CH 55.1

Fu Zheng actually hadn't wanted to intervene at first, because judging from the intermittent things his neighbor was saying, this was one being willing to fight and the other being willing to suffer1. And later, no matter whether it was Ning Wan or Jin Jianhua, they both abandoned even the most superficial sense of shame and began openly flirting...

Even Gao Yuan, who had always had a thick skin, felt embarrassed listening to it. "This... even though I get that Ning Wan wants to go back to headquarters after two years of temporary work in the community, doing it this way really is a bit contemptuous. Even if it wasn't interfering in someone else's marriage, it's like using one's looks... It's a shame..." He secretly peeked at Fu Zheng as he spoke. "Some young people just aren't patient enough. If she had waited a little longer, there might have been better opportunities..."

Gao Yuan ended with a mental sigh. According to what he had observed, Fu Zheng had quite an unusual regard for Ning Wan. He had secretly helped her out many times, clearly showing that he cared about her, yet unexpectedly...

Now not only was the neighbor flirting endlessly, but from the outline behind the screen, Jin Jianhua had reached out to touch Ning Wan...

"Seems like I'm not a good judge of character. For both Jin Jianhua and Ning Wan to turn out to be like that..."

After such an episode, not only was Gao Yuan embarrassed, but Fu Zheng's mood was also down in the dumps. The meal could no longer be eaten. Gao Yuan wisely chose to quickly pay the bill. When the two got up and left afterward, Ning Wan and Jin Jianhua were still sitting there, cooing at each other...

Pretending he didn't know anything, Gao Yuan followed Fu Zheng out in the terrifying silence. But halfway through, Fu Zheng suddenly turned and made his way back, his expression serious and calm.

Was he going back to confront Ning Wan and pick a fight with her and Jin Jianhua?

Although Fu Zheng had always been a calm person, who knows? Men could be the very devil when they got impulsive...

Gao Yuan was frightened half to death. If they all quarreled, wouldn't he have to step in and act as mediator? Everyone here was a friend or colleague! How embarrassing!

He immediately trotted after Fu Zheng. "Hey Fu Zheng, calm down a bit! What are you doing going back? Whatever Ning Wan and Jin Jianhua do is a private matter, you should leave it alone..."

Unfortunately, Fu Zheng was tall, long-legged, and walked fast. Gao Yuan caught sight of his lips opening, but couldn't catch what he said. Only when he finally caught up did he make out what Fu Zheng said.

He said, Ning Wan isn't that sort of person.

They say that seeing is believing, but at the moment Fu Zheng's expression was calm, and his voice extraordinarily self-possessed. He seemed to have firm confidence in Ning Wan--

"She isn't that sort of person. She must have some reason for doing this."

This...

Gao Yuan almost pitied Fu Zheng. Even under such circumstances, he still refused to believe...

At that moment, Fu Zheng looked back at Gao Yuan. "You leave first. It'll be more embarrassing if you're here, and things will become more complicated. I'll take care of the matter with Ning Wan."

Although he was somewhat worried Fu Zheng, what he had just said was also true. Fu Zheng's identity had not yet been made public, but Gao Yuan was a senior partner at Zhengyuan Law, and if he were to bump into Jin Jianhua and Ning Wan, it would be quite difficult to deal with. Gao Yuan thought for a moment, felt like Fu Zheng was right, and decided to withdraw.

"Keep your cool. I'll head out first."

"Mn."

Ning Wan hadn't expected to see Fu Zheng here. His voice was cold; clearly, he was just a little intern at Zhengyuan, but at that moment he felt like a majestic superior, completely overpowering Jin Jianhua. He was tall, and when he stood in front of her, blocking her line of sight, her whole body was protected in his shadow. With the barrier of Fu Zheng, she finally no longer had to see the lustful, nauseating look in Jin Jianhua's eyes.

At that very moment, Ning Wan magically calmed down. She had been afraid that she would continue to be harassed by Jin Jianhua after she had gotten her recording and evidence. But now, with Fu Zheng here and the recording in hand, she had finally gotten away with it.

Jin Jianhua looked very displeased. Looking at Fu Zheng, he asked, "Who are you? This is none of your business. Don't meddle with Ning Wan and I's matters."

After saying so, he looked at Ning Wan. "Ning Wan, who is this? Tell him what our business has to do with him?"

His words obviously gave Fu Zheng pause. Him being able to appear at this very moment meant that he had been around here somewhere, and coupled with his hostility toward Jin Jianhua, it wasn't difficult for Ning Wan to come to a conclusion. She tilted her head up to look at Fu Zheng. "Were you at the next table just now?"

Fu Zheng pursed his lips and said nothing.

Jin Jianhua was the first to laugh. He looked at Ning Wan. "Ning Wan, what do you say? I really would like to transfer you back to headquarters, but in the end it depends on you."

If Fu Zheng had been sitting next to them, with her voice slightly raised, that meant that he must have heard the whole conversation between herself and Jin Jianhua. Yet even so, he unexpectedly didn't seem to blame her at all.

It was obvious that any such dialogue would surely lead to a misunderstanding, since Fu Zheng was unclear on the context. However, Fu Zheng didn't reproach her angrily or demand an explanation. He just stood in front of Ning Wan, as if placing under his scope of protection, so that Jin Jianhua could never even look at her again.

In fact, if at this time, he had questioned her, mocked her, or felt like she had betrayed the community and her colleagues, Ning Wan would not have been angry. It was normal to have such a misunderstanding after hearing her conversation with Jin Jianhua. However, Fu Zheng didn't say anything. He simply stood in front of her, steadfast and silent.

For the sake of justifying herself, for the sake of this trust, for the sake of this unwavering support, Ning Wan felt like she shouldn't continue hiding in his shadow. Even though the very sight of Jin Jianhua was nauseating, she stepped out from behind Fu Zheng.

"Partner Jin, a lot of things are made meaningless once spoken out load, but I think some people won't be able to understand your hints if you don't make things clear." Ning Wan's earlier shyness and charm had been swept away, and her tone was cold and solemn. She looked at Jin Jianhua as she said, "Some tricks will no longer work."

She pulled out the recorder in her bag. "I have recorded our entire conversation as proof. I am going to write a detailed explanation and submit everything to the senior partners of the firm, including how you've used your authority to harass me before."

Jin Jianhua had not expected this at all. He still had some alcohol in his system, and it took a moment before his expression twisted in comprehension. "Ning Wan, you played me?"

Ning Wan smiled. "I must thank you for your kind cooperation."