Chapter 2

Jiang Mian’s part-time job was quite relaxed, mainly because he was at the firm to gain experience, not necessarily to accomplish any specific task.

That firm was even opened by a former disciple his father had mentored, so they took good care of him.

Unless the Lawyer he was shadowing had a case to work on, it was basically a 9-to-5 job, rarely any overtime.

However, recently, the lawyer mentoring him, Li Yue, had taken on a rather troublesome civil dispute: a divorce lawsuit.

The client was the wife. They hadn’t met yet, only understanding the gist through phone calls.

After finishing his call, Li Yue came back. “Little Jiang, Ms. Xia is here. Get ready.”

Jiang Mian looked up from the various materials. “Okay.”

Ms. Xia’s husband had committed adultery. She wanted a divorce, but she had no proof of his infidelity.

Because when she caught him, she hadn’t thought to preserve evidence. And now, her husband was demanding an equal split of “marital property.”

Jiang Mian picked up his notebook and pen and followed Li Yue out.

Li Yue treated him kindly because he knew who Jiang Mian’s father was—a renowned figure in the entire legal and political circles of South Boundary.

“Little Jiang,” he smiled, “what’s your take on this case?”

Knowing Li Yue wanted to guide him, Jiang Mian spoke bluntly. “An equal split is impossible for the other party. First, Ms. Xia can produce evidence proving that many properties under her name were her pre-marital assets. But the difficult part lies with the business deals she secured in his name after marriage, in order to support Mr. Song.”

Li Yue nodded. “How do you think this lawsuit should be fought?”

“First priority is for Ms. Xia to produce evidence of Mr. Song’s infidelity,” Jiang Mian said calmly. “South Boundary’s Marriage Law stipulates that divorce property division favors the wife and the faultless party.”

Li Yue sighed. “But she has no evidence. And I probed her demands a bit; she probably wants her husband to leave with nothing.”

Jiang Mian stated honestly, “Emotionally, I agree. Legally, it’s not possible.”

Li Yue lamented, “Indeed. These divorce lawsuits are the hardest to fight.”

Jiang Mian looked at him. “But I heard them say you’re one of the best at divorce cases in the firm.”

After spending half a month with Jiang Mian, Li Yue had roughly figured out his personality.

A man in his forties, nearing fifty, he was nothing like the rough-around-the-edges college kids who hadn’t yet entered society. He was much more tactful in dealing with people. And because he primarily handled divorce suits and often dealt with emotionally agitated clients, Li Yue had a very good temper and plenty of patience. His eye for people was even sharper.

He could see that this kid Jiang Mian was just a bit too serious, not very good at lying, whatever you asked, he answered.

And somewhat unexpectedly… a bit slow?

But no, you couldn’t really say that.

Truthfully, Jiang Mian handled things very efficiently. Whatever tasks were assigned to him, he did well, no flaws to pick. He was smart and capable, and Li Yue had heard how outstanding he was at school. His personality wasn’t exactly wooden either.

But it always gave off this… indescribable feeling.

Very strange.

Li Yue had met so many people, but this was his first time encountering someone like Jiang Mian.

A bit hard to read.

After they arrived at the reception room, Jiang Mian saw a woman in a custom-tailored suit, legs pressed together, sipping tea.

Ms. Xia’s words and actions were elegant, exuding a calm and unhurried air, as if she hadn’t come to hire them for a divorce lawsuit, but to discuss a business deal.

After Li Yue greeted Ms. Xia and sat down, he introduced Jiang Mian. “This is my Assistant. Ms. Xia, do you mind if he sits in and learns?”

Ms. Xia raised her eyes to glance at Jiang Mian, her beautiful phoenix eyes giving him a polite appraisal. “I don’t mind.”

So Jiang Mian sat down along with Li Yue.

Ms. Xia put down her paper cup. “I have no proof of his affair. Isn’t that very disadvantageous for me?”

Li Yue pondered, and before he could speak, Ms. Xia took a deep breath, her eyes reddening slightly. “Can he really not be made to leave with nothing?”

Jiang Mian promptly offered a tissue.

Ms. Xia took it, pinching a corner of the tissue. “He’s got no real talent. After marriage, I gave him plenty of money to mess around with. I can overlook all that. But I can’t stand that after committing such a wrong, he wants to take from me what was already mine.”

Probably not wanting to cry in front of them, Ms. Xia closed her eyes.

Jiang Mian noticed quite a few fine lines at the corners of her eyes.

Li Yue said, “Ms. Xia, we’d like to first understand the situation with the other party, Mr. Song’s… affair partner?”

Ms. Xia opened her eyes and exhaled. “That little sister is also a pitiful person. She didn’t know he had a wife either…”

Jiang Mian paused slightly and wrote a note in his book absentmindedly.

After Ms. Xia explained the situation and her demands, Li Yue, while managing her expectations, expressed that he would definitely fight to secure more property for her. By then, it wasn’t early anymore.

Li Yue gestured for Jiang Mian to see Ms. Xia out.

So Jiang Mian got up and walked out with Ms. Xia.

She looked at him. “You just graduated from college, right?”

Jiang Mian told the truth. “Not graduated yet. Doing a summer internship.”

“No wonder.” Even after experiencing such an ordeal, Ms. Xia remained strong. She even smiled at Jiang Mian. “You look young. Being young is great.”

Jiang Mian didn’t respond.

Ms. Xia had mentioned earlier that she and Mr. Song met in college. Mr. Song had no particular talent, his academics were below average at school.

But she liked him very much, so they got together. Back then, all the Professors and students knew, and they blessed them to be together forever.

But who could have predicted, over a decade later, they’d be fighting a divorce lawsuit?

Jiang Mian thought for a moment, then still said, “Ms. Xia, actually, if you’re willing, you could try contacting the other party involved, meaning Mr. Song’s…”

He left it at that, because someone like Ms. Xia would definitely understand what he meant. “Perhaps the other party would be willing to testify in court, or might have some evidence that can prove it.”

Ms. Xia was slightly stunned.

Jiang Mian gave her a faint smile. “Usually, Partner Li wouldn’t give this kind of advice, because even in your situation, most clients aren’t willing to face the other person involved and can’t handle it properly. But I think you are a very strong and outstanding woman, so I took the liberty of offering a small suggestion.”

Ms. Xia looked at this tall young man who had seemed so cold since entering, as if indifferent to her ordeal. For a moment, she was at a loss for words.

After all, compared to Li Yue, who would sigh with her, worry for her, and speak to her in a sincere, gentle tone, Jiang Mian truly did seem a bit… cold and indifferent.

But now, Ms. Xia inexplicably felt her nose sting and a lump form in her throat. “I’m still strong and outstanding?”

She smiled bitterly, only now revealing a hint of her true emotions. “My husband got tired of me because I grew old, so…”

“Your soul is very strong.” Jiang Mian’s tone was gentle. “And you are also very beautiful. There’s no need for a person to feel they’ve become smelly just because they accidentally bumped into a trash can, right? After all, a shower will fix it.”

Ms. Xia was amused, her whole body feeling much lighter. “Thank you.”

She paused slightly. “I will consider the suggestion you mentioned. I hope next time I can bring that little sister with me.”

Jiang Mian held the elevator door for her. After confirming she had a car and wanted to go to the underground parking lot, he pressed the floor button. “Wishing you good luck. Tomorrow will be better.”

Ms. Xia said thank you again, watching the elevator doors close with a smile.

After the doors shut, Jiang Mian turned and returned to the Law Firm.

He showed no trace of self-satisfaction for having made the client feel better, nor did he reveal any emotion from having offered unsolicited advice. He simply carried on with his usual expression and continued working.

——

When this weekend came around, Jiang Mian checked the date. It wasn’t long until their Puzzle was due. A few days ago, Chen Yishen had sent him a photo. He’d lazily worked on it at home in his spare time, and now only the hardest part remained.

That section had very similar colors, and Chen Yishen wasn’t sensitive to color differences, so he truly couldn’t finish it alone.

Moreover, it was an assignment for both of them. Jiang Mian couldn’t just leave Chen Yishen to agonize alone.

Jiang Mian messaged Chen Yishen beforehand. Chen Yishen said he was out having fun and about to head home.

He didn’t give a specific time. After all, traffic jams were normal anywhere in South Boundary, no one could predict accurately, so Jiang Mian just packed up and got ready to head out.

It was getting hot today, so Jiang Mian wore a plain white, loose, sleeveless T-shirt and white, loose, ice-silk knee-length shorts.

He grabbed his keys and went out, stopping by the supermarket at his apartment complex entrance to buy some snacks along the way.

After all, going to someone’s house, even a good bro of many years, required paying attention to etiquette—he’d always been like this.

Jiang Mian bought some potato chips and spicy snacks Chen Yishen liked, and got himself two packets of soft candies.

Then, on his way to the checkout, he unexpectedly spotted the Hair Tie rack placed outside, trying to catch people’s attention to take one home.

He remembered a few months ago, Chen Yishen telling him Zhou Yuhui said guys with long hair look handsome, so he wanted to grow his out too, down to his shoulders.

Chen Yishen’s face did look pretty good with that style.

But it didn’t suit Chen Yishen.

Jiang Mian looked for a moment, then remembered he always lost the soft wire he used to tie bread bags and felt he really should buy a hair tie.

He browsed for a bit and finally chose a hair tie with a heterochromatic black cat head on it, placing it in his shopping basket.

When checking out, the girl in line behind Jiang Mian had her phone ready to try and ask for his DingDong contact, but after seeing Jiang Mian pull a hair tie out of his basket, then glancing at his hair, she immediately backed down.

Jiang Mian took a taxi to Chen Yishen’s apartment complex and swiped the community access card to enter.

He had the access card simply because he often came to find Chen Yishen to hang out, just like Chen Yishen would come find him, so he also had the access card for his own complex.

Inside the elevator, carrying his bag, Jiang Mian typed a message asking Chen Yishen where he was.

After all, he didn’t have keys to Chen Yishen’s place.

But Chen Yishen didn’t reply.

Jiang Mian wasn’t in a hurry.

He exited the elevator and was about to call Chen Yishen to ask for today’s door code so he could go in and enjoy the AC. Before he could dial, he stopped short.

Because standing at Chen Yishen’s door was “Chen Yishen.”

It was just half a month since they’d last seen, but “Chen Yishen” had grown out the long hair he’d mentioned before, down to his shoulders.

His face was good. The long hair didn’t look effeminate; rather, it had a unique, unrestrained artist vibe.

Probably a bit tired, “Chen Yishen’s” deep-set brows and eyes held a hint of laziness. His gaze toward Jiang Mian was also casual, as if he might fall asleep any second.

He’d opened the door, single hand on the door handle, seemingly leaning on it as he looked at him. Those pitch-black pupils showed no surprise or hesitation; instead, there was a familiarity of someone who knew you very well.

Just as if he really were Chen Yishen.

Even besides his slightly longer hair, everything else about this person seemed identical to Chen Yishen.

No more differences to find.

But looking at him, Jiang Mian subconsciously asked, “Brother?”