All Rise Episode 21 Recap
> All Rise Recap
The 2024 Talent Hunt Program at Jun An Law Firm began with candidates introducing themselves. Zhou Nian, a fourth-year lawyer and junior mentor for the program, explained its structure: a three-month competition over seven rounds, with points accumulating and last-place elimination in each round. He emphasized that only one or two candidates would ultimately become formal intern lawyers, securing a high starting salary and mentorship from senior partners.
He highlighted the firm's new dual-track system, combining a team structure with a lawyer pool, and reiterated that from the moment they entered Jun An, the candidates were competitors focused on survival. Guo Xiaoyu, after inquiring about the "team system and lawyer pool" and learning about the demanding work hours, introduced herself in a cheerful manner. She mentioned her love for photography, Hanfu culture, being a "weeb," and a "milk tea addict."
She proudly declared her "resilient and thick-skinned" nature, asserting that she could overcome challenges with a good cry and maintain a positive outlook. Wang Lu, a former intern at Jun An, emphasized his prior experience as an advantage. Li Ke, another candidate, detailed his practical experience, including an internship at the Provincial Higher People's Court, and noted he was Zhou Nian's junior from university, to which Zhou Nian playfully advised him not to "get cocky."
Director Zhuang Xin praised the exceptional talent, specifically highlighting Ren Jiatong for her internship at the Supreme People's Court during her undergraduate studies and publishing a solo-authored paper in a core journal in graduate school. Jiang Chen introduced himself as a Haryald Law School graduate with internship experience at Latham Simpson Law Firm in the US, known for its rigorous environment, and expressed his hope to find both worthy rivals and good friends within the program.
Meanwhile, Guo Xiaoyu faced a personal crisis as she arrived at her rented apartment only to find she couldn't get in. Her friend informed her that "Warm Nest Apartments" had collapsed. At the apartment building, a frustrated crowd of tenants demanded refunds from Warm Nest. Liu Ping, a legal representative for Warm Nest, tried to calm them, cautioning against actions that could lead to legal repercussions.
Jiang Chen's aunt, a property owner, arrived and insisted on changing the locks, claiming the apartment was hers and that the tenants' disputes were solely with Warm Nest. Ren Jiatong, who also resided in apartment 602, stepped forward. She presented a handwritten legal letter, asserting that the landlord's unauthorized lock change constituted a material breach of contract.
She argued that the landlord could not evict tenants without properly terminating her lease with Warm Nest, thus upholding her right to continued occupancy. Jiang Chen arrived with his aunt and engaged in a legal debate with Ren Jiatong. He explained that his aunt had subleased the property to Warm Nest, meaning the tenants had no direct contractual relationship with his aunt, and that as the property owner, her real rights were absolute.
Ren Jiatong countered, citing the principle of privity of contract, emphasizing that until his aunt's lease with Warm Nest was terminated, Ren Jiatong's sublease remained valid. Jiang Chen's aunt considered legal action through Jiang Chen's father's law firm, but Ren Jiatong advised against litigation due to its high time and financial costs. She proposed a temporary settlement: the tenant pays an additional month's rent, and the landlord allows another month of stay while they monitor the situation. Both parties agreed.
Before departing, Jiang Chen recognized Ren Jiatong as a Jun An candidate and suggested they would meet again professionally. Back at Jun An, Director Zhuang Xin was informed that Ren Jiatong had identified herself as a Jun An lawyer during the Warm Nest incident, despite not being on the official lawyer roster. This issue was brought up by Warm Nest's legal director, who was considering Jun An as their new legal counsel and sought an explanation.
Zhuang Xin noted the matter but allowed the candidate introductions to proceed. Ren Jiatong, facing financial pressure evident from a call with her mother about creditors, subsequently sent personalized emails to various Jun An mentors, introducing herself and offering assistance. Elsewhere, Yan Fei experienced a minor car accident while rushing to work, resulting in injury to a pregnant woman. The man carpooling with the woman refused to help, citing fears of legal liability as an unrelated single male.
Despite her own urgent schedule, Yan Fei stepped in, assisting the pregnant woman and meticulously recording all pertinent details. Later at the office, as the candidates settled in, Yan Fei confronted Wang Lu about his prior refusal to help. Wang Lu defended his decision by stating he could not objectively assist and had to avoid risks that could jeopardize his career and the Talent Hunt offer.
Yan Fei countered, asserting that while risk mitigation is important, an excellent lawyer also demonstrates the ability to record crucial information and effectively handle problems, an example she had just set. After this, the first task of the Talent Hunt Program was announced by Zhou Nian, as Song Yifan was busy with a client. The task involved a traffic accident case: Mr. Li, a delivery driver, sustained severe injuries after his vehicle collided with Mr. Wang's car.
Traffic police determined Mr. Wang was primarily responsible, and Mr. Li secondarily. However, the insurance company denied Mr. Li's claim, citing his partial responsibility. Candidates were required to select a party from the case and draft a legal opinion from that client's perspective. The submissions would be graded on completion and accuracy.
Zhou Nian clarified that this was an individual competition, with only the top three receiving points: 30 for first place, 20 for second, and 10 for third; all other participants would receive zero points. They were given less than four hours, with a deadline of 6:00 PM. Following these events, Guo Xiaoyu, who usually champions Bai Xiao, initially expressed disbelief that Bai Xiao would take on a case for Xia Jun, the current girlfriend of Bai Xiao's ex-boyfriend, Gao Lang.
However, Yan Fei and Ren Jiatong held that Bai Xiao's professionalism always superseded personal feelings. Their prediction was confirmed when Zhou Nian announced Bai Xiao had officially accepted Xia Jun's bribery case, with details soon to follow. Guo Xiaoyu was taken aback, while Yan Fei's detached departure, without comment, drew the attention of others. That evening, Zhou Nian observed Yan Fei working late and gently reminded her that her report wasn't urgent.
Watching her leave, he wrestled with his own emotions, later seeking an outlet at a boxing gym, yet he still lacked the courage to reach out to Yan Fei directly. Ren Jiatong and Jiang Chen discussed leads for the bribery case over the phone. After their call, Guo Xiaoyu, concerned for Ren Jiatong, subtly hinted at a possible romantic involvement between Jiang Chen and Yan Fei.
Ren Jiatong felt a mix of awkwardness and gratitude for Guo Xiaoyu’s genuine concern, contemplating whether to reveal her true relationship with Jiang Chen. In a subsequent phone call, Ren Jiatong and Jiang Chen decided to play cupid for Zhou Nian and Yan Fei. Jiang Chen arranged to meet Zhou Nian under the guise of an evidence investigation, while Ren Jiatong strategically mentioned to Jiang Chen that Zhou Nian had been repeatedly checking Yan Fei’s Moments.
Delighted by this news, Yan Fei eagerly sought out Ren Jiatong for confirmation. On his way to meet Zhou Nian, Jiang Chen encountered Song Yifan and discreetly inquired about Jun An Law Firm's policy on office relationships. Song Yifan stated that while the firm discouraged overly complex emotional ties among colleagues, he personally believed young professionals shouldn't avoid love to the point of future regret.
Later, over a meal, Jiang Chen subtly steered the conversation with Zhou Nian towards personal relationships. Zhou Nian admitted his affection for Yan Fei but highlighted their differing backgrounds and the practicalities involved. He acknowledged that while love and marriage were legally protected, a lawyer nearing thirty, like himself, had to consider social expectations, family acceptance, and potential future problems.
He concluded that love held a limited role in his life, and that if a relationship presented too many risks, it was better left unstarted. Jiang Chen, though conflicted, disagreed with Zhou Nian's pragmatic perspective, even as Zhou Nian echoed Song Yifan's sentiment of minimizing regrets, acknowledging that individual circumstances shaped one’s choices. Afterward, Jiang Chen met Ren Jiatong outside a shop.
After careful thought, he proposed withdrawing from the Talent Hunt Program to safeguard their relationship and ensure Ren Jiatong secured her desired job. Ren Jiatong, however, felt his offer was patronizing. Overwhelmed with emotion, she immediately broke up with him, asserting her ability to earn her position independently. They parted ways on unhappy terms. That evening, Yan Fei coincidentally met Yan Da's ex-girlfriend, who had returned from abroad because Yan Da had abruptly cut contact.
Yan Fei deeply empathized with the woman's pain and self-doubt resulting from such a sudden and cold ending to a relationship. Jiang Chen then received a call from Yan Fei and joined her at a bar, where they both, burdened by their own romantic woes, poured out their hearts over drinks. The following day, a palpable tension permeated the law firm as everyone focused on their work.
Guo Xiaoyu, sensing the unusual atmosphere, mistakenly concluded that Ren Jiatong, Jiang Chen, and Yan Fei were entangled in a love triangle. Too nervous to speak, she could only discreetly observe them. Meanwhile, Ren Jiatong's team presented a crucial analysis for Xia Jun's case.
They submitted surveillance screenshots from Xia Jun's meeting with the other party, arguing that the alleged two million yuan in cash, contained in a large cash-filled bag, would be physically impossible for an average adult woman to lift effortlessly with one hand. This physical contradiction exposed a significant inconsistency in the opposing party's testimony. Zhou Nian highly praised their analytical approach and confirmed that these findings would be shared with all mentors for evaluation, taking into account both individual performance and teamwork.
