"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."
"..." The lawyer's face twitched again as he asked Luo Yongsheng, "Mr. Luo, can I understand that you've authorized this gentleman to negotiate on your behalf?"
Luo Yongsheng looked at Lin Qiang and sighed deeply, "Yes, when it comes to money matters, there's no one I trust more."
"Very well, then I'll get straight to the point," the lawyer said, looking at Lin Qiang and pushing forward another document. "This is all their documented marital property. There's an apartment in downtown Jijing, a villa in the suburbs, plus savings, government bonds, investments, insurance, and other assets totaling approximately 8.5 million yuan. Based on both parties' income, age, and social status, these assets would typically be awarded to the wife, considering that the husband is at the peak of his career and can earn it back in the future."
Lin Qiang glanced at Luo Yongsheng's expression and nodded, "Out of consideration for their decade-long marriage, my selfless client naturally wouldn't keep these assets. She can have it all if she likes. However, your property valuation is off. Those two properties alone should be worth over 10 million."
"We can discuss the details later," the lawyer continued, changing tack. "But compared to the couple's total assets, this is just a drop in the bucket. With my client's support, Mr. Luo successfully started his business and holds shares in Weixin Company as a partner. After the IPO, these original shares will undoubtedly appreciate significantly, and the dividends are immeasurable. According to marriage law, this should be considered jointly owned marital property and should be divided equally."
Bang!
"Stop!" Lin Qiang slammed his hand on the table, pointing at Fang Wen. "Are you suggesting that because Fang Wen has been living separately from my client for years, she contributed to the company's IPO?"
"Hmph... are you done making a scene?" The lawyer adjusted his glasses. "The court is a place for reason, not sentiment. Regardless of where my client was living, they were still married, and these shares are jointly owned marital property. Let me remind you, dividing shares in a divorce is an extremely complex and professional issue, not something you can handle."
"The legal theory may be complex, but the math isn't that difficult," Lin Qiang asked directly. "You two intend to take half of my client's shares, right?"
The lawyer finally nodded, "According to relevant laws, this matter still needs to be discussed with Weixin Company's other shareholders. If they're unwilling to dilute the shares, we can accept compensation in cash equivalent to the share value. But this would need to wait until Weixin Company officially goes public and the share value is fully assessed before dividing."
The lawyer paused, clearing his throat before continuing, "Considering the complexity of a litigated divorce and both parties' social reputations, we've decided to compromise. If we settle out of court, we'll only take 40% of Mr. Luo's shares. If this goes to court, it's very likely to be a 50-50 split. Please think it over carefully, Mr. Luo."
"40%, huh..." The silent Luo Yongsheng slowly raised his head, squinting at Fang Wen. "You're so merciful, leaving me with something."
"After all, no one wants this to end up in court. Think it over carefully," Fang Wen said without looking at Luo Yongsheng, already standing to leave. "I'll give you a week to consider. By then, the company should be close to going public. If I file for divorce then, it'll be hard for you to extricate yourself, won't it?"
"Heh, you've certainly timed your lawsuit well."
The lawyer also stood up, gathering his materials and pushing them towards Luo Yongsheng. "We've made a significant concession. Please consider carefully how much 10% of the shares are worth, Mr. Luo."
"I understand," Luo Yongsheng waved his hand weakly.
After they left, Luo Yongsheng slowly leaned back in his chair, his eyes bitter. "In the end, it's come to this."
"I'm sorry, my impulsiveness played a part in this," Lin Qiang apologized, unable to look at him. "If divorce is inevitable, you should find a professional lawyer to handle it. I really don't understand the details of share division."
"Forget it," Luo Yongsheng waved his arm, smiling bitterly. "40% is 40%. Give it to her. We were married after all. I'll persuade the board and other shareholders to buy back this portion of shares and convert it to cash for her."
Although Lin Qiang wanted Luo Yongsheng to buy bank products to avoid asset division, if dividing the shares was Luo Yongsheng's decision, Lin Qiang decided to let it be, not saying another word. It wasn't his place to give advice on others' family matters.
However, Luo Yongsheng was completely in the dark now. His decision to divide the shares was entirely out of guilt towards his wife and their marriage, trying to compensate her in this way.
But this guilt was completely unfounded!
It was the wife's affair that had led their marriage to its end, and Luo Yongsheng had already done his utmost to salvage it. Lin Qiang couldn't bear to watch this older woman, chasing her "American dream," leave the country with her lover. He couldn't tolerate Luo Yongsheng giving away his life's work to someone who hadn't earned it.
Of course, he also couldn't stand to let his own opportunity slip away.
"Mr. Luo, do you know where Fang Wen has been living since your separation?" Lin Qiang asked firmly.
"Well... I've asked many times, but she never told me," Luo Yongsheng shook his head self-mockingly. "To be honest, this is our third meeting since we separated. The first was to bring up divorce, the second to discuss it, and now this one with lawyers. At this rate, I suppose the fourth will be in court."
"Mr. Luo, I'll say it again. This is your family matter, and I shouldn't say too much, but we need to consider every possibility. Perhaps things aren't as Fang Wen described," Lin Qiang steeled himself and advised, "If Fang Wen is actually... seeking comfort elsewhere, the nature of the situation changes completely."
"Ah... Manager Lin, no need to persuade me. This is my own fault," Luo Yongsheng smiled bitterly, patting his thigh. "I was so busy with work that I neglected my family. I gained money but lost my loved ones. It's my own doing. Wenwen has been with me for so many years, her youth has passed. Using half of my assets to compensate her is only right. I still believe in her character. After all, we've been through so much together, even enduring such hard times abroad..."
Lin Qiang felt a surge of frustration. How could Luo Yongsheng, usually so shrewd, not have the slightest doubt about his wife? Perhaps it was because her "American dream" act was too convincing, or maybe it was his confidence in their decades-long relationship. Lin Qiang wanted to berate him, to tell him about the affair he had discerned with his GoldenEye, but he couldn't bring himself to speak. If he did, Luo Yongsheng would surely think he was just an unscrupulous bank employee trying to make a sale by slandering his wife.
Ding ding ding...
Lin Qiang's phone rang. He silently opened the multimedia message and finally smiled.
That was right, he was an unscrupulous bank employee. But like Luo Yongsheng's principles, Lin Qiang also respected people and revered facts.
"Mr. Luo, your wife is absolutely not as pure as you think," Lin Qiang frowned, staring intently at Luo Yongsheng. "From a professional ethics standpoint, my task should end here. But as a man, I must continue."
With that, he swung his arm, holding his phone up to Luo Yongsheng's face.
"Please look closely at the woman in this man's arms."
Luo Yongsheng stared at the screen, his body slowly leaning forward, his pupils dilating.
His mouth opened instinctively.
For a full minute, Luo Yongsheng said nothing.
"When... when did this happen..." Luo Yongsheng's body went limp, slumping in his chair, completely at a loss. "You... you knew about this all along? Why didn't you tell me?"
"No, I just found out about this myself," Lin Qiang said firmly. "Actually, I was prepared for tonight's meeting. Because this matter was so important, I had asked a colleague to follow Fang Wen. I apologize for that now."
After bowing his head, Lin Qiang raised his phone again, his eyes narrowed as he spoke in a low voice: "But just when I was about to give up, I didn't expect Fang Wen to be so bold. She got into this man's car not long after leaving here, embracing and cuddling. As a man, I had to tell you about this."
"40%... 40%..." Luo Yongsheng slowly raised his right hand, his loose palm clenching into a fist, trembling. This time, it wasn't trembling from dejection, but from anger. "She... she lied to me."
"Yes, and though what I'm about to say might add fuel to the fire, I still need to say it," Lin Qiang said angrily. "That 40% of the shares might very well become the capital for Fang Wen and this man to immigrate. To be even more cynical, we have reason to believe this whole thing was orchestrated by the man in the car. He's the one who instigated this share division."
Luo Yongsheng pondered for a while, then suddenly let out a long howl.
"Hahahaha!!"
"I gave her my heart, and she repaid me with lies!"
"Thirteen years of marriage, worth less than a piece of paper with shares on it!"
Luo Yongsheng slammed both palms on the table, suddenly standing up. "I'm hungry, Manager Lin. Do you like braised pork?"
"Well... braised pork is excellent."
"Hahahaha!!" Luo Yongsheng laughed heartily, waving his arm, all past affection dissipating like smoke. "I've certainly seen what you meant by 'considering all possibilities.' Manager Lin, keep investigating. I'll pay the private investigator's fee."
As he spoke, his expression changed, regaining his former spirit.
"I'm a kind person, but that doesn't mean I'm weak or someone who can be bullied," Luo Yongsheng clenched his fists, his face stern. "This way, we can also go all out."
"Of course."
"Either we don't do it, or we do it thoroughly," Luo Yongsheng fully displayed his ruthlessness. "Manager Lin, do you remember what you told me?"
"Which part?"
"You said you could use your expertise to ensure my ex-wife wouldn't get a single penny of our assets," Luo Yongsheng spread his arms, smiling. "This time, I want to actively file for divorce, and I want you to guarantee that she won't get a single cent."
"..."
"Is that difficult?"
"... Not a single cent for her?"
"That's right."
"... Mr. Luo, killing a thousand enemies at the cost of eight hundred of our own..."
"At this point, I'm willing to sacrifice everything," Luo Yongsheng patted Lin Qiang's shoulder, resolutely saying, "I want her to know the price of betrayal. I want the man behind her to end up with a worthless, bitter old woman."
Lin Qiang was speechless.
When Luo Yongsheng was calm, he was exceptionally cultured and accommodating.
But when he turned, he became utterly ruthless, sparing no one.
"By the way," Luo Yongsheng suddenly asked, "Were you a debater in school?"
"Third speaker."
"Haha, I was a third speaker too. Debating with foreigners in English is tricky. Come on, let's discuss this over some braised pork."