Chapter 27:

Lu Yaoqing found chatting with this girl quite interesting. From her attire and demeanor, he could tell she wasn’t from an ordinary family—in fact, her background was likely quite affluent. Yet, surprisingly, her personality was so guileless.

Though she tried her best to appear spoiled, haughty, and indifferent, in his eyes, she was nothing more than a Persian cat using its claws to protect itself—adorable and delicate.

Someone like her was entirely different from him. No matter how refined and elegant he might appear on the surface, earning praise as a dashing young gentleman from everyone who saw him, he knew the truth. If he were truly that kind of person, in the intricate and ruthless world of the Lu family, he would have been devoured without a trace. He wouldn’t have secured his position as the young master either. Though he wasn’t particularly attached to the title, for his mother’s sake, he had to be the best.

Thinking of his mother, Lu Yaoqing let out a long sigh, a pang of sorrow in his heart. *She’s such a foolish woman.*

“Hey?” Bo Pengpeng had been talking for a while but hadn’t received any response from the person beside her. When she looked up, she found him lost in thought. Instantly annoyed, she waved her right hand in front of his face. “Are you seriously spacing out? Didn’t you hear a word I said?”

Lu Yaoqing snapped back to reality and offered an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I zoned out for a moment. My bad.”

Since he’d already apologized, Bo Pengpeng wasn’t the type to be unreasonable. She huffed, “Fine, fine, I forgive you. But you better pay attention when I’m talking! Spacing out while a girl is speaking isn’t going to win you any favors.”

Hearing such childish words, Lu Yaoqing nearly laughed but managed to suppress it, nodding instead. “Yes, yes, Miss.”

Watching the slightly smug smile on Bo Pengpeng’s face, Lu Yaoqing felt an inexplicable softness in his heart. *This girl has a certain magic to her. Anyone who spends time with her would be infected by her straightforwardness. No one could dislike her.*

*How wonderful.*

*People like her live such happy lives!*

“You two have been chatting? And it seems quite lively.” Qin Chaoyu had finally finished treating all her patients and could take a break. Only then did she remember she’d left Bo Pengpeng alone for so long without even offering her proper hospitality. It was already past six in the evening—had she even eaten lunch? Feeling a bit guilty, she’d expected the girl to throw a tantrum by now. But when she turned around, she found Bo Pengpeng chatting happily with Lu Yaoqing.

*Well, I guess I don’t need to worry about her.*

Bo Pengpeng quickly stood up, suddenly feeling awkward, as if she’d been caught doing something wrong. *Seriously, it’s just a conversation—though, admittedly, with a very handsome guy.*

Lu Yaoqing, on the other hand, remained composed, even nodding calmly at Qin Chaoyu in greeting.

Eager to move past the moment, Bo Pengpeng grabbed Qin Chaoyu’s arm and gave it a playful shake, pouting. “It’s nothing! I was just bored with no one to talk to, and then he showed up, so we chatted to pass the time.”

She rolled her eyes. “And whose fault is that? You just dumped me here and ignored me!”

“Alright, alright, my mistake,” Qin Chaoyu conceded. When it came to arguing, she knew she was no match for this girl.

Bo Pengpeng snorted, but then her peripheral vision caught Lu Yaoqing watching their playful bickering with a smile. Her face instantly flushed. *Oh no, he saw me acting spoiled with Chaoyu. My dignified image is ruined!*

Hastily changing the subject, she said, “Oh, right, Chaoyu, this guy came to see you. I won’t interrupt your conversation—I’ll go find Tuantuan!”

Grabbing her bag, she hurried over to where Tuantuan was perched on the counter, enjoying both the attention of the pharmacy assistant and a handful of nuts.

Though Qin Chaoyu didn’t think their conversation needed privacy, she couldn’t very well call Bo Pengpeng back now that she’d left. She sat down instead. “So, the results of the formula?”

Lu Yaoqing nodded. “Yes. The formula is unexpectedly flawless. I think we can proceed with signing the contract.”

He pulled a document from the bag he’d brought—something he usually avoided carrying, finding it cumbersome. But for this occasion, he’d specifically chosen a large men’s bag to accommodate the contract.

“Take a look. If everything seems in order, we can sign.”

Qin Chaoyu skimmed through it. Though she wasn’t deeply versed in legal matters, nothing stood out as problematic at a glance. Without hesitation, she signed her name. It was her principle: *Trust those you employ, and don’t employ those you distrust.*

Her decisiveness pleased Lu Yaoqing. It meant she trusted him—enough not to suspect any hidden traps in the contract. Amused, he teased, “Chaoyu, aren’t you worried I might’ve set a trap for you? There’s no rush—you could have a lawyer review it first.”

Qin Chaoyu capped her pen. “I believe in you. I don’t think you’d lack that basic integrity. No need to waste time on formalities.”

Hearing those words firsthand moved Lu Yaoqing more than he expected. It wasn’t the same as hearing similar sentiments from people who’d known him for years.

By all accounts, he and Qin Chaoyu had only met two or three months ago.

At that moment, Lu Yaoqing realized he was genuinely touched.

“Pleasure doing business. I won’t betray your trust.”

With the main purpose of his visit accomplished, there was no reason to linger. Energized, he was eager to get started on opening the medicinal cuisine restaurant.

As he stepped out the door, Lu Yaoqing suddenly thought of Bo Pengpeng—the seemingly spoiled but surprisingly considerate girl. But after only a brief hesitation, he pushed the door open and left.

*People like her and I walk different paths. This encounter was a pleasant surprise, but it’s best not to involve her further.*

Logically, he knew this was the right decision. Yet, an inexplicable ache lingered in his chest—one he couldn’t ignore.

Shaking his head, Lu Yaoqing chuckled self-deprecatingly. *What’s with this sentimental nonsense? Focus on the restaurant.*

After bidding farewell to Lu Yaoqing, Qin Chaoyu prepared to leave as well. She called out to Bo Pengpeng, telling her to bring Tuantuan along.

“Oh, he’s gone already?” Bo Pengpeng asked, cradling Tuantuan as she returned, only to find Qin Chaoyu sitting alone.

Instantly, the joy of finally holding Tuantuan dimmed.

Qin Chaoyu replied casually, “Yeah, he left after we finished discussing business. Anyway, it’s almost dark—are you hungry?”

The mention of food made Bo Pengpeng’s stomach growl audibly. “Starving! I didn’t even eat lunch.”

She pouted, feeling wronged. Even when her parents had just passed away and her brother was too busy with the family business to look after her, she’d never gone hungry before.

Qin Chaoyu couldn’t help but laugh. “Why didn’t you eat? I’m used to skipping meals when I’m busy.”

“I thought you’d finish soon and we could eat together! Who knew you’d be tied up till now? And I kept drinking tea, so I didn’t feel that hungry—until you mentioned it.”

“Alright, my treat as an apology. May I have the honor of inviting the young lady to dinner?”

Bo Pengpeng pretended to deliberate before lifting her chin imperiously. “Very well. I shall grant you this privilege.”

Since she was treating, Qin Chaoyu let Bo Pengpeng choose the restaurant.

In the end, Bo Pengpeng took her to Hui Xiang Ju, a place famous for its sour fish stew.

Many patrons came specifically for that dish, rumored to be made with a secret recipe. Whether that was true or not, Bo Pengpeng didn’t know, but the restaurant’s decades-long reputation was undeniable.

They indulged in a hearty meal of the spicy, tangy fish stew. Even though her tongue tingled from the heat and she broke into a sweat, the experience was thoroughly satisfying.

Rubbing her full belly, Bo Pengpeng magnanimously forgave Qin Chaoyu for neglecting her earlier.

On the drive back to the dorm, Bo Pengpeng’s phone rang—her brother’s caller ID flashing on the screen. Her heart sank. *He knows I took the car without permission.*

No matter how much she didn’t want to answer, she didn’t dare hang up. But with the car in motion, she couldn’t pull over either, so she feigned composure and let the call go unanswered.

*It’s fine. Perfectly understandable—safety first. Brother will get it.*

Though the phone didn’t ring again, Bo Pengpeng knew better than to assume she was off the hook. She quickly dropped Qin Chaoyu off at the dorm and had the driver take her straight back to the Bo residence.

—

**The Bo Residence**

Bo Jixi’s expression turned icy when his sister didn’t answer his call, his lips pressed into a tight line.

The household staff recognized the signs of the family head’s foul mood instantly, moving about their chores as quietly as possible to avoid drawing his ire.

Under the oppressive atmosphere, they finished cleaning the main hall in record time before hastily dispersing. Only once outside did they dare exhale in relief.

Bo Jixi reclined on the sofa, facing the door with his eyes closed. The warm lighting softened the sharp angles of his face, lending him an air of approachability and harmlessness. It was moments like these that reminded others the formidable head of the Bo family, who inspired both admiration and fear, was still a man under thirty.

But Bo Pengpeng knew better. That gentle facade was an illusion. Domineering, dictatorial, and ruthlessly controlling—that was his true nature.