100 Days with the Contract Lover - Chapter 107

“Since you can gift a necklace worth 120 million to Miss Xia, why be stingy with the penalty fee? The benefits Miss Xia brings to the company far exceed the penalty.”

“I’m a businessman; I aim for maximum profit. Besides, the ‘Swan Heart’ was a personal gift to her, unrelated to the company.”

“…”

“It seems you have quite an opinion on this. How does it feel to have something you like taken by another woman? Not very pleasant, I suppose?”

“No! I never thought it would belong to me anyway.”

“You really know how to say one thing and mean another. If you weren’t interested, you wouldn’t have stared at the TV for so long or asked to see it. Did you mistakenly think I would give it to you? Are you disappointed?”

Yu Nuanxin was slightly annoyed, feeling as if he had hit the nail on the head. “No!”

“I told you, your acting isn’t good enough! If you’re going to put on a show in front of me, you’d better not slip up!”

“Fine! I admit I was a bit unhappy, but only because I like the design of the ‘Swan Heart.’ It has nothing to do with its value or with you.”

“Seeing your husband flirt with another woman right in front of you, does that not affect you at all?”

“You said we’re only married in name, so why should I be jealous?” Yu Nuanxin asked with a smile, showing no sign of displeasure. “Last time, you said you turned a blind eye to my ‘affair’ with Liang Jingtang and fulfilled your duty as a husband, and I should be grateful. Now I’m doing the same, shouldn’t you be grateful to me?”

Nangong Yao, feeling provoked by her boldness, let out a disdainful scoff. “What can you do if you don’t turn a blind eye? What can you do?”

He admitted he had deliberately flirted with Xia Yanzhi to provoke her and see her reaction, but this damn woman showed no reaction at all, not even a hint of unhappiness! Did she really not care about him? After all, he was her husband!

He didn’t even know why he cared so much. He was annoyed by her relationship with Liang Jingtang, and she should feel the same, instead of having no reaction at all! It was as if he were a stranger to her, unable to stir any emotional response.

But he didn’t know that Yu Nuanxin’s words were also out of spite. Whether she still had feelings for him or not, seeing him flirt with another woman made her feel sour and bitter, as if needles were pricking her eyes. But as he said, what could she do? Besides turning a blind eye, what else could she do?

In his heart, there was no place for her. No matter how upset she was, even if she made a scene, it wouldn’t change anything.

Her defiance waned, and she could no longer argue, only managing a bitter smile. “…Yes, I can’t do anything!”

She was just a pawn in his hands!

The weather on a summer afternoon was unpredictable. When they left the studio, the sky was slightly overcast. In less than twenty minutes, a fierce storm broke out, lashing against the car windows like a whip. The world outside seemed to shake and tremble, eerie and terrifying.

Yu Nuanxin kept her eyes on the window, silent, while Nangong Yao rested with his eyes closed.

Suddenly, she shouted, “Stop the car-”

Her voice was urgent, and the driver slammed on the brakes. Nangong Yao, caught off guard, lurched forward and frowned in displeasure. “What are you doing?”

“Is there an umbrella?” she asked anxiously.

Nangong Yao handed her one without asking what she intended to do. She had already gotten out of the car, umbrella in hand. Through the rain, he could vaguely see her handing the umbrella to an elderly woman pushing a cart of cardboard and escorting her to the bank entrance to shelter from the rain, getting herself soaked in the process.

A soft spot in his heart was touched.

But when she returned to the car, drenched like a drowned rat, he tossed her a towel, speaking insincerely. “Don’t pretend to be kind in front of me. It doesn’t work on me and only makes you seem more hypocritical.”

“I’m not doing it for you to see; I’m doing it for my conscience! You can pretend you didn’t see it!”

Nangong Yao kept a stern face and instructed the driver to continue.

…

Back at the office, the air conditioning was on, and though her clothes dried, the chill had seeped into Yu Nuanxin’s body, making her shiver. She felt increasingly cold and sneezed several times. Colleagues noticed and brought her medicine. When she returned from the restroom, there was a bottle of hot milk on her desk with a note underneath, reminding her to drink it. A gentle smile was drawn in the corner, unmistakably from Liang Jingtang, warming her heart.

Before long, Xiang Wei also came by, placing a thermos on her desk without a word.

She opened it and smelled cold medicine.

Nangong Yao wasn’t the type to do such things. Could he have poisoned it?

She deliberately ‘twisted’ his good intentions, but couldn’t deny feeling a bit touched.

Hot milk or cold medicine, which should she choose?

…

Despite her reluctance, Yu Nuanxin had no choice but to work tirelessly on the case, desperately searching for loopholes. Five days later, the case went to trial. The jury members gradually arrived, while Xia Yanzhi sat at the defendant’s table, engrossed in a game on her iPad, in high spirits.

Nangong Yao took a seat in the audience, nodding at her in acknowledgment.

Yu Nuanxin had changed into her lawyer’s attire but hesitated to enter. Despite her mental preparation, she couldn’t force herself to do something against her conscience. Her breath was short, and her courage waned.

At that moment, someone tapped her shoulder from behind. Startled, she turned to see Liang Jingtang. “Why are you sneaking up on people in lawyer’s attire?” she joked, “You’re not the opposing counsel, are you?”

“No! I’m here to take over the case for you!”

Yu Nuanxin was stunned, unable to process this fact. “You’re taking over for me? Why?”

“I know you don’t want to do it, and I want to help you!”

“But you’re even more principled than I am. You wouldn’t want to take on a case against your conscience! No, I can’t let you do this.”

As she hurried to the courtroom, Liang Jingtang held her back, smiling warmly. “I’m doing this willingly! More than principles, I want to protect you!”