Resumo do episódio 3 de Lady of Law
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After picking Song Xiu up from the police station, Xu Jie teased him, claiming she only complimented his "cool actions." She then offered to treat him to a meal, which she playfully framed as her "good deed for the day" and a way to "care for the disadvantaged." Over drinks, Song Xiu confided in Xu Jie about his frustrations at Mingtang.
He explained that he gave up a high salary to join the firm, specifically for Li Gongming, yet he felt stuck handling mediations and miscellaneous tasks while his peers were already appearing in court. He felt like an errand boy. Despite this, he stubbornly stated his determination to succeed at Mingtang, viewing himself as someone who faces challenges head-on. The next morning, Song Xiu woke up at Xu Jie's home, feeling positive about the new development in their relationship.
The public outcry, fueled by influencer Amy's vocal support for women's reproductive rights, successfully pressured Haohuodao. During a meeting, Xu Jie confronted Haohuodao's lawyer, Fang Pu, asserting that while public opinion might be fleeting, the "discriminating against pregnant female employees" label, once attached, would leave lasting damage on Haohuodao’s brand, a company that profits from women. She demanded Zheng Yan's reinstatement and a guarantee against future discrimination.
Chen Ran later confirmed that Haohuodao agreed to consider Zheng Yan's return to work and that Tang Rui, Zheng Yan's ex-boyfriend, had been fired due to his poor performance and involvement in the incident. Recognizing Xu Jie's critical role in finding the breakthrough for Zheng Yan's case, Chen Ran proposed they become partners.
Xu Jie, in turn, expressed a desire to understand Chen Ran better, particularly regarding the fragments she had heard about her father's involvement in the Lianchuang Group case. Chen Ran admitted she knew little, only that her father, Chen Wenguang, was detained over a month ago for alleged illegal business operations connected to his three-year tenure as Lianchuang Group's legal consultant.
Despite the lack of information, Chen Ran firmly believed her father was innocent, both as a subordinate and a daughter. Xu Jie stressed that Chen Ran needed to confront this issue, as it was already impacting her and those around her. They then agreed to cooperate. As Chen Ran's income significantly decreased due to her father’s legal issues at Mingtang, she and Jian Peiran decided to move to a smaller house to manage their mortgage.
Jian Peiran informed Chen Ran that his company offered him a director position at their Northeast branch, which came with a substantial salary increase and the promise of a promotion upon his return. He saw this as a rare career opportunity at his age, but Chen Ran was strongly against him moving away, emphasizing her need for him and their family's need for stability. She believed their financial situation would improve once her cases picked up.
Jian Peiran, however, felt a growing obligation to contribute more financially, especially considering Yangyang's tuition. Despite Chen Ran’s firm opposition, Jian Peiran clung to the opportunity. Later, after work, Jian Peiran met up with colleagues and his junior classmate, Cao Hui. Over drinks, a visibly drunk Jian Peiran returned home and vented his frustrations to Chen Ran.
He complained that colleagues perceived him as solely relying on his wealthy father-in-law, Chen Wenguang, and that any promotion in Jinghai would be dismissed as nepotism. He recounted numerous instances where he had sacrificed his career ambitions for their family, including a promotion opportunity when Yangyang was born, and felt that Chen Ran was now asking him to sacrifice again for her father's troubles.
He declared that this transfer was his "last chance" to achieve professional recognition independently, asserting that he couldn't wait any longer as he wasn't getting any younger. Yangyang overheard their heated argument. Xu Jie received a wedding invitation from her ex-boyfriend, Sun Zhewei, who was quickly engaged to Yuanzhou Group's heiress after their breakup. This triggered painful memories of her past.
She recalled being made a scapegoat and fired from her previous company, Qing'an, due to issues with the Lianchuang Group. Sun Zhewei, who was then the company's legal director and her boyfriend, had delivered her termination notice, despite her staunch opposition to the Lianchuang cooperation, which was documented in meeting minutes. He coldly informed her that her "personal actions" had led to client investment failures and damaged the company’s reputation.
When she confronted him about his dual role as her boyfriend and legal director, he argued that "one of them had to take the fall" and that it was "best for everyone" if she took responsibility, as she could easily find another job. Xu Jie, however, saw through his self-serving logic, accusing him of using her as a scapegoat to protect his own position and reputation.
The betrayal, especially given his claims of wanting to help her, left a deep, unhealed wound. Chen Ran and Xu Jie took on a new divorce case involving a former internet celebrity, Zhang Fei. Eight years prior, Chen Wenguang had handled Zhang Fei's prenuptial agreement when she married Wang Chengyuan, the CEO of Haobo Hotel. Now, Chen Ran was tasked with her divorce.
Zhang Fei, known for her sweet looks and painting skills, married Wang Chengyuan after he pursued her for three years, and they had a seven-year-old daughter named Doudou. A year ago, Zhang Fei was diagnosed with ALS, a progressive and debilitating disease. Consequently, Wang Chengyuan's lawyer, Yang Dikai, argued that the child should reside with the father, with Zhang Fei having visitation rights, citing her inability to care for the child due to her illness.
Chen Ran, however, countered that the child should be with the mother. After some negotiation, Yang Dikai proposed a split custody arrangement where Doudou would live with her father during the week and with her mother on weekends. Zhang Fei's primary concern was to spend as much time as possible with Doudou and provide her with motherly love, rather than financial gain.
She explicitly refused Xu Jie's suggestion to leverage public sympathy, stating she didn't want her private family matters exposed. Xu Jie saw this complex case, which most lawyers avoided due to potential conflicts with a major corporation like Haobo Group, as a significant opportunity for their firm. During negotiations, Wang Chengyuan's lawyer, Yang Dikai, stated that the asset division would adhere to the prenuptial agreement.
When Xu Jie requested Wang Chengyuan's financial reports, they revealed that he held no personal assets, having transferred them all before his marriage to Zhang Fei. This meant Zhang Fei would receive nothing from the divorce. Xu Jie pointed out Wang Chengyuan's blatant pre-meditation and the flawless legal procedures.
She questioned Chen Wenguang’s role, wondering why he, as an expert in financial cases, allowed Zhang Fei to sign such a disadvantageous agreement, or whether Zhang Fei was fully aware and willing at the time. Xu Jie suggested they must find a loophole in the agreement. Chen Ran, upon checking her phone, suddenly realized it was her daughter Yangyang's birthday.
Unable to leave the ongoing critical case, she hastily asked her assistant, Liu Fang, to go to the mall and buy a suitable gift for a girl. Xu Jie, however, advised her to pick the gift herself, emphasizing that children are perceptive and can tell if a gift is chosen without care. Chen Ran, prioritizing the burgeoning case, felt she couldn't afford to take time away.
While celebrating her birthday with classmates, Yangyang unexpectedly spotted her father, Jian Peiran, having dinner with a woman. Jian Peiran introduced the woman as Cao Hui, a junior classmate he had recently reconnected with. Yangyang asked about her birthday present, to which Jian Peiran vaguely promised to make it up to her at home, prompting a resigned "Making it up again?" from his daughter. Cao Hui wished Yangyang a happy birthday.
Jian Peiran and Cao Hui then discussed his potential transfer to the Northeast. Cao Hui acknowledged it as a good career opportunity, but also understood his reluctance to leave his comfort zone and family in Jinghai. Jian Peiran confessed his envy for her unattached, carefree life, though Cao Hui countered that everyone has their own hidden struggles. Yangyang urged her father to join her and her friends to blow out the birthday candles before they melted.
Chen Ran had Tian Mao consult her father, Chen Wenguang, about the highly unfavorable prenuptial agreement Zhang Fei had signed years ago. Chen Wenguang claimed he had fulfilled his duty of disclosure, stating that Zhang Fei was fully aware of the terms but was so "blinded by love" that she was eager to marry regardless of financial details. He advised Chen Ran to check old files on a hard drive for more information.
Meanwhile, Xu Jie uncovered that Zhang Fei's company, Feiyi Culture, an interior design and leasing service for hotels established a year before her marriage, had accumulated a debt of five million yuan. Chen Ran expressed disbelief that Zhang Fei would be aware of such a significant debt, given her lack of business acumen. However, the company's accountant confirmed that monthly financial reports were consistently sent to Zhang Fei's email, all found in an unread state.
Xu Jie deduced that Wang Chengyuan likely orchestrated this debt, betting on Zhang Fei's naivety and her disinterest in practical business matters. She predicted that Wang Chengyuan's lawyers would use this debt against Zhang Fei. Chen Ran later returned home with the gift, a Zodiac music box, which Yangyang immediately recognized as having been bought by someone else.
Yangyang gently scolded her mother for not making time, reminding her to also care for her father and suggesting Chen Ran cultivate a more "feminine" image. Given Zhang Fei's terminal illness and the challenging financial situation, Xu Jie proposed a pragmatic solution: advise Zhang Fei to relinquish her fight for Doudou's custody in exchange for a larger compensation package. Chen Ran, a mother herself, strongly opposed this, explaining that for a mother, a child's significance transcends everything else. Xu Jie, however, sharply retorted, questioning Chen Ran's maternal empathy by pointing out that she had forgotten her own daughter Yangyang's birthday.
