Volume One, Chapter 21: He No Longer Had the Heart to Ask Her for This Dance

Cheng Yan forced a bitter smile. "Xiao Ye is adorable. I just... can't help but want to be kind to him. Cousin must have misunderstood, thinking I have other motives. Sigh, I’ll try not to see Xiao Ye anymore."

This tactic of retreating to advance was her specialty.

Li Zhinan lowered his voice and said, "I’ve seen how kind you’ve been to Xiao Ye. It’s Cheng Qian who’s being petty."

"Don’t say that. Cousin means no harm; she just loves the child too much," Cheng Yan replied understandingly.

At that moment, a waltz suddenly began playing in the banquet hall.

To the left was a magnificent ballroom.

"Zhinan, may I have this dance?" Cheng Yan asked with a hopeful smile. "I miss the times we used to dance together when we studied abroad."

Li Zhinan hesitated slightly.

Fang Zhuo beside him immediately urged, "Zhinan, come on, it’s just one dance. Sister-in-law won’t overthink it."

At that moment, Ji Yichen approached and, hearing Fang Zhuo, said coolly, "Not overthinking it is one thing, but how outsiders perceive it is another. Zhinan, this isn’t a private occasion; you should be more careful."

Cheng Yan’s cheeks flushed slightly upon hearing Ji Yichen clearly defending Cheng Qian, and she felt annoyed inside.

What kind of spell had Cheng Qian cast on Ji Yichen?

He had always been considerate of her before, but now that he was back in the country, he was on Cheng Qian’s side.

Li Zhinan made a rational decision: "Cheng Yan, have Fang Zhuo dance with you."

Fang Zhuo’s face lit up with excitement. He quickly wiped his hands on his trousers and smiled at Cheng Yan, "Is that alright?"

Cheng Yan was the darling of this social circle, so she naturally wouldn’t put her companions under any pressure or discomfort.

She rose gracefully, her posture elegant. "Mr. Fang, please."

Li Zhinan sat on the sofa, his gaze drifting toward the nearby gourmet area.

Cheng Qian sat on the sofa, feeding her son, the little one’s mouth smeared with grease.

Li Zhinan stood up, long legs striding directly toward Cheng Qian.

Jiang Meng stopped him halfway.

"Mom!" Li Zhinan called out. "Is Xiao Wei feeling any better?"

Jiang Meng shook her head. "He threw a tantrum last time and hasn’t eaten since."

Li Zhinan’s expression darkened, and he snapped angrily, "Mom, why is Xiao Wei upset? Isn’t it because of Cheng Qian? Why did you bring her to the banquet?"

Jiang Meng frowned and explained, "It’s not Cheng Qian’s fault."

"If not her, then whose?" Li Zhinan’s displeasure showed plainly.

"If you ask me, you shouldn’t have invited an outsider to our family banquet that day," Jiang Meng glared at him. "Blame yourself."

Li Zhinan’s handsome face stiffened.

Jiang Meng looked toward Cheng Yan in the dance hall and sternly reminded her son, "Work is work, but private matters must be weighed carefully. From now on, no more involvement of Miss Cheng in the Li family affairs."

"Mom, you’ve misunderstood. Cheng Yan and I are just friends," Li Zhinan explained.

"I hope so," Jiang Meng said without elaboration.

Li Zhinan had originally wanted to ask Cheng Qian to dance, but his mood was instantly dampened.

He turned and walked to the other side to discuss business with others.

Cheng Qian sat quietly on the sofa, watching the splendid scene with her heart drifting away.

In her memory, it was this very kind of occasion when her uncle, already making a name in the business world, had brought her father along.

Her father was treated like a commodity, amidst the glamorous banquet filled with investment solicitations and boasting. Even at such a young age, she had sensed her father’s embarrassment.

Cheng Qian had promised her mother-in-law she would show her face, but now she wanted to leave.

She held Xiao Ye’s hand and approached Jiang Meng.

Jiang Meng asked gently, "Xiao Qian, are you going back now?"

Cheng Qian nodded. "Yes, Mom, I’ll leave first."

Jiang Meng did not insist she stay and reminded her to be safe on the way home.

Watching Cheng Qian and her grandson walk away, Jiang Meng’s brows furrowed deeply.

She wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination, but she felt the relationship between her eldest son and eldest daughter-in-law had become strained recently.

Li Zhinan finished his conversation and scanned the banquet hall with dark eyes but did not see Cheng Qian and the child.

He walked over and asked Jiang Meng, "Mom, where are they?"

"They left earlier," Jiang Meng said, also ready to leave. Before going, she reminded Li Zhinan, "Mind your manners."

Li Zhinan nodded. "Got it. I’ll have the driver send you off."

"Auntie, you’re leaving already?" Cheng Yan seized the opportunity to greet her.

Jiang Meng smiled, "Yes, Miss Cheng. Have fun."

After Jiang Meng left, Cheng Yan heard from Chu Yun that Cheng Qian had also left with her child.

A smile curved at the corner of Cheng Yan’s lips. She deliberately approached Li Zhinan. "Zhinan, I have something important to discuss with you. Let’s find a quieter place."

Li Zhinan’s voice was low. "What is it?"

Cheng Yan immediately took out her phone and opened a file. "This rising star in scientific research has been gaining momentum lately. He’s a top talent in physical medicine both domestically and abroad, with significant achievements in nanomedicine and radiation therapy."

Li Zhinan took her phone and examined it carefully. "Qiao Silin?"

Cheng Yan took a deep breath, her expression serious. "It’s not easy to arrange a meeting with him. My dad went through great trouble to secure a lunch appointment for tomorrow."

"Do you want me to intervene?" Li Zhinan asked.

Cheng Yan smiled sweetly and confidently. "We’ll communicate with him first, but… Zhinan, even if we can’t get him to join our team, it’s best you don’t meet him."

Li Zhinan’s handsome face shifted slightly. "Why?"

"Well…" Cheng Yan showed a troubled expression. "Cousin is supposed to be studying abroad, right? At an academic conference, she had a dispute with Dr. Qiao over an experiment."

"Is that so?" Li Zhinan furrowed his brows.

Cheng Yan nodded. "Yes, I heard from friends that the argument was quite intense. Neither side would back down."

Li Zhinan’s expression darkened. "You’re worried that because I’m his husband, this Dr. Qiao might bear a grudge?"

Cheng Yan shook her head gently. "That’s not what I mean, but Dr. Qiao has an eccentric personality, so it’s not impossible."

Li Zhinan snorted lightly. "If it’s really because of her, I’ll make her apologize in person."

Cheng Yan’s heart leapt with joy, though she kept a composed face and said softly, "Zhinan, cousin has always been strong-willed in academics. It’s just her nature; you can’t blame her."

"She’s strong-willed?" Li Zhinan raised an eyebrow.

Cheng Yan immediately covered her slightly flushed lips. "Uh, sorry, Zhinan, I spoke out of turn."

"Did you hear someone say something?" Li Zhinan pressed.

Cheng Yan looked troubled. "No… no one. Cousin is quite an outstanding person."

"Enough. Don’t say such false things in front of me," Li Zhinan said coldly, a trace of displeasure showing between his brows.

Only then did Cheng Yan lower her voice. "I happened to overhear some people who used to work under her talking. They said cousin is domineering and dismissive. When they proposed theories, she rejected them, making them afraid to speak up even if they had ideas..."

"I see." Li Zhinan ground his teeth silently. Is this why four years of investment went down the drain?

"Alright, Zhinan, I’m not one to badmouth behind someone’s back. I’m only telling you this, so please don’t bring it up in front of cousin," Cheng Yan pleaded.

"Don’t worry," Li Zhinan said calmly. "Since Dr. Qiao is a top talent in physical medicine, we will spare no expense to recruit him."

"Yes, my dad thinks the same. We must bring him into the team," Cheng Yan said confidently. "Zhinan, don’t worry. After all, we’re alumni. I’ll persuade him."

"Much appreciated," Li Zhinan nodded.

To outsiders, Li Zhinan and Cheng Yan stood together in a corner, seemingly engrossed in conversation.

Cheng Yan held a glass of red wine, her red lips curling and tightening occasionally, exuding a natural relaxed charm.

The man was tall, handsome, and charismatic.

The woman wore a fishtail gown, elegant and enchanting; together, they looked perfectly matched.

Seeing this, Chu Yun teased, "Look, doesn’t Cheng Yan and Mr. Li look like a perfect couple?"

Fang Zhuo’s eyes flashed with a hint of disappointment but he had to admit that Cheng Yan and Li Zhinan seemed made for each other.

"Xiaoyun, don’t say such things at these occasions," Chu Huaijing sternly admonished his sister.

Chu Yun pouted her rosy lips. "Just joking."

Ji Yichen set down his wine glass and said coldly, "Jokes can sometimes cause trouble."

Chu Yun immediately quieted down. She could ignore others, but Ji Yichen was her idol, and she took every word of his to heart.

Cheng Qian returned home, played with her child for a while, then bathed him herself and read picture books. The little one was making quick progress.

Around ten o’clock, Xiao Ye fell asleep in his little bed.

Cheng Qian tiptoed to the study, her mind drifting to the contents of her father’s notebook.

She opened the computer, pulled up data, and analyzed carefully.

It was already past midnight.

Downstairs, the sound of a car arriving did not disturb her.

Steady footsteps ascended to the second floor; Li Zhinan, carrying a suit jacket, dressed in a black vest over a shirt and trousers, radiated the aura of a man in power.

He first checked on his son in the guest room; the little one was sleeping soundly.

Then he came to the study and saw Cheng Qian, freshly bathed, sitting in front of the computer. Seeing him approach, she quickly turned off the screen.

The man’s handsome face darkened. "Is there anything I’m not allowed to see?"

Cheng Qian replied coolly, "It’s all academic stuff you wouldn’t understand."

Li Zhinan felt underestimated and snorted lightly. "Why aren’t you staying longer tonight?"

Cheng Qian gave him a curious look. "I’ve stayed long enough."

The conversation instantly died.

Li Zhinan leaned against the doorframe, tilting his head to look at the woman sitting in the chair.

His posture highlighted the elegant curve of his neck and the sensual movement of his Adam’s apple as he swallowed.

"We haven’t had marital relations for almost a year," Li Zhinan reminded her.