Chapter 219 Agreed

"Are you sure?"

’I have to do the presentation myself?’

That was like someone who didn’t even go to middle school applying to be the CEO of Penguin Company.

Isn’t this asking for the impossible!?

Yang Guotao himself had said that during the presentation, one of the top leaders from the provincial department would most likely be there. In front of someone like that, a lawyer was no bigger than an ant.

"Well... it’s always good for a young person to go and get some experience."

Historian Shi sounded a little embarrassed, but he responded anyway.

"Even if you’re not selected, you’ll gain some new insights."

"Or you could expand your network. It’s a very good opportunity either way."

Making him perform during the defense presentation was indeed asking for the impossible.

But then again...

Just attending a conference like this was a benefit in itself. The connections you could make weren’t the empty "I know so-and-so" boasts from a dinner party; they were a tangible exchange of benefits and resources!

So.

Even if Xu De was just going through the motions and neither of his two shortlisted cases was selected...

...as long as he socialized with the other attendees and expanded his network, the trip would be more than worthwhile.

Of course.

"I have one last question."

Xu De suddenly became serious.

"Go ahead," Historian Shi said.

"Prosecutor Huang and Judge Zhang... are my teammates?" Xu De raised an eyebrow.

Historian Shi nodded. "Yes."

Xu De was speechless.

’Haha, Huang Shi isn’t a big deal. I’m used to screwing him over, and I figure he’s probably used to dealing with the stress by now. The worst he’ll be is a little distrustful of me.’

’As for Zhang Bingxin...’

’To be honest, if I were Zhang Bingxin and ran into a lawyer like me, I’d really want to walk up and land a couple of punches on myself.’

’I even ambushed him twice just half a month ago.’

’And now we’re being forced to team up...’

"Do you have any concerns?" Historian Shi asked, puzzled.

"Uh..."

Xu De forced an awkward laugh. He felt a little guilty but replied anyway.

"No... none at all."

"Let’s eat first."

Everyone started to eat.

But Xu De didn’t quite understand why the middle-aged man next to the host kept staring at him. He didn’t say a word, just quietly stared.

He didn’t pay it any mind, however, and continued eating.

He then picked up a few more dishes and placed them on his and Lin Yue’s plates.

...

...

「The next day, January 17th.」

「Ten-thirty in the morning.」

Xu De drove Lin Yue to Houde Law Firm on Torch Road.

Inside Houde Law Firm.

Several lawyers were bustling about. Lu Jinshan’s team had been so busy these past two days they hadn’t even had time to eat; the seven team members were practically taking turns at the coffee machine, forcing themselves to stay energized.

The seven of them darted about the office, swimming through a sea of case files.

Besides them...

...there was also an unfamiliar young man standing in the firm, holding a few documents.

As Xu De walked into the law firm, he had intended to first discuss business and then hand the firm’s affairs over to Wang Chao. But seeing the young man, he paused slightly, then raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"Qian Hao?"

Hearing the voice.

Qian Hao, who was at the front desk, snapped back to reality. He turned to look at Xu De behind him, a smile spreading across his gaunt face.

"Hello, I’m Qian Hao."

He paused, his exceptionally sharp mind quickly deducing the identity of the man before him.

Qian Hao stepped forward and offered his hand.

"You must be Director Xu."

As he spoke.

Qian Hao quickly reviewed the man’s information in his mind.

[Xu De, 25 years old, male, graduate of Yanjing University, legal skills are relatively outstanding... Comprehensive Evaluation: Advanced Modern Hominid!]

[Lin Yue, 26 years old, female, graduate of Shuimu University, adaptability is average, strong Legal Ability... Comprehensive Evaluation: Human.]

Qian Hao immediately became serious.

’An advanced hominid and a modern human.’

’The strong are meant to ruthlessly enslave the weak. And while I haven’t seen his cases yet, this man in front of me is clearly leagues beyond an Ape!’

"I assume Elder Chen has already told you. I’m from Yanjing. The reason I came to Lusen City is because I look down on the local scene in Yanjing," Qian Hao said frankly.

That was a bit strange.

Theoretically, as Dongguo’s political center, Yanjing should be much better than Lusen City. Shouldn’t he be looking down on Lusen City instead?

"Hah. The legal circle in Yanjing doesn’t care about your education or your ability. It only cares about your connections and personal resources."

Qian Hao explained, his face filled with deep disdain.

"They’re just a bunch of primitives who just climbed down from the trees, bound together by bloodlines and benefits!"

Lin Yue, at his side, was a bit surprised.

’He’s so aggressive!?’

’Even though I’d heard Wang Chao mention that he liked to say things like this, I never expected...’

’...that he would be so "egalitarian"!’

’He doesn’t care about anyone’s status at all. His evaluation system applies to everyone, without a trace of a double standard.’

"Welcome aboard!"

Xu De’s expression turned serious. His law firm needed a lawyer with this kind of personality.

"Director, do you have any tasks to assign me?" Qian Hao proactively volunteered.

"No tasks."

Xu De shook his head. He thought for a moment, then gestured to Wang Chao in the distance, beckoning him over.

Wang Chao noticed the gesture and hurried over. Seeing Qian Hao standing there, he immediately said:

"Lawyer Xu, did he deliberately offend you?"

"It’s my fault, Lawyer Xu. I haven’t disciplined him properly. His temper is just impossibly difficult..."

Wang Chao sighed.

"I was too naive. Civilizing a barbarian is bound to be arduous; it can’t be done overnight."

Qian Hao, however, said bluntly, "Hah, Ape!"

Wang Chao was furious. "If I’m an Ape, what are you!?"

Qian Hao said, "Overall, I probably haven’t reached the category of ’human’ yet. I don’t have a track record, so I can only be considered ’anthropoid’."

Wang Chao: ?

Wang Chao opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.

’Civilizing is for humans, but this guy in front of me doesn’t even seem to think he *is* human...’

But that was okay.

’It took Confucius years to travel the states. As long as I persevere for a few decades, I’ll definitely be able to enlighten him!’

"Oh, right, Lawyer Xu, did you need me for something?"

Wang Chao suddenly remembered something and quickly asked.

Xu De nodded. He thought for a moment, then said:

"Don’t run off anywhere for the next seven days. I’m leaving the firm’s business entirely in your hands. If anything comes up, discuss it with Lawyer Lu. If it’s something major, give me a call."

’Seven days? Entirely in my hands?’

Wang Chao was surprised and immediately realized something.

"Something’s up? Lawyer Xu, where are you going?"

"Something good. I’m making a trip to the provincial capital."

Xu De said, "Two of the firm’s cases have been shortlisted for the classic case selection organized by the Political and Legal Affairs Commission this year. I need to go."

Shortlisted!?

Hearing this, Wang Chao’s face lit up with delight.

"Great! Lawyer Xu, just focus on the presentation. Don’t worry about the firm, I’ll take good care of it!"

"Mm."

Xu De nodded, took stock of the firm’s current resources, and after arranging everything, he turned and left.

Not long after.

He and Lin Yue were gone.

Staring at their departing figures.

Wang Chao paced back and forth excitedly.

’A classic case selection... damn. No more than ten criminal cases get picked in a whole year...’

’Qingwu Province has a population of a hundred million! With so many lawyers, there are only ten slots a year at most... Forget actually being selected, just getting shortlisted is something most people can only dream of...’

’And the firm’s only been open for two months... and we’ve already made it!?’

Wang Chao felt a rush of joy, his whole body trembling with excitement.

’I really picked the right person to follow!’

However...

"I’m not trying to pour cold water on your enthusiasm."

"Lawyer Wang, you need to understand one thing: the closer you get to the center of power, the stronger the nepotism."

Seeing his expression, Qian Hao couldn’t help but offer a reminder.

"The provincial selection..."

"There are only ten spots on the shortlist for criminal cases a year. This year, there might only be five or six that actually get selected."

"They don’t have enough to divide among themselves, and under these circumstances, two spots were snatched by an out-of-town lawyer... from a startup firm, no less."

The slots were already limited.

If a competitor had taken them, that would be one thing; it would just mean they were outmatched.

But to have them snatched away by a small law firm, even with their own home-field advantage...

Qian Hao said:

"What kind of reaction do you think the people in the provincial capital will have?"