Chapter 471 Why Not Together?

The next morning, as Cui Xiaogang walked into the office, Xiao Hong knocked on the door and came in.

Cui Xiao frowned slightly, and before she could speak, she said directly, "Director Xiao, you don't need to come and beg me anymore. I really can't help you with your divorce case."

Yesterday by the river, Zhou Mubin actually thought she would compromise herself for the sake of others.

But she wouldn't be that selfless.

Xiao Hong walked over, her expression incredulous. "Vice President Cui, I'm not here to bother you. I just wanted to tell you some news: Attorney Zhou unilaterally terminated my husband's engagement contract."

Cui Xiao's hand holding the coffee cup suddenly stopped, and the warm liquid spilled over the rim of the cup, splashing onto the back of her hand without her noticing.

She looked up at Xiao Hong, her voice slightly tense, "Are you sure? Did Zhou Mubin tell you himself?"

"Confirmed." Xiao Hong handed over her phone, which displayed a message from Zhou Mubin.

I have terminated the legal representation agreement with your husband. Go find a better lawyer.

Looking at that line of text, Cui Xiao could even picture his tone at the time.

Cui Xiao's gaze was fixed on the screen, and her heart felt as if it had been gently bumped by something.

She had known Zhou Mubin for over a decade, working at the law firm since graduation, and had never seen him do anything so "out of line".

He is known in the industry for his "ironclad rule": once a contract is signed, he will do everything in his power to protect the rights of the client, even if the other party is an utterly wicked person. He has never even mentioned terminating a contract midway, which would break his professional principles.

The argument by the river last night is still vivid in my mind, and his resentment still seems to echo in my ears.

Cui Xiao suddenly realized that he might not be using Xiao Hong's case to force her to back down, but rather using his anger to vent his five-year obsession.

The seemingly resolute termination of the contract is clearly an attempt to avoid putting her in a difficult position. It's a way of giving her a way out and providing Xiao Hong with a chance to survive.

The steam from the coffee blurred her glasses. Cui Xiao raised her hand and rubbed her temples, the skin her fingertips touched still carrying a trace of lingering warmth.

She recalled the way he gripped her wrist last night, his knuckles turning white with force, and the trembling hidden in his cold laughter. Suddenly, she couldn't tell whether she felt a pang of bitterness or a sense of loss.

This man, who always used the toughest stance to conceal his tender heart, ultimately couldn't bring himself to truly be cruel to her.

This complex mix of emotions, like fine vines, entangled Cui Xiao for the entire morning.

When processing documents, my eyes always unconsciously fall on the screenshot of the termination letter on my phone.

During the departmental meeting, the voices of subordinates reporting their work sounded like they were from another world, and the image of Zhou Mubin's reddened eyes by the river last night kept replaying in my mind.

It wasn't until the lunch break bell rang that she realized she hadn't even had breakfast. A faint, empty, and sour feeling rose in her stomach. She got up to go to the break room to make herself a cup of hot milk and wake herself up.

Just as I turned the corner of the corridor covered with a light gray carpet, I heard steady footsteps ahead, mixed with familiar conversations.

Looking up, I saw a group of people walking towards me, with Zhang Da, the president of Mingda Technology, at the front.

The man walking beside him, with a tall and straight figure, was none other than Zhou Mubin.

Zhou Mubin changed into a light gray Italian handmade casual suit. The fabric shone with a delicate luster under the corridor lights. The top two buttons of the white silk shirt he wore underneath were undone, revealing his delicate collarbone. He looked more relaxed and refreshing than he had been by the river the night before.

Yet, that slightly upturned jawline still exudes a deep-seated nobility.

Zhang Dazheng turned his head and said something to him, with a rare humble smile on his face. He even took the initiative to pat his upper arm and said earnestly, "Attorney Zhou, I feel at ease knowing that you have overseen this cooperation plan. I will have to rely on you more for the subsequent risk control details."

The importance placed on that gesture was clearly visible even to the accompanying department managers.

Cui Xiao instantly recalled what was mentioned at last week's executive meeting: the company needed to find a powerful law firm to sign an annual legal counsel agreement. It seemed that Zhou Mubin was Zhang Da's choice.

The moment their eyes met, Cui Xiao's steps seemed to be nailed to the spot. She subconsciously wanted to turn sideways and hide in the tea room next door, but her wrist suddenly felt a dull pain from being gripped last night, and her movements slowed down by half a beat.

Zhou Mubin's gaze had already landed precisely on her, a barely perceptible glint flashing in his dark eyes before returning to calm.

He spoke first, his voice neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for everyone to hear clearly, "Vice President Cui, it's been a long time."

How long?

I saw him just last night.

He did it on purpose.

Cui Xiao frowned.

Zhang Da turned his head upon hearing the voice, followed his gaze to Cui Xiao, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, then a knowing smile appeared on his face, and he subconsciously asked, "You two know each other?"

Zhou Mubin nodded frankly, his gaze fixed on Cui Xiao's face, a faint but undeniable smile playing on his lips. "We're old acquaintances."

Turning to Zhang Da, he added, "President Zhang has excellent judgment; Vice President Cui has always been very capable."

After speaking, he looked at Cui Xiao and extended an invitation in a natural tone, "Vice President Cui, the preliminary communication on the cooperation plan just ended this afternoon. Zhang Da suggested going to a golf course in the suburbs to relax. If you have time, Vice President Cui, why don't you come along? It's a good opportunity to catch up."

Zhang Da was incredibly astute and immediately grasped the deeper meaning behind it.

Zhou Mubin is using work to build a closer relationship, which will only benefit future cooperation.

He immediately made the decision, his tone warm and authoritative, and said to Cui Xiao, "Yes, yes, Vice President Cui must come along. Work is never-ending, but health is the most important thing. Consider today a paid annual leave for you to relax."

Cui Xiao frowned slightly and subconsciously took a half step back. Just as she was about to say that there were three core contracts to review in the afternoon, involving cooperation terms with Xingyao, which she had to personally oversee, Zhang interrupted her with a big laugh, "Handle the work to others first. Besides, it's rare for Attorney Zhou to come all this way, so Vice President Cui shouldn't refuse."

Since things have been said to this extent, refusing again would seem rude.

Cui Xiao felt a surge of resistance, but ultimately suppressed it and nodded slightly to Zhang Da and Zhou Mubin, "Okay, then I'll go back to my office to hand over some work."

——

The Genting Golf Course on the outskirts of the city is built against the rolling hills. In the afternoon, the sunlight shines through the leaves and casts dappled shadows on the lawn, which is trimmed like a green carpet.

The air is filled with the fresh scent of grass and damp earth. In the distance, the surface of the artificial lake ripples with light, and occasionally a white egret spreads its wings and flies by, leaving behind a string of clear bird calls.

When Zhang Da led Zhou Mubin and Cui Xiao to the reserved VIP fairway, the caddies in white uniforms had already respectfully prepared golf bags and chilled towels.