Chapter 44 The first step to love is to care

Of course Shi Mingguang saw it, the photos and eye-catching headlines flying all over the Internet.

Most importantly, everyone in the entire law firm's office, except him, likes to surf the Internet.

The young girls in the office were pushing each other, trying to get Shi Mingguang to take a look at the news.

Lawyer Xu stopped them and gave them a wink as a reminder.

"Lawyer Shi doesn't like this kind of news. Put it away and get back to work."

The female colleague did not give up. She stood on tiptoe, stuck her head out, and shouted to Shi Mingguang.

"Ah, actually, there's one thing I don't know if I should bring up. It was raining heavily that day, and I saw Chi Tiansheng coming to pick up Lawyer Shi from get off work."

"Oh my god, is this true? The heir of the Chi family and our lawyer Shi? No wonder Lawyer Shi looked a little grim when he saw the photo."

Shi Mingguang tried hard to remain calm, but in the end he couldn't help but speak.

"You guys, when you gossip about others, why don't you keep your voices down? Or go to the tea room?"

Shi Mingguang sighed helplessly and tried to explain, also wanting to remind himself.

"I've seen the news too. After all, the latest information pops up automatically. In our line of work, we have to pay attention to all social current affairs, including gossip."

The female colleagues looked expectantly: "What do you think after seeing this? Lawyer Shi, how do you feel?"

The moment I saw the news, I felt a strange emotion in my heart.

Shi Mingguang also asked himself: Why do I have this feeling?

Shi Mingguang, there is no relationship between you and Chi Tiansheng. It has nothing to do with you which woman Chi Tiansheng wants to date, marry, or live with which man.

At the Chi family, Shi Mingguang had a strange feeling when he saw Luo Pingcheng wearing Chi Tiansheng's pajamas.

Over the past few days, Shi Mingguang still thought of Luo Pingcheng's pajamas and Luo Pingcheng's expression from time to time.

Just now, after seeing the photo of Chi Tiansheng hugging a beautiful woman, the strange feeling in his heart became stronger and stronger.

"Chi Tiansheng and I aren't close enough to care about his love life. I've never heard him mention a girlfriend, but I saw her online and I'm a bit concerned."

Shi Mingguang thought this explanation was very convincing.

Unexpectedly, the female colleague suddenly grabbed his hand excitedly: "Lawyer Shi, that strange feeling in your heart, the feeling of inexplicable care, that is the beginning of liking someone!"

"Yeah, yeah, my current boyfriend and I were always paying attention to him from the beginning. I couldn't help but care about him and pay attention to him. Later I realized that paying attention to him was a sign that I was falling in love with him!"

Another female colleague who was in a passionate love relationship also joined in muddying the waters.

Shi Mingguang waved his hands firmly, stepped back, and kept a safe distance from them. He didn't want to be brainwashed and dragged into the muddy water.

"No, no, no. The emotional experience between men and women cannot be used to measure the friendship between us men. Well, Chi Tiansheng and I are just friends at best."

Shi Mingguang believed that this was already the limit, the limit of the relationship between him and Chi Tiansheng.

Not long ago, Shi Mingguang drew a clear line between himself and Chi Tiansheng, deeming them to be from two different worlds.

No, even friendship and friendship may be his wishful thinking.

Chi Tiansheng approached me and helped me, Lao Wu, Lingling and others. Maybe he had other purposes.

Chi Tiansheng took action to resolve the people and things that the Luo family regarded as thorns and obstacles, and deliberately got close to them.

In Chi Tiansheng's eyes, he was just a chess piece, part of his plan to attack the Luo family.

Thinking this way, Shi Mingguang could remind himself not to fall in love and not to put his true heart into it.

When dealing with a sinister and cunning old fox, if you easily give your true heart to him and treat him as a friend, you will be the only one who gets hurt in the end.

Even though I had suppressed my inner throbbing and chaotic emotions, I still couldn't read a single word of the document.

"I'm going to go get some coffee. Just sort out the divorce documents for Mr. and Mrs. Zhang and put them on my desk."

Mr. Zhang and his wife were each other's first love. They were college classmates and started a business together after graduation.

The company was doing better and better, and their lives were getting better and better. Both of them drove luxury cars, but gradually they no longer rode in the same car, took the same route, went to the same place, or returned to the same mansion.

Mrs. Zhang still had some nostalgia. She had not forgotten the sweetness of their first love, and the happiness of sharing a bowl of instant noodles when they first started their business.

However, Mr. Zhang said that the woman outside was pregnant.

Mrs. Zhang said she lost because she couldn't have a child.

Because she is unable to bear children, their marriage cannot survive, so there is definitely no love between them.

Mrs. Zhang realized that her relationship had completely deteriorated and she gave up and decided to divorce.

"Lawyer Shi, people's hearts are like this, they can change at any time. You should never trust someone too much, especially someone who says they love you."

For some reason, Mrs. Zhang's advice, spoken with a sad smile, echoed in her ears at this moment.

Shi Mingguang took a deep breath. He wasn't in deep trouble yet, but he did begin to care about and want to believe Chi Tiansheng.

Shi Mingguang walked out of the law firm. The afternoon sun was still bright and dazzling.

He squinted his eyes slightly, and in a blink of an eye, he seemed to see a familiar figure running out of the light.

"Mr. Chi, why are you here at this time?"

Two hours ago, Chi Tiansheng was clearly still at the airport, warmly hugging the beauty.

"I, I want to drink a cup of coffee. There's a shop nearby. It's delicious."

I was panting all night, but I stood up straight, trying hard to force a smile, pretending to be drinking coffee elegantly and leisurely.

Shi Mingguang looked stunned and didn't believe it at first glance.

It's better to just tell the truth. It's better than being treated as a weirdo by Shi Mingguang, and also better than him misunderstanding me and Song Yexing.

"I came here specifically to see you, Lawyer Shi. If you have time, could we have a cup of coffee together?"

I finally spoke fluently and calmed down overnight.

Shi Mingguang shook his phone, and saw that the coffee from that shop had been pre-ordered on the screen, but only one cup.

"I'll order another drink, and we can pick it up when we get over there."

The journey from the law firm to the coffee shop was only five minutes, but it felt like a year overnight.

He was thinking about how to explain his relationship with Song Yexing and how to explain the scene at the airport.

Shi Mingguang remained silent, and he didn't dare to bring it up.

Wouldn't it be too abrupt for Shi Mingguang to come all the way here in a hurry to explain his relationship with the woman?

"Latte, is that okay? You looked a little pale just now, so you added milk and sugar when you ordered. I don't know if you've had lunch yet, so I ordered two cakes."

Shi Mingguang pushed the latte together with sugar and milk over. He felt warm in his heart and had the courage to speak.

"Today I'm going to the airport to pick up an important bank client. It's related to the financing of this South Bank project, so I have to meet him personally. Although I don't remember much about this woman after the accident, I think we are old friends."

Lian Ye sprinkled sugar into the latte while carefully looking up to observe Shi Mingguang's reaction.

Shi Mingguang took a sip of American coffee and frowned as if it was bitter.

"I am not Chi's consulting lawyer. For both public and private reasons, Mr. Chi does not need to explain this to me."

Chi Tiansheng actually came all the way to explain to him.

Seeing him running towards the door of the law firm, panting and with a panicked look on his face, Shi Mingguang had thought of this possibility.

In just three seconds, Shi Mingguang cut off his thoughts: Impossible, Chi Tiansheng doesn't have to do this.

And now, Chi Tiansheng personally confirmed this possibility.

"I'm sorry, maybe Lawyer Shi doesn't want to know these facts. As you said, for both public and private reasons, it's unnecessary for me to explain this to you."

Slowly stir the latte overnight, watching the milk and sugar melt and become one with the latte.

However, Shi Mingguang realized that he had rushed here and might be short of sugar and water, so he specially added two portions of sugar and milk to his drink.

Just this little bit of care and warmth was enough to give Lian Ye enough courage to express his true feelings.

"I know this is quite presumptuous of me to do. I'm dragging you into listening to my complaints about something that doesn't make any sense to Lawyer Shi. However, I don't want Lawyer Shi to have any misunderstandings about me. I'm very concerned about whether you might misunderstand me after seeing the news and photos."

Care? Shi Mingguang's heart skipped a beat.

The words of her female colleague rang in her ears again, "When you start to care about someone, that's a sign that you're falling in love with them."

Shi Mingguang stared at "Chi Tiansheng", and Lian Ye inside "Chi Tiansheng" was also looking at him with burning eyes.

That night in the dark alley, Shi Mingguang leaned over and asked worriedly, "Are you injured? Does it hurt? Go to the hospital quickly."

At that moment, amidst the despair, coldness, and darkness, Lian Ye’s eyes were reflected with the light of fire.

For the first time, he realized that the heart and eyes could be hot and warm.

"Okay, I see. I never believe in rumors or gossip."

Shi Mingguang immediately understood Chi Tiansheng's eagerness to clarify and his fear of being misunderstood.

Something related to someone makes me inexplicably concerned and uneasy. I can't concentrate on my work unless I dispel and resolve this feeling of concern.

This is also the reason why Shi Mingguang escaped to drink coffee.

Chi Tiansheng made a special trip to explain because he was concerned about whether he would be misunderstood.

It was thanks to Chi Tiansheng's explanation that he was able to dispel and resolve the "concern" in his heart.

Therefore, he also wanted to help Chi Tiansheng dispel the "concern" in his heart.

Sure enough, after hearing his answer, Chi Tiansheng was obviously relieved and smiled easily.

Shi Mingguang slowly lowered his head and took a sip of American coffee, but this time he did not frown.

Why is it not bitter after this sip? Is it because I’ve gotten used to it after drinking it for a while?

The two of them didn't say anything else. They occasionally drank coffee and watched the people coming and going outside the window. The warm afternoon sun shone through the window glass, and the two of them immersed themselves in the light and heat.

Looking at the bright glass window all night, the people reflected in the mirror were Shi Mingguang and "Chi Tiansheng".

What Shi Mingguang saw and the people who began to accept him were all "Chi Tiansheng".

Lian Ye slowly shifted his gaze to Shi Mingguang's profile.

Do you know that it is me, the one who puts you in my heart in front of you, not "Chi Tiansheng".

That night, he was a killer who was not allowed to see the light of day, but he happened to catch Shi Mingguang's eyes.

At this moment, he is "Chi Tiansheng", able to drink coffee and bask in the sun face to face with Shi Mingguang.

"What's wrong? Did I get cake on my face?"

Shi Mingguang noticed Chi Tiansheng's gaze and raised his hand to touch his mouth.

In Shi Mingguang's clear eyes, the appearance of "Chi Tiansheng" was reflected.

"No, nothing, I was just daydreaming."

After hearing the explanation, Shi Mingguang smiled and continued to drink his coffee while looking at the scenery outside the window.

Lian Ye was still staring at Shi Mingguang's profile, when suddenly Shi Mingguang was startled and almost spilled his coffee.

"Mr. Chi, this person outside is from your family, right?"

Shi Mingguang pointed out the window with trembling fingers.

Xiaowen was lying outside the window glass, looking worried and gesticulating.

"Maybe there's something urgent for you."

Shi Mingguang picked up his cup of American coffee and stood up to leave: "I should go back to the law firm. I still have a lot of documents to deal with."

Xiaowen knew at first glance that Shi Mingguang was asking for help, so he could only watch Shi Mingguang leave reluctantly and prepare to follow Xiaowen back.

"Brother, you dumped Miss Song on me, and you come here to drink coffee and eat cake! And it's my favorite cherry cake!"

Xiaowen complained while driving, saying that he was almost tortured to death by Song Yexing.

"One moment she'd say she wanted to drink authentic coffee, disliking the off-brand coffee we had. She even asked me to buy her a coffee machine and beans and grind them myself! Then she'd say she was hungry and wanted to try everything—Chinese, Western, French, Thai. I'd run to several stores to buy her coffee, but she'd say she had no appetite and only wanted Korean food!"

I felt a buzzing sound in my ears all night and wanted Xiaowen to calm down.

"Thank you for your hard work, but the chef at home is good at making Korean food. Let him make her a meal."

"She said that food without love is not delicious! She wants you to go home and cook for her a pot of Korean kimchi soup with love, that is delicious."

Xiaowen turned around and glared, then hurried back to drive seriously.

Song Yexing brought various kimchi and condiments from South Korea, as well as her favorite instant noodles.

"No wonder you brought two suitcases. It turns out one was for food."

Xiaowen looked at the Korean ingredients piled up on the kitchen counter. He could already smell the scent of kimchi and instant noodles and shook his head.

"Finally you're back. I'm hungry. Please cook for me quickly."

Song Yexing approached with an expectant look on her face, carrying a floral apron.

He took two steps back overnight, not because it was difficult to cook kimchi instant noodles, but because he rejected the pink floral apron.

"Come on, the red peppers from the pickles have stained your clothes and are hard to wash off."

Song Yexing had an expression that said "this is for your own good" on her face. She forcefully grabbed "Chi Tiansheng" and put an apron on him.

With a wry smile, he lit the fire to boil water, put in the pancakes, fish cakes and kimchi.

Song Yexing took out his phone to record it, and said, "Mr. Chi cooked instant noodles for me. This scene is so memorable. I want to record it well."

"Here, add more hot sauce. I like spicy food."

Song Yexing grabbed the hot sauce and poured it into the soup pot, choking and coughing all night long.

Song Yexing actually stopped, but looked at him with suspicion.

"What's going on? Mr. Chi used to really like the hot sauce I brought and would always add a lot."

The Luo family rarely eats spicy food because Luo Pingfeng hates spicy food, and he hates bright red peppers even more. If they get on clothes, they cannot be washed off, just like blood.

Luo Pingfeng can treat human life as worthless, but he absolutely does not like to have blood on his hands.

Other people's blood is dirty to him.

Lian Ye grew up in the Luo family, so naturally he rarely eats spicy food and is sensitive to the smell of chili peppers.

"My brother hasn't fully recovered yet, and the doctor has told him to eat less spicy food!"

Xiaowen cleverly came to the rescue, although he was also surprised because Chi Tiansheng used to love spicy food.

However, Chi Tiansheng has indeed changed a lot after surviving the disaster, perhaps his taste in food has also changed.

"I'll bring the soup pot. Miss Song, please take your seat and wait for your meal." Xiao Wen picked up the soup pot with his bare hands and strode towards the dining table.

"What's that smell? Ahem? Did you set a fire at home? Why is the smell so choking?"

Luo Pingcheng came back from outside, covering his mouth and nose with one hand, muttering and complaining.