Chapter Thirty-Two: One Month Later

One month later.

A month after her injection, Leng Zheng’s health had gradually improved—her depression had eased, and her relationship with Cheng Yunting had grown stronger. Perhaps it was the power of love and family; she’d put on weight, her anorexia and insomnia had lessened, and she was slowly getting back into her work.

One day, on a sudden whim, she went to the law firm she owned.

...

As soon as she entered, she saw a young woman, barely out of her teens, pleading with the receptionist.

“Please, just let me see your boss, I’m begging you.”

“I’m sorry, miss. The boss hasn’t been in for a long time, and here we assign lawyers based on the scale of the case.”

“But I—”

“What’s happening?” Leng Zheng walked over and asked the receptionist.

Seeing the big boss had arrived, the receptionist returned to her post. “This young lady insists on seeing you, says she has a case for you.”

Leng Zheng nodded and took the young woman to the reception room. After all, she hadn’t taken a case in a while; it would be good to get some practice.

“Master Qin, I know you don’t take cases lightly, but I’m here to beg you for your help.” The young woman looked at her pitifully, her voice catching with emotion.

“How did you know I’m the head of the Qin family?” Leng Zheng poured her a glass of water and handed it over. “I don’t recall ever saying so, nor have I shown my face publicly.”

“My cousin told me. The Qin Su Law Firm is yours—you’re the boss and the best lawyer here.” The young woman sniffled as she spoke.

“And who is your cousin?” Leng Zheng looked at her, slightly exasperated, and handed her a tissue.

“My cousin is Murong Ru—he’s the nominal cousin of Li Xin’er, the head of the Li-Mu family.” The young woman wiped her tears. “I’m Mu Zhi Tao, the youngest daughter of the Mu family’s third branch.”

“Oh, I see.” Leng Zheng nodded. Who hadn’t heard of Li Xin’er, head of the Li-Mu family? Just as everyone knew Qin Xinxi, head of the Qin-Su family.

Both were world-famous prodigies: one had entered show business, the other—no one quite knew what she was up to these days.

“So, you’re Xin’er’s cousin. Why not go to her for help?” Leng Zheng tilted her head, curious.

“My cousin said you’re even better than she is, and besides, she’s pregnant now, so she asked you to take my case.”

Leng Zheng was momentarily speechless. Damn it! That’s not fair, Li Xin’er! Passing the trouble on to me? As if I don’t have enough! Wait—Xin’er’s pregnant? But didn’t she break up with that scumbag Li Mingze? Hold on a second...

Damn it! Li Mingze, you bastard! My best friend—your wife is pregnant, and you break up with her? Damn! Li Mingze, when I see you, if I don’t tear you limb from limb, I’m not worthy of my name! Wait—I’m not even surnamed Li.

Leng Zheng cursed Li Mingze a thousand times in her heart while keeping a gentle smile for Mu Zhi Tao. “So, can you tell me what’s going on?”

“Well, I’m dating a famous actor—your brother, Qin Yuxuan. But his fans have been attacking me online, and I want to sue them.” Mu Zhi Tao handed Leng Zheng a file, unable to meet her gaze.

Leng Zheng’s interest was piqued.

Dating Qin Yuxuan... Ah, no wonder Xin’er passed this case to me—she knows me so well.

“Tsk, Miss, what are you thinking about, so lost in thought?” At that moment, someone walked in.

“My god, Xin’er, you’re here!” Leng Zheng looked at her in surprise, hardly daring to believe it.

“Yes, I’m here. I flew all the way just to see you.” Xin’er sat beside Leng Zheng, her tone playful.

Leng Zheng inspected her, finding nothing wrong except for the obvious baby bump. “Damn it! Li Mingze got you pregnant and then abandoned you?”

Xin’er was just about to explain when two others entered.

“Who told you I got Xin’er pregnant and then left her?” Li Mingze hurried to Xin’er’s side. “I told you not to come—look, you should get back to the hotel and rest.”

“But I want to spend time with Luo Li and Xiao Zheng. We’re half a world apart, after all.” Xin’er nestled into Li Mingze’s arms, acting spoiled.

“Alright, alright, we’ll stay.” Li Mingze could never resist her wheedling and had no choice but to agree.

“You two, stop showing off your affection or you’ll be sent to my villa to rest,” Leng Zheng said with a look of disgust at the couple, then glanced over at two others, who were kissing, her face full of disdain.

“Come on, Miss, ignore these people. Just tell me your situation.” Leng Zheng opened the file Mu Zhi Tao had given her—a compilation of evidence of the online abuse.

“As soon as your brother and I started dating, his fans came after me. They dug up everything about me—even my ancestors. I’m studying law, though I haven’t graduated or gotten my license yet. I want to sue these netizens for invasion of privacy and personal safety.”

“There have been a lot of people sending me razor blades, threats, that sort of thing. I want to target those who exposed my family’s information and those who sent threats.”

Leng Zheng nodded in satisfaction. The file contained all the evidence—there was no doubt they’d win in court. Still, she posed a challenge to Mu Zhi Tao.

“What if some of the fans are underage?”

“If they’re under fourteen, the most they can do is insult me, which isn’t punishable. But at fourteen, they can be held legally responsible. I think they should be suspended from school for a month, to teach them a lesson so they won’t repeat their mistakes.”

“Good. We can arrange that.” Leng Zheng looked at Mu Zhi Tao with approval and extended an olive branch. “Would you be interested in joining my law firm, Miss Mu?”

“What?” Mu Zhi Tao stared at her in disbelief, her voice trembling. “You mean it?”

Leng Zheng hesitated. “I’m offering you a position at my law firm. Is Miss Mu not willing?”

“Yes, I’m willing! Of course, I’m willing!” Mu Zhi Tao nodded frantically, barely able to believe her idol was inviting her to join her firm. Was she dreaming?

“Welcome aboard.” Leng Zheng smiled, patting Mu Zhi Tao’s head.

“Mm-hm!”

Mu Zhi Tao never imagined she’d one day work alongside her idol. Oh my god!

“Tsk, Xiao Zheng, don’t mind her. This kid has idolized you for so long—she’s bound to be excited to work with you.” Xin’er smiled, explaining.

“Tsk, why does Xiao Zheng have fans, but I don’t?” Si Luoli complained, glaring at Mu Zhi Tao.

“Wait, am I seeing things? Is that the great Nan Luo? Oh my god!” Mu Zhi Tao looked at Si Luoli in awe. “Ah! Nan Luo, you have fans, too!”

“Keep it down—even with soundproofing, people will think something’s going on in here if you yell like that.” Leng Zheng laughed, looking at the adorable girl before her. “By the way, what year are you in college?”

“I’m just so excited. I can’t believe I finally met my idols!” Mu Zhi Tao lowered her voice. “I’m a freshman.”

“Tsk, a freshman and already so talented. Impressive.” Leng Zheng looked at her with admiration, unable to resist pinching her cheek—so soft!

She pinched her again, unable to help herself.

“Mm-hm.” Mu Zhi Tao nodded.

“Ah, sorry, your face is so soft—I couldn’t resist.” Leng Zheng realized suddenly.

Mu Zhi Tao shook her head. “It’s fine, idol, you can pinch me as much as you like.”

“Well, I won’t hold back then!” Leng Zheng, seeing Mu Zhi Tao didn’t mind, happily pinched her cheeks again.

So soft and cute!

Just then, Cheng Yunting arrived, wrapping his arms around Leng Zheng.

“Tsk, Xiao Zheng, what are you up to?” He pulled her into his embrace.

Leng Zheng felt a bit guilty and shook her head. “Nothing. This young lady came to me with a case, so I invited her to join our law firm.”

Cheng Yunting now guarded not only against men, but women too.

Who wouldn’t be wary with such a charming partner? Both men and women needed to be watched!

“Tsk, brother-in-law, don’t be so possessive. Relax. This afternoon, I, Xiao Zheng, Luo Li, Yu Xiu, Ci Jin, Shi Ying, and Zhi Tao are all going out together, so don’t worry.” Xin’er tugged Leng Zheng from Cheng Yunting’s arms, then pulled Mu Zhi Tao and Chu Yu Xiu off to find Song Ci Jin and Tang Shi Ying.

This left only the men, glaring at one another.

They spoke in unison: “Keep an eye on your wife, and don’t let her steal mine (Xiao Zheng/Xin Bao/Luo Bao/Tao Tao/Yu Xiu)!”

Then, with perfect coordination, they all followed after the women, reduced to carrying bags and playing the role of porters.

...

“Damn it, Sixth Sister-in-law, why are you dating my sixth brother? He’s got no looks, no money, no talent—what’s so good about him? What do you see in him?”

Qin Yuxuan’s inner monologue: Calm down, she’s your little sister, don’t get angry. She’s drunk—don’t argue with a drunk person...

No looks? In the entertainment industry, he’s the most handsome. No money? He’s the eighth-richest man in the world. No talent? He’s a medical genius, fluent in countless languages—the list goes on... Is this what you call a “humble brag” moment?

“He’s handsome, kind, incredibly sweet... Anyway, I just like him.” Mu Zhi Tao, tipsy, leaned on Leng Zheng’s shoulder. “Idol, how about you let your brother become your little brother instead? I want to be your sister-in-law, or you could take me as your apprentice and let your brother be your apprentice’s husband.”

“Sure! Why not? I’ll take you as my apprentice.” Leng Zheng was tipsy herself—it had been months since she drank, and her tolerance had dropped.

Xin’er looked helplessly at the five drunken women around the table: Leng Zheng, Si Luoli, Tang Shi Ying, Mu Zhi Tao, and Chu Yu Xiu. If she weren’t pregnant, she’d have made six.

“Alright, you all take your own ladies home.” Xin’er nestled into Li Mingze’s arms.

“Mm.”

...

“Xiao Zheng, wake up.” Cheng Yunting gently shook Leng Zheng, his voice soft.

He really didn’t want to wake her, but her stomach still hadn’t fully recovered—she often had stomachaches.

“Xiao Zheng?” He shook her again, anxiety rising.

“Mm... What is it?” Leng Zheng opened her eyes blearily. “Sweetheart, I want to make love to you.”

“Drink your hangover soup first, then you can have me.” Cheng Yunting helped her sit up, carefully feeding her the soup.

...

“I finished it. Can I have you now?” Leng Zheng tilted her head, looking at him.

Cheng Yunting set the bowl on the nightstand and helped her lie down.

Just as he was about to take the bowl away, Leng Zheng wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

Cheng Yunting certainly wouldn’t let her take the lead—soon, he was guiding the rhythm.

As the night wore on, their room was filled with passionate music, their voices harmonizing.

Gradually, the singing gave way to cries and pleas for mercy, but soon enough, the duet began again.

...

It wasn’t until dawn that the music finally faded.

Then, the sound of showering came from the bathroom, followed by more singing—this time, louder than ever.

Tsk tsk, singers really work hard—so late, voices hoarse, but still giving their all. Such dedication!

It wasn’t until four in the morning that silence finally fell.

Cheng Yunting looked at the exhausted, sleeping Leng Zheng beside him, kissed her forehead, and held her as he drifted off.

Qixi Mini-Scene:

Leng Zheng: Sweetheart, what do you want for Qixi?

Cheng Yunting (after a moment’s thought, leaning in close): I want you.

Leng Zheng (blushing): Cheng Yunting! You’re shameless!

Cheng Yunting: When have I ever asked for face?

Leng Zheng (thinking it over, nodding): True, you never have.

Cheng Yunting (pressing her onto the sofa): So, are you going to give yourself to me?

Leng Zheng (blushing): Of course not!

Suddenly, Cheng Yunting produced a box—a diamond ring inside.

Cheng Yunting: Xiao Zheng, do you know? For this diamond ring, a man can only customize one in his life, meaning he’ll love only one person. So, Xiao Zheng, this unique ring is for you. Will you accept it?

Leng Zheng (looking at him in disbelief): I...

Cheng Yunting: Tsk, so what now? Sleep with me and run?

Leng Zheng: When did I ever?

PS: Happy Qixi to everyone! This chapter really made me happy—my darling’s abilities are obvious to all~

This chapter is especially sweet!

Ice~

I’m just a lonely soul, a single soul—a single dog, not worthy of celebrating Qixi.

I went to the movies today, and it was all couples. A single dog sighing online, alas.

Well then, this little one can’t stay up late—bye for now, see you tomorrow~

Wishing you all happiness!