Lady of Law Episode 40 (Ending) Recap
> Lady of Law Recap
Li Dongkai, a key organizer for the victims, expressed his frustration with the prolonged Lianchuang case, which had caused many to lose hope. He felt Lianchuang was attempting to shift blame onto the deceased and was only concerned with getting his money back, not the legal intricacies. Chen Ke, demonstrating genuine sincerity, offered to help Li Dongkai unload his truck, giving Chen Ran an opportunity to speak with him.
Chen Ran emphasized that accepting Lianchuang's early compensation through a letter of understanding would allow the perpetrators to buy their way to a reduced sentence and encourage future crimes. Impressed by their earnestness, Li Dongkai agreed to listen to their plan and rallied other victims to Mingtang. At Mingtang, Chen Ran and Xu Jie further explained that while a legal victory would secure their money, settling for a quick compensation would allow Lianchuang to escape with too little consequence.
Many victims remained focused on financial recovery, but Hong Li, Sun Jian's mother, firmly declared her refusal to take money and her determination to fight the lawsuit, regardless of the outcome. She then revealed that this strategy was orchestrated by Song Xiu, who wanted Chengtai to submit all their evidence and lower their guard, allowing Mingtang to use the time before the public trial to prepare thoroughly and gain the upper hand.
Xu Jie was deeply upset by Song Xiu's high-stakes plan, which put his career at risk. She confronted him, accusing him of sacrificing himself when their case had good chances. Song Xiu explained he had carefully considered his actions, believing that even if the opponent wasn't Xu Jie, Chengtai would still target Mingtang. He calmly stated that he could pursue legal aid or public interest law, as his true calling was to ensure fairness and justice.
Although angry, Xu Jie was also heartbroken, embracing him and affirming that in her eyes, he was never "just a small-time lawyer," but a truly great one. Later, Huang Yaoqing called Song Xiu in. He acknowledged Song Xiu's talent and drive, seeing a younger version of himself in him. However, he expressed disappointment that Song Xiu had betrayed his trust.
He warned Song Xiu that he could ensure he never practiced law again but ultimately just told him to leave Chengtai and never take their cases or cross paths with him again. Before Song Xiu left, Huang Yaoqing asked him to call him "Master" one last time, a request Song Xiu tearfully fulfilled, expressing his gratitude. With renewed vigor and armed with Song Xiu's strategic insight, Chen Ran and Xu Jie led Mingtang's team.
They meticulously gathered evidence, noting the sheer volume of documents. Other teams, including Xiao He and Lao Mo, were inspired by their dedication and joined in, helping with the extensive fieldwork and evidence gathering. The effort was immense, with staff members regularly working late and racking up significant steps on their phones during their investigation rounds. Their collective moral principles fueled their drive, and their hard work paid off.
The number of victims willing to join Mingtang's collective lawsuit grew, matching the number who had settled with Chengtai. The Lianchuang Group's illegal fundraising case proceeded to trial. The court found Lianchuang Group guilty of illegal public deposit-taking, declaring their asset management contracts invalid. The judge ordered Lianchuang to return the full principal of 135 million RMB to Hong Li and eighty other plaintiffs, along with interest calculated from the date of their initial investment until actual repayment.
This monumental victory brought the complex and emotionally charged case to a close, delivering justice to all the affected victims. In her personal life, Chen Ran, now a senior partner, continued her demanding work while pregnant with her second child. Her brother, Chen Ke, frequently expressed concern about her workload, suggesting she reduce it, but Chen Ran remained steadfast, confident in her ability to balance her responsibilities and ensure her children's well-being.
During a prenatal checkup, Jian Peiran visited, bringing supplements and offering to accompany her to future appointments, citing his experience. Chen Ran, however, remained silent, clearly indicating her desire to keep their relationship in the past. Meanwhile, Song Xiu had embraced his new path as a public interest lawyer, holding legal lectures in the community.
Xu Jie found him radiating confidence and success in this new role, realizing his former mentor, Li Gongming, had subtly guided him toward this path all along. One evening, while attending one of Song Xiu's lectures, Xu Jie playfully proposed to him in front of a group of elderly square dancers. To her surprise, Song Xiu, who had also secretly prepared a ring, reciprocated, and they joyfully became engaged, witnessed by the appreciative crowd.
Later, Jiang Qiong visited Chen Ran's office to thank her, attributing her newfound courage to Chen Ran's support. Jiang Qiong, now handling a high-profile celebrity divorce case alongside her family affairs, politely declined Chen Ran's offer of time off, stating that for her, work had become the best form of rest. Shortly after, Bai Ning consulted Chen Ran about a new, sensitive collective lawsuit concerning workplace harassment against women, involving numerous major companies and law firms.
Bai Ning noted that other firms were hesitant to take on the case. Chen Ran and Xu Jie quickly realized that one of the plaintiffs was Miaomiao, a former Mingtang employee who had previously leaked client lists to Chengtai. Given the timing of Miaomiao's allegations, Chen Ran and Xu Jie suspected that Huang Yaoqing and Chengtai were once again behind the scenes, orchestrating a new scheme.
As they prepared to face this fresh challenge, Chen Ran reflected on Mingtang's evolution, now a place that truly bore her name and principles. With unwavering determination, the two women, shoulder to shoulder, prepared to bravely embark on their next unknown journey, ready to fight for Mingtang's honor.
