Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 302 - 300: You Call This Proper?

Chapter 302: Chapter 300: You Call This Proper?

Dongfang Capital, city center.

In the bustling and flourishing downtown area, with towering skyscrapers, there is a relatively inconspicuous area.

It is adjacent to a park and an artificial lake, with the nearest commercial facilities being more than 1km away.

Amid the busy downtown traffic, this area is relatively quiet, a kind of oasis of calm in the midst of chaos.

And that is where Jincheng Club is located.

The full name of the club is actually Jincheng Lawyer’s Club, but within Dongfang Capital, mentioning "Jincheng" alone would make people think of Jincheng Law Firm, the leader of the Top Ten Firms.

The Jincheng Club is there to serve lawyers.

The word "lawyer", though, goes without saying.

Outside the club is a vast open-air parking lot that only registered members can enter.

Normally, Zhang Wei and Tie Ruyun would not be allowed in, but today, armed with an invitation, and the security guard learning that the visitors were partners and ace lawyers from Jincheng Law Firm, they were of course allowed to pass.

Zhang Xinyan, as the designated driver, had to stay with the car.

Though he too was curious about Jincheng Club, he wasn’t part of the legal circle, and the club would not let him in, so he had to remain in the parking lot.

Zhang Wei and Tie Ruyun, on the other hand, walked side by side towards the club.

The architecture of Jincheng Club is bizarre, looking like a huge square, absolutely square in shape.

At the entrance stands a sign bearing the inscription "Jincheng Club, Lawyers Only".

Zhang Wei and Tie Ruyun, both lawyers, naturally had access.

Upon entering through the main gate, a wide-open view greeted them, revealing the entire club’s interior space at a glance.

Jincheng Club has three floors, with the first floor being particularly spacious.

Right at the entrance is a reception area, with a bar on one side and a row of seats nearly filled with people.

A male bartender is showing off his drink-mixing skills at the bar, while the good-looking, neatly uniformed female waiters crisscross the first floor, delivering drinks, beverages, and even desserts and food to the members.

Zhang Wei even noticed a billiard room and a bowling alley not far away.

His nose picked up the faint scent of food, and by his professional chef’s standards, the cooking was certainly up to a chef’s level.

"Eat, drink, play, and relax, all the recreational facilities are included, huh!"

Just a glance was enough for Zhang Wei to understand the nature of the place.

In the hall, people gathered in groups of threes and fives, and Zhang Wei could tell at a glance they were all lawyers.

They huddled together, some joking and gossiping, some discussing serious matters, and even others drinking, bragging, and talking about everything.

All in all, there were quite a few lawyers here, just at the reception area there were dozens of people, not to mention those playing billiards and bowling inside.

Zhang Wei and Tie Ruyun’s arrival naturally attracted the club’s attention, and immediately a female waiter came over.

"Hello, gentlemen, may I ask if you are registered members? Our Jincheng Club only serves members. If you haven’t registered yet, please follow me to the manager’s office..."

"All right, let’s take a trip. We’re here precisely to register as members today!"

Zhang Wei waved his hand and took out the invitation card.

"Please come this way, gentlemen!"

Seeing the invitation card, the female waiter immediately smiled and made a slight gesture of invitation.

"The gesture is subtle, not offensive to others, and though the smile is a bit mechanical, it at least looks decent. This waiter is pretty and has a nice figure, but more importantly, she has a good attitude and knows how to speak. It’s no wonder this club attracts so many people!"

Zhang Wei followed the female waiter while carefully observing his surroundings.

All the way inside, he saw many lawyers, whispering and conversing in hushed tones.

Among these lawyers, some were fairly competent, while others were not quite there yet.

It seemed that the lawyers in the first-floor hall were of an average level, with some above and some below.

The club had three floors, and the real heavyweights were obviously on the second floor and above.

Jincheng Club, Manager’s office.

Upon learning that the visitors were Zhang Wei and Tie Ruyun, the manager immediately revealed a sycophantic smile.

"It turns out to be the renowned Lawyer Zhang and Lawyer Tie from Jincheng’s newly appointed criminal department, welcome, welcome!"

As the manager spoke, he gave a signal to a female waiter, then handed two invitation letters to her.

"Notify the logistics room to make two VIP cards with signatures!"

The waiter accepted the order and immediately left with the invitation cards.

Only then did the manager invite Zhang Wei and his companion to sit down, before starting to explain.

"Lawyer Zhang, Lawyer Tie, we’re all Jincheng’s own people, so I won’t beat around the bush. Let me explain some information about our club to you."

"Our Jincheng Club, as you can see, has three floors. The first floor is the reception area, which is the largest and most crowded. It’s responsible for receiving registered members. Of course, your status is definitely not that of ordinary members. You can go up to the second floor."

"Let me start with the first floor. There’s an activity area, as well as a beverage and food zone. All registered members can enjoy the services on the first floor."

"In the reception area of the first floor, there’s an information wall. Our staff will regularly update information on the wall, also known as the ’posting list’ as joked about by those lawyers outside. Most of the information is about cases. If you want to take on a certain case, you can tear off one of the pages and notify the staff, an action that’s also called ’taking a posting’."

"That’s pretty much what the first floor is all about. Of course, registered members need to pay an annual membership fee of 100,000, but I can assure you, this amount won’t be a loss for anyone. In fact, because the number of open registration spots each year is limited, people almost fight tooth and nail to get one. They’re all eager to pay this membership fee."

Zhang Wei quite agreed with the manager’s words.

What’s most important in the new era? You might say talent.

But Zhang Wei thought resource integration was the most crucial. Otherwise, even if you have the ability but lack the stage to showcase it, you would still be an unappreciated gem, a waste of talent.

And Jincheng Club was clearly about the integration of resources, concentrating all the resources of the Dongfang Capital Lawyer Circle in one spot.

For instance, one could often find some well-paying cases here.

Where else would you find so many cases available?

No wonder Zhang Wei, when searching for cases on his own outside, found so few. Many were centralized here.

"Of course, for Lawyer Zhang and Lawyer Tie, the first floor’s ordinary membership certainly isn’t befitting your status. So, the identity you’re registering this time would be that of a VIP member who can ascend to the second floor."

The manager’s words piqued Zhang Wei and Tie Ruyun’s curiosity.

What’s on the second floor?

"You two might find the posting and taking postings on the first floor interesting," said the manager.

"But, to tell you the truth, the cases on the first floor are mostly leftovers picked through by others. The truly lucrative cases, or those with little challenge but good rewards, hardly ever reach the ordinary members of the first floor."

"The second floor is the real focus of our club’s service. Whenever we receive good cases, they are first offered for selection to the VIPs on the second floor. We have dedicated personnel to create a list, sending all cases to the VIPs for your selection."

"Only after the VIPs on the second floor have made their pick and left behind the unappealing leftovers, do those cases become available to the ordinary members on the first floor. Even so, these cases often incite fierce competition among them."

Zhang Wei understood upon hearing this.

Of course, the best deals would always go first to the powerful lawyers. Whatever they passed on would then fall to the slightly less capable lawyers on the first floor.

This was actually out of responsibility to the clients. They, too, would prefer to find a good lawyer.

"So, does Jincheng Club really handle so many cases?" Zhang Wei asked, somewhat puzzled.

The manager seemed to have anticipated Zhang Wei’s question and answered earnestly: "In fact, the number of VIP clients registered at Jincheng Club is more than you might imagine!"

"Among our clients are not only partners from the Top Ten Firms but also well-known entrepreneurs and businessmen from Dongfang Capital, as well as their friends and business partners."

"Of course, these non-industry people have a relatively complicated registration process, and they need a specific referral to join Jincheng Club. So rest assured, they have all had their identities specially verified by us, and are clients who can afford the cost."

After explaining, the manager looked at Zhang Wei and his companion, "Actually, about half of the commercial engagements received by Jincheng Law Firm each year are helped by our club in acquiring and negotiating in advance."

"Many clients actually like to come to the club to chat with friends and hear other people’s opinions before deciding on a lawyer when they run into trouble. Our Jincheng Club provides just such an environment."

Zhang Wei nodded and laughed, "There’s only one Jincheng Club in the entire Dongfang Capital, right?"

"Of course, I can assure you both, there’s only one Jincheng Club in the entire Dongfang Capital!"

Although Zhang Wei’s question and the manager’s answer made Tie Ruyun feel a bit baffled, he always felt there was something hidden in their exchange.

"That’s good!"

Zhang Wei understood, and the manager comprehended the meaning behind his question as well.

In all of Dongfang Capital, there was only one Jincheng Club, signifying it as the sole place for consolidated case sources in Dongfang Capital.

Only here could one take on cases that entailed a vast share of profitable interests and astonishing compensation.

Of course, cases like the one Zhang Wei had taken on before were actually lucrative, but they were too challenging, and he estimated no one dared to accept them.

Perhaps Ren’s Film Industry and Chengyi Insurance had also sent people to the Jincheng Club to commission tasks before, but he guessed no one dared to accept them, which was why they had no choice but to release the news.

As major enterprises in Dongfang Capital, Zhang Wei did not doubt for a moment that the CEOs of Ren’s Film Industry and Chengyi Insurance were aware of the existence of the Jincheng Club.

The same old question arose, what’s the most profitable thing?

Of course, it’s the monopoly that’s the most profitable.

The existence of the Jincheng Club was, in essence, a monopoly of a significant part of the resources within the Dongfang Capital Lawyer Circle.

Only by joining the club could one get a piece of the pie, while those who didn’t join wouldn’t even have soup to sip on.

"Manager, the VIP cards are ready!"

As Zhang Wei’s thoughts wandered, the female waiter had already returned from the logistics department.

In her hands, she now held two golden VIP cards.

"The two of you, these are our Jincheng VIP membership cards. With these cards, you can enter the second floor of the club, not only to take on lucrative commission tasks but also to publish your own tasks and recruit excellent assistance for your cases."

"Similarly, the VIP card not only aids with cases but also helps you build a wide network. Our Jincheng Club organizes business activities every quarter, not just partners from Top Ten Firms will be there, but also tycoons and top executives from well-known companies will all attend. Even the big Bosses will make personal appearances. You can imagine the effect if you were to hand out your business card at such an event."

At this moment, the Manager’s explanation made Zhang Wei think of a lot.

This kind of scheme could only be played by someone with the status of Lin Xiangtian.

I gather the outstanding entrepreneurs and businessmen of Dongfang Capital into a small circle.

Only those registered with my Jincheng Club will I take along to play; those not registered won’t even get the chance to touch these people.

"I understand, thank you for the reminder, Manager!"

Zhang Wei said with a smile as he carefully took the VIP card. Tie Ruyun, who was at his side, also picked it up and solemnly put it in his pocket.

"By the way, the annual membership fee for registered members is 100,000, and for VIPs, it’s 500,000. However, since both of you have invitation cards, we won’t be charging you this year. If you earn enough money through the club to want to renew for next year, we will have dedicated staff members to remind you of the renewal!"

"Understood, enjoy the benefits first, and then pay later!"

Zhang Wei chuckled, already familiar with these tactics.

Subsequently, the Manager naturally saw the two men off courteously from the management office, leaving them with the waiter’s service.

"Old Tie, shall we go up to the second floor for a look around, lest we get lost next time?"

No sooner had they stepped out of the Manager’s office than Zhang Wei’s thoughts became lively again.

Since the Manager had spoken so highly of the second floor, he had to check it out for himself.

"Both of you, if you wish to go to the second floor, I must remind you here that it serves VIP members, and these members value their privacy very much. Sometimes they even request some ’special’ services from the club, so no matter what you see, please keep it a secret!"

"We understand that," said Zhang Wei. "There’s a saying that goes, ’Ordinary people learn to talk by age two but need a lifetime to learn how to keep their mouths shut.’ We both get the idea!"

Relieved by what Zhang Wei said, the waiter led them to the second floor.

The space on the second floor was somewhat oppressive and narrow compared to the first floor.

But actually, the second floor had the same floor area as the first floor, apart from a reception room at the entrance, it was divided into several separate VIP rooms.

The décor in the reception room was luxurious, with genuine leather sofas, expensive furniture, and even antique paintings and calligraphy hanging on the wall.

Just the whole set of soft decorations here had to cost at least a few million, not to mention the VIP reception rooms inside, which no doubt contained many valuable items.

"Gentlemen, those are the rooms specially for receiving VIPs. I can take you to an available place. If you require service, you can also order."

The waitress led them down a corridor, weaving through the enclosed rooms.

"Is this like a maze?"

Tie Ruyun only glanced around and muttered to himself.

They had already circled a few times, yet all the nearby rooms had their doors closed.

"Old Tie, keep your cool, there are so many rooms here, but I believe you won’t get lost...hmm, is that a woman gasping?"

Zhang Wei said this, his ears twitching as though he heard some indecent sounds.

From a room beside him, the hurried breathing of a woman was faintly audible, along with a rhythmic "smack smack smack" sound.

"Does your club provide this service too?"

Zhang Wei pointed towards the room, his face full of curiosity.

"Lawyer Zhang, please don’t talk nonsense. Our club is quite reputable. It’s just that sometimes customers come with female companions, and since these customers value privacy, whatever they do in seclusion isn’t something our club looks into."

The female waiter was quite composed as if she was used to such scenes. She remained calm even as those provocative noises filled the air.

Clearly, she had become accustomed to it.

"Reputable, huh?"

Zhang Wei murmured to himself, and the three of them moved on.

"Little baby, don’t run, let me touch you more~"

"President Zhu, please don’t, if you keep this up, I’ll scream!"

"Scream then, scream. Nobody’s going to save you with your broken throat~"

"Ah~don’t, please don’t~"

After walking for a while, another set of absurd sounds came from a VIP room nearby.

"I’m thinking, isn’t the soundproofing of these rooms a bit poor?" Zhang Wei commented once more.

"Is that the point?" Tie Ruyun hurriedly interjected, "The point is, it seems like something is happening inside..."

"Don’t worry, sirs. President Zhu just likes this kind of atmosphere, and they always make a lot of noise during their ’performances,’ which is why you can hear it standing at the door here. If you were a bit further away, you actually couldn’t hear a thing!"

"Moreover, the designer of the second floor used soundproofing materials specially, so unless you’re as outrageous as the clients inside, you can’t be heard discussing anything from the outside."

The female waiter explained with an indifferent face.

"Oh, I see. These performances must be quite taxing on the vocal cords, huh..."

Zhang Wei chuckled, looking quite unperturbed.

Just as they were about to leave the vicinity of the room, the door of a certain VIP room in front of them suddenly opened.

Out came three women dressed in bunny girl outfits, with ample bosoms and perky derrieres, their faces flushed with excitement.

As an experienced player, Zhang Wei merely glanced at the way the three women walked and knew that they must have been...

"Do you call this reputable?"

He raised an eyebrow, looking again at the female waiter.

"Well, our clients bring all sorts of female companions, and whatever they play in there, our club doesn’t interfere!"

The female waiter was explaining, but inwardly, she was somewhat speechless.

Can’t you bosses play a little less wildly today? Can’t you see I’m showing two new customers around? Normally you’re all suited and booted, looking prim and proper, but when you’re undisturbed, each one turns into an absolute beast.

Luckily, Zhang Wei had seen enough of such behavior—gentlemen in public, beasts in private—and was rather unfazed.

"Shall we continue the tour?"

"Of course, this way please!"

The female waiter was leading the two men forward when suddenly the room they’d just passed, the one the bunny girls had emerged from, opened again.

"Zhang Wei!"

Then, from inside the room, a surprised voice sounded.

"Well, well, if it isn’t you guys!"

Hearing this voice, Zhang Wei was also taken aback.