Chapter 218 Accepted

Historian Shi really wanted to hit someone... or rather, the person in front of him was just asking for a punch.

He finally understood how Huang Shi and Zhang Bingxin must have felt when they faced this man.

But he wasn’t someone who couldn’t see the bigger picture.

Time was already tight, and besides, the man was a ’hero’ of sorts, so of course, he wouldn’t do anything too drastic to him.

So.

Just as the other man had said.

What’s done is done... let’s eat first.

Seven in the evening.

As the last dish was brought to the table, a steaming fragrance instantly wafted through the air, tempting everyone in the stone pavilion. The scent alone was enough to make one’s eyebrows raise in surprise.

"I never knew Lawyer Xu had such skills."

"They say every trade is a world of its own... Lawyer Xu is great at arguing cases, but I never expected his Culinary Skill to be this good too!"

"Tsk, not bad, not bad at all..."

"..."

Seven in the evening.

Outside, the cold wind howled, but inside the stone pavilion, a stove was burning. The few who remained stared at the dishes on the table, their eyes filled with amazement.

Many people had left, but figures like Historian Shi had stayed behind.

By the table.

Master Guanxin sat calmly by the table. Historian Shi and the few others stared at the food, their eyebrows twitching, clearly eager to dig in.

Lin Yue, however, was still keeping up appearances. She sat upright to the side, her posture perfectly elegant.

"Let’s eat first. We can talk as we eat."

Xu De untied his apron and sat down.

Once the Master and Historian Shi picked up their chopsticks, everyone else slowly began to eat in unison. Someone was about to pour wine but found there was none, making it feel just like a simple family dinner.

After a moment, Xu De spoke up tentatively:

"Historian Shi, Director Yang, you... were looking for me?"

As he spoke, a hint of confusion crossed his face, and his mind began to race.

He didn’t know Shi Ci.

But the man had suddenly sought him out, and he even seemed quite urgent. It was clearly about something rather serious.

’The fact that they can still eat means it’s not bad news. But if it’s good news, and they’re this urgent...’

In a flash.

A glint appeared in Xu De’s eyes; he had a faint idea of what this was about.

And the men before him gave him their answer.

"That’s right, we were looking for you."

Yang Guotao laughed heartily. He put down his bowl and chopsticks, not having felt this smug in a long time.

’He felt like he was the Buffett of the system.’

’A tiny investment leveraging a massive return. Befriending Xu De... this was his single greatest political maneuver in decades!’

Yang Guotao hastily explained:

"Lawyer Xu, have you heard of the provincial ’Classic Case’ selection?"

’Classic Case?’

His question answered, a look of surprise appeared on Xu De’s face.

"Is it the Li Family Village Case and the No. 18 Middle School Case?"

’I’ve only handled three cases so far—two criminal, one civil. The civil case has zero chance of being nominated, so it must be these two.’

Yang Guotao added, "Correct."

"The news came in this morning. The provincial department office has scored and shortlisted both cases."

"In seven days, personnel related to the cases will need to go to the provincial department for an oral defense. The timeline is a bit tight, which is why we were looking for you."

A lot of people would be going for these cases.

Huang Shi, Zhang Bingxin, Zhao Xing, Sun Dong...

And Xu De.

A glint of excitement appeared in Lin Yue’s eyes, but she was starving. Her gaze kept darting toward her favorite dishes in the distance, yet she was held back by etiquette, her expression conflicted.

After a moment’s thought, she decided to ask about the important matter first, her voice filled with surprise:

"An oral defense? How did these two cases get shortlisted!?"

Even Xu De himself never thought the No. 18 Middle School Case would be shortlisted. His methods were practically a provocation to the entire judicial system.

The Li Family Village Case was designed around a very core issue, making it seem quite radical.

Xu De would not have been surprised if both cases had been rejected.

"*Someone* voted. Votes mean points, and with points, you naturally get shortlisted," Historian Shi said.

’Someone voted?’

Xu De paused. His gaze rested on Master Guanxin for a moment before he quickly looked away.

’He always felt there was more to this old man than meets the eye...’

’Oh well.’

Xu De reined in his thoughts. While doing a quick mental calculation, he stood up, used his chopsticks to pick some food from a distant platter, and casually placed it onto Lin Yue’s plate beside him.

He said with a casual smile:

"Director Yang, isn’t it enough for those within the system to go? As a lawyer, I..."

"You know the procedure."

Yang Guotao shook his head.

For the Classic Case selection, the lawyer’s oral defense is also a very important part of the process!

Let’s put it this way.

You’ve all had job interviews, right?

Most interviews involve HR or a few managers asking you questions. The selection conference is similar, but the difference is...

At the selection conference, dozens of people will be interviewing you!

Several provincial leaders and countless industry professionals, all picking apart your arguments!

Speaking, Yang Guotao paused, then said in a low voice:

"I heard that for this conference... *that person* from the province might be listening in. Xu, you have to seize this opportunity."

"Even if you lose... it will still be extremely beneficial for you!"

’That person from the province?’

’Xu De paused. To be referred to like that... it definitely wasn’t someone at the department level!’

’In other words... there’s an even bigger fish!?’

"In any case..."

"Lawyer Xu, the oral defense is set for seven days from now."

"But the day after tomorrow, we have to leave early and travel to the provincial capital. In other words, you only have one day to rest and prepare."

This time, Yang Guotao stated the exact plan of action.

Surprised, Xu De stood up again, picked up some more food, and placed it on Lin Yue’s plate.

Under the table, she secretly gave him a thumbs-up.

Xu De ignored her.

’So it seems... the schedule really is tight. No wonder they were so anxious when they couldn’t find me.’

’It’s just...’

"Me? I’m going to the oral defense? I’m going to the provincial department for an oral defense!?"

Xu De was somewhat speechless. He pointed at himself, then at the sky, and sighed.