Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 554 - 548 Another Discussion? Zhang Wei is a Threat!

Chapter 554: Chapter 548 Another Discussion? Zhang Wei is a Threat!

Friday, evening.

In a hidden place within Dongfang Capital.

In the pitch-dark hall, only five beams of light fell, serving as illumination.

Within the light, sat five people wearing masks.

However, one of them, a chubby fellow, outright removed his mask.

"I say, we all know each other so well, let’s not wear these masks anymore. They’re annoying. Besides, wearing masks is a bad habit left over from our ancestors; we should rid ourselves of this ugly custom."

After revealing his face, the chubby one added another explanation, "I want to make it clear, I’m not asking you to take off your masks because they’re uncomfortable for me, not at all, I simply feel it’s unnecessary!"

"Fatty Lin, although you’re not very reliable on ordinary days, this time I support you!"

The second person then took off their mask, followed by the third, fourth, and fifth...

All were unmasked.

These five were Zhang Tianlong, Lin Xiangtian, Wu Yuanzong, Hua Chaofan, and Zhao Qingyan.

The Five Great Families had gathered once again.

"Zhang Tianlong, speak. What’s the purpose of calling us here this time?"

Lin Xiangtian, as the one most fond of livening up the atmosphere, directly questioned the initiator at the head of the table.

"This time I have gathered you here, mainly for two matters!" Zhang Tianlong replied without any hesitation, raising two fingers.

"The first matter is regarding the choice of city councilors."

Hearing this, Lin Xiangtian exchanged glances with Hua Chaofan and Wu Yuanzong on either side of him, then showed a hint of speechlessness, even contemptuously curling his lips in disdain.

"Zhang Tianlong, is there any point in asking this question? Everyone knows you want to promote your own people."

Lin Xiangtian said, his face clearly conveying a ’you must be joking’ expression.

So, Zhang Tianlong, you’re being hypocritical. You’ve clearly already decided on your candidate, yet you still want to ask the rest of us if we have any good recommendations, right?

This is like during a job interview when the company’s general manager finds the chief interviewer and says,

"This candidate is my nephew, but as the general manager, I have to avoid conflict of interest, so you make the call!"

What can the chief interviewer do then? Fail the general manager’s nephew?

Similarly, everyone knows that you want to support Hawkins for the position. What are you trying to say by bringing this up now?

"Indeed, I do intend to support Hawkins for the position!"

Zhang Tianlong was straightforward. Since everybody knew, he simply admitted it.

Arranging a loyal subordinate in the city council was a necessary plan to solidify his position.

And this plan was not to be missed!

"In order to support Hawkins’ rise to power, our Zhang Family will utilize certain resources and, at that time, we hope you four families will cooperate fully!"

"Fine, if we cooperate, what’s in it for us?"

Lin Xiangtian cleaned his ear, his face full of boredom.

He actually knew Zhang Tianlong’s intentions.

You’re asking our four families to cooperate, which means you want us to spend money to pad Hawkins’ credentials, we get it.

But you, Zhang Tianlong, expect a few words from your mouth to make us want to give up something for nothing, that won’t do.

Whilst it’s true we are the Five Great Families and are branches of the same tree, the members of our four families are not your subordinates.

Seeing Lin Xiangtian so uncooperative, Zhang Tianlong’s brow slightly furrowed, and he felt irritated within.

Actually, he did plan to freeload.

Among the Five Great Families, their Zhang Family were the leaders, so shouldn’t the other four families support us wholeheartedly?

If the Zhang Family becomes formidable and prestigious, wouldn’t the standing of you four families also rise accordingly?

It’s a mutual loss or mutual glory, that’s the principle.

But little does he know, times have changed.

At least for Lin Xiangtian’s generation, although they are from the Five Great Families and can sit down amiably, what matters more to them is the interest of their own clan.

Compared to Zhang Tianlong who uses the name of the Five Great Families to treat the other four as tools, Lin Xiangtian and the rest are more focused on their personal interests.

Want to freeload off us? Sorry, but none of our four families run charities; we won’t let you, Zhang Tianlong, freeload off us.

Consequently, the atmosphere on-site suddenly fell silent.

Zhang Tianlong was annoyed that Lin Xiangtian had the audacity to ask for benefits.

And Lin Xiangtian and the others were equally annoyed. You, Zhang Tianlong, want us to give without offering anything in return?

Isn’t that even more preposterous than a playboy?

Even those playboys, when wooing a girl, will start by sweet-talking and deceiving the girl. But with you, you can’t even be bothered to write a worthless check?

Under the weight of silence, Zhang Tianlong became the first to grow restless.

After all, this matter concerned his interests.

"If Hawkins rises to power, I can make decisions on his overseas investment projects and the urban construction projects in Dongfang Capital, giving priority to your four families to take on the jobs!"

"That’s more like it."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiangtian nodded in satisfaction.

Then, he stated his stance directly, "It’s just Hawkins, after all. I’ve always been very fond of that blond curly-haired guy. He’s talented. It would be nice to have him as a city councilor!"

"Then I have to ask, what about the opponent?" Suddenly, Hua Chaofan spoke up.

"Since you, Zhang Tianlong, have called us here alone, it must be because the opponent is quite formidable, right?"

Zhang Tianlong nodded, "Indeed, there is a troublesome character among those running for city councilor this time."

"Who is it?" Lin Xiangtian was immediately intrigued.

"Old Ding!"

"Old Ding?"

Hearing what Zhang Tianlong said, Lin Xiangtian and the others looked at each other in confusion.

Who was this Old Ding?

Lin Xiangtian’s eyes moved around, then he remembered someone.

"Zhang Tianlong, you’re not talking about that Old Ding, are you?"

"Indeed, it’s that Old Ding!"

Hearing the confirmation, Lin Xiangtian was at a loss for words.

"If it’s that Old Ding, your Hawkins has indeed met his match!"

"Yes, and that’s why I need your help to boost Hawkins’s visibility!"

"Regarding this, we can only do our best."

"Who exactly is this Old Ding that you guys are referring to?"

Seeing the two engaged in the conversation, Hua Chaofan raised his hand to interrupt.

"I’ve been abroad all this time and haven’t been back in Dongfang Capital for long, so I don’t know any Old Ding."

Wu Yuanzong, who had been quiet, offered an explanation, "The current head of the Dongfang Capital Procuratorate Headquarters is surnamed Hou, and before that, it was a Ding. This Old Ding is the former chief prosecutor!"

"He was injured by a criminal’s bullet during the investigation of a major case, which forced him to retire early from the Procuratorate Headquarters. However, after stepping back, he chose to enter politics, and this year he intends to contend for a seat as a Dongfang Capital City councilor."

"So, what’s Old Ding’s popular support like?"

"A former chief prosecutor who not only fought courageously against criminals but was also always at the front line, honorably wounded and retired – pick any of these deeds, and they’d surely yield a decent support rate."

As Wu Yuanzong spoke, he also glanced at Zhang Tianlong.

Difficult!

It truly was difficult!

"Understood. Looks like we not only have to help but also need to put in extra effort, or else Hawkins definitely has no chance of winning, right?"

Hua Chaofan understood as well, though he had no interest in the city council election.

Politics was something he was too lazy to touch.

"Then, the first matter is considered settled!"

Zhang Tianlong said, and then raised his second finger.

"The next matter is about Zhang Wei!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qingyan, who had not spoken up until this point, was also stunned.

"Well, this is the second time we’re discussing this guy, isn’t it?"

Lin Xiangtian couldn’t hold back either, his chubby cheeks quivered at the mention of the name.

No other reason, just that Zhang Wei had left an indelible impression on him.

"This time, I think this kid has already become a threat to us!"

Zhang Tianlong said, looking towards Wu Yuanzong.

This made Wu Yuanzong look somewhat embarrassed.

At the last meeting, everyone was cordial, and Wu Yuanzong didn’t take Zhang Wei seriously.

He even arrogantly said that a mere Zhang Wei could not bother himself.

But what about now?

The slap of reality came so swiftly!

Not only did he fall, but his plan to take over Gao Tianri’s assets also miscarried, even involving his lover Gu Shimang.

What was this, losing the wife and the soldiers?

Thankfully, the wife wasn’t his own but the opponent’s.

But this still could not be tolerated.

The key was that Zhang Wei turned out to be a threat to him, forcing him to compromise.

So, regarding Zhang Wei’s matter, Wu Yuanzong’s attitude was...

"Indeed, this guy has become a major thorn in our side, and if we let him continue to bounce around, it’s not good for any of us!"

If Zhang Tianlong wants to deal with Zhang Wei, then Wu Yuanzong would support him one hundred percent.

They definitely needed to regain the face they had lost.

"But the question is, how do we deal with this kid?"

Lin Xiangtian also interjected and asked.

But with that one question, both Zhang Tianlong and Wu Yuanzong fell silent.

They had to admit that although Zhang Wei often went against them, he did everything through official channels.

He was a lawyer, and those cases had all just happened to be picked up by him, and he went through the proper procedures.

His case-handling methods and courtroom tactics were all too solid for anyone to find any flaws.

Moreover, Zhang Wei was an orphan with no parents or relatives to exploit vulnerabilities through, not even through those closest to him.

If you were to speak of his only family, it would only be his nominal girlfriend and her parents.

But Zhang Tianlong had had those three people investigated too.

Whether Li Qinghua or Xia Donghai, they were both small fry within their respective systems, one a regular field agent and the other a court clerk, neither wielding any real power.

People like that, even if they wanted to do something wrong, would find it difficult, and even if they did make mistakes, it would be minor slips, not enough to make a case.

So, with conventional methods, it seemed they couldn’t touch Zhang Wei.

"Lin Xiangtian, isn’t this kid at your law firm? Can’t you, as the big boss..."

"Oh, come on, Wu Yuanzong, you think I don’t want to?"

Seeing Wu Yuanzong speak thus, Lin Xiangtian immediately spread his hands, "This guy is slippery; he even dares not to listen to my orders. I tried to put him in his place, but he went straight to my dad, leaving me unable to handle him."

"Elder Master Lin?"

Wu Yuanzong was dumbfounded upon hearing what Lin Xiangtian said.

Just one Zhang Wei managed to involve Elder Master Lin?

"Isn’t it so? I don’t know if that kid played a trick, but my dad even called me, told me to cut ties with that female caddy at the golf course and those few women recently."

"Who have I offended? It’s just a few affairs, I didn’t bring women home, I’m very disciplined. I respect my wife, so I definitely wouldn’t bring any outside woman back home, yet even so, my dad interferes in my business. Does this make sense to you?"

Hearing Lin Xiangtian’s words, Zhang Tianlong and the others were left speechless.

You think having affairs is something to be right about?

Look at us, do I, Zhang Tianlong, have affairs? Does your brother Lin Xiangrong have affairs?

It’s just you, Fatty Lin... oh, and you Wu Yuanzong, you two like to have affairs, right?

Wu Yuanzong, noticing the other people’s stares, couldn’t help but lower his head.

"No, wait, we were talking about Fatty Lin, why have I become the target here?"

He immediately realized and hastily asked, "We were discussing Zhang Wei, why bring up affairs?"

"Oh, right, look at my thought process, my dad has scolded me stupid!"

Lin Xiangtian said, spreading his hands again, "In any case, I can’t handle Zhang Wei; if any of you have the means, go handle him yourselves!"

Zhang Tianlong and Wu Yuanzong exchanged looks, then they turned to Hua Chaofan and Zhao Qingyan, but quickly looked away again.

Because they knew Hua Chaofan couldn’t handle Zhang Wei, and as for Zhao Qingyan... that was even more laughable.

But just then, a person in black approached Lin Xiangtian from behind and whispered a few words in his ear.

"Oh, really?"

Lin Xiangtian looked surprised for a moment, then waved his hand to dismiss his subordinate.

"What’s up, Fatty Lin?"

"Nothing much, just a subordinate reporting that he wants to take leave for a trip to Longdu."

Hearing that it was just someone under Fatty Lin asking for leave, the interest of the others faded.

"However, coincidentally, this person asking for leave is none other than that kid’s boss, Tie Ruyun!"

Lin Xiangtian muttered to himself and then smiled, "It’s odd that within our law firm, Zhang Wei listens to no one, but he gets along quite well with this Tie Ruyun."

"This time Tie Ruyun is returning to Longdu, and I think he won’t be able to handle it; otherwise, why did he slink away from Longdu in disgrace in the first place?"

"It’s all because of an incident 12 years ago that got him the nickname ’Coward’, and I bet this time, he will have to slink back in the same way."

Lin Xiangtian murmured, but unfortunately, Zhang Tianlong and the others weren’t listening.

He wasn’t surprised; they wouldn’t be interested in the affairs of his law firm.

Lost in thought, Lin Xiangtian suddenly had an idea.

"Speaking of which, if Tie Ruyun can’t handle it, asking that kid for help as a backup, could that be possible?"

No sooner had he spoken than Zhang Tianlong and Wu Yuanzong perked up.

"You mean, if Tie Ruyun fails, Zhang Wei might leave Dongfang Capital to go to Longdu?"

"I mean, there’s a possibility, just a possibility..."

Zhang Tianlong looked thoughtful; he saw this as an opportunity.

If there was room for maneuver in Longdu, it wasn’t out of the question to keep Zhang Wei there forever.

He just needed to...

However, this matter required careful, long-term planning.

And...

Zhang Tianlong glanced at everyone present, his gaze lingering on Zhao Qingyan for a moment.

He knew that considering the relationship between Zhao Qingyan and Zhang Wei, it was possible that whatever he planned against Zhang Wei, Zhao Qingyan might turn around and tip him off.

Therefore, even if he wanted to plot something, he had to find trustworthy people.

Yet, Lin Xiangtian’s words had given Zhang Tianlong a very good idea, a viable direction for his plan.

...

Saturday, a day off.

Zhang Wei got up early and made a hearty breakfast for his second daughter and himself.

At the dining table, the two were feasting merrily.

"Strange, why aren’t you reading the newspaper today?"

While eating breakfast, the second daughter noticed something unusual.

Because Zhang Wei had woken her up more than ten minutes earlier than usual, and his demeanor at breakfast was anything but leisurely.

In the past, Zhang Wei always read the paper while sipping on porridge during breakfast.

But today, there wasn’t even a single newspaper on the table.

There must be something up!

"Oh, I have a shopping date with Silly today."

"Oh, a date, huh!"

Hearing that, Zhao Xiaoxiao breathed a sigh of relief.

She had thought it was something serious. It was just a date with Sister Xiao Xia, so no worries then.

However, after taking a sip of her porridge, the second daughter still cautiously reminded him, "Remember to bring a small umbrella, or you risk getting hit at once, hehehe..."

"Second daughter, have you been hanging out with Classmate Mo recently to learn such naughty jokes?"

"Mind your own, duck. Are you my dad or what?"

"In my heart, I’ve always treated you as my daughter."

"Go away, go away, go eat your breakfast and go on your date, don’t stay here polluting Miss me’s eyes!"

"Alrighty!"

After his usual banter with his second daughter, Zhang Wei’s mood was incredibly cheerful, feeling energetic for the whole day.

After saying goodbye to his second daughter, Zhang Wei headed straight for the city center.

Once Zhang Wei had left, Zhao Xiaoxiao suddenly felt spirited as well.

"This guy, suddenly going on a date, I wonder if he can clinch it. Should I follow and see?"

Zhao Xiaoxiao felt the need to give a bit of support, or else Zhang Wei might not necessarily succeed with Xia Qianyue.

With that thought, Zhao Xiaoxiao took out her phone and opened WeChat.

[Zhao Xiaoxiao: Zhang Wei is going out on a date today~/Cheers]

[Jessica: A date, with whom?/Curious]

[Mo Yuzhu: Could it be @Xia Qianyue/Smirk/Smirk/Smirk]

[Xia Qianyue: ...]

[Mo Yuzhu: Yo, Silly’s not talking, looks like she’s acknowledging it huh/Smirk/Smirk/Smirk]

[Mo Yuzhu: @Xia Qianyue Remember to prepare little balloons, or else you’ll be captivated at one shot, and in a year’s time, you’ll be a mother/Smirk]

[Xia Qianyue: I’m out.gif]

[Zhao Xiaoxiao: Why don’t we also go out and have fun @Mo Yuzhu @Jessica @Xiao Baihe]

[Mo Yuzhu: OK!]

[Jessica: OK!]

[Zhao Xiaoxiao: Strange, where’s Xiao Baihe? She hasn’t replied. She used to be enthusiastic about this kind of thing, right?]

[Mo Yuzhu: Oh, I remember, she seems busy helping seniors at headquarters with the city council election campaign, maybe she’s busy.]

[Zhao Xiaoxiao: Politics, huh. Well, that’s nothing to do with us/Disdain]

[Zhao Xiaoxiao: Check private messages, we need to plan today’s schedule/Sly]

[Mo Yuzhu: OK!]

[Jessica: OK!]

After ending the chat, a smile emerged on the corners of Zhao Xiaoxiao’s lips.

This weekend is looking interesting.