Chapter 32: Missing You

Qinhe Garden is about an hour away from the airport. As Jiang Huaiyu drove along the city’s ring road, he gazed out at the inky night sky.

Worry gnawed at him for Wen Shuyu; she was afraid of the dark.

Dragging his suitcase behind him, Jiang Huaiyu raced to the boarding gate. Their last argument had nearly made him miss his flight.

Song Jinnian boarded ahead of him and, noticing Jiang Huaiyu’s late arrival, teased, “Looks like President Jiang can’t bear to leave his gentle paradise behind.”

As the flight attendant reminded everyone to turn off their phones, Jiang Huaiyu hurriedly sent a long voice message, “Auntie comes by every night. Don’t open the door for anyone else, and please, don’t stay up late or indulge in cold drinks.”

Sitting beside him, Song Jinnian thought he was just being friendly, but instead, he found himself overwhelmed by a shower of love words. “Is she really old enough not to understand these things?”

Who would give such advice to an adult?

Jiang Huaiyu shot him a glance but ignored his comment, focusing on editing his message. “If you find it bothersome, just go back to your parents’ place. And don’t walk around the house barefoot; the floor is cold.”

Listening to him, Song Jinnian couldn’t help but shiver, adding with a smirk, “You’re raising your wife like a daughter!”

“Yeah, I’ve been worried about her since she was little.”

Jiang Huaiyu finally sent a text: “I’m about to take off. Sleep early. Goodnight, my wife.”

Meanwhile, back at home, Wen Shuyu lay on the couch, staring blankly at the dining table, where a vase held freshly bought pink lychee roses.

Only now did she realize the flowers at home were regularly replaced, and it was Jiang Huaiyu who took care of them.

She felt like a hands-off manager, turning her home into a hotel.

Not daring to close her eyes, she clutched her phone, waiting for Jiang Huaiyu’s messages. The argument had abruptly interrupted their conversation, leaving many issues unresolved.

It turned out they had so many misunderstandings.

When she received his voice message, the knot in her heart loosened a bit; Jiang Huaiyu still cared for her.

“I will. Let me know when you arrive. Goodnight, heart emoji gif.”

Jiang Huaiyu replied: “Don’t stay up waiting for me.”

He really understood her. Wen Shuyu turned off her phone and, taking his advice, nestled into her blankets to sleep.

She thought she wouldn’t be able to fall asleep, but after washing up and putting on one of Jiang Huaiyu’s shirts, the fresh scent of pine unique to him wrapped around her, lulling her into an unexpectedly good slumber.

At four in the morning, Jiang Huaiyu touched down in Port City, the sky painted in deep strokes of black, summer mist beginning to rise as the city lay in peaceful slumber.

“Arrived in Port City.”

Jiang Huaiyu wouldn’t forget the promises he made to Wen Shuyu; reporting back had become a habit for him.

Morning light broke through the thin mist, rays of sunshine illuminating the streets of South City. A gentle breeze chased after the clouds, painting a lively picture in the sky.

The alarm clock buzzed, and Wen Shuyu groggily pulled herself up, her eyes still closed. “Jiang Huaiyu, I’m so tired,” she mumbled.

Silence answered her, and the bed beside hers felt cold and empty.

She had grown accustomed to his presence, and now that he was gone, the absence hit her like a wave.

It was supposed to be a beautiful day, yet her heart felt heavy.

Upon entering the law firm, a voice called out from behind her.

“So, you and President Jiang have entered a new stage?”

As Wen Shuyu turned, Meng Man pointed to her neck, where a vivid red mark lingered.

Wen Shuyu thought for a moment before hesitantly responding, “I guess so.”

Meng Man chuckled, “If it is, just say it! Why the hesitation?”

“Because I’m not sure what it is right now,” Wen Shuyu replied, letting her hair down to hide the ambiguous mark.

Meng Man patted her shoulder. “Just focus on work and leave the man behind for now.”

With Jiang Huaiyu gone, Wen Shuyu had to fill the void in her heart with her work.

Her eyes caught sight of a file folder tucked in the corner of the desk, reminding her of a couple who had come to her recently, seeking justice for their son.

They found her after seeing the legal aid section on the Rui Shan Law Firm’s official account.

Chen Jinghua and Wang Xiuli didn’t have much money; their savings had long been depleted in their quest for justice, and they came from the countryside with a glimmer of hope, seeking someone to help them.

Hailing from a remote village next to South City, they led a modest life, farming a few acres of land and working odd jobs in a local factory to support their only son, Chen Jin’an.

Fortunately, their son was studious and had risen from the village primary school to attend a provincial high school in the county. However, tragedy struck in his second year.

The couple, lacking formal education, named their son Jin’an, wishing for a bright future filled with peace and joy.

But the child they held such high hopes for ended up in prison.

This incident took place in the early 2000s, and gathering evidence or witnesses was exceedingly difficult.

The villagers had long since forgotten the details.

Wen Shuyu remembered the couple’s departure, carrying their homemade specialties, their stooped figures contrasting with their actual age—barely in their sixties, yet they seemed like septuagenarians.

She opened the file folder, revealing information they had gathered over the years.

This was a murder case; the suspect was accused of killing two children. Without an alibi on the day in question, he was arrested and convicted.

The case had caused a stir in the village that year; the villagers could hardly believe that the gentle Chen Jin’an could commit murder.

His parents were even less willing to accept that their son could do such a thing.

The court’s first trial concluded that Chen Jin’an had harbored resentment after being provoked by the two children and, in a fit of rage, had killed them. The intermediate court deemed that the “basic facts were clear, and the basic evidence was sufficient,” convicting him of intentional homicide and sentencing him to death with a two-year reprieve.

The verdict revealed that no lawyer defended him during the trial.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, Chen Jin’an and his family appealed. The high court ordered a retrial, but the intermediate court upheld its previous decision, reiterating that the “basic facts were clear, and the basic evidence was sufficient.”

Chen Jin’an continued to proclaim his innocence, appealing once more, but this time the high court dismissed the appeal, maintaining the original ruling.

Thus, Chen Jin’an was sent to prison, while his parents embarked on a quest for justice that would last over twenty years.

With so many unanswered questions surrounding the case, Wen Shuyu felt compelled to help.

A small note tucked inside the file contained Chen Jinghua’s phone number, and she dialed it.

After a long wait, the call connected; the older generation often struggled to hear. Wen Shuyu introduced herself, “Hello, I’m Wen Shuyu, a lawyer from Rui Shan Law Firm. Would it be possible to meet tomorrow?”

Chen Jinghua’s warm rural accent replied, “Sure, sure.”

They arranged a time and place to meet.

At lunchtime, Wen Shuyu recounted the situation to Meng Man. “Sister, I’ll be going to the countryside tomorrow.”

Meng Man chimed in, “I’ll go with you.”

Cases of wrongful convictions happen every year, but few span over twenty years.

Who enters the legal profession without passion, seeking justice?

As she returned home under a sunset painted with fiery clouds, Aunt Liu had prepared dinner ahead of time. The aroma of food wafted through the door.

Wen Shuyu washed her hands and sat down to eat, but found the meal lacking compared to Jiang Huaiyu’s cooking.

Despite having eaten Aunt Liu’s meals for years, tonight’s food felt tasteless.

Last night, Song Jinnian had called, and after some chatter, she had refrained from talking to Jiang Huaiyu the entire day, worried about distracting him from work.

She missed him terribly.

Unable to resist, she sent a message: “Are you busy?”

Just then, someone raised a toast to Jiang Huaiyu. He picked up his phone and quickly replied, “I’m eating; I’ll call you when I’m done.”

He added, “No girls.”

He sent a photo along with the address.

“Gangcheng Renjia”—such a simple name, indicating he was at an ordinary restaurant.

Wen Shuyu texted back: “Enjoy your meal! I’m eating well too.” She sent a picture of her empty bowl.

Jiang Huaiyu replied, “Good job, Yuyu.”

His praise was unreserved, just as Song Jinnian had said—he treated his wife like a daughter.

Just then, the deputy head of Tongjia Group, Mr. Fu, approached Jiang Huaiyu. “President Jiang, stop playing with your phone.”

With a smile, Jiang Huaiyu responded, “It’s my wife texting. If I don’t reply, I’ll have to kneel on a washboard when I get home.”

Laughter erupted around them. “Who would have thought President Jiang was so whipped!”

Jiang Huaiyu openly admitted, “It’s because I’m always thinking about my wife.”

Everyone had seen the background information; they believed that Jiang Huaiyu married young due to a business alliance, thinking there was no real affection involved. But now, it seemed those rumors were unfounded.

Curiosity grew—what kind of person was Mrs. Jiang?

Unlike many companies, Tongjia didn’t emphasize drinking culture too heavily; moderation was key. A few light drinks could help everyone relax and foster connections. By the time they returned to the hotel, Jiang Huaiyu and Song Jinnan were just pleasantly tipsy.

Sitting on the hotel balcony, Jiang Huaiyu gazed into the distance. The galaxy over the port city sparkled brighter than that over Nan City, prompting him to call Wen Shuyu via video.

As he rotated the camera to capture the deep, starry sky, he said, “Yuyu, let me show you the stars over the port city.”

The ancient Milky Way shimmered like ripples across the sky, intertwining with the starlight, narrating the timeless love story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.

As a child, Wen Shuyu had never understood why the Cowherd, a thief who stole clothes, was worthy of marrying the Weaver Girl. Why would a good fairy like her settle for someone like him?

Her mother would tease her for lacking any romantic inclinations, and it turned out, she was right.

Wen Shuyu noticed something off in Jiang Huaiyu’s voice; it sounded slightly light-hearted. “How much did you drink, Jiang Huaiyu?”

He gestured, “Just a little.”

Wen Shuyu understood the necessity of socializing in business. Even if he was a bit tipsy, his childish side surfaced, and she chuckled softly, “You should get some rest. By the way, I put some hangover medicine in your computer bag—the kind you always buy for me.”

Just as she was about to hang up, the camera wobbled, revealing a flash of her thigh. Jiang Huaiyu caught on immediately. “You’re wearing my shirt.”

Flustered, Wen Shuyu quickly pointed the camera at the ceiling, denying it. “You must be seeing things.”

After her shower, she had honestly chosen his shirt over her pajamas, providing herself a perfect excuse for a good night’s sleep.

“For a good night’s rest, it’s best to wear your shirt,” she reasoned.

“Yuyu, I…” Jiang Huaiyu wanted to confess he missed her, but the words hung unspoken on his lips.

By nature, he was reserved and subtle.

“Jiang Huaiyu, my senior is looking for me. I have to hang up,” Wen Shuyu remembered something and called out, “Oh, I’m going to the countryside with my senior tomorrow. I might not be able to reply promptly.”

“Go ahead. Just remember to let me know you’re safe,” he replied.

That longing for her remained unexpressed.

Meng Man had come to discuss the departure time and place.

Cradling Jiang Huaiyu’s shirt, Wen Shuyu closed her eyes.

【Jiang Huaiyu, your shirt truly works wonders for sleep.】Receiving the message, Jiang Huaiyu couldn’t help but smile.

As Song Jinnan stepped out of the shower, he caught Jiang Huaiyu grinning at his phone. “I get it, you have a wife, and you really love her. Can you please consider the feelings of us single guys?”

Jiang Huaiyu playfully slapped his arm. “No way! If you’re so capable, go find one for yourself.”

Song Jinnan scoffed, “No thanks. I don’t want to be henpecked.”

“I’m happy, and I like it; I want to be managed by my wife,” Jiang Huaiyu stretched his words slowly.

Great, talking to a wall, seeing him so proud, Song Jinnan chose to silence himself.

Once caught in the “fish” trap, it was a poison so deep it couldn’t be removed.

With the morning light casting a warm glow, Meng Man and Wen Shuyu headed to Zhonan Village to meet with Chen Jinghua and his wife.

Bored during the ride, Meng Man asked, “So, what’s the situation between you and Jiang Huaiyu? Is it getting serious?”

That “strawberry” incident was unforgettable; it must have been quite intense.

Wen Shuyu scratched her head, “It’s all a bit strange. Just when things were heating up, he got a call and had to go on a business trip, so it’s on hold for now.”

Meng Man burst into laughter. “I thought he left you hanging mid-way!”

“If he dared to abandon me halfway, he wouldn’t see another sunrise,” Wen Shuyu gritted her teeth.

Leaning towards Meng Man, she asked, “I have a theory—when did Jiang Huaiyu actually start liking me?”

Meng Man focused on driving, her ears perked up. “Did he say he liked you?”

“Not exactly.” Wen Shuyu rested her chin in her hand, her tone lacking enthusiasm. “He never mentioned liking me, so I must be just imagining things.”

People often fall into three major delusions: the doorbell rings, the phone buzzes, and they think, “He must like me.”

Reality dawned on her; there were no assumptions, no delusions, just a husband’s duty.

Arriving at Zhonan Village before noon, they followed the GPS to Chen Wenhua’s doorstep.

Along the way, they noticed that almost every household had built new homes, two-story villas lining the village. But the Chen family still resided in their old, renovated brick house.

Hearing the car, Chen Jinghua and Wang Xiuli came out to greet them, offering tea and snacks.

Wen Shuyu and Meng Man accepted graciously, assuring them not to make a fuss.

It was clear the cups were newly bought, and the pastries were from a reputable brand, not cheap knockoffs.

Though the house was humble, it was impeccably clean.

After listening to the couple’s recounting, along with comments from some villagers, they gained a clearer understanding of the situation.

By the time everything was wrapped up, evening was approaching. The Chen couple invited them for dinner, but Wen Shuyu politely declined, saying they needed to head back.

Chen Jinghua packed a large bag full of goodies in a snake-skin bag for the car’s trunk. “Lawyer Wen, these are just some fruits and vegetables we grew ourselves. They aren’t worth much. You can take them. You didn’t charge us anything anyway.”

Wen Shuyu and Meng Man exchanged glances, accepting the weighty token of gratitude.

They couldn’t bear to refuse, knowing how much the couple had sacrificed over the years for their son’s case.

As the setting sun bathed the inconspicuous village in gold, Wen Shuyu looked back, admiring the view.

A dragonfly landed briefly on her fingertip before taking flight again.

Meng Man remarked, “From here on out, the road ahead is long and challenging.”

Wen Shuyu smiled at Jiang Huaiyu, encouraging him. “Be brave, Yuyu; don’t fear the challenges ahead.”

They exchanged knowing glances, unafraid of the obstacles that awaited them.

As the sky brightened with shimmering stars, the earth slipped into a gentle twilight.

Jiang Huaiyu initiated a video call, but the screen was shrouded in darkness. “Aren’t you home yet?”

Wen Shuyu replied, “I’m staying in the city; I have a lot to take care of tomorrow.”

“Yuyu,” Jiang Huaiyu called out, mindful of Meng Man’s presence. Wen Shuyu paused, unsure of how to respond, “Huh?”

“I miss you. Make sure to get some rest,” he confessed.

Wen Shuyu was momentarily taken aback, her mind racing as she struggled to find the right words to reply. His straightforward declaration of longing caught her off guard.

Jiang Huaiyu pressed on, “What about you?”

Meng Man shot her a knowing smile, and feeling flustered, Wen Shuyu quickly ended the call, opting to respond with a text instead.

【I miss you too.】