klisemfg Chapter 935 is well drawn.
Chapter 935 is well drawn.
The morning light filtering through the gauze curtains on the first floor of the Jinjiangwan Villa casts dappled shadows on Jiang Shuo's desk.
The bright light focused on the laptop screen, outlining Jiang Shuo's youthful profile with a calmness beyond his years.
He wore a clean white shirt with a simple bow tie, and his eyes and brows showed a maturity beyond his years.
His fingertips hovered over the touchpad, his gaze falling on the "Gu Qinming" profile picture on the WeChat interface, and he pressed the video invitation button.
The notification sounds coming from the computer speakers were crisp and pleasant, yet they seemed to be tapping in an empty room, each sound exceptionally clear.
Jiang Shuo stared at the countdown timer on the screen until the numbers reached the end, at which point the interface displayed a "Not Connected" message.
A hint of impatience flashed across his brow as he reached for his phone on the table, his fingertips swiping through the contacts.
Just as I was about to dial the office phone number of Gu Qinming's firm, the screen suddenly lit up—it was a WeChat video call-back request from Dou Jinde.
Jiang Shuo pressed the answer button almost immediately. On the other end of the screen, Dou Jinde had his feet casually propped up on the edge of the desk.
The chair back was tilted back, and the whole person was in a relaxed, semi-reclining position, which was very comfortable.
He was holding a bone china coffee cup in his left hand, with a bit of milk foam on the rim. Seeing the video call connect...
A cynical smile played on his lips, his voice tinged with mockery:
"Young Master, is there some urgent instruction you need from Boss Gu at this time?"
Jiang Shuo had no interest in exchanging pleasantries. His tone turned serious, carrying a gravity beyond his years: "Uncle Gu is busy?"
"Hmm." Dou Jinde raised an eyebrow, shifted his posture, sat up straight, and took a small sip of coffee.
He casually placed his coffee cup on the coaster on the corner of the table. "I'm the only one left to guard the place right now."
"Boss Gu is with Lao Guo in a neighboring country investigating that commercial fraud case. They won't be able to return home for at least another week."
He spoke clearly and logically, and it was obvious that he was very certain about the return date of his trip.
Jiang Shuo nodded and got to the point: "Then I'll trouble Uncle Dou to make a trip to Nancheng Prison."
In the previous prison virus infection incident, a guard named Zhou Li was suspected of violating the law and committing crimes;
After the case was concluded, he was detained in Nancheng Prison—the one where he previously worked.
He paused, then slowed his speech slightly, "He has a daughter named Zhou Xue. Previously, because Zhou Li didn't take good care of her..."
Zhou Xue had a persistent high fever that damaged her eyes. My dad and I rescued her from Elrobuk and brought her back to G City.
She is currently under the guardianship of Grandpa Guo's welfare home, and she keeps saying she wants to see her father.
We have now returned to Kunming and are temporarily staying at the Jinjiangwan Villa.
Please liaise with the prison administration to process the visitation approval procedures and arrange a family visit as soon as possible.
Dou Jinde's joking expression faded slightly as he looked at Jiang Shuo on the screen.
His eyes held a newfound curiosity and decisiveness: "This is a simple matter; I'll take care of it immediately."
He abruptly changed the subject, his gaze lingering for a moment on Jiang Shuo's tense profile, before he said in a light and humorous tone:
"However... Young Master doesn't seem to be in the right mood today. He's usually like a little fox, but why does he seem so unenthusiastic today?"
Who was it that made our young master unhappy?
Tell me about it, maybe Uncle Dou can give you some advice on how to get rid of him.
Jiang Shuo lowered his eyelids slightly, avoiding his gaze, his fingertips unconsciously picking at the edge of his phone case: "It's nothing."
He shook his head, his tone urging without room for argument, "Uncle Dou, go take care of your business first. I'll wait for your news."
"Alright then." Seeing that he hadn't managed to make the young master laugh, Dou Jinde didn't press the matter further.
He reverted to his usual nonchalant demeanor, tapped his fingers on the table, and adopted a different approach:
"But let me make this clear first, this errand-running work can't be done for free. What benefits will I get after it's done?"
"What do you want?" Jiang Shuo raised his eyes, his tone calm, unchanged from his usual open-mindedness and decisiveness.
“Simple.” Dou Jinde counted on his fingers, “Come with me to that newly opened art exhibition, let’s do some sightseeing.”
Then we'll have a Western meal at the Cloud Hotel—we'll have to get the top-floor viewing spot.
Also, I need to find an excuse to open that bottle of '82 Lafite that I've been saving..."
"Whatever you say." Jiang Shuo interrupted him before he could finish, his tone revealing obvious impatience. "As long as things are done properly, I will meet all your requests."
Before Dou Jinde could even respond, he immediately pressed the hang-up button.
The screen went dark instantly, revealing his furrowed brows and tightly pursed lips.
In the law firm, Dou Jinde, slumped in his office chair, stared at the screen that had suddenly gone black.
He was taken aback at first, then chuckled softly, a laugh tinged with understanding.
He raised his hand and touched the side of his nose while looking at the black screen, his tone flippant yet carrying a hint of certainty:
"Tsk tsk, it seems the little guy has really run into something unpleasant; otherwise, why would he be so impatient?"
Don't tell me I never get the better of them; they're usually so clever, they can twist the issue eighteen times over, and they won't stop until they've completely exposed me.
He stood up from the chair with swift movements, his previous languor completely gone.
As I passed the sofa, I casually grabbed the suit jacket draped over it, shook it out, and put it over my shoulders.
As he buttoned his shirt, he walked towards the door, muttering to himself:
"Alright, what can I do? I'm the one who's making a living off them. Let's get down to business first."
When I have some free time later, I'll figure out what exactly went wrong with this little guy.
The glass door of the office slowly closed behind him, shutting out the chaos inside.
As the sun rose higher, sunlight streamed through the glass curtain wall, casting dappled patterns of light on his tall, straight back.
Dou Jinde strode towards the parking space, his leather shoes making a steady sound as they stepped on the concrete ground of the parking lot.
He lowered his head slightly and took out a cigarette case from the inside pocket of his suit jacket; the metal casing gleamed coldly under the light.
He took out a cigarette and put it in his mouth. The lighter clicked and ignited a pale blue flame. The moment the tobacco was lit, a thin wisp of smoke rose.
He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, a complete smoke ring slowly spreading and dissipating in the air.
After completing this series of actions, he opened the car door, and the black leather seats exuded understated luxury in the shadows.
The moment he sat in the driver's seat, he casually pressed the window button, and the window slowly rolled down, the movement swift and decisive.
The key was inserted into the lock, and with a gentle turn, the engine immediately emitted a deep roar.
Dou Jinde shifted gears, released the handbrake, and the steering wheel turned deftly in his hands.
The car smoothly drove out of the parking space, the tires making a slight sound as they rubbed against the ground.
As he merged into the main road, he lightly pressed the accelerator, and the car gradually increased its speed.
The black sedan, like a flowing shadow, blended into the endless stream of cars ahead.
The scenery outside the window flashed by, but he kept his eyes fixed ahead, flicking ash from his cigarette out the window with his left hand.
His eyes were sharp and focused, as if the bustling traffic was just an ordinary scene he was about to cross.
Soon, the car gradually disappeared into the flow of traffic, eventually vanishing at the end of the crisscrossing streets.
Only exhaust fumes lingered briefly in the air before being swept away by the wind and dispersed into the city's hustle and bustle.
After Jiang Shuo finished the task Mu Xiaoji had given him, he walked briskly to Zhou Xue's bedroom door.
The door was ajar, and you could see the warm light shining through and hear the soft scratching of a pen on paper.
He stopped and gently knocked on the door. "Come in," Zhou Xue's voice came through with a smile.
Jiang Shuo pushed open the door and saw Zhou Xue sitting at the desk by the window.
With her back to him, she held colored pencils in her hand and was intently drawing something.
Hearing the noise, she turned her head sharply, her smile as bright as a newly blossoming sunflower.
Dazzlingly bright: "Hey? Jiang Shuo, come in quickly, what are you doing standing at the door?"
Her eyes were sparkling, clearly in a great mood, and she spoke in a light tone, unable to hide her anticipation.
Jiang Shuo walked to her side, his gaze falling on the drawing. It was an uncolored family portrait.
The painting depicts the mother, Xue Lian's, gentle and sunny smile, and the father's serious and stern face.
He had a憨厚 (honest and simple) look on his face, and was holding Zhou Xue, who had pigtails.
Zhou Xue was holding a doll in her arms, her head turned to the side, looking very stubborn, with tears of defiance in her eyes.
The mother, standing to the side, held two strings of candied hawthorns in her hand, her smile revealing a motherly tenderness, as if she were gently coaxing the unhappy Zhou Xue.
"Well done," Jiang Shuo praised generously, though his tone still carried a touch of mature composure.
"Xiaoxue, I have contacted lawyer Dou Jinde, and he has already started to process the relevant family visit procedures. You will be able to see your father soon."
"Really?!" Zhou Xue suddenly stood up, the chair legs scraping softly on the floor.
She excitedly grasped Jiang Shuo's hands, her palms slightly warm from the pressure.
"That's great! Thank you, Jiang Shuo! I... I don't know what to say. What should I say to my dad when I see him?"
Her eyes were glistening with tears, and she was both crying and laughing, like a child who had received candy.
Jiang Shuo looked at her, and the lingering gloom in his heart from yesterday's events dissipated somewhat.
He gently patted the back of her hand, his tone as soft as possible: "Say whatever you want to say, no need to prepare anything."
Uncle Zhou hasn't seen you in so long, he must be just as excited as you are, maybe even more so than you.
He paused, looking at the happy family of three on the drawing, and added:
"But I think he must be most gratified to see that you are doing well now, eating and sleeping well, and still able to paint such beautiful pictures."
Zhou Xue nodded heavily, wiped away her tears forcefully, and then smiled again:
"Yes! You're right! I'm going to tell Dad that I'm doing well at the Red Star Welfare Home."
Grandpa Guo, Uncle Mu, and you were all so kind to me, and Shengxue was so cute too…”
She kept talking, listing out what she wanted to say to her father one by one, her eyes shining brighter and brighter.
Jiang Shuo listened quietly, nodding occasionally, the corners of his mouth unconsciously curving upwards.
The sunlight streamed through the window, falling warmly on the drawing paper and on the two children.
The colored pencils on the desk were scattered like starlight, filling the whole room with a sense of hope.