Chapter 43.3: “Don’t look at me with such lustful eyes.”

The meeting lasted all the way until four in the afternoon.

Tang Bing was clearly very satisfied. He personally walked Qian Heng and Cheng Yao to the company entrance and arranged a car for them. “I’ll have the driver take you both to the Intercontinental first. Our company is in the outskirts, and there aren’t any hotels nearby, so I booked a hotel for you in the city. I’ll be staying there tonight as well. There are still some matters I need to handle here, so you two can head to the hotel to rest first. In the evening, I’ll treat you both to dinner, and we can discuss the family trust matter then.”

Qian Heng remained as impeccably polished as ever. After shaking hands with Tang Bing, he led Cheng Yao into the car.

However, just ten minutes after the car pulled away, as Tang Bing’s figure finally disappeared from view, Qian Heng’s perfect, composed demeanor crumbled. He casually loosened his tie and leaned back against the seat, revealing a hint of fatigue. It was only then that Cheng Yao noticed—though his face was still undeniably handsome, it looked paler than usual.

“Boss, are you okay?”

Qian Heng pressed his lips together, furrowing his brows slightly as he waved a dismissive hand. His other hand, however, was pressed against his stomach.

That answered her question.

After hours of intense work on an empty stomach, it was clear that Qian Heng was not doing well.

Cheng Yao immediately grabbed his bag, hurriedly pulling out another chocolate bar. She unwrapped it and held it up to his lips. “Eat this, quickly!”

But Qian Heng merely turned his head away slightly. “Old problem, I’m fine.”

Just five words, spoken lightly. Yet, for some reason, Cheng Yao felt a pang in her chest.

They always said that successful lawyers often had stomach issues. Turns out, it was true.

How many times had Qian Heng skipped meals for work?

Cheng Yao had grown up in a middle-class family, but she had never truly experienced hunger. She knew she wouldn’t be able to endure something as grueling as skipping meals like this. And yet, someone like Qian Heng—born into immense wealth—had pushed through it all.

A person with an easy way out, someone who could have led a comfortable life, had to possess an incredible amount of determination and persistence to reach this level.

Qian Heng remained leaning against the seat, one hand lightly covering his eyes. From Cheng Yao’s angle, she could only see the bridge of his nose, his sharp yet slightly cold lips, and his Adam’s apple—pale, prominent, and subtly exuding masculinity. And further down…

Further down, she suddenly didn’t dare to look anymore. Feeling a little flustered, she quickly averted her gaze.

Fortunately, there wasn’t much traffic. Forty minutes later, the driver dropped them off at the Intercontinental.

Qian Heng still didn’t look great. He merely gave the driver a slight nod in acknowledgment before heading inside with Cheng Yao to check in.

“Tang Bing will probably contact you before dinner. If there are any arrangements, let me know.”

Their rooms were right next to each other. After giving Cheng Yao a few instructions, Qian Heng entered his room.

Though the short rest in the car had improved his complexion somewhat, his brows remained furrowed. Clearly, his stomach was still bothering him.

“Boss, do you want me to order something for you?”

“I can’t eat anything right now,” Qian Heng replied, his voice still carrying a trace of exhaustion. “We still have a meeting about the family trust tonight. Business trips are always this intense. You should go rest too.”

Cheng Yao nodded.

But even after returning to her own room, she couldn’t stop worrying.

Tang Bing would surely take them out for dinner later, and hotel cuisine was often heavy and oily—completely unsuitable for someone with Qian Heng’s stomach condition. Skipping a meal and then eating a large one afterward would likely just worsen his discomfort.

After some thought, Cheng Yao called the hotel’s dining service and ordered a bowl of stomach-soothing porridge for Qian Heng. She carefully specified the ingredients, repeatedly emphasizing that it should include Japonica rice, glutinous rice, red dates, and cooked beef tripe. If the hotel’s service hadn’t been so accommodating, she would’ve rolled up her sleeves and cooked it herself.

Luckily, the hotel was efficient. Before long, room service delivered the porridge in a thermal container to her room.

Without hesitating, Cheng Yao took it over to Qian Heng.

What she hadn’t expected was that Qian Heng had just finished showering.

When he opened the door, he was wearing only a bathrobe, his hair still damp with water droplets clinging to the strands. The robe was loosely tied, revealing glimpses of his toned abs as he moved.

Not an ounce of excess fat—just a lean layer of muscle.

Was it even legal for a senior partner to have a physique like this?! This was going too far!

“What is it?”

Cheng Yao’s gaze darted around as she stammered, “I… I… this… this…”

Qian Heng glanced at her flushed face, pursed his lips, and silently tightened his robe, pulling it securely closed until nothing was visible.

Only then did Cheng Yao regain some clarity. “I had the hotel prepare some stomach-soothing porridge for you.” She lifted the thermal container. “You should drink some.”

Qian Heng was briefly taken aback before turning his head away. Though his words remained succinct, there was a slight shift in his tone. “Alright.”

He took the container from her. “You can go now.”

A clear dismissal.

But a true lawyer never backed down in the face of authority!

Not only did Cheng Yao refuse to leave, but she also wedged a foot inside the door and slipped into his room.

“No way.” She stared straight at him. “I’m not leaving.”

Qian Heng raised an eyebrow, his expression hinting at an impending storm. “Cheng Yao, are you trying to cling to me?”

“Ah???”

Qian Heng averted his gaze, seeming a little unnatural. “Just because I accidentally glanced at you this morning, you’re now refusing to let go?”

Wait—what?!

What was he even talking about?!

Cheng Yao blinked in confusion before finally realizing what he meant.

Her entire face turned red. “I… I… that’s not… this…”

Qian Heng, however, had already regained his composure. He turned back to look at her, speaking in a calm and measured tone. “If you think just looking at you means I have to take responsibility, that’s impossible. But to be fair, you can look at me for a few seconds as compensation.”

As he spoke, he reached for his robe, as if about to loosen it. “I’ll give you five minutes. After that, we’ll be even. You can look, but no recording, no photos, and no electronic evidence—otherwise, I’ll sue you for invasion of privacy.”

He paused for a moment before adding, “You can look, but no touching.”

?????

Qian Heng! Could your brain please sync up with the rest of us normal people?!

Cheng Yao swiftly reached out and pressed down on Qian Heng’s hand before he could pull at his robe. She thought, This action should be clear enough about my intentions, right?!

I’m not here to latch onto you, okay?! And I’m definitely not here to stare at your pecs and abs, okay?!

Cheng Yao stared at Qian Heng, trying to convey her thoughts through her eyes—

I am a person of integrity! A person of impeccable morals! A person with refined taste! A person whose sense of propriety is even more refined than my taste! I! Am! Not! That! Kind! Of! Person!!!

Qian Heng was momentarily stunned, but his gaze toward Cheng Yao became even more complicated. “You want to do it yourself?”

“……”

Cheng Yao felt exhausted. Boss, if your thoughts get any more dangerous, I’m really going to call the police…

As she thought this, she instinctively looked past Qian Heng toward the telephone behind him.

But her silence caused Qian Heng’s expression to darken dramatically.

His face was grim as he spoke through clenched teeth. “Cheng Yao, don’t go too far.”

Cheng Yao was on the verge of tears. “What did I do now?!”

“Isn’t seeing my upper body enough? You actually want to see my lower body too?!” Qian Heng gritted his teeth. “Take back that pervy gaze you’re aiming at my lower body! I have two words for you— dream on !”

I’m not! I didn’t! Stop making things up!!!!

I was looking at the phone behind you! Not your—!