Facing the attendant holding out the giant Pikachu, Qian Heng, hands in his trouser pockets, merely lifted his chin slightly: “Give it to her.”
This response left the attendant momentarily stunned: “Sir, this Pikachu is pretty big and heavy—wouldn’t it be more appropriate for you to carry it for your girlfriend?”
Qian Heng said, expressionless: “I’m not her boyfriend.”
The attendant clearly misunderstood. She smiled slightly, giving Qian Heng a knowing look and said in a low voice: “Then all the more reason for you to carry it—it’ll really boost your boyfriend points! If you carry it around with her the whole time, she’ll definitely become your girlfriend by the time you’re done!”
“…”
Cheng Yao wanted to shout, hey, miss, I’m still young, my ears still work fine, I heard all of that!
“Xiao Peng, come help me quick!”
“Coming! Okay!”
Just as Cheng Yao was about to clarify things, the attendant was hastily called away by a coworker. Before leaving, she smiled at Qian Heng once more, then without further ado, stuffed the giant Pikachu into his arms.
Qian Heng, with his cold, aloof elite demeanor, frowning while cradling a Pikachu—the contrast was quite something, and combined with his tall stature and handsome features, it was oddly striking. Not just the young women nearby, but even Cheng Yao herself couldn’t help but sneak several extra glances at him.
But despite her sneaking looks, Cheng Yao knew better. Let the Sect Leader hold the Pikachu for her? Was she tired of living?
“Thanks, boss! You worked hard, boss! I’ll carry it myself!”
As she spoke, Cheng Yao tried to transfer the Pikachu from Qian Heng’s arms into her own, but she hadn’t anticipated—as the attendant had warned—just how heavy it was. The moment she took it into her arms, the weight nearly knocked her off balance, staggering her back two steps.
She could only take a deep breath, brace herself, and tighten her hold on the Pikachu in her arms. But the Pikachu was simply too large—only now did Cheng Yao realize her arms weren’t long enough to fully wrap around it. The fluffy Pikachu kept slipping downward with each step she took, forcing her to stop every few steps to readjust its position and hug it tighter.
Even so, the sheer weight was quite a struggle for her.
But just as she stopped to rest again, a pair of hands effortlessly lifted the Pikachu right out of her arms.
Qian Heng’s tall frame stood before her. He was so tall that this Pikachu, which had nearly swallowed Cheng Yao whole, looked almost small cradled in his arms…
Qian Heng, whose demeanor completely clashed with the Pikachu, casually carried the oversized plush with one hand, his handsome face still expressionless. He glanced at Cheng Yao, then lowered his gaze.
“The Pikachu is mine—I won it. It’s the evidence and souvenir of my victory.” Qian Heng, not looking at Cheng Yao, said, his voice sounding somewhat surreal amid the sea breeze and waves. Aside from the slight redness at the tips of his ears, he spoke with brazen self-assurance, “So it belongs to me now.”
Cheng Yao: ???
And just like that, under Cheng Yao’s dumbstruck gaze, Qian Heng, one hand in his trouser pocket, the other casually cradling Cheng Yao’s beloved Pikachu, strolled away with an air of complete composure…
Stealing someone else’s Pikachu, and being this smug about it?! This was basically robbery!
And just moments ago he’d been so concerned about his image, going completely stone-faced when the attendant dropped the Pikachu into his arms—how had he suddenly developed such affection for it?! What kind of plot twist was this?!
Watching Qian Heng’s steady figure walking away with the Pikachu, thinking of her beloved plush she’d been longing for, Cheng Yao could only think, in despair—
Why do you keep making U-turns, leaving me here crying alone!
Regardless, having had her Pikachu snatched away by Qian Heng in this dramatic robbery, Cheng Yao actually found herself walking more freely now. She wandered along, playing as she went, while Qian Heng followed behind her the whole way, cradling the Pikachu with a stony face.
“Boss, I’m going to the bathroom!”
After telling Qian Heng, Cheng Yao dashed off to the carnival restroom, but the women’s line was far too long. By the time she came out, Qian Heng was no longer where she’d left him.
Fortunately, carrying a giant Pikachu made him quite conspicuous. Looking around, Cheng Yao quickly spotted him in a rest area under some trees not far away.
The rest area was fairly crowded, with no empty seats left, though there was still plenty of standing room. But Qian Heng wasn’t alone—standing beside him was a boy who looked to be in high school. Still holding the Pikachu with one arm, Qian Heng wore a cold expression, apparently saying something to the boy.
Cheng Yao wanted to walk over, but was blocked by the crowd moving through the rest area. Still, the distance was close enough that she could clearly hear their conversation.
“Bro, please, could you sell me this Pikachu? I’ll pay whatever price.” The high school boy was quite cute-looking, his face full of pleading. “The whack-a-mole booth has run out of this prize, no more Pikachus left. But my crush really wants one, and when she heard there were none left, she nearly cried.”
“Could you please, please sell it to me? I’d be so grateful!” the boy coaxed. “Really, bro, you’re tall and handsome, and I could tell right away you’re a kind, decent guy—I feel like we’re really meant to connect, you’re definitely a good person who’ll…”
But before the boy could continue his flattery, Qian Heng coldly spat out two words.
“No.”
The boy froze for a moment, glanced over at the girl waiting expectantly nearby, then mustered his courage to try again: “Bro, seriously, if you could give it to me, you’d basically be the matchmaker between me and my girlfriend. We’d be forever grateful—even at our wedding someday, you’d be invited as our guest of honor. Should we exchange contact information…”
It was clear the boy’s heart was set on the girl he liked. Though his approach was a bit naive, his eyes and words carried genuine sincerity.
Youthful love always carries a poetic quality. Even Cheng Yao, who had such deep attachment to this Pikachu, had to admit that faced with this scene, she probably wouldn’t have had the heart to refuse—she’d likely have reluctantly given it up to help this young couple.
Unfortunately, Qian Heng never played by the usual rules.
He glanced coldly at the boy: “What grade are you in?”
“Senior year.”
“Oh. And how did you score on your last mock exam?”
The boy, completely unable to keep up with Qian Heng’s line of questioning, could only give a number in confused response.
…
Watching the familiar expression on Qian Heng’s face, Cheng Yao already knew what kind of storm was about to hit this poor boy…
Sure enough—
“With that mock exam score, forget about a decent university, you probably won’t even get into a junior college, and you’re thinking about dating? What you should be buying isn’t a Pikachu, it’s five years of college entrance exam prep materials.” Qian Heng scoffed, giving the boy no chance to argue. “And don’t give me that line about cherishing the present, seizing the moment to be together, not letting the opportunity slip away. Sure, you can be together now, but your highest level of education will be high school. Graduation means unemployment. You won’t be able to afford a house, a car, a bag, can’t take her to nice restaurants, can’t buy her nice things. Even if you got her a real Pikachu, what good would that do besides needing to be charged? Can you eat it? Would she really stay with you?”
“…”
Qian Heng ruthlessly concluded: “Study hard and improve yourself.”
The boy looked like he was about to cry from the blow, his face full of disappointment and defeat, turning to walk away dejectedly.
But just then, Qian Heng called him back.
“Here, take this.”
The boy turned around, staring in bewilderment at the coupon card in Qian Heng’s hand.
Qian Heng looked somewhat awkward: “This is a dinner buffet voucher for the InterContinental Hotel, for two. Take it.”
“Why, why?”
“Take your girlfriend there for dinner.” Qian Heng pressed his lips together. “In any case, you can’t have the Pikachu.”
“Studying hard is essential—but if you can manage that, then pursuing the girl you like now isn’t necessarily impossible either.” Qian Heng thought for a moment, then added, “You definitely need to study hard, understand?”
The boy’s eyes suddenly lit up, and he glanced longingly once more at the Pikachu in Qian Heng’s hand: “Thanks, bro! I’ll study hard! But really, is there absolutely no way I can have this Pikachu?”
“Don’t even think about it.” Qian Heng said coldly. “Because I’m giving it to someone else too.”
The boy was quite bold: “Who are you giving it to? A pretty older sister?”
Cheng Yao had assumed Qian Heng wouldn’t answer, but surprisingly, though he maintained his usual cold demeanor with the boy, he was actually being quite patient.
He answered.
“Mm, pretty enough.”
Cheng Yao perked up her ears.
Something’s up! Could Qian Heng be in love?! Could the Five Poisons Sect be about to welcome a new Sect Leader’s wife?!
Ask more! Keep asking!
As if hearing Cheng Yao’s silent plea, the boy continued: “Nice figure too?”
Qian Heng grunted: “Very.”
“So what’s she like as a person?”
“An idiot.”
“…”
“Do you like her?”
“No.”
“…”
After this, Qian Heng and the boy exchanged a few more words, but between the distance and the surrounding chatter, Cheng Yao couldn’t make anything else out.
Yet even this limited amount of information was enough to shock her.
Though Qian Heng hadn’t admitted it, the fact that he’d been carrying this Pikachu around, determined to give it to someone—wasn’t that clearly a sign he had feelings for that person?!
Someone as toxic as Qian Heng, actually having someone he liked!!!
This… this…
This was major breaking news, the most explosive gossip in the entire Five Poisons Sect!
She instinctively opened her WeChat group, scrolled to the group with just her, Bao Rui, and Tan Ying called “Wealth and Glory Alliance,” and posted her latest discovery—
“HUGE gossip! Boss Qian has someone he fancies!”
No sooner had Cheng Yao finished typing than Qian Heng turned around and caught her. She wasn’t sure when it had happened, but the boy beside him had already left, leaving Qian Heng standing alone once more, still holding the giant Pikachu.
Cheng Yao, pretending to know nothing, said obsequiously: “Oh, boss, the women’s line was so long, I just got out—where should we go next?”
Qian Heng said coldly: “Let’s eat.”
By the time Cheng Yao finally finished her meal and had a chance to check WeChat again, she discovered that her simple message had already caused an explosion of thirty messages in their three-person group.
Bao Rui: “Oh my god oh my god oh my god, I can’t believe I lived to see this day, I’m practically weeping tears of joy like an old father marrying off his son!!!”
Tan Ying: “Quick! Spill the tea! Who is it? Do we know them? How old? What background? What education? Are they wealthy? What do they look like? Is Boss Qian’s future mother-in-law difficult?”
Bao Rui: “Wait, could it be one of our clients?”
Tan Ying: “That wouldn’t work—we lawyers can’t get involved with our own clients, that’s way too against professional ethics! And besides, most of our female clients are married! Never thought Boss Qian could be this thrilling! Married woman and an abstinent lawyer! Ahhh! My mind is racing at 200 mph, I can’t handle it, someone call the traffic cops to save me!!”
Bao Rui: “No, no, wait, let’s not get ahead of ourselves, calm down first—first, we need to confirm, is it a man or a woman? I have a feeling it’s not necessarily a female client…”
Tan Ying: “If it’s a male client, I think that guy Wang Kairui from that insurance dispute case last time is pretty suspicious—he definitely had a thing for our Boss Qian, I’ve seen him staring at Boss Qian’s perky butt so many times, totally mesmerized!”
Bao Rui: “No way, I thought he had a thing for me! He kept staring at my perky butt too, all lovesick and dreamy!”
Tan Ying: “Your butt, perky? Compare your butt to Boss Qian’s and it’s like a flat-screen TV next to the real thing!”
Bao Rui: “Well well well, caught you red-handed—so you’re the one who keeps staring at my butt and Boss Qian’s!”
Tan Ying: “Don’t derail the topic, can we focus on Boss Qian please? Our Boss Qian, finally falling for someone—who could possibly have won over Boss Qian’s heart? Must be someone extraordinary!”
Bao Rui: “Cheng Yao? Where’s Cheng Yao? You can’t just drop half the gossip and disappear, that’s so unethical!”
…
The other two kept chatting extensively after that, but Cheng Yao didn’t have time to read it all, only managing to quickly reply a few lines while Qian Heng wasn’t paying attention.
Cheng Yao: “Pretty! Nice figure! But probably not that smart!”
Bao Rui: “A sweet, dumb beauty type?”
Tan Ying: “So this is why Boss Qian never chose me—I’m too smart!”
Bao Rui: “Why do you say not smart? Did you actually meet her?”
Cheng Yao: “Didn’t meet her, but Boss Qian said she’s an idiot!”
Tan Ying: “That doesn’t count… In Boss Qian’s eyes, 99% of people are idiots…”
Bao Rui: “Honestly, though, being pretty with a nice figure and still choosing to be with our super toxic Boss Qian—maybe she really is an idiot.”
Reading this, Cheng Yao couldn’t help but laugh too.
It was true—in Qian Heng’s eyes, most people were probably either weaklings or idiots. Hadn’t she herself just been called an idiot too?
Actually, Cheng Yao’s mood hadn’t been quite this light-hearted a moment ago. Hearing that Qian Heng had someone he fancied, she’d suddenly felt a complicated mix of emotions—shock, confusion, and a strange, indescribable feeling she couldn’t quite name.
“What are you looking at? Laughing like that?”
Just as Cheng Yao’s thoughts were drifting, Qian Heng’s cold voice called her back to attention.
Since the start of the meal, Qian Heng had noticed Cheng Yao was distracted, glancing at her phone between bites as notifications kept popping up on the screen. It was obvious she wanted to check it, but with him there, she’d been forcing herself to hold back. But the moment they finished eating, she’d eagerly grabbed her phone.
Though checking your phone after a meal was perfectly normal, Qian Heng, for some reason, felt quite displeased about it. He thought, in front of someone as excellent as himself, how dare Cheng Yao be this blatantly distracted?! Who gave her permission?!
Qian Heng looked away, asking with feigned casualness: “Is it a client?”
Cheng Yao, completely unaware of Qian Heng’s subtle mood, put down her phone and explained: “Not a client, just chatting a bit with Bao Rui and Tan Ying.”
“Oh.”
Qian Heng said nothing more after that, lowering his head to pick up his own phone and start typing something.
Before long, wails of anguish erupted simultaneously from Bao Rui and Tan Ying in the “Wealth and Glory Alliance” group chat—
Bao Rui: “Oh god!! Heavens!! Boss Qian just suddenly told me, ‘Your workload might not be sufficient,’ and then dumped a pile of work on me! There’s a new bar that just opened near our building in the CBD, I was supposed to go tonight! Now I have to work overtime instead!”
Tan Ying: “I got hit by Boss Qian’s artillery fire too, he just sent me twenty contracts to revise! My blood’s run dry! Signing off, bye!”
After that, the group chat did indeed fall silent…
Cheng Yao glanced up at Qian Heng, who now looked perfectly composed, and immediately felt a chill run through her. Her boss’s mind was truly unfathomable—she had no idea what had set him off with Bao Rui and Tan Ying, could it possibly have been because she’d mentioned their names…
Cheng Yao looked at Qian Heng, sitting upright and dignified before her, his demeanor as composed and imposing as ever, except for the giant Pikachu propped up beside him, creating such a comically absurd contrast that it was hard not to laugh.