Volume 1, Chapter 31: She Dressed Beautifully Today to Meet Him

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The next second, Li Zhennan walked in wearing a gray robe.

Cheng Qian watched as the sash of his robe hung loosely tied, his well-defined chest muscles half concealed beneath the fabric.

If this had happened before, Cheng Qian would already have been blushing furiously.

But now, she looked at him as if he were nothing more than a rack of ribs, without a single improper thought.

“Go back to your room and sleep.”

The moment Cheng Qian imagined him appearing before Cheng Yan in the same state, she felt nauseated and wanted nothing more than to send him away.

Li Zhennan had never flaunted his looks before. Tonight was an exception.

He had not expected to be driven out before he even had a chance to display his charm.

“No, Daddy, don’t go… Daddy has to sleep with me.” Xiao Ye folded his little hands over his chest, pursed his lips, and spoke with great seriousness.

Cheng Qian froze. Her son must have watched too many cartoons and begun imitating the words and gestures of the characters.

From now on, Cheng Qian decided, she would let him watch only wholesome cartoons.

Li Zhennan’s expression darkened. “Xiao Ye wants me to stay.”

Cheng Qian knew her son’s temper. Once he made up his mind about something, he would insist on it to the very end.

If she truly forced Li Zhennan to leave, the little boy might burst into tears.

To avoid such a spectacle, Cheng Qian said coolly, “Then you sleep on the inside, and our son sleeps in the middle.”

Li Zhennan had no objection. He stretched out his tall frame and lay lazily on the side nearest the wall, resting his head on one arm.

Xiao Ye immediately rolled over happily and nestled into the crook of his arm, a delighted smile spreading across his little face.

Li Zhennan watched as Cheng Qian switched off the lights, leaving only two small night-lights glowing in the dim bedroom.

The little boy had been active all day, and his body clock was remarkably punctual. With the warmth and security of his father’s embrace, he fell asleep within minutes.

Once Cheng Qian saw that her son was asleep, she immediately sat up, climbed out of bed, and took her pillow.

“Cheng Qian…” Li Zhennan called out to her in a low voice.

She turned back to look at him. In the darkness, his eyes were deep and somber.

“If you have any objections to me, say them clearly now.” He had endured her coldness for long enough.

“I have no objections.”

Cheng Qian let the few words drift lightly from her lips before leaving the room without looking back.

In the darkness, Li Zhennan opened his eyes wide.

She claimed she had no objections, yet everything she did said the opposite.

A woman who had changed her heart truly could be ruthless and heartless.

Li Zhennan drew a deep breath and gently held his son a little tighter.

People always said that a child was a woman’s greatest tie. But when a woman’s heart had changed, did she still care about such things?

Li Zhennan lowered his head and kissed his son’s little forehead.

For the sake of the child, how much longer could he endure this?

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Could he keep enduring it as long as he had not caught her in bed with another man with his own eyes?

The following morning—

Great-Aunt Ye Zhu received a call from Cheng Qian, who invited her over to familiarize herself with the household.

Ye Zhu was not the sort of person who could sit idle, so she arrived early and chatted with the household staff about everyday matters.

Cheng Qian carried Xiao Ye downstairs. Ye Zhu smiled and came forward.

“Good morning, Qianqian. Good morning, Xiao Ye.”

“Let Great-Aunt hold you.”

Cheng Qian gently handed her son over.

Xiao Ye immediately reached out his little arms.

Holding him close, Ye Zhu showered him with praise.

At that moment, a tall figure descended the staircase.

“Mr. Li…” When Ye Zhu saw the imposing man, she immediately greeted him.

Li Zhennan’s voice was indifferent. “Thank you for coming to look after Xiao Ye.”

“Not at all. I like Xiao Ye very much. He’s adorable,” Ye Zhu said with a smile.

Cheng Qian immediately said, “Auntie, I have a meeting at ten. Please look after Xiao Ye for me first. We’ll go out for lunch together.”

Ye Zhu knew how busy Cheng Qian was, and she was glad to be able to help her with even a small task.

“Qianqian, go take care of your work. I’ll play with Xiao Ye,” she said gently.

Li Zhennan narrowed his eyes slightly.

Just then, his phone rang.

He picked it up. “Hello?”

A sweet, gentle woman’s voice came through the phone.

“Zhennan, I’ve just received some news.”

Cheng Qian was standing not far away. The living room was quiet, and she heard the woman’s voice as well.

Cheng Yan’s voice was distinctive, carrying an innate feminine charm. Cheng Qian recognized it immediately.

Li Zhennan gripped his phone and walked straight outside.

“What news?” he asked.

“There’s going to be a medical conference at the Chinese Medicine Hospital this morning. It was organized by the hospital, and the meeting will cover a wide range of fields. My cousin must have been invited. I’m guessing Dr. Qiao will be there too.”

“Are you going?” Li Zhennan asked in a deep voice.

“I was invited as well.” After a brief pause, Cheng Yan asked softly, “Zhennan, you’re currently the largest investor in our company. If you’d like to attend as an observer, you can.”

His voice lowered. “I’m not going.”

Cheng Yan was taken aback. A trace of disappointment entered her voice.

“All right. Then I’ll find an opportunity to speak with Dr. Qiao at lunchtime.”

Li Zhennan ended the call and returned to the dining room.

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He glanced at Cheng Qian’s clothes. Previously, she had always dressed in simple, understated outfits—clean and elegant without drawing attention.

Today, however, she was wearing a gray pencil skirt that fell below the knee, with a slit at the back revealing her long, straight, fair legs. She had paired it with a rose-gold blouse and a pair of pearl earrings. There was no ostentatious jewelry anywhere on her, and over the blouse she wore a white wool coat. Her long hair was swept into an elegant chignon at the back of her head, giving her a capable air while also revealing the unique allure of a married woman.

Cheng Qian was in a hurry to leave. After having breakfast with her son, she said goodbye and kissed him again and again.

The little boy had someone to play with, so he did not fuss.

Seeing how eager Cheng Qian seemed to hurry off to somewhere, Li Zhennan’s gaze darkened.

The administrative building of the Chinese Medicine Hospital was bustling that day.

Researchers and scholars from every field had gathered there.

When Cheng Qian arrived, Ji Nan was already chatting with someone. The moment he saw her, he called her over.

“Qianqian, this is the director of the respiratory department. If there’s anything you’d like to ask, you can speak with him.”

Ji Nan introduced her to a department director with extensive clinical experience.

Cheng Qian was indeed eager to exchange ideas with an experienced doctor like him, so the two soon began talking.

Before long, someone nearby remarked, “Miss Cheng is here. I heard her company has recently been recruiting overseas, offering enormous sums of money. Quite a few foreign researchers are interested in joining their laboratory.”

Cheng Qian’s brows drew together slightly when she heard this.

She turned and saw Cheng Yan walking over with several researchers. Cheng Yan greeted everyone with perfect composure and introduced herself.

Cheng Yan naturally noticed Cheng Qian as well. With Li Zhennan absent today, she had no desire to put on an act and could not be bothered to greet her.

At precisely ten, everyone entered the conference hall.

Cheng Qian was not speaking today; Ji Nan would be giving the lecture instead.

Cheng Yan had also sent a professional representative to deliver a thoroughly prepared presentation.

Cheng Yan searched the room several times but still saw no sign of Qiao Silin. She could not help feeling startled.

Could it be that Qiao Silin was not coming today?

The conference had been underway for more than ten minutes. The rigorous academic exchange had quieted the atmosphere considerably, and everyone was listening attentively to the lecturer onstage.

Just then, a door on the left opened, and a man in a black overcoat walked in.

Cheng Yan’s eyes lit up.

The main character had arrived.

Cheng Qian did not notice Qiao Silin entering the hall. Seated near the front, she was focused on her notebook, taking notes.

At that moment, the empty seat beside her was occupied by a tall, slender figure.

Like a cool breeze passing by, carrying the faint, crisp scent of pine, he drew Cheng Qian’s instinctive attention.

She turned her head and met a pair of cold, penetrating eyes.

Cheng Qian’s eyes widened in surprise.

Wasn’t this the argumentative man, Qiao Silin?