Chapter 29: The Hook

A small piece of bandage was stuck to the very center of her forehead near the hairline, gauze covered the outside of her right elbow, and there were traces of medicine applied in several spots up and down her left arm. Her right foot was wrapped in a bandage.

The hospital gown hung loosely on her, looking almost too large and somewhat crumpled. Yet she stood there, half smiling, her hair jet-black as ink, skin so pale it dazzled the eyes, lips a faint color paler than he had ever seen before, but not in the least did she appear disheveled or pitiful.

Not only did she speak with unrestrained boldness, but even her fox-like eyes, fixed on him, were brazenly laced with a seductive glint.

For a moment, Wen Yanli felt the veins at his temples throb uncontrollably.

This woman was truly something else...

Unbidden, the term “enchantress” flashed through his mind!

But of course, such a word hardly suited his image as the unapproachable paragon of the law. So as soon as it popped up, he quickly shoved it away. “Survived a close call, and this is how President Song chooses to celebrate?”

As he spoke, he walked over and placed the bouquet he’d been carrying into a vase, arranging it carefully.

That single line told Song Mi he hadn’t taken her words seriously.

Naturally, she hadn’t really expected him to give any real response. Still, if she found herself unable to shake the temptation any time soon, she was not above continuing her pursuit.

After all, sharing that experience with him had indeed been quite wonderful.

Who could have expected things would take a turn—now, with a little life already growing inside her—what thought could she possibly entertain?

Yet, somehow, she couldn’t help but feel it was a pity.

Wen Yanli, unaware of the thoughts running through her mind, acted without hesitation. Just as before, he walked over and scooped her up in his arms, carrying her princess-style back to the hospital bed, lowering her gently and making sure she was settled comfortably.

She had to admit, when this man chose to be considerate, it was truly gratifying.

But her guess was correct as well. The reason he had appeared so suddenly in the capital, flying here in haste just as she had, was the same: the suicide of that pair of lovers.

Just as she’d glimpsed right before the car accident, one of the deceased had listed his name and phone number as a contact.

The man sitting across from her now wore an expression clouded with gloom. “...Shen Ye was once my student.”

After a pause, Song Mi offered her condolences, “My sympathies.”

But she hadn’t expected him to continue, “I’ve already submitted a request for an autopsy.”

Song Mi narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean?”

“Exactly what I said.” He was clearly unwilling to elaborate.

But this obviously ran counter to the way she intended to resolve the matter. She might not know criminal law in detail, but she understood enough to realize that requesting an autopsy at this juncture carried serious implications.

Even if the final forensic report still pointed to suicide, the mere mention of an autopsy would stir up a storm of attention and public scrutiny—something she absolutely did not want to see!

At that moment, Song Mi did not forget that the man sitting opposite her was a lawyer with a flawless record. “As far as I know, Attorney Wen, you were only Shen Ye’s emergency contact these past two years, not a family member.”

“I recall he has a sister.”

The moment he said it, the atmosphere between them shifted noticeably.

A shadow deepened in the man’s eyes.

Song Mi was not to be outdone.

“It seems President Song is questioning my qualifications to submit such a request.” At this, Wen Yanli uncrossed his legs, stood up swiftly, and added, “By noon tomorrow at the latest, I will have Shen Mei’s personally signed authorization delivered to your hospital room.”

The mood was rapidly heading toward an unpleasant parting.

Song Mi’s thoughts spun; he could have simply left the matter unmentioned, but he’d deliberately told her the time.

Was it because he was so confident that, after she knew, she still couldn’t change anything? Or was it, before they clashed, his way of giving her a courteous warning?

Ah, the gentlemanly demeanor was unmistakable!

Just as the man was about to exit, Song Mi fixed her gaze on his upright back, her lips curving into a faint smile as she called out, her voice warm and tinged with laughter, “Thank you for the flowers, Attorney Wen.”

“And for giving me such ample time!”