Chapter 2

The air was tense.

The landlord was thick-skinned and still remained calm even when facing this problem, “There are two bedrooms and one hall, maybe this was meant to be… If you decide to share the room, I’ll give you both separate rent reductions…” he offered, then explained, “It’s not entirely my fault that the room was rented to you two. I recently divorced my wife. She rented the room to this lady without telling me. While I contacted this gentleman…”

Cheng Yao immediately objected fiercely, “Live with him? No way! Absolutely not! I don’t even know him, and living with a stranger is not safe.”

The handsome man turned to face Cheng Yao and suddenly smiled, staring at her, he said, “I don’t mind living together.” The man paused and chuckled. “It’d be my honor to share a room with this elite female lawyer.”

Cheng Yao’s mind was full of question marks. Although he had praised her as an ‘elite female lawyer’, Cheng Yao was confused. She didn’t know why his words felt so cheap, especially paired with that expression and tone…

Seeing that the situation changed, the landlord immediately prepared to take advantage of the opportunity, but before, he remembered something, “Miss Cheng, if you’re a lawyer, then do you deal with divorce lawsuits? My wife and I are divorced and I was looking for a lawyer to consult…”

After a moment, Cheng Yao said with great professionalism, “You asked the right person. Our JunHeng Law Firm specializes in family matters, such as divorce, property division, inheritance, and insurance. It is considered the best on the market. Whenever you need, you can call my mobile phone.”

The landlord nodded, and the other man smiled.

Cheng Yao didn’t notice that the other party had already carried his suitcase into the room while she spoke to the landlord. He smiled provocatively at Cheng Yao, “If you feel unsafe, you can rent somewhere else.” He smirked and continued, “Or you can go defend your rights, go to court and sue the landlord for compensation. After all, aren’t you a lawyer that earns up to four figures per hour?”

Cheng Yao gritted her teeth. As a lawyer, she wouldn’t be as naive as to think she could solve anything and everything that got in the way of her interests by going to court.

For such a small case such as a room rented to two, the time and effort a prosecution would need was not worth it.

The man probably understood this and, knowing that Cheng Yao opposed sharing it with the man, he was ready to forcefully occupy the house.

Would she let him succeed?

Of course not!

Who was afraid of who! Wasn’t he just a gigolo?! She had no reason to be afraid!

Cheng Yao didn’t say anything, just rushed into the apartment with her bag, “Fine, we can share the rent.” She threw her bag on the sofa and vigorously said, “But I have a few conditions for you beforehand, don’t bring your work home.”

The man raised his eyebrows, “Huh?”

Cheng Yao cleared her throat. “Don’t think I don’t know what you do.”

The man showed no embarrassment but instead smiled with interest.

The guy really has no shame.

Cheng Yao didn’t want to continue on, but she felt like she had to be straightforward. “If you take your work home and do it, I’ll report you.”

“Report me?”

“Report you because you sell-! Because you sell your body!” Cheng Yao lifted her gaze. “I am a law-abiding citizen. It’s not easy for me to understand you and the work you do. I don’t care if it happens elsewhere, as long as you don’t bring your guests here.”

“Are you saying I’m a prostitute?!” He said, outraged. “Me? A prostitute?”

“Okay then, special service, is that better?” Cheng Yao amended, hoping to avoid conflicts between them. But the other party continued speaking with an indignant tone. “What do you mean special service?!”

After saying that, the man turned around and went to find something in his suitcase, “Where did I put my voice recorder?”

“Why are you looking for a recorder?”

The man coldly smiled, “To record what you said and sue you for slander.”

Cheng Yao coughed. “Alright, I won’t mention it again. I just wanted to make sure you don’t do it here, that’s all. Also… can I take a look at your physical examination? For fairness’ sake, I will also show you mine.”

The other party didn’t speak anymore, just looked at Cheng Yao unpleasantly.

Cheng Yao didn’t know why, although the industry he worked in wasn’t glorious, he had quite an intimidating aura.

“I don’t scorn you, but if you are in that industry, you’re still young, there’s still time to change career paths. Besides, you should know that your behavior violates the law.”

After she finished speaking, Cheng Yao looked at the time. It was already late, and she still didn’t sort out her luggage.

Her new roommate asked, “Are you sure you won’t give me the house? Are you really okay with living with me?”

“Of course.” Cheng Yao rolled her eyes. “Do you know how long I have been looking for a place like this one?”

The man smiled. “You’ll regret it.”

*****

There was no time for Cheng Yao to regret it. When she returned to the house she used to share with Li Mengting, she saw that Li Mengting’s boyfriend, Zhang Hao, had already placed his luggage in the living room.

Li Mengting was feeling very guilty, “I’m sorry, Yaoyao. The contract of the house Hao was renting will expire the day after tomorrow. It’s not easy to find a place that offers short-term rentals, and staying at a hotel is too expensive. So I let him move his luggage in, and he’s going to come here the day after tomorrow. For the time being, he could sleep on the sofa, is that okay with you…? I’m really sorry!”

Cheng Yao waved her hands and told Li Mengting about finding a new apartment. Li Mengting was relieved and happy for Cheng Yao. The two of them went to the kitchen and started preparing dinner together.

Cheng Yao would move into her new place tomorrow, so tonight’s meal had to be special. The two prepared it very well.

“Yaoyao, although we won’t live together anymore, if there’s anything I can help with, contact me anytime.” That said, Li Mengting smiled a little, “but I guess you probably won’t need my help. You passed the national exam in your first try. One year after graduating, you got a lawyer’s certificate, and now you’ve been accepted in JunHeng. Your future is definitely very bright!”

Cheng Yao also laughed, “And you, study well for the exam, don’t play games for the time being. Last year you only needed 10 points to pass the exam, this year, study a lot and get the test over with. I’m sure you can do it.”

Li Mengting shook her head: “I’m not preparing for the exam.”

“Huh? Why?”

Li Mengting was a little embarrassed, “Hao changed jobs, and now his salary is more than 300,000 yuan a year. He said he didn’t want me working myself too hard. And you know how law-related work is, even as a judge or a prosecutor in the civil service system, it’s very stressful. A lot of pressure is put on you, and you often have to work overtime. As a lawyer, it’s even worse. I’m not a particularly ambitious kind of person. I’m better off with an easier job.”

Cheng Yao was a little surprised, but Li Mengting’s family was financially well, and her boyfriend had a good and steady job, she could live a peaceful life.

Everyone had a different destiny.

Cheng Yao was thinking about that while lying on her bed at night. She was a little uneasy. Tomorrow, not only would she have to move out, but it would also be her first day working at JunHeng. What kind of life did fate have in mind for her?

She took a deep breath while looking at the ceiling.

Hey fate, you better be kind to me.

Fortunately, the next day was sunny and bright. It seemed to indicate that everything would go smoothly.

JunHeng’s director of personnel gave Cheng Yao a brief tour of the law firm and a few simple tips every newcomer should know, then led her to her new work station.

“Sit here. In front of your desk is our partner Qian’s office.” Sister Zhu smiled, “Generally speaking, our newcomers have to pass an initial one-month inspection period. If they perform well, one of our senior lawyers can bring them to their team. But you’re a special case. Partner Qian read your resume and directly named you to join his team.”

Cheng Yao was very surprised: “Re-really?! Lawyer Qian Heng did?”

Sister Zhu nodded, lowered her voice, and said: “To be honest, I don’t know whether you’re lucky or unlucky. In short, you’ll soon find out what kind of person Partner Qian is.” Sister Zhu looked at the closed door of Qian Heng’s office. “He’s not here now, but you’ll meet him soon.”

Cheng Yao was trembling with excitement. Although Qian Heng was known for being hard to deal with, his business ability was recognized as one of the best in the entire legal industry. If she followed him, endured, and learned for two or three years, she would definitely reach the sky!

She was chosen by THE Qian Heng! Suddenly, Cheng Yao felt so lucky today that she should buy lottery tickets on the way back!

After fidgeting in her seat for about an hour, Qian Heng, the legendary ‘highly toxic but extremely capable’ lawyer of JunHeng, finally returned.

“Newcomers and interns, please go to Conference Room 2 for a meeting. Partner Qian will arrive there soon.”

Although Cheng Yao was the only newcomer to have reported in today, JunHeng had already successively recruited new lawyers and a few interns. With sister Zhu, the director of personnel, and Cheng Yao, a total of six people headed to the conference room. Cheng Yao took her notebook and pen and followed everyone into the meeting room.

The other newcomers and interns apparently already knew each other. While they chatted, Cheng Yao waited anxiously.

How good did her future boss look?

*****

The six people waited for half an hour. Cheng Yao couldn’t hold it in anymore and excused herself to go to the bathroom.

When she came back and pushed open the conference room door, a man sitting opposite to the other five people glanced at her.

The man was tall and exuded extravagance, but also arrogance, and impatience. He had a high nose bridge, so perfect, it was likely that people wondered if he had any jobs done.

A face she had seen not too long ago.

This was clearly her gigolo roommate!

Her roommate, ‘a special services officer’, sat in JunHeng’s conference room. Although he didn’t say anything, the words ‘I am not good’ were clearly written over his eyes.

Is this a dream? Am I having illusions?

Cheng Yao was shocked, but on the surface, she looked very calm. She took a few steps back, and slowly left the meeting room. Then, she glanced at the meeting room door. It was really Conference Room 2.

Cheng Yao put on a calm facade and walked into the meeting room again.

Sister Zhu introduced her with a smile. “Partner Qian, this is Cheng Yao. Cheng Yao, would you like to introduce yourself to partner Qian?”

Cheng Yao’s mind went blank.

“No, I already know Cheng Yao. We discussed the legal issues of an apartment being rented to two in depth and exchanged many thoughts.” The man sitting in the meeting room smiled at Cheng Yao, revealing his perfect, white rows of teeth, “Isn’t that right, lawyer Cheng?”

“…”

Many thoughts surged in Cheng Yao’s mind, and she felt as if a meteorite was crashing on Earth.

What is happening? Is my boss a gigolo?! No, that’s not right… Did the gigolo become my boss?! No, that’s impossible! Oh no… I mistook my boss for a gigolo!

Qian Heng continued his speech, advising the newcomers on what to avoid and be careful of, and also encouraging them. But Cheng Yao couldn’t hear anything. She looked at the lips of the handsome man gently opening and closing in front of her, but all she saw was her own doom…

She could finally understand the anger Li Mengting felt when the internet speed suddenly dropped…

She also wanted to growl at that stupid, rubbish internet that ruined everything! If the internet speed didn’t drop, she would have known how Qian Heng looked in advance. And this tragedy would never have happened!

Cheng Yao made a decision on the spot. She would immediately give up the room.

But then, where would I go…? Surely I can find a place! Yes, I can’t live with my boss. That’s not a possibility. Just give up the room, wish him success, and everything will work out…

Cheng Yao was feeling very confused and unsure about her future. Qian Heng seemed to have concluded his welcome speech.

“In addition, I very much appreciate the determination of lawyers who promote our business, but I hope you all know that our JunHeng does not accept all customers.” Qian Heng said as he glanced at Cheng Yao, “cases that render under 50 million are a waste of time.”

“…”

This is about when I offered JunHeng’s law services to the landlord, isn’t it…

“Okay, end of meeting.”

At last…

Cheng Yao wanted to leave as quickly as possible, until she heard Qian Heng say: “Cheng Yao, you stay.”

“…”

In the huge conference room, only Cheng Yao and Qian Heng were left.

Cheng Yao brushed her hair away from her face, and decided to take initiative in breaking the silence. “I’m sorry, boss! I was mistaken.” Cheng Yao squeezed her eyes shut and bowed deeply, “you can have the house, I’ll find another one myself!”

Qian Heng drank a sip of tea and didn’t say anything. He obviously knew how to use a person’s mentality to his advantage. The continuous silence alone was even more unbearable than being yelled at.

After a long silence, Qian Heng finally opened his mouth, raised an eyebrow, and said, “as a lawyer, don’t you want to fight for your rights and interests till the last minute?”

“…”

“Never give in?”

“…”

Qian Heng smiled. “Our legal practitioners’ key principle is that we don’t succumb to power. Take the law as the criterion, take facts as the basis, and fight for our customers. Since you are now a JunHeng lawyer, you should fight for your rights and interests, and protect the honor of JunHeng lawyers!”

“…”

“So you’re about to get the opportunity to live with your boss.” Qian Heng’s beautiful eyes looked at Cheng Yao and said with a flat tone. “Well? Aren’t you excited? Happy?”

Cheng Yao dryly said, “very excited and happy.”

Very the opposite actually.

“Of course, in order to avoid unnecessary trouble, we should keep this confidential from the rest of the colleagues in the office.” Qian Heng smiled, “Have any qualms?”

Naturally, Cheng Yao had many qualms with this.

You’re such a successful and wealthy lawyer, don’t you own a house? Even if you don’t, why rent such a mid-range apartment like that one? You drive a Bentley, I’m sure you can afford much better places, so why there? Also, why did you invite me to your team?! Is this all for revenge? I gave in and agreed to let you rent the place, why do you insist that I stay now? What are you conspiring?! Are you a Scorpio?! Is revenge that enjoyable for you?

However, would Cheng Yao ask these questions out loud?

Of course not!

Cheng Yao respectfully answered: “No, I don’t.”

“Well, I have one.” Qian Heng narrowed his eyes. “We’ll be working together and living together, needless to say, we’ll see each other quite often. So I hope you can stay professional and respect boundaries.”

Cheng Yao was at a loss: ???

Qian Heng blinked his thick eyelashes, “You’re about to become my fourteenth assistant lawyer this year. Do you know why the first thirteen were fired?”

It was now November, and thirteen people have already been dismissed… Cheng Yao looked up at Qian Heng’s unreal handsome face, and the answer emerged in her heart—

Isn’t it because of your legendary toxic personality?

At the same time, Qian Heng said. “Because they couldn’t get a hold of themselves, and thought about me in a way they shouldn’t have.”

“…”

You, aren’t you overthinking too much???

Are you sure it wasn’t because they just couldn’t handle your slave driving and dictatorship?

Qian Heng ignored Cheng Yao’s expression and continued with a troubled tone, “I really find it difficult to understand. Out of these thirteen people, two were men. Is my charm really that great?”

“…”

He raised his head and looked at Cheng Yao again. “I know that some people are charismatic, but work is work. If they have feelings for their work partners, especially for superiors, it’s very unprofessional.”

“…”

Cheng Yao couldn’t say a word. Now she finally understood the little note attached to Qian Heng’s name on Lawxoxo. The man was indeed very toxic. It only took a short while of contact for Cheng Yao to feel some kind of poisoning…

As Cheng Yao numbly prepared to leave, Qian Heng suddenly remembered something and said again.

“Also, I’d like to point out a blind spot in your knowledge.” He stretched out a slender white finger and said while tapping on the table. “Simple prostitution, if not organized prostitution, is not a criminal offense. Depending on each case, the public security management may impose temporary imprisonment of 10 to 15 days, and also a fine of more than 5,000 yuan.”

“…”

At that moment, Cheng Yao realized that it wasn’t luck that assigned her to his team. Clearly, Qian Heng didn’t choose her because of her resume, but for revenge!