Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 96 - 95: The Cute Girl Lin Yumeng, Zhang Wei Observes People

Chapter 96: Chapter 95: The Cute Girl Lin Yumeng, Zhang Wei Observes People

Jincheng Building.

As one of the many skyscrapers at the center of Dongfang Capital City, the height of Jincheng Building was sufficient.

Compared to the surrounding buildings, it might not stand out like a crane among chickens, but it certainly did not diminish by comparison.

The entire building was part of Jincheng Group, and Jincheng Law Firm was located within the building.

However, Jincheng Group and Jincheng Law Firm did not have a principal-subordinate relationship.

It was said that the head of Jincheng Group and the decision-maker of Jincheng Law Firm were brothers.

Of course, these were just rumors within the Dongfang Capital City business community; the exact situation was not clear to the average person.

Jincheng Law Firm occupied an entire six floors of office space in Jincheng Building.

Floors 25 to 30 of Jincheng Building belonged to Jincheng Law Firm.

Chengbei District Qingmu Law Firm had only two floors of office space in the Innovation City Office Building, and there was simply no comparison between Innovation City and Jincheng Building.

Jincheng Building was far bigger and more imposing than the office buildings in Chengbei District.

At this moment.

Jincheng Law Firm, Litigation Department.

As one of the five main departments of Jincheng Law Firm, the Litigation Department, along with the Finance Department, Property Department, Projects Department, and Overseas Department, all sent staff for the annual recruitment drive.

Moreover, because the Litigation Department often dealt with independent cases and needed to conduct trials and accept litigation commissions, its staff turnover rate was relatively higher compared to the other departments.

The Litigation Department placed much more emphasis on recruitment than the other four major departments.

For instance, the Overseas Department sent just one lawyer for the interviews, while the Property Department, Finance Department, and Projects Department sent two to three each.

Only the Litigation Department sent a whole seven lawyers.

The first floor of Jincheng Building was Jincheng Group’s exhibition hall, and there were many client offices on the second floor, so the interview location was arranged there.

The interview venue on the second floor had been prepared well in advance; after all, when Jincheng announced its recruitment day, they would certainly make preparations ahead of time.

When the representative lawyers from Jincheng Law Firm entered the second-floor venue, the assistants were busy ushering the interviewees up from the lobby on the first floor.

Outside the lobby on the first floor.

"It’s started, it’s started!"

Someone yelled out, and suddenly the atmosphere in the long queue outside changed.

Solemn, tense, anxious, repressed; everyone was silent, quietly waiting for their turn.

As they watched candidates enter the second floor one after another, countless people fantasized about when they would go up and display their talents in front of the panel of interviewers, hopefully securing a position at Jincheng Law Firm.

At the back of the queue, a young man and woman were whispering together.

"Zhang Wei, you say you can tell the level of each lawyer, is that really true?"

Lin Yumeng blinked her large eyes, looking at Zhang Wei, who was assessing others, with disbelief.

Just moments before, Zhang Wei had been muttering under his breath with words like "noob," "weakling," "noob," "lacks skill," "passable," and so on.

Upon hearing this, Lin Yumeng’s curiosity was piqued, and she asked him about it.

Zhang told her that he could gauge the approximate standard of every aspiring lawyer here, and said Jincheng Law Firm should have let him be in charge of recruitment and such.

Naturally, Lin Yumeng didn’t believe it, which prompted her question.

Hearing this, Zhang Wei smiled and looked at the cute girl with the doe eyes, "Are you doubting me?"

"Mhm, you can’t be that amazing. If it were true, what would be the point of this job fair?"

Lin Yumeng murmured, her face still expressing much doubt.

"Well then, let me show you a trick!"

Zhang Wei, having nothing else to do, pointed at a man in a pure black suit in the next queue.

"What do you think about that guy?"

Lin Yumeng looked over and saw that the man was about thirty years old, occasionally glancing down at the wristwatch in his hand and looking around as if he was also sizing up everyone else.

"He must be here for the experienced positions, over thirty, so probably quite experienced?"

"No, this guy isn’t much; he’s what I call a ’weakling’!"

Seeing Lin Yumeng judging so, Zhang Wei shook his head.

Noticing Lin Yumeng’s confusion, he began to explain:

"First, look at his clothes, poorly made with frayed threads around the collar and cuffs. A really sharp lawyer is particular about suits; there’s no way they’d tolerate such flaws. Setting aside whether this suit is from a street stall, now look at his expressions and movements. In the almost 2 minutes since we started observing him, how many times has he checked his watch, and how many times has he looked up and around?"

"Quite a few times?" Lin Yumeng replied subconsciously.

"It should be 6 times!" Zhang Wei gave a definite answer.

"In just 2 minutes, he has looked at his watch 6 times. You can imagine how restless he must be feeling right now; his psychological resilience is basically not up to the mark. Over thirty and still can’t remain calm, what else can such a person be other than a weakling?"

"Maybe he’s just very nervous, after all, this is Jincheng Law Firm, right?" Lin Yumeng replied, though she felt Zhang Wei had a point, she still retorted.

"If it’s nerves, everyone’s nervous, but everyone here is trying to find ways to deal with that stress!"

Zhang Wei said, pointing around: "Like those few people whispering over there, trying to distract themselves. Or someone burying their head in their phone, scrolling through news to stay calm; these are all methods to alleviate tension. But that guy is doing nothing, merely letting himself be submerged in the tense atmosphere. Do you think if he maintains that state of mind for the interview, he could pass?"

"He probably... couldn’t, right?" Lin Yumeng said with some uncertainty.

"Hmm, of course not. I bet he’ll just freeze up and won’t be able to speak once he gets in there, then he’ll be directly passed over!"

Zhang Wei made a bold guess, then pointed to a group of young people on the other side of the line.

"These are the typical newcomers to the job market, look at their suits."

Lin Yumeng followed where Zhang Wei was pointing and saw a few young people chatting together. They were obviously acquainted, possibly classmates or good friends.

"What about them?" Lin Yumeng looked at their suits but couldn’t see anything amiss.

"Look at their sleeves!" Zhang Wei immediately pointed out the issue.

"These overly long sleeves are a clear sign of off-the-rack purchases by people new to the job market, they must have just graduated from law school. The ideal length for suit sleeves is to show about 1 centimeter of the shirt cuff when the arms are hanging naturally, that’s the best look."

As he spoke, Zhang Wei’s arms hung naturally, indeed revealing a bit of white shirt cuff beneath his suit sleeve.

"But aren’t you and I also law school students?"

Looking at Zhang Wei and then at herself, Lin Yumeng felt something was off.

The way Zhang Wei spoke, it was as if he were some kind of old hand when in truth he had just graduated from East University University himself.

"Right, I told you I’m from East University, what about you?"

Zhang Wei then realized that he might have come across as too presumptuous in his previous manner.

"Me? I’m from Jinnan University Law Institution!"

"Jinnan University!"

Zhang Wei was taken aback upon hearing the name of Lin Yumeng’s alma mater.

Jinnan University, ranked within the top ten of Dragon Country, even making it into the top five.

A true top-tier institution in Dragon Country with a super first-rate standard and international recognition, even ranked a notch above Zhang Wei’s East University.

"Didn’t expect that, you’re a brilliant student from Jinnan University!"

Hearing Zhang Wei’s exaggerated praise, a gleeful smile played at the corners of Lin Yumeng’s mouth, making her feel as though she was floating on air.

"It’s a pity you’re still a newcomer!"

But Zhang Wei’s next remark brought her crashing back to earth.

"What’s wrong with being new? Aren’t you and I both newcomers?"

Unconvinced, Lin Yumeng glanced around and then pointed at a man wearing a brown-gray suit and carrying a backpack.

"What about him?"

Zhang Wei took just a glance and laughed, "A lawyer of no particular note, suited for small cases; Jincheng probably won’t want him."

"Why is that?" Lin Yumeng cocked her head, clearly puzzled.

"Simple, look at his suit; it’s been washed many times, the cuffs are slightly whitened. Then look at his canvas backpack—what lawyer still carries that kind of bag these days, and he’s not young either,"

Zhang Wei said, not forgetting to add, "Although this set lacks taste, from a practical standpoint, it’s definitely the top choice. It perfectly fits the pragmatism of the older generation. If I were 40 and still hadn’t accomplished anything, I might also carry such a bag."

"Uh..."

Though Lin Yumeng was speechless, a voice inside her agreed with him.

Mainly because she couldn’t find anything to refute Zhang Wei’s words. His combination of common sense and analysis had her at a loss for words.

"So you mean to say that none of the applicants here are impressive?"

Lin Yumeng felt that Zhang Wei’s assessment was a bit exaggerated. With so many people attending the recruitment, surely there must be at least one competent lawyer, right?

"Of course not, look at that guy!"

Zhang Wei quickly denied her assumption and pointed at a man in a striped suit.

Lin Yumeng followed his gaze and saw the man standing calmly in the line, maintaining a distance of about 10-20 centimeters from the others, even in the crowded space.

"He seems extraordinary, but I can’t quite put my finger on why," Lin Yumeng said instinctively.

"He’s certainly no ordinary guy. Let’s not even mention that slicked-back hairstyle that must need heaps of gel," said Zhang Wei. "Look at his suit. Striped suits aren’t something a junior lawyer can pull off; it’s what leaders or partners at law firms wear. And look at his presence, so distinct from the others, that it prompts the applicants both in front and behind to unconsciously keep their distance. That’s all due to the influence of his aura."

Lin Yumeng, observing the queue and especially the man in question, found herself unconsciously nodding along with Zhang Wei’s words.

"What level would you say he is?" she asked.

"He must be part of the leadership or a partner in a small or mid-sized law firm. Coming to Jincheng, he probably wants to raise the ceiling of his career. The guy has some skills, must have won a fair number of cases, and accumulated a lot of experience," Zhang Wei appraised the man in the striped suit earnestly, even complimenting him.

"Oh~"

Seeing Zhang Wei giving a positive evaluation for the first time, Lin Yumeng continued, "You mentioned aura; how do you spot that?"

"That’s quite simple too. Top-notch lawyers always have a certain momentum that subconsciously affects the people around them, forming an aura. While it’s intangible, it nevertheless impacts the feelings of those nearby," he explained.

He looked at Lin Yumeng, "What do you think, does a great lawyer win more cases or lose more?"

"Obviously, they win more!"

"There you go. If you win battles day in and day out, wouldn’t you walk with a spring in your step? That’s the invisible momentum you carry—what people call a ’victorious general’."

Lin Yumeng thought it made sense; those who frequently win in court surely have an air of confidence.

"Well, you’ve made a well-reasoned analysis; how come you don’t have that aura?"

"Me?"

Watching the cute girl turn the question towards himself, Zhang Wei smiled.

"I’ve trained to the highest level; I can control my aura at will. I usually choose to show weakness to the enemy and keep my aura in check, letting people think I’m just an easy target. But when I need to intimidate others, I release my aura, and that’s when it’s truly formidable. Most people wouldn’t dare make eye contact with me for even a second!"

"By the way, not too long ago, I made my opponent cry in court."

"Come on, you’re just bragging!"

Seeing Zhang Wei boasting, especially about making an opponent cry in court, Lin Yumeng clearly didn’t believe a word.

They were all fresh graduates, just out of the law faculty, with no real court experience.

Lin Yumeng had been exposed to mock trials too, but those were just school-sponsored exercises that followed a script, hardly a setting for such drama.

So, as expected, she assumed that Zhang Wei was just talking big.

In her mother’s words: "This little redneck guy, full of tall tales, will definitely not stand up when it counts."

"Hehe, that matter is subject to interpretation!" Zhang Wei neither confirmed nor denied.

"Right, right, we talked about everyone else, what do you think about me?"

Lin Yumeng immediately pointed at herself, looking expectantly at Zhang Wei.

Don’t you have a clue about your own level?

Of course, Zhang Wei wouldn’t say that aloud.

It wasn’t everyday in line that he got to chat with a cute girl; he didn’t want to be a wet blanket.

"You, you are like an uncarved gem!"

Zhang Wei gave Lin Yumeng a response that sounded very positive.

But what he implied was, "What you will be shaped into in the future is all up to your own destiny."

"Really?"

After hearing this, Lin Yumeng felt elated again, as if Zhang Wei was praising her.

As the two chatted, they gradually neared the entrance of the Jincheng Building.

With each person stepping up to the second floor, then walking back down with either an expressionless face or one filled with regret and dissatisfaction, the atmosphere became increasingly tense.

The expressions of some candidates who hadn’t gone in yet turned extremely serious.

At that moment, some individuals Zhang Wei had previously assessed also ascended to the second floor.

The man he had labeled as a weakling, the one who glanced at his watch six times within two minutes, went up and came back down in less than three minutes, his face etched with despair.

"See, what did I tell you?"

Zhang Wei watched the man pass by and analyzed to Lin Yumeng, "I’ve calculated it, the average time for interviewees to be upstairs is between five to six minutes. He came down in less than three, he probably didn’t even finish introducing himself before the interviewer sent him back down!"

Lin Yumeng watched the man depart, and upon hearing Zhang Wei’s words, she could find no reason to argue.

Subsequently, the others Zhang Wei had pointed out all went upstairs and came back down with faces full of dejection.

The group of young people almost went up and came down together, obviously all having failed.

The man with the backpack was no different, though his expression had already been gloomy.

Only the man in the striped suit spent close to eight minutes upstairs, coming back down with a beaming smile.

In this round of interviews, not many could leave with a smile on their faces, clearly indicating they’d performed well and hadn’t been passed over.

"It’s our turn!"

Zhang Wei gave a prompt to end his conversation with Lin Yumeng, and together with the queue, they entered the Jincheng Building.

Although the lobby on the first floor was grand and impressive, Zhang Wei hardly felt anything, and even more so for Lin Yumeng, who walked through it so calmly she didn’t even bother looking around.

Her behavior slightly surprised Zhang Wei, because other job seekers couldn’t wait to spend even a second longer in the Jincheng Building lobby, eager to memorize every item on display in the exhibition area.

Lin Yumeng’s behavior surprised Zhang Wei; it was as if the girl wasn’t entering the Jincheng Law Firm but her own home.

"This girl’s got something, she’s adjusted her mindset so quickly. There’s a decent chance she’ll pass the interview this time."

Zhang Wei thought to himself as he ascended the stairs to the second floor where the reception office was located.

"Hello, please choose your department according to the directional signs in front!"

An assistant at the entrance of the second floor’s transition area reminded Zhang Wei and other candidates.

There were five signs hanging up, labeled Project Department, Real Estate Department, Finance Department, Overseas Department, and Litigation Department, with corresponding candidacy standards noted below each label.

"Zhang Wei, which department are you going to?"

Lin Yumeng looked back at Zhang Wei and asked.

"I’ve studied criminal law, so of course I’m heading to the Litigation Department, only they have a criminal division."

Zhang Wei already had his target set, which was the criminal division of the Litigation Department.

"Criminal division?" Lin Yumeng looked surprised but followed Zhang Wei to the Litigation Department regardless.

"Isn’t criminal litigation known for not being profitable? Why not choose the civil division? I heard there are three divisions in the Litigation Department, the Criminal Division, Civil Division, and Business Division, and it seems like the Criminal Division is the weakest?"

"Civil litigation? You want to spend your whole life dealing with neighborhood disputes or helping men sue women for infidelity, helping women sue men for unfaithfulness? Let me tell you, only criminal litigation is truly challenging."

Zhang Wei laughed and looked up at the sky, reflecting, "To me, criminal litigation is the most profitable. Once you really have fame and strength, you’ll have important people needing you to fight their legal battles. At that time, the lawyer’s fees are up to you to decide!"

"That’s why I’m choosing the Criminal Division, not because the division itself is powerful or not, but because criminal litigation suits me best!"

"Oh~"

Although Lin Yumeng didn’t understand why, after hearing Zhang Wei speak with such conviction, she felt he appeared very capable.