MWC – Chapter 77 I’m Really Not That Kind of 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.

The court session for the Baoyin Bank case is scheduled for tomorrow at 3 PM.

In the study of Room 408 at the Wind Bao Club, Lu Ming was going through the case files, pondering repeatedly to ensure there were no mistakes in his arguments and considering how to phrase his statements more convincingly.

He had grown accustomed to preparing cases in this study. Though his home study on Hepu Road was larger and more comfortable, it couldn’t match the tranquility he found here.

Both of his apprentices were busy working on a case with Chen Qinghua.

Chen Qinghua was handling the case, but since the apprentices had their trainee lawyer licenses, signing agreements and other matters were legally binding, though trainee lawyers couldn’t appear in court independently.

Pu Xiuna was quietly reading a book on the side, holding the first issue of “New Life” magazine. Whether she was seriously reading it or not, Lu Ming couldn’t tell, given that she wasn’t known for being a diligent student in school.

But serious or not, he had given her homework to do.

He had been too busy to read the first issue of his magazine himself, so he asked Pu Xiuna to read it and write a review for him.

Pu Xiuna was not just reading but also keeping an eye on her boss. Though she couldn’t help with other matters, if his teacup was empty, she would promptly refill it with fragrant tea.

Her boss didn’t have much of a smoking habit, but occasionally, when pondering a difficult problem, he would light a cigarette. At such times, she would immediately light it for him.

Someone seemed to arrive outside, and the doorbell rang. Pu Xiuna quickly got up to check.

After a while, the door was gently pushed open, and Pu Xiuna cautiously peeked in. Seeing Lu Ming was not deep in thought but standing and pacing to relax, she quietly asked, “Sir, you have a letter from the High Prosecutors, sent by Cheng Lingyu. Shall I open it?”

“Oh?” Lu Ming nodded. “Open it.”

Following her to the outer room, Pu Xiuna found scissors and carefully cut open the package, revealing a large cowhide envelope inside. She dared not take it out without permission, looking up at Lu Ming, who nodded, prompting her to retrieve the red velvet commission document and hand it to him.

The envelope was already open, and Lu Ming reached inside, pulling out a red velvet appointment document. Unfolding it, he couldn’t help but smile wryly. It was a letter of appointment as a Special Criminal Consultant to the High Prosecutors, signed by Prosecutor General Macen and stamped with the red seal of the High Prosecutors.

Beneath the appointment document were a few sheets of paper detailing the contract terms: a monthly salary of 400 yuan, requiring Lu Ming to serve in at least four cases annually, providing legal opinions or directly participating in litigation, with a minimum of one direct involvement per year.

“Cheng Lingyu, always giving me difficult tasks!” Lu Ming shook his head.

While the terms seemed generous, it was evident that signing this agreement would mean dealing with the most challenging cases, working tirelessly. 

Though it might not be an issue, cases with insufficient evidence where the accused might be innocent but prosecuted for political or social reasons would put him in a difficult position.

After some thought, he said, “Nana, draft a letter to Deputy Director Cheng Lingyu of the High Prosecutors. Say that while I appreciate his offer, I must retain the autonomy to choose which cases to take. Otherwise, I cannot accept this appointment.”

“Understood, sir!” Pu Xiuna responded, a bit excited. Although it felt like borrowing authority, communicating with top city officials was something most people wouldn’t even dream of.

Soon, she went to the small meeting room, where a compact typewriter quickly began clattering away.

Lu Ming nodded approvingly. The young girl treasured this job and knew how to improve herself. After expressing a need for a typist here, she had started practicing typing in her free time. When asked to take documents downstairs for printing, she had surprised him by typing them herself, showing her dedication.

Had she been this diligent in police school, she wouldn’t have failed to graduate.

The allure of a light and prestigious job certainly differed from the mindset of school effort.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and Pu Xiuna quickly stepped out to answer it, multitasking with efficiency.

“Miss Pu!” It was Sha Dahai, bowing and scraping as he entered, with a servile smile for Pu Xiuna. Of course, if she weren’t close to Lu Ming, his demeanor would be quite different.

“Sir, I have something to discuss with you!” Sha Dahai continued smiling obsequiously, even more so than with his own superior, addressing Lu Ming simply as “sir,” almost like a servant acknowledging his master.

Seeing the silver star on his epaulet, Lu Ming nodded, recognizing his promotion to section chief.

Lu Ming gestured to the nearby sofa, and Sha Dahai barely sat before springing up again.

“Oh, Miss Pu, don’t bother with me…” Sha Dahai said as Pu Xiuna brought him a cup of fragrant tea. She maintained her polite composure, understanding her position well.

Lu Ming nodded. “You may continue typing that letter, Nana. Get it done quickly.”

With a quick acknowledgment, Pu Xiuna returned to the small meeting room, closing the door behind her.

“Sir, I’ve captured Katsura Ayaka!” Sha Dahai announced with a smirk, lowering his voice. “Should I bring her here? Though, it might not be appropriate. How about taking her to your home and locking her up? That way, no one would know.”

Katsura Ayaka? Lu Ming was taken aback. What was this about?

Seeing Lu Ming’s puzzled look, Sha Dahai hurriedly explained, “Rest assured, sir, there’s no trouble at all. That woman was evicted and stayed in a run-down inn. This morning, she couldn’t pay the bill, causing a scene. Two of my patrolmen brought her to the station. During questioning, we found out who she was and informed me. I went to see her, and she was terrified!” He chuckled. “I thought, who better to deal with an enemy than you? She’s now destitute. You can do whatever you wish with her; it’s a matter of avenging our nation’s honor!”

Lu Ming was momentarily speechless.

However, why did you think of me? As if implying I had a certain proclivity?

Lu Ming then realized that buying Indian and black slaves at home might not be a secret to someone like Sha Dahai, who kept a close eye on him.

After some contemplation, he said, “Bring her here. I’ll talk to her.”

“Right away!” Sha Dahai was delighted, feeling he’d finally found the right approach to please Lu Ming.

…

Over an hour later, Katsura Ayaka appeared before Lu Ming.

She looked entirely different from her court appearance. Gone was her elegance and nobility, replaced by muddy clothes, perhaps to disguise herself, but she looked utterly disheveled.

Fear filled her eyes as she kept her head down, trembling constantly, possibly from whatever Sha Dahai had said to her on the way.

Katsura Ayaka had lived in Donghai from a young age and spoke the Central Plains language fluently, unlike that other man who didn’t understand it at all.

“Rest assured, Mrs. Katsura Ayaka, I will try to send you home!” Lu Ming pondered and said.

Katsura Ayaka’s face turned pale, and she suddenly knelt, sobbing, “Please, no! I don’t want to go back! Please, sir, Mr. Lu, please don’t send me back!”

Lu Ming was momentarily stunned, then understood.

Remembering his surname, it was clear that the court events had left a lasting impression on her, marking the beginning of her nightmares.

It seemed she had run away herself, believing that living on the streets was better than facing the harsh reality waiting for her at home.

Therefore, his mention of sending her back had terrified her.

It was understandable, given that her affair partner, Kato Masahichi, had committed suicide and brought disgrace upon their family. The consequences she faced were undoubtedly severe.

“Mrs. Katsura Ayaka, that’s not what I meant. I meant I could help you claim your inheritance. Your husband left nearly a million in assets, right? Without heirs, you are the rightful first heir. So, I plan to help you fight for this in court.”

He paused, then said, “However, I must charge a commission fee of 80% of the awarded amount. That means if I help you secure the inheritance, I will take 80%, and you will get 20%.”

Katsura Ayaka was stunned, looking up in surprise.

“I don’t need your immediate answer,” Lu Ming raised his voice. “Nana, come. Take Mrs. Katsura Ayaka to freshen up, and prepare a room next door for her to rest. All expenses will be on me!” He then looked at Katsura Ayaka. “When you are calm and have considered it, then give me your answer!”

Since they would proceed legally, everything had to follow proper procedures. He couldn’t have her sign an agreement while under duress or emotional distress.

Taking care of potential clients was perfectly reasonable, even if it meant going the extra mile for their comfort.

After all, standing up for a wronged beggar and providing them with necessities before helping them legally was nothing out of the ordinary.