Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 285 - 283 Handling the Aftermath of the Storm, Got a Car?

Chapter 285: Chapter 283 Handling the Aftermath of the Storm, Got a Car?

Tuesday, a workday.

Jincheng Law Firm, 25th floor.

Criminal Department, a large, independent office with a south-facing window that let in the morning sun.

"What, Cheng Lisha died?’

Zhang Wei had just picked up today’s newspaper and not yet poured himself a cup of coffee when the headline on the front page caught his attention.

"Dongfang Capital’s famous host Cheng Lisha jumps to her death, suspected lawsuit torment’

The headline, in bold print, along with a mosaic-censored photo of the scene, was quite sensational.

"Zhang Wei, have you seen the newspaper?"

Tie Ruyun also rushed over as soon as possible, his face a mix of panic and astonishment, and he too was clutching a newspaper.

"I’ll personally go to the criminal office later to find out what’s going on!"

Zhang Wei, holding the newspaper, pointed to the headline page with a grave expression.

Because in his mind, Cheng Lisha couldn’t die yet; she still had to face her responsibilities.

But unexpectedly, that woman, it seemed, couldn’t withstand the pressure and had jumped to her death.

"Right, Zhang Wei, now that Cheng Lisha is dead, her column group might hold a press conference later. Without a defendant, our lawsuit is..."

"Don’t rush, let’s see what her column group has to say first; if they ignore the lawsuit against Cheng Lisha, then we can still sue them."

Zhang Wei waved his hand, seemingly not too worried.

Though Cheng Lisha was the mastermind behind the defamation of Yang Chuanfang, her column group had also played a role in exacerbating the situation.

In this matter, Cheng Lisha and her column group could be seen as a single lawsuit entity.

Even without Cheng Lisha, Zhang Wei could still initiate a lawsuit against the column group.

But now that Cheng Lisha was dead, he wanted to see if the column group still recognized the lawsuit.

Ding!

Just then, he received a notification on his phone from the hottest V-blog alert.

"Lisha Talk Show Column Group to hold brief press conference, new host identity to be announced soon"

"She was once the darling of the media, a beacon among Dongfang Capital hosts. Who would have thought her end would be so tragic?"

"The old has gone, the new rises! Gossip suggests the new host will be..."

Zhang Wei immediately opened the webpage to start browsing the information.

The content pinned to the top of the homepage was about who would take over the media queen title after Cheng Lisha’s departure.

As for the news of Cheng Lisha’s death, not a single message of remembrance could be found.

Cheng Lisha’s fans seemed to have vanished into thin air overnight, not causing even a ripple on the internet.

There is a saying: when a person dies, it’s like a light going out—once this light went out, not even a trace of its glow remains.

Zhang Wei waited for a moment, and the press conference quickly began.

The live broadcast showed the set of Lisa’s Talk, where a young woman dressed in professional attire appeared in the video.

"Hmm?" Zhang Wei looked at the woman with a puzzled expression: "Isn’t that... Isn’t that the female assistant who was always following Cheng Lisha? She’s taken over?"

No wonder Zhang Wei was astonished.

He too had many encounters with Cheng Lisha, including with her little follower.

That female assistant always appeared extremely subservient, as if she could be fired at any moment.

Logically, such a person should have no chance of taking over Cheng Lisha’s position.

After all, this was the media queen seat at Dongfang Capital, the pinnacle of the news and media industry.

When the queen dies, isn’t the second in line the happiest?

Or perhaps another host from the same network?

But now, these people were content to be the backdrop, making way for a completely inexperienced newcomer?

Moreover, this new face wasn’t some popular young idol but Cheng Lisha’s former assistant—a unremarkable character with neither the necessary experience nor accomplishments, who suddenly became Cheng Lisha’s successor?

All in all, this took Zhang Wei by surprise.

But what he was more concerned about was Lisa’s Talk Show Column Group’s attitude towards Yang Chuanfang and himself.

If these people didn’t know better, Zhang Wei wouldn’t mind giving them a lesson.

"Hello everyone, I was the assistant to the late host Cheng. My surname is Wang. From now on, I will be known as Wang Lisha, taking over the late Cheng’s role as the host of Lisa’s Talk. Our audience can rest assured that me taking over the column has the support of the entire column group and even the whole network. Please do not worry about any further personnel changes!"

"Next, on behalf of the late Sister Cheng, I will address the issue that fans have been most concerned about recently."

"Firstly, regarding the lawsuit Sister Cheng was facing before her death, the criminal department office of Dongfang Capital’s Jincheng Group has notified us. They will sue our column group on behalf of Mr. Yang Chuanfang, and we are sincerely willing to accept this lawsuit. We will negotiate a settlement with the other party to satisfy Mr. Yang’s lawsuit demands as much as possible to avoid entering into a time-consuming legal battle."

"Here, I would also like to issue a statement on behalf of the team. Although Sister Cheng has passed away, the mistakes she made are acknowledged by us, the Lisha Talk Show Column Group. We sincerely admit our faults and offer a heartfelt apology to Mr. Yang who has suffered prejudice over the past ten years. We will certainly provide you with a satisfactory response."

"Here, we also inform the criminal department office of Jincheng Group that our Lisha Talk Show Column Group will actively and properly handle this lawsuit. We will not repeat the mistakes made by Sister Cheng in the past, and we hope to reach cooperation with Jincheng Law Firm as soon as possible, to amicably resolve this lawsuit..."

During the live broadcast, the new host who had just announced a change of name, now known as Wang Lisha, the successor, directly announced her intention to reach a settlement with Zhang Wei’s party.

"Wow, that was quick?"

Zhang Wei was surprised himself.

Had Wang Lisha just taken her position and could already represent the column group and the TV station in making a statement?

The compensation he demanded wasn’t just tens of millions, but the full sum earned through defamation by exploiting Wen Xiaoyun’s death and smearing Yang Chuanfang over the past ten years— a total of 1.5 billion.

Even if the Lisha Talk column group wanted to compensate, would the higher-ups of the TV station agree?

1.5 billion just like that?

Or did they plan to negotiate a settlement, but still intended to discuss the price with Zhang Wei’s party?

Anyway, the column group had shown their stance.

In Zhang Wei’s view, the attitude of the column group was on the proactive side, which was very favorable for their negotiations.

After watching for a while, Zhang Wei turned off the live broadcast.

He stepped out of his office to the criminal department area, where he saw Li Yueqin and Tie Ruyun busy in front of a computer, and Tie Cuilan ran back and forth.

The only one in the entire office who wasn’t busy was Lin Yumeng...

"Xiao Meng, are you slacking off again?"

"Ah, no, not at all. Master, don’t talk nonsense—I’m also working seriously!"

The apprentice caught by Zhang Wei immediately closed the video webpage and pretended to pick up a document lying next to her.

"Xiao Meng, although you look cute sneaking in some slack time, can you be a bit more attentive when pretending to be serious? You’ve got the document upside down!"

Zhang Wei chuckled and pointed at the folder in his apprentice’s hand.

"Ah!"

The apprentice, having her lie exposed, blushed and bowed her head, wearing a look of embarrassment, not daring to raise her eyes to look around.

"Old Tie, Xiao Li, are all these resumes that were sent in?"

Zhang Wei glanced at the documents and knew what they were all about.

"Exactly. Ever since that day, after the case ended and we announced that we were hiring, these resumes haven’t stopped coming since then!"

Tie Ruyun sighed, a bittersweet feeling.

Although they had taken advantage of the case’s popularity to post a job advertisement, they never expected the response to be this great.

The resumes that had been sent in had already exceeded several hundred, and the email inbox was still refreshing non-stop, showing no signs of stopping.

"Then you all stay busy. I’m the ace lawyer, not responsible for the hiring business!"

Zhang Wei waved his hand and was ready to leave.

"Zhang Wei, wait a moment. I’ve been notified by the front desk—there’s a phone call for you!"

Just then, Tie Cuilan suddenly spoke up, stopping Zhang Wei.

"A call for me? Who is it?"

"They say it’s from the Lisha Talk Show Column Group. It seems that the new host wants to talk to you over the phone regarding the settlement. Shall I direct the call to your office landline?"

"Sure, thank you, Sister Cuilan!"

Zhang Wei was only puzzled for a second before he went back to his office and answered the phone.

"Hello, is this Lawyer Zhang?" On the other end of the line was a crisp female voice.

This voice was not unfamiliar to Zhang Wei.

He had just been watching her live broadcast.

"Host Wang, hello, congratulations on securing your position."

"Lawyer Zhang is too kind. I’m only temporarily taking over Sister Cheng’s work. If I don’t perform well in the future, the station might seek a more outstanding host."

"Really? But from what I saw of your performance during the live broadcast, it seemed like both the column group and the station had no objections to you at all."

"Lawyer Zhang, you jest. I’m still a newcomer. How could I influence the opinions of the column group and the station?"

Zhang Wei snickered to himself. This kind of polite talk might deceive others, but trying to fool him was a fool’s errand.

If you don’t have someone backing you, who would believe it?

"Host Wang, I believe you didn’t call just to exchange pleasantries with me, did you?"

"Lawyer Zhang is indeed straightforward, so I won’t beat around the bush," replied Wang Lisha, taking a deep breath before continuing. "Over the past ten years, Sister Cheng has exploited the death of Wen Xiaoyun, spread rumors and slander about your client Yang Chuanfang, and besmirched his name. Our column group bears responsibility for her actions."

"After our column group and the station’s top management held overnight meetings, we decided to use half of the total 1.5 billion earned by Sister Cheng through illegal means over the years as compensation, to be paid to your client, Mr. Yang."

"Half?" Upon hearing this figure, Zhang Wei was somewhat surprised.

It wasn’t that he was dissatisfied with the number; on the contrary, he was very pleased.

Because according to his worst-case scenario, the station might not acknowledge the lawsuit after Cheng Lisha’s death.

After all, the person is dead, go find her yourself!

This was the most likely outcome he had anticipated.

But not only did they not deny it, but they also offered 750 million in compensation right off the bat, which was simply...

Zhang Wei had signed a full authority agency contract with Yang Chuanfang, and after the criminal lawsuit, the division of claims in the civil lawsuit was 30% of the compensation payment.

The 750 million in compensation meant a 225 million attorney fee.

This was revenue for the law firm, and the share for an ace lawyer was different from that of a regular lawyer, even exceeding 50%.

Even after deducting an 11% personal income tax, Zhang Wei had earned at least a small target’s share of revenue from this single case.

Plus the earnings he had previously shared, Zhang Wei had long become a billionaire!

However, although there was a ripple in his heart, Zhang Wei’s expression remained calm throughout.

"Is this the final result you have discussed?"

"Yes, Lawyer Zhang, this is the final result we’ve discussed. If you’re not satisfied with it, there’s nothing we can do. I know your initial expectation was a full compensation of 1.5 billion, and this number has also been carefully verified by your actuaries."

On the other end of the phone, Wang Lisha hesitated for a moment and explained, "But please also consider Sister Cheng’s spending capacity. She lived in the most expensive apartment in the city center of Dongfang Capital, she would travel abroad every year, buy a lot of financial funds every month, she believed in investing and even purchased jewelry, on top of the daily expenses to maintain her luxurious lifestyle. Compared with these, our column group’s expenses and labor costs and such, turned out to be small in comparison."

"I understand, I have no objections to this amount!"

Since the other party had already lowered their stance, Zhang Wei did not intend to push too hard.

After all, his main target was Cheng Lisha, and after the woman’s death, focusing on the column group was meaningless.

"Well then, Lawyer Zhang, you mean you agree, without the need to communicate back and forth with Mr. Yang?"

"No need, because I know what he wants!"

Zhang Wei smiled slightly, fully aware in his heart.

Because Yang Chuanfang’s family is not short of money, and he doesn’t care about wealth.

What he cares about is always just one answer, an answer that allows him to clear his name.

And that answer, with the help of Zhang Wei, had already been found.

"So, Lawyer Zhang, does this mean we have reached a settlement?"

"Of course, I am also quite surprised, but since Host Wang personally called me, how could I disagree?"

"Alright, Lawyer Zhang, we will send a business lawyer over later to sign the settlement agreement at Jincheng Law Firm, so..."

"Wait!"

Just as Wang Lisha was about to hang up the phone, Zhang Wei suddenly spoke up.

"Lawyer Zhang, do you have any questions?"

"I’m just purely curious, did Cheng Lisha really jump off the rooftop herself?"

"This..."

On the other end of the phone, Wang Lisha showed a flash of astonishment in the depths of her eyes upon hearing this question.

"Hello, Host Wang?"

"Oh, Lawyer Zhang, I’m here!"

"There’s something off in your tone, Host Wang?"

"I... I just miss Sister Cheng a bit, although her reputation in the column group was not too good, she indeed taught me a lot..."

"Oh, sorry, it was nosy of me, let’s pretend I never asked that last question!"

Zhang Wei chuckled and then took the initiative to hang up the phone.

However, at the moment the call ended, a glimmer of enlightenment flashed in his eyes.

"It looks like there are some issues with Cheng Lisha’s death..."

"But what does that have to do with me? Am I going to seek justice for that woman? Clearly, I won’t..."

Zhang Wei waved his hand dismissively and then made another call to Yang Chuanfang.

"Young Master Yang, the matter has been taken care of, they were very cooperative, and agreed to the settlement!"

"I know you don’t care about the settlement amount, and even after Cheng Lisha’s death, you weren’t too concerned about this matter, but it’s a matter of their attitude, we have to go through the motions!"

"What, you’re at our law firm right now, waiting downstairs for me?"

"How embarrassing, then I’ll come down..."

Zhang Wei hung up the phone and immediately took the elevator downstairs, quickly arriving at the plaza outside the first floor of Jincheng Building.

In the square, a red SUV was parked, and Yang Chuanfang stood beside it wearing sunglasses, his mouth brimming with a smile.

Next to him, Yang Chuannan stood, also with a smile on his face, completely devoid of the gloom from before.

"Young Master Yang, Second Young Master Yang, why have you both come together?"

"Lawyer Zhang, I’ve come to bring you a gift!"

"A gift?"

"Yes, a gift!"

As Yang Chuanfang spoke, he casually tossed the car keys, which Zhang Wei caught with ease.

"This is..." Looking at the car keys in his hand, Zhang Wei paused.

"Lawyer Zhang, I don’t need this car anymore. I saw you eyeing my vehicle a few times before; you obviously need a car!"

Yang Chuanfang said and laughed, "Moreover, you’ve visited me so many times without driving; I knew you needed a suitable vehicle."

"Although my car isn’t top of the line, subtracting the armored modifications, it costs just over a million. But consider this a little token of my appreciation. If Lawyer Zhang doesn’t like it, I can get you another one of the brand you want!"

"Young Master Yang, you do not need to worry. I think this one is quite good, just the color is a bit flashy, but I can have it repainted later!"

Zhang Wei waved his hand and did not decline.

After all, he was now an ace lawyer, and it really didn’t make sense to keep commuting by subway.

After discussing the compensation with Yang Chuanfang, the Yang brothers left with smiles on their faces.

When they left, their faces bore an indescribable expression.

Zhang Wei waved goodbye to the two, then immediately made another call.

"Bratty little brother, the car has arrived, you can start work now, but I don’t like red; it’s too flashy. Change it to black for me!"

After giving the directive, Zhang Wei decisively hung up the phone.

After waiting for several minutes, Zhang Xinyan finally arrived.

Zhang Wei tossed the keys to him, then unceremoniously took his seat in the passenger side.

"It looks like I need to get a driving license too!"

Although Zhang Qiansheng was a veteran driver with thirty years of experience, if Zhang Wei needed to hit the road, he still had to get a driving license.

After all, the name on the license had to be Zhang Wei, not Zhang Qiansheng.

"Let’s go, take me to a place!"

"Where to, just command, and I’ll drive?"

Zhang Xinyan sat in the driver’s seat, looking over the car’s interior again and again, while silently exclaiming in wonder.

A million-dollar car is indeed different.

His attitude toward Zhang Wei became noticeably more polite as well.

"Where else to go but to meet my enemy, come on, to the Martial Association morgue!"

Zhang Wei gave an address, but Zhang Xinyan was momentarily stunned, feeling a chill down his spine.

Damn, going to the morgue in broad daylight, probably only you would do that.

An hour later.

Criminal Division, forensic office.

Mo Yuzhu gently lifted a white cloth, revealing an incomplete corpse beneath.

Zhang Wei and Mo Yuzhu were quite calm, as they had seen plenty of corpses before.

"Is this heap... her?"

"Yes, that’s her!"

"Isn’t this too tragic?"

"Nothing can be done, that unfinished building is over a hundred meters tall, any normal person would turn to dust after falling from there!"

"What did the investigation department say?"

"They said it was suicide, but..."

Mo Yuzhu spoke, and beneath her disheveled hair, her eyes involuntarily shifted toward Zhang Wei.

"But what?" Zhang Wei felt a vague sense of unease.

"But the word outside is that you pressured her to death!"

"Ah, that..."