Chapter 31

Chapter 31 (New) Gu Zechuan Harasses, Jiang Shixu Steps In The next day at work, supervisor Yang Xiaojing assigned Chu Tang two cases. Yang Xiaojing personally handed the case files to Ruan Chutang, speaking rapidly, "This client wants to appeal, but the previous attorney has resigned. It's being transferred to you now, and the appeal deadline is approaching. You'd better draft the appeal brief for him today and organize the materials to submit to the court." "And this workers' compensation case—you need to take the client to complete the work injury determination and disability assessment. See if you can take him today or tomorrow. Tomorrow is Friday, so it's best not to put it off until next week." Chu Tang took the case files and nodded repeatedly. "Okay, okay." Getting cases right at the start of the workday—this really was the top law firm in Jiangcheng. Being busy was fine; cases meant commission and experience. Chu Tang communicated with the client and roughly reviewed the evidence materials. These two cases were quite complicated. She scheduled an appointment with the workers' compensation client for tomorrow to do the injury determination. Today, she needed to hurry and submit the appeal case to the court. By the time Chu Tang finished the work on her plan for the day, it was already pitch dark outside. Her colleagues had long since gone home. She was the only one left in the large law firm. She had worked until now without even having time for dinner. Chu Tang organized the materials on her desk, turned off the lights, locked up, and walked out of the firm. Her apartment was only about a ten-minute walk from the firm, so Chu Tang walked to and from work every day. Jiang Shixu called. "Tangtang, are you home yet?" "Just got off work. I'm walking home now." Jiang Shixu asked, "Have you eaten?" "Not yet. No time. I plan to order takeout when I get home." Jiang Shixu said playfully, "Miss Ruan, your delivery is on its way." "Huh? Did you order takeout for me?" Jiang Shixu's voice carried a smile. "Delivery guy Jiang Shixu at your service." Chu Tang laughed and asked him, "You're bringing me food?" "Mm." Jiang Shixu's voice was gentle and soft. "Almost there. About fifteen minutes to the community gate." Fifteen minutes—that was just right. She'd probably reach the community gate in about ten minutes. Jiang Shixu really knew how to time things. In Chu Tang's impression, Jiang Shixu wasn't the type to joke around. Calling himself a delivery guy was such a contrast to Jiang Shixu's usual cold and aloof demeanor. Through their recent interactions, she could clearly feel that Jiang Shixu was different from the aloof young man in her memories. The mood was lightened by Jiang Shixu's joke, and Chu Tang smiled, teasing, "Did you install a camera on me? Mr. Jiang, invading someone's privacy is against the law." Jiang Shixu's deep voice was incredibly alluring. "Then will Lawyer Ruan arrest me? I'm at your mercy." Especially those four words—"at your mercy"—Jiang Shixu deliberately slowed his pace, his voice low and seductive. Chu Tang's face flushed red as she listened. "Ahem." Ruan Chutang coughed strategically to cover her embarrassment and changed the subject. "Don't talk while driving. You'll get distracted." Jiang Shixu seemed to chuckle. "The driver is the one driving." Ruan Chutang: "..." Chu Tang chatted with Jiang Shixu all the way to the community gate. A sweet smile lingered on her lips, her voice cheerful, all her attention focused on the phone call. She didn't notice a man standing under the tree by the community gate. "Ruan Chutang." Gu Zechuan's voice rang out coldly in the darkness. Ruan Chutang's footsteps stopped abruptly. She followed the sound and saw Gu Zechuan standing under the tree, quietly watching her. His gaze was dark and menacing. "Let's talk later. I'm hanging up now." Chu Tang hung up the phone and walked toward Gu Zechuan. Ruan Chutang stopped about a meter in front of Gu Zechuan, displeasure written all over her face. "How did you find this place?" "Heh." Gu Zechuan narrowed his eyes slightly, radiating a dangerous aura. "Hiding from me?" Chu Tang frowned. "Why would I hide from you? Didn't I already tell you I was going back to my hometown?" Gu Zechuan stepped forward, closing the distance. Chu Tang instinctively stepped back two paces. This movement made the displeasure in Gu Zechuan's eyes even stronger. "You said you were going back to your hometown for a visit, but you didn't say you weren't planning to return to Haicheng." Gu Zechuan leaned in, emotions churning in his eyes. "How much longer are you going to keep this up?" Chu Tang let out an impatient "tsk" and looked up to meet Gu Zechuan's furious gaze, saying calmly, "I'm not keeping anything up. Gu Zechuan, we're over. Please don't come bother me again." "Over?" Gu Zechuan let out a cold laugh. "Don't even think about it! This relationship only ends when I say it ends." "Gu Zechuan, are you insane? Don't you like Chen Wan? Go find her. Why are you pestering me?" Gu Zechuan raised an eyebrow, his expression softening slightly. "Jealous?" Chu Tang rolled her eyes internally. Could he be any more narcissistic? Gu Zechuan: "Chen Wan and I are really just ordinary friends. Don't make a scene over nothing." Chu Tang sneered. "Ordinary friends who sleep together?" A crack appeared in Gu Zechuan's expression, a flicker of guilt passing through his eyes. "What nonsense are you talking about?" "After Chen Wan came back to the country, you slept with her more than once, didn't you?" Chu Tang sneered. "You think I didn't know? I just couldn't be bothered to say it, because I don't care anymore." Don't care anymore. Hearing her say that, Gu Zechuan's heart felt like it had been stung by something. His chest tightened, and he wore a wounded expression. "You don't care anymore?" "But I do." Gu Zechuan looked dejected and spoke softly. "You've been on my mind all these past few days. I miss you. Let's make up, Chu Tang." Ruan Chutang's eyes were filled with disgust. Was Gu Zechuan suffering from split personality disorder? Just moments ago, he was furiously interrogating her, and now he was putting on a pitiful act. Chu Tang gave him a cold, sidelong glare. "Impossible." "Why?!" Gu Zechuan suddenly shouted, losing control of his emotions. Passersby cast strange looks in their direction. Chu Tang felt embarrassed. "Can you not yell and scream at the entrance of the neighborhood? If you're not ashamed, I am." Gu Zechuan grabbed Ruan Chutang's wrist tightly, extremely agitated. "Chu Tang, come back with me!" "Let go of me!" Chu Tang struggled. But Gu Zechuan's strength was too great; she couldn't break free. Chu Tang narrowed her eyes slightly and said coldly, "If you don't let go, I won't be polite anymore." She was prepared to show Gu Zechuan a thing or two about her fighting skills. "I won't let go!" Gu Zechuan held Chu Tang firmly with one hand while using the other to grab the back of her head, attempting to force a kiss on her. "Chu Tang, I miss you so much." Gu Zechuan's lips moved closer. Ruan Chutang was about to fight back. "Let her go!" A furious shout rang out. Gu Zechuan turned around and saw the imposing man before him. He paused briefly. "Who the hell are you?"