Just after being thrown into the lake, seven beautiful women blocked the door calling him "husb

"Bang!"

With a loud bang, the thin iron door was kicked in and dented inwards.

Master Li's body suddenly trembled.

That weathered face instantly lost all color, and he froze on the spot.

Chen Ye's heart sank sharply.

But only for a second.

He's a male escort at a KTV.

The nerves honed through countless ward rounds and emergencies forced him to suppress all panic.

Damn, they came fast.

Almost instinctively, he snatched the unlit cigarette from Master Li's hand.

He quickly stuffed the cigarettes, along with the ones in his pocket, back into the cigarette case.

Then, he grabbed Master Li's duty logbook.

He opened it and took out a pen from his pocket.

The entire movement was completed in one smooth motion.

"Who the hell is in there! Open the door for me!"

Outside the door, a series of harsh shouts and even more forceful kicks followed.

Chen Ye glanced at Master Li, who was trembling like a leaf.

He lowered his voice and spoke quickly.

"Mr. Li, have a smoke. Tell them the power's out and come in to rest for a bit."

After saying that, he stuffed the cigarette case into Master Li's hand and then opened the door.

Outside the door, two blinding beams of flashlight shone instantly onto his face.

It was those two security guards on patrol.

"What are you doing!" the head security guard roared menacingly.

He pointed the rubber baton at Chen Ye's nose.

Chen Ye squinted and raised his hand to block the light.

His face broke into the simple, honest smile that was unique to "Wang Er".

"Big brother, it's me, Wang Er."

"The power suddenly went out, and we can't work in the dark."

I followed my master inside to take a break.

As he spoke, he stepped aside, revealing Mr. Li, who was also inside the room illuminated by the flashlight beam.

Master Li is a veteran who has worked in the factory for over ten years.

Although I was terrified, I forced myself to calm down.

He shakily pulled two cigarettes from the pack and handed them over.

"Xiao Liu, Xiao Zhang, come in and have a smoke while the power goes out. It's nothing serious."

The security guard named Xiao Liu glanced around the room suspiciously.

The little house was just that big, with a bed and a table, and everything was laid out at a glance.

Apart from the strong smell of smoke and mildew, there was nothing unusual about it.

"Be more careful next time! The duty room must not be locked, and no outsiders are allowed to enter!"

Another security guard, Xiao Zhang, took the cigarette, his tone softening somewhat but still sharp.

Chen Ye quickly went over and took out a lighter to light them.

"Yes, yes, you two are right."

"I'm new here, and I don't know the rules yet. My mentor is teaching me."

Master Li quickly chimed in, "That's right, my apprentice has only been here a few days and hasn't earned any wages yet."

"Xiao Liu, please don't fine me for my sake."

The two security guards smoked and glanced at Chen Ye a few more times.

Seeing that he looked like an honest and simple migrant worker, they didn't pursue the matter further.

"Alright, Old Li, from now on, teach your apprentice to be a little more clever!"

"Hurry up, get to work as soon as the power comes back on, don't slack off!"

The two exchanged a few words, then turned and disappeared into the dark corridor.

Until the heavy footsteps faded completely into the distance.

Master Li then plopped down on the bed with a "thump".

The back of my clothes was soaked with cold sweat.

Chen Ye closed the door and let out a long sigh of relief.

It was a false alarm.

My heart was still pounding wildly in my chest.

After finishing his night shift, Chen Ye solemnly declined Mr. Li's invitation to go to his home to rest.

He didn't take the heavy iron box with him.

The target is too big.

He only kept those few most crucial ledgers, which recorded pollution data and details of bribery.

He wrapped it tightly in a plastic bag and then stuffed it into his oversized work clothes, hiding it close to his body.

"Master Li, please take care."

Before leaving, Chen Ye looked at the gray-haired old man and said something heavy.

Master Li didn't say anything, but patted his shoulder hard.

In those cloudy eyes, there was fear, worry, but more than anything else.

It is a resolute commitment that entrusts everything.

Chen Ye turned and left, without returning to the dormitory where more than a dozen people were crammed together.

I walked out of the New Century Chemical Plant, mingling with the crowds of people leaving get off work.

As dawn broke, the streets were filled with the unique coolness of early morning.

He didn't go home.

They didn't even take a shower or change their clothes.

He flagged down a taxi and gave them the address.

"Juncheng Law Firm!"

……

When someone reeks of engine oil and chemicals.

When the migrant worker, whose face was streaked with black and gray and dressed in tattered work clothes, walked into the clean and bright lobby of Juncheng Law Firm.

The entire law firm fell silent.

The receptionist stared wide-eyed, forgetting to greet them.

The lawyers passing by all turned their heads, casting surprised and disdainful glances.

What are you looking at? Haven't you ever seen a top lawyer return from undercover?

Chen Ye ignored everyone's stares and walked straight to the elevator.

He strode quickly toward his office.

Push open the door.

In the office, Qin Kexin was tidying up documents with her head down.

She heard the door open and looked up.

The instant I saw who it was.

Qin Kexin froze completely.

The documents in her hand scattered all over the floor with a "clatter".

She just stared blankly at Chen Ye at the door.

Looking at his face, which was covered in oil and dust, making it impossible to see his original features.

Looking at his blue overalls, which were torn in several places and covered in unidentified stains.

Looking at the pair of liberation shoes on his feet, whose original color was almost unrecognizable.

A scalding, sour sensation suddenly rushed into my nasal cavity.

Her world blurred in an instant.

She bit her lip hard, trying not to make a sound.

But those tears, so pathetic.

Unable to stop it, large drops rolled down.

When Chen Ye saw her like this, his heart ached terribly.

It was even more unpleasant than being blocked at the gate by security guards in a factory.

An overwhelming sense of guilt, mixed with an indescribable heartache, instantly overwhelmed him.

【Hold.】

What kind of bastard am I, anyway?

He panicked and instinctively tried to step forward.

But after taking just one step, he stopped in his tracks when he saw how dirty he was.

He stood there helplessly, his throat dry.

"I……"

He wanted to say, "I'm fine."

But he could only utter one word before his voice went hoarse.

Qin Kexin could no longer hold back and let out a suppressed sob.

She rushed over.

It wasn't a hug, it wasn't a question.

She simply grabbed his arm, her fingertips icy cold, yet her knuckles turned white from the force.

Her tears, like beads from a broken string, dripped onto his greasy arm.

"Where...where did you go...?"

Her voice was trembling uncontrollably, and every word was choked with sobs.

Why didn't you answer the phone...? I thought... I thought you...

She couldn't continue speaking; she just kept shaking her head, and her tears fell even harder.

Chen Ye's heart felt a mix of sourness, swelling, and pain.

He raised his other hand, wanting to wipe away her tears.

You can see your dirty hands covered in engine oil.

In the end, it froze in mid-air and clumsily retracted.

"I'm back now."

His voice was hoarse and gentle, a quality he himself was unaware of.

"Stop crying, your makeup is ruined."

This clumsy attempt at comfort only made her cry harder instead of stopping her.

She buried her head in his arms, her shoulders heaving violently.

It was as if she wanted to cry out all the fear and anxiety she had endured over the past few days.

Chen Ye stood there stiffly, letting her tears soak his sleeves.

The smell of engine oil on him mingled with the scent of her expensive perfume in the air.

I don't know how much time passed.

Qin Kexin's crying gradually subsided.

She looked up, her beautiful eyes red and swollen, like a rabbit that had suffered a great injustice.

She realized her lapse in composure and quickly let go of his hand.

He took two steps back and rubbed his face haphazardly with the back of his hand.

Seeing her tearful appearance, Chen Ye felt even worse.

He rummaged through his pockets for a long time, only to pull out a crumpled pack of cigarettes.

He sighed and put the cigarette back.

"Go, contact Li Zhe, Wang Hao, and An Ran, and tell them to come back for a meeting immediately."

He forcefully steered the conversation back to work, using a businesslike tone.

To cover up the uncontrolled emotions between the two.

Qin Kexin sniffed and nodded heavily.

She didn't ask another question, turned around and walked out quickly.

But his back view looked somewhat disheveled.

The office door closed.

Chen Ye let out a long breath.

He walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked at his reflection in the glass, a face that even he himself found repulsive.

He needs to clean up.

He walked out of the office, heading to the restroom.

I bumped into a figure right in front of me.

It's Liu Huan.

She wore a burgundy silk shirt today.

She wore a black high-waisted pencil skirt, which perfectly accentuated her stunning figure.

Her long hair was casually draped over her shoulders, and she wore a lazy yet charming smile.

When she saw Chen Ye's face, the smile on her face froze.

Then, he burst out laughing.

The laughter was crisp and clear, yet carried an undisguised teasing tone.

It was especially clear in the quiet corridor.

She crossed her arms, leaned against the wall, and looked him up and down with great interest.

"Yo."

"Our Attorney Chen, which coal mine did you come back from?"

Her teasing contained not a trace of disdain, but rather excitement.

"How was it? How was your experience of life?"

Looking at her, Chen Ye felt a strange sense of relief.

"It's alright, but the food and accommodation are a bit lacking."

He shrugged. "Mr. Liu, would you be interested in investing in improving the food standards for our undercover agents?"

Liu Huan was so amused by him that she bent over laughing, her chest heaving.

"Okay."

She stepped forward and reached out her slender fingers to touch the oil stains on his face.

But then it stopped in mid-air and curled its lip in disgust.

"Once you win the lawsuit, I'll personally sponsor you to eat at a Michelin three-star restaurant for a month."

After she finished speaking, she changed the subject.

"Did you get the item?"

Chen Ye nodded.

Liu Huan's smile faded, replaced by a more serious expression.

"I just received a message from Zhang Ruifeng."

They've already started using their connections to try and suppress this case.

"Every step you take from here on out will be difficult."

After she finished speaking, she resumed her alluring demeanor and winked at him.

"However, I enjoy watching you take the difficult path."

After saying that, she walked away gracefully, swaying her hips in her high heels.

Chen Ye watched her retreating figure and shook his head helplessly.

This woman is such a little vixen.

It took him more than half an hour in the bathroom to barely get himself clean.

Back in the office, he changed into a spare suit that Qin Kexin had placed on the sofa at some point.

He sat in the boss's chair, lit a cigarette, and waited quietly.

Nearly an hour and a half later.

There was a knock on the office door.

"Enter."

The door was pushed open.

Qin Kexin walked in, her eyes still a little red and swollen.

But she had already touched up her makeup and regained her professional and capable appearance.

Behind her were Li Zhe, Wang Hao, and An Ran, who also seemed to be in a hurry.

All members of the Public Interest Legal Aid Department were present.

All eyes were on Chen Ye.

His face was filled with shock, worry, and a resolute determination to go to the battlefield.

Chen Ye stubbed out his cigarette from his clothes.

He took out the ledgers that were wrapped tightly in plastic bags.

He gently placed the ledger in the center of the conference table.