If Chen Zhuo hadn’t added that last sentence, Lin Wu would have asked whether he needed any help prepping ingredients.
But now, she didn’t ask.
Leaving the kitchen, Lin Wu walked over to the living-room sofa and sat down.
The apartment was very quiet; there was still no sound of the range hood coming from the kitchen.
Lin Wu occasionally turned her head to glance toward the kitchen, hesitating whether she should go take a shower first and come back out for dinner. Then her phone vibrated.
She picked it up and opened the message. It was from a female lawyer she got along with fairly well:
「Did Yu Xinzhi just call you?」
Lin Wu: 「Yeah, why?」
Xu Yanran: 「Just asking. Someone kept pressing Yu Xinzhi for your contact info and wanted him to pass it around to everyone. He said it wasn’t convenient, but no one believed him, so they basically forced him to call you.」
Lin Wu: 「So childish.」
Xu Yanran: 「Exactly. You were right not to come. This exchange meeting has already gone off the rails. Now it’s not about exchanging professional knowledge anymore—it’s just men bragging to each other.」
Lin Wu was amused by her words; the corners of her lips curved slightly.
「If you can’t stand it, just leave early. I really had something today.」
Xu Yanran: 「That’s exactly what I’m planning.」
Lin Wu: 「Mm-hmm. Go home early and rest.」
Xu Yanran: 「Okay.」
The chat window stayed quiet for a few seconds before another message from Xu Yanran came through:
「Lin Wu.」
Lin Wu: 「What’s up? Is there something hard to say to me?」
Xu Yanran: 「…Yeah. I’m not even sure if I should tell you.」
Lin Wu let out a soft laugh:
「I won’t force you. Say it if you want to.」
Xu Yanran: 「Not curious?」
Lin Wu: 「A little. But if you haven’t decided whether to tell me yet, I’m not going to pressure you.」
That was Lin Wu—curious, but never pushy.
Xu Yanran: 「I heard something at the exchange meeting today.」
Lin Wu blinked lightly:
「What?」
Xu Yanran: 「Sun Qisheng is being transferred to work in Shencheng.」
The moment she read Xu Yanran’s message, the faint smile on Lin Wu’s face froze completely.
She stared wide-eyed, reading the message no fewer than three times in disbelief before pressing her lips together and asking:
“Are you sure?”
Xu Yanran: 「Someone else mentioned it—I’m not entirely clear on the details. I thought about it and decided I should at least give you a heads-up so you can mentally prepare.」
Not many people knew about Lin Wu’s private matters; Xu Yanran had only found out by chance.
She understood exactly what kind of impact Sun Qisheng had on Lin Wu. As a fellow lawyer and friend, she felt it was her duty to give her a preventive warning.
Lin Wu went very still. She took a deep breath and lowered her lashes.
“Okay. I understand. Thank you.”
Xu Yanran: 「What are you thanking me for? If you need anything, just come to me.」
Lin Wu: 「Okay.」
After ending the conversation with Xu Yanran, Lin Wu sat alone on the sofa in a daze for a long time.
It wasn’t until a clean, clear voice came from the kitchen that she slowly turned her head, still somewhat dazed.
Noticing that something was clearly off with her expression, Chen Zhuo strode over with furrowed brows.
“What happened?”
“…” Lin Wu blinked lightly and shook her head. “Nothing.”
She came back to herself.
“I was just thinking about something.”
Hearing this, Chen Zhuo fixed his gaze directly on her.
“Just that?”
He clearly didn’t believe her.
Lin Wu gave a soft hum and forced a small smile.
“I haven’t gone anywhere—what could possibly have happened?”
She met his eyes with deliberate calm and awkwardly changed the subject.
“President Chen, is your dinner ready?”
Chen Zhuo didn’t respond.
He studied her steadily, still uneasy.
“You’re sure nothing’s wrong?”
“Positive,” Lin Wu answered. “Is it ready? Actually… I’m a little hungry too.”
Chen Zhuo’s eyes softened slightly.
“Five more minutes.”
Lin Wu stood up.
“I’ll go wash my hands first.”
Chen Zhuo: “…Okay.”
Watching Lin Wu disappear into the bedroom, Chen Zhuo frowned faintly. He still felt something wasn’t right.
But he also knew very well: when Lin Wu didn’t want to talk about something, no amount of asking would make her say it.
After a moment of silence, Chen Zhuo had no choice but to return to the kitchen.
In the bathroom, Lin Wu took a few seconds to compose herself. By the time she came out, she already looked normal again.
Just in time—Chen Zhuo’s dishes were all ready.
Knowing Lin Wu didn’t eat large portions, he had made only three simple dishes: stir-fried beef with vegetables, dry-fried mushrooms, and blanched greens.
Looking at the three dishes on the table, Lin Wu knew he hadn’t been exaggerating.
Even without tasting them yet, the presentation alone told her his cooking really was excellent.
“Try it,” Chen Zhuo said, handing her the chopsticks.
Lin Wu took them and first tasted a bite of the mushrooms, which looked especially appetizing. As she chewed, her eyes brightened slightly and she looked at Chen Zhuo.
Chen Zhuo raised a brow.
“How is it?”
“…I want rice now.” Lin Wu answered very honestly.
When Chen Zhuo first said he was going to cook rice, she had told him not to bother with hers—it was too late, and she would at most eat a little of the dishes with him.
But his cooking was so good that now she was craving rice.
Hearing that, Chen Zhuo curved his lips.
“How much?”
“Just two mouthfuls,” Lin Wu said, looking at him. “Your cooking is this good?”
Chen Zhuo scooped a tiny portion of rice for her and said softly,
“I told you.”
Lin Wu: “Told me what?”
Chen Zhuo repeated what he’d said about half an hour earlier:
“I said my cooking is pretty decent.”
“…”
Lin Wu was speechless for a second.
“I meant—how are you this good at cooking?”
Chen Zhuo didn’t look like the type of man who knew his way around a kitchen.
Chen Zhuo gave a soft hum of acknowledgment. He sat down across from her, silent for a moment before speaking.
“Someone once told me that people who know how to cook are more likable.”
Lin Wu paused, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
“Who said that?”
Chen Zhuo lifted his gaze and looked at her for a second, then said nothing.
Lin Wu immediately understood. Very tactfully, she said,
“If it’s not convenient to say, then don’t.”
She lowered her head and started eating.
“I’ll try the beef.”
Chen Zhuo gave a faint smile.
“…Go ahead.”
Lin Wu continued tasting and commenting honestly.
“The beef is good too—very tender and well-seasoned.”
The two ate quietly.
Lin Wu really was already quite full. After two small mouthfuls of rice and a few bites of the dishes, she set her chopsticks down and waited for Chen Zhuo to finish.
Chen Zhuo was genuinely hungry. He polished off all the remaining rice and every last bit of the dishes.
When he was done, Lin Wu instinctively wanted to help clean up, but Chen Zhuo refused.
“You rest for a bit.”
Lin Wu thought to herself that there wasn’t really anything for her to rest from, but seeing how firm he was, she hesitated for a second before saying,
“…Then I’ll go take a shower first.”
Chen Zhuo raised an eyebrow slightly.
In the past they had met here almost every week. This apartment had been rented by Chen Zhuo on a yearly basis, so Lin Wu kept two sets of everyday clothes and sleepwear here.
She went into the walk-in closet, picked up her pajamas, and entered the bathroom.
The apartment had two bathrooms.
By the time Lin Wu finished showering and came out, Chen Zhuo had already washed up in the other bathroom.
A warm yellow lamp was left on in the bedroom. When Lin Wu saw the man half-reclining on the bed reading, her footsteps paused for just a second.
Only a few seconds passed before she walked over to him of her own accord.
A reunion after a long separation.
That night, Lin Wu was unexpectedly enthusiastic—far more proactive than she used to be. It caught Chen Zhuo off guard.
After an intense, satisfying round of lovemaking, Lin Wu curled up in the blanket and fell deeply asleep.
With her eyes closed, she didn’t see the man stand beside the bed for a very long time, gazing down at her. Nor did she feel him carefully reach out and gently wipe away the tear tracks that had slipped from the corners of her eyes.
Lin Wu woke up the next morning. Only when she went into the bathroom to wash up did she notice the tear stains from crying in her sleep.
She stared at the faint marks at the corners of her eyes for a while, then bent down, scooped water in her hands, and washed her face clean—along with the traces of tears.
When she came out after washing up, Chen Zhuo had already gotten up.
Lin Wu glanced at the time.
“I need to go home for a bit. I’ll head out first.”
Chen Zhuo gave a small nod.
“Drive slowly.”
Lin Wu hummed in acknowledgment. As she headed out, something occurred to her.
“Chen Zhuo.”
Chen Zhuo turned his head, taking in her clear, distant expression after waking up.
“Hm?”
“Let’s not meet tonight,” Lin Wu said, looking at him. She pressed her lips together a little awkwardly. “I need to rest.”
Chen Zhuo fell silent for a second.
“…Attorney Lin.”
Lin Wu: “What?”
“I’m not that insatiable,” Chen Zhuo said bluntly. “Rest well. See you next week.”
He was quite busy today himself and might not even get off work on time.
Lin Wu felt a rush of embarrassment. She quickly tossed out a
“Goodbye,”
and hurried out the door.
A faint floral fragrance lingered in the air. Chen Zhuo walked into the bathroom to wash up. From the corner of his eye, he spotted the pink lipstick Lin Wu had left on the vanity.
He raised his brows slightly, picked up the lipstick, examined it for a moment, then slipped it into his pocket.
“…”
It wasn’t until Lin Wu got home, changed, and arrived at the law firm that she realized her lipstick was missing.
She searched everywhere and couldn’t find it. Guessing she must have left it at the apartment, she decided she’d pick it up next time she went there.
Back in her office chair, a knock sounded at the door.
Lin Wu called out without looking up, assuming it was her assistant,
“Come in.”
She continued,
“Yuxin, could you—”
“Lin Wu.” Before she could finish, Yu Xinzhi spoke first.
Lin Wu paused, surprised.
“…Attorney Yu.”
Yu Xinzhi gave her a small smile.
“Very busy?”
“Not really,” Lin Wu said, looking at him. “Here to talk about the Fengxing case?”
Yu Xinzhi: “No.”
He stood across from her desk, composed himself, and said,
“I came to apologize in person.”
Lin Wu understood immediately.
“You already apologized over the phone. I didn’t take it to heart.”
“Saying it on the phone didn’t feel sincere enough,” Yu Xinzhi explained. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have called you about that.”
Lin Wu shook her head.
“It’s fine. I understand. You were in a difficult position.”
Yu Xinzhi hadn’t given out her contact information without her consent, and for that she was already grateful. As for the phone call itself, she genuinely could empathize. She knew his personality—always trying to avoid offending anyone, never wanting to make enemies on either side, always aiming to keep everything perfectly balanced.
Unfortunately, that just wasn’t Lin Wu’s style.
Hearing her say that, Yu Xinzhi gave a helpless laugh.
“Now I feel even more guilty.”
“…Do you?” Lin Wu asked.
Yu Xinzhi: “Of course.”
Lin Wu gave a soft “oh” and was quiet for a moment before saying,
“Then… could you help me with something?”
Yu Xinzhi: “What is it?”
He looked a little surprised.
“Work-related? Just say it.”
In all the time they’d known each other, this was the first time Lin Wu had ever asked him for help.
Lin Wu nodded.
“Sort of.”
She looked at Yu Xinzhi.
“Last night, Attorney Xu Yanran told me there’s a lawyer from Licheng—who’s especially good at divorce cases—being transferred to Shencheng. Is that true?”
Yu Xinzhi thought for a second.
“I think there is something like that. Why are you asking?”
“I’m asking for Attorney Xu,” Lin Wu said, using Xu Yanran as a convenient excuse. “Could you help confirm it?”
Xu Yanran was well-known in the industry for handling divorce cases.
It was perfectly reasonable for her to be curious about a new competitor.
Yu Xinzhi understood immediately and laughed lightly.
“I see. No wonder she was acting so strange at the exchange meeting last night.”
Lin Wu gave a small smile.
“Has the transfer already gone through?”
Yu Xinzhi: “Still processing the paperwork, I think.”
He wasn’t entirely sure.
“If you want to know for sure, I can ask a friend later.”
Lin Wu hesitated.
“…Would that be inappropriate?”
Knowing what she was worried about, Yu Xinzhi chuckled reassuringly.
“Don’t worry. I know how to phrase it.”
Lin Wu gave an awkward little smile.
“Thank you.”
The two of them chatted for a few minutes in the office before Yu Xinzhi left to get back to work.
Once he was gone, Lin Wu immediately picked up her phone and messaged Xu Yanran to apologize:
「Attorney Xu… I just used your name as an excuse to ask about something.」
Xu Yanran was probably busy; she replied half an hour later:
「Feel free to use my name for anything—as long as you’re not borrowing money in my name.」
Lin Wu let out a quiet laugh to herself:
「Free for lunch? My treat.」
Xu Yanran: 「Not today. Just finished meeting a client and now heading to get a injury assessment done.」
Lin Wu: 「?」
Xu Yanran: 「The client’s husband came to the firm and caused a scene. He got physical with the client and accidentally hit me in the process :） I’m on my way to the hospital now.」
Lin Wu: 「Is it bad?」
Xu Yanran: 「Not serious, I’m fine. Just wanted to scare him a little.」
Lin Wu was caught between crying and laughing:
「Should I come to the hospital to see you?」
Xu Yanran: 「You’re not busy?」
Lin Wu: 「It’s okay. Nothing’s that urgent—I can catch up on the weekend if needed.」
Xu Yanran: 「Alright then, come over. We can chat about something too.」
Lin Wu: 「Send me the address.」
After arranging with Xu Yanran, Lin Wu gave Zhao Yuxin a few quick work instructions and prepared to head out.
While waiting for the elevator, she stared blankly at the floor numbers steadily decreasing.
Only when the doors opened and her eyes met the people inside did she snap back to reality.
Under Chen Zhuo’s and his colleague’s gaze, she stepped in.
“Attorney Lin,” Wang Liqun, Chen Zhuo’s assistant standing beside him, greeted her.
Lin Wu smiled politely.
“President Chen, Assistant Wang.”
Chen Zhuo gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.
Their eyes met briefly. Lin Wu exchanged quick smiles with the two familiar-but-she-couldn’t-quite-place Fengxing employees standing nearby, then moved to stand with her back to them.
A moment later, the phone in her hand vibrated.
With her back to the burning gaze behind her, Lin Wu lowered her head to look:
「Where are you going?」
Lin Wu: 「The hospital.」
Chen Zhuo frowned, lifting his eyes to look at the graceful back turned toward him.
「Did I hurt you last night?」
Lin Wu choked on his words and immediately started coughing inside the elevator.
She gave a small cough, about to reply, when a bottle of water was handed to her from the side.
“Attorney Lin, have some water.”
Lin Wu turned her head in surprise, her eyes asking him—What are you doing?
Chen Zhuo’s expression remained perfectly calm.
“Hm? Attorney Lin.”
Lin Wu came back to her senses, reached out and took the bottle.
“Thank you.”
Chen Zhuo: “You’re welcome.”
When he passed her the water, whether intentionally or not, the tip of his pinky lightly brushed the back of her hand.