Chapter 14 Chapter 14
Wen Ying and Chen Li exchanged a brief glance, both having a bad feeling in their hearts.
Sure enough, Shen Yuan came over and asked Shen Li: "When did you fall in love with sister-in-law?"
There was a burst of booing.
Shen Li tapped Shen Yuan's forehead with his fingers: "Don't you have any other questions?"
Shen Yuan took it for granted: "I'm only interested in this."
Wen Ying felt that Shen Yuan might be the worm in her stomach, and knew clearly what doubts she had.
Shen Li's eyes unconsciously swept across Wen Ying's face, and he said softly: "I don't remember."
I don’t remember, the answer was actually like this.
Wen Ying couldn't describe her current mood. Should she use "as expected" or "a little regretful" to describe it?
Shen Li added, "It's been so long, and so many things have happened, it's hard for me to remember the first thing that made my heart flutter."
The two girls next to him had already started clapping softly with their mouths half open. They had never expected that the thick-skinned Shen Yuan would have a brother who could be called the God of Pure Love.
After Shen Li finished speaking, he glanced at her, his dark eyes were bottomless. Wen Ying's fingers were knuckling the blanket on her legs, and she had an indescribable feeling in her heart.
Although Wen Ying wanted to believe Shen Li's words, it was a lawyer's nature to be skeptical, and a hint of doubt flashed in her eyes.
In her mind, Shen Li had always been a completely different person from herself. The fact that two people so different could even get along harmoniously, let alone be attracted to each other, was a miracle.
After knowing each other for twenty-two years, many things have been shrouded in mist, but there is one thing that Wen Ying still remembers clearly, and it also made her finally realize that she and Chen Li may really not be able to be together.
On Shen Li's birthday that year, the weather was just as cold as it is now, and Wen Ying racked her brains for a gift. They were so different that they could hardly find any similar interests.
Wen Ying thought about it over and over for a week before finally deciding to give Chen Li one of her favorite books - he loved reading, and he seemed to be a scholar, walking and reciting poems, chanting in spring and playing the zither in summer.
Wen Ying took a long bus ride and walked a long way, and finally bought a brand new copy of "My Loneliness is a Garden" in a remote bookstore.
Adonis's poetry collection, full of spirituality and romance, contains Wen Ying's wish for Chen Li to understand.
It started raining on the way home. The bus terminal was a block away from her home. The winter rain was biting, and she was afraid that her new books would get wet, so she wrapped them in her coat and ran back through the drizzle.
Even though she was careful, the edges of the pages were still stained with moisture. Wen Ying lowered her head, trying to hide her feelings, and simply said she would buy an extra copy and give it to him.
The winter rain was dripping outside the window, and the sound of raindrops hitting the glass could not cover up the rumbling of her heart beating in her chest.
Shen Li took the book and just said thank you. From then on, she never saw Shen Li pick up the book again.
The enthusiasm he had in his heart gradually faded until it piled up into a pile of cooling ashes every day, and Wen Ying finally no longer had any illusions.
She and Chen Li could only get to know each other because of objective factors and could not go further because of subjective emotions.
Wen Ying, sitting on the sofa with her knees hugged, suddenly remembered the book. She had been married to Shen Li for several years and had lived in his house for quite some time, but it seemed as if she had never seen the poetry collection she had carefully selected on his bookshelf.
After so many years, Shen Li probably doesn't know where he threw it.
The collection of poems that she thought was wonderful and romantic might just be a wet piece of paper to Chen Li.
They are not the same kind of people after all. Even their tastes in reading are different. How can Wen Ying believe that Shen Li’s answer just now was his true thoughts?
Wen Ying suddenly felt bored.
The ringing of her cell phone saved her. It was Yu Jiaran. Wen Ying stood up and apologized. "I had something urgent to deal with at work, and I can't handle it alone, so I asked a colleague to help. Do you mind if she stays here for a few days? If you mind, I can help her book a hotel."
There were quite a few empty rooms in this house, so Shen Yuan and the others certainly didn't mind, and kept saying that it would be more lively if she came along.
Yu Jiaran had already arrived at the door. Wen Ying welcomed her in from outside, and a group of people warmly welcomed her.
They were all people of similar age, and Yu Jiaran greeted them one by one, until the moment he saw Chen Li, he was stunned.
"...Prosecutor Shen?" Yu Jiaran was very surprised and hurriedly explained, "Uh, hello, I'm Yu Jiaran. I used to work with other lawyers at Zhongsheng and met you a few times, but you may not remember me."
Yu Jiaran was telling the truth. Almost everyone in Minnan's political and legal circles recognized Shen Li. His appearance and inner qualities were one in a million, making him hard to ignore once he flashed before people's eyes.
Even more fascinating is Shen Li's mysterious love life. For a man this talented, he has no shortage of suitors, but Shen Li is straightforward, telling everyone he's married. But strangely, no one knows who his wife is.
This incident has become a universally acknowledged unsolved mystery within the political and legal community. Work circles are relatively static, and there are only so many people involved. To escape their piercing eyes, one must wonder who this person is, or perhaps—is simply an illusion?
Yu Jiaran certainly knew that Wen Ying came here for vacation at the invitation of her sister, but she really couldn't figure out why Shen Li also appeared in this villa.
Shen Li nodded and said to her, "Hello, Yu Lu."
The man stood up from the sofa. He was tall and broad, and his soft black cashmere sweater was tightly stretched by the muscles on his shoulders and chest.
Chen Li turned his head to look at Wen Ying: "Take Yu Lu upstairs first. Are you going to work overtime tonight?"
Wen Ying shook his head: "I'm just on standby. The client is reading the complaint. If he has different opinions, we can make adjustments in time."
Yu Jiaran's eyes flickered between the two people's faces. Her woman's intuition and lawyer's acumen made her open her mouth involuntarily: "Lawyer Wen, you..."
Wen Ying treated her as one of her own: "Let me introduce you, Shen Li, my husband."
Yu Jiaran was so shocked that he felt dizzy and weak in the knees: "You are actually married?!"
Shen Yuan came over stupidly: "Huh? Don't you know about their marriage?"
Chen Li twisted her head and spun her around: "You and your friends go back to your room and rest. Don't disturb them while they're working."
Shen Yuan glanced at his brother's unfriendly eyes, knowing that he couldn't say much, so he stuck out his tongue, cleared the snacks on the coffee table, and went upstairs with his friends to continue.
Wen Ying invited Yu Jiaran to the third floor and explained to her, "We got married in such a hurry that we didn't have a ceremony and didn't tell anyone. Jiaran, I'll have to trouble you to keep it a secret for me from now on."
She turned to look at Chen Li for some unknown reason, and he happened to be looking at her. Seeing Wen Ying looking back, Chen Li pursed his lips and said nothing, lowering his head and following behind her up the stairs.
Yu Jiaran was so shocked that he nodded mechanically, "I can keep it a secret, but Wen Lu, are you really married to Prosecutor Shen?"
Wen Ying smiled and said, "It's real, legal and certified, guaranteed to be genuine."
Wen Ying looked around after reaching the third floor. Just as she was about to ask Yu Jiaran to stay in the room across from them, Chen Li spoke up, "The room on the far west is spacious and quiet, suitable for Yu Lu to stay in."
Yu Jiaran didn't think anything was wrong. He was polite to Shen Li, a little reserved, and said thank you to Shen Jian.
Shen Li helped her carry her bag: "When it's not working hours, just call me Shen Li."
Yu Jiaran winked at Wen Ying and mouthed the word "awesome".
In her eyes, Wen Ying was really awesome for being able to win over Shen Li quietly.
Just as Jia Ran entered the west bedroom, Wen Ying belatedly realized her troubles. There was only one double bed in the east suite.
She stood at the bedroom door, feeling stuck in a dilemma. Shen Li walked in first and took a pair of pajamas from the closet. A mischievous smile appeared on the corner of his lips. "Wen Lu, why don't you get some rest? If Zhou Boyu asks you something in the middle of the night, you might not even get any sleep."
Wen Ying responded dryly but did not move.
Chen Li walked up to Wen Ying, holding his pants. His tall figure looked down at her, casting a shadow on her face.
"It's not like we've slept together before," he said. "You don't trust me, or you don't trust yourself?"
Wen Ying raised an eyebrow. She had never known Chen Li to say such words. It was almost flirtatious.
The lawyer never tries to gain an advantage verbally: "It's true that we slept together, but I was in deep sleep and didn't notice it a few times, and I was also feeling unwell during my period. Today is a beautiful day, I'm healthy, and my mind is clear. I was just worried that you might get sick from holding it in."
She stretched out a finger and poked his hard chest muscle: "After all, men and women are different. I'm afraid you will get angry."
Shen Li used the words she had just said to Jia Ran on the stairs: "Since we are 'legal', why not..."
Wen Ying could see the mockery in his eyes.
Wen Ying wasn't feudal, and besides, there was nothing to be feudal about. The man before her was her legitimate husband, but she felt something was missing. It wasn't the natural, intimate contact that came naturally when love was deep, and she felt a bit skeptical.
Wen Ying rolled her eyes at Chen Li, walked around him and headed straight for the bathroom: "I need to wash up. If you're getting angry, go to the balcony and enjoy the sea breeze. It will definitely sober you up."
Shen Li didn't say anything else, just watched her walk into the bathroom and close the door.
Wen Ying took a quick shower. When she came out, Shen Li was talking on the phone in the living room. His voice was low, but his tone sounded serious: "Why did you suddenly change your confession? ...Okay, I'll contact the prison, and you go there for an emergency interrogation now. ...I'm out and can't get back at the last minute. ...Contact me anytime if there's anything else."
Wen Ying felt a little cold after taking a shower, so she got into bed and frowned at Chen Li who came in. "Is there something urgent?"
Shen Li hummed, then relaxed slightly: "It's okay."
Since he didn't say anything, Wen Ying didn't ask any more questions.
The relationship between the two is subtle, and their identities are also subtle. They restrain each other and keep their bottom line.
When Chen Li came out of the shower, the lights were off. A night light was left on the wall, providing a warm glow.
Chen Li lifted the quilt, and both of their bodies were filled with the same scent of shower gel. The bed sank slightly, and Wen Ying couldn't help but move closer to Chen Li along the curve.
Vision is blurred in the darkness, and all other senses are amplified.
Shen Li was silent for more than ten seconds, then reached out and pulled Wen Ying into his arms.
Wen Ying's heart was beating like a drum, and her fingers subconsciously clenched the edge of the pillow.
It’s not impossible.
These words suddenly flashed through her mind.
But Shen Li didn't continue his action. After a long while, he spoke: "Sorry, Xiaoying, I may have to break my promise."
Wen Ying heard the few words just now and knew what the sudden change of confession meant.
She took the rare initiative to turn her body sideways, gazing at Shen Li's undulating outline in the dark from this angle for the first time.
"I don't know when something will happen to me, and I don't know when you will suddenly go back." Wen Ying's voice was soft, and her breath brushed Chen Li's chin like a feather. "Happy birthday to you in advance. Happy birthday, Chen Li."
Shen Li then remembered that his birthday was three days later.
He tightened his hold on her arm. "Thank you. I'm glad you remembered."
In fact, she can remember every year.
But Wen Ying didn't say anything.
Chen Li's body was getting hotter and hotter, his arms were getting tighter and tighter, and his breathing was getting faster and faster.
Wen Ying had already closed her eyes.
Chen Li didn't make any further moves. He remained silent for a long time. Wen Ying could hear his heartbeat getting faster and faster, then gradually returning to a steady state.
"Go to sleep," he patted Wen Ying's back through the quilt, "We're going hiking tomorrow, so we need to conserve our energy."
Wen Ying felt a little inexplicably lost, but also secretly relieved.
"Chen Li," she asked him in the dark night, "Will we always be together?"
Shen Li tightened his arms: "I really hope so, and I will work hard."
Shen Li's answer was not an absolute affirmation, but Wen Ying knew that he meant it sincerely.
Wen Ying closed her eyes.
"I hope so too..." She muttered and fell into a deep sleep.
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