The events of the past...although 27 long years have passed, Shen Wan can understand Huo Danru’s difficulty in letting go.
She smiled apologetically and took a step back, "Alright. Danru, then let thank you on behalf of Ming Yi for coming today."
"No need." Huo Danru looked away, "If he really wants to thank , I’d rather wait for him to say it to himself."
Huo Danru turned her eyes to Shen Wan, "There’s only one thing that reassures , you didn’t say you were thanking on behalf of Yan Xi."
"How could I?" Shen Wan shook her head with a smile, "Yan Xi will always be your son, no matter how much I love him like my own, I’ll only let him call ’Aunt Wan’."
No matter how close a stepmother is, she is ultimately not the biological mother, especially since Huo Danru is still alive, not deceased. Shen Wan has always understood this principle, so she has never made things difficult for Tang Yanxi. Though the old master of the Tang Family once reprimanded Tang Yanxi, saying that according to the Tang Family rules, he should have started calling her mom long ago, otherwise calling her ’Aunt Wan’—’Aunt Wan’ all the ti sounds just like addressing a mistress.
It was Shen Wan who pleaded for Tang Yanxi, saying she just liked to hear Tang Yanxi call her that.
But Huo Danru was not happy, shaking the wine glass and shaking her head sadly, "But my son...even though he still calls you ’Aunt Wan’, he clearly spends more ti with you than with ."
Huo Danru said this as she clinked glasses with Shen Wan, "Best friend, congratulations, you’ve not only taken my husband. Even my son has been taken by you."
Shen Wan frowned deeply, "Danru, it’s not like that. I won’t say anything about Ming Yi, but I don’t want you to misunderstand Xixi because of this. Xixi isn’t distant from you; it’s just that when we divorced, Xixi was assigned to the Tang Family, how could you forget?"
With these two talking so privately, Gu Jun was naturally worried. Originally intending to accompany Shen Wan, he was politely declined by Shen Wan, so Gu Jun quickly returned to Tang Mingyi’s side, waiting for a free mont to softly inform Tang Mingyi of the situation.
Tang Mingyi slightly frowned, "Jun, help protect Xiao Wan, don’t let Danru hurt her again. The events of the past...were my fault, Danru should co at , she should not keep targeting Xiao Wan."
In such situations, Tang Mingyi’s personal doctor Du Songlin naturally attended as well. Not far from Tang Mingyi, he followed the sound and looked over. Seeing the situation, he frowned and stepped forward to Tang Mingyi, "Leave it to . You focus on preparing your speech."
For many years, Du Songlin has always been the Tang Family’s private doctor and has excellent personal relations with both Huo Danru and Shen Wan. Tang Mingyi nodded, "Alright, I’ll leave it all to you."
Du Songlin spoke easily, but in fact was sowhat nervous, finishing the remaining half glass of wine in his hand and then grabbing another glass before cheerfully walking over, "Danru, Xiao Wan, what were you chatting about that made you so happy?"
Doctors might naturally have an aura that heals people’s hearts, so seeing him co over, the two won both relaxed a bit.
Shen Wan first clinked glasses with Du Songlin, nodding with a smile, "I’m thanking Danru for coming tonight. Also, I find Danru’s pearl necklace beautiful, and we’re chatting about that."
Shen Wan was already working hard to reduce the conflict, but Huo Danru shook her wine glass, laughing, "My pearl necklace? Really did not expect it, turns out this necklace can catch your eye, best friend. The price tag of this can’t compare to even one bottle of your face mask."
Huo Danru seed sowhat drunk, she turned her head to look around, "Ha, why does Tang Mingyi still have to give a fundraising speech tonight? His wife’s personal wealth is enough. The marriage of the Tang Family and the Shen Family is the best model of political and business union, why bother to co out and give a speech so bitterly, ha?"
Shen Wan took a deep breath, smiled with effort, "Danru, campaigning for Governor is business, how can it be done with private funds? Moreover, the act of fundraising itself is to convey one’s ideas to voters; it’s sothing done together by all those who share the sa beliefs, not rely a question of money."
Seeing things going astray, Du Songlin hurriedly supported Huo Danru’s elbow, "Danru, you’re drunk, how about I accompany you to the balcony for so fresh air." After speaking, Du Songlin handed the wine glass to Shen Wan, "Xiao Wan, sorry. Trouble you."
Shen Wan accepted the wine glass with a smile, softly instructing, "Take good care of Danru."
.
Huo Danru knew she was losing her composure, so she didn’t refuse, and let Du Songlin lead her to the balcony, closing the balcony door tightly, before shaking off his hand.
"Forget it, you don’t need to persuade ; I understand everything in my heart. I just—can’t get past it."
On the balcony, lights flowed like waves, and the streetlights and car lights from the distant street gathered into a glorious star river. Du Songlin lowered his head, "I understand, you’ve always borne a grudge over the events of the past, which is why you switched from being a psychologist to a marriage counseling expert. In your subconscious, you actually want to make up for your past marriage...or should I say, you’ve always subconsciously hoped to reconcile with Ming Yi."
"Enough, don’t say anymore!" Huo Danru leaned on the low wall of the balcony, bowing to look at the street below, "So many years have passed, I’m fifty years old, why talk about these things."
Du Songlin lowered his head, remaining silent, only inserting one hand into his pocket, quietly clenching his fingers.
If everything really had passed, she wouldn’t have lost her composure tonight.
Clearly, they had agreed to co together to support Tang Mingyi, but almost turned it into a jealousy scene between her and Shen Wan.
The night wind blew, calming Huo Danru down a lot, as she looked at him sowhat apologetically.
But she couldn’t bring herself to apologize. How could she not understand that having caused this scene, any apology would be too late to salvage.
She coughed lightly, "Will Chengcheng co back for dinner tonight?"
Speaking of his daughter, Du Songlin finally relaxed, smiling as he shook his head, "There’s a new case again. Once she has work at hand, als and everything always beco a burden."
"Another new case?" Huo Danru frowned, "Didn’t you just finish a case? Since you’ve won, why not rest for a few days or take a vacation and travel to relax."
Du Songlin nodded, "I’ve handled 20 cases in a row, long past the limit of what most people can bear. I’m also worried she’ll be unable to cope; I’ve advised her countless tis, but she just can’t let go."
ntioning his daughter, Du Songlin couldn’t help but display a proud smile.
"She’s always telling : Dad, do you know how many cris happen in this city every day? Even if we work 24 hours, nearly 70% of cases won’t have the chance to be prosecuted. Tell , how can I still take a vacation? If I work one more day, I can help one more victim seek justice, otherwise my conscience can’t rest."
Huo Danru lowered her head with a smile, "What a good child."
Du Songlin turned and looked at her, "Yan Xi is equally outstanding. He can volunteer for legal aid work, helping those who are the least capable of protecting themselves; his impact is even more profound."
Outstanding children naturally co from outstanding parents. So the couple exchanged a smile and clinked glasses in the golden lights.
Thinking of the children, Huo Danru’s heart finally cald down.
It cannot be denied, no matter what, these years Shen Wan has taken care of Yan Xi well and educated him well.
.
The district attorney’s office.
An Cheng sat in her office chair, squinting at the dossier in her hands.
Outside the window, the city grew increasingly quiet, subtly reminding her that it was late; but she remained unaware, still squinting at the case file in her hands.
Light fell on the case file, reflecting onto the photo fra on her desk.
In the fra, a family of three smiled quietly. Father Du Songlin, mother An Ran, and her, just starting elentary school back then. She sat on Dad’s lap, nestled in Mom’s arms. At that ti, she didn’t know what it ant to miss, what it ant to feel lancholy.
Secretary Jian knocked on the door, "Boss, not leaving work yet?"
An Cheng then glanced at her watch, "Sorry, made you work overti with again. You should go ahead, I’ll wait a while longer."
Jian looked at the appointnt record in his hand and sumd up, "...only Nana, who was supposed to et until 4 PM, didn’t co."
An Cheng felt sowhat annoyed too, so she simply raised her head and looked at Jian, "Why do you think she won’t co? Doesn’t she want to seek justice for herself?"
Jian pondered briefly, "I think it might have to do with her identity—after all, she’s a Chinese exchange student who’s just arrived in M Country and isn’t familiar with the judicial system here, perhaps even wary."
An Cheng slapped the table, "Makes sense!"
This perfectly explains why Nana wouldn’t show up, otherwise she’d be upset thinking that Nana doesn’t heed advice.
Seeing An Cheng finally happy again, Jian was relieved too and prepared to leave work.
But An Cheng still followed out the door in deep thought, made herself a cup of black tea, and muttered to herself, "To relieve her wariness, maybe I should get her a lawyer."
She took a sip of tea and looked at Jian, "Any recomndations?"
Jian could only sigh, "Naturally, there is a perfect candidate who requires no paynt, offers excellent quality, and has no cultural background conflict with Chinese students... but the problem is, Boss, would you choose him?"
An Cheng turned and went back to the office, "Forget I ntioned it. Never mind."
.
Jian finally left work, and the spacious office fell into silence.
An Cheng drank her black tea, looking at the lonely reflection of herself in the glass window.
Many things can be hidden from outsiders, but not from her. The feelings between Huo Danru and Dad have lasted for years; eventually, they’ll evolve from friends to lovers. Although neither has publicly announced, she understands it’s just a matter of ti.
So she and Tang Yanxi...
It’s best to stay away.
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