Chapter 37: At a Loss for Words

The man said only one sentence on the phone: “Let’s meet.” As always, his words were precious and few.

With her hands and feet in no condition to drive, Song Mi didn’t ask Ye Zhao to chauffeur her in that Phantom car, either. When the Land Rover finally came to a stop outside the restaurant, she once again felt the man’s considerate nature. A closed-for-business sign hung at the entrance. He had reserved the entire place.

A waiter led her inside, but they hadn’t walked far before the man emerged from within. White shirt, black trousers—the most ordinary attire, yet he wore it with an inimitable elegance. If the clothes in his wardrobe could speak, they would surely clamor every morning, “Wear me!”

As Song Mi mused over this, she became acutely aware of a subtle shift within herself; she desired this man. Whether dressed or undressed, she wanted him. Perhaps her gaze was too direct, for his thick brows furrowed in apparent displeasure, and his words carried a hint of provocation: “President Song, you really are busy day and night!”

His eyes avoided hers, instead landing on her right foot. “The usual CEO routine, huh?”

A moment ago she had been savoring the memory of his beauty, so she couldn’t be bothered to take offense at his sharp tongue—perhaps this was the proverbial bite that makes one’s mouth short. She simply looked at him. “So, Attorney Wen, do you intend for me to walk over myself?”

He watched her for a moment, the depths of his dark eyes shifting imperceptibly. Clearly, he was troubled.

Just as Song Mi thought she would miss out on his attentive care today and prepared to step forward herself, he moved first. In a flash, her feet left the ground and she found herself cradled in his strong arms. He had picked her up.

Perhaps she was too sensitive, but it felt as though he was especially careful with her today, his movements gentle and his steps slower than usual. Her heart stirred; she glanced up at him, but his gaze didn’t meet hers.

After several seconds, she looked away. The distance from the restaurant entrance to the private dining room table was not long; even with his slowed pace, it took only two or three minutes.

Wen Yanli wished the walk could last longer, much longer—not because he needed more time to make a decision, but because the matter was something they must face together. The consequences, too, should be shared. Yet he seemed unable to objectively anticipate any decision she might make. For the first time in his life, before undertaking something, uncertainty bred a psychological barrier within him.

It was a situation he had never encountered in his five years of practice—never, not even with the most challenging cases.

Song Mi, unaware of his inner turmoil, cooperated quietly until he gently placed her in her seat. Meeting her midday during a workweek, with such a heavy air, she guessed it must be related to Shen Ye’s suicide case. They’d only submitted the autopsy request Friday afternoon—was the result already out by Monday morning?

Indeed, the efficiency of the capital’s public servants was unmatched.

With this in mind, Song Mi studied the man across from her anew. How much had he accomplished behind the scenes? How much effort had he put forth? To become a law firm partner at such a young age, even without a distinguished family background, he must have come from a scholarly lineage. Looks, physique, skill—what could be seen and experienced, all impeccable. Even money—he was likely not lacking in that, either.

For a man with such credentials, what else but love could win him over?

Song Mi pondered this question seriously for a moment.

They each remained lost in their own thoughts, neither making idle conversation. He poured water into her glass; she took it and drank. When messages came to his phone, he lowered his head to respond. The scene, despite the silence, was harmonious.

It wasn’t until all the dishes had arrived, and the waiter wished them a pleasant meal before closing the door behind him, that the room returned to quiet. Song Mi took a sip of water, set down her cup, and asked, “Did you invite me out, Attorney Wen, merely so I could indulge my longing for you face-to-face?”