*Chapter 37: The Spark*
Back at Zhao Liang's office, Shen Wei couldn't stop grinning.
"Don't tell me you've fallen for Li Xue's friend," Han Qiang teased, leaning against the polished desk.
"She's not like the others," Shen Wei admitted. "She doesn't bend. Doesn't chase wealth. She's… steady."
Han Qiang raised a brow. "Steady is not your type. You'll get bored."
But Shen Wei's smirk deepened. "We'll see."
Meanwhile, Mei Yan returned home to a stack of papers. Her job at the legal firm was relentless, but she thrived in the challenge. She was different from Li Xue — her battles were fought with contracts of her own, but on equal ground.
When Li Xue called that night, her voice was weak. "He reminded me of the penalties again, Mei Yan. I feel like I can't breathe."
Mei Yan's voice sharpened with quiet resolve. "Contracts can bind, yes. But they can also break. Don't forget that."
For the first time, Li Xue clung to that hope.