Around noon, the seventh floor of the Hongda Office Building in Beijing was bustling as usual. The "fast food area" at the corner of the staircase was filled with several fast food trucks offering boxed meals. Most employees took their boxed meals back to their offices, but some sat at makeshift low tables beside the trucks to eat.
Xiao Yawen bought a meal of rice and a three-yuan vegetable combo. She sat on a small stool with a few colleagues from the "Red Sun Talent Agency," chatting and eating. Amidst the noise, a voice called out behind her, "Yawen." It was a voice she hadn't heard in a while, yet it sounded familiar.
Turning around, she was surprised to see Ouyang Xue, who was smiling at her with a brown leather bag slung over her shoulder, and standing next to her was Xiao Yang. Startled, Xiao Yawen stood up, "Ouyang? What are you doing here?"
Ouyang Xue smiled but said nothing.
Xiao Yawen asked, "Where's Xiaodan?"
Ouyang Xue replied, "Xiaodan didn't come; she's on a business trip."
Xiao Yawen said, "Why didn't you call me first? I wouldn't have bought lunch."
Xiao Yang said, "The chairman didn't allow us to call. We were planning to invite you out for lunch, but I missed a no-right-turn sign and got a ticket, which delayed us."
Ouyang Xue said, "I wanted to see how you're doing."
Xiao Yawen laughed, "Nothing special here, just the usual. Let's go eat. There's a nice restaurant across the street that Xiaodan recommended."
Ouyang Xue smiled, "You've already eaten. Let's not waste a meal. Xiao Yang, get us some lunch."
Xiao Yang asked, "What would you like to eat?"
Ouyang Xue said, "Anything, just get the food together."
Understanding Ouyang Xue's intention, Xiao Yawen combined her half-eaten meal into one container. When Xiao Yang returned with the boxed meal, they carried it to a quieter spot to eat and talk.
Xiao Yawen asked with concern, "Did you drive here alone from the ancient city?"
Ouyang Xue replied, "No, I brought two assistants. They're at the audio shop."
Relieved, Xiao Yawen asked, "Is something wrong?"
Ouyang Xue said, "Le Sheng sued Ge Lü Shi."
Xiao Yawen nodded, "I heard. It's all over the papers, saying Ge Lü Shi touched a tiger's tail. This is big."
Ouyang Xue said, "I brought all the company materials. My brother sent me to ask you to be the litigation agent for Ge Lü Shi, with a fee of 200,000 yuan."
Startled, Xiao Yawen said, "Me, as a litigation agent? How could I?"
Ouyang Xue explained, "My brother thinks highly of you, saying you have good qualities, some legal knowledge, and business experience. He said the case isn't complicated; it's about presenting the evidence truthfully. As long as you don't mind the money, it should be fine."
Xiao Yawen said, "It's not about the money. Ge Lü Shi is a company Ding supports for poverty alleviation. I'd be lucky to get a chance to help, but I don't dare take money for it. The question is, can I handle it?"
Ouyang Xue said, "If my brother asked me to find you, he has his reasons. Let's not discuss whether you can do it until you've seen the materials. The concern is whether you can take it on without affecting your job."
Xiao Yawen smiled, "If I can win such a high-profile case, it will enhance my resume, which can only benefit my job. What does Xiaodan think about me taking this case?"
Ouyang Xue smiled without answering.
Xiao Yawen laughed, "That's probably not a good sign. Go ahead, I can handle it."
Ouyang Xue said, "It's not what you think."
Xiao Yawen, eager, said, "Tell me quickly, don't leave me hanging."
Ouyang Xue said, "You must promise not to misunderstand. Xiaodan's exact words were: '200,000? I'm jealous. For this simple case, give me 50,000, and I'd do it.'"
Xiao Yawen laughed heartily, "She's jealous I'm making money. If both Ding and Xiaodan think I can handle it, then I'll take the case. But on one condition: no mention of the agent fee."
Ouyang Xue said, "That won't work. We came to you because we can't afford a lawyer, and 200,000 is already saving money."
Xiao Yawen shook her head, "If it were truly a case where you couldn't afford a lawyer, Ding wouldn't have set it up or asked you to find me. Everyone wants to make money, but not this way."
Ouyang Xue said, "Alright, we won't discuss the fee for now."
Xiao Yawen said, "Leave the materials with me. I'll review them and get familiar with the case. It's inconvenient for you to rest at the audio shop. You've been to my place before. Here's the key. Rest there this afternoon, and we'll talk more in the evening."
Ouyang Xue said, "No, I'll take Xiao Yang back first. Then I'll check out the cookware market and buy some things for the hotel. I know where you are. I'll pick you up before you leave work, and we'll go to your place together."
After lunch, Ouyang Xue handed over the company materials to Xiao Yawen.