Chapter 210: 118. Do women like soft or hard? (2 more 1)
"Huo Danru?" Xiang Yuan was also somewhat surprised, "Huo Danru is just a marriage counseling expert, but my son is looking for a famous psychologist."
"That’s what you don’t know."
Xiang Jingsheng looked up and glanced at his son, "Huo Danru later transitioned to a marriage counseling expert, but she was originally a famous psychologist and a permanent member of the Psychologists Association. During her college days in the psychology department, she was a schoolmate of Du Songlin, and even though she was his junior, she often left Du Songlin speechless with her questions."
The situation between Huo Danru and Tang Mingyi back then is actually similar to the situation between Tang Yanxi and An Cheng today. Among her peers, especially among the female students, Huo Danru was unparalleled in debate; at the time, Tang Mingyi was a rising star in the legal field. Huo Danru could argue tirelessly against everyone except Tang Mingyi.
So Huo Danru was deeply impressed by Tang Mingyi...
However, two people who are equally eloquent may not make the best couple. Even the smallest squabbles can turn into three-day arguments with neither yielding. Moreover, both were young, barely over twenty, when they were matched by their families. That three-year marriage was akin to a courtroom debate played out daily.
Eventually, Tang Mingyi grew weary. After another intense argument, upon discovering his eldest son Tang Yanxi hiding behind the curtains witnessing everything... Tang Mingyi resolutely decided to divorce.
.
"So that’s how it is, that’s great," Xiang Yuan couldn’t contain his excitement.
From the first time going to marital counseling with Shi Nian, he already felt very unusual about this counselor. If she could be brought into the case, there might be more opportunities to interact with Shi Nian, which was a win-win for him, both personally and professionally, so he was all too willing to try.
"Just..." Xiang Yuan couldn’t help but hesitate slightly, "Huo Danru is at least Uncle Tang’s ex-wife, and she might have connections with Du Songlin privately. If she knew this case has An Cheng as the prosecutor, would she be willing to help us as an expert witness for the defense?"
"She is a person of strong principles. For her, the most important thing is whether she is interested in the case and whether she thinks it’s worth her effort."
Xiang Jingsheng finished his meal and pushed the empty rice bowl aside, not a single grain remained; the pair of chopsticks were neatly placed on the bowl’s edge.
Perhaps due to years of financial work, Xiang Jingsheng maintained a rigorous attitude toward both work and life, even the act of arranging bowls and chopsticks after meals was done meticulously for years.
He looked at Xiang Yuan, "So what you should consider now is how to pique his interest in the case and convince her to participate, rather than worrying she might refuse due to private reasons before you’ve even tried anything."
Guo Zhengmei chimed in with her husband, telling their son, "Your father is right. Try it and see whether it works."
.
After dinner, Xiang Jingsheng, as always, went into the study, this time calling his son in too.
Guo Zhengmei went on to watch her soap operas—those where mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law quarrel for no reason. She watched while discussing with Third Granny, likening the daughter-in-law in the drama to Shi Nian at every turn.
Xiang Yuan really couldn’t stand it anymore and hurried into his father’s study, closing the door tightly.
Xiang Jingsheng, usually very disciplined, never touched a cigarette during the day, but at this time every night, he would indulge in a cigar to relax.
Xiang Jingsheng stood by the window, leisurely smoking a cigar, watching his son’s expression quietly. Knowing his son couldn’t stand Guo Zhengmei’s indirect insults, he said, "Your mother is just too idle. Freshly retired and unable to sit still at home, with no other hobbies and no grandchildren around, she spends all day thinking about the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law quarrels."
"You should forgive your mother, but also don’t worry, I will never be influenced by her. For this matter, Dad will always stand by your side. Shi Nian is a good kid, she is a good daughter-in-law for our Xiang family. I will not only take good care of her but also help you take good care of her mother."
Xiang Yuan gazed at his father, exhaling a long breath.
"Dad, thank you for always supporting me on this issue. Otherwise, facing Mom alone, I would really feel troubled."
Xiang Jingsheng gazed at his son, "A man should know what kind of woman he wants; a man also has the right to choose his lifelong partner. This right is something even one’s own parents have no right to interfere with. Xiang Yuan, Dad believes in your judgment and always believes you truly love Shi Nian."
Xiang Yuan suddenly felt choked and bowed his head, "But Dad, I’ve nearly lost her. Dad, I know it’s all my fault. I can’t control myself from seeing Rosa... Dad, what should I do?"
Xiang Jingsheng narrowed his eyes, watching the cigar smoke gather in the air, then dissipate, forming a mysterious, ethereal figure.
"Did you ever speak such heartfelt words to Shi Nian and Huo Danru during marital counseling?"
Xiang Yuan was startled, "Dad? Huo Danru is just a marital counselor, how could I say such words to her?"
Xiang Jingsheng snorted, "You think Huo Danru couldn’t see through it? Let me tell you, after your first day there, Huo Danru called to tell me she couldn’t help with your case and she apologized. She said it wasn’t that she wasn’t willing to help; it was you who were unwilling to open up to her."
Xiang Yuan was quite embarrassed. No wonder he skipped the next appointment and Huo Danru didn’t even bother calling to ask.
Xiang Jingsheng finished the cigar, placing the cigar stub on the crystal ashtray. A long streak of white ash fell from the stub, gently landing on the ashtray like light snow, soft and loose, resembling a pinch of incense ash.
Xiang Jingsheng calmly looked at his son, "That’s your fault then. You see, the purpose of marital counseling is to save the marriage, and this is your last chance to keep Shi Nian. But if you can’t open up, it will make Huo Danru doubt your sincerity."
"In the same way, if you really want to keep Shi Nian, you must let go of the strong-willed attitude and confrontational way of speaking you have developed as a lawyer over the years. You also need to open up, so Shi Nian can see your true heart and understand your sincerity."
His father’s words pierced Xiang Yuan like steel needles, accustomed as he was to hiding behind a perfect mask.
He took a deep breath, "But Dad... maybe I am really very cowardly, so cowardly that I don’t dare to show anyone the flaws and imperfections beneath my perfect mask."
"Even if I try hard to do well, Shi Nian still wants to leave me... if she found out all my imperfections, she would only leave more resolutely."
"You really don’t understand women!"
Xiang Jingsheng frowned and interrupted his son, "On the contrary, only when you learn to yield, can you make a woman’s heart soften as well."
Xiang Yuan bowed his head in thought, after a while, he looked up again with a broad smile.
"Thank you. I’ll call Huo Danru now!"
.
With the arrests of Jack and Mark, the Kangchuan University case had to come to an end; and Shi Nian’s identity was no longer a secret, so she decided to return to the company to work. She would only return to Kangchuan University when there were classes, while continuing to stay at the university in the evenings.
Upon making the decision, she specifically invited Zhong Kui and Marina together to reveal her identity.
Initially feeling apologetic for the lie, Shi Nian was relieved to see that Marina and Zhong Kui had little reaction.
Marina only rolled her eyes, "Your identity doesn’t really matter to us. Just don’t include my privacy in your articles for profit in the future."
Zhong Kui merely smiled, "Your identity as an exchange student already differentiated you from us, so being a journalist as well doesn’t really matter, right? As Marina said, if you came for the case and won’t secretly write about us, your profession doesn’t affect us."
Zhong Kui glanced at Marina, "Moreover, we’ve seen everything you’ve done for us in room 507. Don’t worry, we won’t hold it against you."
Marina shrugged, "If it weren’t for you exposing Jack, I might have ended up like Queen S. So, regarding your identity, do what you think is best. If you don’t want people outside of 507 to know, Zhong Kui and I promise to keep it a secret."
Shi Nian smiled gratefully. She hadn’t expected her final supporters to be Queen S’s former companions.
Shi Nian quietly let out a sigh, "In the end, it’s just the three of us left in room 507..."
The door clicked gently; a voice interjected, "Who said it’s just the three of you? What do you take me for, a pet?"
Turning around, they saw Tang Yanqing lounging against the doorframe, smiling with raised eyebrows.
－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－
[The second update will follow shortly]