Chapter 12: This is a battlefield without the smoke of gunpowder. This is a ruthless slaughter.

Although she was still far behind Bao Rui and Qian Heng, Cheng Yao was delighted that she had managed to find key clues for tracking hidden assets through her own research.

No matter what, it seemed she had gained a bit more confidence in becoming a family lawyer.

She buried herself in studying more clues and details until Tan Ying mysteriously patted her on the shoulder.

“Are you free tonight?”

Cheng Yao nodded.

“Then let’s make it happen.” Tan Ying grinned. “We’re throwing you a small welcome party tonight.”

Cheng Yao was a little flattered. Before she could say anything, Tan Ying continued, “Oh, right, I forgot to ask—do you have a boyfriend?”

“I’m single.”

The following parts of the text will be scrambled to prevent theft from aggregators and unauthorized epub making. Please support our translators by reading on secondlifetranslations (dot) com. If you are currently on the site and and you are seeing this, please clear your cache.

“Ohld clvvla.” Myd Zkdt okdjle yv bla. “Jys Swk kp satydkgkdt vbkp ryavu yde lhld kdhkvle psxl qakldep qasx svbla qkaxp. Cwkvl y qlo sq vblx yal pldksa ryavdlap, yde psxl yal ayvbla tsse-zssjkdt. Flhlayz sq vblx yal olzz-jdsod lzktkczl cynblzsap kd vbl zltyz nkanzl—obs jdsop, xyucl uswa qwvwal csuqaklde okzz cl yv vbl ryavu vsdktbv.”

“Jys Swk? Tkp zlt kp clvvla?”

“Zsw esd’v jdso bkp dknjdyxl? Mblu nyzz bkx ‘Lktbvzkql Jys.’ Gp zsdt yp vblal’p y ryavu, lhld kq bl olal byzq-ryayzugle, bl’e eayt bkxplzq vblal kd y obllznbyka. Mbkp kp fwpv y praykdle ydjzl—bl’zz cl qkdl okvb y nawvnb.”

Ebyv yd kdesxkvyczl prkakv…

Jwv obkzl vswnble, Ubldt Zys pvkzz alxkdele bla, “Jwv kq bl vssj zlyhl qasx osaj ewl vs y praykdle qssv cwv pvkzz oldv vs y ryavu, oswzed’v vbyv zssj cye kq Vyavdla Ckyd qswde swv?”

“Gp zsdt yp ol esd’v vlzz Vyavdla Ckyd, kv osd’v cl y rasczlx.”

“Eykv, ps Vyavdla Ckyd kpd’v kdhkvle vs vbl olznsxl ryavu? Mbyv eslpd’v pllx aktbv…”

Myd Zkdt pxkzle nbyaxkdtzu. “R xyu byhl sdzu clld yv Kwdbldt vos xsdvbp zsdtla vbyd usw, cwv R yzalyeu wdelapvyde yzz kvp wdprsjld awzlp. Nlv xl rwv kv vbkp oyu—obldlhla ol byhl vblpl rakhyvl tyvblakdtp, ol yzoyup ts vbaswtb vbl xsvksdp sq kdhkvkdt vbl cspp swv sq nswavlpu. Jwv Vyavdla Ckyd byp dlhla yvvldele, yzoyup vwadkdt wp esod. Fs, fwpv ts vbaswtb vbl xsvksdp, ralvlde vs kdhkvl bkx, yde ol’zz byhl esdl swa ryav kd dsvkqukdt bkx.”

Cheng Yao breathed a sigh of relief and nodded.

***

Encouraged by Tan Ying, Cheng Yao mustered her courage and knocked on Qian Heng’s office door.

“Boss…”

“I’m busy. Get to the point.”

Cheng Yao coughed lightly to cover her nervousness. “Well, some colleagues at the firm are hosting a welcome party tonight for me and a few other new hires. We’d like to invite you to join us.”

“No time. Not going.”

As expected, Qian Heng’s refusal was swift and merciless—just as Tan Ying had predicted.

Hearing his rejection, Cheng Yao felt relieved and quickly made her exit from his office.

The afternoon flew by. After reviewing several court cases on property disputes, it was time to clock out. She exchanged knowing smiles with Tan Ying as they left together.

Bao Rui had arranged the gathering at a German beer restaurant. The atmosphere was lively, and he had booked a private booth that provided some privacy. Being a beer hall, it lacked the formality of a fine dining restaurant but wasn’t too casual either—it was the perfect balance, neither too quiet nor too noisy.

Aside from Bao Rui, Tan Ying, and Cheng Yao, a few other newcomers were present, along with several lawyers from another team at Junheng. Before long, Bao Rui’s friends from other firms arrived as well.

With ten people in total, Bao Rui enthusiastically took charge of ordering the food. Though the occasion was officially a welcome party, the lawyers were all familiar with each other, and conversation flowed effortlessly.

Bao Rui made the introductions, saying, “This is Li Chengxuan from Golden Brick Law Firm. He specializes in family law and was just promoted to partner last month. And this here is Zhang Yang—Partner Zhang. He’s an inheritance law expert. Just recently, he wrapped up a case with attorney fees in the tens of millions, right?”

“This is our new team member, Cheng Yao. You’ve already met Tan Ying. Over there is Wang Lu, and…”

Before Bao Rui could finish, Cheng Yao’s phone rang.

The caller ID displayed three bold words: “Stupid Jerk.”

Cheng Yao jolted upright.

“I need to take this call,” she said, stepping outside to a quieter spot.

Qian Heng’s flat, emotionless voice came through the phone. “Cheng Yao, the sink is clogged again.”

She paused for a moment before replying as calmly as possible. “In that case, I suggest you contact property management or your landlord.”

“I already did. They said I have to wait until tomorrow.” His tone was laced with displeasure. “Where are you? Come back and unclog the sink. I can’t wash my hands.”

Excuse me??? Cheng Yao thought. How is that my problem?!

But since he was her boss, she swallowed her irritation and forced a polite tone. “Boss, don’t you remember? I’m at the firm’s welcome party tonight. Everyone is here. As a new hire, I can’t just leave randomly.”

“Where’s the party?”

Ha! Cheng Yao thought. What, afraid I’m lying to you?

“I’m at Lamberbach—the German beer restaurant. Want me to send you my location?”

Qian Heng finally went silent. Though he said nothing, Cheng Yao could already picture the storm brewing on his face. She felt a little guilty and was about to say something to soften the blow—

But before she could, she heard the unmistakable beep of a call being hung up.

No goodbye. Just like that, Qian Heng had ended the call.

How rude! Just because I won’t unclog your sink, I’m suddenly useless to you?! Qian Heng, would it kill you to act like a gentleman?!

Muttering complaints internally, Cheng Yao returned to the private booth.

---

Inside, the conversation had shifted to workplace gossip. Even though Bao Rui had stepped out to use the restroom, the rest of the group had already warmed up to each other, and the atmosphere was lively. Cheng Yao found herself entertained by the bizarre client stories the lawyers were sharing, listening intently as she ate.

Li Chengxuan and Zhang Yang were both outgoing and friendly, making sure to include her in the conversation. They were considerate, polite, and approachable, with none of the arrogance one might expect from senior lawyers.

As Li Chengxuan refilled Cheng Yao’s tea, he casually remarked, “Honestly, I bet you won’t last six months working under Qian Heng. That guy’s temper is awful, and his words cut like knives. No matter how pissed you get, he’ll never think he’s wrong. And he doesn’t even try to be a little nicer to female subordinates.” He handed her a business card. “Xiao Cheng, if you ever think about switching firms, reach out to me. We’re a boutique firm specializing in family law. The atmosphere is great, and I enjoy mentoring my associates—I don’t just sit around acting all cold and superior. If you come work with us, you’ll see—same title, same profession, but the difference in people’s attitudes is night and day!”

“Li Chengxuan, long time no see.”

Just as Li Chengxuan was about to launch into a full-blown rant about Qian Heng, the very man in question appeared behind him—his voice chillingly smooth.

Qian Heng didn’t bother acknowledging the variety of complicated expressions in the room. Instead, he walked straight to Li Chengxuan’s side, took a seat, and smiled slightly.

“The last time we met was, what, two months ago? That inheritance dispute case, right? You represented the opposing client, lost the final trial, and your client walked away with nothing, if I recall correctly?”

“…”

“Oh, wait—my mistake. My memory’s getting worse with age. Our last meeting wasn’t two months ago—it was one month ago, at that custody dispute case. Two kids involved. Your client didn’t win custody of either of them. If I remember right, they even sent relatives to your office to threaten you?”

“…”

Leaning back leisurely, Qian Heng glanced at Cheng Yao and said, “You’re right about one thing—same title, same profession. But the difference between people can be quite significant.”

“…”

He had absolutely slayed the room.

This was no mere conversation—it was a battlefield. A ruthless, bloodless massacre.

“Come, come, Qian Heng, it’s rare to see you. Have some tea,” Zhang Yang lifted his teacup, trying to ease the tension. “Haven’t seen you in a while. What case have you been busy with? Are you trying to steal my clients again?”

Unfortunately, this was a terribly unwise move. Poor Zhang Yang—he had just saved Li Chengxuan, only to bring disaster upon himself…

Qian Heng remained calm. “No, I wouldn’t compete with you for clients.”

Zhang Yang was a little surprised. “Huh?”

“I no longer take cases with a claim value below fifty million,” Qian Heng said with a smile. “So there’s no chance of any business conflict between us.”

“……”

This was the textbook definition of killing a conversation.

“Why is it so quiet in here?”

Just then, Bao Rui’s cheerful voice shattered the deathly silence in the air. Along with his voice came the sight of him limping tenaciously toward them.

Qian Heng frowned and looked toward the door. “Bao Rui? Didn’t you sprain your foot so badly you couldn’t move at all? That’s why you applied to work from home, right? So how come you’re here at this gathering?”

Cheng Yao almost couldn’t bear to watch—this was truly a tragedy…

However, Bao Rui was a seasoned veteran in the art of shamelessness. He only froze for a moment before quickly putting on a righteous expression. “Partner Qian, I just received a text from Cheng Yao on my way here saying that you actually made an exception and came to this gathering! I immediately had my wife help me up and drive me over. I practically jumped up from my deathbed! A gathering that you attend—how could I possibly miss it? I’ve been dreaming of having a meal with you for ages! There’s no way I’d let a mere leg injury stop me from seizing this opportunity! But, well, since my movement is inconvenient, I did arrive later than everyone else. Haha…”

If Qian Heng weren’t present, Cheng Yao would have jumped up and applauded. Absolute genius. Bao Rui’s acting skills were Oscar-worthy.

Qian Heng gave Bao Rui another glance but didn’t press the matter further. Once Qian Heng looked away, Bao Rui discreetly wiped the cold sweat off his forehead.

Good thing he had just gone to the bathroom!

So, guys, remember—drink more water. It’s good for your health and can save your life!

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater]

Qian Heng: Cheng Yao, tonight, whatever position you want, I’ll satisfy you.

Cheng Yao: ???

Qian Heng: Hmph. Don’t think I don’t know what kind of smutty manga you were reading during your lunch break. They’ve unlocked quite a variety of positions in there.

Cheng Yao: No… no… no! That was just an inappropriate ad I accidentally clicked on! I wasn’t actually reading it! I swear! If you don’t believe me, check how long I stayed on that page! As soon as I saw it was some eye-searing porn, I immediately closed it!!!

Qian Heng: Doesn’t matter whether you read it or not.

Cheng Yao: Why???

Qian Heng: Because I already read it.