Although she still had a long way to go compared to Bao Rui and Qian Heng, Cheng Yao was pleased that she’d used her own research to find a lead for tracking down hidden assets.
Regardless, she felt a little more confident about becoming a family lawyer.
She buried herself in researching other leads and details, until Tan Ying mysteriously tapped her on the shoulder.
“Free tonight?”
Cheng Yao nodded.
“Then it’s settled for tonight.” Tan Ying smiled brightly. “We’re throwing you a little welcome party.”
Cheng Yao felt somewhat flattered. Before she could respond, Tan Ying continued, “Oh, by the way, I forgot to ask—do you have a boyfriend?”
“I’m single.”
“Even better.” Tan Ying winked at her. “Bao Rui organized this welcome party, and he’s invited some friends from other firms too—several are already senior partners, and pretty good-looking too. A few are well-known eligible bachelors in the circle. Who knows, your future boyfriend might just be at tonight’s gathering.”
“Bao Rui? Is his leg better?”
“You don’t know Bao Rui’s nickname is ‘Nightlife Bao’? Even if he were paralyzed, he’d still drag himself there in a wheelchair for a party. Right now it’s just a sprained ankle—a cane will do.”
What kind of indomitable spirit was this…
But amid her admiration, Cheng Yao also pointed out, “But he sprained his ankle and took sick leave from work—yet he’s still going to a party? If Qian-par finds out, wouldn’t that look bad?”
“We just won’t tell Qian-par, and it’ll be fine.”
“Wait, so tonight’s welcome party isn’t inviting Qian-par? Isn’t that not great either?”
Tan Ying gave a coquettish smile. “I’ve only been at Junheng two months longer than you, but I’ve already got the unspoken rules figured out. Basically, for these private get-togethers, we always go through the motions of inviting the boss out of courtesy, but Qian-par has never once attended—always declines. So later you’ll go through the motions of inviting him, and that’ll fulfill our duty to notify him.”
Cheng Yao let out a breath of relief and nodded.
Bolstered by Tan Ying’s encouragement, Cheng Yao worked up her nerve and knocked on Qian Heng’s office door.
“Boss…”
“I’m busy. Don’t beat around the bush—just say it.”
Cheng Yao cleared her throat to mask her nervousness. “It’s like this—tonight some colleagues at the firm want to throw a welcome party for me and a few other new hires. We’d like to invite you to join.”
“No time. Not going.”
Just as Tan Ying had predicted, Qian Heng’s refusal was decisive and merciless.
Hearing his rejection, Cheng Yao also relaxed. Knowing when to quit while ahead, she left Qian Heng’s office.
The afternoon passed quickly. Cheng Yao reviewed a few court property-dispute precedents, and before long it was time to leave. She and Tan Ying exchanged a knowing smile and left together.
Bao Rui had booked the gathering at a German beer restaurant, which had a rather good atmosphere. He’d reserved a small private room—reasonably private—and as a beer restaurant, it didn’t have the stiffness of a typical Western restaurant. The dinner wouldn’t be too formal or too casual, neither too quiet nor too rowdy.
Besides Bao Rui, Tan Ying, Cheng Yao, and a few other new hires, several lawyers from another team at the firm also came. Before long, a few of Bao Rui’s friends from other firms arrived as well.
Ten people in all. Bao Rui ordered enthusiastically. Though the occasion was billed as a welcome party, several of the lawyers were clearly old acquaintances, and the moment they met, they fell into conversation.
Bao Rui made the introductions with great enthusiasm: “This is Li Chengxuan from Jinzhuan Law Firm, also a family law specialist—just made partner a month ago. And this is Zhang Yang, an expert in inheritance law, who just wrapped up a case with legal fees in the millions.”
“And this is Cheng Yao, new to our team. You’ve already met Tan Ying. Over there is Wang Lu, and…”
Before Bao Rui could finish the introductions, Cheng Yao’s phone rang.
The words “Dumb Bastard” made Cheng Yao jump.
“Let me take this call.”
She took her phone and stepped outside to somewhere quieter.
On the other end came Qian Heng’s flat, toneless statement: “Cheng Yao, the pipe’s clogged again.”
Cheng Yao paused, then said as calmly as she could, “In that case, I’d suggest contacting the property management or the landlord.”
“I already did. They told me to wait until tomorrow.” Qian Heng’s voice was quite displeased. “Where are you? Come back and unclog it—otherwise I can’t wash my hands.”
Excuse me?? Cheng Yao thought. You not being able to wash your hands has nothing to do with me.
But he was the boss, after all. Cheng Yao was so irritated, but forced herself to keep smiling, restraining herself as she continued, “Boss, don’t you remember? I’m out tonight at the firm’s welcome party. Everyone’s here right now—as the new hire, how can I just walk out?”
“Where are you eating?”
Ha, Cheng Yao thought, so worried I’m lying, is he?
“I’m at Lambach, that German beer restaurant. Don’t believe me? I’ll send you my location.”
Qian Heng finally went quiet. Although he said nothing, Cheng Yao could picture the storm brewing on his dark face. She felt a twinge of guilt and was about to say something reassuring, when she heard a “beep, beep, beep” from the other end…
Not even a goodbye—Qian Heng had just hung up on her like that…
So rude! Just because I couldn’t come home to unclog the pipe, so now that I have no more use, this is how you treat me! Qian Heng, would it kill you to be a gentleman?!
Grumbling inwardly, Cheng Yao went back to the private room.
Inside, everyone was chatting away about gossip. Though Bao Rui, the organizer, had gone to the restroom, the rest had already warmed up to each other, the atmosphere just right. Cheng Yao was soon laughing along at all the outrageous cases and clients the lawyers were describing, eating and listening with relish.
Li Chengxuan and Zhang Yang were both lively and outgoing, and very attentive to Cheng Yao as the newcomer. Throughout the meal, they were thoughtful, gentlemanly, easygoing, and put no distance between themselves and her.
As Li Chengxuan poured more tea for Cheng Yao, he said, “Honestly, I’d bet you won’t last more than half a year working under Qian Heng. That guy’s got a terrible temper, a vicious mouth, and he’s completely unshakable—you could be furious and he’d still think he’s done nothing wrong. And he’s certainly not the type to go easy on women.” As he spoke, he pulled out a business card. “Little Cheng, if you ever want to switch firms, remember to contact me. We’re a boutique family-law firm too, great atmosphere among colleagues, and I like communicating with my subordinates—I don’t go around with a cold, stony face all day. If you came to our firm, you’d see—even among partners, even among lawyers, the gap between people can be huge!”
“Li Chengxuan, long time no see.”
Just as Li Chengxuan was about to roll up his sleeves and really dig into trashing Qian Heng, the very man he was complaining about materialized ominously behind him.
Qian Heng paid no mind to the mixed, complicated expressions around the small private room. He walked straight over, sat down beside Li Chengxuan, and smiled faintly. “Last time I saw you, wasn’t it that inheritance dispute two months ago? You represented the opposing party, and lost on final appeal—your client ended up with nothing, didn’t they?”
“…”
“Oh, wait, my mistake. I’m getting older, memory’s not what it was. It wasn’t two months ago, it was a month ago—that custody dispute, two children. You didn’t win custody for your client on either one. And if I recall, that client brought relatives to besiege your firm and threatened to beat you up?”
“…”
Having finished, unhurried, Qian Heng glanced at Cheng Yao. “On that note—yes, indeed, even among partners, even among lawyers, the gap between people can be huge.”
“…”
This was an absolute massacre. A battlefield without gunsmoke. A merciless slaughter.
“Come, come, Qian Heng, don’t see you often—have some tea, have some tea,” Zhang Yang said, raising his teacup, trying to smooth things over. “Haven’t seen you in ages. What cases are you busy with lately? Trying to steal clients from me again, are you?”
Unfortunately, this was extremely unwise. Poor Zhang Yang had rescued Li Chengxuan only to draw the fire onto himself…
Qian Heng was perfectly composed. “No, I won’t be stealing your clients.”
Zhang Yang looked surprised. “Oh?”
“These days I don’t take cases where the amount in dispute is under fifty million.” Qian Heng smiled. “So there’s no way our business would conflict.”
“…”
If there was ever a textbook example of killing a conversation stone dead, this was it.
“Why’s everyone so quiet?”
Just then, Bao Rui’s cheerful voice broke the deathly silence, along with the sight of him limping bravely toward them.
Qian Heng frowned and looked toward the door. “Bao Rui? Weren’t you completely unable to move because of your sprained ankle, unable to come to work, and working from home? Why are you here at the party?”
Cheng Yao could barely bring herself to watch—this was practically a human tragedy…
But Bao Rui was, after all, a seasoned veteran of the Five Poisons Sect. He froze for only a moment before quickly putting on an earnest expression. “Qian-par, I just got a text on the way from Cheng Yao saying you’d actually made an exception and come to this gathering! I immediately had my wife help me up and drove me over—truly rising from my deathbed like a miracle! If even you were coming to a party, how could I miss it? I’ve dreamed of dining with you for so long! I absolutely couldn’t let this leg of mine stop me from such a chance! It’s just that with my leg the way it is, I got here later than everyone else, ha ha…”
If Qian Heng hadn’t been there, Cheng Yao would have wanted to jump up and applaud Bao Rui—what an incredible performance, truly Oscar-worthy.
Qian Heng gave Bao Rui another glance but didn’t press further. Once Qian Heng had turned away, Bao Rui wiped a nervous sweat from his brow—thank goodness he’d just been to the restroom!
So men, really, drink plenty of water when nothing’s wrong—it’s good for your health and it just might save your life!