"Judge Chu, when do you think you'll have time to enforce the judgment in last year's financial dispute involving Hongfa? I know your court has been very busy lately, and there aren't enough vehicles. But our client is eagerly awaiting. When you have time, our law firm would be happy to provide a driver..."
"The previous appeal was dismissed. We will review this current appeal, but the trial date might be postponed until next year to allow both parties sufficient time to prepare documents for the trial."
The year-end was approaching. Many officials had already taken holiday leave to return home for Tết, and fewer and fewer people were coming and going in the office elevators. Most companies had entered the period of preparing for Tết holidays, yet the Chu Shiwu Law Firm was still a scene of immense busyness.
Amidst the ringing phones of her colleagues, Qian Wei chewed on her pen, waiting and waiting. It wasn't until the office gradually quieted down, with colleagues going about their own tasks – those who had trials went to court, those who needed to meet clients went to meet clients – leaving only a few interns in the entire office, that she finally mustered up some courage. Then, she stealthily slipped into Lu Xun's office.
Unfortunately, Lu Xun was on the phone with an American client. Qian Wei, sensibly, sat to one side, quietly waiting for Lu Xun to finish his call. Lu Xun's office faced south. On a winter day, the sunlight poured in generously, falling upon the green leaves of the potted plant on the floor and illuminating his fair face. A small, beautiful shadow appeared beneath his high nose, highlighting a pair of perfect lips. Those perfectly shaped lips were continuously uttering fluent, flawless American English.
This man was mature, handsome, powerful, seemingly flawless. A few strands of hair stood up on his head, all hinting at his unique charm. Qian Wei recalled what she had overheard a few days prior in the restroom, where several female interns were talking about Lu Xun: "Lu Xun is so handsome that even the back of his neck is beautiful. Even if he's lost in a crowd, you'd recognize him with just a glance."
Whether the back of Lu Xun's neck was handsome or not, she didn't bother to investigate in depth. However, Qian Wei couldn't help but admit that she had been looking at Lu Xun's face for years now. Logically, even if she never tired of looking at it, she should have become immune to his good looks by now. Yet, in certain moments, just a glance from him could still bring about a sense of profound wonder.
At this moment, Lu Xun was wearing gold-rimmed sunglasses. As soon as there was a pause in the call, he took a sip of water. His Adam's apple on his slender, fair neck subtly moved, and the sudden curve that appeared seemed to be brimming with masculine hormones. A blend of elite, ascetic aura and the demeanor of a successful young man radiated directly towards the person opposite him. Lu Xun never wasted words on the phone, and quickly ended the conversation.
He took off his glasses, casually tossed them onto the table, and looked straight at Qian Wei without saying a word. Qian Wei felt a slight prickling sensation on her scalp under his gaze. Not daring to meet his eyes, she looked instead at Lu Xun's hands, with their clearly defined knuckles, resting on the table, and said, closing her eyes coaxingly, "Boss..."
"No."
"..."
This time, Qian Wei couldn't help but look up. "I haven't even said anything yet!"
Lu Xun gave a cold laugh. "Normally, when you use that form of address, something out of the ordinary is about to happen."
Qian Wei forced a smile. "How can you say something like that..."
"So, what good thing are you looking for me for this time? Inviting me to dinner? Or giving me a gift?"
"Well..." Qian Wei rearranged her words. "I heard you recently took on a case. Gao Ke Electromechanical Company plans to acquire 65% of Qi Xia Boiler Company, a subsidiary of its parent company, for 1.4 billion US dollars. I was worried your team might be short-staffed, so I'm proactively offering to join your acquisition project."
"Dream on."
Although he had a face like a painting or a poem, it was a pity that his beautiful lips uttered such heartless words.
"Lu Xun!" This time, Qian Wei couldn't hold back anymore. "After all, we were classmates! Fertile water doesn't flow into outsiders' fields! Such a big case, and I heard you even named a few interns to participate for learning purposes. For better or worse, I also worked with you for a year, and can be considered a lawyer with half a year of experience! Don't I deserve even a tiny chance?"
Lu Xun pursed his lips and said nothing.
Qian Wei decided to play the pity card. "It's truly a case of the well-fed not understanding the plight of the hungry. Just try to remember, you have so many clients seeking you out that you have to turn them away because you can't be in two places at once. Meanwhile, your old classmate, me, in this freezing, snowy weather at the end of the year, can only chew on dry rations to get by, and the case I'm handling won't even go to trial until next year..."
"Dry rations are supplementary food, very good for your health."
"..."
Qian Wei still wanted to struggle one more time. "Lu Xun, it was because I was young and reckless back then, I wronged you..."
"My standard fee is 5000 yuan per hour." Lu Xun pressed the start button on the countdown timer on his desk. "Do you have anything else you want to say to me?"
"That's all, thank you!"
Qian Wei watched the numbers tick up on the timer. Without another word, she quickly stood up from her chair and headed for the door, considering all hope lost.
"Wait a moment."
Could Lu Xun's conscience be stirring? Qian Wei thought happily, a smile on her face, and turned back, brimming with eagerness to please.
"Next time, remember to knock before you enter." Lu Xun put his glasses back on, buried his head in the case files, not even bothering to look up. "And remember to close the door on your way out."
"..."
Lu Xun, damn it, go to hell.
* * *Be: If I'd known I'd get mixed up in this, I would've studied law.