Lady of Law Episode 16 Recap
> Lady of Law Recap
With Liu Na's financial situation making it difficult to cover Jinghai Airlines' compensation, Attorney Chen (Chen Ran) sought a compromise, arranging a meeting with all parties involved. Jinghai's lawyer expressed a desire for a happy outcome, but Wei Xing's lawyer insisted that Jinghai must compensate Wei Xing for his losses, emphasizing these were separate issues. Liu Na, apologizing for her impulsiveness, admitted she'd been punished and recognized her mistake, stating she no longer wished to bear such heavy pressure.
Xu Jie then proposed a resolution: Wei Xing, his fan club, and Liu Na would co-host an event titled "Convention Against Extreme Fandom," promoting respect for artists' privacy. Mingtang Law Firm could serve as legal witnesses. On this basis, Wei Xing would drop all claims against Jinghai Airlines, and Jinghai Airlines would drop its claims against Liu Na. Wei Xing's lawyer initially questioned who would cover the commercial event organizer's losses, refusing the proposal.
However, Xu Jie argued that the event would highlight Wei Xing's influence and fan support, curbing extreme fan behavior and rumor-mongering, thereby generating positive buzz and boosting his popularity in the long run. Liu Na added her promise to never repeat her mistakes. Wei Xing's lawyer agreed to consult with Wei Xing, leaving the final decision to him, though he still questioned if Jinghai Airlines would bear no responsibility.
The event, initiated by Wei Xing, was later held at Jinghai Sky Hotel, promoting healthy fan interactions, with artists, fan clubs, and Mingtang lawyers in attendance. Wei Xing thanked his fans, encouraging them to love their own lives and work. Back at the office, colleagues praised their "master" (referring to Xu Jie) for her brilliance. Yangyang excitedly watched videos of the event, telling her mother to share them and proudly declared that even Wei Xing listened to her mom.
Chen Ran reflected on how Yangyang, who once seemed dissatisfied with her career due to the complaints it brought, now looked at her with pride. Recalling her husband's constant requests for her to make sacrifices for her career, her child, and family issues, she had once doubted her path. But Yangyang's smile, and her mother's simple agreement to watch Yangyang when she had to travel, resolved her doubts.
She felt she had regained her confidence at the crossroads of her legal career. In court, the prosecutor detailed how Wang Landao, head of Lan Dao Trading Co., Ltd., used falsified European manufacturer receivables as collateral to secure a billion yuan in loans from various funds, including Yuankun Fund, before disappearing.
Defendant Liu Jianming, a university classmate of Wang Landao and Yuankun Fund's project manager, was accused of complicity for failing to rigorously review the borrower's materials, leading to unrecoverable overdue loans. Liu Jianming vehemently protested his innocence. Bai Ning, representing Liu Jianming, argued that despite their past connection, Liu and Wang had not been in contact for over a decade.
She stated that Wang Landao had exploited Liu's trust to recommend the project to other funds, but Liu was unaware of Wang's fraudulent intentions. Bai Ning also highlighted that Liu had followed due diligence, contacting the European manufacturer's domestic agent to verify the contract's existence, but was not informed if it remained active. She contended that Wang Landao had used the agent's indifference to ensnare Liu, concluding there was insufficient evidence for criminal conduct and requesting a not guilty verdict.
Later, Bai Ning informed Liu Jianming that Yuankun had agreed to settle for 100,000 yuan in emotional damages. She cautioned him that pursuing litigation carried a high risk of losing, which would result in far greater financial consequences. Liu Jianming, however, felt he shouldn't be responsible for others' mistakes. Xiao He pointed out Liu's own negligence, reminding him of the significant commissions and performance bonuses he received for securing such a major contract.
Liu Jianming retorted with an analogy, asking if he shouldn't blame a thief for stealing his belongings because he was "careless." Bai Ning calmly advised him not to be angry, reiterating that this was the best possible resolution. She suggested he consult other lawyers for a second opinion if he remained unconvinced and assured him she would await his decision. Liu Jianming eventually agreed.
Later, in a taxi, Bai Ning received a call from an insurance company wishing her a happy birthday and attempting to sell her a product, which she politely declined. She then wryly commented that major corporations seemed to remember her birthday better than she did, having forgotten it herself due to her relentless work schedule. Hearing this, Xiao He, surprised, instructed the driver to pull over. He tried to get her a cake, but the cake shop was already closed.
Bai Ning dismissed it, saying she hadn't celebrated her birthday in years. Undeterred, Xiao He led her to the shop window, lit a lighter in front of a cake display, and encouraged her to make a wish and blow out the "candle." Bai Ning wished for the Lan Dao case to conclude smoothly and perfectly, deeming it her greatest wish for herself at that moment. They blew out the "candle" together.
Afterward, they enjoyed ramen burgers and "tipsy" drinks from a late-night promotion, celebrating as "hardworking laborers." Xiao He asked Bai Ning if she always held herself to such high standards. Bai Ning defended her approach, explaining that her mentor taught her how critical it was for lawyers to avoid mistakes, especially given their limited caseloads, and she strived for near-perfect outcomes.
Xiao He, however, suggested that sometimes luck played a role in lawsuits and that not all clients were as demanding as Liu Jianming. He believed she shouldn't be too extreme.
Bai Ning then confessed her desire to live more easily and admitted she envied Chen Ran, who had the support of Director Chen and later Director Li, as well as He Gang and Jiang Qiong for their unique approaches, and even Song Xiu, who seemed to live effortlessly under Director Li's care. Xiao He then remarked that she must also envy him. Bai Ning clarified that she admired his free-spirited and unrestrained nature.
Xiao He playfully remarked that it didn't sound like praise, to which Bai Ning replied it was her first and possibly last time praising him. Xiao He then wished her "boundless freedom" and sang "Happy Birthday." During a game of basketball, Song Xiu decided it was time for "deeper communication" with Xu Jie. He offered for her to visit his home and then confessed his romantic history.
Xu Jie was amused by his "three relationships": a kindergarten classmate who gave him snow peas, an elementary school crush he threw stones at until she transferred, and a university "ambiguity" where his confession was preempted by her entire family moving abroad. Xu Jie was incredulous, playfully accusing him of lying, but Song Xiu insisted she was indeed his first serious girlfriend.
He then led a blindfolded Xu Jie to his small but tidy apartment, welcoming her as "my lady" and maintaining a playful mystery. Xu Jie noticed his collection of Shiba Inu figurines and asked why he didn't get a real pet. Song Xiu explained he had one as a child, and its death made him cry for a week. He then asked if Xu Jie would stay with him forever, to which she cryptically replied, "That's hard to say."
Song Xiu expressed his concern about her habit of leaving her suitcase in the living room, as if always ready to depart, hoping he could be the one to make her put it away. Xu Jie teased him for taking small matters so seriously but then asked "Butler Song" to help her put away her suitcase.
Song Xiu enthusiastically agreed, expressing his desire to look forward to the future with her, prompting Xu Jie to chuckle at his "top-notch nonsense skills." The next morning, Song Xiu's parents unexpectedly arrived at his apartment, much to his dismay, as they immediately began bickering about travel arrangements and who loved Song Xiu more. Song Xiu reluctantly introduced Xu Jie to his parents.
His parents' argument quickly shifted to the surprise of meeting Xu Jie and who would treat her to dinner. Song Xiu's mother, calling his father rude, insisted she was his mother and his affairs were important, unlike his "hands-off" father. Song Xiu's father countered by calling his mother "used to being rude," and the argument escalated over whose turn it was to treat Xu Jie to a luxurious meal. Later, Xu Jie offered Song Xiu a sympathetic ear.
He confessed his frustration, despite considering himself a "mediation master," at his inability to resolve his parents' incessant conflicts. He lamented that they had never had a peaceful meal together since his childhood. Xu Jie gently pointed out that at least their arguments still centered around him, suggesting it was preferable to indifference. Song Xiu was surprised by her understanding and confessed he had imagined a hundred ways for her to meet his parents, but never this chaotic one.
Xu Jie reassured him, stating that this impromptu meeting was fine and that she wasn't easily intimidated. She emphasized that diverse family backgrounds create the "vibrant foundations to our lives," and promised him more love and security. Song Xiu, finding her words a bit sentimental, stated he wouldn't let his parents' issues diminish his own life's vibrancy.
Noting that Song Xiu hadn't eaten much amidst the chaos, Xu Jie, to his surprise, offered to cook him instant noodles, promising to load them with sausages and crab sticks to ensure his satisfaction. Meanwhile, Zhang Qinglan was found by Chen Ke, heavily drinking and distraught. She cried, believing "they" (implying Chen Wenguang's ex-wife and her family) were preventing her from seeing Chen Wenguang and feared he had been framed or that something dire had happened to him.
Chen Ke tried to calm her, explaining that his father was under investigation and visits were restricted. Zhang Qinglan insisted Chen Wenguang was innocent and that "that woman" (Qian Qiuqing, Chen Wenguang's ex-wife) was trying to control him and cause him harm.
Chen Ke, however, confronted her with the reality that his father and Qian Qiuqing were still together, questioning why his father had kept him at a distance during his university years and never allowed him to work at Mingtang Law Firm. He sadly concluded that his father never truly loved them. Zhang Qinglan vehemently denied this, clinging to the belief that Chen Wenguang loved only them and that Qian Qiuqing was to blame.
Chen Ke gently told her they couldn't be so naive and that deceiving themselves was pointless. Worried about her worsening condition, he urged her to return to Switzerland and leave the complex matter to him. Zhang Qinglan then asked if Chen Wenguang had truly accepted bribes. Chen Ke admitted the case was complicated and still under investigation, and that they were trying to help his father secure a reduced sentence.
She then questioned why Chen Wenguang's daughter (Chen Ran) wasn't helping, seemingly indifferent to his plight. Chen Ke clarified that Chen Ran was not his father's defense lawyer and that Tian Mao was. He characterized Tian Mao's abilities as "mediocre" but noted his primary role was to relay messages to Chen Wenguang, offering to facilitate a message from Zhang Qinglan. Later, Tian Mao visited Chen Wenguang and inquired about his well-being.
He informed Chen Wenguang that the Bar Association had received a self-confession video and asked if he recognized the person in it. Chen Wenguang denied any knowledge. Tian Mao reminded him of his role as legal counsel and urged him to be truthful. Chen Wenguang, in turn, asked if Tian Mao believed he had accepted a bribe of twenty million yuan. Tian Mao responded that he needed more information, echoing Chen Wenguang's own teaching that "sometimes clients lie."
Chen Wenguang then challenged the notion of burden of proof reversal in criminal defense, firmly stating he did not know the individual in the video and had no financial dealings with him. He instructed Tian Mao to expedite the investigation into overseas accounts. Finally, Tian Mao handed Chen Wenguang a handwritten letter from Zhang Qinglan. After reading it, Chen Wenguang's only directive to Tian Mao was to tell Zhang Qinglan to "go back to Switzerland."
At an anti-fraud awareness event organized by the Lawyer Association, attended by representatives from Mingtang and Chengtai law firms, Chen Ran and Xu Jie spotted Chen Ke. Xu Jie encouraged Chen Ran to speak with him, betting she would regret it for a week if she didn't. Later, Chen Ran confronted Chen Ke, asking if they had met before and if he had sent her something.
Chen Ke admitted to sending her the Lianchuang documents, stating it was "to help my dad and also to help myself." Chen Ran warned him that "things aren't as simple as you think" and advised him "not to get too involved," adding that "Chengtai is far more complicated than you imagine." Chen Ke, however, dismissed her concerns, stating his need to "go out and learn" and that Chengtai was a "pretty good choice" for his career.
His boss, Director Huang of Chengtai, then called him and another lawyer away. Separately, Damao was hospitalized after being injured while protecting Jian Peiran at a construction site. The doctor informed Jian Peiran that Damao needed to stay overnight for observation and required a caregiver. Jian Peiran clarified he was Damao's colleague, not her partner. He brought Damao various snacks.
Damao playfully teased him, saying he owed her a huge debt if anything had happened to her and that she could repay him gradually. Jian Peiran asked if her concern was personal or professional. Damao replied, "Both." She then challenged him to "taste this orange" to determine if it was sour, and he comically exaggerated its sweetness.
Jian Peiran then reminded her to call her family for overnight care, but Damao responded that her elderly grandmother would only worry and that she had told her she was working overtime. This implied Damao hoped Jian Peiran would stay. Jian Peiran acknowledged the need to avoid worrying the elderly, then left to sign documents with the doctor.
