Burning Desire (1V1H) - Episode 10: Lawyer Ji

Episode 10: Lawyer Ji 

Shen Yue woke. She was startled by her own overheated breathing. 

Emerging from that dream, she felt drenched. It was as if she was pulled from water. Her lashes were trembling. Her fingertips quivered. She curled up in bed. She was too shaken to move. 

The dream was too real—Huo Cheng’s breath still clung to her collarbone. His hand was rested on her inner thigh. His voice was low, suggestive. It wrapped around her like vines. 

“Why would I have that kind of dream… Am I insane?”

She rolled over. She buried her face in the blanket. She felt like she was burning up. Was that photo’s impact so strong that her thoughts by day turned into dreams by night? 

She lay limp for several minutes. She then gritted her teeth, flung off the blanket, and stepped barefoot onto the cold wooden floor. 

No more thinking about it. She forced herself to shift focus. She immediately searched online for recent court hearings. Tying her hair in a ponytail, she headed out. 

Dawn broke. The city lazily woke. She squeezed into the subway. The carriage still carried the morning’s lingering mist. 

She sat in a corner. She was clutching her notebook. Her gaze drifted to the high-rises and passersby outside the window. Yet, her mind couldn’t stop replaying Huo Cheng’s last message: 

‘Or do you want to see something else?’

Shen Yue clenched her teeth. She slammed her notebook shut. As if shaking off his shadow. 

* 

The courtroom’s public gallery was small. It had a few early arrivals already seated. She chose an inconspicuous corner. Her notebook was open on her lap, pen in hand. But she couldn’t settle down. 

Shen Yue focused on reviewing court information until whispers nearby caught her ear: 

“Today’s that J University top student senior in court…” 

She froze. She instinctively looked toward the courtroom entrance. 

The door swung open. And a tall, lean figure stepped in. His pace was steady. His suit was sharply tailored. His presence wasn’t aggressively commanding like most lawyers. It carried a quiet, piercing intensity. It was like water flowing deep. Silent yet undeniable. 

Shen Yue didn’t react at first. But when his face came into view, her heart jolted—Ji Huayu? 

He was a legend at J University’s law school. He topped every core course. He delivered the commencement speech as the youngest exemplary graduate. And he was even interviewed by the media a few times. His entrance tightened the courtroom’s air, pausing it for a beat. Several gazes instinctively followed him. 

Shen Yue lifted her head too. 

He stood in court. His aura was steady, eyes sharp. As he spoke, her pen stopped moving. 

His speech was measured. His words were incisive yet grounded. His tone was calm but carried an unspoken control. 

Like a scalpel, it gently cut to the core of issues. It was precise and inescapable. 

Shen Yue held her breath. She was captivated. 

It wasn’t his looks or voice but his complete focus and clarity. For a moment, she was stunned—she wanted to be like him. To command attention and respect in such a setting. 

He stood by the plaintiff’s side, his long fingers flipped through documents. His voice was clear and steady. It was low and gentle, with a subtle commanding force. 

“The dispute in this case lies in the incomplete presentation of evidence…” 

He spoke precisely. His rhythm was clear. Every rebuttal hit its mark. The opposing lawyer faltered after a few sentences. 

Shen Yue watched intently. As she was engrossed, the figure in the courtroom’s center turned his head. 

Ji Huayu’s gaze landed exactly on her. 

Shen Yue’s breath hitched. She straightened abruptly. She fumbled to lower her eyes. Her pen was scribbling dots on the page to mask her brief lapse. 

But Ji Huayu’s glance only swept over. It returned to the front. His voice was steady as stone. It was without a ripple. 

* 

After the hearing, she hadn’t recovered from the awe. As she packed up, a pair of shoes stopped before her. 

“Did you gain anything from listening?” 

The voice was familiar. It was warm with a hint of playfulness. 

Shen Yue froze, looking up— 

The man who was just at the lawyer’s bench stood closer. He was more composed than in her memory. His features were softer yet deeper. 

“…Senior Ji?” 

He raised an eyebrow. A trace of surprise was in his eyes. He then smiled. It was warm like spring water. 

“You still remember me? 

Let me reintroduce myself. Ji Huayu.” 

She stood straighter instinctively. 

“Hello, Senior. I’m Shen Yue.” 

Ji Huayu looked at her. His gaze was softening. As if recalling something. 

“I know. Professor Lin mentioned you recently. He said students these days are restless. But you’re especially diligent… your notes are neater than his.” 

His tone was light. It was tinged with a smile. 

Shen Yue was surprised. 

“You know me? And Professor Lin still remembers me…” 

“Of course. You were one of his favorite students to praise. I’ve seen your thesis and grades.” 

Ji Huayu tilted his head slightly. 

“My firm’s working on a project. If you pass the bar exam, you’re welcome to intern with us.” 

“Uh… Senior Ji,” 

Shen Yue bit her lip. She spoke nervously. 

“I know this might be abrupt, but… could I borrow your old bar exam notes?” 

Her tone held hesitation and unmistakable respect. 

“I’ve been preparing. But some concepts are still unclear. If it’s inconvenient, it’s fine…” 

Ji Huayu paused. His gaze settled on her. The brief silence quickened her pulse. 

He didn’t agree or refuse immediately. Instead, he offered a faint smile. 

“I don’t have the notes on me. How about I get them to you another day?” 

Shen Yue barely contained her excitement. She added him on WeChat. They then arranged to meet next week at the café below his law firm.