MWC – Chapter 12 A Trial Test (1)

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On the coffee table, there were some medicinal herbs and a prescription for how to brew them.

Zhen Shi was tidying up a room that had once belonged to a tenant, looking quite energetic.

In fact, before she moved in, Lu Ming had already hired workers to clean and repaint the entire second floor. The old furniture had been sold off, leaving only a few suitcases belonging to the tenant, which had also been cleared out by now.

Zhen Shi was wearing a luxurious silk dress with a snow-white maid’s apron over it, and a dustproof lace headpiece. The combination of the delicate little lady and the Western maid style made Lu Ming’s eyes go wide.

“Sir, are you really planning to stay here long-term?” Clearly, Zhen Shi’s enthusiasm stemmed from Lu Ming’s promise.

Lu Ming smiled and said, “Yes.” He thought for a moment and added, “There’s a small law firm across the street where I’m temporarily listed. Also, in a few days, I’m going to attend school here to understand the local customs and culture…”

He initially wanted to tell her about his recent plans, considering they relied on each other and were likely both targets of the mastermind behind the scenes.

After all, according to Northern traditions, she was now considered a member of the Lu family.

Moreover, it was very likely that Zhen Shi existed to protect him.

But seeing her soft and weak appearance now, he sometimes wondered if that night was too exhausting and if it was just a dream.

Nevertheless, some things needed to be explained to her.

However, this lovely lady clearly wasn’t focused on his plans. Whatever he wanted to do, she wouldn’t have any objections. She asked again, “Sir, when will you vacate the other place?”

Ever since Zhen Shi moved in, Lu Ming had spent one night here, and the rest at the Husky Inn.

It seemed Zhen Shi saw herself as a mistress, and if she couldn’t keep the master, it would mean she had failed in her role.

Lu Ming coughed, “In a day or two.”

The lease at the Husky Inn was about to expire, so there was no need to renew it and waste money.

“Sir, I’ll start brewing this medicine for you tomorrow…” Zhen Shi picked up the prescription from the coffee table with her slender hand, studying it seriously.

Lu Ming, feeling somewhat guilty, nodded, “Okay.”

He had consulted an old traditional Chinese doctor who had prescribed some medicines to help him recuperate. It was a desperate measure, but he wasn’t sure if it would work.

Currently, he could move around normally, but couldn’t do any physical labor.

Standing up, Lu Ming pointed to a corner of the living room, “Let me teach you how to watch TV first. Then I need to go to the law firm across the street to handle some things.”

A big black box with a round screen taking up a quarter of the top was sitting in the corner. The entire screen was about nine inches, with the rest occupied by various knobs and a large speaker.

This was the television of the current era.

Lu Ming had spent 500 Imperial coins on this TV, roughly half a year’s salary for an average worker.

Moreover, these big black box televisions were prone to malfunctions and often needed repairs, which was an additional expense. Hence, few hardworking families would buy a TV.

Especially in a working-class neighborhood like Beiguan.

“Come, let me teach you…” Lu Ming said with a smile as he walked over. “It’s very entertaining inside, with all sorts of performances and sound.”

But it was clear that Zhen Shi, this delicate lady, wasn’t very interested. She only got up lightly to follow him out of respect for her master.

Lu Ming felt a bit helpless. Zhen Shi’s upbringing was completely different from that of normal people. She could endure loneliness very well, and even if she were alone in a room for a year, she probably wouldn’t go mad. A normal person, however, would lose their sanity.

……

Regarding the partnership registration for the law firm, there were still some final procedures that required Lu Ming’s personal confirmation. Therefore, Lu Ming came to pick up Wang Da’an to go together to the North Guan Municipal Committee’s legal office.

Wang Da’an was in a good mood today. As soon as Lu Ming arrived, he hurried downstairs with him.

When they reached the alley entrance, Wang Da’an widened his eyes upon seeing the gleaming black Shelong Phantom parked next to the utility pole, but he didn’t say anything.

He owned a second-hand car, bought for just over a hundred dollars, practically a junker. Still, as a lawyer, having a car was a necessary convenience.

The paperwork went smoothly, and Lu Ming gradually gained a general understanding of the administrative structure and management model of Donghai and its surrounding satellite towns.

It was somewhat similar to the Progressive Era in the United States from his previous life.

Donghai, relative to the Federal Empire, was akin to a self-governing state, with its own legislation and city council elections.

Moreover, the degree of autonomy was even greater, inheriting from the tradition of free city-states, and it had its own armed forces.

The towns around Donghai were nominally under Donghai’s jurisdiction but were also self-governing.

North Guan Town had a population of over 600,000 and 57 council members, elected every five years.

The town council then elected a seven-member town affairs committee to manage the town.

This seven-member group could be seen as the true rulers of North Guan.

On the way back, Wang Da’an smiled and said, “Yesterday’s afternoon tea was too shabby. Today, let’s find a nice restaurant, and I’ll treat you properly. It would be great if Mr. Zhou could come too. He has helped me a lot.”

Lu Ming smiled and replied, “Okay, I’ll call him from the office. Today, it’s my treat.”

“No, no, I’ll treat!”

While the two were politely arguing over who would treat whom,

A screeching brake interrupted them. They were almost at the old apartment where Wang Da’an’s office was located when a figure dashed out from the alley.

The large, protruding headlight of the black Phantom nearly hit the person, but fortunately, the brakes were applied just in time.

“Mrs. Pamela?! Are you alright?” Wang Da’an hurriedly got out of the car.

Lu Ming was also stunned. The person who had almost been hit was Pamela. She seemed to only have this one decent outfit, a red, sexy, noblewoman’s puffy dress, probably washed and kept for special occasions.

However, he was surprised to find out that Wang Da’an knew her too.

Then it made sense. The laundry and the office building were only separated by a narrow street, and this area had only one law firm, Wang Da’an’s.

It wasn’t common for anyone to open a law firm here.

Westerners naturally have a tradition of litigation, so it was logical that Pamela and Wang Da’an knew each other.

Seeing Wang Da’an get out of the car, Pamela’s pretty face was full of anger. “How do you drive?!” But then, as if she remembered something, her expression softened a bit. She said, “Lawyer Wang, you’re just in time. Bess has gotten into some trouble, and I need your help!”

Wang Da’an was momentarily stunned by the title “Lawyer Wang,” a respectful local term for a lawyer.

However, he was used to Pamela’s commanding and accusatory tone.

“Don’t worry, explain slowly, what exactly happened?” Wang Da’an, flattered by her attitude, asked cautiously.

Pamela huffed, “That child, she’s so disobedient. She told me she was going to school, but she went to work in a small restaurant instead. She got sued and didn’t dare to tell me. Now she’s at the other party’s law firm. Her boss called me, and that’s how I found out.”

Wang Da’an scratched his head. Her daughter was indeed very smart and especially cute and well-behaved, but in a small place like North Guan, very few dared to confront Westerners seriously. The fact that someone had sued her already indicated that the matter was not trivial.

Pamela was notoriously difficult to deal with, and he feared being caught in a no-win situation.

“Brother Wang, let’s talk,” Lu Ming beckoned from the side.

Pamela finally noticed Lu Ming and frowned slightly, “What are you doing here?”

Lu Ming smiled at her and whispered to Wang Da’an, “Do you not want to handle this?”

Wang Da’an wore a pained expression and whispered back, “Lawyer Lu, you don’t know, Mrs. Pamela is not easy to deal with…”

Lu Ming waved his hand and coughed, “I’ll handle it then.” The little girl, Bess, was quite endearing. She had even brought him an umbrella yesterday morning.

Wang Da’an was stunned, “But…”

Lu Ming smiled at Pamela, “I’m also a lawyer. How about this, I’ll go with you and take a look. Get in the car.”

Pamela looked at him suspiciously. Wang Da’an awkwardly smiled and said, “Yes, this is my partner, Lawyer Lu Qianxing.”

Pamela scrutinized Lu Ming up and down, hesitated for a moment, then opened the car door and got in.

…

The Shelong Phantom drove slowly, as there were many pedestrians on the street, and some cyclists were recklessly darting about.

Pamela appeared distracted.

Lu Ming knew she must be very anxious inside but was unwilling to show it.

He admired her for refusing to terminate her pregnancy despite everything. After all, a fetus was essentially a life.

So, she must be very doting on this daughter.

Glancing at Pamela, Lu Ming sighed inwardly, feeling a bit dazed. Pamela was indeed beautiful, with a stunning figure, and dressed like a traditional Western noblewoman. She looked just like those supermodels on the runway in his previous life, wearing extravagant puffy dresses, dazzling and glamorous.

It made him feel like he had returned to the past.

Watching her elegantly carrying a delicate handbag, the red dress clinging to her graceful figure, her alluring curves would surely attract countless flashlights on a runway.

The hem of her puffy dress revealed a pair of white jade feet in red strappy high heels, with nails painted a faint, enticing green. The sexy curves of the high heels accentuated the beautiful lines of her feet, blending elegance and sensuality in an irresistibly alluring manner.

“Had enough of staring?”

Pamela’s voice brought Lu Ming back to reality. She was looking at him disdainfully, biting her red lips.

“I hope you focus all your attention on the trouble my daughter has caused! And you’re driving too slowly!”

Lu Ming felt helpless. He had not been distracted for the reasons she thought, but because her attire had reminded him of many past memories.

Ignoring her, he stepped on the gas pedal, and the sports car surged forward.

The opposing law firm was evidently the top in North Guan, located in the only fifteen-story office building in the area, known as the Lucky Bird Building.

This area was considered the CBD of North Guan, with the most luxurious malls and other facilities.

The office Lu Ming’s tech company had reserved was also in the Lucky Bird Building.

The law firm was on the fourth floor, called “Liu Hanming Litigation Firm.”

It was a large firm, with many rooms, occupying nearly half of the floor, and seemed to have about seven or eight lawyers.

Pamela, in her usual manner, stood elegantly with her delicate handbag at the reception desk and spoke with a commanding tone, “I am Bess’s mother. This is my representative lawyer. What right do you have to summon my daughter to resolve issues with you? She’s only eight years old. This is illegal detention!”

The receptionist in a beige suit was startled but seemed to know roughly what the matter was. Disputes involving Westerners were rare, and Westerners were not commonly seen in North Guan.

“Madam, please don’t worry. Your daughter came accompanied by an adult. Please follow me, and I will take you to see her.”

Pamela nodded slightly.