Chapter 286: MEETING AN OLD FLAME AFTER TEN YEARS

Before Guiying could respond, another voice drifted in from outside. "If you keep him in there any longer, we’ll have to start tomorrow’s fitting instead."

Shao Mingye leaned casually against the doorway, his camera hanging from one shoulder. "I still need to test the lighting."

Wenxi glanced at the time. "You’re early."

"I finished the backdrop ahead of schedule." His gaze settled briefly on Guiying before shifting to the outfit hanging beside him. "The ivory one?"

Wenxi nodded. "I changed the opening."

Shao considered the decision for a few seconds before giving a small nod of approval. "...Good choice." He looked at Guiying. "The jacket moves differently when you walk. The cameras will pick that up before they notice the embroidery."

Guiying lowered his eyes to the garment in Wenxi’s hands. For some reason, its weight felt different now. It was no longer just another fitting. It was the first step onto the biggest stage TongShu had prepared since opening its doors.

————

Yanchen adjusted his collar in the hallway mirror, checking the time on his watch.

A week had passed since the verdict.

Shen Zihao had been sentenced to death. His parents, the hospital director, and every officer who had accepted bribes to look the other way would spend the rest of their lives behind bars. Justice had finally caught up with them.

Even so, Ren Hao remained unconscious.

The doctors had done everything they could. His injuries had stabilized days ago, leaving only one hurdle no amount of medicine could overcome. Whether he woke up now depended entirely on him.

Bai Feng walked over, reaching for the loose end of Yanchen’s tie. "Remember we’re having dinner with my parents tonight." He straightened the knot before smoothing the collar beneath it. "Don’t let work delay you."

"I won’t." Yanchen’s gaze lingered on Bai Feng’s reflection in the mirror. "...Although I was hoping for a goodbye hug."

Bai Feng ignored him and continued adjusting the tie.

"And a kiss."

His hands paused. After several quiet seconds, Bai Feng finally raised his eyes. "You’re nearly forty."

A laugh escaped Yanchen before he could stop it. For someone who rarely joked, Bai Feng had become surprisingly fond of reminding him of his age whenever he asked for anything remotely affectionate.

"I didn’t realize there was an age limit."

"There should be."

Yanchen smiled helplessly. "That’s unfortunate."

He picked up his coat from the rack, slipping it over his shoulders before patting his pockets to make sure he hadn’t forgotten anything. His phone, wallet, and keys were all there.

"I’ll leave the hospital as soon as I’m done."

"Mm."

"And if I end up running late—"

"I’ll call you."

Yanchen nodded, satisfied. "Good."

He rested his hand on the doorknob. Before he could turn it, Bai Feng quietly caught hold of his sleeve.

Yanchen looked back.

Without saying a word, Bai Feng stepped closer, reaching up to straighten a collar that no longer needed straightening. Yanchen didn’t move. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He already knew what excuse Bai Feng was looking for.

Sure enough, once he was apparently satisfied with the perfectly straight collar, Bai Feng leaned forward. A fleeting kiss brushed against Yanchen’s lips. By the time Yanchen recovered, Bai Feng had already stepped back.

"You can go now."

Yanchen looked at him for several long seconds before chuckling softly. "I suddenly don’t feel like going to work."

"Unfortunately, I do."

Yanchen shook his head with a smile, finally opening the door. "I’ll see you tonight."

The apartment fell quiet after he left. Bai Feng stood where he was for a moment before turning toward the kitchen. He had barely taken two steps when his phone rang. His brows knit together at the unfamiliar number. After a brief pause, he answered.

"Hello?"

The voice on the other end spoke only one sentence. Bai Feng’s calm expression disappeared almost instantly.

"...I’m on my way."

The morning traffic was lighter than usual.

Bai Feng pulled into the underground parking garage beneath Feng & Partners before taking the private elevator to the lobby.

By the time he stepped outside, the city had already settled into the familiar rhythm of another working day.

Employees carrying briefcases hurried past one another, cups of coffee in hand, while clients entered and left the neighboring office buildings without a second glance.

Bai Feng adjusted the cuff of his suit as he made his way toward the entrance.

"Mr. Bai."

The receptionist standing inside immediately greeted him, bowing politely as she held the glass door open.

He acknowledged her with a slight nod.

Just then—

Someone stepped out of the taxi parked beside the curb.

The driver opened the trunk, lifted out a dark suitcase, and handed it to the passenger.

"Thank you."

The man’s voice was gentle. He accepted the suitcase, adjusted the strap of the leather satchel resting on his shoulder, and turned toward the building.

His footsteps came to an abrupt stop.

Bai Feng had already reached the entrance.

For reasons he couldn’t explain, he looked back.

Their eyes met. The bustling street seemed to fade into the background.

Neither of them spoke.

The years between them...

Suddenly felt much shorter than ten. Uncertainty flickered across the man’s face before it slowly gave way to quiet disbelief.

"...Bai Feng?"

Bai Feng remained where he was. His usually indifferent gaze rested on the familiar face before him.

Time had left its traces. The youthful features he remembered had become calmer, more mature, while the warmth in those eyes remained exactly as they had been a decade ago.

"...Yun Shen?"

His gaze lingered on Bai Feng for a brief moment before dropping to the plaque beside the entrance.

Feng & Partners Law Firm.

"So this is where you’ve been."

Bai Feng nodded. If Yun Chen had shown up at his law firm after 10 years of separation, then he must need something from him.

"Do you need legal advice? If not, then you’re at the wrong address."

Yun Shen smiled helplessly.

"My friend insisted this was the best law firm in the city."

He glanced back at Bai Feng. "I didn’t expect I’d find someone I knew standing outside."