Grassroots lawyers also have their day

"Hey! Fatty, that's enough. You've come here to plunder the rich and redistribute the land. If you order any more, I'll have to sell a kidney!" According to Wang Chuan's estimation, Fatty's spending this time was already close to his limit.

"Alright, that's all for now. Hurry up and bring the food. One half-and-half hot pot base, four bowls of sesame sauce, and four cloves of pickled garlic," the fat man said to the waiter.

"Big Fatty, what's this part-time job you mentioned?" Wang Chuan asked impatiently after the shop assistant turned and left.

"Chuan'er, you're too impatient. My stomach is growling, let me have something to eat first!" Big Fatty said helplessly.

"Okay, have a glass of water first." Wang Chuan picked up the kettle on the table and poured a glass for Da Pang: "Please enjoy!"

"That's more like it!" The fat man put on airs and kept everyone in suspense, saying, "Let me tell you, meeting me in the capital is like meeting a benefactor. You see, I'm the one who helped you find that law firm, and now I've recommended a part-time job to you..."

Big Fatty kept rambling on and on, and the waiter quickly brought out the mutton and side dishes. The clear broth and red oil in the hot pot were bubbling away.

"Come on, it's so cold, let's warm up and eat something first, then I'll tell you all about it." Fatty said, taking a bite of lamb brain with his chopsticks, dipping it in a porcelain bowl that was two-thirds full of sesame sauce, and then putting it into his mouth.

Wang Chuan also picked up a piece of mutton with his chopsticks, dipped it in the broth, put it in his mouth, chewed a few times, swallowed it, and then looked at the fat man opposite him: "Big Fatty, can you tell me now?"

"Yeah, you know Qidian.com, right?" the fat man said after swallowing the hot pot meat in his mouth.

"I know, so what?" Wang Chuan asked, puzzled. He didn't understand what the connection was between Qidian.com, which Da Pang mentioned, and his part-time job.

"Actually, it wouldn't be bad for you to write novels and earn some royalties as a part-time job!" Big Fatty said with a grin.

Wang Chuan put down his chopsticks, glared at the fat man, and said, "Writing novels? To update 4,000 words a day, you spend all night writing with a cup of tea and a computer, with your stinky feet sticking out! And in the end, you only get a few hundred yuan in welfare?"

"You're not talking about this kind of part-time job, are you?"

Big Fatty chuckled, "What if you become a literary genius with this book? Then you'll be set for life!"

"Become a god? Become a spirit! Look at me, how do I look like I can become a god?" Wang Chuan rolled his eyes at the fat man.

"I think those 'gods' aren't as good-looking as you! They all have all sorts of occupational hazards, how can they be as healthy as you!"

"What if—and I mean what if—your family's ancestral graves are blessed with good fortune, and you really do become famous overnight! You'd have to thank me!" the fat man continued, trying to seduce him.

"Thank you? I thank your ancestors for eight generations!"

"Waiter, this plate of lamb brain hasn't been touched yet, can we return it?" Wang Chuan stopped a passing waiter and asked, pointing to a plate of lamb brain on the table.

"Hey! Hey! I haven't eaten yet." Big Fatty hurriedly stopped Wang Chuan, and said to the waiter with a smile, "It's okay, my buddy was just joking with you."

"Don't worry! I was just joking with you." After the waiter left, the fat man laughed, "I really found you a part-time job."

"Don't try to fool me! Otherwise, I'll be coming to you for meals every day next month." After saying that, Wang Chuan picked up a big piece of mutton with his chopsticks, rinsed it, and put it in his bowl.

"I delivered bottled water to a bar a few days ago. They've only been open for a little over a month and business is pretty good. But recently one of their resident singers got hospitalized and can't perform. They're currently recruiting a resident singer."

"I remember you sing quite well, why don't you give it a try? The work hours are in the evening, so it won't interfere with your daytime job," Big Fatty said seriously.

Wang Chuan was a well-known singing prodigy in his hometown, a small county town with a high level of fame. For a time, his boss encouraged him to set up a street food stall and sing for money at night. Of course, the sound equipment was provided by the boss, just for fun.

After a few songs, the middle-aged women who were doing square dancing nearby all came over to request songs and listen to music. The neighbors, who had been constantly disturbed by the square dancing, finally had some peace and quiet and almost presented him with a banner of appreciation!

With Wang Chuan singing to liven things up, the food stall business boomed. People listened to the songs while ordering a few side dishes, some skewers of mutton, and some draft beer and liquor, enjoying themselves immensely.

By the way, the food stall was owned by the boss of the small company where Wang Chuan worked. Wang Chuan didn't get a penny of overtime pay; he only earned a little money from song requests, which he had to split with the boss.

When Da Pang was studying for his self-study exams, he had heard Wang Chuan sing, so he was very confident that Wang Chuan would be a resident singer. So when he learned that the bar was short of a resident singer, he immediately thought of Wang Chuan.

Pan Jinlian, one of the other intern lawyers who joined the firm at the same time, comes from a wealthy family and owns several LV bags, so she has no worries about food or drink.

Although Zheng's family wasn't as wealthy as Pan's, her parents were very shrewd and had bought two apartments within the Third Ring Road of Beijing early on. They rented one out and lived in the other, enjoying a comfortable life.

Needless to say, Wei Ping is a quick-witted and hardworking southerner. Her parents have been doing business in Xinfadi for over ten years, and now they own a house, a car, and a motorhome in Beijing. They've also bought four shops, which, in Wei's words, will be her future dowry.

Only Hao Renyuan, the "tool guy," comes from a less affluent family. However, he is a legitimate graduate of a nationally recognized law university. Besides working as an intern at a law firm, he tutors children in his spare time. Although it's hard work, he earns enough to support himself. Parents in Beijing are very generous when it comes to their children's education.

After considering all the options, Wang Chuan was the one with the worst financial situation among them, as his family was poor. He wanted to learn from Hao Renyuan, who was a "tool man," and tutor other people's children, but his education was limited. He only had a junior college degree and a self-taught degree. Which parents in the capital would hire him?

Therefore, Wang Chuan had to find another way and ask Da Pang for help.

"How much will it cost?" Wang Chuan was now a little panicked and didn't know what to do.

Wang Chuan felt he could handle being a resident singer, but in this industry, it all depends on whether the audience approves. Only resident singers who are well-regarded will get paid by the boss. Otherwise… they'll have to pack their bags and leave!

"You'll have to talk to the boss about the fee after the interview. So, what do you say? Are you in or not?" the fat man asked.

"Damn it!" Wang Chuan nodded through gritted teeth.

The two ate for over an hour, reminiscing about the past. When it was time to pay the bill, Da Pang pulled out several coupons, which reduced most of the cost, saving Wang Chuan a considerable amount of money.

It turns out that a while ago, Da Pang's boss treated everyone to a meal here. When it came time to pay the bill, the restaurant gave out a lot of coupons, which Da Pang collected and put to good use this time.

Wang Chuan was very grateful to his old classmate, Comrade Da Pang!

The following afternoon, after arranging a time with the people at the bar, Da Pang took Wang Chuan to the Houhai bar street.