Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 326 - 324 Guiding Newcomers, Old Tie Fell in Love?

Chapter 326: Chapter 324 Guiding Newcomers, Old Tie Fell in Love?

July, the beginning of the month.

The weather in Dongfang Capital was exceptionally hot and dry this month.

Not only because summer vacation had arrived, but also because Dongfang Capital was about to host a grand martial arts event.

It’s said that this event was called "Southern Martial Arts Convention," and netizens also nicknamed it "The World’s Number One Martial Arts Conference," "The Ultimate Battle on Earth," and other such catchy titles.

Of course, these were all just ways netizens hyped it up; the official name of the event was simply "Martial Arts Conference."

Just four plain words, devoid of any magic, but they always became the talk of the town.

"Did you see the selection today?"

"Did you catch the live stream of yesterday’s Martial Arts Conference?"

"Goodness gracious, they say there are female martial artists competing, I wonder if they can really fight?"

"Nowadays, traditional martial arts are in decline; lots of it is just deceit. Who knows if any genuine talents will emerge in this competition?"

"And those advertisements really go all out. Just not sure if the products they sell are any good..."

These were the kinds of conversations you’d overhear while walking among passersby.

It was said that the sponsors of the Martial Arts Conference were all well-known businesses in Dongfang Capital.

Each round of ad space covered a variety of products from everyday life.

As the saying goes, without benefit there’s no motivation to rise early; the ZB Family fought tooth and nail to promote the Martial Arts Conference, aiming for a return on their advertising investments.

They had to make back the money they poured into it, so naturally they advertised with all their might.

This resulted in the current situation, where everyone knew the words "Martial Arts Conference," and it was the subject of conversation everywhere you went.

Jincheng Law Firm, the criminal division office.

"Heard there are bookies for the Martial Arts Conference, if you bet on your favored contestant and he takes first place, wouldn’t we make a fortune?"

"Knock it off, with hundreds of contestants in the Martial Arts Conference, it’s like betting on which team will win the World Cup before it starts—you’ve got a one percent chance. You really want to throw your money away?"

"I’m just saying, what if I bet on a dark horse? I heard the odds could go up to 1 to a 100!"

"Then who do you know to bet on? I watched the selections yesterday, and there’s still another round to go for our Dongfang Capital’s Martial Arts Conference. How could you place a bet without knowing anything about those competitors from all corners of the world?"

"In that case, how about we visit a temple after work and pray for blessings from Buddha?"

"Religious figures are supposed to be untainted by worldly desires like gambling. Better go to a koi pond and wish for good luck—that’s more reliable!"

Though the newcomers were busy, their sporadic conversations still revolved around the Martial Arts Conference.

"Enough talk, I’ve just received a new case and need to think about how to approach it."

"You’re right, this new case is important too. It’s my stepping stone into the legal world; I must win my first case!"

"Win a case? Heard that lawyers usually lose their first case. I think it would be good enough to settle out of court."

"That’s fine too. My client is charged with intentional injury; if I can get less than 2 years, I’d consider it a success..."

"That’s your only aspiration? My client committed theft, I think if he confesses, even a few years behind bars would do~"

"Pfft, you have even lower standards!"

After gossiping for a while, the newcomers returned their attention to the cases at hand.

After all, these were their first cases, and they had to take them seriously.

In his private office.

Lawyer Zhang Wei looked at the bustling activity of the newcomers in the main office and couldn’t help but nod.

Indeed, for newbie lawyers, nothing was more captivating than a case to work on.

Every lawyer harbors the desire to stand in court, eloquently argue and utterly defeat the opposition.

He was quite fond of the liveliness these newbies displayed.

They had promising futures ahead.

Ding~

Suddenly, Lawyer Zhang Wei’s phone chimed.

It was a WeChat notification for a new message.

He quickly pulled out his phone and saw it was from Xia Qianyue.

[Xia Qianyue: Zhang Wei, we’re participating in the selection competition today~]

[Xia Qianyue: It’s at the city sports stadium, do you want to come and watch?]

[Zhang Wei: Of course, I’ll be there in a bit!]

After replying to the message, Zhang Wei planned to send a message to Zhang Xinyan, asking him to get the car ready.

But as soon as he opened the messaging app, he slapped his forehead as he suddenly remembered something.

"I almost forgot, that stinky brother of mine and Sister Xiao Wu are competing on behalf of Zhang’s Martial Arts School too!"

Zhang Xinyan and Zhang Xinwu were both contestants, and they had already gone to today’s competition.

Fortunately, the venue for the preliminaries was the city gymnasium, which could be reached by subway.

It was only about a fifteen-minute trip from the subway station near the Jincheng Group.

If he drove to the Martial Arts Conference, he might get stuck in traffic several streets away.

"Right, better to take the subway!"

After thinking it over, Zhang Wei decided to ask Old Tie for some time off.

After all, he needed to support his girlfriend—Xia Qianyue was competing, and how could he not be there to cheer her on?

With that in mind, Zhang Wei walked out of his office toward the office of Tie Ruyun, the person in charge.

"Lawyer Zhang, I have a question to ask!"

"Lawyer Zhang, could you help me clarify a doubt?"

"Help~"

Zhang Wei’s steps halted as he looked at the group of newcomers.

"What’s the situation? If you guys have questions, why don’t you ask Old Tie? He’s the person in charge, right?"

Zhang Wei was puzzled.

It was Monday, a workday, and all the newcomers had been assigned cases.

As the head of the department, Tie Ruyun should have been around to oversee everything. So why did it seem like Old Tie had disappeared?

Besides, even if Old Tie wasn’t around, there were Xiao Li and Xiao Meng...

Thinking this, Zhang Wei looked towards the workstations of Li Yueqin and Lin Yumeng.

Li Yueqin was busy at her computer, her hands never stopping, clearly working hard.

Next to her, Lin Yumeng, noticing Zhang Wei’s glance, suddenly got a jolt and quickly pretended to be deeply involved in work.

Goodness, my apprentice is slacking off again...

Don’t think I don’t know what you were doing just because I didn’t see it; I bet you were browsing the internet and watching videos again!

Zhang Wei sighed and conceded, "Alright, what are your questions?"

One of the newcomers immediately asked, "Lawyer Zhang, my client has been accused of intentional injury, and I heard the victim is seriously injured, so the starting sentence is 3-5 years. How can I get my client’s sentence reduced to under 2 years?"

After pondering for a moment, Zhang Wei replied, "Serious injury is one thing, but it depends on how it’s defined. Has the victim done a disability assessment? You should contact the victim’s previous doctors or investigate his medical records. As long as you can prove that the victim had injuries before your client got involved, then there is room to maneuver in the definition of serious injury."

The newcomers perked up at Zhang Wei’s answer.

A girl immediately stepped forward, raising her hand to ask, "Lawyer Zhang, I have a tricky question too. We’re stuck on the evidence chain for my case. My client insists he’s innocent and says his friend is the suspect, but the investigation department won’t accept his request. How should we proceed with the investigation?"

Zhang Wei took the case file from the girl’s hand, "Let me take a look at your case. There are DNA records from several people at the scene, right? Go and get a DNA comparison with that friend. As long as his DNA appears at the crime scene, you can persuade the investigation department to start investigating the friend too!"

"But how do we get that DNA? You can’t exactly approach his friend and say, ’we suspect you’re involved in a criminal case, could you provide your DNA to aid our investigation,’ can you?"

The girl said with a hint of worry, "Even the investigation department may not necessarily get the DNA, and we are just defense attorneys..."

"Heh, are you stumped by this?"

Zhang Wei glanced at the newcomers and chuckled, "Have you ever heard of ’evidence testing’?"

The newcomers looked at one another and all shook their heads.

Zhang Wei handed the file back to the girl and patted her on the shoulder encouragingly, "There are actually many ways to find your target’s DNA, and the method I’m suggesting is completely legal. It just requires you to be willing to endure some hardship!"

"What kind of hardship?"

"Go through the target’s trash bags. There’s bound to be household waste in the trash, and that waste will definitely be contaminated with the target’s DNA!"

The girl instantly understood and swallowed hard.

Sifting through trash was really not something a girl could easily do.

No wonder Zhang Wei mentioned hardship; indeed, it was a tough job.

"Lawyer Zhang, what about mine..."

"My case, my case..."

Seeing that Zhang Wei provided "expert-level" advice that broadened their horizons, all the eager newcomers raised their hands, surrounding him.

"Don’t rush, don’t rush, take it easy, one at a time..."

Zhang Wei naturally responded with calm and composure, giving guidance and suggestions to each newcomer.

It wasn’t until more than ten minutes later that he was finally able to excuse himself.

"Old Tie, I need to take a leave!"

Zhang Wei directly pushed open the door to Tie Ruyun’s office.

As soon as he poked his head in, he saw Tie Ruyun shudder in fright, his smartphone dropping to the ground.

"Ouch, Zhang Wei, don’t scare me like that!"

Tie Ruyun sighed in relief when he saw who it was.

His expression and demeanor at that moment were exactly like that of a little apprentice caught slacking off at work.

"Old Tie, what are you doing?"

A look of confusion crossed Zhang Wei’s face as he hurried into the office.

"Nothing much, I was just checking if Team Leader Lin has sent me a message..."

Tie Ruyun hastily explained and then took out his phone again, opened WeChat, and stared at the chat screen.

Seeing this scene sparked Zhang Wei’s spirit, "Oh, you’ve added each other on WeChat already? Why don’t you just message her and chat?"

"Team Leader Lin is part of the serious crime unit; she’s so busy with her work. It wouldn’t be good to bother her rashly, would it?"

"You’re even considering her situation?"

"Definitely, if I weren’t considering her, I would have messaged her to say hello already, but now..."

Zhang Wei watched as Tie Ruyun wanted to send a message but hesitated, shaking his head all the while.

"Old Tie, if you want to send a message, just send it. Don’t limit yourself and don’t make excuses for the other person out of thin air."

He patted Tie Ruyun on the shoulder, advising, "Actually, pursuing a girl isn’t that complicated. First date, get to know each other a bit, then send messages more frequently to show you care. On the second date, watching a movie and holding hands are both fine, and that’s your best chance to confess. If the girl is willing to come out for the third date, that means you can round the bases directly. You can prepare with a bit of a prelude, have a meal together, drink a little, and then straight to a hotel."

"Cut it out, could Team Leader Lin be just any ordinary girl?" Tie Ruyun’s head spun like a rattle-drum.

"Actually, I feel that Team Leader Lin is easier to pursue!"

Zhang Wei responded with a slight smile, disagreeing with Tie Ruyun’s opinion.

"How could that be? She’s so busy..."

"It’s exactly because she’s busy with work that she is easier to pursue!"

Zhang Wei shook his head with a tough-love expression, analyzing, "Team Leader Lin is also in her thirties, right? I’ve heard she’s single too. Busy with the serious crime unit work every day, the chances for her to date are almost nil."

"Old Tie, you have an advantage here. At least you two have a lot in common work-wise. Both of you deal with criminals, so you must have plenty of topics to talk about."

Upon careful consideration, Tie Ruyun found that Zhang Wei’s point, that little guy, seemed to hold some truth.

"But wait, speaking of common topics, aren’t there more men in Team Leader Lin’s squad?"

"Tsk tsk tsk, Old Tie, you don’t know the rules in the serious crime unit, do you? There’s a rule that they don’t date amongst themselves!"

Zhang Wei shook his head with a chuckle.

"What’s that about?" Tie Ruyun blinked, curious.

"Simple, in the work of investigation, office romances are the most taboo. Emotions can affect one’s basic judgment, so within the same team or even the same department, you won’t find couples!"

Waving his finger, Zhang Wei added with a smile, "This is also why I’m relieved that my Simpleton joined the serious crime unit."

"I see..." Tie Ruyun muttered to himself, deep in thought.

"Old Tie, don’t hesitate. If you’re going to send a message, just do it. If she’s busy, then she’s busy, but if not, she’ll surely reply to you."

"But what if she doesn’t reply?"

"If she doesn’t reply, just delete and move on to the next one. You can’t just hang yourself on one tree, can you?"

"Ah, this..." Hearing Zhang Wei’s playboy-like remarks, Tie Ruyun was stunned.

"Rest assured, Old Tie. Team Leader Lin agreed to add you on WeChat, so she definitely won’t ignore your messages. But you need to find some common ground to start the conversation!"

Zhang Wei continued his mentorship, while Tie Ruyun tried opening WeChat and sent a message.

"Then I’ll send a ’good morning’ as a greeting..."

"That’s fine too. Wait for Team Leader Lin to respond, and then play it by ear!"

Zhang Wei nodded his head, and as a final reminder said, "Remember, the purpose of your chat is to ask her out. Don’t spend every day sending ’good morning’ and ’good afternoon’ messages. If she sees too many, she’ll get annoyed!"

"Alright then..."

Tie Ruyun was helpless but nodded anyway, appearing like a humble student being instructed.

Ding!

Suddenly, a message came through the WeChat chat window.

Tie Ruyun hurriedly picked up his phone to check, and indeed, it was a reply from Lin Ruonan.

"Martial Arts Conference, Team Leader Lin is also going to participate?"

Zhang Wei also saw the message and noticed that Lin Ruonan mentioned the Martial Arts Conference, which took him by surprise,

because he remembered that the Martial Association had a few guaranteed spots in the main competition, and Lei Hu and Lin Ruonan, both the chief and deputy team leaders of the serious crime unit, had secured these spots.

In other words, they didn’t need to participate in the selection matches and could directly enter the main competition.

And the competition at the city sports venue today was actually the Dongfang Capital selection match, which Lin Ruonan theoretically did not need to take part in.

"Zhang Wei, how should I reply? We’re not participating in the Martial Arts Conference either..."

"What do you mean ’we’re not participating,’ I’m definitely going to be there!"

Zhang Wei quickly vetoed, you, Tie Ruyun, might not participate, but I, Zhang Wei, am going to be there to watch my dear Silly.

"Old Tie, I’m actually here to ask for leave. I have to be at the Martial Arts Conference to support my Silly, she’s one of the competitors!"

As he spoke, Zhang Wei leaned in close to Tie Ruyun, "But you can rest assured, I won’t neglect my work, I’ll come back right after watching, don’t worry!"

"You..."

Tie Ruyun glanced outside the office, "It’s just the first day of the month, and today is also a Monday, and you’re asking for leave already..."

"Old Tie, you misunderstood, this isn’t taking leave, I clocked in today alright. I’m just here to inform you that I am going to work at the Martial Arts Conference. I need to communicate with my Silly, how else would she tell me the latest developments in the serious crime unit?"

Zhang Wei let out a sly laugh, then waved his hand.

"So Old Tie, I’ll be off first!"

"Oh right, if the newbies have any questions later, you’ll need to take good care of them, I’m the ace lawyer, not responsible for training new recruits in the department!"

Before leaving, Zhang Wei didn’t forget to leave a reminder.

Tie Ruyun felt a wave of speechlessness in his heart, but had no way of dealing with Zhang Wei.

Ever since the criminal department was established, this guy has acted like the father, and they were all his sons!

As sons, how could they defy the father?

So even if he didn’t agree to Zhang Wei’s so-called leave, it wouldn’t make a difference.

Zhang Wei, having informed Old Tie, headed straight to the Dongfang Capital sports venue.

After a ride on the subway for over ten minutes and walking for a few more minutes, the grand sports venue came into sight.

The city sports venue.

Today it was exceptionally lively, practically teeming with people outside.

Spectators who came for the excitement, live-streamers riding on the hype, and some journalists from news television, had all converged inside and outside the sports venue.

Inside, the opening ceremony for the Dongfang Capital selection match of the Martial Arts Conference was taking place.

The competitors too were in the backstage rest area getting ready, warming up for the event.

Of course, some competitors opted to jog around the sports venue for warm-up, and this made many live-streamers and journalists wait around, ready to interview any competitor they spotted coming out.

Naturally, Zhang Wei had no interest in joining such clamor; he made a beeline for the backstage rest area.

To enter the rest area, one had to be either a staff member or a competitor.

But when Zhang Wei arrived at the exclusive passage, he handed out his business card to the two security guards.

"Jincheng Law Firm, ace of the criminal department, Lawyer Zhang Wei?"

One of the guards, holding the business card, looked puzzled.

"I’m from the Jincheng Group!"

"Oh, someone from the sponsor, please, please come in."

Upon hearing Zhang Wei’s self-introduction, the guard quickly let him through.

This didn’t surprise Zhang Wei, as Jincheng Group was one of the sponsors for the Martial Arts Conference this time, in other words, Jincheng was like a sugar daddy to them.

A portion of the security guards’ salaries came from Jincheng, so naturally, they were much more courteous towards Zhang Wei.

"Speaking of which, where are the competitors?"

"Oh, most of them are in the rest area right now. They’ll only go on stage for competition after the opening ceremony. They should all be doing their warm-ups at the moment."

"Understood!"

Once he knew the location of the competitors, Zhang Wei headed straight for his target.

However, he was also curious to know which unfortunate ones would be Xia Qianyue’s opponents today.

These folks clearly had no idea what they were going to face