Luring Her to Take the Bait - Chapter 1

The last time Fu Su had seen Pei Wenjin was already a week ago.

A commercial dispute—a cross-border patent infringement lawsuit—had just concluded. The team had spent nearly three months organizing the key chain of evidence before finally securing a victory.

When she left the courthouse, the sun was already setting in a hazy yellow hue. A circle of media reporters had gathered at the entrance; as soon as they saw someone emerge, they thrust their microphones and lenses directly into her face.

Someone asked, “Lawyer Fu, what do you believe was the key factor in this victory?”

Fu Su was dressed in an ink-blue professional suit, her dark hair tied back in a meticulous low bun, her figure tall and lean.

As someone squeezed in beside her, Fu Su lifted her eyelids and swept a glance over them. The young girl holding the camera froze for a moment, subconsciously taking a step back, her face flushing quietly.

How should one describe this face? It was beautiful in an aggressive way, a beauty that made people hesitate to approach.

Her brow bone was sharp, radiating a sense of high-intelligence and detachment.

Anyone seeing Fu Su for the first time would subconsciously fixate on her eyes.

Because on that cold, world-weary face was a pair of overly sharp and stubborn raven-colored eyes, like a sprout growing inappropriately amidst ruins.

Contradictory, yet possessing immense tension.

“The key reason for the victory in this case lies in the originality of the client’s patented technology and the complete chain of evidence.”

“Through technical comparative analysis, expert testimony, and other multi-dimensional evidence, we ultimately gained the court’s recognition.”

“This ruling once again reflects the protection of the legal rights and interests of technological innovators.”

Yet, unlike her appearance, she possessed a voice with a powerful sense of narrative. When she spoke unhurriedly, it was like listening to an ancient, peaceful myth; however, when she lowered her pitch and quickened her pace, it carried a heavy sense of oppression, lending her great majesty in the courtroom.

After Fu Su finished speaking, she gave a slight nod and listlessly lowered her gaze as she descended the steps.

However, the crowd was dense, making her progress as sluggish as a snail. She merely lifted her left wrist, glanced at her watch, lowered it, and maintained a composed expression.

Reporters continued to press her, tossing out all sorts of sharp questions. She ignored them, remaining silent with her eyelids lowered. In her mind, she was thinking:

It’s still early; I can go to Scarlet Fever today.

Scarlet Fever was a bar located in the center of the capital, boasting an excellent geographical location. Unlike typical small bars, Scarlet Fever had been categorized as a business club by many industry professionals years ago.

The security environment was good, the service was professionally trained, and it had numerous private rooms with high levels of privacy.

Fu Su often went to Scarlet Fever to mix drinks after work, carrying her briefcase.

Her colleagues vaguely handled the reporters, blurring the details of the case. Someone came to her side and whispered, “Sister Fu Su, Sister Wen said we can go straight home; there’s no need to return to the firm.”

Fu Su’s lips curled into a cold line. “Mm. You’ve worked hard during this time. Get some good rest.”

The team consisted of young women who had flown back and forth domestically and internationally several times. If it weren’t for their foundation holding things together, the dark circles under their eyes would be impossible to hide.

Her colleagues, tired of dealing with the reporters, found a gap and immediately slipped out of the crowd, running off incredibly fast.

Security personnel raised their hands to intercept the press. After breaking free from the crowd, Fu Su walked quickly. Her car was in the parking lot. A young female reporter chased after her, but Fu Su acted as if she were invisible.

Just as she braced herself against the car door to sit inside, the other party suddenly asked, “Lawyer Fu, as a partner of Sansheng Law Firm, according to the regulations of Red Circle firms, cases are handled through team collaboration.”

“Reportedly, you have previously accepted individual representation for civil cases and have used personal accounts online to provide public live-streamed answers. Does this affect the ‘high-end’ positioning of the law firm, and does it violate the firm’s relevant regulations? Please answer—”

Before the words had even finished landing, Fu Su looked at her. The reporter fell silent instantly, her lips trembling, her fingertips clutching her notebook with a death grip.

She felt as though she were being stared down by a wolf. Those pitch-black eyes were as deep as a cage; inexplicably, she felt that when Fu Su looked at her, she was judging the very color of her soul.

A second later, the reporter let out a sharp gasp, her back drenched in sweat, feeling a sense of immense relief.

Fu Su averted her gaze, pressed her lips together lightly, and let her eyelids droop. “Contracts are signed in the name of the firm, while small teams personally lead civil cases. And—”

She once again lifted her cold gaze toward the young female reporter. “Providing legal aid through unpaid answers under a personal name on the internet is a legal act.”

“Next time, do not ask such time-wasting questions. Information can be found online.”

The female reporter froze. As Fu Su drove away, she thought with some bias: This woman is so impolite.

It was indeed early that day. Fu Su had changed into her work clothes, yet she still hadn’t seen that particular figure from the bar counter.

Fu Su held a bright yellow orange in her hand. Under the dim light of the night venue, her ten fingers were slender, fair, and luminous. Halfway through peeling it, her phone vibrated. She dried her hands and pulled it out to see it was Si Wenyu.

Her brow furrowed imperceptibly.

Unless it was an urgent matter, Si Wenyu usually wouldn’t call her.

Fu Su brought it to her ear, and a vigorous, decisive female voice immediately came through.

“Fu Su, where are you?”

Fu Su said flatly, “At the bar.”

Si Wenyu’s voice followed immediately. “There’s no time for you to accompany the little princess. Go home right now, pack your bags, and fly to Paris with me. There’s been a change in that previous M&A case; the plan needs to be redrafted. Regulatory approval failed!”

“Your commission.”

“We’re short-staffed. Are you coming or not?”

After hanging up the phone, Fu Su didn’t leave in a hurry. She calmly peeled two oranges. Before leaving, she handed over to the main bartender for the night. “I peeled an extra orange. If President Pei comes tonight and orders a Screwdriver, add an extra orange. She likes it a bit sweeter.”

As Fu Su pushed open the heavy doors, a pinkish-purple Audi happened to pull up in front of her, and two people stepped out.

Clear, bright voices pierced through the glass.

“Wenjin, you just finished a social engagement, and you still want to come drink?”

“Yes, I want to drink a Screwdriver.”

“I’m telling you, the Screwdriver Sister Su mixes is especially delicious. I wonder if she’s here tonight.”

“Sister Su? Oh, Pei Wenjin, we’ve been friends for over a decade and you never told me about this before! Quick! Is that sister pretty?”

Soft laughter, like a flower bud blooming, unfurled its soft petals under the moonlight—a fleeting beauty. “She’s… par-tic-u-lar-ly… bossy-chic!”

“But when you see her, you’re not allowed to write her into your novel!”

“Hey, are you guarding against me? Pei Wenjin! Are we still best friends? I’m about to go into seclusion to write; tonight is your treat!”

The laughter and banter continued. Fu Su subconsciously curled her lips, her gaze following the two figures until they entered the bar. Then, she withdrew her eyes and drove away.

Fu Su was not the lead lawyer for the Paris M&A case. Her team handled litigation, but this time she went to Paris as a coordinating assistant with Si Wenyu’s team.

Having worked for three months straight without any rest, she then spent a week negotiating with the client company in Paris, overturning several plans before finally finalizing one. On the return flight, everyone was fast asleep.

…

Mao Qiu: 【Chang Xia, I got drunk and accidentally kissed someone. What should I do!?】

When this message popped up, a yellow-and-white old-model taxi stopped in front of the Scarlet Fever bar.

However, for a long while, no one stepped out of the car, nor did the driver flip the “vacant” light.

Fu Su stared intensely at the screen, which was etched with scratches. Her thumb rubbed against the frame, which had become smooth and matte after more than ten years of use.

She pursed her lips, and then again, as if enduring something—wanting to speak but finding it hard to say. Her eyelids drooped casually with a hint of weariness, but her gaze condensed into a single point, like a predator locking onto its prey, staring at the WeChat message that had appeared a minute ago.

She had been away for only a week, and such a thing had actually happened.

Which day?

Did it happen at the bar?

The brilliant white headlights of a car swept past. She moved her arm; fine beads of sweat had broken out on her neck, feeling like melting ice cream, sticky against her body.

Summer nights in the capital were always stifling. The heat kept wrapping around the body like bandages, layer after layer, making one feel breathless.

Fortunately, the car was still clean and tidy.

Fu Su casually rubbed the side of her neck. Her fingertips were still damp with sweat as she held her phone and began to type.

Tap, tap, tap…

Hearing the subtle friction, the female driver flicked her eyelids and looked in the rearview mirror at the expressionless—one might even say cold—woman.

A loose black suit, exquisite makeup; she looked like she had just attended a high-level meeting, carrying a trail of cold fragrance.

The female driver stroked her own face, a hint of envy appearing in her eyes. She then wrinkled her nose, wondering if it would be rude to ask what perfume she was wearing.

Then, she spoke briskly:

“Pretty lady, we’ve arrived.”

“82.6. You can just scan the QR code hanging there.”

Fu Su’s finger paused, and she lifted her eyes. Through the rearview mirror, she met the driver’s gaze. The female driver, suddenly catching sight of that eye color, felt her eyelid twitch. She instantly turned her eyes away, her forehead breaking out in a bit of sweat as she swallowed hard.

Did I say something wrong just now? Why does it feel like she’s angry? Better not ask about the perfume…

The middle-aged lady blinked tentatively, humming a square-dance tune. She reached out to press the console, but in the next second, instead of the notification for payment received, she heard a voice like smoldering smoke.

“I’m sorry, Auntie, I’m not getting out.”

“I’m waiting to pick someone up.”

The nostalgic song began to play right as her words fell, making the air tremble with static noise.

The auntie uttered a surprised “Ah,” and turned around, the seat creaking. “Waiting to pick someone up? Is your friend inside the bar?”

She pointed her finger toward the outside.

Fu Su nodded, letting out a very soft, “Mm.”

“Uh, then this money…”

“Just keep the meter running.”

“…Oh, then how long will we have to wait?”

After the auntie asked, Fu Su didn’t reply immediately. She looked down at her phone, the depths of her eyes darkening. Her thumb pressed against the side of the phone; under the white light, her fingertips appeared somewhat pale.

Mao Qiu: 【I probably kissed… the mouth.】

【Puppy Breakdown.JPG】

【I have to take responsibility!!!】

She stared at this sentence for a good while, then coldly turned her head to look out the window. Neon lights instantly filled her vision. Fu Su’s jaw muscles moved slightly, the light and shadow scraping across her snowy-white neck, highlighting her beautiful collarbones.

“Wait.”

The taxi sat steadily within the lines. Fu Su didn’t open the car door; she only lowered the window. The briefcase resting on her lap vibrated. Fu Su took out her other phone, opened WeChat, and used voice-to-text.

Si Wenyu: 【You disappeared the moment we got off the plane! I told you we have a review meeting tonight, didn’t I? Did you go to the bar again? Get back here right now! Do you even want your suitcase anymore!?】

Fu Su sent a “1” over and threw the phone back into her bag.

After that, no matter how much Si Wenyu bombarded her with messages, Fu Su didn’t reply again.

She pursed her lips, her expression becoming increasingly calm.

However, beneath a face that resembled fallen snow or a frozen winter plain, was a heart that was constantly aching and sour—struggling as if it would jump out of her chest in the next second, soaked directly in acidic water.

What could she do? Could she actually go in and find the person?!

Fu Su slowly exhaled, replying sluggishly.

Chang Xia: 【The point you’re struggling with is that you kissed the other person.】

【You took advantage of her.】

【But you don’t even know who the other person is.】

【And now you feel like you’re a ‘scumbag’ girl?】

A string of messages was sent. It was hard to describe Fu Su’s current mood—a suppressed irritability.

Because, without exaggeration, the person on the other side was the type who would feel the need to take responsibility just for kissing someone.

She knew nothing about matters of the heart and had a very strong moral obsession. She would fall for a beautiful woman too quickly, and after the three-minute heat dissipated, she would start reflecting on whether she was being a “scumbag.”

But this time, it wasn’t just a question of being a scumbag or not; it was a matter of taking responsibility.

That simply wouldn’t do.

Fu Su bit her tongue and typed away.

【It was just a kiss on the mouth. Since the other party didn’t harass you over it, perhaps it means she probably doesn’t mind.】

【You believe you have a duty to take responsibility for her, but what if the other person is a ‘player’ who has done this with many people? To her, feelings might not be important at all, which is why she didn’t push you away when you were drunk. Can you really accept that?】

【Accept being together with her.】

The phone vibrated several times in her palm. Fu Su covered the screen with her hand, her gaze wandering through the sweltering night wind, aimlessly scanning the bright patch of light cast by the streetlamp.

This kind of thing hadn’t happened just once before.

In earlier times, it had happened many times, always pulling her heart up and down.

A beautiful and charming face, a pair of long, well-defined hands, or a husky, alluring voice, beautiful shell-like toes…

She would always receive messages like that, usually followed by: She’s really, really beautiful, I like her so much, is this love? I wouldn’t fall for her, would I? She’s so pretty, I really want to be friends with her!

…It was them.

Fu Su raised a hand to rub her brow. As the wind blew, her eyes felt sore, and fatigue forced out some physiological tears. She blinked, shaking off the moisture.

She unlocked her phone, her heart hanging by a thread as she looked at the reply.

Fortunately.

A long breath escaped her. The tension in Fu Su’s brow relaxed. The other party had listened to her words and finally stopped fixating on the matter of taking responsibility.

Better to forget it and never think of it again.

Fu Su relaxed her shoulders, the depths of her eyes showing a hint of melancholy and gloom as she looked at the screen.

Her fingertips pressed on the soft keyboard, typing, deleting, typing again, and deleting once more—just like the question stuck in her throat that she couldn’t seem to send out.

Could she ask?

From what standpoint could she ask such a private question?

As an online friend of ten years?

It was like a clawing at her heart, a scorching fire. She stared fixedly, a layer of thin sweat appearing on the bridge of her nose.

But who could have known? The other party suddenly sent a message. Fu Su was so startled that her finger twitched, hitting the “send” button.

Her cheeks immediately grew hot, and her ears buzzed, mixed with the sound of cicadas, as if she were deeply submerged in the whirlpool of hot summer air.

【How did you kiss? Did she… stick out her tongue?】

That was what Fu Su had asked.

She immediately hit “unsend,” her fingers gripping the phone tightly.

Mao Qiu: 【Why did you unsend it!】

【I saw it!】

“…” Fu Su pursed her lips and shifted her eyes to the side.

The other party’s description was very detailed.

【She… probably didn’t stick out her tongue.】

【I was the proactive one; she shouldn’t have made a move.】

【And it seemed the other person even backed away a bit. Maybe I held her too tightly and she couldn’t push me away?】

【This was something from ten years ago, and plus I was drunk, I can’t remember clearly anymore.】

【That time, I was tricked by a classmate into drinking a Long Island Ice Tea, and then I got drunk and mistook her for someone else, hugged her, and gave her a kiss.】

【I only remembered it yesterday… (Guilty.JPG)】

Ten years ago, Long Island Ice Tea…

Fu Su froze. Suddenly, a memory burst into her mind.

That day was the first time Fu Su had met her—

Ten years ago, Scarlet Fever.

The magnificent night venue was filled with lights and wine, shadows shifting brilliantly.

The girl’s alcohol-scented breath brushed against the roots of her eyelashes, warm and moist, like the humid “return to south” weather.

She spoke in soft, sweet tones, her voice cooing as she called out someone else’s name.

“Before I die, can you grant me one wish?”

“Let me have a kiss, okay?”

The mask was pulled down unexpectedly. A kiss, carrying the scent of sweet citrus and peach from the girl, fell like a feather.

Fu Su turned her head away; she had kissed her on the cheek.

…

So, the person she was talking about was her.

Fu Su raised a hand to cover half of her face, closing her eyes tightly.

Mao Qiu: 【Forget it, I can’t remember clearly. It’s been so long, I should just let myself off the hook.】

Fu Su pursed her lips, a smile pressing at the corners of her mouth, her raven-black eyes sparkling with fine light.

She replied:

【If that’s the case, then perhaps it’s a bit serious.】

Mistaking the person, kissing her, and forgetting for ten years—it was very serious.