The Divorce Lawyer Is Very Hard To Flirt With - Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Envy

In the night sky, dark clouds surged, and the wind blew in gusts, growing stronger.

Seeing that the rain was about to fall, Ying Zhi’an was still recklessly employing her “silent coercion.” Jiang Chao felt raindrops land on his forehead and also understood Ying Zhi’an’s stance. He had never told Ying Zhi’an that the industry’s evaluation of her was that of a hungry wolf—fearless of any opponent, eager to tear away the soft flesh from the opponent’s neck.

This was not a flattering reputation, but it demonstrated that in the eyes of her opponents, her gender had been blurred, leaving only her competence.

Just as he had never told Ying Zhi’an that, after so many years since graduation, he also found it difficult not to be jealous of her career luck.

“Alas…” Jiang Chao sighed resignedly. “It’s about to rain, you should go back. I understand. I won’t go astray.”

The coldness in Ying Zhi’an’s eyes did not dissipate with Jiang Chao’s concession. “In our work, you and I have seen too many tragedies of broken families. I don’t want Zhang Zhang to be hurt, nor do I want your otherwise smooth career to suffer setbacks. Two-sided destruction is obviously unnecessary, isn’t it? But if one day you truly do something you shouldn’t, I will absolutely show no mercy. Jiang Chao, as a former classmate, I’ll advise you one last time: you’d better not even think about any fleeting ideas.”

“Got it.”

“Be quiet when you go back. Zhang Zhang is asleep.”

“Okay.”

Before the rain truly began to fall, Jiang Chao tiptoed back home. He walked into the bedroom and sat softly by the bed, looking at his sleeping wife.

However, Zhang Zhang’s sleep quality in late pregnancy was extremely poor; any slightest sound would wake her up.

“You’re back?” Seeing it was Jiang Chao, Zhang Zhang smiled, nestling into Jiang Chao’s arms like a young swallow returning to the nest, and cooed, “The baby kicked me several times again today. I feel like my belly is going to burst~”

“You’re tired, honey. Your due date is the week after next, right? I’ll take leave in advance to be with you at the hospital.” Jiang Chao concealed the complex emotions in his eyes and gently held Zhang Zhang in his arms.

“It’s okay. You’re so busy with work, you don’t need to take leave early. I can manage! If I absolutely have to, I’ll have Zhi’an accompany me~”

Mentioning Ying Zhi’an, Jiang Chao’s arm around Zhang Zhang loosened slightly. He said with an unclear tone, “She’s no less busy than I am.”

Although Jiang Chao and Ying Zhi’an had never discussed specific work matters with Zhang Zhang, Zhang Zhang naturally understood from the details that Ying Zhi’an was a better lawyer than Jiang Chao.

Hearing this, Zhang Zhang thought it was Jiang Chao’s male ego acting up, and she compassionately comforted him, “My husband is the best! He’s the best lawyer, the best husband, and the best soon-to-be father~ A few days ago, I ran into Uncle Ying at school. He was praising you.”

“Zhi’an’s father? Praising me for what?”

“He said that he and Auntie worry about Ying Zhi’an’s future all the time. They’ve entrusted a matchmaking agency to help find a suitable male candidate and said they would be satisfied if the man had half your qualities.” Zhang Zhang smiled contentedly, looking up to kiss Jiang Chao’s chin, like a pretty, docile kitten endearing itself to a human. “It’s a shame I couldn’t tell Uncle that good men don’t circulate on the market. I grabbed a wonderful husband like ours back in college, hahaha.”

Jiang Chao stroked Zhang Zhang’s head without speaking. He was actually growing tired of these obvious reassurances.

Zhang Zhang was still as clean and pure as a blank sheet of paper. Every emotion was written on her face, unchanged from the first time he saw her in college.

“By the way, Zhi’an came over tonight. Judging by her state, I feel she’s finally realized something. She never dated before because she didn’t realize she liked girls! I’m curious what kind of woman will end up dating Zhi’an. Zhi’an has a cold face, and while she seems gentle, her heart is actually still childlike, very carefree. She’s indifferent and unconcerned about everything, so detached that she doesn’t seem like the type to maintain a long-term relationship. I really wonder~ what kind of woman she will like?”

Zhang Zhang trusted Jiang Chao deeply, so she naturally shared Ying Zhi’an’s news. Small in stature, with a big belly, she huddled in Jiang Chao’s arms, speaking in a soft, gentle voice.

Ying Zhi’an was right. The woman who clung to Jiang Chao earlier, with her lowered eyes pleading, did indeed bear some resemblance to Zhang Zhang.

Ying Zhi’an’s intuition was too sharp, and her mind was too clear. It seemed no one could lie in front of her. But such a person, just as Zhang Zhang said, viewed all things and all people merely as a kind of life experience. She carried a detachment that transcended the mundane, making her seem cynical yet also exceptionally cold.

Jiang Chao was clearly stunned by the news. In the end, he spoke softly, as if regretting something, “Well, then she’ll be footloose and fancy-free. She’ll barely have any career breaks.”

“Huh? What did you say? I didn’t hear you clearly.”

“Nothing. I said that’s quite common nowadays. By the way, about the resignation I mentioned last time, you should still consider it. Your current job pays little and involves a lot of work. Didn’t you also say your grade level director was giving you a hard time? Once the baby is born, you’ll have to take care of the child and work. I’m afraid you’ll be too tired.” Jiang Chao’s voice was so gentle, slowly persuading her. When a lawyer tries to convince someone, they always find the most acceptable way.

By showing concern for the other party’s well-being.

Zhang Zhang’s attitude was not as intense as the first time. Having been persuaded by Jiang Chao many times, she also felt that her current job indeed paid little and involved a lot of work. So this time, she hesitated for a moment. “I’ll think about it.”

“Mm, no rush.”

The two truly were close best friends. Just as Zhang Zhang worried about Ying Zhi’an, Ying Zhi’an’s mind was still preoccupied with Jiang Chao’s issue the next day at work.

She absolutely would not allow Jiang Chao to go astray, and Zhang Zhang must not be harmed.

Because of this matter, she hadn’t even bothered to think about her unique ability, her sexual orientation, or Hu Fei…

She was always like this: unfazed by a mountain collapsing before her. The unique ability currently posed no harm, so she’d set it aside for now. The Hu Fei matter was complicated, so she’d also set it aside.

Therefore, she ate lunch the next day with a colleague from Jiang Chao’s law firm.

She carried a shoulder bag she had just picked up from a luxury store.

“This bag isn’t cheap,” the female lawyer said with a giggle. Although she said this, her hands weren’t slow. She took the bag out of the gift box, tried it on, and was very satisfied.

“I remember you like this brand. It certainly suits you.”

“Lawyer Ying is too kind. It’s just this small favor. Don’t worry, I won’t let Lawyer Jiang find out.”

“It’s fine even if you tell him.” Ying Zhi’an curved her lips. She hadn’t intended to hide the fact that she was having someone “keep an eye” on Jiang Chao. It was fine if he didn’t find out, but it was even better if he did. Given Jiang Chao’s “dragging” personality, knowing about it would likely make him paranoid and mentally uncomfortable, leaving him with no idle time to pursue any nonsense, thus naturally preventing him from sliding down the wrong path.

The lunch went smoothly. After finishing this task, Ying Zhi’an had just returned to her office when she found that Song Xidan had already mopped the floor, filled the hot water, brewed the tea, and replaced the trash bags…

She worked efficiently and was clearly experienced, which seemed somewhat inconsistent with her young face. Ying Zhi’an was naturally happy to see this. Wasn’t having someone help with work a good thing? “Thank you for your hard work.”

Song Xidan picked up the freshly brewed rock tea and instinctively poured a cup for Ying Zhi’an. “I got used to doing this at the equestrian club before.”

The Zisha teapot Ying Zhi’an bought looked like an old-fashioned kettle in Song Xidan’s hand and posture.

Song Xidan carried a surprising sense of contrast that was intriguing.

So much so that Ying Zhi’an couldn’t help but ask, “I heard you explored the world after graduation?”

Ying Zhi’an was extremely proper in her dealings with people. She used both hands to take her teacup, not showing the slightest negligence because Song Xidan was an intern.

Her information, of course, came from Luo Qingcheng, whose original words were: “She played for three years. What a waste of her new graduate status. But look at this young lady; she’s fierce. I heard she even trains horses herself! This is great. If we ever have a client who is into horses, we can have her tag along to talk business. Catering to their interests, isn’t that right…”

Luo Qingcheng’s perspective was purely profit-driven. Ying Zhi’an had a different view. She maintained a childlike curiosity about any field she hadn’t touched. Perhaps people born under air signs were all like this. This curious perspective allowed her to maintain an utterly selfless sincerity and respect for everyone.

Although hidden beneath a mask of calm scrutiny, it occasionally surprised those who perceived it.

“I found a partner and opened an equestrian club. At its peak, the club had over twenty horses.”

“Oh!” Ying Zhi’an was genuinely interested. “Then your riding skills must be very high!”

“After buying each horse, I would personally try it out to get familiar with its temperament. My skills are decent, but they were all developed by my own horse. My horse is called Eve. She is very mischievous and great at acting. Most people aren’t even allowed to ride her.”

“That’s truly enviable. Doing what you love in a place like that, even daydreaming must feel like a form of cultivation.” Ying Zhi’an was genuinely envious. As she said this, the corners of her mouth slightly lifted, the coldness in her eyes peeled away, and a childlike sincerity flowed out.

Her eyes seemed to hide bright, sparkling stars, which made Song Xidan pause involuntarily as she looked at her.

It was like the night sky on the grassland—the sky so close, the stars seemingly within reach. But the vast wind that swept across the grassland always seemed to gather around the brightest star in the cosmos!

And at this moment, Song Xidan felt that Ying Zhi’an’s eyes were like that brightest star she had seen countless times.