Lady of Law Episode 34 Recap
> Lady of Law Recap
Chen Ran was surprised to learn that Jian Peiran had been demoted after his project in the Northeast collapsed, a significant development he hadn't shared with her. She discussed her concerns with Xu Jie, who urged her to communicate openly with Jian Peiran. Chen Ran explained Jian Peiran's underlying dissatisfaction with his career, noting his previous ambition to prove himself in the Northeast was now thwarted by an unforeseen accident.
Xu Jie acknowledged Jian Peiran's potential reluctance to expose his vulnerability but emphasized that avoiding the truth would only enable self-deception. Chen Ran decided to confront the issue. Later, Xu Jie presented Chen Ran with the legal representation contract for the Ye family's Qing'an Hospital, urging her to sign it promptly to bolster her qualifications for the senior partner election. Meanwhile, Jian Peiran, feeling lost and avoiding home, met with Cao Hui.
She offered him a potential job at a company she had long collaborated with, ensuring the project was local and required no travel. Jian Peiran, however, declined, stating he needed time to rest. Cao Hui, brushing aside his thanks, assured him she wasn't looking for trouble and merely saw it as returning a past favor.
She reflected on their youth, expressing regret that they hadn't been together, and suggested that now, in their ordinary lives, they could simply share some warmth. Disheartened by his professional failure and swayed by Cao Hui's unwavering admiration, Jian Peiran took her hand, setting aside his moral reservations. Jian Peiran returned home late, claiming urgent work and having been out drinking with a friend.
As he prepared for a shower, a hotel room key card accidentally fell from his pocket, which Chen Ran subtly noticed. The next morning, after dropping Yangyang at school, Chen Ran feigned a client meeting and discreetly followed Jian Peiran. She observed him meet Damao, who emerged from a talent market building and embraced him warmly.
Inside Jian Peiran’s car, Damao shared that she had been in Jinghai for a month and had found a local bar owner as a boyfriend. She lightheartedly asked Jian Peiran to help her assess his character and even joked about Chen Ran looking into his background. Damao also shared her belief that men couldn't always be relied upon, and one must ultimately depend on oneself.
Later, Chen Ran called the Jinghai Hotel to request a duplicate invoice under Jian Peiran's name, confirming her growing suspicions. Song Xiu, dealing with his uncle's business losses and mounting debts, sought financial assistance from the firm. He attended a dinner party with Huang Yaoqing, where he heavily drank to shield his superior. Impressed by Song Xiu's dedication, Huang Yaoqing officially accepted him as his apprentice, promising support but sternly warning against any form of betrayal.
Emboldened, Song Xiu requested an advance on his legal fees, which Huang Yaoqing readily granted. Unaware of Song Xiu's predicament, Xu Jie noticed his reluctance to answer his mother’s calls and proactively contacted her. She met Song’s mother, who revealed that Song Xiu's uncle had suffered significant business losses and needed funds for turnover.
Xu Jie promptly transferred 400,000 to Song's mother, dismissing any need for an IOU and playfully mentioning Song Xiu's "guarantee," though his mother was unaware he had already been made a permanent employee. Later that night, a very drunk Song Xiu returned home to find Xu Jie asleep on his sofa. Startled, he questioned why she was there. Xu Jie explained his mother had just left after a long conversation.
When pressed, Xu Jie disclosed that she had learned of his uncle's urgent financial need and had lent the money. Song Xiu was upset, insisting he, as a man, should be responsible for his family's affairs, regardless of his financial standing, and offered to have his mother repay her immediately. Xu Jie countered that in this era of gender equality, she was capable and willing to spend her own money, playfully suggesting he was looking down on her.
Despite his frustration, Song Xiu softened, musing aloud about the pros and cons of having such a competent girlfriend, and playfully concluded that he would handle such matters himself going forward. In a charming gesture, Xiao He sent white roses to all the women at the firm but presented Bai Ning with a single red one. However, Bai Ning initially overlooked the special significance, even discarding the flower.
Xiao He rescued it, gently placing it in a water cup, and chided her for not appreciating its unique status. Bai Ning, in turn, quipped that if everyone received the same, she would prefer none at all, and wryly commented on the firm's extravagant promotions. The following day, Bai Ning finally acknowledged the special intent behind the red rose and thanked Xiao He. She directly questioned what he liked about her, which momentarily stumped him.
She brought up past awkward encounters, including his abrupt departure after telling two awkward jokes during her illness, and a time he "lectured" her when she was down. Frustrated with her detailed questions, Xiao He simply confessed, "I like you," and passionately kissed her in the tea room. Unbeknownst to them, Liu Fang witnessed the kiss, ensuring the news would rapidly spread throughout the office.
The results of the senior partner election were announced, revealing a tie between Attorney Jiang Qiong and Chen Ran, necessitating a second round of competition. Bai Ning vehemently protested the outcome, deeming it unfair. She argued that her performance was comparable, yet Team Two, despite causing significant losses to Mingtang, particularly with the long-standing Shihao Hotel client, faced no clear repercussions. This, she claimed, undermined the firm's system of rewards and punishments.
Xu Jie immediately stepped in, taking full responsibility for the Shihao Hotel case, clarifying that it was her actions, not Chen Ran's, that led to the client’s departure. Chen Ran supported Xu Jie, explaining that the Shihao Hotel had become a casualty of Chengtai's aggressive acquisition tactics and that their subsequent ethically questionable behavior made them a client Mingtang was better off losing. Bai Ning, however, maintained that clients' perspectives could be guided by skillful lawyers.
Xu Jie countered that deliberate provocation transcended simple guidance, especially given Shihao Hotel's breach of confidentiality, which could have made Mingtang a laughingstock if perceived as their advice. She confidently defended her legal strategy as sound. Director Li attempted to pacify Bai Ning, assuring her of future opportunities, but Bai Ning, agitated, challenged the fairness of a "newly permanent intern lawyer" like Xu Jie even participating in the senior partner election meeting. Xu Jie firmly retorted that her presence was a testament to her own merit.
