Today, Du Li arranged to meet Chen Ru and Wen Dongrong. The three-day deadline was up, and the couple needed to give Du Li a clear answer on whether to drop the lawsuit and settle. Du Li brought the settlement agreement, its generous terms tempting.
Chen Ru finally saw Han Qin in person.
Lately, bogged down by the lawsuit, Editor Han looked a bit worn. Du Li had specifically advised Han Qin not to dress too formally.
At this moment, appearing too assertive or flashy wouldn’t help. Showing some vulnerability was better for settlement.
So, the Han Qin before Chen Ru looked like an ordinary woman, haggard from the lawsuit, devoid of aggression or dominance.
Chen Ru’s gaze was sharp as an eagle, sizing Han Qin up from head to toe.
Han Qin felt uneasy but gritted her teeth and endured: Lawyer Du was right, small sacrifices prevent bigger losses. Withdrawing before a ruling was her best option!
Du Li cleared his throat, “Have you two made a decision?”
Wen Dongrong glanced at his wife, unsure if it was his turn to speak.
, Oh, his wife looked ready to talk, so he’d wait a bit longer.
Chen Ru sneered, “Lawyer Du, a settlement requires sincerity, doesn’t it? There’s a living person standing here, and you’re not introducing her?”
Chen Ru’s attitude was harsh, but Du Li was rather pleased.
If she didn’t vent her anger, how could they settle?
“This is my client, Ms. Han Qin, senior editor of Aige magazine, and Wen Ying’s contact editor during her time writing for the magazine. Editor Han greatly values Wen Ying’s talent. From a novice writer, Wen Ying grew into a bestselling author in a short time. Editor Han wouldn’t claim full credit, but let’s be fair, doesn’t it have something to do with the platform Aige and Editor Han provided? Of course, I’m not saying this to take credit for Han. What started as a harmonious relationship ended in court due to untimely communication and some people’s instigation… Since you agreed to this meeting, why not hear Editor Han’s sincerity for a settlement?”
As soon as Du Li finished, Han Qin stood up cooperatively.
“Thank you both for giving me this chance. I’ve always been very optimistic about Xiaoyu, your daughter Wen Ying. We had already made publishing plans for her. When she chose to sign with Chengdu Literature Publishing, I couldn’t accept it at first and let my emotions affect my work. Failing to communicate promptly led to all this. I’d like to take this opportunity to apologise to you both!”
Apologising in court? Han Qin couldn’t bring herself to do it.
Whether it was Wen Ying, Xiao Ni, or Zou Weijun, Han Qin despised them all. She couldn’t apologise to them.
But Chen Ru and Wen Dongrong had no stakes with her, and with no outsiders watching, Han Qin could apologise for the sake of settlement.
Pah, hypocrisy!
Just bullying the weak and fearing the strong.
Chen Ru silently judged Han Qin, then asked, “Have you apologised to Wen Ying?”
“I…”
Han Qin’s face soured at the jab.
Of course, she hadn’t apologised to Wen Ying.
Chen Ru kept sneering, “You spouted nonsense online because you were emotional? An adult, a magazine editor, picking on a child because of emotions, what kind of skill is that?”
“…”
Han Qin was speechless.
Wen Ying, a child?
She knew to record negotiations.
She spoke confidently in court.
Ten ordinary high schoolers combined couldn’t match one Wen Ying!
Chen Ru pressed aggressively, leaving Han Qin red-faced and fuming.
For someone with a fiery temper to play pitiful was a test of acting skills, and Han Qin was nearly at her limit.
Seeing things going south, Du Li quickly interjected, “Once we settle with you both, Editor Han will definitely apologise to Wen Ying. It’s only right!”
Chen Ru raised her chin, “Aren’t there two defendants? Only Editor Han apologises?”
She meant the magazine should apologise too.
Wasn’t Han Qin representing Aige? Was that not enough?
Chen Ru’s anger was clear.
Du Li turned to Wen Dongrong, “Mr. Wen, what do you think, “
Wen Dongrong puffed out his chest.
Finally, they were asking the head of the household?
Pah!
Too late.
“Lawyer Du speaks lightly. Dropping the lawsuit benefits Aige and Editor Han, not us. Are we not allowed to make demands?”
Wen Dongrong’s tone was measured, but he could infuriate just as well if he wanted!
Du Li sensed these two weren’t here to settle.
But since they hadn’t torn things apart, Du Li gestured for Han Qin to stay calm and slid two settlement agreements toward Chen Ru and Wen Dongrong.
“You two, verbal apologies lack sincerity. It’s about action. This is just a token of sincerity from the magazine and Editor Han. The magazine will publicly clarify the misunderstanding. If Wen Ying wishes to publish again, Aige will fully support her. As far as I know, Chengdu Publishing Group doesn’t have a youth magazine.”
A token of sincerity.
Chen Ru glanced at the settlement amount, 35,000 pounds, 5,000 more than Du Li’s initial offer, exceeding Lawyer Zheng’s claimed compensation.
Even winning the lawsuit wouldn’t yield 30,000 pounds, let alone 35,000!
From Han Qin’s pained expression, Chen Ru knew much of the 35,000 came from Han Qin’s personal savings.
Accepting this would hurt Han Qin for years. An editor earned more than average, but not that much… Yet Chen Ru didn’t want it.
Money was less fitting than Han Qin losing her job!
If Han Qin couldn’t be editor, it’d benefit Wen Ying and other new authors. Wen Ying wasn’t the only one Han Qin had bullied.
As for Aige’s “full support,” Chen Ru didn’t buy it.
It sounded nice, offering Wen Ying a platform despite past grudges. But with Young Idol’s popularity, Wen Ying returning to Aige would benefit the magazine more.
Chengdu Publishing Group lacked a notable youth magazine now, but one was launching soon, needing big-name authors. Wen Ying was perfect.
Han Qin claimed she’d long planned Wen Ying’s publishing. As if she valued her so much.
What plan could beat Chengdu Literature Publishing’s?
Chen Ru hid a mocking smile and picked up the pen.
“I’ll sign the settlement!”
Wen Dongrong was stunned.
Really signing?
This wasn’t what they agreed at home!
If they signed, how would they face Wen Ying… Wen Dongrong moved to stop her, but Chen Ru’s pen danced across the paper.
Han Qin smirked disdainfully. All that tough talk, yet money won her over!
Only Du Li showed no joy.
Standing closer, he saw Chen Ru’s actions.
She didn’t sign her name, she drew a turtle in the blank space!
, Who was she insulting?!
