MWC – Chapter 83 The Legend of the Bad Disciple (Part 1)

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

After leaving the Jixiang Fang, Lu Ming went home for a while. Pamela was probably busy with Huaxia Garments, Bess was at school, and she usually ate lunch in the school cafeteria. Hanzhu wasn’t around either, and Bizhu seemed to be meditating, sitting cross-legged on the moon bed, doing who knows what.

Feeling a bit helpless, Lu Ming instructed Pu Xiuna to take him to the Wind Bao Club. Since he had some free time now, it was the right moment to look into Katsura Ayaka’s inheritance case.

Unexpectedly, his three apprentices, Chen Qinghua, Tong Xiao’e, and Tie Xiaojia, were already waiting for him.

The staff knew that the three of them were from his law firm and were close to him. So, they were taken to the 4th floor. Although they couldn’t enter Lu Ming’s room, there were plenty of open recreational facilities on the 4th floor, which they could freely explore. However, they all waited dutifully on the long sofa chairs in the corridor outside his room.

“What’s going on?” Lu Ming asked, seeing that his three apprentices looked a bit troubled.

As Pu Xiuna opened the door, Lu Ming led them into the room and casually asked.

“Sir, there’s been a mishap with a case, and it’s my fault!” Chen Qinghua stepped forward first.

Seeing that Tie Xiaojia and Tong Xiao’e were about to speak, Lu Ming waved his hand. “No need to fight over it. Just tell me what happened.”

“Yes, sir, this is the case file…” Chen Qinghua handed over a thin file. “I originally thought it was a minor issue. The client, Wang Bo, is a rickshaw driver who soiled a young lady’s dress. She sued him, and I didn’t think it was a big deal. I arranged a meeting with Miss Zhao and her lawyer, but who would have thought that Wang Bo would lose his temper and slap her? Now she refuses to settle, and the case is going to court. Miss Zhao is currently hospitalized.”

“Sir, it’s my fault for not considering Wang Bo’s bad temper. I was careless in arranging the meeting.”

Lu Ming nodded. Recently, the three of them had been very busy and usually worked well together. Chen Qinghua was just missing a lawyer’s license. He could handle legal consultations and small disputes that didn’t require court appearances. Tong Xiao’e and Tie Xiaojia were also quickly gaining experience.

These small cases were abundant at the law firm. The three of them were working day and night, so minor mishaps were not surprising.

“The opposing lawyer is from Tang-Li Law Firm? The name is Li Dawei?” Lu Ming frowned.

Tie Xiaojia couldn’t help but laugh, and when Lu Ming looked at her, she quickly composed herself.

“Yes, he’s a second-level lawyer as well…” Chen Qinghua said, though it felt odd to refer to the opposing lawyer as “also” a second-level lawyer in front of his master.

Lu Ming was a second-level lawyer too, but it felt like he was much more than that. Recently, Lu Ming had been dealing with high-level lawyers frequently, winning against a foreign senior lawyer just a few days ago. Even a judge’s ruling had referenced some of Lu Ming’s proposed new economic case principles.

Lu Ming shook his head. “For small disputes, if possible, avoid going to court. Going to court means both parties lose.”

“Yes!” Chen Qinghua immediately straightened up. He had told his two senior sisters this, and his eldest senior sister seemed to remember it, but his second senior sister, the tough one, had argued that the law couldn’t always reconcile matters, and that right and wrong should be clearly stated in court.

Chen Qinghua glanced at Tie Xiaojia, who was nodding vigorously, as if taking it to heart. “Master, you’re absolutely right!”

Tie Xiaojia gave a thumbs-up. “Master, small disputes going to court waste time and money, which isn’t in our clients’ best interests, right?”

Chen Qinghua sighed inwardly. This was his viewpoint during their debate, yet she had argued that sometimes people’s feelings were more important than time and money. Now, she was using his words to flatter the master.

Seeing Lu Ming’s encouraging nod to Tie Xiaojia, who beamed like a happy puppy, Chen Qinghua couldn’t bear to watch any longer.

“Xiao’e, you wanted to say something? Go ahead!” Lu Ming looked at Tong Xiao’e.

Tong Xiao’e blushed and lowered her head.

Lu Ming sighed.

Chen Qinghua said, “Master, Senior Sister thinks that the injured Miss Zhao and Wang Bo are not strangers. They must know each other!”

“Oh, why do you think that?” Lu Ming asked with interest.

“She hasn’t explained yet; you just returned!” 

Lu Ming turned to Tong Xiao’e. “Go ahead, don’t be afraid.”

Tong Xiao’e seemed to wish she could disappear into the ground.

Lu Ming shook his head. “Xiao’e, I think you should make a cardboard cutout of me at home. That way, you’ll get used to seeing me and won’t be scared anymore.”

“Okay… Master…” Tong Xiao’e whispered as if she was seriously considering making a cutout.

Clearly, she wasn’t able to articulate her thoughts at the moment.

Lu Ming felt a bit helpless.

“Qinghua, call Li Dawei and arrange a meeting for tomorrow. Try to resolve this without going to court. Can you handle it?”

Chen Qinghua agreed immediately. Tie Xiaojia chimed in, “Master, I’ll make the call!”

“Go ahead!” Lu Ming waved.

Tie Xiaojia quickly took the phone from the table in the corner.

After a while, it seemed she was connected, and after finding Li Dawei, it took some time for him to answer. He must have been busy.

“Lawyer Li, this is Tie Xiaojia. The thing is, my master is too busy right now and doesn’t have time for court. You know, the Baoyin Bank case is a big one and still needs a lot of wrap-up. So, we need to request a postponement from the judge tomorrow…”

Li Dawei seemed stunned. “Your master? Going to court? Against me?”

In his shock, his voice was loud enough for everyone to hear.

“Yes, we are handling these minor cases for my master. If it goes to court, of course, he will appear. We don’t have the qualifications to go to court alone. Didn’t you know?”

Li Dawei seemed to be in a daze for a while. “Lawyer Tie, I think there’s still room for a settlement. I’ll go talk to my client right now. Don’t mention this to your master yet. I’ll get back to you soon!” He hung up abruptly.

Tie Xiaojia turned and stuck out her tongue at Lu Ming. “Master, please don’t be angry!”

Chen Qinghua frowned, feeling that Tie Xiaojia was a cunning fox, acting overly sweet in front of their master.

Lu Ming smiled without saying anything. It was a decent way to handle the situation.

Being a lawyer meant using all available resources effectively.

Tie Xiaojia showed some quick thinking.

Chen Qinghua was steady.

Tong Xiao’e seemed to be meticulous, perhaps particularly adept at details, like her recent discovery, though it might not be needed.

Lawyers deal with many people, each with their own stories, but they are not life coaches or therapists. Not every story needs to be listened to or resolved perfectly. As long as the outcome serves the client’s interests, the lawyer has done their job.

These three apprentices showed promise.

Lu Ming nodded inwardly.

After thinking for a moment, he said, “Xiaojia, Qinghua, continue following this case. Xiao’e, stay and assist me with a new case.”

Tong Xiao’e, as the senior apprentice, needed special training, and her gentle, meticulous nature should help her get along well with Katsura Ayaka.

Tie Xiaojia looked envious.

Chen Qinghua didn’t mind. The boss’s orders were absolute. However, seeing Tie Xiaojia’s expression, he knew the coming days might be tough, as she would likely vent her frustration on him.

But suggesting that he could handle the case alone and let his senior sister take on the new case with the boss? He didn’t dare say that. It wasn’t his place to decide.

“Actually, Qinghua, you should be able to handle this case by yourself now. Xiaojia can also work on the new case with me.”

Lu Ming realized that having only one apprentice handle the first case might seem unfair.

“Thank you, Master!” Tie Xiaojia cheered.