When Yang Chen stepped out of the police station, confused, he couldn't figure out why a lawyer he'd never met would bail him out—especially one whose influence was clearly enormous, judging by the station's attitude.
At the entrance, silver-haired Lawyer Zhang, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, shook Cai Yan's hand solemnly. "Thank you for your cooperation, Director Cai. It's impressive that someone so young leads the West District Police—you're truly magnanimous."
Cai Yan wore a reserved, solemn expression, her pretty face icy with a formal smile. "Lawyer Zhang is a veteran of Blue City's legal community. We juniors must treat you with the utmost respect." As she spoke, her gaze drifted involuntarily to Yang Chen, who was stretching lazily nearby.
She never expected Lawyer Zhang to show up to bail Yang Chen out. Though the lawyer wouldn't reveal his client, only someone powerful and well-connected in Blue City could hire this seasoned attorney. For such a figure to intervene for a kebab vendor—her suspicions were confirmed: Yang Chen's background was anything but ordinary.
Once outside the station compound, Yang Chen smiled humbly at Lawyer Zhang. "Thanks a million, Counselor. I would've been stuck in that interrogation room for two days otherwise. I even promised a friend I'd go to their place tonight—was stressing about it."
Watching Yang Chen's awkward grin, Lawyer Zhang grew curious. He'd wondered why his client had sent him to bail this young man out, but now he saw something exceptional in him. His calm composure inside the station, his ease afterward, and his ability to joke under pressure—this was no ordinary kid.
Putting aside his initial skepticism, Lawyer Zhang chuckled. "No need to thank me, Mr. Yang. I'm just fulfilling a request. The person you should thank is ahead."
Following his gaze, Yang Chen spotted a red sedan parked in the lot.
One glance and he perked up—it was a Bentley Mulsanne, a rare sight in China. This British car exuded regal elegance, costing over six million yuan in Yanxia. Anyone driving one casually was worth at least a hundred million.
After bidding Lawyer Zhang goodbye, Yang Chen sauntered over to the Bentley. Peering into the driver's seat, his eyes locked on the woman inside, and he smiled faintly. "You?"
On the black leather seat sat an elegant woman in a white ruffled dress, leaning back gracefully. Her jet-black hair was pulled up neatly, and large crystal sunglasses covered half her exquisite face. The contrast between the shades and her snow-white skin radiated cold arrogance—stunning enough to make hearts skip a beat.
The window rolled down. The beauty didn't spare him a glance, saying coldly, "Get in."
Yang Chen didn't hesitate. He hopped in with a grin, adjusting the seat comfortably like an old friend. "You left in a hurry this morning. I wondered if I'd see you again—never thought you'd bail me out so fast. Is this fate?"
This was the stranger he'd spent the night with. Seeing her icy demeanor now, a stark contrast to their wild night together, he couldn't resist teasing her.
"Silence won't make you a mute."
Without further ado, she stepped on the gas. The car sped away from the station, and ten minutes later, pulled up at a café by West District Plaza.
Walking past a large fountain, Yang Chen followed the silent woman inside. They'd clearly reserved a private booth—guided by a waiter, they settled in a quiet corner on the second floor, shielded by large leafy green plants.
"Miss Lin, sir—what would you like to drink?" the polite waiter asked.
Clearly a regular, she removed her sunglasses, revealing a face that would make any man's blood race. "Blue Mountain coffee, with milk, no sugar."
Yang Chen flipped through the menu, faking deep thought before grinning. "Uh… chrysanthemum tea, please. To cool down. The cheapest kind, nothing fancy."
The waiter's smile faltered. "Sir, we're a café. We don't serve tea—no chrysanthemum tea at all."
"Then just water. Is water free?" Yang Chen asked, feigning distress.
"Er… we have water, but are you sure that's all you want?" The waiter eyed him strangely, unable to fathom why someone with such a goddess-like companion would order only water.
The woman, who'd been staring coldly out the window, suddenly glanced at Yang Chen. "A Naples Americano for him."
"Right away, Miss Lin." The waiter hurried off, relieved.
Yang Chen put on a tragic face. "Miss Lin—let me guess your last name is Lin— I'm broke. Why order me a Naples Americano? That's hundreds of yuan a cup! I'd have to sell thousands of kebabs to afford that!"
"I'm paying," she said, frowning in impatience.
"It's not about you paying—it's about my income not matching this coffee. Plus, I'm a healthy, educated man. How can I let a woman buy me coffee? I may be poor, but I'm honest—not some thug who scams people. If I want coffee, I'll earn it myself… and honestly, I don't even like coffee."
"I'm treating you. You're not taking advantage," she said, exasperated. She'd never met someone who complained so much about a free coffee.
But Yang Chen's tone turned grave. "Miss Lin, an ancient saying goes: A gentleman doesn't accept charity. This is charity to me. You can look down on my job, my social status—I'm just a kebab vendor. But you can't insult my dignity or trample my pride!"
"Enough!"
The stunning woman slammed her hand on the table and stood up. "Are you done? I don't have time for this nonsense!"
Instantly, Yang Chen fell silent, his face shifting to a smug grin. "There we go, Miss Lin. That's better—young people should show some emotion, not keep a straight face all the time. You look prettier angry than cold."
"You…" She plopped back down, her sparkling almond eyes blazing. "I don't have time for your games. I need to talk to you about something important."