Chapter 38 Chapter 38

Shen Li was silent all the way. After Hou Liping turned the car into the manor gate, he glanced at him and said teasingly, "My sister-in-law was just delayed for a day because of something. Why do you have to look so bitter and resentful? You look like an abandoned woman now."

Shen Li didn't want to respond and turned to look at the hazy green shadows outside the window.

It was a beautiful spring day, and the manor was covered with green waves. A gray-green mist rose in the twilight.

Hou Liping and Shen Li got out of the car and looked up to see a tall, lush magnolia tree. The fragrant magnolia flowers hung on the branches, so bright that they were blinding.

Hou Liping turned to walk back inside the building, but Shen Li suddenly came to his senses and stopped under the magnolia tree, not moving. "Why are you willing to spend so much money today? You brought me here just for dinner."

It was his fault for thinking about Wen Ying the entire time and not noticing Hou Liping's route. It was just that they were both alone at home, so they decided to have dinner together, but they hadn't expected to end up in a place like this.

This is a red wine estate, covering a large area, but there is only a grand and low-key building in the middle, surrounded by endless green land, with no visible edge.

Given their identities, it is inappropriate for them to appear here.

Hou Liping came over and pulled his arm: "You're overthinking it. It's just a restaurant that doesn't look like a restaurant."

Shen Li followed Hou Liping in and discovered that there was a different world inside.

Each floor of the multi-story building has a different decoration and purpose, with dining, chess and card games, even meeting rooms and coffee shops. The only thing that remains the same is the understated yet luxurious atmosphere everywhere.

This smell made Shen Li frown.

Hou Liping took him up to the elevator with ease and said casually, "It's boring for just the two of us to have dinner together. We have a few other friends with us. Old Shen, do you mind?"

There's no point in caring.

Chen Li had never realized that Hou Liping had so many twists and turns. It seemed that he had planned it all along when he insisted on not letting him drive today.

Shen Li shook his head: "I don't know what you are up to."

The elevator went up to the fourth floor. The door of a room at the end of the corridor was wide open, and there were people talking and chatting inside.

Hou Liping and Shen Li went in, and the four or five men inside came forward to greet them.

None of them were strangers. Shen Li took a quick look and saw that these people were all partners from several major law firms in Min City, one of whom was from Zhongsheng.

Shen Li was a little unhappy, but he still had to give face to Hou Liping. After a few pleasantries, they sat down, and the topic gradually turned to Shen Li.

A Zhongsheng partner raised his glass with a smile, "Wen Lu has been at Zhongsheng for many years, and we never knew she and Prosecutor Shen were married. If we had known about this relationship earlier, we could have known each other a few years earlier."

Another person continued, "Prosecutor Shen has always kept a low profile. In recent years, we only knew that he got married, but we never knew that Mrs. Shen was Wen Ying from Zhongsheng."

The people at Zhongsheng laughed heartily. "If that's the case, we at Zhongsheng were once considered relatives of Prosecutor Chen. Prosecutor Chen never goes out for social events, and today we've finally managed to get you here thanks to Prosecutor Hou. Let me offer a toast."

Chen Li watched the man finish a glass of red wine and smiled slightly: "Xiao Ying gave you a lot of headaches when she was in Zhongsheng. Now that she has set up her own business, it has saved you a lot of trouble."

This sentence made everyone present look unhappy. Zhongsheng's smile turned bitter, and he didn't know what to say next.

The reason why Wen Ying went solo was ultimately due to Zhongsheng's contempt.

Zhongsheng owes Wen Ying - this is no longer a secret in the circle.

Hou Liping smoothed things over: "Young people entering the workplace for the first time will inevitably encounter friction and bumps as they strive for growth. It's obvious that it's because Zhongsheng has nurtured them well and laid a solid foundation that gives you the confidence to pursue your own career. We're not outsiders, so today we're only talking about our relationship, nothing else. Come on, I'll do it too."

The atmosphere on the field was finally revitalized.

No one from Zhongsheng dared to act rashly anymore, and the topic of conversation never touched upon Wen Ying again. Chen Li tried to save face for Hou Liping, but since he knew what he was doing, he stopped his confrontation and instead engaged in a cheerful and friendly conversation.

During the meal, Hou Liping was the key person and had to drink. Chen Li used the excuse that he needed to drive for him in a while to decline all the toasts.

Just after nine o'clock, several people surrounded Hou Liping and Shen Li and walked out of the room. One of them said enthusiastically, "It's still early. Are Prosecutors Hou and Shen interested in going downstairs to play a few rounds of cards?"

Before Shen Li could say anything, Hou Liping looked at him and said, "My wife finally took the children back to her parents' home. Old Shen, are you willing to let me go home and sleep so early?"

Since he had spoken, Shen Li could only nod.

When they reached the second floor, as soon as they turned the corridor, they saw Zhou Boyu standing in front of them like the moon surrounded by stars.

He seemed to be having a social engagement here as well, with a group of wealthy young men leaning against him, a group of beautiful women with long blond hair and fragrant clothes.

Zhou Boyu turned his head and looked over. The two groups met in a long and dark corridor.

The people around Zhou Boyu were fine, their expressions normal. However, the lawyers around Shen Li were already staring at each other. Even Hou Liping's gaze flickered between the two of them, seeming to want to speak but then stopping himself, finally remaining silent.

The scandal between Zhou Boyu and Wen Ying was once the most talked-about romantic affair in the entire legal circle. Now that the rumored boyfriend and the official husband have met, it is really surprising.

A few lawyers wanted to watch the fun, but they were also afraid that this dinner might end up costing them more than they gained, and instead of building a closer relationship with Chen Li, they would lose face. They were at a loss, regretting that they had booked dinner at this club tonight.

Zhou Boyu spoke first, his demeanor unchanged: "Inspector Shen. Nice to meet you again."

Shen Li remained calm and nodded slightly, "Mr. Zhou."

Zhou Boyu said, "I have a social event here, but Shen Jian, it's rare to see you in such occasions."

Chen Li's gaze fell on his female companion gently holding Zhou Boyu's hand, and a slight smile appeared on the corner of his lips: "Humans are social animals, and socializing is inevitable. Mr. Zhou, please do as you please. It won't delay your business."

The people around were a little dumbfounded. No one expected that the two of them could still chat and laugh with each other in such a manner.

"The temperature is comfortable on a spring night, perfect for relaxing," Zhou Boyu nodded. "Goodbye, Inspector Shen."

He led his female companion in first, and the others behind him filed in. The door to the private room was closed, and the corridor was empty.

Hou Liping acted as if he had never seen Zhou Boyu, and talked cheerfully about how he was eager to play cards after not having played for a long time, which caused others to laugh in agreement.

There is a chess and card room at the end of the corridor. Mahjong tiles are playing and several people at the table are gradually forgetting themselves.

Chen Li sat for a while and then stood up and walked out to the terrace next to him to get some fresh air. Less than ten minutes later, Zhou Boyu appeared on the terrace.

"Boss Zhou," Shen Li said, his eyes calm and without any surprise, "You called me out, what's going on?"

Zhou Boyu smiled: "Inspector Shen is indeed a smart man."

Chen Li leaned his elbows on the terrace railing and said nothing.

Zhou Boyu stood shoulder to shoulder with him: "I do admire Wen Ying, there is no need to hide this. Even if you were her husband, I could tell you frankly."

"I thank you for your appreciation on her behalf," Shen Li even joked, "but I wonder how many women Mr. Zhou admires throughout the year."

Zhou Boyu laughed heartily. "I admire her, but I never compromise myself. Women are all so beautiful and charming, each with their own unique charm. I'm no longer at the age where I need to go to great lengths to please a woman. At my position, the word 'expending effort' is completely unnecessary."

Shen Li nodded, his voice casual: "Mr. Zhou is very insightful..." He suddenly turned to look at Zhou Boyu, his eyes suddenly became sharp and sharp, and his voice came out aggressively, "You hinted at me coming out just to show me that you have no intentions towards Wen Ying anymore? Mr. Zhou, if you have something to say, just say it directly. Your time is also valuable."

Zhou Boyu was startled for a moment, then exclaimed in admiration: "You are indeed the best prosecutor. Even I am amazed by you."

Shen Li said nothing, just stared into his eyes.

Zhou Boyu was defeated after three or four seconds and said softly, "I know you sent someone to investigate the scandal between me and Wen Ying. I asked you out today because I want to make a deal with you."

"Tell me about it."

Zhou Boyu looked at him, his expression becoming serious. "Tell me who is behind this, and I promise I will never have any plans against Wen Ying again."

Shen Li shook his head, finding it amusing: "Boss Zhou is a businessman. Does that mean he will start bullying customers just because his business is big?"

"What?"

"You just said you've given up pursuing Wen Ying. Now, are you going to trade a promise you've already fulfilled for my information? You're so insincere," he shook his head. "Mr. Zhou, why should I tell you?"

Zhou Boyu said with some disdain: "I said I gave up on her, but I didn't say I would never want her again. Shen Jian, you have to think it over. If you don't agree to me, I think you will soon know what it feels like to be cuckolded."

Chen Li's face grew serious. "Mr. Zhou, I hope you can understand one thing—Wen Ying is a person with her own thoughts. She's not just a decoration to be objectified in your mind. Using her as a bargaining chip is in itself disrespectful to her."

"Objectification?"

"Yes," Chen Li nodded. "From the very beginning, you never considered her a person—or, Mr. Zhou, you may have never considered a 'woman' to be a person. Actually, I can understand your thinking. You are wealthy and powerful, and all the women who appear around you are motivated by your own interests. One of you contributes money and power, the other contributes body and emotions, an equal exchange, willing to fight and willing to suffer. Just like buying something, if you come across a rare one that you like, you will pay a little more. When you get tired of it and lose interest in it, you will choose a new one. So over time, you naturally regard all women as objects, to be acquired and discarded at your own will."

His gaze was deep and powerful, gleaming brightly in the darkness. "But Zhou Boyu, I want you to remember—Wen Ying is a person, a living person. She doesn't have to passively wait for you to like or dislike her. She has the right to choose. It's normal for her not to choose you. You don't have to be surprised. I have no right to use her as a bargaining chip to negotiate with me."

Zhou Boyu stood quietly for a while, then suddenly laughed: "I finally know where I lost."

He actually stretched out his hand towards Shen Li: "Inspector Shen, I will teach you a lesson today."

Chen Li shook hands with him briefly, and the two men seemed to have reached a tacit consensus on this spring night.

Zhou Boyu left the terrace. As he took the last step out of the terrace, Shen Li suddenly spoke: "Actually, you don't need me to tell you who is behind this, right?"

Zhou Boyu stopped and looked back at Chen Li, his face half exposed in the dim light and half hidden in the darkness of the shadow.

Zhou Boyu then pursed his lips and smiled gently, but the smile did not reach his eyes: "I admire you, Shen Jian, and I also thank Wen Lu for everything he has done for me. This matter has nothing to do with you from now on."