MWC – Chapter 27 Inventions

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

When the Wang-Lu Law Firm quietly opened at its new location, Liu Laocai still delivered two large flower baskets.

The current decor was extremely simple, with the laundry shop being divided into several individual offices using plywood. After a coat of paint, it looked somewhat presentable.

Lu Ming and Wang Da’an each had their own private office. Additionally, they hired a clerk and a receptionist, which is the standard setup for a small law firm.

Lu Ming and Wang Da’an re-signed the partnership agreement, with each covering half of the office expenses and their income being self-sustained.

In reality, the clerk’s high salary was covered by Lu Ming, while the receptionist’s wages were borne by Wang Da’an. He even brought in a relative from his family, making sure no outsiders benefited. Fortunately, the receptionist’s job didn’t require much skill—just answering calls and serving tea to guests.

The layout of the first floor also changed, isolating Pamela and her daughter’s two-bedroom apartment and the outer office, with a separate back entrance for them.

…

Lu Ming was reviewing several documents on the table. Huaxia Technology Company had advertised in many newspapers and magazines with good results, and customers were already coming in. As instructed by Lu Ming, Pamela brought back all patent application requests for him to review, even those that seemed like the ramblings of a madman.

Indeed, these four or five patent concepts were giving Lu Ming a headache. One even included a product model: a nylon buckle that could be woven into various patterns and could be fastened in multiple ways.

Lu Ming chuckled silently; this person should probably teach arts and crafts.

A light knock on the office door announced the entrance of Wang Da’an. He rubbed his short hair, still feeling like he was dreaming. Who would have thought he would one day sit in a spacious, bright office with employees at his disposal?

All of this change was brought about by his young partner.

The rent was only a symbolic 10 yuan a month, with him covering 5 yuan. For the staff, his distant niece, as his cousin put it, only needed a meal, so no need to discuss wages.

The clerk, Chen Qinghua, a recent law graduate from a less prestigious school, was from another province, trying his luck in Donghai. His salary was 40 yuan a month, but Wang Da’an could not afford that, and the small legal aid cases they handled didn’t really need a clerk, making it a waste.

Now, Lu Ming was shouldering the clerk’s salary alone.

The young man was very competent and invaluable, chosen by Lu Ming’s sharp eye.

Wang Da’an had also started to get neighborhood cases, attracting clients suitable for a firm of their scale.

The teachings from his school days were now being fully appreciated.

Looking at his young partner engrossed in documents, Wang Da’an felt a surge of emotion.

“Brother Wang, is there something you need?” Lu Ming looked up.

“Oh, nothing, just checking on you!” Wang Da’an laughed awkwardly, “It’s rare to see you here…” He trailed off, feeling odd, like a wife waiting for her long-absent husband.

Lu Ming smiled, stood up, and called out, “Jiji, bring us two cups of coffee.”

A light knock on the door again, and a pretty girl in a dark blue uniform skirt entered with a tray, carrying two steaming cups of coffee.

She was Jiji, the receptionist, and Wang Da’an’s distant cousin’s daughter. She had some schooling but mixed with bad company and dropped out. At seventeen or eighteen, she was still unsettled and didn’t want to stay in the countryside. She envied city life and had been idling in her hometown until she and her boyfriend came to seek help from her uncle.

Though their time together was short, Lu Ming could tell she was a vain girl.

However, that wasn’t his concern. She valued this job opportunity, which she otherwise wouldn’t have had, so she worked diligently. She was also perceptive, with a knack for reception duties.

For instance, without being asked, she noticed her uncle entering the boss’s office and anticipated they might need coffee.

“Thank you!” Lu Ming nodded to her.

“I didn’t add sugar…” Jiji smiled sweetly at Lu Ming, then said to Wang Da’an, “Uncle, I added extra sugar to yours.”

As she left and closed the door, Lu Ming remarked, “She’s quite thoughtful, not bad.”

Wang Da’an felt relieved, fearing his young partner might be dissatisfied with Jiji and see it as nepotism.

“Brother Wang, I heard you’ve been taking on many cases lately? Are you managing? Need me to handle one or two? It’s Holy Day now, and I have some free time.”

School had a few days off, but starting today, it was the Holy Day holiday, a five-day break.

Holy Day is the empire’s most significant holiday, commemorating the greatest woman in its history—Queen Alice. A thousand years ago, she united the empire’s various ethnic groups with peace and love, establishing the Holy Griffin Empire, the most powerful nation in history.

To this, Lu Ming had only one thought: if you believe that, you’ll believe anything.

Throughout history, new dynasties always rose from bloodshed and bones.

Westerners didn’t overthrow the Central Dynasty with peace and love.

However, this part of history is deeply concealed in official records. Many unofficial histories are banned. In the north, one might still hear some tales of a thousand years ago, but in Western-controlled areas, it’s as if that history never existed, as if Westerners have always ruled the Central lands.

Holy Day should be a day of mourning and shame for the Central people, marking their nation’s fall.

Unfortunately, few Central people think this way nowadays.

“Qianxing, Qianxing?…” Wang Da’an’s soft call brought Lu Ming back to reality.

“See, my mind is still spinning, it’s my fault for disturbing you!” Wang Da’an felt uneasy, standing up. “You go ahead, I just wanted to see if you had time tonight, I’d like to treat you to dinner!”

Lu Ming smiled, “Sure, I definitely have time.”

He saw Wang Da’an out, returned to his desk, and looked at the nylon buckle patent application. Thinking for a moment, he picked up a pen and started writing.

He suddenly thought of another type of nylon buckle, the nylon hook-and-loop fastener. Perhaps he could inspire this guy to come up with something similar.

Such products, when they first emerged, were quite popular.