Grassroots lawyers also have their day

Chapter 87 Your own cabbage isn't so easy to steal!

"Divorce? What a load of rubbish! If I dared to bring up divorce, I'd probably be in the ICU before the trial even starts," the man said angrily and helplessly over the phone.

"Your wife is that amazing?" Wang Chuan asked, somewhat skeptical.

"My wife practices Taekwondo. Before she retired, she was on the provincial team. She can take on four or five people like me without even breaking a sweat. Isn't that amazing?"

Let me tell you a more direct story. My wife's family is from the countryside. Last year, they lost an old hen. They searched for three days and three nights but couldn't find it, which made my mother-in-law very anxious.

Later, when the villagers heard that my wife was going back to the village, the villagers went to the production team, and the brigade leader made a special exception and used public funds to buy two old hens for my father-in-law's family.

After finishing, he sent a message to my wife, saying that the old hen had been found, and that she could focus on her work. He also told her that her parents were being looked after by villagers and that she shouldn't go back to the village unless necessary.

"Tell me, with a wife like this, would you dare to divorce her? Now you understand me, right? I can't take it! This is too hard for me!" the man complained in a low voice over the phone.

"Sigh! It's not easy being a man! It's even harder being a man for a woman who knows Taekwondo!" Wang Chuan said, but he was forcing a smile.

"Well... you see, I've had a tough time too. I'm not getting a divorce. Could you refund my lawyer's fees?" the man on the phone asked.

What? ...A refund? What are you thinking! The law firm and the lawyer are not at fault. It's you who doesn't want to continue. How could Old Niu possibly refund your money!

"Well... I need to report to the director. I'll let you know when I get some news!..." After saying a few more words, Wang Chuan hung up the phone and turned to go into Director Niu's office.

"Senior Brother, you really know how to persuade people," Pan Jinlian said with a smile as she saw Wang Chuan come out of the office.

Wang Chuan was completely bewildered.

"Hey! It's not easy being a man! It's even harder being a man for a woman who knows Taekwondo!..." Zheng Pengzi mimicked Wang Chuan's tone, and everyone burst into laughter.

On Saturday noon, Wang Chuan taught Wei Ping guitar all morning and treated the beautiful Wei to a Xinjiang-style braised chicken. While the two were eating and chatting, his phone rang.

"Chuan'er, where are you? Do you have time? I need to talk to you about something." Wang Chuan's mother's voice came from the phone.

"Mom! It's nothing. I'm eating right now. What is it? Please tell me." Wang Chuan put down his chopsticks and listened with a serious expression.

Wang Chuan's parents knew he was busy working as an intern lawyer in Beijing, so they rarely called him. He usually called home on weekends or evenings to chat with his parents and "report" on his work, always reporting good news and never bad.

It's the weekend. Wang Chuan had just spoken to his father on the phone this morning when his mother suddenly called at noon, making his heart clench. When you're away from home, the worst thing is something happening at home and you can't get back in time.

"Just now, Aunt Li from the east end of our village came to my house and asked for your phone number. She said her second son is working in Beijing, but his boss is delaying paying him. He heard you're a lawyer in Beijing, and her son wants to consult you."

"I gave her your phone number. He might call you in the next few days," Wang Chuan's mother said.

"Okay! Mom, is everything alright at home?" Wang Chuan asked softly.

"Okay, your dad and I are both in good health, we can eat and drink well, there's nothing wrong with us, don't worry about us! You're doing well, eat more, don't skimp on your food. Take good care of yourself in Beijing, call home if anything happens," Wang Chuan's mother said with a smile.

"Yes, yes, I'm fine! I'm well-fed and warmly dressed. Your son lives in a good school district house now, the conditions are great, there's heating in winter and air conditioning in summer, so you don't need to worry."

"My dad is getting old. Could you please advise him not to go out and do small business on the streets anymore? He's worked his whole life and it's time for him to take a break..." Wang Chuan said, getting up and walking towards the restaurant door.

Wei Ping noticed that Wang Chuan's eyes were a little moist as he stood up, and knew he was feeling sad. Being a "Beijing drifter," being a "Beijing drifter," leaving one's hometown—it's all tough! Her own parents had gone through the same thing back then!

Thinking of this, Wei Ping's resentment towards her parents gradually faded away!

When Wei Ping returned home that evening, she saw her parents drinking Kung Fu tea as soon as she entered the door. The two seemed to be discussing something important (Wei Ping knew that her parents would only sit together to drink Kung Fu tea when discussing important matters), and their opinions seemed to be somewhat different.

"My darling daughter is back! Have you eaten? Come and sit down!" Mrs. Wei said with a smile. Mr. Wei also turned around and smiled at his happy daughter.

"I've already eaten. I bought a pancake from a roadside stall."

Wei Ping casually placed her guitar on the sofa, walked to the tea table, and sat down. Her mother poured her a cup of fragrant tea.

"You've been interning at the law firm for almost half a year now. How's it going? Your dad and I are discussing your future career plans," Wei's mother asked with concern.

"What are we discussing? I can apply for my lawyer's license in six months. I want to get my license first." Wei Ping looked at her parents with a puzzled expression.

"Your dad and I are planning to send you abroad to get some experience."

"Your father has an old classmate who was a good student and is now a professor at Yale University in the United States. We'd like you to apply to Yale's law program so you can study abroad for a few years and broaden your horizons," said Mrs. Wei.

Wei Ping took a sip of tea, put down the teacup, and looked at her mother: "Is it because of him?" Although Wei Ping didn't talk much, she was very perceptive and shrewd!

Mrs. Wei looked a little embarrassed: "Not entirely, but mainly I want you to have a bright future."

Then, after some hesitation, Mr. Wei uttered the classic phrase that parents everywhere often say: "We're doing this for your own good!"

"I don't want to go out to study for the time being." Wei Ping lowered her head, picked up her teacup, drank it all in one gulp, and got up to walk upstairs to her room.

What does this mean? Is it a polite refusal? Actually, Mr. and Mrs. Wei both know what their daughter means. In fact, this is the last thing they wanted to see.

"Pingping, wait a minute!" Not wanting to argue, Wei's mother quickly said, "We're not asking you to study abroad right now. It'll be a while before you get your lawyer's license. You should prepare for the IELTS exam first. We can decide whether to go or not after you get your license next year. If you don't want to go then, we won't force you!"

Wei Ping had already gone up the stairs when she heard her mother's words. She paused for a moment, then nodded hesitantly. She didn't want to have too much of a falling out with her parents over this matter; it would be best if everyone compromised.

Seeing Wei Ping nod, Wei's mother finally breathed a sigh of relief. In her view, as long as her daughter was willing to agree, she wasn't worried about not having the opportunity to send her daughter away in the future. Her own daughter wasn't so easily taken advantage of!

(End of this chapter)