Lady of Law Episode 10 Recap
> Lady of Law Recap
Director Tang was furious at Chen Ran’s stubborn refusal to give up the Feilaiyin shoe factory client, and Li Gongming had to step in, gently suggesting Chen Ran return to her office. Meanwhile, Attorney Bai Ning was busy with new recruits, assigning a position to one young woman. However, Xiao He, who recently graduated from Jinghai University of Political Science and Law and joined Mingtang as an intern, was left without a clear assignment.
Chen Ran anxiously observed Li Gongming's office, while Xu Jie, with her sharp intuition, remarked that given the complications of Chen Ran's father’s case, it was unlikely their team would retain the Feilaiyin client. She speculated that Chairman Wan might already be celebrating with a senior partner from a rival firm. Moments later, Attorney Zhang Chuang from Chengtai Law Firm arrived, introducing himself and stating he was authorized by Mrs. Luo to collect all documents pertaining to Lianchuang Group.
When Chen Ran tried to defer, Xu Jie interjected, firmly asserting that the documents were confidential firm property, not Mrs. Luo's personal items. She deemed Attorney Zhang’s request unprofessional and had him escorted out. Shortly thereafter, Attorney Bai Ning summoned Song Xiu, informing him that Director Tang had personally assigned him to the Feilaiyin case.
Song Xiu was surprised, and later, in a meeting with Li Gongming, he commented on Bai Ning's extensive preparations, noting that the case was usually handled by Chen Ran's group, creating a tense, competitive atmosphere. Song Xiu, exuberant, visited Xu Jie, proudly sharing that he had secured the Feilaiyin case. He saw this as a significant career milestone, believing it brought him closer to his goal of being able to support her.
Xu Jie playfully teased him about being high-maintenance, then sobered, reminding him that every lawyer at Mingtang, including herself, was a potential competitor. She cautioned him against revealing sensitive case information, calling it a major professional taboo. Song Xiu, undeterred, insisted he was only sharing with his girlfriend. Xu Jie pointed out he had already disclosed two key pieces of information, and warned him that the case’s complexity, now involving other senior partners, made the ultimate outcome uncertain.
Playfully, she then told him to analyze the case at home, hinting that he wouldn't be staying over that night. Separately, as Chen Ran picked up her daughter, Yangyang, she received a call from her mother, Qian Qiuqing. Qian Qiuqing mentioned meeting a "Jenny," who turned out to be Xu Jie, at a social club. She shared that Xu Jie seemed overly interested in her financial transactions and accounts, a concern echoed by some of her investment friends.
Chen Ran promised to address it. Later, Li Gongming called Chen Ran and Xu Jie to his office, informing them that Chengtai was aggressively pursuing Feilaiyin. He announced that he, Director Tang, Bai Ning, and Song Xiu would personally visit Fumen to persuade Chairman Wan. Chen Ran attempted to argue that as Feilaiyin was her client, she should handle it, but Director Tang firmly rejected her, citing the negative impact of her father’s case and the Four Seasons Pharmaceutical incident.
Li Gongming underscored that stabilizing Chairman Wan was the immediate priority. Chen Ran confronted Xu Jie about investigating her mother without informing her first. Xu Jie defended her actions, clarifying that her role was to investigate Chen Wenguang’s case, and she wasn't obligated to report every step to Chen Ran. Reluctantly, Chen Ran handed over all the Lianchuang Group documents she had, including an anonymously sent file, telling Xu Jie to proceed.
Xu Jie then met Qian Qiuqing directly at a club. Qian Qiuqing stated that she had no emotional attachment or animosity towards Chen Wenguang, and thus no motive to harm him. She recounted investing in Lianchuang around 2010, after two years of due diligence based on a friend’s recommendation, noting that Chen Wenguang was not Lianchuang’s legal counsel at that time.
She lamented that her funds were now unrecoverable and offered to send all relevant documents to Xu Jie, who accepted. Qian Qiuqing also expressed a longing for Chen Ran to speak with her as calmly as Xu Jie did. Continuing her investigation, Xu Jie met with another investor, who revealed that they knew from the beginning that Lianchuang's project was not entirely legal.
Chen Wenguang had been brought in specifically to help navigate legal loopholes and legitimize the venture to attract more investors. The investment was initially profitable but collapsed after a subsequent bad investment in a tech project, leading to massive losses and even causing one investor to commit suicide. Xu Jie was dismayed, realizing Chen Wenguang had abetted a Ponzi scheme out of a misplaced sense of obligation. On the flight to Fumen, Song Xiu meticulously reviewed information about Feilaiyin.
Bai Ning believed pricing would be the main battleground with Chengtai. Song Xiu, however, proposed a different strategy, emphasizing client needs over just price. He suggested focusing on Feilaiyin’s outdated operational model, arguing that Mingtang should offer an innovative plan to help Feilaiyin transform its marketing approach. Li Gongming endorsed Song Xiu’s proactive thinking, asserting that unlike traditional firms that only help avoid losses, Mingtang needed to take the initiative to help its client succeed.
During a meeting with Feilaiyin’s Director Jiang, as Chairman Wan was unavailable, the Mingtang team learned that a rival law firm—which Li Gongming suspected was Chengtai—was representing a new e-commerce platform that wanted to partner with Feilaiyin. Bai Ning voiced concerns about the risks of shifting to e-commerce too quickly, but Director Jiang countered that embracing market trends was vital for survival. He promised to relay a message to Chairman Wan to contact Li Gongming.
Concurrently, at Chengtai Law Firm, Director Huang met with Manager Zhao of Junda Network, with Chen Ke also present. Junda, a new e-commerce platform, was eager to collaborate with Feilaiyin but sought to negotiate a better revenue-sharing ratio. Later, the Mingtang team presented their proposal to Chairman Wan. An associate, Xiao Wang, demonstrated a custom-developed app for Feilaiyin. Song Xiu explained that owning their e-commerce platform would give Feilaiyin complete autonomy.
When Chairman Wan raised concerns about the cost and loss of offline distributors, Song Xiu clarified their strategy: a gradual, one-year reduction of 70% of physical stores while retaining key flagship stores for brand experience. He advocated for Feilaiyin to embrace a "premium route," relaunching popular retro styles and using the app for engaging events. Song Xiu added a personal anecdote about Feilaiyin sneakers being a cherished part of his youth.
Li Gongming concluded by expressing Mingtang’s commitment to Feilaiyin’s future. Chairman Wan was impressed but departed without making a decision. In a lighter moment, Chen Ran enlisted Xu Jie’s help for Yangyang’s school sports day three-legged race. The trio triumphed, securing first place. Yangyang excitedly video-called her father, Jian Peiran, to share the news. Jian Peiran thanked Xu Jie, but was interrupted by work, disappointing Yangyang, who saw his female colleague, Damao, diligently making tea in his office.
She complained about her father being "boring" and called both her parents workaholics. Later, Xu Jie returned to an empty home, feeling lonely without Song Xiu. Realizing he hadn't called, she tried to reach him, but he was asleep and didn't answer. As she was about to try again, she received a call from Dr. Ye.
