Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 114 - 113: A Chance Encounter While Buying Vegetables, Are You Scamming Right Here? (Please Subscribe)

Chapter 114: Chapter 113: A Chance Encounter While Buying Vegetables, Are You Scamming Right Here? (Please Subscribe)

Sunday, early morning.

Zhang Wei sat in the kitchen, legs crossed, with a cup of warm tea in front of him.

He was holding the "Dongfang Capital Morning News," carefully flipping through the newspaper.

Zhang Wei was naturally very familiar with the news on the front page of the morning paper.

"Major Crimes Unit Cracks Another Big Case!"

"Chengnan District’s Organized Crime Ring Busted, Linked to Illegal High-Interest Loans, Victims Number Over a Hundred"

"The Law’s Vast Net Misses Nothing! Major Crimes Unit Arrests 6 Murder Suspects, Fugitive Ge Qingxiong Captured!"

"Procuratorate Headquarters Withdraws Case, the Truth Turns Out to Be..."

"Procuratorate Headquarters Achieves Another Great Merit! Prosecutors to Indict Wang Tianmeng, Ge Qingxiong Soon"

"New Prosecutor Gains Merit, Tan Yingying Transferred to Serious Crime Department, the Reason Behind Warms the Heart"

The morning paper devoted almost half of its space to the arrest operation on Friday, and the Procuratorate Headquarters’ upcoming prosecution of Wang Tianmeng and Ge Qingxiong.

"Those media folks really know how to suck up, don’t they? They can’t stop praising the Procuratorate Headquarters," Zhang Wei mumbled under his breath.

Looking at the content of the newspaper, Zhang Wei was somewhat speechless.

When his own Wang Yuqing case happened, not a word was reported by the media because he had scolded them, resulting in a ban.

But for the Procuratorate’s cases, they were hyped up to the max.

However, who was actually the biggest contributor to this case? The media had no clue.

The case ended with everyone happy, with Tan Yingying and Xiao Baihe earning credit, and the Major Crimes Unit catching Wang Tianmeng and Ge Qingxiong, all thanks to him, Zhang Wei.

He was the one who persuaded Ying Qingli to spill everything about Wang Tianmeng, allowing the Major Crimes Unit to dismantle Wang Tianmeng’s organized crime ring with that intel.

It was his key tips that enabled the Major Crimes Unit to capture the fugitive Ge Qingxiong.

And it was he who, at the last moment of the trial, approached Tan Yingying and Xiao Baihe with a proposal to withdraw charges that saved the Procuratorate Headquarters from another failure.

Ying Qingli had his charges dropped, sparing him a trial and prison time.

Though the Procuratorate lost a robber, they gained heavyweight criminals like Wang Tianmeng and Ge Qingxiong.

Major Crimes Unit 7 earns another great merit.

Indeed, the outcome satisfied everyone...

Except for Zhang Wei himself!

"But it’s not a big deal, my little apprentice got her case withdrawn, which counts as a major victory!"

Zhang Wei muttered to himself, still feeling somewhat dissatisfied, since he didn’t earn anything from his apprentice’s "victorious" case withdrawal.

Hold on!

There was the 1000 yuan from Xiao Baihe, and even though he gave away 500 yuan, it was still a "bonus" income.

Thinking back on Xiao Baihe’s glaring eyes and her nearly murderous expression when she handed over the money, Zhang Wei couldn’t help but want to laugh.

"500 yuan, isn’t that a bit too little..."

Thinking about earning only 500 yuan from a case, Zhang Wei was once again speechless.

In his former life, rich clients would commission him for cases, and just the down payment and final settlement would be 5 million yuan. Now, he’s actually content and smug about making a measly 500 yuan, forgetting his past success.

This isn’t right!

How did he handle pro bono cases in his previous life again?

Oh, his firm didn’t take on pro bono cases at all.

Lawyer Zhang had no intentions of becoming the chairman of the Lawyer’s Association in his past life, so he never took on pro bono cases.

"No, I can’t think like this. I have to be happier..."

After putting down the newspaper, Zhang Wei glanced outside; the sky was growing brighter.

Thud, thud, thud...

At that moment, Zhao Xiaoxiao finally got out of bed.

"Second daughter, you’re up early today! It’s not even 8 o’clock yet!"

Zhang Wei checked the time on his phone; it was only 7:49 am. Normally, Zhao Xiaoxiao would still be asleep at this time.

"Mind your own business!"

Zhao Xiaoxiao typically retorted, but her acceptance of the nickname "second daughter" was growing.

She first went to the bathroom to freshen up, then sat down to breakfast while giving Zhang Wei an unhappy glare.

The breakfast was a bowl of century egg and lean pork congee. Zhao Xiaoxiao sipped the congee spoon by spoon, but her eyes were unkind, and her fierce demeanor was somehow inexplicably cute.

"Remember, you promised you’d help tidy up my room!"

"Of course, I haven’t forgotten. I’m going to buy some groceries later, and after I come back, I’ll tidy up your room. Then I’ll cook you lunch!"

Hearing Zhao Xiaoxiao mention this, Zhang Wei naturally hadn’t forgotten - it was just cleaning his girl’s room.

"No need, I have plans!"

"Plans?"

When Zhao Xiaoxiao said this, was she planning not to come back for lunch?

No wonder she got up so early today, so that’s what it was!

"Yeah, I should say Jessica asked me to go shopping with her today!"

"Shopping again?"

Indeed, it seems women are naturally drawn to shopping.

Even a mature woman like Jessica longed to shop with her female friends.

"Oh, I understand. Then ’Dad’ will just have to eat lunch all alone. Have a good time with Jessica, my second daughter."

Zhang Wei put on the tone of an old father and teasingly made a remark with a lonely gesture.

This naturally earned him a roll of the eyes from Zhao Xiaoxiao.

She swore that if not for the delicious pork and preserved egg congee, she would have thrown her bowl right at Zhang Wei’s face.

"Okay then, be careful on your way!"

After finishing the congee, the two went their separate ways.

Zhao Xiaoxiao took the subway to the Inner Ring City Center, while Zhang Wei headed to the market near Sifang Gate Street alone to buy groceries.

Marketplace.

"Hey, young man, you’re buying groceries again?"

"Zhang, buy some of these vegetables. They’re sweet after the frost."

"Zhang, look, last time the old lady said she wanted to introduce you to a girl, it’s my niece. She’s 19, finished high school, and is preparing to come work in Dongfang Capital. Why don’t you meet her?"

"What nonsense are you spouting, old lady? Zhang is a law school graduate of high caliber. Would he even have anything in common with your niece, a high school graduate?"

"Exactly, exactly. What about my daughter then? She’s also a university graduate fresh out of school."

"Your daughter won’t do; she graduated from a third-rate university, and from a journalism program to boot. How could she compare to Zhang, a graduate of East University?"

"How about my niece then? She’s also a high-achiever from Medical University and is even a doctoral student!"

"Forget it; your niece is nearly 30, still a ’female doctor’ without a partner. She’s got the gall to meddle with Zhang!"

At the marketplace, Zhang Wei bantered with some neighbors who insisted on setting him up with someone.

Simply because he often came to buy groceries, he became familiar with the locals over time.

In his chats with the neighbors, they also learned that he had graduated from East University Law School and had become a lawyer at a law firm.

Though Zhang Wei wasn’t handsome, the neighbors really liked him since extremely good-looking guys are often not reliable.

Zhang Wei’s less remarkable appearance actually fit their criteria better, leading to frequent matchmaking attempts on their part.

Of course, Zhang Wei could tell that many of the proposed matches had issues.

If someone truly had good prospects, they wouldn’t need others to set them up.

Zhang Wei chatted with the vegetable-selling aunts for a while and also casually bought some groceries.

In no time, his arms were full of large and small bags.

Although he was eating alone today, he was used to buying a bit extra on weekends so that if he was busy on Monday or Tuesday, he wouldn’t have to worry.

"What’s going on over there?"

Just as he was about to leave the marketplace, he noticed a crowd of locals gathered at the exit.

People do love a spectacle!

No matter what happened, big or small, joining the crowd was the thing to do.

"You bumped into me, you must compensate. Without eighty to a hundred thousand, I won’t get up!"

"You old hag aren’t leaving today, and as for you, woman, how dare you point fingers at me? I’m lying down here now; what can you do about it?"

Zhang Wei reached the outskirts of the crowd and heard a man’s arrogant voice coming from inside

Bumped into someone, or is it a scam?

Out of curiosity, he tiptoed to take a look inside and saw in the center Zhang Xinwu and Lu Ma.

Zhang Xinwu was frustrated.

She had come to the marketplace with Lu Ma to buy groceries, but they encountered a thug as they were leaving.

The thug started leering at Zhang Xinwu as soon as he saw her, uttering a few harassing words.

Although Zhang Xinwu was annoyed, she ignored him and walked away.

But the thug became even more aggressive and tried to make a move on her.

Zhang Xinwu wasn’t used to putting up with this sort of thing and was just about to punch him.

Just as she was about to pull Lu Ma away, the thug was "brushed" by Lu Ma and then threw himself on the ground, wailing and pleading.

Soon after, a crowd of neighbors gathered, and the thug began to put on a show.

"You little punk, stop being unreasonable. How could two weak women bully you?"

"Right, right. Lu Ma and Zhang girl are both honest folks. Stop your act and get up!"

The neighbors started to speak up, advising the thug with their comments.

"Get lost, you bunch of old fools, meddling and chattering. It was them who bumped into someone, yet you speak in their defense. Are you bullying me because I’m honest?"

"You’re bullying an honest person!"

The small-time thug had a thick skin; faced with the neighbors’ criticism, he brazenly talked tough right on the spot.

Dragging his "lame leg," he grabbed Lu Ma, preventing her from leaving.

"Anyway, since you bumped into someone, I’m pinning it on you!"

Hearing the thug’s words, Lu Ma and Zhang Xinwu were completely at a loss.

Zhang Wei stood outside the crowd, watching the farce unfolding before him, and shook his head.

"Extorting people, huh, and a broken leg, is it..."

His gaze swept the area, finally settling on the fruit stand owner not far away.

Or rather, on the owner’s 8-year-old son.

"Uncle Wang, your little Ming is here to play again today!"

Zhang Wei immediately walked up to the fruit stand and patted the child’s head.

"Yeah, my wife is visiting her family today, so I have to look after my son alone!"

Zhang Wei chatted with the owner for a moment, then grabbed the child. "Uncle Wang, I’ll take little Ming over there to check out the excitement, okay?"

"Be careful, there’s so many people around!"

"Don’t worry, I’ll pay attention!"

Zhang Wei held the child’s hand and walked to the entrance of a small supermarket.

"Hehe, little Ming, do you want your brother to buy you a drink?"

"Yes, please, I want iced black tea!"

"Alright!" Zhang Wei had no objections and said to the Boss, "Boss, a bottle of iced black tea, please."

After buying the iced black tea, Zhang Wei immediately opened it for Wang Xiaoming and handed him the bottle.

Glug glug glug~

In no time at all, the child had gulped down the iced black tea.

Seeing this, Zhang Wei chuckled and then started whistling.

"Shh—"

"Brother, can you stop whistling? I really need to pee."

Wang Xiaoming was originally happy, but Zhang Wei’s whistling made him feel the urge to pee.

"Need to pee, huh? Alright, big brother will take you to pee!"

Zhang Wei was overjoyed to hear this. He grabbed Wang Xiaoming and headed into the crowd.

"Excuse us, please make way, neighbors, make way please!"

As Zhang Wei and Wang Xiaoming made their way into the crowd, the ruffian’s performance reached its climax.

"You... you’re bullying me..."

"I’ve been hit, and you people have no sympathy. My leg is beyond repair!"

"You two women, don’t think you can get away with this. Either you take care of me for life, or I’ll call the Martial Association and have you arrested!"

"You..."

The ruffian pointed at Zhang Xinwu and Lu Ma, his voice choked with sobs, snot and tears streaming down his face.

The neighbors surrounding them were silent now, stunned by the ruffian’s dramatic display.

"Little Ming, go ahead and pee!"

But suddenly, an incongruous voice arose in the crowd.

The ruffian then felt something wet, and it was warm, on him.

He turned around only to see a child under ten peeing on him.

"F*ck, you little bastard, how dare you pee on me!"

The ruffian hollered, jumping up on the spot.

Helpless, because it was pee, oh, how dirty~

"Hey man, didn’t you say your leg was broken? How come you jumped up so sprightly?"

Suddenly, Zhang Wei emerged, pointing at the ruffian’s leg and laughing.

"This..."

The ruffian instantly realized his charade had been exposed by a child’s pee.

"You little bastard!"

"Bro, boy’s pee wards off evil. Isn’t it good to have some of it drive away the bad energy?"

Seeing that the ruffian wanted to lash out at Wang Xiaoming, Zhang Wei chuckled, quickly smoothing things over.

Then his tone changed, his voice growing colder, "Now that we’ve driven away the evil for you, shouldn’t we settle our accounts?"

"What accounts, and who the hell are you?"

"It’s not important who I am. What’s important is that you’re committing public extortion, suspected of fraud, and for a huge amount of money, too. I could sue you!"

Zhang Wei said, pointing to the onlookers around them.

"They all saw it. You just claimed you were hit, cried your eyes out pleading, but how come your legs work fine now? You’re not only standing and jumping, but you can also curse people, huh?"

"I..."

"What ’I’? Just a moment ago, you said you wanted to report this, so go on and report it!"

Zhang Wei watched him with a sneer, each word sharp, "When the time comes, I’ll have the neighbors testify, and given your fraudulent activities, you’ll have to spend at least 3 years in jail. Oh no, that’s wrong! Your methods are despicable, the situation serious, I might make it 5 years for you!"

"Five years!" Hearing Zhang Wei say this, the ruffian’s eyes flickered with fear.

"You’re slandering me. Who do you think you are? Do you think I’d be afraid of you?"

"Humph, who do I think I am?"

Hearing the ruffian speak like that, Zhang Wei let out a cold laugh.

"You greenhorn, you don’t even recognize little Zhang? Let me tell you, he’s a lawyer!"

"That’s right, he’s been into a major law firm, and in the future, he’s going to be a Lawyer Zhang!"

"You little runt, not afraid to die, huh? Anyway, I’ve already called the police, have the guts not to run away and wait for the field team to come and take care of you!"

Zhang Wei hadn’t even opened his mouth, and the neighbors around him couldn’t hold back any longer.

Anyway, Zhang Wei had poked through the little ruffian’s lies, and having been suppressed by the other side before, now the tables had turned, and it was the neighbors’ turn to dish it out.

One by one, they ridiculed the young ruffian, making his face look uglier by the moment.

"You, you... fine, you all are tough!"

Finally, the ruffian got scared and left with a threat, huffing with anger.

Seeing the show was over, the neighbors quickly dispersed, but some still gave Zhang Wei a thumbs-up.

"Wang Xiaoming, you should go back to your dad’s place!"

Zhang Wei patted the "big hero’s" head and also sent him off.

"Little Zhang, thanks a lot. If it weren’t for you, we’d have been in trouble today~"

"Zhang Wei, thank you!"

Lu Ma and Zhang Xinwu were also following Zhang Wei, thanking him repeatedly.

"It’s what neighbors do; helping out is natural. Are you guys okay?"

"No problem, what could happen to us?"

With the trouble resolved, Lu Ma was extremely cheerful and, seeing Zhang Wei carrying bags of groceries, quickly said:

"Little Zhang, you bought groceries too? How about this, come to our martial arts school for dinner today. Leave those groceries for tonight. How’s that sound?"

"Hmm, that might actually work. So, I’m going to mooch a meal over there today?"

Thinking that Zhao Xiaoxiao wasn’t home and he’d have to cook for himself today, Zhang Wei happily agreed.

Upon hearing that Zhang Wei would eat at the martial arts school, Zhang Xinwu revealed a warm smile, feeling quite happy too.

"Okay, let’s head back now."

Lu Ma quickly urged and took the lead on the way back.

Zhang Wei and Zhang Xinwu naturally followed behind, walking side by side.

"Zhang Wei, thanks for your help. I really didn’t know what to do."

Zhang Xinwu thanked Zhang Wei once again.

There was no helping it; although her own martial abilities were not weak, these days, who looked at martial prowess? It’s all about following the rules.

"Hey, if only the old vegetable market had surveillance, would we allow these little scoundrels to extort us!"

"Don’t worry though, he wouldn’t dare to truly extort anyone. With so many eyewitnesses on the scene, the Martial Association only needs to inquire a bit to know the whole story!"

"Mm."

Hearing Zhang Wei say this, Zhang Xinwu nodded in agreement.

For lunch, Zhang Wei ate at the martial arts school.

Although Lu Ma’s cooking skills were slightly worse than his, the taste of some of the home-cooked dishes was genuinely good.

Of course, since he was there for a meal, Zhang Wei had to show off his own skills and ended up using the kitchen to make a few dishes.

After eating them, Zhang Xinwu and Lu Ma were full of praise for Zhang Wei.

These days, not many men knew how to cook.

"Little Zhang, you’re a good guy, having such great cooking skills. Whichever girl ends up with you is truly blessed!"

At dinner, Lu Ma made this comment and then glanced at Zhang Xinwu with a meaningful look.

The latter’s face turned red as she kept her head down slightly.

Zhang Wei also noticed Lu Ma and Zhang Xinwu’s reactions, but before he could say anything, his phone rang.

It was a message from Xia Qianyue.

[Xia Qianyue: Zhang Wei, are you free this afternoon?]

[Zhang Wei: Yeah, I’m free. What’s up this afternoon?]

[Xia Qianyue: My brother is coming back, and my mom asked me to pick him up from the airport in the afternoon. Want to join me?]

Seeing Xia Qianyue’s message, Zhang Wei immediately became flustered.

The future brother-in-law is coming over, and right after the new year?

[Zhang Wei: Sure!]

He quickly typed out a reply and sent it back.

As he thought about accompanying Xia Qianyue in the afternoon, Zhang Wei could only rush through his meal at Zhang’s Martial Arts School and quickly bid his goodbyes to leave.

"Ah, this little Zhang, what a pity his heart is already taken!"

As she watched Zhang Wei leave, Lu Ma sighed, then gave Zhang Xinwu another look.

She too was staring at the doorway, lost in thought for a long time.