Her, and Her

(Weibo: Han Qijiu) This story is a slow burn. It gets interesting after the first case, so please be patient and keep reading. Blurb: Ruthless, sharp-tongued, calculating, and chaste lawyer Cheng Yufan vs. aloof on the outside, fiery and proud entertainment industry darling Shi Ye Cheng Yufan returned to Haicheng a year ago to practice law. She takes cases regardless of difficulty, but refuses to handle sexual assault cases. Shi Ye's mother was once an award-winning actress. The first unfair contract of Shi Ye's life was signed on her behalf by her mother: a ten-year contract. They crossed paths once as teenagers. Not too long, not too short: one summer vacation. Back then, Cheng Yufan was bright and cheerful, a radiant girl like a gift from the sun. Shi Ye admired and longed for her, daring only to reach out toward her shadow. Until one day, Shi Ye sat on a reef and asked her, "How can I change this broken life?" Cheng Yufan gave her a kazoo and said, "When you're strong enough." Later, they parted without saying goodbye, crossed oceans, and went their separate ways. At night, Shi Ye dreamed of her, tossing and turning. She took the kazoo from its brocade box and murmured to herself: Cheng Yufan, where are you? Are you all right? Much later, they met again. Their eyes met. Cheng Yufan was distant and unfamiliar, remembering nothing of that summer, the kazoo, or the days they had shared. Shi Ye: "Didn't you say that once I was strong enough, I could change my life?" Cheng Yufan: "Did I? I was just being young and reckless." [Scene One] In the long darkness of night, Shi Ye jolted awake once again from a dream, drenched in sweat. The vast floor-to-ceiling windows framed the woman's pale, bare back. Out of habit, she lit a cigarette. Its crimson flame flickered between her fingers. Gradually, the tide receded, leaving an overwhelming emptiness pressing in on her. "I dreamed about her again." "Who?" "Cheng Yufan." "Were you two...?" Shi Ye said nothing, then hung up. She thought of her, dreamed of her, and finally admitted she loved her. She had a rose garden ablaze, and she would have to nourish it with her own heart's blood. [Scene Two] Side couple: a single doctor who wants romance but never says "love" vs. a black-clad, straight-haired policewoman who has forgotten how to love Ruan Youjia x Ji Bai Ruan Youjia: "Don't you feel anything?" Ji Bai, expressionless: "No." Ruan Youjia: "Then what was last night about?" Ji Bai: "A misunderstanding." Ruan Youjia: "You son of a xxxx!!" No romance, just crime-solving? I'll win you over sooner or later! Reader's Guide: 1. Original characters, one-on-one romance, happy ending. 2. The author is not a lawyer, doctor, or police officer. All professional knowledge comes from the internet. I'll do my best to be accurate, but please don't scrutinize the details too closely. 3. Normal discussion is welcome. Don't attribute the characters' values to the author or engage in personal attacks. 4. If you don't like it, feel free to stop reading without telling me. Thank you. Theme: Girls, don't be afraid of society's expectations.