What truly shocked Cheng Yao, though, wasn’t even that. Watching Qian Heng’s openly disdainful expression toward their surroundings, she almost felt bad for him. “Boss, is there something urgent you need me to handle? You could’ve just emailed or called—there was no need to come all the way out here. This place… this place really doesn’t suit you at all…”

Xue Ming blinked at this. “He’s your boss?” He rolled his eyes, and his tone turned faintly hostile. “Work matters, sure, but today’s the weekend, and Cheng Yao has personal time too. After our date, I’ll help her finish whatever work you need done, together.”

Xue Ming continued, giving Qian Heng a once-over from head to toe. “Besides, with how you’re dressed, someone of your standing, eating here really doesn’t seem appropriate. The food here is probably made with gutter oil—your delicate stomach probably can’t handle it.”

For some reason, the normally mild-mannered Xue Ming seemed to have taken an instant dislike to Qian Heng too. Worried the two of them might escalate into a real standoff, Cheng Yao did her best to play peacemaker. “Boss, this place really is too dirty and chaotic, it’s not right for you. I’m worried your clothes will get ruined—these are so expensive…”

“Not expensive. Only twenty thousand or so.”

“…”

Though Qian Heng’s disdain for the surroundings was plain to see, under the combined persuasion of Cheng Yao and Xue Ming, he stubbornly stayed put anyway. From his tone, he had no intention of leaving.

Had it been anyone else, Xue Ming wouldn’t have tolerated this at all, but knowing this was Cheng Yao’s boss, he could only fume in silence for her sake. Still, he had no intention of accommodating Qian Heng any further, and simply began eating, resolved to ignore him entirely, treating him as if he weren’t even there.

“Yaoyao, if your boss wants to sit there so idly and just watch us eat, let him.” Xue Ming gritted his teeth. “We’ll eat our meal, and once we’re done, you can go back with him and finish his overtime work.”

Xue Ming took another bite of boiled beef, glancing sideways at Qian Heng as if speaking pointedly for his benefit. “Oh, by the way, Yaoyao, I haven’t asked yet—what are your standards for a partner?” He glanced at Cheng Yao, a little bashful. “I mean, what kind of guy do you like?”

“Huh? Me?” Cheng Yao looked surprised. She thought it over, about to answer, when Qian Heng cut her off first.

“She likes men taller than 185 centimeters.” Qian Heng said, then looked down at the visibly uncomfortable Xue Ming. “You’re only about 178, aren’t you? See, you’re nearly half a head shorter than me.”

“…”

Cheng Yao was about to explain, but Qian Heng spoke again. “She likes men who are excellent at their jobs, highly capable.”

Seeing Cheng Yao say nothing, Xue Ming assumed she was agreeing with this description.

Xue Ming’s eyes lit up again, a little shy. “I was actually just named an outstanding employee this year.”

“Oh, the kind of ‘excellent’ she likes means someone earning over a hundred million a year.”

“…”

“No, no, don’t listen to my boss, he’s joking…” Cheng Yao rushed to clarify, but Qian Heng shot her a warning look. He didn’t say anything, but Cheng Yao read his silent message loud and clear—

Still want that year-end bonus?

“…”

Cheng Yao, bowing to the power of money, wisely shut her mouth, letting Qian Heng carry on with his performance.

“She also likes men who look good in a suit.”

Cheng Yao’s silence only deepened Xue Ming’s misunderstanding.

His eyes lit up again, and he looked at Cheng Yao. “I wear suits—everyone at my company says I look pretty good in one.”

Qian Heng smiled. “Oh, forgot to mention—specifically suits worth over twenty thousand.”

“…”

Only then did it dawn on Xue Ming that Cheng Yao’s silence was probably her not daring to speak up against authority, and he finally reached his limit. “What’s your deal? You might be Yaoyao’s boss, but isn’t this a bit much, interfering in her personal life like this?”

“I’m not here today as Cheng Yao’s boss.”

Cheng Yao had no idea how to process this turn of events anymore. What was wrong with Qian Heng today? Had he graduated from some prestigious drama academy, here to showcase his professional acting skills? What was he even trying to accomplish now? Was he getting addicted to messing with her, determined to sabotage any chance she had at a relationship?

“I’m here today as Cheng Yao’s prospective boyfriend.”

See, he really was putting on a show… Just as Cheng Yao was preparing her mental commentary, she suddenly caught up with what he’d said.

Wait… wait a second… prospective what?

Cheng Yao looked up in shock at Qian Heng. But he maintained his cold composure even after dropping this bombshell, as if discussing the weather.

“Cheng Yao is pursuing me.” Qian Heng announced without a flicker of embarrassment. “At first I turned her down. But now, after some intense internal struggle, I’ve come around.” He looked at Cheng Yao and smiled faintly. “I’m allowing her to pursue me.”

“No, no! Boss! You’ve got it wrong!!! I already explained this to you—I’m not pursuing you, that gift box was a mistake, wasn’t it?!”

And so, back and forth it went, and naturally, Xue Ming ended up storming off in anger. Even after he left, no matter how Cheng Yao tried to explain herself, Qian Heng gave no response, just fixed her with a dangerous stare.

“Cheng Yao.”

By the time Cheng Yao had talked herself hoarse, Qian Heng, who’d stayed silent with a complicated expression this whole time, finally spoke.

His expression remained composed, his tone impossibly calm. “I’m a bona fide third party acting in good faith.”

“Huh???”

“I’ve given it some thought.” Qian Heng stared at Cheng Yao. “The relationship and facts surrounding the shipping error between you and the factory were unknown to me, a third party. So my misunderstanding was based on non-malicious ignorance. Therefore, whatever adverse effects and consequences arose between the two of you from the shipping mistake cannot be used against me, a good-faith third party. Any losses resulting from my decision cannot be claimed against you either—you may only pursue the factory that made the shipping error. My decision must be honored and complied with.”

Cheng Yao was utterly lost. “What?”

Qian Heng pressed his lips together. “I’ve already reluctantly made the decision to allow you to pursue me.”

Before Cheng Yao could process that, Qian Heng continued, matter-of-fact. “So you must pursue me.”

Cheng Yao: ???

“Because I am a good-faith third party.”

“…”

“My emotional investment, Qian Heng’s emotional investment, cannot go to waste.” Qian Heng said righteously. “Having been led to think this over at length by this mistake, and having reached a decision, that decision must be carried out. I owe it to myself, given my time is worth 166.666 recurring yuan a minute.”

“…”

In her utter shock, Cheng Yao forgot to even respond to what he’d said, and instead found herself reflexively arguing the legal point. “A good-faith third party is a concept in property law, involving rights over objects. What we’re dealing with here concerns personal relationships—personal relationships can’t be subject to compulsory enforcement. You can’t force me to pursue you like this! That’s not legal! It runs entirely counter to legal principle!”

Qian Heng frowned slightly at her objection but remained perfectly calm. “I hereby command you, on the authority of your year-end bonus, to pursue me.”

“…”

This had descended entirely into lawlessness, pure authoritarian bullying…

“Given that you didn’t cause my misunderstanding intentionally, I’ll make a concession on the timeline.” Qian Heng said coldly. “Three days.”

“But—”

“No buts.”

“No, just—”

This time, Qian Heng simply covered Cheng Yao’s mouth, cutting off any further protest.

He gazed at her calmly, unbothered. “Silence is golden.”

“…”

Though his expression stayed composed, those beautiful eyes of his were practically radiating a death threat.

“…”

Cheng Yao wanted to cry without tears—what was even happening?! This was straight-up coercion! There actually existed people out there who forced others into having inappropriate feelings for them!

“That settles it, then. Let’s go.” Qian Heng frowned slightly, glancing around the small restaurant. “I really can’t stay in a place like this any longer. My image is on the verge of total collapse.”

“…”

Go? Go where? Cheng Yao thought—what kind of dead end was this leading to?! Heaven and earth be her witness, all she wanted right now was to call Qin Qin and pick a fight! Look what that garbage gift box she’d recommended had caused!

Fifteen minutes later, Cheng Yao found herself standing in front of a movie theater, courtesy of Qian Heng.

Cheng Yao: ???

Qian Heng looked off into the distance, refusing to meet her eyes. “Oh, let’s count from today.”

Cheng Yao blinked, then registered what he meant. “The three days, starting from now?”

But most of today was already gone!

Qian Heng gave a terse “mm,” maintaining his pose of not looking at her.

“So, should we…?”

“Typically, the pursuer treats the person they’re pursuing to a movie.”

Cheng Yao nodded eagerly. “Right, right. Whatever you say, boss!”

For some reason—maybe it was just his aura—whenever she was around Qian Heng, Cheng Yao always ended up losing ground against his overpowering sophistry and twisted logic. Without even realizing it, she’d let him take the lead.

Thoroughly poisoned by his authoritarian charm, she found herself swept along by this bizarre turn of events.

Cheng Yao quickly pulled out her phone. “So, boss, what movie do you want to see? Today’s showings include a Hollywood superhero film, a domestic youth romance, a Japanese horror film, and an Indian musical.”

“Horror.”

Cheng Yao didn’t dare hesitate, and got ready to buy the tickets.

“Use my card.” Just as she was about to pay, Qian Heng coldly held out his bank card.

“Huh?”

Qian Heng’s tone stayed even, though with a hint of unnatural stiffness. “I’ll cover any expenses incurred over these three days from you pursuing me.” He cleared his throat. “I’m rather expensive, after all—most people can’t afford to pursue me. Given the circumstances, consider this a subsidy.”

Once poisoned, a person’s very thoughts become tainted—Cheng Yao, thoroughly swept along, thought gratefully to herself how considerate her boss was.

“Thanks, boss!” She took the card, then remembered something. “Oh, um, what’s your card’s PIN?”

Qian Heng recited a string of digits with complete efficiency.

Cheng Yao took the card and paid for the tickets, then hurried back to return it.

But Qian Heng had a new request. He didn’t take the card back, just glanced casually at a young couple walking by with a bucket of popcorn.

Cheng Yao wasn’t dense—she immediately understood, and quickly took the card to buy a large tub of popcorn, plus two cans of cola.

The two of them took their seats.

Though Cheng Yao knew this was a Japanese horror film, she hadn’t expected it would also be in 3D!

Between the sound effects, the atmosphere, and the sheer immersiveness, this horror film turned out to be genuinely terrifying!

Cheng Yao clutched her popcorn and trembled, and every time she got nervous, she stuffed handfuls of popcorn into her mouth—by the halfway mark, she’d nearly finished the entire tub on her own.

She had no attention to spare for anything else, fighting back the urge to scream, occasionally glancing over at Qian Heng beside her, only to find him completely unfazed, staring at the screen full of ghosts and mangled bodies without so much as a flinch.

But Cheng Yao herself was nearly scared to death! She gritted her teeth, clutching her coat.

Just as she was on the verge of bolting from sheer fear, Qian Heng leaned in close.

His voice was low, still composed, cool in texture, but with his breath right against her ear, there was an unmistakable warmth to the air between them.

“Typically, during a horror movie, the pursuer takes the opportunity to hold the pursued person’s hand.”

Before Cheng Yao could react, Qian Heng’s hand reached over. “Oh, your hands are too short. I suppose I’ll reluctantly hold them for you.”

Then a warm hand closed around hers.

Even though she’d been scared out of her mind by the movie moments ago, completely swept up in its atmosphere, the moment Qian Heng’s hand touched hers, all Cheng Yao could feel was heat rising from where their skin met. Her face flushed too, and her mind went blank with a sudden rush—the horror movie’s mood instantly transformed into a romance film, and a heart-pounding, face-flushing one at that.

She had no idea what happened in the second half of the movie. All she could focus on was her burning face and her heart pounding so hard it felt ready to leap out of her chest—there was no room left to follow the plot at all.

She had no idea whether Qian Heng felt the same. Cheng Yao didn’t dare even look at him, only aware that the hand holding hers was growing steadily warmer too.

When the movie ended and the lights came up, Cheng Yao stood up after Qian Heng, looking at him nervously, stammering, “W-we’re done. Should… should we still be holding hands?”

“Holding hands is an important milestone on the road to successfully pursuing someone.” Qian Heng said, perfectly serious. “You should naturally press your advantage.”

Cheng Yao nodded rapidly like a woodpecker, and Qian Heng gently pulled her along. “Let’s go.”

The two of them had planned to have dinner together afterward, but unfortunately, a phone call for Qian Heng put an end to those plans.

“A client has an urgent matter that needs handling.” Qian Heng’s hand was still holding hers, and his ears had turned faintly red, though his tone stayed composed. “So, unfortunately, we’ll have to part ways.”

“You look so disappointed—I could drive you home.” Qian Heng cleared his throat. “You can use the ride to look at me a bit more.”

Cheng Yao: ???

Do I look disappointed? she thought. I haven’t even sorted out my own confusion yet—where would I find the time to look disappointed?

Cheng Yao got into the Bentley, still uneasy, and let Qian Heng drive her home.

The moment she got out of the car, Qian Heng called out to her again. “Cheng Yao.”

“Mm?”

Qian Heng rolled down the window and tilted his face slightly.

Cheng Yao: ???

“Typically, after watching a movie and holding hands, the pursuer takes advantage of the good mood to give the pursued a kiss.” As he spoke, he tilted his face a bit further, hinting. “The moonlight’s nice tonight. Good atmosphere.”

What moonlight?! Cheng Yao thought. The moon isn’t even out yet!

“The mood is good.” Just as Cheng Yao was silently protesting in her head, Qian Heng pressed his lips together and added, “So, I’ll allow you to kiss me.”

“No, no, no, boss, I didn’t mean to be forward with you!”

Truly, some people only learn the hard way—Qian Heng shot her a cold glance. “I’ll use my year-end—”

“I’ll kiss you! I’ll kiss you!”

Cheng Yao’s face flushed, even her eyes turning red. She rushed over to the car window, leaned down, planted a quick kiss on the side of Qian Heng’s face, then bolted off like a startled rabbit.

Having kissed him, Cheng Yao felt like she’d committed a crime and gotten away with it, her heart pounding wildly. Despite there being an elevator, she foolishly ran up the stairs the whole way.

By the time she reached her front door, her heart still hadn’t calmed down.

I’m done for, she thought in despair. I think Qian Heng’s poison has infected me too!