Chapter 6 "Miss Shang, are you threatening me?"
The man paused, as if he had no recollection of Shang Wu, and walked in, closing the door behind him.
He walked over and extended his right hand.
"Hello, I am Lu Rang, a lawyer from Dingfeng Law Firm."
Shang Wu remained calm and shook hands with him in return.
"Hello, Shang Wu."
Lu Rang's hand was much bigger than hers, completely enveloping her fingertips, and he paused for a second before letting go.
"Miss Shang, please have a seat."
He flipped through the documents he had just received from the front desk.
The client's general requirements will be sent to him in paper form before the meeting.
"Should we reopen the investigation into a criminal case from three years ago?"
In just a few seconds, Shang Wu had already discerned this person's character.
Don't talk nonsense, and don't cause trouble.
That's perfect, it saves her the trouble of dealing with that day's events.
Shang Wu quickly adjusted her state and entered conversation mode: "Yes, three years ago, my brother stood up for me and accidentally seriously injured someone, causing that person to lose their fertility. He was sentenced to eight years in prison."
She then changed the subject: "However, recently I've come to suspect that there's more to the story than meets the eye."
Lu Rang listened quietly and then casually placed the documents on the table.
With a "snap".
The commotion was neither too loud nor too soft, yet it made the person's attitude seem unpredictable.
Shang Wu glanced at him and said, "Attorney Lu, are you going to take this case? Name your fee."
Lu Rang said, "We still need to consider it for now."
Shang Wu was taken aback, thinking she had misheard: "I offered twice the usual pay."
Lu Rang's expression shifted slightly as he stared at her: "This is not just a criminal case; it involves far-reaching issues and could easily cause me trouble. That's why Miss Shang is willing to pay double the reward, right?"
Upon hearing this, Shang Wu narrowed her eyes slightly.
No wonder he's a lawyer; he saw through the risks so clearly in just a few minutes.
yes.
The collapse of the business that shocked the industry back then involved multiple incidents, including tax evasion, bribery, and illegal projects.
During the investigation, the courts were short-staffed and had to temporarily recruit lawyers from law firms to help.
Back then, these top law firms were all vying to participate in this sensational business case, hoping to enhance their reputation and prestige.
As a pillar of Dingfeng, Lu Rang couldn't possibly be unaware of the merchant's case.
On the surface, she had Lu Rang investigate her brother's criminal case, but secretly, she wanted to test whether Lu Rang could be used for her own purposes, or even go against Cheng Zhou.
As Shang Wu was pondering, Lu Rang's voice rang in her ears.
He said, "I'm selective about the clients I take on. I prefer clients with uncomplicated backgrounds and simple, clear needs."
Shang Wu listened silently, disliking using this as a bargaining chip: "Name your price, how much are you willing to accept?"
"How much compensation can you offer?" Lu Rang asked.
Shang Wu knew that the fact that he asked this question meant there was still room for negotiation: "Why don't you tell me? I should be able to afford it."
Lu Rang looked at her for a moment: "Ten times the original amount."
Shang Wu's fingertips curled up.
That's a considerable amount.
She has built up the Chengzhou Jewelry Department over the past three years and has indeed earned a lot of money.
Zhou Yanci is good at using people; in order to appear affectionate, he is very generous with money.
However, Zhou Yanci took her largest sum of cash flow under the pretext of helping her manage funds.
It can be used, but a reasonable excuse must be given before it can be used.
Lu Rang stared at Shang Wu: "Miss Shang, can't you come up with this money? I thought you were naturally patient and could get a lot of benefits from the Zhou family."
Shang Wu's gaze sharpened, and she immediately thought of the incident she witnessed at the restaurant where Zhou Yanci and Shen Mian were struggling.
She thought Lu Rang would pretend not to remember it.
Shang Wu smiled faintly: "By nature reserved? I didn't expect you to see through me on our first meeting?"
Lu Rang seemed not to hear the dissatisfaction in her words: "It's not that I saw through you, nor is it our first meeting."
Shang Wu's fingertips curled up.
She pursed her lips.
In the past, when faced with such exorbitant demands, she would simply walk away.
But not now.
Dingfeng Law Firm was the only suitable place to take her case.
Other law firms would not have been able to withstand the pressure of investigating Chengzhou Group and work for her.
Moreover, the business capabilities of other law firms are not top-notch either.
Lu Rang seems to be the only suitable candidate available at the moment.
Shang Wu's eyes flickered: "Ten times the reward is too much. Like Attorney Lu, I also need to consider it. How about we each reply in three days?"
Lu Rang took a sip of coffee, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly: "Okay."
Shang Wu stood up, walked around the coffee table, and came to Lu Rang.
Lu Rang leaned back to look at her.
He caught a faint, indescribable fragrance emanating from Shang Wu.
This posture should make a standing person feel more pressured.
But Lu Rang's appearance was too aggressive. His gaze fell on Shang Wu with a strong sense of interest and scrutiny, and he was in no way inferior.
Shang Wu smiled, confronting him in a posture that was as gentle as a spring breeze: "I hope Attorney Lu will keep the hotel matter a secret. If you dare to utter a single word, I'll make sure you can't stay at Dingfeng anymore."
She turned to pick up her bag from the table.
When she turned around, she almost bumped into Lu Rang.
He was even taller than Zhou Yanci, who was 1.85 meters tall, and his gaze was incredibly imposing when he looked down at people.
Shang Wu's heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason.
Lu Rang waved the recording pen in front of her: "Miss Shang really doesn't understand the law, daring to threaten a lawyer?"
Shang Wu froze, somewhat regretting coming to Dingfeng and getting involved with such an unpredictable guy.
She calmly replied, "Then why don't you call the police?"
Lu Rang was taken aback, as if she had no idea what to do with him.
Shang Wu walked past him and left calmly.
The first thing she did after leaving the house was to go to the front desk.
"I want to change my lawyer."
The receptionist said awkwardly, "Our lawyer, Lu, is one of the top lawyers. If you're not satisfied, there really aren't any suitable candidates."
Another person chimed in, "Would you like to reconsider?"
Shang Wu narrowed her eyes.
Let's look for three more days.
If no suitable partner is found in three days, she will have no choice but to cooperate with Lu Rang.
I'll try to visit my brother when I have some free time these next few days.
Shang Wu opened the car door, got in, and saw two children squatting not far away eating candied hawthorns. A wistful smile unconsciously appeared on her face.
She was extremely busy with the jewelry department at Chengzhou and hadn't seen her brother in a long time.
The last time was during Chinese New Year, when she went to deliver dumplings that her parents had made by hand to her brother...
The ringing of her cell phone pulled Shang Wu back from her memories.
The screen displays the words "Seasonal Rain".
Shang Wu stepped on the gas, glanced at the entrance of Dingfeng Law Firm, turned the car around, and drove away: "What's the matter?"
"Where are you? The folder you gave me a few days ago is empty! What about the winter limited edition pieces? And the design sketches for the upcoming releases?!" Ji Yu demanded aggressively.
Shang Wu looked straight ahead, her tone neither warm nor cold: "I'll go back to the company right away."
Fifteen minutes later, she went upstairs to the jewelry department.
A large crowd gathered outside Ji Yu's office, making it impossible to move.
Less than half a month after the launch of the new winter products, the factory was already preparing to make samples based on the design drafts. At this time, the loss of the design drafts was undoubtedly a major event that caused a sensation in Chengzhou.
In the past two years, the jewelry department has been the company's most profitable department. If something goes wrong, the company's various data and financial situation will plummet.
The entire department cannot afford such a price.
When Shang Wu arrived, he heard Ji Yu shouting angrily.
"What's wrong with Shang Wu lately? When did she start making such basic mistakes?! President Zhou, can you please do something about her? Today, the folders we were supposed to get for sponsorships are all blank. Do you know how embarrassing it was for me to see those partners looking at me like that?!"
The group looked at each other in bewilderment.
Upon seeing Shang Wu arrive, everyone stepped aside to greet him.
When Shang Wu looked up, she saw Ji Yu with a face full of resentment.
Clearly, it's not just the work that bothers her, but also her attitude of not apologizing last night and until now.
"The manuscript in the folder is lost?" Shang Wu asked calmly as she walked in.
When Zhou Yanci saw her arrive, he waved for the others to leave and closed the office door.
“Awu, Ji Yu said that the file you sent her did not include the design draft. The design draft needs to be sent to the factory for sampling and promotional photos. Please send her another copy.”
He lowered his head and gently tidied the hair that had fallen beside Shang Wu's ear, chuckling softly, "Where did you go? You came in such a hurry."
Shang Wu dodged Zhou Yanci's hand, slowly frowned, and her expression became serious.
"I didn't provide a backup of the design drawings."
Ji Yu was posing with her arms crossed when she heard this and froze: "What did you say? The design draft is such an important thing, and you didn't make a backup?!"
"I took my computer in for repair, and I was worried about the design drawings being leaked, so I deleted the backup. However, the files I gave you contain the design drafts, and they are not blank."
Shang Wu went to Ji Yu's computer and found her sending history.
"Look, it shows the file size."
Zhou Yanci narrowed her eyes and glanced at Ji Yu from behind Shang Wu, her eyes filled with questioning.
Ji Yu's face darkened, and she said urgently, "I haven't even opened the folder. What do you mean by washing your hands of it all now? Are you trying to say that the lack of design drafts inside is my problem?"
She became increasingly dissatisfied with Shang Wu.
Given Shang Wu's previous personality, she wouldn't have argued with her here to prove anything; she would have immediately tried to go back and solve the problem.
Shang Wu released the mouse, straightened up, and stared at Ji Yu: "I sent you the file a week before my computer was repaired, and I had my secretary check it before sending it to you. You didn't check it, and the design draft disappeared for no apparent reason. Are you going to blame me?"
“You…” Ji Yu opened her mouth, startled by her cold and sharp gaze.
She had never seen Shang Wu look at her like that before.
It's as if they're not best friends, but enemies.
Ji Yu clenched her fists tightly, about to explode, when suddenly a figure blocked Shang Wu's path.
Zhou Yanci defended Shang Wu, dissatisfied: "Now is not the time to argue. It's a fact that the documents are gone. We should try to find a way to make up for it. Besides, this is more of a problem on your part. Don't blame A-Wu."
Ji Yu's eyes widened.
Zhou Yanci shook her head slightly, giving her a reassuring look.
It means don't provoke Shang Wu.
Shang Wu took in the exchange of glances between the two and pursed her lips slightly.
In the past, she would have been moved by Zhou Yanci's protection of her and his unwavering support for her, even though Ji Yu was a friend he had known for many years.
From an outsider's perspective, Zhou Yanci simply felt that arguing was useless and needed Zhou Yanci to come to her rescue, so she made it clear that she was helping Zhou Yanci and that Zhou Yanci was willing to do anything to make up for the losses.
Sure enough, Zhou Yanci pretended to scold: "Ji Yu, this is all your fault no matter how you look at it. Don't say anything more, don't bother A Wu, let her design a new one."
He turned around, grabbed Shang Wu's hand, and gave her a perfectly timed expression of embarrassment.
"Awu, time is tight and the task is heavy. I'll give you a week. During this time, you'll live at the company and work hard."
Shang Wu stared intently at Zhou Yanci: "A week? I spent a month designing this set of drafts."
"But you no longer need to find inspiration or refine the details. Just replicate the design ideas from your memory. Sleeping three hours a day is enough."
Zhou Yanci's smile was encouraging as she raised her hand to pat Shang Wu's head.
"Go for it, Awu! I believe you can do it!"
He gave Ji Yu a wink.
Ji Yu pouted and reluctantly walked over: "It's my fault that the manuscript was lost. Can you please work a little harder? The winter limited edition for the jewelry department is your hard work. You don't want it to all go to waste in the end, do you?"
She looked at Shang Wu with a half-smile, offering a perfunctory apology, her eyes filled with blatant provocation.
The limited edition series was created by Shang Wu, the products were designed by Shang Wu himself, and Shang Wu also promoted it with everyone.
So what if the manuscript is lost now?
Shang Wu was still unwilling to ruin her proud product line, so she obediently went to salvage it!
She could simply offer a perfunctory apology and be done with it, without suffering any loss; saying sorry wouldn't hurt.
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