"Lawyer He, we meet again!"
Upon seeing He Huaiqin, Lu Hengyu's face immediately broke into a smile as he went to greet him.
He Huaiqin nodded indifferently, but this did not affect Lu Hengyu's enthusiastic attitude at all.
"Lawyer He, a few days ago, I must thank the lawyers from your firm for calling to guide me. Otherwise, that business deal at the Shanghai port would have caused me a lot of trouble."
A few days ago, a phone call?
Wen Zhaoning recalled that day in the fitting room, after He Huaiqin sent a message, Lu Hengyu's phone rang. Could it have been that day?
"Mr. Lu, I also have some small business dealings at the Shanghai port with my friends. You've been making quite a few moves recently." He Huaiqin spoke, his voice calm, yet carrying an inherent pressure. "Let me remind you, Mr. Lu, it's natural to seek wealth through business, but there are certain bottom lines that are best not to cross. Otherwise, the consequences will be unimaginable."
Lu Hengyu's expression changed instantly.
Over the years, with his mayor father covering for him, he had engaged in many illicit businesses. Had He Huaiqin found out something? He Huaiqin's words, seemingly a reminder, were in fact more like a warning.
"I understand, I understand. I will trouble Lawyer He for more guidance in the future."
He Huaiqin didn't reply and turned to walk away.
Wen Zhaoning, standing by, finally understood. So, He Huaiqin had leverage over Lu Hengyu, which explained why he was so calm and composed in the fitting room.
Although He Huaiqin only said one sentence, it threw Lu Hengyu into a bit of a panic. Lu Hengyu, with no mind for further socializing, left Wen Zhaoning and went to the corridor outside to make a long phone call.
Wen Zhaoning was happy to have some peace and quiet, not having to stand by Lu Hengyu and force a smile.
She took a small plate of matcha mousse and stood alone by the floor-to-ceiling window of the banquet hall, eating it slowly.
The floor-to-ceiling glass clearly reflected the scene inside: the elegant ladies and gentlemen, the clinking of glasses, and He Huaiqin, surrounded by admiration in the crowd.
He Huaiqin was chatting and laughing with Shangguan Hong and several officials and businessmen from Shanghai. The crystal glass in his hand swirled gently, his every move exuding the composure and confidence of someone in control.
The poor boy who always carried a hint of humility back then was completely gone. The current He Huaiqin moved through this world of fame and fortune like a shark that had returned to its own waters – elegant, powerful, and dangerous.
Time had changed everything.
She and He Huaiqin had embarked on completely different paths and would head towards entirely different lives.
Wen Zhaoning scooped a corner of the mousse with her small silver spoon and put it into her mouth. The sweet richness melted on her tongue, but a hint of indescribable bitterness welled up in her heart.
Mrs. Shangguan, Jiang Qiu Ping, was a cheerful person, and she had even included a dance segment at today's birthday banquet.
As the melodious waltz music began, the dance floor in the center of the banquet hall gradually filled with pairs of guests.
Wen Zhaoning, having been raised like a pearl by her mother, was meticulously trained in various talents such as piano, painting, and ballet. Social dancing was also a compulsory course.
However, she didn't feel like dancing today. Her new high heels were not fitting well, and the backs of both heels were rubbed raw, making every step feel like being pricked by needles.
Lu Hengyu, knowing her feet were hurting, insisted on dragging her to dance two songs in order to keep up with the Shangguan couple.
"Just bear with it for a moment. Mr. and Mrs. Shangguan are still dancing; we need to liven things up for them."
Wen Zhaoning really wanted to take off her high heels and smash a hole in Lu Hengyu's forehead with the heel to see what was inside his brain. But thinking of Qing Ning still in his hands, she could only endure.
When the third song started, Wen Zhaoning could no longer dance.
Lu Hengyu tried to pull her along, but suddenly, a long, strong hand reached out in front of Wen Zhaoning.
"Mrs. Lu, would you do me the honor of a dance?"
It was He Huaiqin.
He Huaiqin bowed slightly, but his eyes held an unyielding assertiveness.
Wen Zhaoning didn't know what he was up to again. Her heart tightened, and she subconsciously took half a step back: "I'm sorry, my foot..."
Before she could finish speaking, Lu Hengyu gently pushed her, subtly guiding her towards He Huaiqin: "Wife, it's your honor that Lawyer He is inviting you to dance. Hurry up and accept!"
He Huaiqin saw Lu Hengyu's subtle move clearly. A mocking smile played on his lips as he stepped forward, grasped Wen Zhaoning's wrist, and pulled her into the dance floor.
The music flowed, and the dance steps moved.
He Huaiqin's arm firmly circled Wen Zhaoning's waist, and his other hand tightly held hers. Their bodies were pressed closely together.
Being this intimate with He Huaiqin in such a public setting made Wen Zhaoning feel guilty.
"Your husband pushed you out even though your feet hurt. It seems he truly doesn't love you at all." He Huaiqin whispered by her ear, his breath hot, but his tone icy.
Wen Zhaoning knew he was looking for trouble: "Whether my husband loves me or not has nothing to do with you, Lawyer He."
"You abandoned me back then to marry him. You tell me, does it have anything to do with me?"
"What happened back then is long past. Why are you still holding onto it, Lawyer He?" Wen Zhaoning's voice was very soft, blending with the dance music and sharp provocation into He Huaiqin's ears. "You don't still like me, do you?"
The hand around her lower back tightened imperceptibly for a moment. A fierce wave surged in his eyes, but it was quickly suppressed.
"Like?" He Huaiqin repeated the words, as if savoring something ridiculous. "Miss Wen, don't flatter yourself. Even if my affection were to rot in the mud, I wouldn't give it to you again."
Yes, he already liked someone else. How could he possibly like her again?
A sharp pain pierced Wen Zhaoning's chest, but a dazzling smile bloomed on her lips: "Then I can rest assured. Lawyer He is so rich and has such high status now. If you were to pester me, I'm afraid I might not be able to uphold my moral standards and stray."
"Nonsense, didn't you say you were tired of it?"
"Oh, right." Wen Zhaoning remembered her persona and quickly added, "Lawyer He looks charming on the outside, but in bed, he's just so-so."
He Huaiqin was so angry he tightened his grip on her slender waist: "Wen Zhaoning, it's been six years. I'm not the same person I was back then! In every aspect!"
"You mean you've become stronger?" Wen Zhaoning looked at him with clear eyes. "That's a real shame. I can't cheat, so your impression in my heart will always remain the same."
"You really aren't going to divorce him?"
"No."
"Why?"
"The Wen family has gone bankrupt. I'm no longer a young lady of a wealthy family, and my maternal family is drowning in debt. If I divorce Lu Hengyu, who else would want me? What capital do I have to divorce?" Wen Zhaoning, having learned from Zhao Manli, sighed after speaking. "Lawyer He should have known six years ago that I'm not someone who can endure hardship. Otherwise, I wouldn't have abandoned you when you were penniless back then!"
Disgust flickered across He Huaiqin's brow. Coincidentally, the music ended. He pushed her away and left without a trace of hesitation.
Wen Zhaoning stood in place, exhausted from that dance.
Fortunately, throughout the dance, He Huaiqin did not, like Lu Hengyu, deliberately guide her into complex and flashy moves to show off. He Huaiqin's steps were steady and simple, always revolving around himself, guiding her with minimal movement. The injury on her heel did not worsen.
"What did Lawyer He talk to you about?" Lu Hengyu asked immediately after He Huaiqin left.
"Nothing much, just some ordinary topics."
"Lawyer He seems to be a bit interested in you. After Mrs. Shangguan's event is over, go find Lawyer He and help me..."
"Lu Hengyu!" Wen Zhaoning interrupted him. "Legally, I am still your wife. You can disregard my dignity, but you are the son of a mayor. Don't your Lu family want any face?"
Seeing the anger in Wen Zhaoning's eyes, Lu Hengyu smiled and coaxed her: "I was wrong. I just wanted you to help me probe Lawyer He's intentions."
"He's a lawyer; he makes a living with his words. Why should I probe his intentions?"
"Yes, yes, yes. It was my oversight. Don't be angry; it's not good if Mrs. Shangguan sees it."
"You're using me, but you still have to keep your word. After Mrs. Shangguan's birthday banquet ends, I must see Qing Ning!"
After that dance, He Huaiqin had disappeared. Wen Zhaoning guessed he might have left early for something.
She didn't have time to pay attention to He Huaiqin's whereabouts. Mrs. Shangguan took her to the VIP lounge and introduced her to several wealthy ladies who enjoyed playing golf.
It wasn't until the banquet began that Wen Zhaoning emerged from the lounge.
"How are you walking!"
As Wen Zhaoning entered the corridor, she heard her mother-in-law Zhao Manli's voice.
She turned her head and saw that a waiter carrying champagne glasses had accidentally bumped into her father-in-law Lu Qianyong, spilling champagne all over him.
"I'm sorry, Madam, I didn't mean to," the waiter said, bowing his head and apologizing sincerely.
"Is saying sorry useful? Do you know who my husband is?"
Zhao Manli's words were arrogant, but Lu Qianyong stopped her.
"Forget it, forget it." Lu Qianyong patted the waiter's shoulder with great affability. "It's okay, no need to be nervous. Just be careful next time. Also, clean this up so it doesn't cause trouble for other guests."
"Okay, thank you."
Lu Qianyong led Zhao Manli away. As he brushed past the waiter, Wen Zhaoning saw the waiter slip something into Lu Qianyong's hand, seemingly a note.
It was her!
Although she had only caught a fleeting glimpse at the ancient temple that day, Wen Zhaoning remembered this woman. This woman was the mistress Lu Qianyong kept at the ancient temple.
Why was she here, dressed as a waitress?
Wen Zhaoning held her breath and immediately darted behind a large potted plant in the corridor to observe the woman.
The woman didn't bother with the spilled wine on the ground. She casually put down her tray and turned towards the hotel's back garden.
Wen Zhaoning had a premonition that she and Lu Qianyong would meet again. The note likely contained information about their meeting. She turned on her phone's video recording mode and quietly followed her along the inner side of the corridor.
The hotel's back garden was filled with swaying trees, illuminated by only a few ground lights casting dim, hazy glows.
Wen Zhaoning used the vegetation and pillars for cover, finding a hiding spot.
As soon as she hid, she heard hurried footsteps.
As expected, Lu Qianyong had arrived.
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