Lady of Law Episode 12 Recap
> Lady of Law Recap
Attorney He, impressed by Xu Jie's capabilities, invited her to join his team. He planned to transition to a less active role and wanted her to gradually take over his cases and clients. He offered a favorable commission split, allowing her to keep 90% of the profits from his existing cases and all profits from new ones she brought in. Xu Jie requested some time to consider the offer.
Back at the office, Chen Ran told Xu Jie that she would organize and transfer her cases to her, revealing her intention to leave Mingtang. Xu Jie was taken aback and angrily told Chen Ran not to involve her if she planned to "retreat" from the firm. With tears in her eyes, Liu Fang pleaded with Chen Ran to reconsider, revealing that Xu Jie had already turned down Attorney He's offer, implying Xu Jie's desire to continue working with her.
Chen Ran, however, stated that Team Two was constraining Xu Jie's potential. She later explained to Xu Jie that recent overwhelming family matters had led her to follow her mother's advice: to focus her limited energy on things she could control. Xu Jie responded with a hint of sarcasm, acknowledging Chen Ran's roles as a mother and wife. Meanwhile, Xiao He was visibly frustrated after the finance department rejected his expense report due to incorrectly pasted receipts.
Liu Fang patiently stepped in to teach him the correct method, advising him to "go with the flow" and noting that even Song Xiu, who was about to become a full attorney, still handled such mundane tasks. In a meeting, Director Li praised Song Xiu for successfully renegotiating a client contract to an annual renewal and for also handling an app contract on the same trip.
Later, Song Xiu attempted to sneak snacks to Xu Jie but was caught by Liu Fang. He lied about needing printer paper and gave the snacks to a passing Xiao He. Seeing Xiao He struggling with his expense report, Song Xiu offered his expertise, and the two left together, with Xiao He also seeking advice on some mediation cases. Chen Wenguang suffered a sudden illness and collapsed in the detention center.
When Chen Ran rushed to the hospital, her senior, Tian Mao, was already there and assured her that her father was out of danger. Tian Mao relayed Chen Wenguang's message: he regretted imposing his choices on Chen Ran, expressed his deep love for her, and asked for her forgiveness. Through a window, Chen Ran saw her weakened father on a respirator.
She later confided in Tian Mao that she was considering leaving Mingtang for a less demanding job to dedicate more time to her family, as she felt lost without her father's guidance. Chen Ran then met with Director Li and formally announced her decision to resign, explaining her need to prioritize her family after numerous unexpected events.
Though surprised, Director Li was understanding, especially given Chen Wenguang's situation, and Chen Ran assured him she would ensure a smooth handover of her work. At Chengtian Law Firm, Chen Ke was shocked to learn of Chen Wenguang's sudden illness and medical parole, leaving him stunned. Director Li assigned Chen Ran and Xu Jie a new case involving an environmental performance artist, Singh, who had disrupted an exhibition at the Yu Art Museum.
He noted that such cases, while not always highly profitable, boosted the firm's reputation. Chen Ran initially tried to pass the case to Xu Jie, but Director Li insisted they collaborate, advising her to delegate smaller tasks to manage her workload. Remembering her father's principle of always finishing what she started, Chen Ran agreed to take the case. They met with the museum director, who explained that Singh's actions had caused artists to withdraw and shortened the exhibition's run.
Xu Jie noted that if Singh's only goal was to gain attention, he could have chosen a more famous museum, suggesting a more specific motive. During a meeting, they discovered Singh's lawyer was Tian Mao. Xu Jie demanded Singh issue a public apology and pay 500,000 yuan in damages. Tian Mao countered by revealing that a museum sponsor, Yinyan Chemical Plant, was polluting the river in Wuli Village.
He accused the museum of "artwashing" by accepting sponsorship for an environmental exhibition, allowing the company to appear eco-conscious while continuing to pollute. Xu Jie argued that Singh's disruption and the factory's pollution were separate legal issues. Tian Mao refused to negotiate, stating he had left Mingtang to escape such "utilitarian" thinking.
Liu Fang later discovered that Tian Mao was representing Wuli Village in a pollution lawsuit against Yinyan Chemical Plant and was using the Singh case to generate public pressure for the second trial. Chen Ran decided they needed to make concessions to resolve the situation, offering to negotiate with the museum director if Singh would apologize. Xu Jie, meanwhile, committed to further investigating Singh.
Later, Song Xiu brought pizza to share with Xu Jie, but Bai Ning interrupted, asking for financial reports. To have a moment alone with Xu Jie, Song Xiu told Bai Ning he would complete the reports himself and urged her to leave first. After she left, Song Xiu asked if he had gained weight, and Xu Jie playfully confirmed he had. Xu Jie said she would be working until 10 PM, and Song Xiu offered to wait and drive her home.
