DF Chapter 47
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Zhen Yi chuckled sarcastically, “Normally, they’re the ones ignored, so when they get a chance to speak up or represent, of course, they make a scene. The louder they are, the more they feel justified.”
Yang Zi sighed, “The more cases I handle like this, the more pessimistic I feel. Yi, I still don’t know how you managed to get through Tang Shang’s and Song Yi’s cases.”
Zhen Yi, ever the joker, responded shamelessly, “Nothing special, just a heart of stone and a thick skin.”
Yang Zi was amused and pinched her, “I can’t tell if your heart’s made of stone, but your skin’s definitely thick.”
Si Gui joined in, pushing her, “Who says you can’t tell? Let me check.”
Zhen Yi quickly wrapped herself tighter in her robe and scooted to the edge of the bed, “Go feel Yang Zi! She’s got a bigger chest!” she teased, pulling away. “No, no, stay away from me! You guys are reminding me of a girl-on-girl movie I watched. The perks were high—it was a 3P scene!”
“…” Any lingering sadness was immediately shattered.
The three continued laughing and joking, then fell into quieter, more heartfelt conversations, just like in the old days. They shared their thoughts and feelings late into the night, chatting until they finally drifted off in the early hours of the morning.
The next day was Grandpa’s birthday. Zhen Yi woke up early, and just as she was about to head out, Yang Zi woke up and called her.
Zhen Yi was putting on her shoes when Yang Zi leaned against the doorway and, out of the blue, asked, “Yi, did you really not know about Yao Feng’s mental condition beforehand?”
“No, why?”
“I thought, given your relationship with Yan Ge, you’d have some insider info.”
Zhen Yi hesitated for a moment. Yang Zi had previously asked her to help find out about it, but Zhen Yi knew Yan Ge too well. He wouldn’t leak any information about his patients. Lowering her voice, Yang Zi added, “Didn’t I ask you to find out for me?”
Zhen Yi fiddled with her shoes, “It’s hard to ask. Besides, he and I aren’t that close anymore.”
Yang Zi was silent for a few seconds before sighing, “It’s just my bad luck. If I had known Yao Feng was faking it, I wouldn’t have taken the case. Now everyone thinks I was the one advising him to act crazy.”
“Don’t let other people’s opinions bother you.”
“You’re right.” Yang Zi smiled. Just as Zhen Yi was about to leave, Yang Zi stopped her again, “Zhen Yi?”
“Hmm?”
“We’re good friends. Now that you’re a famous lawyer, don’t forget to help me out.”
“I won’t forget.”
At the Lanting District, in the Qi Family Resort Hotel, the birthday banquet hall was packed with people, probably a few hundred tables. Professor Zhen had taught countless students, and Qi Xingyuan’s network was even more extensive. All the attendees were influential figures.
Zhen Yi spotted three familiar faces: Qi Qinqin, Qi Mian, and Qi Miao. The first two were Qi Xingyuan’s children from his previous marriage, while the third, Qi Miao, was his illegitimate daughter, not bearing his surname. All three were seated on the outskirts of the event, a clear indication of their lower standing in their father’s eyes.
Inside the smaller banquet hall, nine-year-old Qi Hongdou sat on her father’s lap, basking in everyone’s attention. Zhen Yi couldn’t help but think of Cui Fei’s theory about men. While Cui Fei and Qi Hongdou were undoubtedly happy now, who would compensate for the incomplete childhoods of Qi Qinqin and the others?
As everyone gathered around Qi Xingyuan, discussing current events, economics, and business, the real guest of honor, Professor Zhen, was largely ignored—except by Bian Qian.
Most of Professor Zhen’s colleagues, at his age, only sent letters and didn’t attend such events. To his students, there was a clear distinction between an aging professor and a business tycoon.
Zhen Yi wasn’t angry, though. Grandpa’s mental state was unstable, and she was happy to have fewer people bothering their “family immortal.”
Grandpa stood by the buffet table, holding a small plate in one hand and a tiny fork in the other, carefully studying the desserts, debating for a long time before finally deciding on a piece of Black Forest cake.
Zhen Yi tapped his hand and scolded him, “Sneaking sweets while I’m not watching? Naughty! You deserve a spanking!” She turned to glare at Bian Qian, “Brother, how could you let him eat like this?”
Bian Qian defended Grandpa, “It’s just a little treat. It’s fine.”
Grandpa’s eyes lit up when he saw Zhen Yi, his face relaxing into a happy smile. He tilted his head and nudged her, saying, “Yu Zhi, don’t blame me. My body is fine.” Zhen Yi froze for a moment. Yu Zhi was her grandmother’s name.
Grandpa’s condition had worsened. The other day, while walking with her, his old, wrinkled hand had gently stroked hers as he softly said, “Yu Zhi, you remain as beautiful as when you were young, but I have grown old.”
Zhen Yi thought, after this banquet, she shouldn’t take Grandpa out anymore.
As for the sweets, she let it go. To Grandpa, this banquet filled with shrewd individuals held no appeal beyond the carefully crafted cakes made by the pastry chef.
She selected several small pieces of cake that Grandpa liked, cut them in half with a butter knife, and sat across from him to share them. Bian Qian, not a fan of sweets, sat by watching. Grandpa, in his happiness, playfully kicked Zhen Yi’s foot under the table like an old mischievous child.
This brought back memories of Zhen Yi’s middle school days, when she used to spend lunch breaks with Yan Ge.
After Yan Ge agreed to be her boyfriend, he would join her for lunch every day. Someone would always bring him a bento box—seven or eight layers of it. There were appetizers, cold dishes, soups, meats, vegetables, and even desserts. He ate in a precise order, without being picky. Whether it was sour, sweet, bitter, or salty, he would quietly finish each dish without complaint or excitement, never rejecting or enjoying the food too much.
Zhen Yi, on the other hand, was all over the place, her chopsticks and fork darting into different sections of his bento box without any order. She was always moving: “Wow, this is so good! Is your chef world-class?”
“Carrots made to taste this good? This is the first time I’ve liked carrots.”
“Yuck, bitter gourd is so bitter! Yan Ge, you actually eat bitter gourd?”
Throughout countless lunches together, though he never responded to her exclamations, he never told her to stop talking or warned her to be quiet while eating. He was meticulous in his own eating habits but never told her she was eating wrong or out of order.
He would say he couldn’t finish, and instead of wasting food, he allowed her to share. Thinking back, it seemed he had always prepared a double portion for her. There were times when she didn’t have much appetite, worrying that he wouldn’t have enough to eat, so she’d eat sparingly. But whatever she left, he would always finish, often ending up with an overstuffed stomach that made him uncomfortable.
Suddenly, the small hall went quiet, and Zhen Yi was pulled from her thoughts.
The door opened, and a server entered respectfully, bowing. To Zhen Yi’s surprise, she saw An Yao entering the adjacent hall, wearing a stunning Chinese-style dress that was breathtaking. However, all Zhen Yi could see was her back before the door closed.
On this side, Yan Ge appeared, wearing a dark suit with a collar styled like a traditional Zhongshan jacket. The design was unique, giving him a refined, vintage look. Combined with his striking appearance, he seemed to bring an air of brilliance to the entire room.
Zhen Yi wasn’t surprised by his arrival, but what followed left her puzzled.
As soon as Yan Ge appeared, Qi Xingyuan immediately dropped everything and quickly stood up. He buttoned his suit jacket and hurried over to Yan Ge, extending his hand with a posture that bordered on servile respect. “It’s an honor to have you here.”
Everyone, including Zhen Yi, was taken aback, exchanging bewildered glances. No one knew who this young man was.
Yan Ge shook his hand briefly without saying much, then headed straight toward Zhen Yi and Grandpa. He unbuttoned one of his suit buttons, sat down elegantly, and offered his birthday wishes to Grandpa. Grandpa smiled childishly.
All eyes in the room were focused on them, but Yan Ge acted as if he didn’t notice.
Though no one knew who he was, it was clear that he was someone important. Yet the respect and attention he gave were directed not toward Qi Xingyuan, the center of the party, but toward the elderly Professor Zhen, leaving everyone in awe.
