Section 4

The person who forged the financial documents is Feng Bowen. The original documents he signed are in my possession. Years ago, I rented a safe deposit box at the bank for a period of five years, where I stored that evidence. I never anticipated that one day I would need to use these to testify against him and overturn my own charges.

My aunt has a small electric vehicle. Please help me deliver the finished pearl necklace to her when she passes by the pearl market on her way back.

On the seventh day after Zhuo Yao's departure, my aunt came to visit me, bringing some fruits as usual, along with vegetables she had grown herself. The leaves of the vegetables were riddled with holes from insects. My aunt mentioned that she personally took her two daughters to the fields to catch the pests, and she never uses pesticides. Each time my aunt sent vegetables, there were always a few caterpillars, which Zhuo Yao would take to the kitchen to wash.

Zhuo Yao, you have been away from me for ten days. Every day, I spend ten minutes teaching the child to call for his father. At first, I was worried that he would not be able to call for you when you returned, but now, what I fear is that he will call for his father and you will not come back.

"Do you not want me to die?" she asked me in a tone that was both playful and indifferent

Determined to read those few law-related books again, every night after Xiao Li falls asleep, I read books, take notes, and wait for Zhuo Yao's call

What a heart-stopping experience it is, during these three days with Ophi, I am filled with extremely complex feelings towards her, wanting to care for her, to guide her, yet in the end, I find myself at a loss for words, wishing for her to leave, yet fearing that if she does, she might take her own life

"Wasn't it said at the beginning that his mother was very ill, suffering from a cerebral hemorrhage and heart disease? How is it that as soon as he agreed to go back, she immediately turned from danger to safety? It can't be a trick, can it? I think that Mrs. Tong is quite cunning; she might be feigning illness!" Aunt speculated, her mouth twisting to one side, looking quite comical

Feng Bowen laughed arrogantly on the other end of the phone, making my whole body tingle with discomfort

I gave up that job of wearing pearls, not for myself, but to uphold Zhuo Yao's dignity. I cannot allow others to point fingers behind Zhuo Yao's back, saying that he cannot support his wife and children, and that his delicate wife has to do manual labor to make ends meet

I do not concern myself with others, but I can be certain that I want you to live, to live very well, and that you will be happy

I surprisingly did not sleep all night, I restrained myself from calling him, if he were not busy, he would definitely call me.

Falling into a deep sleep filled with immense satisfaction and longing for Zhuo Yao until dawn

I don't care; you are not allowed to wear pearls anymore. After all, the Tong family is wealthy in Shanghai, and since you are adding to the Tong family, how can you live in poverty? Look at him; he has been gone for a week and still hasn't returned. He must be reluctant to leave that luxurious family over there. Aunt spoke harshly, but there was no malice in her words

The nightmare I cannot shake off has appeared; as long as he shows up, something bad is bound to happen. I loathe him; I feel disgusted at the mere mention of his name, and the moment his voice emerges, I am instantly filled with rage

I waited for his call as usual, but that night, neither my mobile phone nor the landline at home rang at all

Feng Bowen

"We are not friends, can we drink together?" I replied with a smile

So you specifically went to buy me books, hoping that I would become a great lawyer, didn't you? Aunt, I appreciate your kind intentions and efforts, but your niece truly lacks ambition; I am neither a great lawyer nor have I married into a wealthy family. Let those people gossip as they please. " As I spoke, I pulled out the pearl necklace I had put on from behind the sofa.

Manjun, you must make your aunt proud. Yesterday, I had great luck playing mahjong, winning four rounds in a row. The daughter-in-law from the neighboring family started to grumble, saying that with such good luck, why not share some with your niece. She also mentioned something about becoming a top lawyer in Shanghai and marrying into a wealthy family, but it turns out she still has to do rough work like stringing pearls. How pitiful. Manjun, let me tell you, if it weren't for the fact that her husband is the principal of a middle school, I would have thrown the mahjong tiles right in her face!

I have accepted those few books, and I wish to glance through a few pages during my leisure time. The legal provisions that I am thoroughly familiar with still resonate deeply.

I remained composed and responded in a calm voice: "Hmm, I will go get the wine"

Crying is also good; after all, many matters can feel much lighter after a good cry

I never worry about the vegetables he washes having insects, as he is a man with a slight obsession with cleanliness

I put these books back into the bag and said helplessly: "Aunt, please return these books. My lawyer's license has been revoked, and I cannot take the judicial examination or practice law. Perhaps in my next life."

I walked a few steps when she called out to me. I turned around and saw her resting her face on her hand, her long hair cascading over her shoulders. She smiled and asked, "Hey, are we considered friends now?"

Aunt said unwillingly: "But you haven't committed any crime; you were deceived by that person with the surname Feng. He ruined your future by deceiving your feelings, and you were framed and slandered by him. How about this: you should go to the court to clarify the matter and explain what happened back then"

I generously took out my most cherished vintage red wine, and the two of us finished an entire bottle. I was not drunk, nor was she; we exchanged smiles. She had changed into the black outfit she wore when she arrived, with the collar slightly high, revealing a faint scar on her neck.

At dusk, I was on the balcony gathering the laundry when I heard my phone ringing in the room. I rushed back to the room, not even bothering to pick up a piece of clothing that had fallen on the floor. I answered the call and said: "Zhuo Yao, how are you?"

I acted as if nothing had happened, feeding the child well. He fell asleep beside me, his small body growing strong. Looking at Li Hui, I thought of Zhuo Yao's face, which was exactly the same. Little Li Hui is a miniature version of Zhuo Yao. I gently kissed my son's face and said, "Son, good night with mom."

"I don't want anything... I just want to reminisce with you. If you had followed me back then, you wouldn't have to do such rough work now. What a pity for your delicate hands." Feng Bowen shamelessly teased.

Zhuo Yao, do you know how humble and confused Man Jun was that night? I held my phone, staring at your number, wanting to call you several times, but in the end, I pressed the back button. I felt like a sneaky third party, afraid to intrude on your life after you returned home. I could only wait for your message

Are you following me? Haven't you had enough? Don't you think you've made my life miserable enough? Don't harass me, or I will call the police. I am furious, that damned devil

Zhuo Yao, is my treasure

I merely hired a private detective, so why should Mrs. Tong be angry? I am now a good citizen, fulfilling my civic duty by reporting those who evade taxes. Ah, you are a lawyer; can you guess what price the president of the Tong Group will have to pay for his tax evasion?" After finishing, Feng Bowen added, "I wonder how dark Tong Zhuoyao's face will turn when tomorrow's morning newspaper features a photo of you doing rough work at the Pearl Field. I will be watching with great interest

I shouted into the phone as if I had lost my mind: "If you want to come at me, then come! If anything happens to my son, Feng Bowen, don't forget, I have evidence too. The case from back then can be retried, and I am always ready to accompany you. We can meet in court!" Then I hung up the phone, feeling restless.

She left, and as she was departing, we embraced deeply. I kept watching her figure as she got into a car, which was from out of town. She must have arranged for a friend to pick her up. There were people around her, so I could feel at ease.

Thinking of a few sensitive questions from Ofei, I wonder if she has seen through my identity

I walked into the study and noticed that the row of comic books on the shelf seemed to have been disturbed. I remember placing a copy of the Bible on top of the comics, yet at this moment, the Bible was on the lower shelf of the bookcase

A day has passed, a day that felt hazy and fleeting. After dressing the child and ensuring he was well-fed, I sat on the bed in a daze, feeling anxious and fearful for his safety. I decided to wait another day; if Zhuo Yao still did not contact me, I would call him.

No one would use their illness to deceive others, right? Who would claim to be ill when they are fine? Aunt, you have watched too many dramas. Your niece's husband will absolutely never abandon me, just like you, no matter how disappointing I may be, you will never abandon me. I embraced my aunt; her family is my only remaining kin.

I am well, I am your old acquaintance—" a strange, somber voice.

His calls come as scheduled every night, but he has not provided me with an exact return date. There is a hint of evasion in his words, and he no longer answers my questions directly. He merely tells me not to worry, and the duration of our conversations has also become brief, always hurriedly ending the call

You are truly despicable I said through clenched teeth

What do you want? I shouted fiercely. He wrote an anonymous letter reporting that the Tong family business had tax issues, and the purpose was to take revenge on Zhuo Yao. Loving such a man is my stain; his revenge on Zhuo Yao is also a revenge on me

Upon returning home, I took out all the hidden items one by one. I truly resembled someone who is afraid of outsiders seeing their treasures, only daring to reveal the valuables once the outsiders had left

"Many people wish for my death," she said coldly

I was taken aback and pretended to be unconcerned as I said: "What benefit would your death bring me? Life is so precious; a person only has this one life, this singular existence. Do not die; at the very least, one should accept the will of heaven when it comes to death, rather than deciding to end it oneself"

My aunt took out a convenience bag from her orange, low-quality handbag. The bag was printed with the name of a certain bookstore and a phone number. From it, she pulled out several thick books. I glanced at them, and they were all books commonly read by lawyers, such as "The Big Lawyer, The Little Lawyer," "This is How Lawyers Are Made," and some review questions for the judicial examination.

"I will definitely remember what you said to me today. Alright, I will never die. Do you have red wine? Accompany me for a drink. I will leave shortly, consider it a farewell for our acquaintance," she said

The best is yet to come, for he is so captivating. This time, I will ensure that he loses both his kingdom and his beauty. In light of our past relationship, I will give you a warning: take good care of your son, as the news reports that human traffickers have been frequently active lately. His every word was a threat

Seeing my aunt so excited, I asked, "Aunt, why are you bringing up this matter today? It has been two or three years since it happened, I have already served my time, what is there to dwell on?"

I smiled as I sat beside my aunt, putting my arm around her shoulder and said, "It won't happen. His mother is ill, and as a son, he should fulfill his filial duty. He hasn't returned for a year. Zhuo Yao calls me every day; his son is still here with me. I can't let go of the son, can I?"

Before my aunt left, she reminded me a few things, urging me to hurry and prompt Zhuo Yao to come back quickly. If that doesn't work, I should say that the child misses his father and that the child is sick, to see whether the son is more important or the mother is more important

I must call and tell Zhuo Yao the whole truth about this matter, I cannot stand by and watch Feng Bowen, this madman, harm Zhuo Yao and my child, I would rather fight him to the death myself