Chapter 37 – No Flesh on His Feet

With Yan Ankuo’s reassurance, Bian Ji truly took it easy, focusing solely on recuperating and eating, with no additional worries for several consecutive days, apart from cooperating with the case investigation.

As someone who had direct contact with Wu Hongying and Yuan Dong and was also a direct victim, Yan Ankuo could provide plenty of leads. Therefore, besides assisting with the investigation, he specifically sought out Wen Hongyu to consult him about the legal proceedings in such cases.

They met at a beverage shop near the university entrance, a place frequented by their old classmates. Wen Hongyu first inquired about his injuries and then teased him, “You’re quite a rarity! I wouldn’t see you if you didn’t need something from me!”

“Nonsense,” Yan Ankuo retorted, “I often come here for business; every time I look for you, you’re never around. Don’t try to pin this on me.”

Wen Hongyu returned to the topic at hand, “Hold on, let me summarize your situation — “

“The current suspicion is that Yuan Dong, the defendant in the divorce case in Yunnan, intentionally drove his car to hit you out of revenge. Surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts have been confirmed, and the police are tracking down the suspect’s whereabouts, right?”

It was a concise summary, and Yan Ankuo nodded in agreement.

“Your case has clear facts with no real disputes. If the suspect’s intent was malicious, it would amount to attempted murder. Even if treated leniently, it would still be intentional assault.” Wen Hongyu, with the intention of saving his old classmate money, said, “You don’t need to hire me for this. My rates have gone up; even with a discount, it wouldn’t be cheap.”

Yan Ankuo didn’t raise an eyebrow, “I trust you with my money.”

Wen Hongyu, with years of experience in criminal defense, analyzed the situation as fairly as possible, “In criminal cases, the prosecution is handled by the prosecutor’s office. The evidence in your case is quite clear, and there’s no need for you to worry. Besides, you studied criminal procedure law in college; you can certainly handle it yourself.”

“It’s different,” Yan Ankuo shook his head, pointing to his cup, “As you said, even with clear facts, the assessment of the suspect’s malicious intent will affect sentencing. If I were the only one injured, I’d just review the documents and file a civil compensation claim. But this time, others were hurt because of me.”

As he spoke, he gestured toward another cup on the table, “I need a professional to help me scrutinize technical identification materials, integrate evidence from both cases involving Yuan Dong, provide opinions on sentencing, and even cross-examine in court. You’re the best person for these tasks.”

After listening silently for a long time, Wen Hongyu smacked his lips and said, “The way you’re handling this… seems like you have a significant grudge against this guy surnamed Yuan.”

Yan Ankuo lowered his eyes, “Just tell me if you’ll take the case or not.”

“I’ll take it, why pass up the money?” Wen Hongyu extended his hand for a handshake, “I’ll get the retainer signed later, thanks Boss Yan.”

Yan Ankuo ignored him, slapped his hand away, and stood up to leave.

“Where are you going? Why not grab a meal together? Professor Lin is teaching nearby,” Wen Hongyu, still not fully aware of the situation, suggested they catch up.

Yan Ankuo declined, “No, I’m going to the hospital.”

“Why are you going to the hospital?” Wen Hongyu asked, then realized when he saw the meal box in his hand, “Oh, to visit your injured friend?”

Yan Ankuo nodded.

Wen Hongyu felt something was amiss but couldn’t pinpoint it, and he clicked his tongue, “You bring meals every day?”

Yan Ankuo didn’t answer, which was as good as an affirmative.

“You two have a rather close relationship,” Wen Hongyu commented.

Bian Ji was staying at a traditional Chinese medicine hospital, where they had their own set of herbal medicines for treating injuries. The medications were delivered by nurses and required warm water for soaking.

Yan Ankuo prepared the infusion for him, poured it into a bowl, and brought a spoon to Bian Ji’s mouth, “It’s not hot, but it might be a bit bitter. Drink slowly.”

Bian Ji was startled by his actions and made a move to take back the spoon, “I can do it myself; my hands aren’t injured.”

It was someone else who had the injured arm; there was no reason for the patient to be fed medication.

“Mr. Bian,” Yan Ankuo put down the bowl and spoon, his expression serious, “It seems you’ve never pursued someone before.”

Bian Ji honestly nodded and asked him, “What’s wrong? Do you think I’m doing a bad job?”

Yan Ankuo shook his head with a smile, “If I were you, I’d pretend to be helpless and force someone else to feed me medicine.”

Bian Ji asked, “Like when you were sick last time?”

This was originally just a joke, but unexpectedly, Yan Ankuo followed up, “Yes.”

“Yes?” Bian Ji became interested, sitting straighter and raising his eyebrows to tease, “What does ‘yes’ mean? I don’t understand, Attorney Yan?”

Yan Ankuo lowered his head to pick up the bowl again, scooped a spoonful, and remained silent, “Open your mouth.”

“Tsk.” Bian Ji expressed dissatisfaction with his avoidance of the question but also felt emboldened by Yan Ankuo’s tacit approval, “Well, unfortunately, it’s just a flesh wound; it’ll heal in a week. I can’t play the weak card.”

“Who curses themselves to get injured?”

“True. Then I’ll spit twice.”

Yan Ankuo was amused, nearly unable to hold the bowl steady. After feeding him the medicine, he raised his chin, saying, “Roll up your pant leg.” Bian Ji: “?”

Yan Ankuo waved a tube of ointment in his hand, “I’ll apply some medicine so you don’t end up with scars later.”

“I really don’t need this; I can apply it myself,” Bian Ji tried to stand up.

Yan Ankuo’s face turned cold, half-serious and half-teasing, “Do I have to teach you how to pursue someone?”

Bian Ji obediently sat back down, “No, you’re doing too much. It makes me feel like I’m morally coercing you!”

Yan Ankuo impatiently gave orders, “If you don’t roll it up, I’ll do it for you.”

“Okay, okay, I’ll do it myself.” Bian Ji slowly pulled up his trouser leg, revealing the stitched injury.

The wound had already formed a scab, healing well; once the stitches were removed, he could be discharged.

Yan Ankuo frowned tightly, feeling both heartache and self-reproach. He dipped a cotton swab in some medicine and gently applied it to the affected area. His technique was professional, indicating he had handled wounds many times before.

Yan Ankuo’s expression was remarkably focused, yet due to the high temperature of his palm and its proximity to the calf, Bian Ji couldn’t help but indulge in some inappropriate thoughts. Suddenly, Yan Ankuo looked up, catching the patient with less-than-pure thoughts in his head, “Is my hand cold?”

“Huh? No.” Bian Ji jumped, thinking he was being called out, blurting out, “Warm.”

Yan Ankuo joked, “Of course, I intentionally warmed it up.”

There was no such thing as bragging like that, and Bian Ji laughed, “Attorney Yan!”

Yan Ankuo continued applying the medicine, then helped him lower his trouser leg after the medicine was absorbed, inevitably touching his skin. Bian Ji instinctively pulled his leg back, but Yan Ankuo grabbed his ankle.

“Where are you running off to,” Yan Ankuo said casually, as if discussing a leaf fallen outside the door, “There’s no flesh on your feet.”

Bian Ji felt that Yan Ankuo was simply commenting on his skin, but his thoughts weren’t exactly innocent, so he always felt that Yan Ankuo’s gaze toward him was somewhat unclear.