With Father Li and Mother Li there to take care of Li Mengting, Cheng Yao felt much more relieved. She threw herself back into work, carefully organizing the list of joint property between Li Mengting and Zhang Hao, and began figuring out ways to gather evidence of Zhang Hao’s affair.
As for the farewell dinner with Qian Heng, after missing it that day, they somehow never managed to reschedule. Either Cheng Yao’s client had an emergency, or Qian Heng was away on a business trip.
By Friday night, Cheng Yao had helped Qian Heng pack most of his luggage. As she watched him load it into his Bentley, ready to see him off as he moved back to his villa and they officially ended their cohabitation, they still hadn’t eaten that farewell dinner.
“How about we do it after your birthday, boss?” Cheng Yao rubbed her hands together in the cold wind. “To show my sincerity, I’m willing to go Dutch.”
Unfortunately, Qian Heng showed no appreciation for her gesture. He said expressionlessly, “No need.”
Cheng Yao was quite persistent: “Don’t be polite! As tenants, we’re equals—there’s no reason it has to be your treat.”
“The restaurant I chose has a per-person average of three thousand.”
That single sentence made Cheng Yao shut up immediately.
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“Ubldt Zys, yal usw alyeu? El’zz nsxl rknj usw wr yv vball.”
Tan Ying was already urging her on the phone: “Bao Rui’s driving to get me first, then we’ll swing by your place on the way. Hurry and get ready—Wu Par said we’re doing BBQ in Qian Par’s backyard this afternoon. We bought a ton of ingredients.”
The three of them soon successfully met up. Normally, Qian Heng kept his work and private life very separate, so everyone was extremely curious about his legendary mansion. They chattered excitedly the whole way until they arrived at the upscale villa community.
The neighborhood Qian Heng chose was quietly nestled in the bustle—extremely valuable yet hidden among greenery, luxurious in a low-key way, backed by mountains and encircled by water. From a feng shui perspective, it was excellent too.
When Bao Rui saw the gate of Qian Heng’s villa, his eyes nearly welled up: “Ah, I want to live in a house like this so badly…”
Not long after he rang the doorbell, Qian Heng came to open the door himself, dressed in casual home clothes.
“Qian… Qian Par is opening the door for me in person?” Bao Rui was thrilled. “Thank you, Qian Par.”
“If it’s not me opening the door for you, who else would it be?”
“I thought it would be the butler.”
Qian Heng rubbed his forehead: “Bao Rui, do you imagine that from my front gate to the house takes half an hour by car, with two rows of maids and butlers bowing as I enter, and the butler calling me ‘Young Master’?”
Bao Rui was stunned: “It seems poverty has limited my imagination.”
Qian Heng glared at him: “Wake up. Poverty hasn’t limited your imagination—it’s made you imagine a bit too much.”
“…”
“Come in. Wu Jun and the others are already in the backyard.”
For some reason, Qian Heng had been acting as if he couldn’t see Cheng Yao at all—from the moment they arrived until now. He had even nodded at Tan Ying, but toward Cheng Yao, he seemed deliberately blind.
Cheng Yao was utterly confused inside. What had she done to offend him again? Was her outfit not matching the vibe of his villa? No way—this lace little black dress wasn’t cheap! It was from an American light-luxury brand, after all! Autumn this year had been too short; the temperature dropped suddenly, and she’d heard it might even snow in a few days. Cheng Yao had thought that if she didn’t wear the dress she’d bought this year at least once, it would go straight to next year and become “last season’s” without ever being worn. That’s why she specially took it out today—who gets a chance to wear something like this when work requires formal suits every day?
Qian Heng’s yard was huge and impeccably planned. The lawn and floral arrangements were stunning—clearly designed by professionals and maintained by dedicated staff. As Cheng Yao walked, she sighed in admiration, feeling that poverty really had limited her imagination.
For someone like Qian Heng who lived in such a grand villa, it was understandable that he looked down on their usual rental apartment. In comparison, the place they had shared did seem a bit of an eyesore.
When Cheng Yao left the house in her little black dress, she had thrown on a light jacket. She hadn’t expected today’s temperature to be this low. Everyone was enthusiastically barbecuing and chatting in Qian Heng’s yard, so she couldn’t just wander off alone into the main house.
Thus, Cheng Yao could only huddle in her jacket, shivering beside the grill, practically rubbing her hands together for warmth.
“Cheng Yao.”
“Huh?”
The Qian Heng who hadn’t even spared her a proper glance earlier actually lifted his head and called her name.
Following his gaze, Cheng Yao saw him frowning slightly, pressing his lips together: “Come with me to my study for a moment.”
“Um?”
“I just remembered there’s a client’s prenuptial agreement that needs revisions—it’s a bit urgent. Come help me amend it.”
WTF?!
Cheng Yao thought: Didn’t we agree today was for your birthday party? Why is it always me who gets hurt? Why can everyone else enjoy the BBQ while I have to go revise contracts?!
Qian Heng gave her a cold glance: “Do you have a problem with that?”
Cheng Yao held it in: “No.”
She looked longingly at the grill—she hadn’t even eaten a few bites yet—and now she had to go on mandated overtime.
However, though she lost her chance at good food, revising contracts had its perks. The study was nicely heated. As soon as Cheng Yao entered, she felt her nearly frozen hands and feet slowly thaw and come back to life.
Qian Heng settled her in, said not a word, and left just like that—ruthlessly.
Cheng Yao grumbled as she changed two lines in the prenuptial agreement. Only then did he return with a stern face, this time carrying a pile of snacks.
“Since you’re stuck working overtime and can’t join them for the BBQ, I’m giving you some snacks as compensation.” Qian Heng turned his gaze away, still not looking at her.
After saying that, he left again, expressionless.
Once the boss was gone, Cheng Yao relaxed. She nervously approached the pile of snacks, terrified it would be something like cilantro chocolate or Lao Gan Ma ice cream again. But after a glance, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
This time, everything Qian Heng brought was genuinely sweet and normal treats. She casually grabbed a bag of “Potato Chip Trio” and started munching while reviewing the agreement.
After finishing the Potato Chip Trio, she moved on to rainbow candy.
After the rainbow candy, some crab roe-flavored broad beans sounded good…
Only after eating for a while did Cheng Yao realize something. She rummaged through the big pile of snacks and discovered they were exactly the same as the ones Qian Heng had bought for her at the supermarket after the Bai Xingmeng case last time.
It seemed Qian Heng really liked the snacks she had recommended last time! Cheng Yao felt a little proud as she ate. Look at that—her taste was so good that even Qian Heng couldn’t help but approve.
But just as she started on the “Long Nose King” candy, Qian Heng pushed open the study door once more and walked in with a tense face.
This time, after coming in, he didn’t say anything. He simply found a sofa directly facing the desk, sat down as if no one else was there, pulled a book on jurisprudence from the bookshelf, and casually flipped through it.
Wait… wait a second…
No matter how you looked at it, this posture suggested he planned to stay in the study the whole time?
Though Qian Heng wasn’t looking at her either… for some reason, Cheng Yao felt a bit nervous being alone with him in the quiet study. She glanced around the unfamiliar, minimalist, Scandinavian-style room and concluded—it was probably because she wasn’t on her home turf!
“Boss, everyone’s down there barbecuing. Why don’t you go join them too?” Cheng Yao grinned fawningly, full of flattery. “It’s my honor to work overtime alone in your study. You don’t have to feel bad and insist on suffering with me by staying here. I’m fine!”
Unfortunately, Qian Heng didn’t even lift his head: “Don’t overthink it.” His voice carried the usual sense of distance, but his movements seemed a little unnatural. “There are a lot of confidential documents in my study. I don’t feel comfortable leaving you here alone, so I’m sitting here to supervise you.”
“…”
Really…
Cheng Yao thought: Does Qian Heng administer his poison this blatantly? What boldness from sheer skill. It was truly a miracle of biological history that he hadn’t been beaten to death after all these years!
She was about to huffily continue reviewing the agreement when, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed something on Qian Heng…
“Boss, your book is upside down.”
Even though she knew he wasn’t actually intending to read—it was just something to do while supervising her—holding the book completely upside down was a bit too half-hearted, wasn’t it?
Qian Heng had apparently been caught. His ears actually turned red from embarrassment. Yet when he spoke, he was still unforgiving—
“Focus on revising the prenuptial agreement. Stop looking around!”
“…”
Qian Heng’s study faced south with northern exposure, so the afternoon sunlight was wonderful—warm and cozy as it spilled over everything. Perhaps the heating was too strong, or maybe it was because Cheng Yao had just gorged on a pile of sweets, sending blood rushing to her stomach for digestion and leaving her brain oxygen-deprived. Combined with her poor sleep the night before, as she revised the agreement, her head slowly drooped onto the desk…
When she woke up, the sky outside the window had already darkened.
Cheng Yao lifted the blanket and climbed out of bed. Wait—she suddenly froze. Hadn’t she been in the study? How did she end up in a bed? Where was this?
That jolt fully woke her brain. Looking around, she realized it was a completely unfamiliar bedroom. Naturally, the decor remained consistently Nordic minimalist—full of natural wood and solid colors, simple and rustic yet not monotonous, clearly reflecting the owner’s refined taste.
This must be a guest room in Qian Heng’s villa… it had to be a guest room!
Cheng Yao silently repeated that to herself several times. But when she turned her head and saw the coat hanging on the rack, she knew her prayers had gone unanswered.
That coat was the one Qian Heng had worn just a few days ago—the one he’d taken when moving out of their rental apartment.
Without a doubt, she had truly ended up lying in Qian Heng’s room… on Qian Heng’s bed…
Just as Cheng Yao was plunged into despair and chaos, the door was gently pushed open. Qian Heng saw that she was awake, showed no surprise, and merely glanced at her: “Since you’re awake, get up from my bed.”
Cheng Yao was about to explain that she had no idea how she’d gotten there when Qian Heng preempted her—
“You sleepwalked here yourself after falling asleep. It wasn’t me carrying you over because I saw you sleeping uncomfortably.”
Qian Heng’s expression was a bit unnatural, but his tone was confidently righteous and indignant, leaving Cheng Yao no room to doubt the truth of his words or question his suspiciously over-defensive clarification.
Having just woken up and still groggy, Cheng Yao could only vaguely think that she must have been too exhausted from lack of sleep last night. Lately, with taking on Li Mengting’s case and worrying about messing it up, she’d been under real pressure. It seemed too much stress really wasn’t good—if it could cause her to sleepwalk like this…
Sleepwalking straight into someone else’s bedroom in their own home was extremely rude, even if it was involuntary.
Cheng Yao apologized profusely with an embarrassed smile. Fortunately, she hadn’t come empty-handed today. After thinking it over, she decided to give him the birthday gift she’d prepared a bit early.
“Um, boss, wait just a moment!”
Cheng Yao quickly dashed downstairs, grabbed her gift box, and hurried back up: “Bao Rui and the others said the gift-giving part is later, but… um, since I just slept in your bed, to express my apology, I want to give you the gift privately first!” Cheng Yao handed over the box. “This is something I specially prepared for you! The gift inside represents my heartfelt wishes! Happy birthday!”
Qian Heng was a bit surprised by this turn of events, but he quickly regained his composure, accepted the gift, and placed it in the study.
Though his face still showed no particular expression, perhaps because he had received a gift, Qian Heng seemed to be in a good mood.
“Qian Par! Qian Par?! Where are you? Come play Dou Di Zhu with us!”
“Qian Heng, where’d you go?”
Just then, Bao Rui and Wu Jun’s voices came from downstairs. Qian Heng glanced at Cheng Yao: “I’ll head down first.”
“Okay, okay!”
“You don’t come down yet.”
“Huh?”
“Wait ten minutes before coming down.”
“Ah.”
Qian Heng pressed his lips together: “When you come down, be careful—don’t let anyone see you.”
“If someone does see you, just say you were looking for the bathroom.”
“…”
“Got it?”
“Um… got it…”
Is it really necessary? Cheng Yao thought. Neither of us has anything to hide—we’re completely above board. Why worry about people gossiping if we go down together? Besides, with your authoritarian style, who would dare gossip? You could just ruthlessly suppress it…
After saying that, Qian Heng turned and prepared to head downstairs.
“Thank you.”
Only as he walked away did Cheng Yao hear his slightly lowered voice once more.
Only after Qian Heng’s figure completely disappeared at the staircase did Cheng Yao realize—that had been a thank you for her gift.
By the time Cheng Yao went downstairs, the gift-giving segment was already underway. The atmosphere was lively—the kind of bustling scene Bao Rui loved most. He was single-handedly hyping up the crowd, everyone’s spirits high, laughing and chatting noisily. So when Cheng Yao came down, no one noticed her at all.
Well, almost no one. Only Qian Heng, though surrounded by the crowd, actually deigned to glance at her once.
Though for some reason, after that one glance, he immediately turned his head away…
But Cheng Yao soon stopped caring, because for a birthday party at the villa, Wu Jun had thoughtfully arranged everything. For the evening catering, he had invited his chef friend to take charge, while the desserts were directly ordered from a classic French patisserie’s delivery service. Once the desserts arrived, Cheng Yao completely lost control. She sat off to the side and began devouring them with gusto.
Since most people at the firm were young, dinner was casual and very Western—individual portions. The chef prepared dish after dish, placing them on the dining table for anyone to help themselves.
Everyone was usually busy and stressed with cases, so this rare relaxation had them all letting loose. After the gifts were given, Bao Rui grabbed Qian Heng’s PS4 and started playing VR games. Tan Ying huddled with a few female colleagues gossiping about relationships. The male colleagues dragged Qian Heng into a card game, while Cheng Yao squeezed in next to Tan Ying, listening to gossip all day while eating desserts.
While Cheng Yao was single-mindedly indulging in desserts, Qian Heng was playing cards somewhat absentmindedly.
Because he wasn’t focused, he lost spectacularly—one round after another. Wu Jun, playing with him, was thrilled, winning hand after hand.
Qian Heng didn’t know what was wrong with himself. It seemed like since that afternoon, his concentration had been off. He thought about it carefully and decided it was still Cheng Yao’s fault.
It was just a birthday party—did she really need to dress so skimpily? Sure, the lace black dress looked pretty good, but during the outdoor barbecue in the yard, she was shivering like a little quail. If someone who didn’t know her saw it, they might think the poor young girl had Parkinson’s at such a young age.
And for his birthday party, he’d only invited colleagues from the firm plus a few of Wu Jun’s friends from other firms—all from the legal circle, people who saw each other all the time. What was new about that? Who was she showing off her figure to by wearing something so form-fitting? Lawyers, lawyers—they should maintain decorum at all times. Wearing a black lace dress—what kind of propriety was that? If others saw it, wouldn’t they think Jun Heng’s lawyers lacked professional standards?
Qian Heng thought it over and decided that, for the firm’s sustainable future development, he couldn’t tolerate this kind of dressing style. Even outside work hours, when meeting people from the legal circle, one should pay attention to attire.
No time like the present—he immediately called over Sister Zhu from admin.
“Schedule a lawyer etiquette and dress code training for next week.”
Sister Zhu: “We haven’t had any new hires recently???”
Qian Heng frowned: “Some trainings should be reinforced periodically.”
“…”
Unfortunately, even after arranging the etiquette and dress code training, Qian Heng glanced at Cheng Yao huddled up in the yard and still found it a bit of an eyesore.
Dressed so lightly—if she caught a cold and spread it to everyone else at Jun Heng, what then? Would the firm even stay open?
Without thinking, Qian Heng called Cheng Yao over.
Unfortunately, only after getting her to the study did Qian Heng suddenly realize he didn’t actually have any urgent overtime work for her. Fortunately, he improvised by randomly downloading a prenuptial agreement full of loopholes from the internet and tossing it to Cheng Yao to revise.
But for some reason, Cheng Yao fell asleep while revising it. Just sleeping like that in the study—if she woke up with a strained neck or shoulder, wouldn’t she try to blame it on him again?
Helpless, Qian Heng had no choice but to reluctantly carry Cheng Yao and dump her in his own bedroom.
He had only moved back to the villa last night, and the guest rooms hadn’t been cleaned in a month—they were far too dirty and messy. Only his own bedroom was habitable. Qian Heng tossed Cheng Yao onto the bed, thinking nobly and aloofly to himself: She’s really getting a bargain here.
Fortunately, Cheng Yao was somewhat grateful. As soon as she woke up, she “offered tribute” in the form of her gift. Looking at that large, beautifully wrapped box, Qian Heng finally felt his inner irritation subside just a little.
Yet Cheng Yao was still obliviously parading in front of him—nibbling on a mousse cake one moment, a piece of chocolate the next. She really did love sweets. Thinking no one was paying attention, she polished off more than a dozen macarons in one go.
For some reason, every glance at Cheng Yao added a bit more irritation to Qian Heng’s heart. To calm himself, he decided to pretend she didn’t exist.
But in the end, he still cared a little.
Halfway through playing cards with Wu Jun, the phone in the study rang. Qian Heng got up to answer it upstairs, and inadvertently caught sight of Cheng Yao’s gift box.
After hanging up, Qian Heng stared at the gift in silence for a while, deciding he should inspect Cheng Yao’s “heartfelt intentions.”
He picked up the box and prepared to unwrap it, feeling a subtle, inexplicable nervousness—a tiny bit of anticipation.
After removing the wrapping paper and opening the box, Qian Heng’s mood balanced out a little.
His assistant lawyer had finally learned what kind of gift was worthy of his standards. At least from the box’s quality, it was very grand and tasteful.
However, when Qian Heng fully opened the gift box, he completely exploded.
What the hell is this????
The first thing that caught his eye was a glaring sea of red, along with large heart motifs everywhere. As soon as the box was opened, vivid red rose petals came into view. The design was incredibly clever—a box within a box. Pulling open the outer layer caused the rose petals to cascade like an hourglass into the inner box, eventually pooling into the shape of a heart.
And inside that inner box lay the gifts.
A bottle of 1982 Lafite Rothschild, and an entire box…
An entire box of condoms!
Qian Heng’s brows furrowed tightly. He was utterly shocked. A 1982 Lafite—even from the least prestigious chateau—would cost fifty or sixty thousand. He hadn’t expected Cheng Yao to spend so much just for his birthday gift. But that box of condoms completely threw him into confusion…
What was that supposed to mean???
Fortunately, his sharp eyes spotted a card among the rose petals gathered into a heart shape.
But the contents of the card shattered Qian Heng’s worldview once again—
“Dear, I want to have your baby!”
He stared fixedly at the card, no longer knowing how to describe the feelings in his heart.
Everything was chaotic, yet everything seemed to have traces leading up to it…
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