Under the enthusiastic welcome from the server, Qiao Anchen chose a window-side table and sat down. Chu Yi, feeling disheartened, followed him and sat down with a blank expression.

“I often come here; the food is really good,” Qiao Anchen said as he set up the tableware and poured tea. Chu Yi remained silent, quietly peeling off the plastic wrap from her dishes.

The transparent wrap crinkled as she removed it, which she quickly crumpled into a ball and neatly threw into the trash can.

This series of movements was so smooth that Qiao Anchen found it somewhat odd. He glanced at Chu Yi’s expression, a bit tentative.

“Is something wrong?”

“What?” Chu Yi paused.

“You seem to have something on your mind,” Qiao Anchen said seriously.

“……” Chu Yi deflated immediately.

The server brought the menu, and Qiao Anchen ordered a few dishes, asking for Chu Yi’s opinion. She was so dispirited that she didn’t even want to speak, let alone choose dishes.

She took a sip of water and waved her hand dismissively.

Qiao Anchen paused for a moment, then handed the menu back to the server.

During the wait, Chu Yi calmed down a little.

To be fair, the environment here wasn’t so bad. At least it was quiet inside, and the décor and lighting were comfortable.

Compared to the outside, it could be considered quite refined. The service was also of high quality.

The food arrived quickly. Chu Yi tried a bit of everything, and the taste was excellent, even better than Qiao Anchen’s cooking.

Unknowingly, she ended up eating two bowls of rice.

Feeling full and looking at the empty bowls in front of her, Chu Yi was even more annoyed.

She felt she had slapped herself in the face! She had given a live demonstration of the “delicious food” scenario.

It must have been hunger that made her eat so much…

Yes, that was it! She thought angrily.

When it was time to settle the bill and leave, Chu Yi remained tight-lipped. Qiao Anchen looked at her while driving but, finding no results, turned his attention away. The car drove past the bustling city center, with couples holding hands and vendors enthusiastically selling flowers.

A sudden idea flashed through Qiao Anchen’s mind.

“Do you want to…” he glanced at Chu Yi, thoughtfully. Chu Yi, who had almost given up hope, felt her eyes brighten at his words.

Qiao Anchen slowly continued, “Do you want to go shopping?”

“……… ” Chu Yi’s heart sank immediately.

She remained silent for a while. Assuming she had tacitly agreed, Qiao Anchen continued on his own.

“There are a lot of people on the streets today, and it’s crowded. The stores will also have long lines. If you really want to go, we can find time next time—”

“Forget it, I don’t want to go,” Chu Yi interrupted him, hoping he would stop talking.

“Let’s go back. I’m a bit tired.” She closed her eyes and leaned back in her seat, feeling too exhausted to face the world.

Qiao Anchen was silent for a moment. After the traffic light turned green, he restarted the car.

That night, there was hardly any conversation between them. Chu Yi took a shower, changed clothes, and went to bed early. She stuffed the lace lingerie Cheng Li had sent her into the bottom of her wardrobe, probably never to see the light of day again.

Chu Yi’s cold war was firm and prolonged. Even Qiao Anchen, despite his usual dullness, noticed something was wrong because Chu Yi hadn’t smiled at him since that day!

Qiao Anchen was troubled. Seeing Chu Yi’s smiling face at home usually made him feel less tired after a long day, but now the atmosphere at home was more serious than a courtroom.

He frowned, feeling unusually out of sorts at work.

During the lunch break, someone walked in and was surprised to see him.

“Qiao Anchen, no way! You’re actually making this face!”

“Unbelievable.”

“It’s like a man troubled by emotional problems. Do you have emotional problems? Hahahahaha.”

Interrupted from his thoughts, Qiao Anchen shot him a displeased look and replied coldly.

“Jin Ran, what are you doing here?”

“Came to invite you to lunch; it’s already time.” Jin Ran checked his watch, grinning as he approached Qiao Anchen’s desk and leaned in mysteriously. “Mr. Qiao, any recent troubles? Spill them out and let me enjoy myself—”

Qiao Anchen ignored him, focusing on the bottom right corner of his computer screen with no expression.

“There’s still a minute until off-work time, Jin Ran. You’re leaving early.”

“Tsk.” Jin Ran shook his head, pointing at him. “You’re too rigid. I’m still in the office area. Waiting for you to shut down your computer and leaving together is just right.”

Qiao Anchen was used to his oily demeanor. He waited for the time to tick to the hour, then locked his screen and pushed back his chair to stand up.

“Hey, wait for me—”

Jin Ran put his arm around Qiao Anchen’s shoulder. After a slight push that had no effect, Qiao Anchen let him guide him out, and their figures gradually disappeared from sight.

…….

In the cafeteria of the prosecutor’s office, everyone was eating quietly, with the clinking of bowls and chopsticks mixed with murmured conversations. Jin Ran let out an exclamation of surprise that almost escaped, but he quickly controlled himself. After scanning the surroundings, he leaned in and whispered.

“What?! You said your wife hasn’t been giving you a good face for several days?”

Unable to hold back, Jin Ran’s smile spread from ear to ear, and he laughed so hard he had to slap his thigh.

“Hahaha, Qiao Anchen, it’s hilarious! Even a soft and sweet girl like her can’t stand it. What on earth did you do???”

Jin Ran had seen Chu Yi once at the wedding—she was cute and soft, and just a sip of wine would make her face crumple up, her cheeks flushed. Her voice was small and delicate, and every time she looked at Qiao Anchen, there was a trace of youthful infatuation.

He had wondered back then what kind of luck Qiao Anchen had to win over such a wonderful girl.