7:30 PM, at a café in the eastern district of Jidong.
Lin Qiang, dressed formally, followed Luo Yongsheng into a private room.
"You're still the same as ever," said a short-haired woman in trendy black attire, glancing at her watch. "Not a second early, not a second late."
The woman appeared to be around Xia Xin's age, but looked noticeably older and harder. Her face showed signs of fine cracks and wrinkles that makeup couldn't fully conceal. If one had to describe her, she seemed somewhere between Xia Xin and Rosa in appearance.
She looked up at Lin Qiang and chuckled, "Your lawyer is quite young, isn't he?"
"Mm," Luo Yongsheng grunted, his face gloomy. He sat down at the table and reached out to call for a waiter.
"Let's get to business first," the woman said, pressing down on Luo Yongsheng's right hand.
Luo Yongsheng frowned, then sighed. "Let the lawyers speak. I don't have much to say."
"Hmph, it's always like this. You never have much to say," the woman said, patting the lawyer beside her and nodding.
"Ahem... Then I'll be frank," said the lawyer, who had graying hair and looked rather composed, clearly experienced in such matters. He pushed forward a document and said to Lin Qiang, "These are the relevant materials for my client Fang Wen's divorce lawsuit. The couple has been separated for over two years due to irreconcilable differences, meeting the conditions for divorce."
Lin Qiang awkwardly accepted the documents, pretending to read them while muttering, "Hmm, very formal. You seem well-prepared."
"It's not about being well-prepared. These are facts," the lawyer said, spreading his arms. "Mr. Luo has devoted all his energy to work, spending less than 10 hours a week at home, severely affecting their marital relationship. My client attempted to communicate with Mr. Luo to no avail and had to move out in protest. However, Mr. Luo showed no intention of changing. Now, the couple has been separated for over two years, and their relationship has completely broken down. With such solid evidence, the court will certainly grant the divorce."
He adjusted his glasses and continued, "Even so, my client still harbors goodwill and wishes to avoid taking this matter to court if possible. She's offering Mr. Luo a chance for mediation and a mutual divorce agreement."
"I see," Lin Qiang said, casually glancing at the documents before pushing them away. "According to your material, it does 'appear to be' the case."
"What do you mean 'appear to be'?"
"Just that... it appears to be," Lin Qiang said, his expression changing. "Let's set aside the legal aspects for now. In this divorce case, from the beginning until now, hasn't your client been the one taking all the actions to destroy the marriage?"
"What nonsense are you spouting?!" Fang Wen exploded. "Are you suggesting this divorce is my fault?"
"Isn't it?" Lin Qiang spread his arms and frowned. "A husband works so hard to build a career. Shouldn't a wife be understanding? My client hasn't engaged in any extramarital affairs. He's just a good man devoted to his work. Using this as an excuse to move out unilaterally, then waiting two years to divide the assets - isn't that your ultimate goal?!"
"You... you!" Fang Wen glared at Lin Qiang, then pointed a trembling finger at Luo Yongsheng, her anger uncontrollable. "It's him! He's the one who didn't cherish our relationship, who neglected our family and led to this outcome. Don't twist the facts and slander me!"
"Oh? I don't see how Luo Yongsheng hasn't cherished this relationship," Lin Qiang quickly countered, having anticipated her response. "A couple can always sit down and talk things through. But you didn't even give him a chance, moving out directly instead. Miss Fang, no, Mrs. Fang, aren't you the one who doesn't cherish the relationship?"
Fang Wen was furious and about to throw her drink at him.
"Please calm down..." her lawyer quickly intervened.
Meanwhile, Luo Yongsheng held out an arm in front of Lin Qiang, shaking his head with a bitter look in his eyes.
The lawyer looked up at Lin Qiang. "You clearly have no experience in divorce litigation."
"How so?"
"During mediation, a lawyer must control both parties' emotions. You, on the other hand, are deliberately slandering my client and hurting both parties' feelings," the lawyer glared at Lin Qiang and said slowly, "You're not really a lawyer, are you?"
"Good observation," Lin Qiang readily admitted, leaning forward slightly and smiling at them. "Do you understand now? Luo Yongsheng cherishes this relationship so much that he couldn't bring himself to hire a lawyer to negotiate. He simply doesn't want to end this marriage."
Fang Wen's expression flickered, her grip on the glass loosening. She was momentarily speechless.
"Hmph, facts are paramount. Don't say these meaningless things," the opposing lawyer had already put away the documents and looked at Luo Yongsheng with annoyance. "Mr. Luo, this meeting was out of respect for you. Since you've brought an unprofessional person to negotiate, let's end it here. We'll see you in court."
"Wait... this isn't my..." Luo Yongsheng's expression was conflicted.
"Right, this isn't my client's intention!" Lin Qiang pressed down on the opposing lawyer's hand with his left hand while slamming his right palm on the table. "Shouldn't marital issues be discussed between the couple first, and only resort to lawyers when absolutely necessary? My client believes this relationship isn't beyond salvaging, do you understand? Better to demolish ten temples than ruin one marriage. Are all divorce lawyers like you nowadays, eager to see people divorce? Honestly, are you just trying to get more legal fees by taking this to court?!"
"...Who... who exactly are you?" The opposing lawyer was stunned by Lin Qiang's unreasonable outburst, looking flustered and unsure how to respond. As a lawyer, he was used to dealing with rational people, not someone who barged in shouting accusations.
"Hehe..." Fang Wen suddenly laughed, looking at Luo Yongsheng. "It seems you didn't bring a lawyer, but a debater. Have you forgotten that we were both in the debate club back in school?"
Luo Yongsheng sighed heavily. "How could I forget? But we were always on the same team, always united against others. Let's not be adversaries."
"So, you brought someone eloquent to debate with me?"
Luo Yongsheng paused, then nodded.
"Sigh... I'm too old for this," Fang Wen rubbed her eyes. "I don't have the energy to debate anymore. Let's just lay out the core issues. To be honest, I'm tired of all the legal jargon that beats around the bush."
Luo Yongsheng's body began to tremble. After holding back for a long time, he finally spoke, "Wenwen, do we... really have to divorce?"
"Yes," Fang Wen replied without hesitation. "I want to immigrate to the United States. I can't stand it here anymore."
"Wait a few more years, we can go together."
"Haha, a few more years? How many 'a few more years' have I already waited for?!" Fang Wen laughed desperately. "When we graduated, I wanted to stay, but you wanted to go back. I couldn't persuade you, so we came back. You said to wait a few more years until the business was on track, then we'd officially immigrate. That wait turned into nearly 10 years. Yongsheng, 10 years, how many decades does a person have in their life?"
"It will be on track soon... I'll find a suitable manager to share my workload."
"You've said that many times, Luo Yongsheng. You don't understand yourself, but I do," Fang Wen crossed her legs, casually fidgeting with her fingers. "You love this place, this land. You're not satisfied with steak or French cuisine; you need to find a small, dirty shop in Jijing Hutong and have a night of braised pork to feel content. You can travel abroad, work abroad, but you'll never consider it home."
Luo Yongsheng slowly nodded.
"But I'm different. I need to leave. I didn't want to come back. That's why we haven't had children all these years. My children must be born in the United States!" Fang Wen became agitated. "Luo Yongsheng, apart from bringing money home, what else can you bring?!"
Lin Qiang was furious listening to this, wanting to berate this woman. What more do you want from a man?! However, considering Luo Yongsheng's feelings, he couldn't scold her outright. Feeling uncomfortable holding back, Lin Qiang decided to use his GoldenEye on her.
[Fang Wen, Liquid Assets: 820,000 yuan]
[Husband's career is on the rise, long-term outlook is bullish.]
[Stable work, short-term outlook is stable.]
[Total assets:....]
[Fortune: Marriage, Luo Yongsheng.]
[Risk Factor: Marriage, Lin Qiang.]
[Risk Factor: Affair, ??.]
"..." Lin Qiang was torn between laughter and tears. "Unintentionally became someone else's bad luck charm again, huh?"
Wait... two risk factors?
Affair?
Lin Qiang frowned slightly, his eyes narrowing to slits.
At the table, Fang Wen continued to tearfully express her American dream.
Lin Qiang had used his GoldenEye on both parties. Luo Yongsheng's risk factor didn't include an affair at all.
Fang Wen's reason for divorce wasn't just about their relationship issues and her American dream, was it?
Looking at Luo Yongsheng now, he was clenching his fists, head lowered, staring at the table with bitterness in his eyes.
"Wenwen... wait a little longer... let me think over immigration again... we can have a child in the U.S..."
"Haha... still waiting? We're almost 40 now. What's the point of talking about children?"
"Wenwen, it's all my fault," Luo Yongsheng lowered his head, his voice choked. "Soon, very soon, just give me a little more time."
"I've heard enough!" Fang Wen turned away, patting her lawyer again. "I don't want to say any more. You can speak about property division."
Luo Yongsheng leaned back in his chair powerlessly, rubbing his eyes, utterly exhausted. In the business world, he might have the sharp eyes and decisiveness of an eagle, but faced with this situation, he was just a heartbroken husband.
"Ahem... Mr. Luo," the lawyer had to adjust his collar before speaking again. "My client is deeply hurt and can no longer speak. Regarding the property division..."
"I'll discuss the property matters with you," Lin Qiang interjected, nodding to the dejected Luo Yongsheng beside him before turning to the lawyer. "My client is even more deeply hurt and unable to speak. 'Mr Lawyer', let's stop playing these pointless word games."