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墨書 Inktalez
After watching the movie, Shen Du took Yao Nian to a health food restaurant. The menu featured dishes like Astragalus Crispy Chicken, Herbal Steamed Grouper, Matsutake Pigeon Soup, and White Lentil Red Date Cake. As Yao Nian looked at the set meal designed to strengthen the spleen and stomach, she suddenly found herself at a loss for how to start.
Shen Du walked in after finishing a phone call and saw the young girl staring at the table full of dishes with a conflicted expression.
"Why aren't you eating?" he asked.
Yao Nian bit her lip and said softly, "I feel like I've been tricked by you."
Shen Du found it amusing. "What did I trick you about?"
"You said you were bringing me to eat something delicious, right? Don't you notice that all these dishes have a strong herbal flavor?"
"This is herbal cuisine; the soup base is made from traditional Chinese medicine," Shen Du explained as he ladled some pigeon soup into her bowl. "You should eat a little; it's good for your stomach."
Yao Nian seemed to be preparing herself mentally. She slowly picked up the spoon and took a small sip, her expression immediately turning grim.
"This is no different from drinking herbal medicine!"
"How about this," Shen Du suggested, "if you finish this bowl of soup, I'll tell you some good news."
"What good news?" she asked.
"I'll tell you after you finish it."
Curiosity got the better of her, and with her brows furrowed, Yao Nian gulped down the rest of the soup in one go.
"Now tell me!" she urged.
Seeing her so anxious, Shen Du decided not to keep her in suspense any longer. "I just received a call from the prosecutor's office. Your father's case has been sent back to the police for supplementary investigation; it won't take more than a month."
Yao Nian's heart skipped a beat before relaxing again, her voice trembling as she asked, "What do you mean?"
As any law student would know, cases that are sent back for supplementary investigation usually indicate that the prosecutor believes there isn't enough evidence. This significantly increases the chances of an indictment being dropped.
Shen Du smiled and said, "If everything goes smoothly, your father should be out within a month."
The girl's eyes lit up instantly. However, she recalled what the police had told her earlier—that due to the large amount involved, the chances of not being indicted were slim. "How did you manage that?"
"First, have something sweet to ease your nerves," Shen Du said as he picked up a piece of red date cake and placed it in her bowl.
"We found a key figure who forged land approval documents and has already been arrested. As for the remaining economic disputes, they should be recognized as normal investment losses from business operations."
Shen Du spoke lightly, but Yao Nian knew all too well how difficult it was to strive for non-prosecution in criminal justice practice. Beyond the factual determination of the case itself, it largely depended on the lawyer's professional ability and defense strategy.
Throughout her life, she had harbored some resentment towards Yao Zhandong—resenting him for not coming home, for being unfaithful to Qiao Shuzhen, and for providing her with nothing but money. However, ever since he got into trouble, Yao Nian often found herself unable to stop thinking about him. Even if he wasn't a competent husband, he was, by all accounts, a devoted father.
From Shen Du's recent late nights and trips back and forth to Huaibei, she understood just how much effort he had put into this case. The girl lowered her gaze to the man before her, her expression gradually softening. He had truly given her the best possible outcome.
Suddenly, Yao Nian remembered something. Although they were together now, there were still boundaries to maintain. She took off her phone case and handed the card from the back to Shen Du.
Shen Du was taken aback. "What is this for?"
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Yao Nian replied, "I just realized I haven't paid you your lawyer's fee."
Shen Du raised an eyebrow at her, crossing his arms leisurely. "My fees aren't cheap."
"I know," she said, seeming somewhat at a loss for words. "This card should cover it."
Shen Du stared at her for a moment before sliding the card back across the table to her, his voice slow and relaxed. "I don't want money; I only want you."
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