After Lin Wu’s words sank in, the office fell into a sudden, heavy silence.
It took Li Xiang quite a while before he spoke. “Ten minutes later, conference room.”
He paused there, glanced at He Jiayun, and added, “Put your phone on silent.”
“…”
After Li Xiang left, He Jiayun turned her head to look at Lin Wu.
Lin Wu pretended to be calm and met her gaze. “Why are you staring at me like that?”
“Not my type,” He Jiayun repeated what Lin Wu had just said. She slowly walked up to her, eyes glinting with mischief, and teased, “So then… is he our Lawyer Lin’s type?”
Lin Wu pushed her away expressionlessly. “Stop messing around.”
She had blurted that out earlier because her brain short-circuited—and also to convince Li Xiang to let He Jiayun join the meeting.
He Jiayun gave her a look, about to call her out for being dishonest.
But Lin Wu struck first. “If you keep asking, I’ll call Li Xiang back in.”
He Jiayun: “…”
She swallowed the words on the tip of her tongue with some frustration and shot Lin Wu a very aggrieved glare.
Catching the resentment in her eyes, Lin Wu laughed and coaxed her. “Go bother Li Xiang for a bit. I need to prepare the materials for the meeting.”
He Jiayun gave her a sideways glance and checked the time. “Why schedule a meeting right around lunch hour?”
Lin Wu: “Ask Li Xiang later. Tell him to change the time next round.”
“…” He Jiayun tsked. “You’re just using me as a weapon.”
Lin Wu curved her brows innocently. “Can’t help it. You’re the only one who can handle Li Xiang.”
He Jiayun had nothing left to say. She could only carry out the task Lin Wu had assigned her and strut off toward Li Xiang’s office with full young-miss arrogance.
Lin Wu quickly organized the materials she might need for the meeting, made a quick trip to the restroom, and then entered the conference room.
The other lawyers arrived one after another. Soon Li Xiang and the people from Fengxing also came in.
Hearing the movement, Lin Wu and the other lawyers stood up and looked toward the newcomers.
Chen Zhuo was wearing a light gray casual suit today—three-dimensional tailoring with a notch lapel, a chain dangling from the pocket square. Refined yet relaxed.
It felt strange. They had only parted that morning, yet seeing him again now, Lin Wu suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of unfamiliarity.
Noticing her gaze, Chen Zhuo restrained himself and did not look back.
He tilted his head slightly to greet the others, then sat down.
Suddenly, the phone screen tucked inside Lin Wu’s notebook lit up.
The meeting hadn’t officially started yet, and the two lawyers sitting on either side of her today were both very proper and restrained—they wouldn’t suddenly lean over to peek at her phone. So Lin Wu opened it without much concern.
Unsurprisingly, the message was from He Jiayun.
He Jiayun: “…Oh my god, how is Chen Zhuo so much more handsome than when I last saw him at the bar? Did my memory fail me? Or was the bar lighting that bad?”
He Jiayun: “His taste is pretty good. The suit he’s wearing today isn’t bespoke, but it’s a runway piece from a certain high-luxury brand. I saw a model wear it on the catwalk back then and thought hardly any man in real life could pull it off better—more refined and effortlessly charming—than the model. Turns out Chen Zhuo can.”
Reading this, Lin Wu couldn’t help lifting her head to look at Chen Zhuo again.
Indeed… today’s Chen Zhuo didn’t have the same stern, buttoned-up air as when he wore those perfectly tailored suits. In this outfit, every gesture carried a casual, free-spirited elegance. He didn’t look like he was here for a meeting at all—more like a young master who had dropped by the office on a whim to stroll around and inspect things.
While Lin Wu was thinking this, another message from He Jiayun popped up: “What’s going on? Why isn’t he looking at you?”
He Jiayun: “You’re looking at him, so why isn’t he looking at you? Is he a ninja turtle or something?”
…
Lin Wu was amused by He Jiayun’s message and almost burst out laughing.
She pressed down on the corners of her mouth that kept wanting to curve upward, lowered her eyes, and replied: “Young miss, it’s completely normal for him not to look at me, okay?”
He Jiayun: “How is that normal? Such a big beauty like you and he won’t even glance over once. That’s extremely abnormal, okay?”
Lin Wu: “We’re in a meeting. We’re not close.”
He Jiayun: “Tsk.”
Lin Wu: “?”
He Jiayun: “This is kind of thrilling, you know.”
Lin Wu: “What?”
He Jiayun: “Strangers in front of people, getting all lovey-dovey and saucy behind closed doors. Just admit it—thrilling or not?”
Knowing He Jiayun had definitely misunderstood, Lin Wu felt both amused and helpless. She was just about to reply when, from the corner of her eye, she saw Li Xiang glance toward He Jiayun and frown.
She paused, focused, and typed: “Stop playing with your phone. Your childhood sweetheart noticed we’re slacking off.”
After sending the message, Lin Wu immediately put her phone down.
Right after, she saw He Jiayun sheepishly put hers away too.
Today’s meeting was relatively shorter compared to the last one.
The issues that needed explaining had already been covered last time. Chen Zhuo’s visit this time was to finalize the choice of legal team.
Xianghe Law Firm had many outstanding lawyers, including quite a few who had handled cases that were the talk of the industry.
For the legal team Fengxing was looking for, Xianghe had plenty of suitable candidates to recommend. But in the end, Li Xiang suggested Yu Xinzhi’s team and Lin Wu’s side to Chen Zhuo.
Li Xiang understood Chen Zhuo’s preference—he had asked about Lin Wu before, clearly favoring her. But this case was too big, too time-consuming and labor-intensive. If it were left solely to Lin Wu and the assistants she usually worked with, it would be too much of a burden.
Yu Xinzhi had more seniority than Lin Wu and had handled similar cases before. Having both teams collaborate would be the most appropriate arrangement.
Each side had their strengths, and together they could bring out the optimal advantage in the case.
Lin Wu had no objections to Li Xiang’s arrangement.
She knew very well that if this case were handed entirely to her, she could forget about sleeping properly for the next few months—or even half a year. With Yu Xinzhi’s team sharing the load, the pressure on her would be significantly reduced.
Neither Lin Wu nor Yu Xinzhi had any issues with the plan, and the other lawyers didn’t object either.
After finishing, Li Xiang looked toward Chen Zhuo. “President Chen, what do you think?”
Chen Zhuo flipped through the materials Li Xiang had given him. His gaze lowered slightly, landing on the one-inch photo at the top of the first document. The background was solid blue, and Lin Wu’s hair was tied back low, revealing her small, delicate face.
Her makeup was very light, yet it couldn’t hide her bright, captivating features.
“I have no objections on my side. Lawyer Li can make the arrangements,” Chen Zhuo said after a moment of contemplation.
Li Xiang smiled faintly. “If President Chen has any needs, feel free to let us know at any time.”
Chen Zhuo gave a small nod. His eyes swept briefly over Lin Wu and the man sitting beside her, his expression unreadable.
With everything settled, the meeting ended.
As they walked Chen Zhuo out, Li Xiang asked, “President Chen, do you have plans for lunch?”
Chen Zhuo raised an eyebrow. “Does Lawyer Li have something in mind?”
“I’d like to treat President Chen and your team to a meal, so everyone can get to know our legal team a little better,” Li Xiang said frankly. “What do you think, President Chen?”
Chen Zhuo thought for a few seconds before replying softly, “How about tonight? I already have plans for lunch.”
Li Xiang nodded. “No problem. See you tonight then.”
Chen Zhuo glanced at the person lagging a few steps behind, chatting animatedly with someone else. His expression remained unchanged as he gave a nod.
After seeing Chen Zhuo off, Li Xiang called Lin Wu and Yu Xinzhi into his office for a few more instructions, and also mentioned the dinner tonight, asking both to keep their schedules clear.
As they left Li Xiang’s office, Yu Xinzhi called out to Lin Wu.
Lin Wu stopped. “What is it, Lawyer Yu?”
“Want to have lunch together?” Yu Xinzhi invited her, his gaze steady and warm. “We can talk about the case?”
Lin Wu paused, then gave a helpless smile. “Not today at noon.”
Yu Xinzhi looked surprised. “Why? Has your assistant already ordered food for you?”
“No,” Lin Wu started to reply, but before she could finish, He Jiayun popped up out of nowhere. “I brought lunch for her.”
Yu Xinzhi turned his head, saw He Jiayun, and froze for a second. “Ah, I see.”
He gave an embarrassed smile. “Then… after lunch break, do you have any other plans this afternoon?”
Lin Wu considered for a few seconds and agreed. “No. Two o’clock?”
Yu Xinzhi nodded. “Two o’clock, in my office?”
Lin Wu nodded in confirmation.
After setting the time with Yu Xinzhi, Lin Wu pulled He Jiayun back to her own office for lunch.
The two opened the insulated lunch box. Lin Wu went to wash her hands, and when she returned, He Jiayun handed her the chopsticks. As Lin Wu took them, something occurred to her. She looked up and asked, “Did you mention it to Li Xiang?”
About not scheduling meetings right before lunch.
He Jiayun, who was drinking water, gave her an extremely speechless sideways glance. “Forgot. I’ll tell him after we eat.”
Lin Wu curved her lips. “Okay.”
They ate quietly for a few bites. Then He Jiayun seemed to remember something and kicked Lin Wu lightly under the coffee table.
Lin Wu looked up. “Hm?”
He Jiayun: “With this Fengxing case coming up, are you sure you’ll still have any time to rest?”
She warned Lin Wu earnestly, “Don’t make money you won’t live to spend.”
Lin Wu laughed, understanding her worry. “I won’t.”
If it were just her and her usual team handling it alone, there really might be a risk of earning money but losing her health. But with Yu Xinzhi’s team sharing the load, Lin Wu felt she shouldn’t be too overwhelmed.
He Jiayun gave a hum of agreement. “We’re not young anymore. Please have a little self-awareness about your physical condition.”
“I know,” Lin Wu shot her a sideways glance, refusing to concede. “But I still think we’re pretty young.”
They weren’t even thirty yet—how were they not young anymore?
He Jiayun: “…”
Mentioning age reminded He Jiayun of something more important. “Next week is your birthday. What do you want as a gift?”
Lin Wu let out an “ah.” “Next week already?”
He Jiayun: “…Are you so busy you don’t even know what day of the week it is anymore?”
“I know what day it is. I just haven’t paid much attention to the date,” Lin Wu answered very honestly.
He Jiayun was speechless. “So what do you want for your birthday gift?”
“I don’t know,” Lin Wu lowered her head to eat, thought for a moment, then said, “There’s nothing in particular I want.”
“Isn’t it about time to change your car?” He Jiayun asked.
Lin Wu: “…”
She swallowed the food in her mouth and looked at her alertly. “You’re not planning to gift me a car, are you?”
He Jiayun looked at her and shrugged. “If you want one, I’ll give it to you. What’s the problem?”
Lin Wu choked slightly and quickly refused. “I don’t want one. I think my current car is pretty good. No need to change it.”
He Jiayun: “A car worth just over a hundred thousand for getting around—where’s the good in that?”
“…Isn’t it good that I don’t feel heartbroken if it gets scratched or dented?” Lin Wu countered.
Her words left He Jiayun momentarily at a loss for what to say.
After a long silence, He Jiayun started to feel a headache coming on. “Then what do you want?”
“I honestly don’t want anything,” Lin Wu said sincerely. “There’s nothing I particularly need right now.”
He Jiayun: “…”
She was quiet for a moment, then looked at Lin Wu. “If you don’t tell me, I’ll just pick something myself.”
Lin Wu thought it over. “How about you wait until I actually need something, then give it to me?”
“No. Birthday gifts are birthday gifts,” He Jiayun rejected the suggestion. “If you need something else at other times, just tell me then.”
Hearing this, Lin Wu couldn’t help but laugh.
She knew He Jiayun’s personality well—once she decided something, she wouldn’t budge.
After hesitating for a moment, Lin Wu could only nod. “Don’t get anything too expensive.”
He Jiayun: “I have money.”
Lin Wu had nothing left to say.
After they finished eating, He Jiayun told Lin Wu to clean up the leftovers and stood up. “I’m going to Li Xiang’s office for a bit.”
Lin Wu looked at her suspiciously. “For what?”
“To remind him that your birthday is next week and tell him this capitalist better prepare a generous birthday gift for you.”
Lin Wu raised an eyebrow, not polite at all. “Better yet, have him give me a bonus. I like money.”
He Jiayun gave her an OK hand gesture, blinked, and said, “Leave it to me.”
After He Jiayun left, Lin Wu rested for a while before getting back to work.
She handled two legal documents Zhao Yuxin had sent her, gave a few revision suggestions, then stood up and went to Yu Xinzhi’s office to discuss the Fengxing case with him.
The afternoon passed in a busy blur.
When a knock sounded at the door, Lin Wu suddenly realized it was already time to get off work.
“Let’s grab lunch first,” Yu Xinzhi said to her. “We can ask about the specifics tonight when we eat with President Chen.”
Lin Wu replied slowly and first returned to her own office.
Li Xiang had scheduled the dinner for 7 p.m. The restaurant wasn’t far from the firm—a high-end fusion cuisine place with good privacy.
Lin Wu’s car was still parked at yesterday’s private kitchen restaurant; she had taken a taxi to the firm this morning.
As the group headed downstairs from the office, Li Xiang casually asked, “Everyone drove in this morning, right?”
Lin Wu: “…I didn’t drive.”
Yu Xinzhi turned his head, looked at her, and said, “Then ride with me later.”
Lin Wu paused, hesitating over how to refuse, when Li Xiang glanced at the two of them and said quietly, “Lin Wu can ride with me. I have something to ask you about Jiayun.”
“…” Lin Wu let out a quiet breath of relief and quickly agreed. “Sure, Lawyer Li.”
She gave Yu Xinzhi a small smile. “Next time.”
Yu Xinzhi understood. “No problem.”
In the parking garage, Lin Wu very quickly followed Li Xiang to his car.
Li Xiang’s assistant took the driver’s seat, Lin Wu’s assistant sat in the front passenger seat, and Lin Wu bent down to get into the back.
“Thanks.”
Li Xiang glanced at her with a meaningful look. “Our little junior sister still has plenty of charm.”
Hearing the teasing in his tone, Lin Wu almost laughed. “Still a little less than Jiayun’s, though.”
Li Xiang: “…”
He gave her an expressionless sideways glance. “Are you trying to get dropped off halfway?”
“You wouldn’t,” Lin Wu said confidently. “Jiayun would come after you.”
Li Xiang choked, and didn’t want to talk to her anymore.
The two assistants up front listened and couldn’t help exchanging amused glances, both struggling to keep straight faces in case laughing got them kicked out of the car on the spot.
The car fell quiet for a moment. Then Li Xiang suddenly spoke. “Jiayun said your birthday is coming up. Want to have a birthday party?”
Lin Wu: “…”
She turned her head to look at him and asked very seriously, “Are you trying to get revenge on me?”
She was an introvert who didn’t talk much outside of work and wasn’t great at socializing. A birthday party? What—everyone sitting in awkward silence, or closing their eyes to pray?
Li Xiang raised an eyebrow.
Lin Wu: “…No need. Giving me a birthday party is less useful than giving me time off.”
Li Xiang chuckled lightly. “With the number of cases you have on your plate right now, you can forget about any vacation for the next two months.”
Lin Wu couldn’t argue with that—it was the truth.
After a few seconds of silence, Lin Wu said, “Then just give me a bigger bonus at the end of the year.”
Li Xiang didn’t hesitate. “I’ll just give you Jiayun’s share.”
“…” Lin Wu laughed helplessly. “I’ll thank you on Jiayun’s behalf.”
Li Xiang: “You’re welcome.”
They bantered a bit more until the restaurant arrived.
Before getting out, Li Xiang reminded Lin Wu, “Drink less tonight. I’m afraid someone will come after me.”
Lin Wu: “Don’t worry. I’m not touching a drop tonight.”
She had only taken a few sips of vodka last night—not much—but for some reason, her stomach had felt uncomfortable all day.
When the group from the firm arrived, Chen Zhuo and his team hadn’t shown up yet.
They entered the private room and waited a few minutes before Chen Zhuo and the others arrived.
After a brief round of greetings, everyone took their seats.
Lin Wu was seated next to Yu Xinzhi, Yu Xinzhi next to Li Xiang, and Li Xiang next to Chen Zhuo.
It was a large round table. When Lin Wu looked up, she could see the person directly across from her.
The food arrived one dish after another. As Lin Wu picked up her chopsticks to eat, she suddenly realized that the number of times she had met Chen Zhuo for dinner this week was already close to the total from the past month.
Thinking about it, she couldn’t help wondering: wasn’t this getting a little too frequent?
Suddenly, Lin Wu felt a gaze land on her.
She instinctively looked up and met the eyes of the man sitting diagonally across from her.
After a brief moment, Lin Wu was the first to look away. She reached out and turned the lazy Susan on the table. There was a dish of sweet-and-sour pork ribs she wanted, currently in front of Chen Zhuo.
Noticing her movement, Chen Zhuo raised an eyebrow. Just as the ribs were about to stop in front of Lin Wu and she withdrew her hand, he reached out.
“…”
Lin Wu watched helplessly as the ribs passed right by her position. She froze for three seconds, then resignedly picked up some greens from in front of her and chewed.
Chen Zhuo took in her frustrated expression. He felt like laughing, but also felt a little stifled.
She didn’t know how to just turn it back around? Chen Zhuo thought. When it came to things outside of work, why was she so quick to give up?
Knowing Lin Wu’s personality well, Chen Zhuo continued chatting casually with Li Xiang beside him while slowly and deliberately turning the sweet-and-sour pork ribs back in front of Lin Wu.
Only after he saw her pick up a piece did he lower his lashes, withdraw his hand, pick up the glass on the table, and take a sip.