Chapter 197: 108, Making you feel at ease is more important than me winning against him (second update)
Tang Yanqing squinted his eyes and looked over: "Do you want to write about her?"
"That’s right." Shi Nian nodded calmly: "Even if the law has its limitations, this world cannot lose its justice because of that."
Tang Yanqing squinted his eyes, feeling a spontaneous sense of pride.
"But she might retaliate against you."
"Let her come." Shi Nian raised her head defiantly: "You were just regretting that her actions are beyond the reach of the law. If she retaliates against me and commits a real crime, then she can be brought to justice."
"Aren’t you scared?"
"Of course." She turned her eyes and smiled quietly. Her serene and gentle profile emitted a pearl-like subdued yet lasting brilliance: "But ’fear’ and ’what should be done’ are two different things. I keep my ’fear’ to remind myself to be careful, but I find my courage from what ’should be done’."
She raised her eyes, quietly gazing at the captivating brilliance that layered in his eyes, lowered her head, and softly added:
"Besides, there’s you."
.
She used to fear nothing because Dad was by her side. Dad was an excellent policeman; Dad could cleanse the world around her from evil.
But later, she followed Xiang Yuan to M Country. Facing an entirely unfamiliar world, she began to become timid. That was because... Dad was no longer there.
She once tried to find that sense of security from Xiang Yuan, and in the early days, she thought she had found it... But she gradually realized that Xiang Yuan could never give her the sense of justice Dad had.
And Mom fell ill, so she had to take up the responsibilities Dad once had, to care for Mom, to protect Mom, so her heart shrank little by little until it could only care for her own small world; she couldn’t help but become cautious and careful.
But now...
She knew she had become brave again.
It seemed to begin that day when he stood under the big tree at Kangchuan University, green like a canopy, took off the black-framed glasses she used for "protection," let down her long hair, and told her "Let me see the real you." From that moment, he led her out of that tightly constricted shell, step by step back to her former self.
He laughed, came forward, and reached out to lift the mischievous strand of hair that slid down to block her eyes.
"Alright, do whatever you want. As for the rest, leave it to me."
.
The phone rang, Shi Nian looked down; it was an unfamiliar number.
Tang Yanqing raised an eyebrow: "An Cheng?"
Tang Yanqing had once used this name in "Tang Dynasty" to counter Tang Yanxi, so Shi Nian had a deep impression of it. She spread her hands to Tang Yanqing.
She didn’t understand why this person would call her and was unsure whether she should answer the phone.
Tang Yanqing squinted his eyes: "You two couldn’t have any connection. The only reason is—she’s interested in this series of cases." After analyzing, he firmly pointed at Shi Nian’s phone: "Answer it."
Shi Nian slid the screen down.
An Cheng spoke concisely: "Nana, hello, I’m Assistant Prosecutor An Cheng. I decided to file charges against Mark. As the victim, I want to meet with you this afternoon. I’ve already checked your schedule; you don’t have classes after three this afternoon. From your school to the prosecutor’s office, whichever means of transportation you choose, it won’t take more than an hour. So at four this afternoon, I’ll be waiting for you in my office. Go find my secretary Jian, and she’ll bring you in."
An Cheng finished speaking before Shi Nian had a chance to interject, and the other party had already arranged everything.
Iron-fisted lady.
Although Shi Nian’s phone wasn’t on speaker, with Tang Yanqing’s understanding of An Cheng, he could roughly guess what An Cheng was saying. So upon seeing Shi Nian’s expression, he grinned mischievously. Shrugging, he spread his hands, indicating helplessness.
Shi Nian immediately replied: "I’m sorry, Officer An, even though I don’t have classes this afternoon, it doesn’t mean I don’t have other plans. I’m sorry, I don’t have time to meet you."
An Cheng didn’t expect this, nor did Tang Yanqing.
Tang Yanqing raised an eyebrow and his thumb followed suit.
An Cheng wasn’t so easily dealt with, laughing lightly over the phone: "Nana, do you know what your refusal means? — The person who harmed you will remain at large. Don’t forget you almost had your neck twisted by him. If you can’t use legal weapons to protect yourself, why should I protect you? Whether you come is up to you, I’ll wait until 4:02. These two minutes are my final concession."
An Cheng finished speaking and mercilessly hung up the phone.
Shi Nian had never had any experience dealing with prosecutors from M Country and was slightly taken aback by the opponent’s momentum, awkwardly spreading her hands and looking at Tang Yanqing.
Tang Yanqing smiled understandingly: "Four years ago, when I had just joined the police, eager to solve cases, I failed to follow many procedures and was shot down by her, cursed to the point of bleeding."
Shi Nian lowered her head and smiled: "Now I understand why you used her to counter Lawyer Tang that day. Honestly, I look forward to seeing her clash with Lawyer Tang. Do you think the sky will change color?"
Tang Yanqing laughed heartily: "You’ll definitely get the chance to see it. Be prepared with emergency equipment for then."
Shi Nian tossed the phone into her bag: "Whatever, I’m not going anyway."
"Are you sure?"
Shi Nian nodded, "I can guess why she wants to meet me: she’s trying to persuade me to testify in court."
"I don’t mind testifying against Mark... it’s just that, for now, I think it’s best not to reveal my identity."
As the two talked, Tang Yanqing’s phone rang again.
Tang Yanqing looked at the number, then raised an eyebrow toward Shi Nian, "It’s a small world. An Cheng just called, and now my brother is calling."
Shi Nian shrugged sympathetically.
Tang Yanqing answered the phone, and as he listened, his expression changed. He turned away to avoid Shi Nian.
"Yes, I understand, I will handle it cautiously," he said as he hung up, glancing at Shi Nian.
Shi Nian sighed softly, "Your micro-expressions have already betrayed you. Tell me, Mr. Tang, what’s happened this time that’s related to me?"
Tang Yanqing took a deep breath, his gaze solemn, "...Mark’s defense lawyer is Xiang Yuan."
.
Shi Nian’s heart was also shaken, and she took two steps back, sitting back on the sofa.
Lowering her head, she gently clenched her fingertips. Her knees quivered slightly.
Even though he should be pleased to see her disillusioned with Xiang Yuan, how could he bear to see her in such hurry and pain?
He walked over and held her hand, "Don’t forget, he firstly doesn’t know you’re the person Mark wants to harm. The files show it as Nana, not Shi Nian."
"I understand." Shi Nian’s confused eyes became clear again. She lifted her gaze, sparkling at him, "Thank you."
"And another thing: for lawyers in M Country, their most important job isn’t to convict—conviction is the job of judges and juries. What lawyers are supposed to do is to do their utmost to protect their client’s interests. In court, lawyers are only supposed to argue for their clients. In professional practice, lawyers don’t judge their clients’ guilt; in their minds, the client’s interests come first, and they always presume their clients to be innocent."
Tang Yanqing finished explaining, muttering to himself: Ha, Tang Yanqing. You really are a saint of emotions... you’ve already explained everything possible for Xiang Yuan.
However... if you don’t do this, would you just watch her be upset?
Forget it, defeating Xiang Yuan is something he should face up to himself, so he’ll give up this chance sent to him.
Her peace of mind is more important than anything.
Shi Nian listened quietly, and after a long while, she smiled slowly.
"Well, alright. I still have to see the marriage counselor over the weekend, so I might as well meet him."
.
The night flowed with a party where the city’s elites gathered.
The influencers present tonight were mostly supporters of the Civilian Party, so the highlight of the evening was inviting Tang Mingyi to give a speech.
The event tonight was actually a fundraising gala for Tang Mingyi’s campaign.
As Tang Mingyi’s wife, Shen Wan naturally became a member of the campaign team. Petite and sweet-smiling, she gradually became the most approachable member of Tang Mingyi’s team.
So during the party, Shen Wan, with a wine glass in hand and accompanied by the chief of staff, Gu Jun, made her way to almost every corner of the venue, trying to clink glasses and converse with every guest present.
Shen Wan wore a modified qipao in an autumnal yellow hue, adorned with russet buttons. The floral prints on the lapel were also russet, a combination both classical and gentle. Wherever Shen Wan went, she won smiles, and a few words exchanged were soon filled with laughter.
Huo Danru sat in a corner, holding a wine glass, her gaze trailing distantly after Shen Wan.
Finally, Gu Jun noticed her. With evident tension, Gu Jun leaned down to whisper a few words into Shen Wan’s ear.
Shen Wan turned her head amidst the crowd, looking towards Huo Danru’s direction. Her smile unchanged, she bid farewell to the surrounding group and walked towards Huo Danru with her glass raised.
Shen Wan even forsook Gu Jun, not using his company.
Shen Wan reached the table and initiated a toast with Huo Danru, "Danru, thank you for coming tonight."
Huo Danru chuckled lightly, "Bestie, you’re being too polite. Even if not for your sake, I must consider my ex-husband’s sake. After all, he’s my son’s father."
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[More update tomorrow]
Thanks to wyydingding0528 and Mu Zi Gezi for the red envelope + monthly tickets