Deep Fog Kiss

It was already dark, and the streetlights were just coming on.

Inside a quintessential American restaurant in the city center, warm caramel-colored lights streamed down, and the aroma of French fries and roast beef filled the air, dispelling the autumn chill outside the window.

"How is it?"

The man sitting across from me in the retro red leather booth spoke in a clear, pleasant voice, his laughter bright and cheerful, "Is the ambiance to your liking?"

Jiang Li was surprised that Xiang Jingcheng would choose an American-style restaurant as the place to eat. The restaurant walls were decorated with yellowed baseball posters and old-fashioned license plates, and a few lazy country folk songs occasionally drifted out from the jukebox in the corner.

It's very retro, just like the restaurant near my school when I was studying abroad.

"It's very good." Jiang Li smiled as she looked at the juice in the glass beside her. "It tastes just like the juice I had in New York."

She looked up and smiled, asking, "How did you come to this place?"

"You've been back in China for a while now, so you've probably tried all the local dishes. I bet you miss the flavors you ate when you were studying abroad." Xiang Jingcheng considerately cut her a piece of beef. "This restaurant's roast beef is their specialty. Try it and see how it tastes."

"Oh, right."

Jiang Li suddenly remembered something, took out an exquisite gift box and placed it on the table, "The handkerchief you lent me last time got dirty, so I bought you a new one. I didn't know what color you liked, so I picked the same color."

Xiang Jingcheng looked at the gift box that she pushed towards her and smiled gently, "If this is a gift you specially gave me, I'm happy to accept it."

The other person's eyes were sincere, carrying a genuine feeling that Jiang Li could easily read.

They were kindred spirits, and she could easily discern the meaning behind Xiang Jingcheng's words.

"Jing Cheng." Jiang Li let out a soft sigh, her voice lowered, "You know, I—"

"I know," Xiang Jingcheng said gently, with a hint of a smile. "You said you have someone you like."

"But as I said, don't rush to reject me." Xiang Jingcheng smiled gently. "You have the right to like someone else, and I have the right to like you. What if you don't like that person anymore in the future? Then I'll have a chance."

The other party's words were sincere, and it would seem too heartless for Jiang Li to refuse again.

She looked out at the pitch-black night and curled the corners of her lips into a smile.

She was also waiting for an opportunity.

"I think you invited me to dinner today for more than just to give me this, right?"

He waved the gift box in his hand at Jing Cheng and then put it away.

"Jing Cheng, I really have something important to discuss with you today." Jiang Li put down her knife and fork and got straight to the point. "There's a case I'd like to reopen and overturn, but I don't know what the chances of success are."

Xiang Jingcheng's eyes turned serious. "Overturn the verdict?"

The clock on the wall turned slowly, and warm light fell on the polished metal cutlery, reflecting the warm atmosphere of the room.

The people dining around were chatting happily, creating a relaxed yet lively atmosphere.

Only the table by the window had a slightly somber atmosphere.

Jiang Li calmly recounted the car accident from years ago, while Xiang Jingcheng looked at her calm face with a serious expression.

"So you want to overturn the car accident case from back then and make the perpetrator plead guilty?"

"That's right." Jiang Li picked up the juice, took a sip, and found it somewhat sour and astringent.

"The perpetrator has lived for fourteen years. If he can live a fulfilling life after this, I will have let my father down." Jiang Li gripped the glass tightly, her eyes resolute. "Besides that, I also want to know why he did it, why he premeditated this car accident. What grudge does our Jiang family have against him?"

Seeing that her knuckles were white from gripping the cup so tightly, Xiang Jingcheng reached out and covered her hand with his, his warm palm covering Jiang Li's slightly cool hand.

"Jiang Li, your uncle's case is not without the opportunity for a retrial."

Jiang Li suddenly looked up. "Do you need anything?"

Xiang Jingcheng analyzed it for her from a professional perspective, "First, we need the surveillance footage and video of your uncle's accident to prove that he was driving normally and did not violate speeding regulations."

Jiang Li frowned. "I clearly saw the perpetrator speeding back then, but the final verdict confirmed the perpetrator's statement."

"According to you, there must be some doubts about the case from back then. But more than ten years have passed, and it would be too difficult to review the surveillance footage now. Much of the evidence has been destroyed." Xiang Jingcheng looked at Jiang Li, "Besides you, were there any other eyewitnesses when the accident happened?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Li was suddenly taken aback.

Eyewitness!

Su Ruolan! She knows!

"Is finding an eyewitness enough?"

"If eyewitnesses who witnessed the entire accident are willing to testify in court, the retrial of this case will be much simpler," Xiang Jingcheng said. "Also, if the perpetrator can voluntarily admit their mistake, that can be used as direct evidence. But obviously, the perpetrator will not do so voluntarily."

Jiang Li's eyes narrowed. "So, there are only these two methods left."

We need to either find eyewitnesses or get Wu Jianhui to admit his mistake.

"Don't worry, this case isn't hopeless." Xiang Jingcheng covered her palm with his hand, applying slight pressure. "I will help you."

Jiang Li felt a warmth on the back of her hand, realized what was happening, and unconsciously withdrew her hand.

"Thank you." She smiled politely, her lips curving upwards. "Attorney Xiang's time is precious, so I'll pay the fees as usual."

"That's too formal." Xiang Jingcheng looked at her earnestly. "Just ask if you need anything, and if I can do it."

Jiang Li couldn't offer any promise in response to his words. She picked up her drink and could only thank him again, "Thank you, Jing Cheng."

Looking at her delicate features, Xiang Jingcheng smiled and said, "I hope that in the future, what you say to me will be more than just 'thank you'."

Just then, Shen Nianchu sent a message.

【Lili, have you made an appointment with Attorney Xiang? Do you need any help?】

Then a meme of someone watching the drama unfold popped up.

Jiang Li smiled, took a picture, and sent it: [The business has been concluded, and Lawyer Xiang is happy to help.]

She paused slightly after sending the photo, then clicked to forward it.

Fingertips land on contact "S.", and the message is sent.

Her heart raced for a moment, like a child who had done something wrong, nervous yet expectant.

After silently counting down three seconds, she withdrew her thought.

The message included: "[Sorry, wrong person, uncle.]"

After sending the message, she turned off her phone and continued talking to Xiang Jingcheng with a faint smile.

......

Across the busy street, a black Hongqi L9 was parked.

Under the colorful streetlights, the black cars stand imposingly, their prices starting with nine and starting with eight figures, a symbol of status in Beijing's elite elite circles.

The license plate was so arrogant that passersby and other vehicles cast admiring glances at it.

Such an ostentatious car is rare and uncommon throughout Jingzhou.

The vehicle was parked on the side of the road with its windows dark, so people outside couldn't see inside, but people inside could see clearly out the window.

In the back seat, the man was dressed in black shirt and black pants, with a handsome face and deep features.

He glanced across the street at the restaurant window, his amber eyes deep and cold, yet also revealing a hint of nonchalance.

A man and a woman sat facing each other by the window, chatting happily and occasionally clinking glasses.

The lighter in Gu Zhishen's hand clicked, went out, lit again, and went out again.

His deep eyes were fixed on that side, on the photo she sent and then deleted—it was of her having dinner with that man.

What was that man's name again?

Xiang Jingcheng.