Resumen del episodio 38 de Lady of Law
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Song Xiu met Xu Jie at her apartment, where she had covered the bruises on her face with makeup. She explained that after meeting Sun Jian's parents, she could no longer simply wait for the public prosecution results; the meeting was less daunting than she had imagined, and in fact, she felt some relief. Song Xiu reassured her, stating that Luo Runnian was the sole guilty party and she shouldn't burden herself with excessive blame.
Xu Jie, however, urged Song Xiu not to get involved in the case, reminding him that his firm, Cheng Tai, was defending Luo Runnian and representing Lianchuang. Song Xiu dismissed her concerns, insisting that he knew what he was doing and that even if he didn't handle the case, another lawyer from his firm would. He concluded that they should each fulfill their own duties and serve their own master.
Later, Song Xiu tried repeatedly to speak with Hong Li, Sun Jian's mother, at her home. He explained that he was different from other lawyers and genuinely wanted to help Sun Jian seek justice, acknowledging their grief and asking for an opportunity. However, Hong Li consistently turned him away, refusing to listen and telling him not to return. Xu Jie also visited, requesting half an hour of Hong Li's time.
Hong Li begged her to leave, stating that seeing Xu Jie felt like a "knife stabbing her heart" and accusing Xu Jie's firm of making "dirty money." Xu Jie clarified that she wasn't there to exonerate her firm but to reveal the truth, asserting that Sun Jian's death wouldn't be ignored and no victim should be buried this way.
She offered to share Sun Jian's words, explaining that he deeply cherished his parents, who had lived in their old, modest home since his childhood. He was saddened by their struggles with the stairs and aspired to use the financial product to pursue profitable projects, eventually buying them an elevator-equipped apartment for a comfortable retirement. Hong Li, however, tearfully responded that they didn't need any of that; she just wanted her son back alive and safe.
Xu Jie then highlighted that many others, like Sun Jian, were suffering under Lianchuang's debt and might be contemplating similar desperate acts. She pointed out that Lianchuang could buy everything but not kinship, warning Hong Li that signing the settlement agreement would effectively help Lianchuang escape justice. Hong Li firmly declared that Lianchuang had underestimated them; they would repay Sun Jian's debts themselves and would not accept money "stained with her son's blood."
Xu Jie revealed that Lianchuang was using Sun Jian's death to shift blame onto Mingtang, and while Mingtang bore some responsibility, Lianchuang was the true culprit and must pay. She inferred from Hong Li's previous reaction that she hadn't signed the agreement and asked for permission to represent Sun Jian and other victims.
At that moment, Sun Cailu, Sun Jian's father, emerged, angrily yelling at Xu Jie to "get out," accusing her and her firm of being selfishly motivated by money or their "damn law firm." He asserted that Xu Jie had already harmed Sun Jian once, and he would not trust her or settle with Lianchuang, repeatedly ordering her to leave. Meanwhile, Chen Ran and Jian Peiran met for mediation regarding their divorce and Yangyang's custody.
The judge noted their fifteen-year marriage, the irreconcilable differences leading to divorce, and their thirteen-year-old daughter. When asked about accepting the court's mediation, Chen Ran firmly refused, while Jian Peiran's lawyer accepted. Chen Ran reiterated her refusal, despite the court offering ample time for mediation. Jian Peiran asked if they truly had to reach this point, suggesting he wasn't unreasonable. Chen Ran responded that their relationship was broken, and who was right or wrong no longer mattered.
She explained that even if she forgave him, they couldn't return to the past, and a marriage without trust was meaningless. She presented Jian Peiran with a choice: sign the divorce agreement or proceed with legal action. Jian Peiran retorted that Chen Ran always had her way and prioritized clients over her family, questioning if she considered the harm divorce would inflict on Yangyang. Chen Ran countered that the situation would hurt Yangyang, him, her, and their entire family.
Jian Peiran, in a fit of anger, declared he chose Yangyang and would never give up her custody, insisting she would stay with him even after divorce. The mediation ended, with the court stating that custody would be decided during the trial, and summons would be issued. Later, Jian Peiran picked Yangyang up from school, presenting her with a new toy he had promised.
Yangyang inquired if her mother knew he had picked her up, and then asked if her parents were truly divorcing. Jian Peiran admitted they might "separate for a while" but assured her they would remain her parents and love her even more, to which Yangyang remarked that her mother had used similar words.
Yangyang then expressed her anger, saying she had anticipated their problems and tried to warn them, feeling that if they had cared more, they wouldn't have reached this point. Jian Peiran quickly changed the subject, suggesting they visit Yangyang's grandmother. At the hospital, Jian Peiran's mother, still hospitalized for high blood pressure, declared that seeing Yangyang made her feel better. She insisted on not being discharged, wanting Chen Ran to feel guilt for her condition.
She told Jian Peiran not to inform Chen Ran that Yangyang was with them. Yangyang, however, revealed that her mother already knew. The grandmother accused Yangyang of being foolish, fearing Chen Ran would take her away, but Yangyang clarified that it was she who had told her mother. Chen Ke arrived at the hospital to apologize to Jian Peiran and his mother for the school incident, bringing fruit.
Jian Peiran's mother rejected his apology, insultingly called him a "weasel" with ulterior motives, and accused him of trying to trick Yangyang away. Jian Peiran tried to explain that he brought Yangyang for the promised toy and because her presence helped his mother's blood pressure, asking if Chen Ke followed them out of distrust. Chen Ke again apologized for the school incident but then asserted that Jian Peiran's real mistake was betraying Chen Ran.
He urged Jian Peiran to give up Yangyang's custody. Jian Peiran refused, claiming he had sacrificed much for the family and Yangyang needed his care and companionship. He reiterated that he would not give up custody and would only send Yangyang home after his mother's condition stabilized. Chen Ke stated that he had come without Chen Ran's knowledge and they would wait at home for Yangyang.
Back home, Chen Ke suggested going to the hospital again, but Chen Ran, realizing he had already been there, told him not to go again, trusting Jian Peiran to bring Yangyang home. She stated that both she and Jian Peiran loved Yangyang, and if Yangyang ultimately didn't choose her, it would mean Chen Ran wasn't a good enough mother. Chen Ke confessed that this time he went to the hospital for Chen Ran, not Yangyang.
He lamented his perceived powerlessness, recounting his struggle to protect her and win Yangyang back, only to make things worse. He expressed his difficulty in comforting her, as they hadn't grown up together, and his frustration that his efforts, like cooking for her only to have to reheat the food repeatedly due to her late work hours, felt inadequate.
He admitted that he resorted to apologizing because he felt it was the only thing he was good at, having grown up under the judgment of others. Chen Ran embraced him, reassuring him that they had done nothing wrong and owed no one an apology. She affirmed they were siblings, a family, and would always be together. Yangyang returned home and asked about her grandmother. She mentioned that Jian Peiran respected her choice.
Chen Ran comforted Yangyang, assuring her that both parents would respect her decision and wouldn't force her, although she might need to testify in court. Chen Ran apologized for making Yangyang go through this, and Yangyang, tearfully, expressed that she didn't want them to separate. Chen Ran explained that she and Jian Peiran faced relationship problems that needed to be addressed. She emphasized that separation would not diminish their love or care for Yangyang.
She promised to continue taking Yangyang on trips, picking her up from school, and attending parent-teacher meetings, just as before. She read Yangyang a story about a happy child whose parents were divorced, hoping Yangyang could find similar happiness. She promised to cherish their time together and accompany Yangyang as she grew up. The next morning, Chen Ran prepared for work, leaving Yangyang in Chen Ke's care.
Chen Ran received a phone call from Jiang Qiong, who had been beaten and was hospitalized. Chen Ran encouraged Jiang Qiong to decide on divorce, pointing out her injuries as strong evidence. Jiang Qiong, however, revealed her fear that her traditional parents would not accept a divorced daughter, and she felt isolated, "fighting alone" in Jinghai. She worried that a public trial would damage her professional reputation as a lawyer who couldn't manage her own marriage.
Chen Ran urged her not to sacrifice her lifelong happiness, warning that prolonged pretense could lead to self-deception. She lauded Jiang Qiong as an excellent lawyer whose marriage now posed a threat to her safety, insisting she must break free. Jiang Qiong apologized, admitting she couldn't be as brave as Chen Ran and would ask the judge to postpone the hearing. Chen Ran immediately refused, insisting on proceeding as planned, reminding Jiang Qiong that she too was a lawyer.
Jiang Qiong apologized for faltering at the last minute and told Chen Ran where to find all the case materials in her drawer, to which Chen Ran promised to bring back good news. At the court, Chen Ran chose to represent herself. Jian Peiran's lawyer argued that Jian Peiran bore most family responsibilities, including Yangyang's education and daily life.
He claimed that after Jian Peiran moved to the Northeast, Chen Ran frequently ordered takeout and left Yangyang to eat alone, with Jian Peiran's mother often handling school pickups, thus failing her motherly duties. He concluded Jian Peiran was better suited for custody and demanded 15,000 yuan monthly child support from Chen Ran. Chen Ran agreed to an equal division of assets but vehemently objected to the accusation of failing her motherly duties.
She explained that their division of household labor before Jian Peiran's move was a mutually agreed choice. She clarified that most takeout meals were due to tight schedules while taking Yangyang to after-school classes, emphasizing that a child's growth hinged on companionship and emotional connection, not merely meals. She admitted she was not a "perfect" mother but a "qualified" one. Due to her demanding work, she couldn't always be physically present, but whenever home, she prioritized her motherly duties.
She detailed her involvement in Yangyang's life: remembering birthdays (even sending gifts from afar), participating in a parent-child sports day where they won first place, immediately flying back from Switzerland after Yangyang was injured, attending a celebrity fan meeting, and witnessing Yangyang's first menstrual period. She concluded that she had never been absent from any significant stage of Yangyang's growth.
Jian Peiran's lawyer then accused Chen Ran of reckless spending and an inability to adapt to a reduced income following her father's legal troubles, questioning her ability to provide a stable life for Yangyang. He contrasted this with Jian Peiran's sacrifice of family time to work in the Northeast and support the family, fulfilling his fatherly duties, and reiterated that custody should go to him.
Chen Ran refuted this, stating that despite growing up in a privileged environment, she was not spoiled. She explained that she and Jian Peiran maintained a joint fund for most of their income, with transparent accounts accessible to both, and that Jian Peiran was aware of this arrangement. She challenged the opposing lawyer to provide evidence of her "reckless spending," asking Jian Peiran directly if she had ever demanded luxury items, designer clothes, or stays in five-star hotels.
She explained that their family adjusted spending based on their financial situation, enjoying more when well-off and living frugally when not. She acknowledged a period of work difficulties last year and her increased focus on work to boost family income. To save money, they moved from a larger home to a more economical residence, a decision Jian Peiran also knew and agreed to.
She concluded that working diligently to create wealth and improve family life was her way, as a mother and wife, of protecting their home. Outside the courtroom, Chen Ke tried to comfort Yangyang, who was worried about her choice. Yangyang asked who he thought she should choose, anticipating he would favor her mother. She voiced her dilemma, feeling torn between her parents and surprisingly "in high demand" after previously feeling overlooked.
Yangyang asked Chen Ke how he coped with similar challenges. Chen Ke admitted to feeling sad but having endured. He assured her that her family would always be her family, and her parents' love for her would not diminish with their marital changes, promising their love would always exceed her expectations. Yangyang asked him not to call her "kiddo," suggesting "niece" instead.
She then asked if her parents wouldn't be angry no matter who she chose, and Chen Ke told her not to think of them as so "narrow-minded," before asking her who she would ultimately choose.
