Gloves - Chapter 2

“Lawyer Nian, this is the contract for the model,”

“Okay, thank you,” Nian Zichun took the document and began to review it.

The plaintiff was a model named Yang Yiluo, twenty-one years old, and female. Nian Zichun had dealt with similar cases before, so she had some understanding of the modeling industry. Shaking her head, Nian Zichun couldn’t help but wonder how strict that agency must be to push this girl to resort to legal action. Just as she was immersed in her thoughts, her phone rang. Nian Zichun thought it might be a call from the girl, but the caller ID displayed an unfamiliar number.

“Is this Lawyer Nian?” A black car stopped in front of Nian Zichun’s office gate.

“Yes, it’s me. Are you the one who called me earlier?”

—–

Mr. Du, sitting in the car, looked at Nian Zichun and instantly revised his perception that lawyers were older and lacked aesthetic appeal. He immediately got out of the car and adjusted his clothes before walking towards Nian Zichun.

“Hello, Lawyer Nian, I’m Du Sen from ISE. We spoke on the phone earlier,” Du Sen greeted with a smile, extending his hand.

Nian Zichun shook his hand politely, but Du Sen couldn’t help but sense a certain distance between them. It seemed that Nian Zichun wouldn’t be easily swayed.

“N… Miss Nian, let’s get in the car first,” Du Sen suggested, leading Nian Zichun to a Chinese restaurant. Despite being in a Western setting, Du Sen displayed a courteous attitude.

“Miss Nian, please take a look and see what you’d like to eat. This restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes, and the flavors are quite good,” Du Sen enthusiastically recommended, while Nian Zichun’s most common expression was just a smile. She was well aware of Du Sen’s intentions.

“Miss Nian, we in the modeling industry…” Du Sen started, but Nian Zichun interrupted him.

“Mr. Du, please just call me Lawyer Nian,” Nian Zichun couldn’t stand Du Sen constantly referring to her as “beautiful.”

“Oh, Miss Nian, you’re being modest. You’re very beautiful, truly. I, Du Sen, never tell lies,” Du Sen said, shaking his head and emphasizing his point.

“Thank you,” Nian Zichun politely replied, making Du Sen feel like his charm was working on her.

“Lawyer Nian, in our modeling industry, we’re not lacking in good figures, but it’s rare to find someone as… exquisite as you,” Du Sen said, gesturing with his hands in the air.

“Oh, really? Then, Mr. Du, what is it about that girl, Yang Yiluo, from your company…” Nian Zichun paused and tilted her head, “that has left you unsatisfied?” Nian Zichun cut straight to the chase, wondering how long Du Sen would beat around the bush.

Du Sen was caught off guard by this sudden question and awkwardly chuckled twice. “Since Lawyer Nian has asked, let me tell you, she just doesn’t know how to appreciate what she has,” Du Sen’s face quickly shifted from embarrassment to slight anger.

“Oh?” Nian Zichun raised an eyebrow, resting her chin on the back of her hand, waiting for Du Sen to continue. Every move she made was captivating in Du Sen’s eyes, and it seemed that Nian Zichun was not difficult to communicate with.

“At her age, she’s just like the majority in our industry. If you want to become famous and be a top model, you have to make others like you, right? You need to have opportunities to make others like you. That’s what our talent agency is for. It provides you a platform to stand out. Otherwise, you’re just another face on the production line, and who the fuck would pay attention to you…” Du Sen ranted.

“So, she didn’t please you?” Nian Zichun took a sip of tea. She didn’t have much patience, but she concealed it well.

“Lawyer Nian, you’re truly clever. So, about the lawsuit next week…” Du Sen said, reaching out his hand towards Nian Zichun, but she quickly pulled her hand back as soon as he touched it.

“Oh, the tea… Sorry,” Nian Zichun said, taking a wet wipe and pretending to clean her hand as if she had actually spilled tea on it and didn’t want anyone else to touch it and get dirty.

“Mr. Du, I’m sorry, but I have some matters to attend to at my law firm. I can’t stay for long,” Nian Zichun apologized, her face filled with regret. She knew that she couldn’t help Du Sen, so there was no point in dragging the conversation any further.

“Oh, it’s alright. In that case, if this lawsuit goes against us, it would have a great impact on our company, I’m willing to pay you double the amount that girl spent to hire you. How does that sound?” Nian Zichun’s ambiguous response made Du Sen uneasy.

Nian Zichun ignored what he just said, glanced at the bill next to her, and then took out a stack of cash and placed it on the table. She stood up, and Du Sen’s eyes widened.

“The restaurant has a nice ambiance. I’m treating you to this meal,” she said with a smile that couldn’t be refused. “I’ve spent my time with you and even compensated for the meal. Please don’t continue to delude yourself into thinking you can change my work principles.”

“No… How can you pay for this?” How can I let you pay?!

Before Du Sen could finish his sentence, a waiter came over and collected the cash.

“Let me give you a ride,” Du Sen said, glaring fiercely at the waiter. He never expected Lawyer Nian to use cash for payment. He hastily stood up, exerting his last bit of effort.

Nian Zichun smiled at him and said, “No need, my assistant’s car has arrived. Thank you.” With that, she gracefully left the restaurant, not enjoying the experience.

Du Sen was left speechless, watching Nian Zichun’s figure. This kind of woman was irresistible and yet provided no opportunity for him to move forward. Du Sen could only sigh alone, unwilling to wait idly for the outcome of the lawsuit.

Outside the restaurant, Nian Zichun felt relieved. She didn’t like wasting time on boring matters, and there was nothing more boring than this meal. If she didn’t pay for it herself, she wouldn’t be able to help that young model.

An Chujie watched as Shang Zhuoxi walked towards the bed, her icy demeanor as usual. But for An Chujie, there were only two words to describe the feeling she had, and that was a chill. The complex emotions displayed in An Chujie’s eyes were fully captured by Shang Zhuoxi. In the blink of an eye, her blurry vision became crystal clear.

“Long time no see, Chu Jie,” Shang Zhuoxi reached out her hand, trying to wipe away An Chujie’s tears. But upon hearing her voice, the person on the bed turned her head away, causing even more tears to flow. Was Shang Zhuoxi here to witness her misery?

Shang Zhuoxi pulled back the covers to assess the person’s injuries. However, An Chujie tightly clung to the sheets, her whole body in pain and lacking the strength to resist. With a slight force from Shang Zhuoxi, the frail body was exposed, wrapped in layers of gauze that barely covered her waist. Stains of blood seeped through the white fabric, and the bony hips were visible. Shang Zhuoxi couldn’t bear to look any longer and quickly covered her back up.

“Don’t move,” Shang Zhuoxi’s voice sounded again, causing An Chujie to start sobbing.

“Crying might strain the wound. I just finished stitching you up, so it’s best to avoid any major movements,” Shang Zhuoxi’s voice was calm, as if she were accustomed to saying this to every patient. Before leaving, Shang Zhuoxi left a final instruction:

“I am your attending physician.”

There was no need for her to emphasize it. An Chujie knew she was only a patient to Shang Zhuoxi. Shang Zhuoxi would never show any compassion towards her. Why would she expect to be treated as a special patient now? An Chujie desperately wanted to leave this place, but she couldn’t do anything. She still had to work, to earn money not only to sustain her basic needs but also to repay a substantial amount. However, in her current state, she was unable to work. It was exhausting. Closing her eyes, countless fragments of memories flooded An Chujie’s mind, each one gruesomely devouring her every nerve.

An Chujie didn’t have many friends in this city, so most of the time she stayed alone in the hospital room. She didn’t speak much, occasionally responding politely with a few words when the elderly lady in the next bed spoke to her.

After she regained her ability to eat, the nurse would kindly bring An Chujie liquid food, but the bowl of porridge delivered in the morning would still be untouched by the evening, either given to the elderly lady or left untouched.

The sunlight today was quite nice, although a bit too glaring. An Chujie stood by the window, looking outside, when suddenly everything in her field of vision distorted. Then, everything went black, and she fainted.

“Oh my, my poor little one, why did you faint?” Tu Yi, who had just come in with an IV drip, was frightened. He quickly put down what He was holding and carefully lifted An Chujie, laying her gently on the bed, being careful not to disturb her wound. He then checked her body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. The temperature was low, blood pressure was low, but at least the heart rate was normal. Tu Yi felt relieved.

“Director Shang, do you think this poor little one is going to ascend to heaven? It’s been almost four days without eating. She doesn’t even touch the food we bring her. Today, when I went to check on her, she suddenly fainted. It really scared me. I was holding her like I was holding a pile of bones! But I have to say, I feel pretty manly. I’ve dedicated all my masculinity to our hospital,” Tu Yi said, slightly annoyed, with his hands on his hips.

Shang Zhuoxi slowly stopped what she was doing and turned to look at Tu Yi without saying a word. Her expression was complex, as if she couldn’t joke about someone’s body like that.

“Okay, I understand. You don’t have to bring anything anymore,” Shang Zhuoxi said.

“What? But, Director Shang, she doesn’t have any relatives or friends. We can’t just let her fend for herself,” Tu Yi replied. He had never seen anyone visit An Chujie and felt sorry for her.

“I said no,” Shang Zhuoxi said sternly, her expression serious.

“Fine…” Tu Yi pressed his temples with both hands. Whatever Director Shang said, goes.

In the end, Shang Zhuoxi transferred An Chujie to a single patient room. She didn’t want to be stared at by too many people when she went to see An Chujie.

“You’re awake?” Shang Zhuoxi saw the haggard figure sitting up at the head of the bed. With her pale face and sunken clavicle, she had really lost a lot of weight.

Upon seeing Shang Zhuoxi, An Chujie immediately averted her gaze. The single patient room wasn’t as spacious as the regular ward, but it was quiet.

As Shang Zhuoxi approached, An Chujie became nervous and anxious again.

“Aren’t you hungry at all?” Shang Zhuoxi walked to the bedside, picked up the soup that was placed aside, and sat next to An Chujie.

“Come on, be a good girl and drink the soup before it gets cold.”

An Chujie didn’t appreciate it. What was Shang Zhuoxi up to now? Why pretend to be nice to her? Afraid that she might die? Afraid that her death would tarnish the hospital’s reputation?

“Chujie?” Shang Zhuoxi softly called out to her, and An Chujie instantly softened. It must be tiring to hold the soup like that. She couldn’t help but look at the person next to her, but quickly averted her gaze. She couldn’t meet Shang Zhuoxi’s eyes. She just secretly glanced at her side profile while Shang Zhuoxi scooped the soup. Shang Zhuoxi’s high brow bone and the focused expression in her gentle eyes used to attract her so much. An Chujie was pulled into a whirlwind of complicated thoughts, but as soon as Shang Zhuoxi looked at her, she hid them well. An Chujie obediently drank the soup, her gaze never leaving Shang Zhuoxi’s slender fingers.

“Get off the bed,” An Chujie didn’t understand, but she did as she was told.

“Take off your clothes,” Shang Zhuoxi said. What? An Chujie widened her eyes and looked at Shang Zhuoxi without any reaction.

“Do you want me to do it? Hurry up, I want to see how your incision is healing,” Shang Zhuoxi said impatiently.

“No, I’m fine,” An Chujie blushed and lowered her head. Shang Zhuoxi had no patience for her and simply lifted her clothes halfway up.

“I’ve seen you before, does it hurt here?” The previous comment made An Chujie’s face flush, but the pain wasn’t too bad, so she shook her head.

“What about here?” Shang Zhuoxi moved her thumb down a bit.

“A little bit…” An Chujie replied.

Shang Zhuoxi straightened up suddenly, changing her tone.

“Very well, the days ahead are long, but first, you need to have a healthy body, don’t you?”

An Chujie forcefully pushed Shang Zhuoxi away.

“You’ll be discharged next week, but during this period, your abdomen is delicate. Avoid making any sudden movements,” Shang Zhuoxi paused for a moment and continued.

“You can’t push me away like earlier either. Remember to eat on time. I don’t want to keep coming in and out of this room.”

After giving her instructions, Shang Zhuoxi let go of the rolled-up clothes.

“I understand, Dr. Shang,” An Chujie deliberately created some distance with her words. She didn’t want to have too much contact with Shang Zhuoxi. It was more accurate to say that she was afraid rather than dislike.