"Tell me your thoughts." Xiao Chen crossed his arms, gesturing for her to speak.

With a relaxed demeanor, Ye Xinning pursed her lips.

"I was all set to agree, but then I regretted it after answering the phone."

"Perhaps they had other ideas from the beginning and didn't want to cooperate with us."

"The other ideas you mentioned probably don't exist; it must be a problem with this phone call," Ye Xinning analyzed calmly.

Xiao Chen smiled without saying a word.

Ye Xinning's gaze fell on him, and seeing that she remained silent, she seemed to understand something.

Are you testing me?

Xiao Chen clapped his hands and stood up.

Let's go.

Even after leaving the restaurant, Ye Xinning was still wondering what Xiao Chen's attitude meant.

Just now, she could see through something so obvious, how could Xiao Chen not see through it?

Was he asking that question on purpose just to test her? But why test her? Did he think that phone call had something to do with her?

Unable to fathom her boss's thoughts, Ye Xinning remained absent-minded even after returning to the hotel.

She took out the equity case to study again, and was engrossed in it when the phone rang.

"Hello."

"Miss Ye, I've found the person you asked me to investigate."

Ye Xinning paused, her hand holding the phone still.

She stood up, went to the French windows, pursed her lips, and asked, "Where is he?"

"I'm in New Zealand," the person on the other end of the phone replied.

Ye Xinning remained silent. Jiang An had been sent away by Shen Yu, and she had guessed from the beginning that he would not stay in the country again, and sure enough, he was right.

New Zealand is far enough away from South City.

Shen Yu really didn't want Shen Lin to have any further contact with Jiang An.

But if her people can find out, how could Shen Lin not find out?

She didn't believe it.

"Is she alone? Is there anyone else with her?"

“I monitored that woman for quite some time and didn’t find anyone else around her. She rarely went out, probably because she was pregnant. Most of the time she would go out for a short while and then go back.”

"Are you sure you didn't miss anyone?"

The person on the other end of the phone seemed to have guessed what she was thinking.

“Miss Ye, I have observed the situation and I am certain that Mr. Shen has not appeared, nor have I seen him around.”

Ye Xinning remained silent for a long time without saying a word.

The people on the other end waited for a long time without her speaking, so they asked again, "Miss Ye, should we continue the observation?"

"Keep an eye on things for me, don't make a fuss, and don't let her find out."

"Okay, Miss Ye, I understand."

"Thanks a lot."

"Miss Ye, you're too kind. This is all I should do."

Ye Xinning held the phone, remained silent for a moment, and then asked this question.

"Aunt Wen, have you ever thought about starting a new life?"

"My life revolves around the affairs of prostitutes."

Ye Xinning tilted her head slightly, her tone strained and bitter, "Is it really worth it? To spend my whole life for one man."

"I have no regrets."

"But I feel sorry for you," Ye Xinning said sincerely.

Wen Yu didn't speak. There was a noise on the other end of the phone, and Ye Xinning roughly knew what had happened.

“Aunt Wen, I know how you feel, and I’m very grateful for all the help you’ve given me over the years. But the more you do this, the more guilty I feel. I also hope you can start living your own life.”

Wen Yu spoke up, his voice slightly more choked than before, "Miss Ye, you don't need to feel guilty. Everything I've done for you is just my duty. That's all for now, Miss. Get some rest. I won't disturb you any longer."

Wen Yu said a few words briefly and then hung up the phone.

Ye Xinning held the phone and stood alone for a long time before finally stepping back into her room.

...

The next morning.

Ye Xinning got up, washed up, and prepared to go find Xiao Chen to talk about work. Before she could even leave the house, she suddenly received a call from Xiao Chen.

"Attorney Ye."

"Yes, I was just about to go find you."

"You don't need to come looking for me. I have some personal matters to attend to and need to rush back to Nancheng. I'll leave things here to you."

Ye Xinning was stunned upon hearing this.

Does Xiao Chen mean that this case should be completely handed over to her?

He quickly organized his thoughts, "This case involves many aspects. Would it be inappropriate to entrust it all to me?"

"There's nothing wrong with it. I believe in your abilities. Okay, I'm about to board the plane. That's all for now. I'll contact you again later."

After Xiao Chen finished speaking, he hung up the phone.

Ye Xinning stared blankly at her phone screen. So, Xiao Chen just handed this matter over to her like that?

Was it really that hasty? Or was Xiao Chen overly confident in her?

Ye Xinning sighed, realizing that since she couldn't change the facts, she could only accept them.

She used the morning to reorganize the case again, and only after she had almost finished did she call Mr. Li.

The phone rang for a long time before being answered. Ye Xinning spoke politely, "Mr. Li, this is Ye Xinning from the law firm. We met yesterday."

She gave a brief reminder, and Mr. Li on the other end of the phone said, "Oh, it's you."

"Our CEO Xiao has had to return to Nancheng first. Before he left, he instructed me to continue discussing the next steps of our cooperation with you. Do you have time this afternoon? We can meet."

"I'm so sorry, Ms. Ye, I have plans for this afternoon."

"Mr. Li, when would be a time for us to meet?"

"Let me check the schedule arranged by my secretary, and then I'll get back to Ms. Ye."

Ye Xinning wasn't stupid. If she still couldn't tell that Mr. Li wanted to hang up after all this, then she was really bad at reading people.

Even though she felt a little helpless, she still said gently, "Okay, Mr. Li, you can go ahead with your work. I'll wait for your call."

Mr. Li hung up the phone.

Ye Xinning pondered for a while in the hotel, then took her things and went out.

...

Half an hour later, Ye Xinning appeared on the street.

She was getting bored staying in the hotel all the time, and thought that going out for a walk might make her feel better.

Without a specific goal, they simply follow their own ideas to take the next step.

Ye Xinning hadn't enjoyed such a pleasant life in a long time. The matter with Shen Lin had taken up a lot of her energy, and she was now thoroughly enjoying this moment of tranquility.

As she walked, a little girl suddenly spoke to her sweetly, "Sister."

Ye Xinning lowered her head and looked at the little girl in front of her. She was dressed very neatly, and her big, crystal-like eyes were staring at her. She looked extremely cute.

"Sister, your hands are so beautiful, so white and tender."

Ye Xinning glanced at the jewelry the girl was holding, including the necklace, and instantly understood.

Do you want me to buy your bracelet?

"Sister, this really suits you. I'm not lying. And this necklace isn't expensive, really."