Deng Chao froze for a moment, not immediately understanding what Su Chen meant.
Su Chen saw the bewildered look on Deng Chao's face and teased, "A big star like you travels without an assistant or bodyguards?"
"I'm not one of those traffic stars who travels with a whole entourage of bodyguards and assistants. As long as I'm not in a rush, I usually travel alone."
Su Chen gave Deng Chao a slightly surprised look but didn't say anything more.
The two of them sat and chatted, with Deng Chao sharing some interesting stories from his film shoots.
He also learned that Deng Chao was heading to Shanghai to do a promotional roadshow for his movie *The Dead End*, which had just been released two days ago.
He even specially invited Su Chen to come see the roadshow, but after some thought, Su Chen declined his kind offer.
After all, roadshows were mostly attended by film critics, reporters, and fans. Very few people were there to seriously watch the movie, so he wouldn't be able to enjoy the film itself.
Although he turned down Deng Chao's movie invitation, they did agree to grab a meal together after he was done with his roadshow.
"DING DONG~ Flight CZ8879 to Shanghai is now boarding..."
Hearing the announcement, the VIP lounge staff led Su Chen and the other VIPs toward the priority boarding lane.
They didn't have to wait long on the plane. It took off after about half an hour.
Mid-flight, Su Chen had his first-ever airplane meal. What to say about it... it was actually quite good. At least, it was better than the fast food on trains.
By the time they landed at Shanghai Airport, it was already one-thirty in the afternoon. Su Chen was still a bit groggy as he deplaned.
「At the airport exit!」
Su Chen and Deng Chao were standing in front of a GL8 van.
"Mr. Su, where are you staying? Do you need me to give you a lift?" Deng Chao asked tentatively.
"No need, my ride is here." Su Chen had already spotted Secretary Li getting out of a Rolls-Royce.
Deng Chao followed Su Chen's gaze and saw the Rolls-Royce. His lip twitched, and he cursed himself internally, 'How could I have even asked that? Of course a man with Mr. Su's background would have someone picking him up.'
"I'm heading out. Remember to call me tonight!"
Su Chen made a phone gesture with his right hand and got into the Rolls-Royce under Deng Chao's envious gaze.
Only after watching the Rolls-Royce drive away did Deng Chao get into the GL8 that was there to pick him up.
-----------------
「Back at Jinmao Mansion.」 Su Chen didn't stop by the Louis Vuitton headquarters, instead driving his own Aston Martin straight home.
As soon as he walked in the door, he saw Su Qingya and Chen Mengyan sitting on the living room sofa, drinking afternoon tea and chatting.
"Brother~ you're back?"
Looking at the variety of fruits, small cakes, and coffee on the table, Su Chen couldn't help but sigh. Women really know how to enjoy life.
"You two are living quite comfortably, aren't you!" Su Chen said as he sat down on the sofa and picked up a piece of cake to eat.
Su Qingya didn't think anything of his comment; she was naturally a bit of a scatterbrain. Seeing Su Chen eating a small cake, she grabbed one and started eating too.
Chen Mengyan, on the other hand, paled. She thought Su Chen's words were a hint... 'Have I forgotten my place, daring to enjoy afternoon tea so brazenly at home?'
"Mr. Su, I..." Chen Mengyan bit her pink lip, looking at Su Chen nervously.
Su Chen glanced at the standing Chen Mengyan and said irritably, "What are you still standing for? Didn't you see that the little glutton is about to eat all the cakes!"
"Ah~" Chen Mengyan had been prepared for a scolding; who knew this would be his reaction.
'So I was just overthinking things.'
In a short while, half of the fruits and cakes on the table were gone.
Su Chen was starting to feel full.
"Come with me to the study." Su Chen patted Chen Mengyan's thigh, then got up and walked toward the study upstairs.
"Okay, Mr. Su!" Chen Mengyan's pretty face turned slightly crimson, as if she had thought of something.
Only Su Qingya remained, completely oblivious, casually eating fruit and humming a tune.
Chen Mengyan entered the study and saw Su Chen sitting casually in the chair. Her eyebrows arched slightly. She turned, locked the study door from the inside, and then walked toward him.
Su Chen was just about to speak when he saw Chen Mengyan kneel before him.
"Hm?"
"Ah~"
Su Chen leaned back in his chair, his eyes slightly closed, letting out soft murmurs from time to time.
Ten minutes later, after Su Chen let out a muffled groan, Chen Mengyan finally lifted her head and shot him a reproachful glance.
"Go clean yourself up. I have something important to talk to you about," Su Chen said with a smile, patting her head.
"Mhm," Chen Mengyan hummed in agreement, her face red as she rubbed her cheeks. She then got up and left the study.
Watching Chen Mengyan's somewhat disheveled state, a look of satisfaction appeared on his face.
He had to admit, what Chen Mengyan just did made him feel like he was floating on a cloud...
"So good."
Chen Mengyan returned quickly, having tidied her messy hair.
"Mr. Su..."
The words had barely left Chen Mengyan's mouth before Su Chen pulled her into his arms.
"Ah~ The door isn't closed..." Chen Mengyan said shyly, thinking Su Chen wanted more.
"Mengyan~ which university did you graduate from? What did you major in?"
"I... I graduated from Shanghai University. Econ... Manag...ement~" Feeling a large hand roaming over her body, Chen Mengyan's speech became faltering.
After hearing her answer, Su Chen was silent for a long time before speaking. "I want to send you to Gaul for further studies."
"Further studies?!"