Wen Ying’s secret publishing under a pseudonym was like walking a tightrope. Now someone had noticed and wanted to cut the rope. Would a bottomless abyss await Wen Ying?
Danger was closing in, and neither Wen Ying nor Xie Qian had any idea.
Even as a reincarnated person, even with Xie Qian’s unmatched intelligence, some events would spiral beyond their control and prediction.
The secret Wen Ying worked so hard to protect was, to those with malicious intent, a trivial matter to expose. Their goal was simply to make Wen Ying suffer, and the more she tried to hide something, the more they’d oppose her.
Zhao Dong introduced Han Qin to a prominent Rongcheng lawyer.
Lawyer Xiong wasn’t inadequate, but fighting a case in Rongcheng gave Zheng Zhihe the home advantage.
Zhao Dong told Han Qin, “Only magic can defeat magic.”
Han Qin had a sudden realization.
She’d hired a Shandong lawyer for a Rongcheng case, no wonder she was at a disadvantage in court.
The lawyer was critical. Han Qin, now wary of trusting others, wondered if Zhao Dong’s help was genuine or a ploy by Zou Weijun’s side.
Cautious, Han Qin asked why Zhao Dong was helping. He gave a half-truth, “I originally wanted Zou Weijun to handle the publishing of Zhao’s Family Letters.”
Bypassing Rongcheng’s publishing industry to publish in Shandong had a reason.
So, Zou Weijun had rejected Zhao Dong, and he held a grudge?
This logic suited Han Qin’s temperament, and she half-believed it.
She’d verify the other half herself.
For instance, whether Zhao Dong’s recommended lawyer was trustworthy.
Han Qin asked Lawyer Xiong, who didn’t yet know he was being replaced. Using his alumni network, Xiong investigated Zheng Zhihe and confirmed, “This lawyer is Zheng Zhihe’s rival. Their feud is deep and irreconcilable. Do you think he can help us?”
It was a viable option.
Xiong even offered Han Qin advice, unaware she’d replace him once she confirmed Zhao Dong wasn’t deceiving her.
Xiong was hurt.
This case wasn’t lucrative, and he’d worked hard due to his competitive nature and years of friendship with Han Qin.
Now Han Qin was replacing him?
Money aside, his pride was wounded. Han Qin had rejected him.
“I hope your new lawyer wins the case.”
Xiong booked a flight back to Shandong.
Han Qin ended his involvement, hurting him both professionally and personally. He also refused to handle Han Qin’s case with Ni Sisi, telling her to find someone else.
Han Qin knew replacing Xiong cost her a long-time friend.
But she had no choice.
Losing the case would ruin her career. If that happened, without matching social status, her friendship with Xiong would fade anyway.
Friends could be made anew, but her social standing was non-negotiable.
Convinced, Han Qin met the new lawyer.
Lawyer Du, in his forties, looked distinguished, reminiscent of elite lawyers in Hong Kong dramas.
In appearance, he outshone Xiong and even overshadowed Zheng Zhihe’s presence.
Upon meeting Han Qin, Du cut to the chase:
“Ms. Han, do you realize your personal situation is extremely precarious? If you lose, you’ll be the scapegoat. Everything will be pinned on you, and once you’re punished, public opinion will settle. The magazine will remain, losing only a bestselling author, standing tall as ever.”
Han Qin felt a chill at Du’s words.
Every sentence hit her fears. Given her superiors’ shifting attitudes, she indeed worried about being abandoned.
So, what now?
Right from the start, Du stunned Han Qin, earning her trust.
When Han Qin asked how to fight the case, Du suggested not fighting.
“It’s hard to win unless you have new key evidence. Appealing after a first judgment, even to a higher court, only promotes the opponent’s book. As their fame grows, their supportive readers multiply. You become worthless, they gain value. Even if you win after immense struggle, your losses will far outweigh your gains. Ms. Han, is that what you want?”
On other matters, Han Qin might not relate, but Du used a publishing case as an example.
A popular bestselling author, found guilty of plagiarism in a first judgment, faced no real consequences. Denying it, they still earned hefty royalties.
Plagiarism wasn’t fully condemned, and “Upstream Fish’s” mistake was far less severe, impacting their career even less.
With Teen Idol selling well, Rongcheng Publishing Group would fiercely protect “Upstream Fish” for profit.
“You can imagine, after the trial, newspapers and TV will report on it, boosting her book sales. The opponent’s publisher will use this publicity repeatedly during the lawsuit.”
Win, and the opponent still rises. What’s the gain?
Without new evidence, winning was unlikely.
Du knew the case’s rapid filing and hearing were driven by Zheng Zhihe’s efforts.
This case was novel.
If Zheng Zhihe won, it would boost his reputation in the Southwest legal circle, and his mentor was invested too.
Du didn’t want Zheng Zhihe and his mentor to succeed. He wanted to stop the case.
Han Qin held her breath, “Lawyer Du, you mean…”
Du said firmly, “Before the verdict, aim for a private settlement to get the plaintiff to withdraw.”
Withdrawal was possible before a judge’s ruling.
After a verdict, it wasn’t.
Han Qin thought it impossible. With Zou Weijun’s side holding the upper hand, why would they agree to settle?
“Ms. Han, change your preconceptions. All civil lawsuits can settle. The only barrier is whether the terms are attractive enough.”
Du seemed to have a plan.
Without a formal agreement with Han Qin, contacting the plaintiff wasn’t an issue. Du wouldn’t approach the plaintiff directly or anyone from Rongcheng Publishing Group, including Zou Weijun, who’d never agree to settle. He wanted to meet two key figures who’d stayed hidden: Wen Ying’s parents, her legal guardians.
