Love Finds Its Time - Chapter 52

“This time I asked Lawyer Jian out mainly to ask about some issues regarding divorce litigation, as well as matters of child custody,” Mr. Liang said with a smile. After thinking for a moment, he added, “It’s actually a friend of mine who wants to know. His identity is rather sensitive, so he asked me to consult on his behalf.”

Jian Yizhi took a sip of tea and then calmly reminded him, “Marriage law is not exactly my area of expertise. If there’s such a need, I suggest you contact my partner, Lawyer Wen Qinghan.”

“No, Lawyer Jian,” Mr. Liang said apologetically with a smile. “I know that Lawyer Wen may be more specialized in this field and has more experience. But for now, my friend only wants a consultation, not to actually file a lawsuit. Besides, since our mothers know each other, I thought it would be good to meet you first. If it’s just a casual chat, I don’t think it would trouble you too much.”

That was indeed reasonable. Holding her teacup in one hand, Jian Yizhi lightly rubbed the rim with her finger, then nodded slightly. “Alright.”

At that moment, the dishes Mr. Liang had ordered in advance began arriving. After urging Jian Yizhi and Fu Anran to start eating, he grew more serious and began explaining. “The main issue is emotional incompatibility between my friend and his wife. They’re both too busy with work and haven’t had time to nurture their relationship. They want to divorce by mutual agreement, but the problem lies in the custody of their child. Both families are well-off and capable of raising the child, so each of them is trying their best to persuade the other to give up custody.”

Jian Yizhi asked, “Is the child older than two?”

“Yes, already five years old.”

Jian Yizhi paused to think, then said, “Then the factor of the child still being in the breastfeeding stage—where the mother would usually have an advantage—no longer applies. What will be considered next are many other aspects. For example: the specific financial situation of each side, the qualities they show in daily life, the closeness of their relationship with the child, and the current living environment. What matters most is whether the conditions of their relationship with the child are sufficient—not only materially, but emotionally as well. These are also important considerations for the court.”

Mr. Liang listened attentively, while Fu Anran silently sipped tea now and then.

“This is indeed a tough situation. Neither side wants to give up custody, and the child is pleading for the parents not to separate.” Mr. Liang sighed, his appetite fading.

For a lawyer, the greatest boundary is not to offer persuasion from an outsider’s perspective. Jian Yizhi maintained a polite smile and said, “What has already happened cannot be undone. If it cannot be salvaged, the only option is to minimize the loss. The end of a marriage will affect both parties. What must be decided now is with whom the child will grow up in a healthier environment.”

Her gaze was soft and gentle. She didn’t look like a legal professional but more like a teacher patiently guiding a wayward student, warm and approachable.

At some point, Fu Anran found herself not only interested in Jian Yizhi’s words but also in her demeanor. As she listened, she occasionally turned her head to glance at the faint curve of Jian Yizhi’s lips.

Though Jian Yizhi’s words were somewhat official, they carried meaning beyond legal matters.

For some reason, Mr. Liang then shifted the conversation to his own perspective on his friend’s situation. “Actually, I think in a marriage, both spouses shouldn’t neglect the family. At least one of them should prioritize the household. That way, things wouldn’t have reached this point. One person should focus on external matters, the other on internal affairs—that’s the balance.”

Jian Yizhi forced a small smile without replying.

The specific division of roles in a family should be decided mutually between partners. There are also examples of couples who both focus on work yet maintain a strong relationship. Ultimately, it depends on whether both are willing to make time for each other.

Valuing work and nurturing a relationship are not mutually exclusive.

But Mr. Liang, seemingly more inspired, continued to express his views, “If his wife hadn’t been so ambitious, insisting on taking over the family business, things wouldn’t have ended up like this. The husband working outside, the wife staying home to serve the parents and raise the children—that’s the most suitable arrangement.”

Jian Yizhi turned her head toward Fu Anran, her expression as though suppressing some emotion.

Fu Anran, thinking of Mr. Liang’s words, pressed her lips into a smile and reached under the table to gently pat Jian Yizhi’s hand, signaling her to stay calm.

Still, Mr. Liang continued politely in a gentle tone. “This model has stood the test of time. Not just between men and women—even between two men, one usually takes the weaker role. And in relationships between two women, one partner is often more dominant. This aligns with what I just said.”

The more Jian Yizhi listened, the more wrong it felt. She cleared her throat and smiled faintly. “Some things we can indeed see with our eyes, but behind closed doors, no one knows who is stronger or weaker. Even the most dominant person will have a vulnerable side when it comes to their partner. As for what you said about the wife staying home to serve the parents and raise children, I don’t think that’s something only women can do. Rather, it should be an arrangement reached by both parties. Likewise, in same-sex couples, it’s not necessarily the seemingly weaker partner who must take on all household responsibilities.”

Jian Yizhi’s views had always deeply impressed Fu Anran, and this time was no exception.

As soon as she finished speaking, Mr. Liang stared in disbelief, while Fu Anran smiled slightly and patted the back of Jian Yizhi’s hand again, praising her response.

But Mr. Liang, unconvinced, sat up straighter, clasped his hands on the table, and fixed his gaze on Jian Yizhi. “Lawyer Jian, don’t you think that if one focuses on external matters and the other on internal ones, the marriage would last longer?”

“I didn’t say that. What I mean is that arrangements should be made through mutual discussion, not by forcing certain roles on one side from the start.”

Jian Yizhi remained calm. Seeing his posture, she relaxed into her chair, crossed her legs, and rested her teacup on her knee, exuding a composed elegance.

The more relaxed you are in the face of a tense opponent, the greater the pressure on them.

“But if both naturally do what they’re supposed to, isn’t that more efficient and avoids the friction of constant coordination? For example, one party takes responsibility by working hard and providing for the family, while the other cares for the household, teaches the children, and eases their partner’s stress when they come home. Isn’t that better than what you call coordination?”

After talking so much, Mr. Liang paused and quickly drank several sips of tea.

Seeing this, Fu Anran stood up and picked up the teapot.

He assumed she was about to pour tea for him, his gaze shifting in her direction, but instead, Fu Anran poured tea only for Jian Yizhi, ignoring him completely.

Jian Yizhi smiled faintly and gave Fu Anran a warm look, then turned to Mr. Liang and asked, “Well then, do you still have more to say?”

She had lost her appetite. If she ate any more, she might be poisoned by these outdated ideas.

Yet her expression remained so gentle that no dissatisfaction could be seen. Mr. Liang treated the moment as a genuine exchange of views.

Pouring tea for himself, he continued. “For example, between a man and a woman, the man should provide financially for the family and support both sets of parents—that’s the external role. Then the woman should handle the internal role—taking care of the household and the children, and maintaining the relationship with her husband. Take you and me, for instance. If our relationship soured, you could consider getting breast implants or something…”

“Stop.”

Jian Yizhi’s brows twitched several times. Why was she still giving this man the chance to keep talking in front of her?

Fu Anran could no longer suppress the upward curve of her lips.

Jian Yizhi picked up her bag, pulled Fu Anran up by the wrist, and stood. Her expression had already cooled, her smile not reaching her eyes. “Sorry, Mr. Liang, today’s consultation can’t continue. The views you’ve expressed are already beyond my scope of understanding. I suggest that if you or your friend intend to pursue litigation, you directly contact my partner, Lawyer Wen. She’ll be more professional than I am.”

With that, she pulled Fu Anran along, her heels tapping as they left the private room. Fu Anran was still struggling to hold back her laughter.

But Mr. Liang was stunned. He pulled out his phone, opened WeChat, and sent his mother a message: Mom, didn’t you tell Lawyer Jian that I kind of like her and want to date her?

The reply came: Are you stupid? If I told her that, would she still have gone to meet you? Do your best, son!

After stepping out of the restaurant, Jian Yizhi felt the air fresher than inside. That stale mindset had made it impossible for her to stay another second. The only pity was for Wen Qinghan, whom she had used as a shield. But given Big Baby Wen’s icy expression, it was unlikely anyone would want to chat with her that much anyway.

Stopping by the car, Jian Yizhi drew in a deep breath of fresh air and asked Fu Anran, “Anran, may I share my thoughts?”

“Of course. I’m listening—go ahead.” Fu Anran smiled at her, obediently letting Jian Yizhi hold her hand. A faint blush rose on her fair cheeks, the shy warmth in her heart spilling onto her face.

Looking straight at Fu Anran, Jian Yizhi tightened her grip and said coldly, “That was a textbook case of male chauvinism!”

Fu Anran burst out laughing with a pfft, and the deflated Jian Yizhi pulled her into the car. Since dinner had been ruined, they had no choice but to head home to eat. Along the way, Jian Yizhi kept commenting now and then on the conversation they had just endured.

After parking and walking to the bottom of their apartment buildings, they were about to part ways when Jian Yizhi suddenly stopped Fu Anran, her gaze a little odd.

“Senior, what is it? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Well…” Jian Yizhi blinked, lowered her head to glance at her own chest, then looked at the slightly shorter Fu Anran. “Is my chest… really small?”

“For example, between you and me, if our relationship soured, you could consider getting breast implants or something…”

That man’s words echoed again in Fu Anran’s ears. She stared at Jian Yizhi’s chest, her face reddening, and shook her head. In that moment, it was as if she could even hear her own heartbeat.

“I think… it’s not small at all…”

The second the words left Fu Anran’s lips, Jian Yizhi grew uneasy, suddenly realizing just how strange a question she had asked. She coughed twice, let go of Fu Anran’s hand, and said, “Go on home for dinner. See you tomorrow.”

Watching Jian Yizhi’s figure disappear into the stairwell, Fu Anran bit her lip, an irrepressible smile blooming at her lips.

Senior… really is kind of cute.

***

Meanwhile, Wen Qinghan, who had just gotten home from work, was called over to the Shi family’s house for dinner. They said since Shi Qingqiu would be leaving tomorrow, the family ought to share a meal together before her departure.

So, with her willpower never very firm to begin with, Wen Qinghan hesitated only a moment before carrying over a food container. Inside were dishes her mother had specially prepared—Shi Qingqiu’s favorites: braised beef and sweet-and-sour crispy tofu.

Shi Qingqiu’s parents already knew early that morning that Wen Qinghan would be coming. As soon as the door opened, the food container in her hands was taken right away.

She greeted them warmly. “Uncle, Auntie, these are extra dishes my mom prepared. They’re still hot.”

Tang Honglang patted his belly with a broad smile. “Your mom worries too much. You’re already coming for dinner—how could we not have enough dishes?”

Shi Jinghui lifted the lid, glanced inside, then closed it again. She gave her husband’s shoulder a light smack and scolded, “These are for Qingqiu—all her favorites.”

“Oh, oh, right, right. Look at me, such a muddlehead…”

With a faint smile, Wen Qinghan followed the elders inside. The first thing she did when turning into the living room was glance toward the sofa and the window—but she didn’t see Shi Qingqiu anywhere.

Shi Jinghui invited her to sit and asked, “Qinghan, you’ve been back from filming the reality show for a few days now. Have you gotten enough rest?”

Seated, Wen Qinghan smiled lightly. “Mm, it actually wasn’t too tiring.”

Her hostess poured tea and asked again, “Really? Since Qingqiu got back, she’s been sleeping in till noon every day. Look at you—your mom said you went back to work too quickly. Why not take a few extra days off?”

Tang Honglang clicked his tongue, sounding like he was about to lecture. “Jinghui, how can you compare Qinghan with Qingqiu? Qingqiu’s job runs day and night without rest. For Qinghan, it’s about time she returned to work. Otherwise, her two colleagues—Little Jian and Little Li—can’t be left doing all the work.”

In truth, among the three partners, Wen Qinghan was closest with Jian Yizhi. They’d never drawn such distinctions before, but now wasn’t the time to explain. She simply smiled and stayed quiet.

Glancing around the room, she was caught by Shi Jinghui, who chuckled knowingly. “Qinghan, are you looking for Qingqiu?”

Though her expression seemed casual, like she had only lifted her eyes in passing, being exposed made Wen Qinghan blink unnaturally and softly reply, “Mm.”

“Qingqiu is in her room. She just stepped out after a phone call—seemed to be about filming. Go on, I’ll call you both when dinner’s ready.” Shi Jinghui nudged Wen Qinghan’s arm with her elbow, smiling with implication.

Pinching her fingers together nervously but politely, Wen Qinghan answered, “Alright, I’ll go then.”

Even someone as calm and composed as she was couldn’t help wavering, just as Shi Qingqiu had last night.

She stood at the door for a long while, recalling again and again the soft whispers Shi Qingqiu had murmured into her ear the night before.

Something in her heart felt like it was about to overflow, the corners of her lips lifting uncontrollably. Finally, she raised her hand and knocked on the door.