Grassroots lawyers also have their day

Chapter 97 A Sense of Accomplishment!

Wang Chuan turned around and saw a female judge walking towards him. Why was he certain it was a female judge? Because… he recognized her; she was the same judge who had handled the labor dispute between Hongyun Dechang and Gao Dehai—a familiar face. If Wang Chuan remembered correctly, her surname was Wu, and her name was Wu Hongyan.

"Judge Wu, is there something you need?" Wang Chuan asked hurriedly.

"The verdict in the Hongyun Dechang case has been handed down. I was going to call you to come and collect the judgment, but I didn't expect to run into you here. Wait a moment, I'll give you the judgment in a bit." Judge Wu's expression was indifferent, but his tone was slightly gentle.

After waiting for twenty minutes, Wang Chuan received the labor dispute judgment between Hongyun Dechang Company and Gao Dehai. The outcome was exactly as Wang Chuan had expected: a complete victory!

"Attorney Wang, do you specialize in labor cases? I have several cases that you've handled," Judge Wu asked expressionlessly.

Although Wang Chuan was an intern lawyer, Judge Wu could tell that Wang Chuan was the one speaking in every court session, while lawyer Zheng Yi was just a figurehead—virtually useless and barely spoke.

"It was a coincidence! No one in the office wanted to do the labor cases, so they all went to me," Wang Chuan said with a smile.

Judge Wu didn't speak, but nodded, smiled at him, and turned to go upstairs.

Wang Chuan stood there, scratching his head. What did Judge Wu mean by asking that?! Then he shook his head, thinking to himself: "Why does such a pretty young woman with a smile have to always have such a serious face? She looks like a haggard old woman. Sigh! Being a judge isn't easy."

Back at the office, Wang Chuan handed the two judgments to Zheng Yi.

"Yes, the verdict was expected. I'll contact Hongyun Dechang Company. You call Deng Tong, leave a copy of the judgment, and give him a copy as well," Zheng Yi said after reading it.

After Wang Chuan called Deng Tong, the two agreed to meet at the legal services office at 5 p.m. Just as Wang Chuan finished the call, he heard a commotion at the law firm entrance, and Director Niu went out to greet them.

A moment later, Fatty Wan walked over with light steps and a beaming smile.

"Wang Chuan, let's go eat in a bit!" Fatty Wan said with a smile.

"Eating? What kind of eating? Are you treating?" Wang Chuan asked three questions in a row. He never expected that Wan Pangzi, who was usually as stingy as a miser, would actually invite him to eat.

"It's not my treat, it's a client! Do you remember Gao Yunxiu? The client who was sentenced to three months in detention for assault." Fatty Wan said in a low voice.

"I know! Judging by the time, she should have come out long ago. ...Could it be that she's treating us?" Wang Chuan asked in surprise.

Fatty Wan smiled and nodded: "She and her sister treated us to lunch. It was a kind gesture, and we couldn't refuse them!"

"I knew it... Okay, I'll do as you say!" Wang Chuan laughed. Someone was treating him to lunch, so he saved on a meal.

He had just turned on his computer at his workstation and, as was his habit, logged into QQ when he saw his QQ avatar flashing.

Pan Jinlian: Senior Brother, when are you coming over?

Today was Wang Chuan and Pan Jinlian's shift at the legal services office. Wang Chuan went to pick up the judgment in the morning and was so busy afterward that he almost forgot about it.

Wang Chuan: I'll go back to the legal services office after lunch. How was the morning?

Pan Jinlian: I just got rid of a young man who was being all lovey-dovey with me. I snapped at him a couple of times and he left.

Wang Chuan: Haha, with such a beautiful woman sitting there, there's bound to be people like her coming to her door. They'll charge you first, then we'll talk! Just don't let them take advantage of you.

Pan Jinlian: Trying to take advantage of me, huh! I'll chop off his hand. Who's in the station?

Wang Chuan: Zheng the troll and Attorney Sun went to court. Wei Ping went to the client's office with Sister Wang. Hao Renyuan and Attorney Zheng are in a hurry to go to court this afternoon, so they went to lunch early. That leaves just me and Fatty Wan. Oh, and Director Niu too.

Pan Jinlian: Then why aren't you coming back to eat? What's there to eat with them? One's a Martian, the other's a big boss, how uncomfortable! Besides, the two of them combined aren't as good-looking as me!

Wang Chuan: Hmm, what you said makes sense, but a beautiful lady is treating me to lunch, and I can't refuse!

As Wang Chuan typed, he felt a little smug inside.

Pan + Jinlian: Beauty? Aren't Wei Ping and Zheng the troll not in the station? Oh? You've fallen for someone else! Hehehe...

Wang Chuan: Don't talk nonsense! The client is treating.

Just as Wang Chuan was chatting and joking with Pan Jinlian, Wan Pangzi's voice came: "Wang Chuan, let's go!"

In a private room on the second floor of a restaurant, sisters Gao Yunxiu and Gao Yunmei sat around a table with Niu Gongming, Wan Sheng, and Wang Chuan.

The waiter brought over a pot of fragrant tea, and Gao Yunxiu took the teapot and poured a cup for everyone present.

"Thank you, Director Niu, Attorney Wan, and Assistant Wang. Without your help, I don't know how long I would have been detained. Today, my sister and I sincerely invite you all to a meal to express our gratitude."

"Don't be shy, everyone!" Gao Yunxiu was clearly more eloquent than her sister, Gao Yunmei. Her sister sat to the side, saying nothing, only nodding repeatedly, her eyes full of gratitude.

After the food and drinks were served, Gao Yunxiu raised her glass and looked at Fatty Wan: "Lawyer Wan, thank you! My sister told me that if it weren't for your honest advice, our family wouldn't know what to do."

Thank you! This glass is for you!

After saying that, Gao Yunxiu tilted her head back, then turned the wine glass in her hand upside down, looked at Fatty Wan, and finished the wine.

Fatty Wan was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected Gao Yunxiu to be such a heavy drinker. Since she had drunk it all to thank him, he couldn't and had no reason to refuse. Besides, he didn't care about such things; it was just drinking!

Fatty Wan stood up and, mimicking the gesture, downed his drink in one gulp: "You don't need to be so polite, it's all I should do."

After exchanging a few polite words, Fatty Wan sat down.

Next, Gao Yunxiu toasted Director Niu. When it was Wang Chuan's turn, because he had to go to work in the afternoon, he only drank half a glass of beer. Immediately afterward, everyone at the table saw Wang Chuan's face turn bright red.

Seeing Wang Chuan's behavior, the Gao sisters dared not urge him to drink any more during the latter half of the banquet, and Director Niu and Fatty Wan became their targets.

The meal took more than an hour to finish. After leaving the restaurant and seeing off the Gao sisters, while Director Niu went to the restroom, Fatty Wan looked at Wang Chuan with a smile.

"Xiao Wang, do you know why I like being a lawyer?" Fatty Wan whispered.

Looking at the heavily intoxicated Fatty Wan, Wang Chuan thought for a moment: "To make big money?"

"Of course, what lawyer doesn't want to make money? But that's not the main thing. For me, the sense of accomplishment when my clients recognize my work is what motivates me to be a lawyer. For example, the Gao family case gave me that sense of accomplishment."

This sense of accomplishment can't be replaced by money. This feeling is so wonderful, it makes me feel like I'm floating on air!" Fatty Wan patted Wang Chuan's arm and said with a smile.

(End of this chapter)