Chapter 85 - Knew a Lot

Yao Tang tilted her head and gave it a moment’s thought. “If Young Master Cheng doesn’t mind, there’s a hotpot restaurant near my hotel.”

“Oh, I don’t mind, I don’t mind!” Qin Haochirped, obviously asking for a beating. “You’re treating all of us, aren’t you,Yao Tang?” Yao Tang looked at him through the rearview mirror, her eyes flashing. “I’ll treatCheng Yan. You guys can pay for yourselves.” He Du couldn’t take it anymore and finally joined in the conversation. “Eh, this is too much! Treat us fair and square.”

“That’s right!” Qin Haopouted like a wronged old woman. “What’s your relationship with Brother Cheng, anyway? Why are you giving him the special treatment?”

Cheng Yan glanced at the girl beside him, his eyes twinkling with anticipation.

He wanted to know Yao Tang’s answer to Qin Hao’s question.

However, they were interrupted by the beeping of her phone. She directed her attention back to her screen, but not before saying, “Take a guess.”

“Buzzkill,” Qin Haomuttered. “Hey, Old He, you’re paying. Show us the hospitality that only the Seventh Young Master of the He family can give!” “You scoundrel, in your dreams!”

Cheng Yan looked amused by the banter, but he said nothing more. Deep down, he was immensely pleased with this development. It seemed that his efforts in feeding Yao Tangin the past hadn’t gone to waste.

As it turned out, He Duhad to foot their bill.

In all fairness, they all enjoyed the hotpot. After the meal, they saw Yao Tangoff to her hotel.

Cheng Yan stopped by the car to pick up a bar of white chocolate and offered to take her up to her room while the other two stayed behind.

“Are you free tomorrow?” he asked Yao Tangas they walked across the hotel lobby and toward the elevator. “Do you think you can give the Old Madam a brief check-up?”

The elevator doors dinged open, and she stepped inside. She took off her cap and brushed her hair with her fingers. “Okay, wait for my call.”

She wasn’t sure when she’d be done with Sheng Ting’s project.

As her fingers swept through her ebony tresses, Cheng Yanfound himself staring once again. His eyes darkened.

He cleared his throat and followed her into the elevator.

“Let me know when you’re done then,” he said, his voice low. “I’ll come and pick you up.”

Yao Tang nodded, seemingly oblivious to his turmoil.

The elevator walls were made of glass, and so was the shaft, as it was built for sightseeing purposes. The city lights outside flashed on their faces as they made their ascent.

They both looked out instinctively, dazzled by the view before them.

Neither spoke again until they reached the door of Yao Tang’s room.Cheng Yanstood back and handed her the chocolate. “Call me if you need anything.” Yao Tang took the bar and waved it in front of him, a sly smile playing on her lips. “If you really want to know what I’m doing tomorrow, all you have to do is to ask me directly. I never thought the Young Master Cheng to be quite shy and reserved.”

There was a provocative glint to her eyes that almost stirred Cheng Yaninto action. Is hands subconsciously clenched at his sides.

But before he could do or say anything, Yao Tangturned away and disappeared into the room, closing the door on his face.

Cheng Yan blinked twice before letting out a breathy chuckle. The sound was deep and sexy.

His eyes glowed in the dim lighting of the corridor, sporting the look that a hunter usually had when he caught a glimpse of his prey. If anyone had been there to see the picture he painted of himself, they would have swooned right at his feet.

Cheng Yan took a deep breath and turned to leave.

Yao Tang’s face kept appearing in his mind with every step he took. The arch of her brow, the tilt of her lips… Cheng Yangrinned, feeling giddy in spite of himself.

She might be young, but she sure knew a lot.

Qin Hao andHe Dusat silently in the car while waiting

Given their rambunctious personalities, they were quite bored with this bout of idleness.

“Old He,” Qin Haosaid after a while. “What do you think about Brother Cheng’s attitude towardYao Tang? Does it mean anything to

you?”

He Du was playing on his phone. He answered without removing his eyes from the screen. “Isn’t it obvious? We all know that Yu Shu has always been among our peers, right? I think the Old Madam Cheng even sees her as a possible bride candidate. But I heard that when Brother Cheng came to the Cheng Residence last time, he forbid everyone from receiving her in the future. I’m sure the Yu family must be outraged, but they can do nothing about it.”

Most people would be clueless about the reasons behind Cheng Yan’s orders, of course, but not his closest friends.

Qin Hao clicked his tongue and rubbed his chin, looking pensive. “I just didn’t expect Brother Cheng… Well, I mean, he actually ate at a hotpot stall!”

He had barely finished his words when the door to the backseat was suddenly opened. Qin Haowhirled from the driver’s seat.

“Let’s go to Imperial Park,” Cheng Yansaid as he slammed the door shut behind him.

Although his face was blank, Qin Hao and He Du knew him well enough to tell that he was in a good mood.

As curious as he was, Qin Haorefrained from asking anything and silently started the car.

He Du had finished playing his game at this point. “Brother Cheng, Cheng Si just sent me a message. A new batch of goods has been delivered safely, but theShadow Leagueis charging us ten times more than the market

price.”

“What’s going on?” Qin Haoexclaimed, his eyes wide with surprise. “Did we offend theShadow Leaguein any way?”

But that wouldn’t make sense, either. If there really was a grudge between them, the Shadow Leaguewould have refused the contract to begin with.

‘Or do they take us for fools?’

Cheng Yan frowned, his thoughts racing.

…

Yao Tang came out of the shower. Her hair was still dripping as she walked over to the table. She carelessly dried the wet strands with one hand while she fished her laptop from her backpack with the other.

After setting it up on the table, she took a swig of the bottled water she had lying around and leaned back against her chair.

It tilted a few degrees backward, and she used the momentum to swing back and forth. She was waiting for something.

was