Chapter 54.2: “I need a girlfriend.”

Cheng Yao had just about finished organizing most of Qian Heng’s things when she got a sudden phone call from her parents.

“Yaoyao, we’re not coming over anymore,” her dad said. “I’ve gotta rush out and get my hair done, buy a couple of nice coats, maybe swap out this old bag. It’s really lost its flair.”

“Wait, what??”

Cheng Yao was stunned. Since when did her dad care about his looks or fashion?

“That archnemesis of mine—the one surnamed Qian! He’s coming to the class reunion tonight!” her dad growled. “I can’t lose to him on style! No way! I’ve got to completely outclass him in aura, taste, background, and appearance !”

“…?”

Okay then, Cheng Yao thought.

Good thing I’m not actually heartbroken over some love triangle, or the fact that my parents are prioritizing a fashion showdown over my emotional health would really make me cry.

Since her parents had canceled, Cheng Yao welcomed the sudden peace and quiet. She did feel guilty about wrecking Qian Heng’s blind date, though, and figured now was a good chance to smooth things over. So, filled with goodwill, she invited Qian Heng out for dinner.

“Boss, you free tonight?” she asked with her most sycophantic smile, rubbing her hands together like a suck-up. “Could I maybe treat you to a meal? You know, that Japanese place you wanted to try after our last business trip? I was thinking, since our cohabitation agreement is about to end, and I’ve spent a whole month basking in your professional aura—breathing the same air as you has been such an honor—I’d like to thank you with a farewell dinner?”

Maybe her tone of utter reverence finally softened Qian Heng, because this time, the stormy clouds on his face showed faint signs of clearing.

“Well, since you’re so grateful and inviting me so sincerely, I suppose I shouldn’t refuse,” he turned his head away, pretending to be all serious. “Alright. Let’s go to that place tonight.”

He still wore the same expression of “I’m graciously doing you a huge favor by letting you treat me to dinner,” but Cheng Yao was used to it by now. Cheerfully, she pulled out her phone to make a reservation on the app—but Qian Heng stopped her.

“I’ll make the reservation,” he said, coughing awkwardly. “I just… don’t have much to do right now. Bit bored.”

…Really?

Cheng Yao rolled her eyes internally.

Since when have you ever taken initiative like this? Oh right, only when someone else is footing the bill!

She consoled herself: Even if this dinner’s gonna burn a hole in her wallet, it was worth it to suck up to the boss and mend bridges properly.

***

The Japanese restaurant was called Yao, and by the time Qian Heng and Cheng Yao arrived, a long line had already formed outside for those without reservations.

Yao specialized in crab dishes, and the crabs looked genuinely high-quality. But what made Cheng Yao feel awkward was that the place seemed designed exclusively for couples. The menu was nothing but couple’s sets—practically oozing hostility toward single people.

And the private dining room? It was outright savage to singles. It had traditional Japanese tatami mats, a low dining table with just two seats, decorated like an intimate, romantic bedroom. The lighting was soft and ambiguous, the table centerpiece was a heart-themed ikebana arrangement, and the wall art… was something else entirely—classic Japanese shunga prints in full display, featuring all kinds of bold and acrobatic positions.

Every corner of the room screamed invitation. And suggestion.

Being stuck in such a space with her boss, Cheng Yao instantly felt all kinds of not great . But Qian Heng, on the other hand, was cool as ice. His noble, upright eyes seemed blind to the wall art, like some ascetic heir of a celibate martial arts sect.

Cheng Yao couldn’t resist opening Dianping, and nearly fainted when she saw the listing: Yao was ranked #4 on City A’s top couple’s restaurants list.

Qian Heng… was he blind?! Did he not see that ranking???

Was he so psychologically twisted from today’s failed blind date that he had to drag her into a place like this, just to highlight how desperate he was to find love? Or was he just… old and unaware, and didn’t realize what kind of restaurant this was?

…

Since the menu only had couple’s sets, they finished ordering quickly, and the massive, silent tatami room became a staring contest between the two of them.

“I didn’t know those pictures were on the wall.”

It was Qian Heng who broke the dead silence.

His voice sounded a little awkward, and his gaze was angled slightly to the side, resting on the tatami mat.

So the so-called unflinching Qian Heng had actually noticed the art with his peripheral vision…

Cheng Yao had the urge to grab his collar and shout, Brother, do you even KNOW this is a romantic-themed restaurant? DO YOU?!

Almost as if reading her mind, Qian Heng looked down at the table and muttered, “I booked it over the phone.”

Cheng Yao paused and finally caught on.

Ah… so that’s why. Because he called in the reservation instead of using Dianping, he hadn’t seen that this place was infamous for being a couple’s spot. Alright, fine, that’s forgivable.

Trying to steer the mood away from the awkwardness, Qian Heng asked stiffly, “Japanese food is usually light. After this, would you like to grab some dessert?”

Seems like his way of apologizing for the unintended trap, Cheng Yao thought. Not bad. Still some potential in this one.

“Godiva!”

If the boss is treating, you go for pricey , not sensible !

Qian Heng’s face twitched slightly, but he pretended to be calm. “Other than Godiva… anything else you like?”

Cheng Yao was just about to seize this rare opportunity to make outrageous demands when her phone rang at the worst possible moment.

She glanced down—it was Li Mengting.

Qian Heng’s face clearly fell at the interruption. He stared at Cheng Yao, his lashes unmoving, gaze focused and intense. Under that look, Cheng Yao felt like answering the phone now would be ruining the mood—almost a crime.

But it was Li Mengting calling! They hadn’t talked since that awkward goodbye, and Cheng Yao couldn’t help but worry. Had things been settled with Zhang Hao?

“She’s a friend… having issues with her husband,” Cheng Yao explained cautiously. “Might be urgent. Sorry, I need to take this call.”

***

Cheng Yao stepped outside the private room to answer the call.

“Yao Yao, I’m done for, I really don’t know what to do…”

As soon as the call connected, Li Mengting’s painful and hoarse voice reached Cheng Yao’s ears.

“What happened? Take your time and tell me.”

“I listened to your advice and went back to reflect on myself. I realized I was in the wrong, so I tried to make up with Haozi. But he absolutely refused, insisting on cutting ties completely, even asking me to abort the baby.” Li Mengting’s tone was filled with despair and rage. “That’s when I started feeling something was off. A few days ago, I asked an old friend to follow him, and I found out he’s been having an affair with a female colleague in his department! He lied to me, saying he was working late, but it was all a lie—he was actually out with her in hotels!”

Cheng Yao was also stunned: “How could this happen…”

On the other end of the phone, Li Mengting was crying, but Cheng Yao still felt in a daze. Could this be real? How could a relationship turn out like this?

“Now I understand why he suddenly became so considerate. I was so naive, thinking it was because I was pregnant, and he was starting to feel responsible as a father. But no, his consideration was all because of another woman! His change was entirely for that shameless mistress! His sudden concern for me was just out of guilt!”

“Don’t be angry, take it slow, I’m here,” Cheng Yao reassured.

Li Mengting seemed to calm down a little after hearing Cheng Yao’s words. She took a deep breath: “My old friend followed them and took photos of them together. I couldn’t take it anymore, so I sent the evidence to Zhang Hao and all the leaders and colleagues in the woman’s company, hoping to ruin their reputations.” Li Mengting let out a bitter laugh. “You know what happened next? This shameless mistress turned around and sued me! It’s a clear case of cheating, and she couldn’t argue about defamation, but she sued me for violating her privacy!” Li Mengting’s tone was filled with disbelief. “They were openly having an affair, being affectionate in public, and I, as a pregnant woman, couldn’t go out, so I hired someone to take the evidence and even wrote an authorization letter for them to gather the evidence for me. How is that a violation of privacy?”

“Well, you know that filming someone in this way for evidence of infidelity is considered an invasion of privacy,” Cheng Yao rubbed her temples. “Only you, as the spouse, have the right to collect evidence of an affair. If you hired an external party, then that’s an infringement. If you followed them in public places and took photos, then the evidence is valid and there’s no infringement.”

Li Mengting let out a dry laugh: “Yeah, I met an older classmate at the court, and he told me the same thing. So, this privacy case—this shameless mistress might win. After studying law for four years, I realized how different the theory in books is from real life. They’re two completely different worlds!”

“Cheng Yao, tell me, what is the law really protecting? Is it protecting people who are thick-skinned and have no morals? I’m pregnant and married, but I’m being cheated on and getting no protection. But the privacy rights of the woman who knowingly had an affair with Haozi while I’m pregnant, her privacy is being fully protected?”

Cheng Yao could hear strong wind sounds from Li Mengting’s side of the phone. Her voice sounded both sorrowful and muffled as she ranted about Zhang Hao’s faults and cursed the mistress.

Suddenly, Cheng Yao became alert: “Where are you? Are you drunk?”

“Heh.” Li Mengting hiccuped, “Anyway, my life is over. I’m sorry for these two kids. In my next life, I hope they won’t be my children. I’m such a useless mom.”

Cheng Yao’s heart sank. Li Mengting had lived a smooth-sailing life, never facing serious setbacks. Now, with her life falling apart, she was sounding like she might hurt herself.

“Li Mengting! Listen to me! Where are you? Send me your location! Hurry! Don’t think like that!”

“What’s the point? Haozi doesn’t want me or the kids anymore. What does it matter if I think like this…”

“Pull yourself together! If you die now, it will be exactly what Zhang Hao and that mistress want. They’ll marry without any obstacles. If you die today, ten years from now, that scum will have a successful career and a happy family, completely forgetting their past immoral behavior. The only ones who will remember are your parents, and they’ll be crying at your grave!”

Cheng Yao’s words were harsh, but they hit home. Li Mengting’s emotional walls broke down, and she began to cry. Finally, after Cheng Yao’s comforting, Li Mengting sent her the location.

Cheng Yao, fearing further delay, quickly returned to the private room, packing up her things while explaining to Qian Heng.

The food hadn’t arrived yet, and she, as the one who invited him, was about to leave, which was impolite and showed a lack of sincerity. But life was at stake, and Cheng Yao couldn’t worry about manners at this point.

Just as she was about to rush out of the room, Qian Heng stopped her.

“Let’s go together.”

Cheng Yao: ???

Qian Heng pressed his lips together and looked away. “Your friend is standing by Su Ling Lake right now. If you go, and she still wants to kill herself, can you stop her? What if she drags us into the lake? If you die, where will I find a fake girlfriend? My parents will broadcast my dating profile to the entire universe.”

“…”

“Alright, stop standing there, let’s go.”