Chapter 42: You've Got Another New Chick, President Leng?

When Leng Mohan emerged from the bathroom, he was greeted by a table piled with apple peel and an apple still in her hand that had been reduced to little more than a core. The peel had not broken once throughout the process, but she had mistakenly carved away all the flesh as if it were the skin.

Seeing Leng Mohan step out, Lin Yan’s hand gave a start, and the apple peel finally snapped off, dropping onto the table. She put down the fruit knife and said, "You're done? Which clothes are you wearing? I'll go get them for you."

Lin Yan went to the bathroom to wash her hands. The entire space still lingered with the scent of body wash, a faint, refreshing trace of mint. The steam drifting through the air misted over Lin Yan’s eyes, and the mirror above the sink was completely clouded by the vapor, rendering her reflection blurry and indistinct.

Gazing at herself in the mirror, Lin Yan felt a sudden prick of fear in her heart. She realized she could no longer read her own emotions. Had she really married him solely for the sake of her elder sister back then?

Had they not agreed to return everything to her sister once she came back?

Yet now, her heart was increasingly refusing to obey her commands.

"Ready to go?"

Just as Lin Yan stood dazed in the bathroom, Leng Mohan walked in from outside. He had already changed; gone was the formal suit, replaced simply by a white t-shirt that clung somewhat tightly to his frame, fully outlining the contours of his physique.

She had to admit that Leng Mohan’s figure was truly impressive, complete with well-defined pectoral and abdominal muscles, though without any exaggerated bulk. His waistline was slender yet appeared packed with strength.

"Oh, I'll go get my bag." Without even taking the time to dry her hands, Lin Yan hurried out of the bathroom, brushing past Leng Mohan. As she passed him, she could clearly catch his scent—that faint trace of mint.

The two of them headed to Crescent Bay, a renowned private-kitchen restaurant in Huaicheng. The establishment’s interior decoration was quite ordinary, but its cuisine was peerless, and its prices remained consistently exorbitant. Ordinary people seldom dined here, yet Leng Mohan was a regular patron.

The moment they stepped through the door, a manager approached with a smile to greet them. "President Leng is here. Shall I prepare the Falling Snow Chamber for you as usual?"

The manager glanced at Lin Yan, uncertain whether to assign them to his customary private room, since that particular room seemed to be reserved exclusively for him and a certain young lady named Ziyan.

"Arrange Green Bamboo Pavilion instead," Leng Mohan instructed.

"Right away, sir." The manager smiled broadly and turned to make the arrangements, only to be intercepted by a drunken man staggering toward them.

Catching sight of Leng Mohan, the drunkard waved cheerfully and lumbered over, slapping Leng Mohan familiarly on the shoulder. "President Leng, long time no see!"

"Long time no see." A smile touched Leng Mohan's face, but his expression remained aloof, completely devoid of warmth.

The drunkard cast a sidelong glance at Lin Yan, then leaned in close to whisper in Leng Mohan's ear. Before he could speak, he let out a hiccup, sending a sour, pungent wave of alcohol drifting through the air.

An intense urge rose within Lin Yan to cover her nose with her hand, but knowing it would be a rather impolite gesture, she rigidly forced herself to endure it.

Leng Mohan merely frowned slightly. Although the drunkard had intended to speak in a low voice, his words carried clearly for everyone present to hear.

"President Leng," he slurred, "have you, have you swapped for a new chick again? Though this one looks rather plain and watery. Doesn't seem like your usual taste."

Leng Mohan lifted his eyes, his gaze so freezing it felt as though it could turn a person to ice. Spotting the danger, the manager realized the drunkard had stirred up trouble and hastily reached out to pull him away. However, the man’s feet were too heavy to move properly, and he kept looking back over his shoulder, shouting at Leng Mohan, "President Leng, if you find, if you find this chick doesn't quite suit your palate, I actually think she suits mine rather well. You, you can let me handle any unnecessary nuisances for you anytime."