Chapter 68: “Mom, this is my girlfriend, Cheng Yao.”

Tonight Qian Heng felt like Cheng Yao was going to drive him to death from sheer frustration.

He should have driven a big circle back to his own villa, calmed down properly, taken a shower, and gone to sleep.

In the end, however, action preceded thought. At the intersection still fifteen minutes from home, Qian Heng made a turn and headed straight for Wu Jun’s place.

Wu Jun preferred the large flat in a hotel-style apartment building. It wasn’t as quiet as a villa, but it felt more modern, with livelier surroundings and convenient shopping and entertainment.

When he opened the door and saw Qian Heng, his face was filled with undisguised surprise. “What’s wrong?”

Qian Heng walked in familiarly and sat down on the sofa. “Oh, I happened to be passing by and remembered a case I wanted to discuss with you.”

…

The case was a family insurance dispute Qian Heng had recently taken on. He discussed it half-heartedly with Wu Jun. Just as Wu Jun was preparing to take it seriously and dig in, Qian Heng changed the subject—

“Oh, there’s something else I wanted to ask you about.”

“Hm? What about?”

Qian Heng pressed his lips together and avoided Wu Jun’s gaze. “About relationships.”

Wu Jun immediately grew interested. “Oh? You’ve got a situation?”

Qian Heng glared at him. “Not me. A friend of mine.”

Wu Jun smiled meaningfully. “Oh, a friend of yours.”

Qian Heng couldn’t be bothered to engage. He cleared his throat. “This friend of mine has recently run into some emotional trouble. He came to ask me, but I’m not particularly skilled in this area, so I thought someone with richer experience like you would be better able to answer.”

Wu Jun smiled amiably. “What specific confusion has your friend encountered?”

“He received a passionate confession from a woman. This woman still has frequent contact with him at work.”

Wu Jun guided him patiently. “If he doesn’t like her, he can just refuse. Even if there’s work contact, we men should stay true to our own hearts. And you… your friend, according to the rule that like attracts like, should also be like you and wouldn’t force himself for the sake of work, right?”

“Mm.” Qian Heng nodded. “He didn’t agree. He used subtle hints to refuse her, then cold-processed the matter.”

“And then?”

“And then this woman actually just gave up like that.” At this point Qian Heng couldn’t help grinding his teeth a little. He forced himself to speak calmly. “So I… this friend felt that her sincerity was quite genuine. After thinking it over, he felt it wasn’t impossible to try. But before a few days had even passed, this woman changed her mind. She stopped mentioning her earlier confession entirely. She even claimed she was devoted to work and had no interest in romance. Completely two different faces.”

Wu Jun stroked his chin. “After the other party confessed, did you give her any hints that trying it out was also possible?”

“…”

Qian Heng had to emphasize again, “It’s a friend of mine.”

Wu Jun said without sincerity, “Oh, I mean your friend.”

Qian Heng said primly, “This friend of mine did give some hints.”

“Then that means you… your friend’s hints weren’t obvious enough. Girls, at the moment they take the initiative to confess, have already used up all their courage. They’re actually not that brave. Their faces are still very thin, and they’re very sensitive. After she confessed, you… your friend ignored her, cold-processed it, or even carried a faint air of rejection. Then she would feel that nothing is more tragic than a dead heart. Maybe in just one day the other party’s emotions have already ridden a roller coaster a hundred times. The initial enthusiasm has all been cooled away, and then she starts regretting her confession…”

Hearing this, Qian Heng couldn’t help raising his voice in a cold snort. “Regret? What does she have to regret?”

Wu Jun blinked. “Because she would feel very awkward, lose face, and suffer damage to her self-esteem.”

“So?”

“So when it comes to pursuing someone, it should still be us men who take the initiative.” Wu Jun said. “Especially since you… your friend has already thought about it this far—that means he already likes and cares about the other person. Since he likes her, don’t miss out. Just go for it!”

Care about Cheng Yao? Like Cheng Yao?

Qian Heng fell silent.

Although he had always been escaping and unwilling to think about this question, now that Wu Jun had pointed it out to his face, he finally had no choice but to face his own heart a little.

When he received Cheng Yao’s bold gift, although he had been shocked, afterward he truly hadn’t been displeased. Not only had he not been displeased—there had even been the slightest trace of pleasure.

Only—

“No.”

Wu Jun looked a bit puzzled. “Hm?”

Qian Heng pressed his lips tightly together. “This friend of mine doesn’t chase people. That’s a principle. He’s a man with bottom lines. Chasing someone doesn’t match his style.”

Wu Jun looked at Qian Heng deeply, then said meaningfully, “Then at the very least you need to give clearer hints, throw out an olive branch she can understand better, and then let her keep trying and continue chasing you… your friend!”

Qian Heng hummed in acknowledgment and sank into thought.

“Then you need to increase opportunities for the two of them to interact intimately. Through contact, let her discover that she is indeed still hopelessly drawn to you… your friend. Of course, in the middle of that, you… your friend also needs to tease her a little, make her feel that there’s goodwill toward her as well. That way, if she takes the initiative to chase you… your friend, she’ll still have a good chance of succeeding. Then your friend can enjoy the results without breaking his own principles.”

The brows that had been furrowed on Qian Heng’s face relaxed slightly. He glanced at Wu Jun. “Seems to make some sense. I’ll pass it on to my friend.”

Wu Jun offered friendly advice. “Since it’s someone with work contact, I suggest the intimate interactions also break free from the usual work mode. Make it fresher, more impactful, more ambiguous!”

“Mm.”

“But a girl who has already confessed once may not have the courage to confess a second time. So when the atmosphere is about right, you… your friend can tell her that you’ve reluctantly accepted her confession. That’ll do it!”

Qian Heng nodded. “Not bad.”

Since Qian Heng’s… friend’s emotional troubles had been resolved, it was time to solve his own. Wu Jun scratched his head. “Qian Heng, I’ve also run into some difficulties in relationships recently. The girl I like was hurt in the past, and now she’s very resistant…”

Before Wu Jun could finish, Qian Heng glanced at his watch, then stood up smoothly and said without sincerity, “Oh, it’s getting late. I still have some things to do. I’ll head out first.”

“…”

Wu Jun watched in stunned silence as Qian Heng walked out of his home with perfect composure and complete self-righteousness.

Where was the friendship? What happened to the friendship?

So he was just free emotional counseling?! And did he even say thank you?! No! He didn’t at all!

Wu Jun thought about his current emotional predicament, then thought about Qian Heng who had pulled out after using him like a scumbag, and wanted to go cry on his own bed for a while.

When Cheng Yao arrived at Junheng the next day, she saw Wu Jun sneaking around asking questions.

“Do any of you know who recently confessed to your Qian Par?”

Tan Ying said she didn’t know. Bao Rui was also completely baffled. After asking around the entire circle, Wu Jun was deeply disappointed. He was very dissatisfied with the firm’s gossip atmosphere and could only leave helplessly.

The moment Wu Jun left, Qian Heng made an internal call and summoned Cheng Yao into the office.

“This Saturday, clear your schedule.”

“New case requiring overtime?”

“No.” Qian Heng was concise. “Saturday, come to my place.”

Cheng Yao suddenly understood. “Oh oh, the villa needs cleaning, right? Do you have the mop and other tools there?”

“…”

Qian Heng cleared his throat. “Not to my villa. To my parents’ villa.”

Cheng Yao: ???

Qian Heng said calmly and composedly, “Previously, because of you, my blind date failed. Now my parents are pushing me and saying I must bring someone home for a meal, otherwise they’ll go to the matchmaking corner in People’s Park and hand out promotional materials about me.”

Cheng Yao scratched her head and finally remembered this matter.

She hurriedly nodded. “No problem, no problem. But what clothes should I wear? Does your family have any particular requirements? Is there a dress code?”

Qian Heng pressed his lips together. “No. Just use your own judgment.” He lowered his gaze. “No need to get too excited, and no need to be too nervous.”

Cheng Yao thought, What am I excited or nervous about?! Anyway if the act falls apart, your parents aren’t going to the matchmaking corner to hand out my promotional materials!

Time passed in busy work until Saturday arrived.

Cheng Yao picked and chose before finally selecting an outfit. Only then did she hastily tidy herself up and rush downstairs. Downstairs, Qian Heng’s Bentley was already waiting.

“Boss, I’m here! We can go!”

The moment Cheng Yao cheerfully climbed into the passenger seat, Qian Heng glanced at her and frowned. “Cheng Yao, are you serious about wearing this?”

“Yes!” Cheng Yao sought credit. “This is what I carefully selected after a lot of picking. Look at this coat—simple, neat, polite enough, but completely without any distinctive features. Absolute passerby. Guaranteed that the moment I stand next to you I’ll look drab and dusty and be eliminated in one second.”

“…”

Qian Heng’s voice almost carried the sound of grinding teeth. “So you’re going to meet my parents dressed like this?”

Cheng Yao was confused. “Wouldn’t this make it convenient to ‘break up’ later? Because I’m too inadequate, you dump me in minutes? That way your parents will not only accept it easily, they might even be moved to tears that your eyes have finally seen the light again!”

“…”

Qian Heng rubbed his brow and worked hard to restrain his emotions without speaking. He started the car.

“Eh? Why are we taking Chunran Road? Didn’t you say we were meeting at the restaurant on Xiyu Road? This is a completely different direction.”

Only when Qian Heng fully parked in the underground garage of the Chunran Road shopping center did Cheng Yao realize the problem. She looked at Qian Heng questioningly. “Boss?”

Qian Heng didn’t even glance at her. He simply strode out of the Bentley. Cheng Yao had no choice but to follow step by step.

Qian Heng went straight up to the fourth-floor women’s clothing section. He thought for a moment, walked to the entrance of a French brand women’s clothing store, then glanced back at Cheng Yao. “What are you standing there for? Come in.”

Cheng Yao had heard of this brand. She had often seen it when looking at celebrity private outfit shares in entertainment gossip. The clothes were indeed beautiful—both stylish and ethereal. Only… the prices were also very stylish and ethereal.

Qian Heng completely failed to notice the struggle in Cheng Yao’s eyes. He walked straight into the store, scanned the racks a few times, then struck decisively. “This one, this one, and this.”

The sales associate was very enthusiastic. “Sir, would you like your girlfriend to try them on?”

Cheng Yao wanted to explain. “No… I’m not…”

“No need. Just buy them.”

Cheng Yao: ???

The sales associate beamed. “I’ll go wrap them up.”

Qian Heng pressed his lips together. “No need to wrap them.” Only then did he finally look at Cheng Yao properly. “Put them on directly.”

“Do I have to dress like this to meet your parents?” Cheng Yao said uneasily. “Isn’t it a bit too refined and formal? What if your parents get too good an impression of me?”

Probably from spending too much time with the toxic Qian Heng, even Cheng Yao had unconsciously started feeling a bit too good about herself. “Clothes make the person. Dressed like this, what if they like me so much they can’t stand it and demand we get married on the spot?”

“…”

Qian Heng endured, then finally restrained himself and said, “Cheng Yao, stay clear-headed.”

“…”

He looked at Cheng Yao’s current outfit with extreme disdain, then turned his gaze away. “You looking drab and dusty will affect my style.” He said coldly, “Qian Heng’s taste must be the best.”

Fine… fine…

Although Cheng Yao was trembling with fear, she couldn’t help feeling excited inside. Was this the legendary situation where, because she was pretending to be the boss’s girlfriend, the boss bought her clothes?!!! Just pretending to be a girlfriend once and she could get a free set of clothes this expensive! Worth it!

Qian Heng’s eye was as sharp as his mouth. Although there had been no prior trying on, the moment the clothes were on they seemed tailor-made for Cheng Yao, perfectly matching her temperament.

Even Cheng Yao was a bit stunned looking at herself in the mirror.

She thought, Damn, I look fucking beautiful!

After finishing her self-admiration and returning to normal, the first thing she did was thank Qian Heng. “Thank you, Boss!”

Qian Heng deliberately looked away and said coldly, “No need to thank me. The money will be deducted from your year-end bonus.”

“…”

Forget getting married on the spot, Cheng Yao thought. Better let my boss explode on the spot.

When the two of them arrived at the restaurant, Qian Heng’s parents were already seated in the private room. Just as Cheng Yao had imagined, Madam Qian was a very elegant beauty. Qian Heng’s looks were almost entirely inherited from her, while Qian Heng’s expression and temperament were a carbon copy of his father. The top businessman looked very serious, face stern, appearing not easy to talk to.

Qian Heng was still his usual deadpan self. He glanced at his parents, completely ignored his old man, and said coldly and stiffly, “Mom, this is my girlfriend Cheng Yao.”

“Xiao Cheng, is it? Come, sit here.” Madam Qian was quite gentle. She immediately swept away the awkwardness and tension Cheng Yao felt about dining with a top businessman’s family and pulled her into conversation.

…

But this chat would eventually have to enter the main topic…

Indeed, after chatting happily for only a short while, Madam Qian suddenly changed direction—

“Xiao Cheng, I just wanted to ask—how did you and our Qian Heng meet?”

Qian Heng wanted to answer, but was glared back by Madam Qian. “I’m asking Xiao Cheng.” After speaking, she continued smiling amiably at Cheng Yao.

“Th… through work.”

“How long have you been together?”

Cheng Yao shot a pleading look at Qian Heng, but with four people at one table there was simply no possibility of cheating. She could only brace herself and make something up. “Not long.”

Madam Qian perked up. “Then do you really understand Qian Heng?”

“I… I understand him reasonably well.”

“Then what do you think Qian Heng’s shortcomings are?”

Madam Qian stared at Cheng Yao. Mr. Qian stared at Cheng Yao. Qian Heng also stared at Cheng Yao.

Saying the boss’s shortcomings right in front of the boss—was that asking for a shorter lifespan?

Cheng Yao opened her eyes and lied through her teeth. “Qian Heng is extremely perfect. His only shortcoming is that he’s too perfect, which sometimes makes me feel a bit inferior!”

The dark-cloud expression that had been pressing down on Qian Heng’s face eased, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

Cheng Yao wiped away some sweat. This free-point question had apparently preserved her dog life.

But Madam Qian had no intention of letting Cheng Yao off. “You don’t have to be afraid to speak the truth in front of me. No one is perfect. During your time together, what problems do you actually feel Qian Heng has?” Although gentle, her eyes were very shrewd. She said with implication, “If you’ve truly been together, even if the time is short, you should definitely be able to name some problems discovered during the adjustment period.”

“…”

Cheng Yao gritted her teeth. “Well… Qian Heng is sometimes a bit too independent and unconventional, so I can’t keep up with his pace.”

This so-called shortcoming was neither painful nor itchy. Cheng Yao felt her grasp of the degree was still acceptable.

“Only this one shortcoming?”

Cheng Yao nodded. “Mm!”

Madam Qian looked surprised. “Then you really haven’t been together with him long enough, so you haven’t discovered that he also has the problems of excessively high self-regard, a venomous mouth, being picky and fussy, overly particular, lacking human warmth, straight-man thinking, completely not a warm man, not knowing how to coax people, face bigger than the sky, boss syndrome, ruthless and merciless, and regarding himself as the sole authority.”

“…”

“Moreover, he’s extremely professional in family law. If you break up with him, you definitely won’t get a single cent in compensation.”

Cheng Yao thought, The reason Qian Heng can’t leave singlehood isn’t only because of his own strength—his mother’s strength is also not to be underestimated.

Mr. Qian, who had been silent on the side, glanced at Cheng Yao and also spoke. “I’m actually not very fond of the surname Cheng.”

“…”

“But based on the fact that you took a fancy to my son, it can be seen that your taste and eye are still acceptable.”

“…”

“Additionally, I still hope you can provide original copies of all your report cards from junior high through university. If they’re photocopies, they need the school’s official seal.”

“Eh?”

Mr. Qian smiled slightly. “This way I can know what kind of topics to discuss with you in the future so that our communication can flow more smoothly.”

???

Cheng Yao was stunned for a full three minutes before she finally reacted.

Understanding basic intelligence from the report cards to ensure that their intellects were on the same level and know what topics could be discussed…

“Also, I hope you can provide me with your physical examination reports from the past three years as well. Oh, does your family have a genealogy?” Mr. Qian said calmly and composedly. “Don’t worry. Doing business… oh no, young people dating also emphasizes fairness. The materials you provide me, I will correspondingly provide you with Qian Heng’s related materials.” As he spoke, he took out a book that looked about four hundred pages thick. “This is preliminary material. You can refer to it first.”

Cheng Yao took it and almost went blind from the words on the cover.

Excellent Single Young Man Catalog — Complete Qian Heng

The subtitle was—

Marry According to Law, Reject Singleness!

…

And opening the table of contents of this catalog made it even more impossible to look at directly.

Like writing a thesis, the catalog contents elaborated from six aspects: Qian Heng’s place of origin, Qian Heng’s attributes, Qian Heng’s characteristics, comparison of advantages of short-term holding versus long-term holding of Qian Heng, disclaimer for Qian Heng’s defects, and actual photos of Qian Heng… Under each small heading there were secondary catalogs, and under the secondary catalogs there were tertiary catalogs… And when flipped to the last page, printed in large bold characters was—

“Qian Heng Rush Purchase Hotline: 180XXXXXXXX.”

Cheng Yao looked. This string of numbers was unmistakably Qian Heng’s phone number.

…

Mom! What kind of devil is this?!

Looking at this Complete Qian Heng, Cheng Yao simply couldn’t believe her eyes. She asked Qian Heng with her eyes, and Qian Heng, for the only time, somewhat awkwardly directly turned his head away. The expression on his face was also full of the despair of someone who could not look at life any longer.

It seemed this was the matchmaking handbook that Qian Heng’s parents had spent heavy money to custom-make for him by hand. If she hadn’t come today to eat this meal with Qian Heng and pretend to be his girlfriend, before long this handbook would start circulating in the matchmaking circles. Within three days it would break out of the circle, and it might even make it onto the trending searches…

Cheng Yao looked at Qian Heng, then looked at Mr. and Madam Qian, and had only one thought in her heart—

Hereditary devils!

This is fucking definitely a family of hereditary devils!