——Recollection of Lawyer Ma——
A college reunion brought together university classmates who hadn't seen each other in years. In middle age, people found themselves increasingly fond of reminiscing about the joyous times at school.
Classmate A: "Everyone, quiet down. Our class monitor has a few words to say!"
Classmate B: "Classmates, as the most outstanding graduating class of our university of political science and law, I, on behalf of the entire class, shall give a speech!"
"We have judges, those running law firms, partners in law firms, and our former class representative, Juanzi, who is now a nationally renowned lawyer. All of this is thanks to our good teachers and our excellent homeroom teacher! Am I right?"
Everyone: "Right!!!"
Classmate B: "Therefore, I propose we collectively toast our old homeroom teacher!"
Everyone agreed in unison, raising their glasses to toast the homeroom teacher seated at the head of the table.
The homeroom teacher, with graying hair, had a rosy complexion. Already half-drunk from the toasts of his formerly mischievous students, he still smiled warmly and reciprocated their drinks.
Classmate C: "I say, monitor, how many years has it been since graduation? You're still calling her Juanzi, Juanzi. You should be calling her Lawyer Ma now!"
Lawyer Ma quickly stood up: "Oh, please, don't be so formal!"
Classmate B: "Indeed. Lawyer Ma, I'll fine myself a drink!"
After several rounds of drinks, the private room was buzzing with excitement. Lawyer Ma, not able to hold her liquor well, took the opportunity to slip out of the room for some air.
As a man was asking a waiter for directions to the Peony Hall, Lawyer Ma happened to see him.
Although it was just a glimpse of his back, Lawyer Ma still felt she should recognize the man. And by his voice, she quickly recalled his name – Chen Yuyong.
Lawyer Ma followed Chen Yuyong, intending to say hello. However, led by the waiter, he quickly entered the Peony Hall. As the door opened, a short, plump man with a flushed face stumbled out.
That man was the current Financial Director of the Su Group – Yang Dawu. It was rumored he was a distant relative of Xu Shuming.
Yang Dawu: "Little Chen, you're here just in time. Did you bring what I asked for?"
Chen Yuyong: "Boss, here. Five checks, each with a limit of fifty thousand."
Yang Dawu: "Good. Give them to me. Later, you'll go downstairs and settle tonight's bill."
Chen Yuyong hesitated slightly. This was the countless time he had fronted money for these banquets. Yang Dawu had never repaid him, and each banquet was not cheap, with thousands of yuan being normal.
Chen Yuyong: "Boss, I'm a bit short on cash lately. Could you perhaps reimburse me for the previous expenses first?"
Yang Dawu: "Little Chen, I have to say this. We are all working for the group. I entertain and drink like this to bring business to the group!"
Yang Dawu: "Do you know who is sitting inside? They are the general managers of various companies! If we don't treat them well, where will the business come from in the future!"
Chen Yuyong peeked inside and happened to hear a rustic-looking young man shout towards the outside: "Uncle, are you trying to escape drinking outside!"
Yang Dawu: "Alright, alright. Forget about a promotion assessment this year. You can't even handle this small matter, and you still want a promotion? Stop bothering me! Hurry up and go!"
With that, Yang Dawu slammed the door shut right in front of Chen Yuyong. Chen Yuyong, shaking his head, could only curse him under his breath.
Lawyer Ma patted Chen Yuyong's shoulder, making him jump.
Lawyer Ma asked with a smile, "You're Accountant Chen, aren't you?"
Chen Yuyong looked confused: "You are?"
"It's me, Ma Juan, formerly of your group's legal department. Don't you recognize me?" Lawyer Ma reminded Accountant Chen.
Upon hearing this, Chen Yuyong suddenly remembered. Many, many years ago, they had even eaten together in the Su Group's cafeteria!
Chen Yuyong exclaimed, "Lawyer Ma! It really is you! What a coincidence, are you dining here too?"
Lawyer Ma nodded: "It's our university reunion. I came out for some air and happened to see you. Accountant Chen, are you still at Su's?"
Chen Yuyong nodded reluctantly.
Lawyer Ma: "Is Supervisor Jiang still there?"
Chen Yuyong: "No, he was laid off during the reform."
Lawyer Ma: "Who else is left in your department?"
Chen Yuyong: "Just me..."
Lawyer Ma: "Then you must be the Financial Director by now. Based on company seniority and promotion rules, you're a veteran employee!"
Chen Yuyong sighed. How he wished he could have that position. They say accountants get better with age...
But alas, the Financial Director position went to Yang Dawu, who only knew how to eat and drink. It just goes to show, connections are more important than anything when trying to get ahead!
Lawyer Ma: "Which firm are your current Financial Director's hired from?"
Chen Yuyong: "It would be great if it were from a firm. He's a relative of the boss. He's been in charge all these years, and I've been doing the work."
Chen Yuyong gave a wry smile.
Lawyer Ma: "Working for others is the same everywhere. Haven't you ever considered changing jobs, Accountant Chen?"
Chen Yuyong: "I'm not young anymore. It's good enough to have a place to work..."
Chen Yuyong had indeed considered resigning. But he was a man who remembered favors.
Back then, Chen Yuyong's mother was critically ill and needed a large sum of money urgently, and his sister needed a household registration to attend school in the city. The entire family relied on Chen Yuyong, who worked at the Su Group.
But coincidentally, the group was undergoing reforms and laid off many employees. Chen Yuyong was on the list. He knelt before Xu Shuming and begged for the opportunity to stay at Su's.
Of course, Xu Shuming didn't keep him for free. Over the years, he had done many things for Xu Shuming. While Yang Dawu appeared to be in charge of the accounts on the surface, it was Chen Yuyong who managed them!
Therefore, with his abilities, he was more than capable of holding the position of Financial Director. But he owed a debt of gratitude, and he had to repay it!
——End of Lawyer Ma's Recollection——
***
Mrs. Su: "You're saying Chen Yuyong is still at Su's?"
Lawyer Ma nodded, recounting everything she had heard and seen that day to Mrs. Su.
Mrs. Su: "It's truly unfair to Accountant Chen, to still be just a small accountant after all these years. Xu Shuming keeps all the important power within his own family, of course, it's better than giving it to an outsider!"
Lawyer Ma said softly, "However, Mrs. Su, don't you find it strange?"
Mrs. Su took a sip of her tea, eager to hear Lawyer Ma's analysis.
Lawyer Ma frowned slightly: "Setting aside why Accountant Chen was specifically kept during the reforms back then, even after all these years, knowing he had no chance of becoming Financial Director, why didn't he leave?"
Mrs. Su also seemed somewhat suspicious: "I've met Accountant Chen before. He's an honest and decent person, rather meek, but meticulous in his work."
Lawyer Ma: "How about we..."
Mrs. Su raised an eyebrow: "You're not suggesting I poach him for Ouyang Chen, are you?"
Lawyer Ma immediately nodded: "If he's willing to go, of course, that would be best. But I have an idea, and I don't know if you're willing to hear it."
Mrs. Su reassured Lawyer Ma: "What are you afraid of? Go ahead and say it."
Lawyer Ma: "I think Accountant Chen is someone we can make good use of."
Mrs. Su raised her eyebrows, and she immediately guessed Lawyer Ma's intentions!
This was precisely why she had deliberately feigned her "elegant illness" today!
She had long wanted to use someone else's mouth to help her get rid of Xu Shuming, this thorn in her side!
But first, she needed to make the fair and just lawyer sympathize with this pitiful woman, so she could wholeheartedly devise strategies for Mrs. Su!
After all, those accustomed to justice know best how to exploit loopholes!
Once a woman sympathizes with another woman, regardless of her profession, she will unconsciously want to do something for her.
***
Meanwhile, Ouyang Chen was wandering the corridor.
The butler, carrying a medicine box, was heading to Su Ruiyi's room. However, after knocking for a long time, he couldn't get in. Mrs. Su's nanny also held a plate of pastries, coaxing Su Ruiyi to open the door.
Butler: "Miss, please open the door and let me take a look."
Nanny: "Miss, these are freshly made pastries today. Have one."
Su Ruiyi had locked the door from the inside, hiding in her room and crying. Her leg was cut by flying glass shards, and her wrist was bruised purple from Xu Shuming's grip.
Su Ruiyi shouted: "You don't need to bother! Go away!!!"
Butler: "Miss, if you don't treat the wound, the scar won't look good!"
Nanny: "Miss, you'll get dizzy if you don't eat."
Su Ruiyi's shouts grew louder: "Get lost!!! I said you don't need to bother!!!"
The butler knocked on the door again. With a loud bang, something hit the door. Su Ruiyi was definitely throwing things at the door to resist.
Ouyang Chen stopped the butler from knocking further.
Ouyang Chen asked curiously, "What's wrong with your young lady again?"
The butler sighed: "Mr. Ou, Miss's leg is injured. It's quite a deep cut, and we saw a lot of blood. I was just trying to bring her some medicine."
The nanny also said mournfully, "Miss hasn't eaten all day. If this continues, something will happen..."
Ouyang Chen twisted the doorknob. The door was locked.
Ouyang Chen instructed them: "Go and get the key."
The butler looked troubled. Without the owner's permission, he had no right to open the door arbitrarily.
Ouyang Chen continued: "I'll take responsibility if anything happens. Go and get it."
The butler nodded to the nanny following behind him. Soon, the nanny came running back with a large bunch of spare keys.
The butler exchanged a look with Ouyang Chen and then opened the room door.
Hearing the door being opened, Su Ruiyi angrily cursed from inside the room.
Upon entering the room, Ouyang Chen picked up a cushion from the floor. He took the medicine box from the butler's hand, gestured for everyone else to leave, and then closed the door again.
It turned out Su Ruiyi was hiding under the table. She was pushing away the chair blocking the way and climbing out, still yelling, "Who told you to come in!"
When she finally crawled out from under the table and saw the leather shoes in front of her, she curiously wanted to look up and see who this man was who dared to barge into her room!
Ouyang Chen, however, squatted down and simply lifted her up.