Chapter 202: 111. This man seems to know everything (Midnight 1)
Shi Nian was certain that Huangfu Huazhang’s gaze had already settled on her face.
She gently closed her eyes, feeling a sense of awkwardness like the emperor’s new clothes.
She quietly prepared herself: if exposed, then exposed, she would act accordingly at that time.
Unexpectedly, Huangfu Huazhang just quietly gazed for a while without speaking. It was a while before he spoke, but it was directed at Xiang Yuan.
"Lawyer Xiang, look at that lady over there. She sat on the ground crying and calling your name... I think it might not be good for you to ignore her."
Xiang Yuan looked at Rosa in embarrassment, biting his lip.
"I think it might be better this way. Since there are two ladies here, both seemingly frightened, you might not be able to handle them alone. Why not give me a chance to help you ease the burden. Lawyer Xiang, you go take care of that lady, and leave the one by your side to me."
Just as Huangfu Huazhang finished speaking, a man in a black suit and sunglasses stepped down from the passenger seat, walked over to Xiang Yuan’s side with dignity and without a word, and helped Shi Nian up.
Xiang Yuan was also surprised, his gaze appeared slightly confused as he turned to look at Huangfu Huazhang.
At this moment, Guan Liang had already crossed the traffic and ran over. Shi Nian quickly gave him a look, signaling him not to come over yet.
For some reason, she really didn’t want to interrupt the conversation between Xiang Yuan and Huangfu Huazhang at this moment, didn’t want to miss any hint of expression on their faces.
Guan Liang understood and stayed in place.
Xiang Yuan, however, had no time to care about others, still clinging tightly to Shi Nian’s hand, unwilling to let go. Despite the black-clad man also gripping Shi Nian’s other arm.
Xiang Yuan cast an embarrassed glance at Huangfu Huazhang, his face slightly pale: "Mr. Huangfu, this is my wife, and that one is a colleague. If Mr. Huangfu is free, please just help me send that colleague home. As for my wife, I’d rather take her home myself."
Shi Nian’s heart shook, she gently closed her eyes.
She had indeed been exposed by him.
Huangfu Huazhang remained silent, Shi Nian could only feel his gaze sweeping over and settling on her face.
"Lawyer Xiang, just do as I said before." After a while, Huangfu Huazhang finally spoke.
His tone was as normal as ever, without the slightest change. At least, Shi Nian didn’t hear any change.
Upon hearing Huangfu Huazhang’s command, the man in black stepped forward, mercilessly forced Xiang Yuan’s hand away, then gathered Shi Nian’s arms together, coldly directly leading Shi Nian to the Rolls-Royce.
From a distance, Guan Liang watched with some worry. When the black-clad man blocked the view, Shi Nian quietly shook her head at Guan Liang. Following the man’s steps, she turned back to look at Xiang Yuan — her husband, who just a moment ago was full of hostility, now could only stand there helplessly, despite the look of unwillingness on his face, he could only clench his fists at his sides and did not follow to snatch her back.
At that instant, Shi Nian smiled.
If there had been any lingering attachments, at this moment, they all dissipated.
.
Shi Nian got into the car, and Huangfu Huazhang shifted slightly inside.
After Shi Nian was seated, the man in black carefully closed the car door from outside. The muffled and steady sound showcased the car’s handcrafted quality as well as the man’s well-trained demeanor.
Shi Nian awkwardly lowered her head, "Chairman, thank you."
Huangfu Huazhang nodded slightly, directly instructed, "Drive."
He didn’t state a destination, yet the driver surprisingly didn’t ask.
The car smoothly maneuvered past Guan Liang standing by the roadside, and suddenly Huangfu Huazhang called to stop. The man in black on the passenger seat knowingly lowered half of the car window glass and said to Guan Liang, "Sergeant, no need to worry. We are just sending this lady back. You can note the license plate number; if there is any issue, the police can verify our identity."
Guan Liang slightly frowned, said nothing, just looked over at Shi Nian.
Shi Nian quietly nodded, only then did Guan Liang proceed to duly note the license plate, upon which the car smoothly started again.
The car gradually accelerated, leaving Guan Liang far behind until he could no longer be seen. Shi Nian knew from now on, she could only rely on herself. So she simply lifted her head to look at the man beside her.
The tall, thin man, even inside the car, sat with a straight back. His hands were layered in front, resting on the cane. Because of his height, half of his face seemed always shrouded in shadow, unclear. Shi Nian could only stare at his black suit encasing a perfectly ironed white shirt, softly saying, "Chairman, please allow me to explain."
The car slid smoothly, the Rolls-Royce fully displaying its British aristocratic demeanor, with not a hint of noise within the carriage. Therefore, although his voice was low, every word and even every inflection could be heard clearly.
"What needs to be explained?"
Shi Nian closed her eyes: "About... my identity. As the Chairman just heard, I am Xiang Yuan’s wife. My name is Shi Nian... I am not the exchange student Nana from China."
"My profession is a journalist. The reason I disguised as Nana to enter Kangchuan University was because of Zhou Guanghan’s murder case."
Shi Nian only revealed herself, trying her best to hide Tang Yanqing; even more so, she tried to erase any possible connection of the Kangchuan University case with Nisha.
Huangfu Huazhang listened, merely nodding slightly, maintaining his upright posture without moving: "Who says that being a wife or a journalist means you can’t pursue further studies? So why are you being so concerned, as if it’s hard to speak about?"
Upon hearing this, Shi Nian was stunned and couldn’t help but look up at him.
He, with his slender, pale hand resting on a cane, finally returned his gaze to her. With his chin slightly lowered, Shi Nian could finally see his eyes clearly.
Long eyes as calm as a deep well, with exquisitely thin eyelids, and slightly upturned corners. The gaze was cool like a thin blade, yet warm as a gentle breeze.
Shi Nian even had a small imagination: if a fox spirit could form, its eyes would surely be like this.
Shi Nian felt a bit uncomfortable as her cheeks warmed. However, he remained unaffected, his gaze staying fixed on her face.
"Besides, I’ve read your article. You’re objectively reporting the school’s case, without distortion, fabrication, or slander. So, even though you’re a journalist, what does it matter? I would rather have you alone report the entire case than have other journalists write it in such a speculative manner."
He... not only didn’t hold it against her but seemed to be praising her?
Shi Nian opened her mouth in surprise: "Chairman, do you mean you don’t mind that I impersonated Nana?"
He smiled: "You ’impersonated’ Nana? I would think Nana is the real you. Your youthful spirit, your dazzling charm, and your intolerance of evil... instead, ’Shi Nian’ is set with too many constraints, not the complete real you."
Shi Nian was speechless once more, only able to stare at the unfamiliar man in front of her.
He then turned back, looking forward, showing her only his profile: "Just be the self you like. As for what name you use or what profession you have, those are just external things; what you choose is your freedom, and you only need to explain to yourself, not to me or any outsiders."
Shi Nian’s heartbeat became a bit erratic, and she quickly blinked, turning her head to look out of her side’s car window.
After calming down for a moment, she asked again: "So, does this mean I can continue staying at Kangchuan University to work on my article?"
This mysterious man, whose face seemed elusive even at such a close distance, smiled again at her: "Welcome."
"Ha..." Shi Nian couldn’t help but sigh deeply and relaxed: "Chairman, thank you."
He raised an eyebrow slightly: "I received the note you wrote to me."
"Oh?" Shi Nian turned her gaze to him: "Then I must thank Secretary Dong."
"Okay, I’ll pass on your thanks to him." He continued looking forward.
Shi Nian slightly hesitated: "I’m very sorry about today’s incident."
No matter what happened between her and Xiang Yuan, it was ultimately a matter between husband and wife, and being witnessed by Huangfu Huazhang always made her feel embarrassed.
Huangfu Huazhang replied unhurriedly: "I might not know the details of today, but at least from Lawyer Xiang’s attitude toward you—it seems he doesn’t deserve to have you."
"Ha," Shi Nian lowered her head: "We’ve already separated and are in the process of divorcing. It’s just that Xiang Yuan is... somewhat unwilling."
"Is that so?" Huangfu Huazhang tilted his head to look at her: "My company has some dealings with his father’s financial company, and I have some acquaintance with his family. I’ll remember to advise him next time we meet."
Shi Nian still shook her head: "Thank you. But after all, this is my personal affair, so I wouldn’t want to trouble you."
"It’s no trouble."
Even though Shi Nian clearly declined politely, Huangfu Huazhang seemed unfazed, directly saying, "Since I saved your life, perhaps I’m also responsible for ensuring your well-being. If that marriage or that man makes you unhappy, I should do what I can."
.
Huangfu Huazhang’s Rolls Royce took Shi Nian away, and only then did Xiang Yuan wake from his daze. He turned to see Guan Liang by the roadside and sneered as he walked over.
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[Continuing with additional updates today. A total of three updates, with two more to come later.]