MWC – Chapter 20: The Rude Person

I AM DROPPING THIS NOVEL. IF ANYONE WANTS TO CONTINUE THEY CAN. IF POSSIBLE PLEASE SHARE THE LINK SO I CAN BINGE READ TOO.

Liu Laocai entered the laundromat just as Bess was doing her homework in the back room.

Wang Daan’s office was too shabby and didn’t have a proper place to receive clients, so Pamela suggested using the reception room of the laundromat to meet this client. Lu Ming agreed.

He couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly; Pamela ran a losing laundromat but had it set up like a big company. The reception room was separated and well-decorated, which seemed quite unnecessary, given that the laundromat’s typical customers weren’t exactly high-profile business clients.

But it worked out well since they now had a decent place to entertain guests.

Wang Daan agreed to the change of venue, knowing that his own office’s environment would definitely scare away any potential clients. While clients might be aware that his law firm was small, seeing the actual state of the office was a different matter.

He sighed inwardly; this young Lu Ming had only recently registered his practice, yet the clients he was dealing with were beyond what Wang Daan’s firm had managed to handle even after years of hard work.

“Boss Liu, please have some tea!” Wang Daan said warmly, offering a cup of fragrant tea in the laundromat’s reception room. He was exceedingly courteous, as he had never dealt with a client of such status before.

Lu Ming sat on the sofa opposite Liu Laocai, while Pamela sat slightly behind and to the side of Lu Ming in an elegant posture. She wore a light blue business suit and thin-rimmed glasses, exuding a professional air, akin to an office queen. The sapphire blue uniform highlighted her blonde hair and blue eyes, making her look exceptionally beautiful.

Although Lu Ming thought she might be overdoing it a bit with her wardrobe changes, he had to admit that this professionalism and respect for herself and others were commendable. If one didn’t respect their own image, how could they expect others to respect them?

Sitting slightly behind Lu Ming, Pamela crossed her legs with a folder on her lap, ready to take notes in a poised and professional manner.

Opposite them, Liu Laocai, a man in his fifties with slightly graying hair, looked a bit rustic in his white undershirt and black pants—a typical laborer from the Republic era.

After a few words, Liu Laocai’s eyes were drawn to Pamela’s slender ankles, delicate blue crystal high heels, and enticing pale feet with light blue toenail polish. He couldn’t look away and even swallowed audibly.

Pamela’s blue eyes flashed with disdain, and she coughed lightly. “Mr. Liu, your current behavior would lead the jury to presume your guilt.”

Liu Laocai blushed but didn’t dare argue with the supermodel-like Western beauty. Seeing her show respect to the young lawyer in front of him made him reconsider his initial judgment of Lu Ming. He had underestimated this seemingly inexperienced lawyer but now realized the young man might have some real ability.

“Boss Liu, let’s get back to the case,” Wang Daan said, breaking the awkward silence.

“Alright…” Liu Laocai began, but then hesitated. Bringing up the case filled him with frustration. “Lawyer Lu, I’m truly innocent! That woman…”

Lu Ming raised his hand, “Mr. Liu, let’s stick to the facts objectively, without adding your personal biases. Especially if you testify in court, you need to maintain this approach. Including personal biases can alienate the jury if they don’t empathize with you. So, when recounting events, stay calm and describe them as an observer. I’ll guide you when it’s time to express emotions.”

“From now on, imagine you’re surrounded by jurors observing you. Now, tell us what happened.”

“Okay, okay!” Liu Laocai slapped his forehead, “But that woman, she was the one who came on to me, wearing her work uniform and rubbing against me. It was pretty exciting, so I… I came! Who would’ve thought she’d spread rumors that I couldn’t perform? Damn it!”

Lu Ming sighed inwardly. It seemed Liu Laocai wasn’t as angry about being accused of molestation as he was about rumors suggesting he was impotent.

“So, you didn’t forcibly molest her?”

“Of course not! If I really wanted to force someone, I’d pick someone better looking!” Liu Laocai said, slapping the table angrily. “That slut…” He caught himself, realizing a young girl was present and clammed up, face turning red.

Lu Ming could tell that, despite his crude behavior, Liu Laocai still had a certain degree of decorum. He might not be a good person in general, but he seemed to be innocent in this particular case.

“Alright, Mr. Liu, I’ll take your case. Tell me the details, and do you have any witnesses? I see in the court records that the plaintiff claims she was called into your office by your employee, but your employee denies this, stating she entered on her own.”

“Yes, yes…” Liu Laocai nodded vigorously.

“Mr. Liu, if we continue like this, you’re sure to lose. You need to be honest with me. Don’t worry, under the attorney-client privilege, anything you say to me or my officer cannot be disclosed to anyone else or used as evidence by the prosecution.”

Liu Laocai’s face darkened, “You don’t believe me?”

Lu Ming leaned back slightly, “Mr. Liu, my belief isn’t important. What matters is whether the judge and jury believe you.”

“I have a feeling they don’t believe your or your employee’s testimonies, right?”

“If you’ve lost their trust, then getting your employee to give false testimony is pointless. I don’t believe the plaintiff, even if she wanted to frame you, would choose to seduce you during work hours in your office.”

“Your and your employee’s testimonies are actually detrimental to your case.”

Liu Laocai glared at Lu Ming angrily, but eventually slapped his forehead and laughed, “Alright, alright, I’ll tell you the truth. I was interested in her and asked Xiao Zhang to call her in. I wanted to discuss keeping her, but before I could say much, she started rubbing against me. I couldn’t resist, and then… I came. It felt pretty good…,” he said, grinning with yellow teeth.

Pamela frowned.

Realizing he had overstepped, Liu Laocai adjusted his posture. “Lawyer Lu, do you think we still have a chance? I’m fed up with that incompetent fool from the city’s big law firm. You were right; forcing my employee to lie backfired. Even if we lose, I can handle a fine. I just don’t want to go to prison. At worst, I’d accept community service or probation. Now, I just want you to clear my name and show that I’m not…,” he paused, looking at Pamela, then continued, “Lawyer Lu, you understand…”

Lu Ming nodded, “But there’s a consequence. If you’re on probation, you’ll have a criminal record and can’t serve as the chairman of New Era.”

Liu Laocai slapped his forehead again, “Then let Xiao Sanzi take over. He’s been waiting for the chance.”

“Xiao Sanzi?”

“Oh, the third in the line of cousins, but actually my eldest son, born to my late wife!” said Liu Laocai, his eyes showing a hint of sadness as he spoke.

Lu Ming nodded. So, the legitimate eldest son.

Standing up, Lu Ming said, “Mr. Liu, let’s go to New Era Mall. I need to talk to your employees, especially those close to the plaintiff, Deng Hongmei.”

“Alright, let’s go!” Liu Laocai stood up immediately.

“However, I need to speak with them alone. You should not be present.”

“Understood, understood!” Liu Laocai slapped his forehead again and looked at Lu Ming seriously, “Lawyer Lu, I suddenly feel that I won’t be hiring you for nothing!”

Lu Ming smiled, “Let’s see how it goes.”