Once the police got involved, the plaintiff’s parents finally calmed down.
Shen Xiao helped Lin Qing up from the ground and asked,
“Are you alright?”
Lin Qing twisted her neck slightly and replied,
“I’m fine.”
Not long after, Su Yi came out from the courthouse and addressed the plaintiff’s family:
“The court ruling has been issued. The divorce is now officially in effect. Anything that happens after this is no longer my responsibility.”
Liu Cuiping turned to both Su Yi and Lin Qing and said gratefully:
“Thank you, both of you.”
The plaintiff’s family looked at the court papers in their daughter’s hands and began weeping uncontrollably.
Su Yi, Lin Qing, and the others left the scene together.
Lin Qing took off her scarf, while Su Yi held a bottle of Yunnan Baiyao spray and sprayed a few times on the left side of Lin Qing’s neck.
Lin Qing sighed,
“Being a lawyer is seriously a high-risk job. Good thing I work out regularly—otherwise, I wouldn’t have stood a chance against that shrew today.”
Su Yi wiped her palms with a tissue, a trace of guilt flashing across her face.
“I’m really sorry. This was supposed to be my case, and yet you’re the one who got hurt.”
Lin Qing glanced at the light red mark on her neck in the mirror and waved it off,
“Come on, we’ve known each other for so many years—no need for that. If you really feel bad, just treat me to a few nice meals.”
Su Yi smiled,
“I know it’s your birthday today. I already reserved a restaurant. Tonight let’s invite Yining and go have a feast.”
Lin Qing grinned,
“Sounds great.”
Su Yi pulled a small, beautifully wrapped box out of her desk drawer and handed it to Lin Qing,
“Here, your birthday gift.”
Lin Qing opened it, eyes lighting up,
“A signed photo of Roger Federer?! Where did you get this?!”
Su Yi beamed,
“My brother went on a business trip to Miami last week and happened to catch the Masters tournament. I asked him to get it for you.”
Lin Qing gave her a big hug.
“You’re amazing!”
Then Su Yi suddenly remembered,
“By the way, I forgot to ask—was it you who called the police today?”
As lawyers, they were used to emotional outbursts from family members in civil cases. Usually, unless all negotiation options were exhausted, they avoided calling the police to prevent further escalation.
Lin Qing shook her head,
“No, it wasn’t me.”
Su Yi turned to look at Shen Xiao, who was sitting at a nearby desk working on a proposal.
“Shen Xiao, did you call the police?”
Shen Xiao looked up from his computer,
“Nope. Actually, before I left, I specifically asked Officer Zhang. He said it was President Fu from Ruifeng who called.”
Lin Qing exclaimed,
“President Fu? Fu Sinian?”
Realizing it was Fu Sinian who had reported the incident, Lin Qing suddenly felt unsettled.
She couldn’t stop the memory of last night from flashing through her mind—their bodies entangled, kissing deeply, desperately clinging to each other.
Su Yi narrowed her eyes, noticing Lin Qing’s odd expression.
“What’s wrong? You don’t look so good.”
“Ah… Nothing, nothing.”
Lin Qing quickly masked her emotions, turned her chair, and sat back at her desk.
“Let’s hurry up and finish the contract. No more idle chatter.”
5:00 PM – Ruifeng Group Headquarters
Assistant Jiang Yuan held a stack of documents as he knocked on the door of the General Manager’s office.
A deep male voice came from inside:
“Come in.”
Jiang Yuan walked up to the man and handed over a planning document:
“President Fu, these are the financial and profit reports from the three branch companies for last month.”
Fu Sinian took the documents and began reviewing them carefully.
“Not bad. Both the marketing and profit figures are higher than in previous years. We can start preparing for the acquisition.”
Jiang Yuan hesitated before asking,
“Are you really planning to acquire Dongxin Company? Won’t that upset the old master?”
Fu Sinian replied calmly,
“Don’t worry. My grandfather won’t have a problem with it. Besides, Dongxin’s internal finances have long been in trouble. Being acquired is only a matter of time. Rather than waiting for outsiders to swoop in, it’s better that we take it back and see if we can turn it around.”
Since Fu Sinian had made up his mind, Jiang Yuan didn’t object further.
“Then regarding the legal services for the acquisition, which law firm should we entrust it to—Huading or Yuanhe?”
Fu Sinian replied,
“Huading. Go there next week. Discuss the details and have their lead attorney draft the contract. We’ll arrange an in-person meeting at the company.”
Jiang Yuan, aware of Fu Sinian’s history with Lin Qing, asked cautiously,
“Should we exclude Lawyer Lin from the legal team? Considering your… relationship.”
At the mention of Lin Qing, Fu Sinian paused slightly, hand tightening around his pen.
After a moment’s thought, he said,
“No need to avoid her. In fact, she’s the most suitable person for this project.”
Jiang Yuan nodded,
“Understood.”
Fu Sinian lifted his head from the stack of paperwork and walked toward the massive floor-to-ceiling window. He gazed outside.
The neon lights of the city sparkled brilliantly. Skyscrapers stood in close formation, and from this high vantage point, all of Nancheng lay beneath him. At night, the traffic surged and the city lights wove into a vibrant mosaic.
Huading Law Firm’s building stood not far away—its office lights still shining brightly.
Jiang Yuan gently reminded,
“President Fu, it’s already 7:10 PM. You have a meeting with Miss Song at 8. Should we get going?”
Fu Sinian glanced at his watch.
“Mm. Get the car ready.”
After 6 PM, Lin Qing and Su Yi finished work and left Huading Law Firm, then drove to Anyu Accounting Firm to pick up Tang Yining. The three of them headed together to a restaurant.
The Western restaurant was located in the eastern part of Nancheng’s new district—a newly opened Italian eatery.
Su Yi had made a reservation in advance.
Su Yi’s father was the governor of the central bank, Tang Yining’s mother was a senior partner at one of the Big Four accounting firms, and the Lin family was a well-known name in Nancheng’s business world. The three women had attended the same private school since junior high, and none of their families lacked money.
Tang Yining gave Lin Qing a birthday present: a pair of limited-edition sneakers.
Lin Qing accepted them with a smile.
Still wearing her high heels and having had no chance to change yet, Tang Yining looked at the other two, both dressed in casual activewear, and couldn’t help saying,
“You guys wore that to work? That’s way too laid-back—and you’re not even wearing makeup!”
Su Yi replied,
“Miss Tang, we wouldn’t dare wear heavy makeup and heels. If we wore stilettos, how could we hold our ground at the courthouse when dealing with irrational, aggressive clients’ families?”
Lin Qing opened a bottle of red wine with a corkscrew and poured for the two of them,
“Flat shoes are better. If something happens, we can run faster.”
Tang Yining caught sight of the red mark on Lin Qing’s neck and caught a whiff of Yunnan Baiyao spray. She laughed,
“You got into another fight? Xiao Qing, you’re not even a litigation lawyer anymore—how’d you end up in a brawl? Let me guess, a corporate client didn’t like the contract you drafted and gave you a beating?”
Lin Qing nodded toward Su Yi with her chin,
“Ask her.”
Tang Yining turned to Su Yi.
Su Yi chuckled awkwardly,
“We ran into some crazy family members at a divorce hearing this morning. I called in backup and had her help hold the line. One of the family members accidentally hurt her. It’s my fault. I already apologized—tonight’s dinner is on me.”
Tang Yining sighed and rubbed her forehead. She had a feeling it would be something like this.
“This is exactly why I didn’t choose law—I always thought being a lawyer was too dangerous. One slip and someone might hold a grudge. You two need to be more careful and take care of yourselves.”
Tang Yining was suddenly very serious, worried about Lin Qing and Su Yi’s safety.
Lin Qing laughed,
“It’s not as bad as you make it sound.”
“I hope not. I’m just worried about you two, that’s all.”
On the other side of the restaurant, in a private room.
At the table, a man held a wine glass, slowly sipping red wine. The plate in front of him was already empty.
Song Shuyao smiled sweetly at him and said as she spoke,
“Si Nian, when do you have time? I’d like to go take our wedding photos.”
The moment he heard the words “wedding photos,” Fu Sinian’s expression darkened slightly. He set down his wine glass, looked at Song Shuyao, and spoke slowly and clearly,
“Shuyao, there’s something I need to be honest with you about.”
“What is it?”
Fu Sinian explained part of what had happened the previous night. As he spoke, Song Shuyao’s face sank.
“This is my fault. I’ve wronged you. But I think… you deserve someone better.”
“So—this marriage… let’s forget about it.”
It was as if someone had struck Song Shuyao over the head. All the dreams and expectations she had for their future were instantly shattered.
Although her relationship with Fu Sinian had started through an arranged meeting set up by their families, she had genuinely invested her feelings.
Now her boyfriend had slept with another woman and was breaking up with her?
What was she supposed to make of that?
“You’re breaking up with me because of that woman, aren’t you? Who is she?”
Fu Sinian shook his head.
“I’m sorry—I can’t tell you. This has nothing to do with her. Ending things is my decision. She didn’t even know what happened last night.”
Song Shuyao hesitated for a moment but then made up her mind. She reached out and held Fu Sinian’s hand.
“Si Nian… what if I told you I don’t care that something happened between you and someone else?”
The air went quiet for a moment.
Song Shuyao looked at him, hoping for a response.
A few seconds later, Fu Sinian pulled his hand back and said softly,
“But I care.”
Ten minutes later, Lin Qing came out of the restroom.
She had only taken a few steps before she bumped into someone head-on.
The GUCCI bag in her hand fell to the ground.
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”