Chapter 31

To Lin Shu’s surprise, the instigator, Xu Shijia, also appeared a bit nervous.

Xu Shijia’s gaze wandered, and his face was slightly flushed, but his tone remained confident—

“With the way you look, and now that you’ve actively sought out Song Yucheng to discuss a partnership, even though I don’t know what exactly you’re trying to negotiate, do you really think someone as cunning as Song Yucheng is going to let such a juicy opportunity slip away? If you need something from him, he’s definitely going to push his limits.”

“Someone like him, who deals with all sorts of shady people every day, has endless tricks up his sleeve. Never mind, I’ll go with you to meet him. After all, I’m definitely taller and better built than him. With me there, he’ll have to think twice about whether he can take me on before trying anything with you.”

Lin Shu was at a loss for words. “He’s not as bad as you’re making him out to be. With the progress in the legal system over the past couple of years, he’s been a lot more law-abiding…”

But Xu Shijia clearly wasn’t interested in hearing what Lin Shu had to say. “Aren’t I your subordinate? When the boss has a meeting, what subordinate doesn’t tag along?”

Before Lin Shu could respond, Xu Shijia headed straight for the meeting house. “Since we’re discussing a collaboration, we shouldn’t keep him waiting. I’ll go in and prepare.”

Lin Shu thought for a moment and didn’t argue further, but called after him, “Xu Shijia, when we go into Meeting House 1 later, set the temperature higher, open all the electric blinds, and pour Song Yucheng a cup of hot tea.”

“Set it higher?” Xu Shijia was puzzled. “It’s really hot today.”

“And isn’t hot tea a bit much? We’ve been serving ice water since last month. Plus, Meeting House 1 faces south, and opening the blinds will make it a lot warmer inside.”

Lin Shu didn’t have time to explain. “Just do what I say. If you’re too hot, you don’t have to attend the meeting with Song Yucheng.”

As if that was an option! No way could he leave Lin Shu to deal with someone like Song Yucheng alone!

Even though it was already hot and Lin Shu wanted to turn up the temperature, wasn’t she younger than him by quite a bit? How could she be so weak?

But no matter what, he couldn’t let her face Song Yucheng alone. Xu Shijia was not reassured.

He glanced at Lin Shu. “Fine, if you feel cold, I’ll adjust it. We’ll do as you say.”

Suddenly, he coughed and added, “Actually, I don’t feel that hot anymore. Unlike certain ‘warm-hearted’ men who welcome all women, I’m the cold and faithful type—clean, pure, and loyal. I’m no central heating system, no body heat.”

Lin Shu: “…”

**

To Lin Shu’s surprise, when she brought Song Yucheng into Meeting House 1, Xu Shijia had already poured the tea and behaved in a proper manner, with no sign of the earlier disdain he had shown.

He had been sitting quietly, but when Song Yucheng arrived, he immediately stood up to shake hands, a far cry from the rebellious and contemptuous attitude he had shown when meeting Lu Lin.

Lin Shu breathed a sigh of relief.

But just as she was about to appreciate that lack of money had finally taught Xu Shijia to bow his head and work diligently, she received a message from him:

“To give you a direct comparison of our looks and figures, I humbly got up to shake hands with him.”

Lin Shu: “…”

It seemed she’d have to retract that sigh of relief.

In all fairness, Song Yucheng was indeed good-looking, and combined with his impressive income, it was no wonder he was successful in romantic pursuits.

However, everything is relative. Without Xu Shijia deliberately standing next to him, Song Yucheng could pass for handsome. But once Xu Shijia stood beside him, it was like placing a replica next to the original. Without the original, a replica might pass as genuine. But once the comparison is made, it’s clear: no matter how good the imitation, it’s still a replica.

In both demeanor and appearance, Xu Shijia outshone Song Yucheng by several levels. After shaking hands, Lin Shu noticed that Xu Shijia was a full head taller than him.

As Xu Shijia had predicted, once Song Yucheng saw Lin Shu’s face, his attitude shifted dramatically. The impatience and arrogance disappeared, replaced by a carefully crafted gentlemanly demeanor.

But none of this mattered.

Lin Shu didn’t want to waste time and decided to cut to the chase: “Mr. Song, I didn’t invite you here to discuss a legal partnership. I wanted to provide you with some content.”

Her words clearly took Song Yucheng by surprise. “Content?”

“Yes, your public account regularly accepts submissions, and you even meet with contributors to determine whether it’s a suitable topic.”

Lin Shu smiled and began her strategic lie. “I’ve always admired your dedication as a journalist. Although we can’t collaborate on legal matters, I’d like to offer a topic as another way to work together.”

Men, especially when praised by an attractive woman, are rarely indifferent.

Sure enough, Song Yucheng’s expression relaxed, and beneath his gentlemanly mask, a hint of pride emerged. “So, Lawyer Lin has heard of me before.”

“Yes, we have a colleague, Liu Xuhui, who is currently expanding the legal market for the deaf. He’s the father of a deaf girl, fluent in sign language, a top graduate from Rongda Law School, and runs a free legal education channel for the deaf.”

Song Yucheng was a sharp man, and he immediately grasped Lin Shu’s meaning. “You want to use my media platform to promote your employee?”

Lin Shu nodded.

“I’d love to collaborate, but, Lawyer Lin, my public account only publishes news that grabs attention. Although your team’s Lawyer Liu has a touching story, it doesn’t have the explosive news value needed for wide distribution…”

“Have you heard of Bai Rui Technology’s CEO, Bai Feng? His company is at its peak right now, and the love story between him and his wife is also widely spread.”

Song Yucheng looked puzzled. “I’ve heard of them, but what does that have to do with what we’re discussing?”

“Actually, Bai Feng and his wife were classmates with our Lawyer Liu. Interestingly, Bai Feng’s wife was originally married to Lawyer Liu.”

Song Yucheng was visibly surprised.

Lin Shu smiled subtly. “A professional journalist like you, Mr. Song, might find some intriguing details if you dig into their marriage timeline.”

“However, when it comes to their children, I would advise you to protect the privacy of the minors. Otherwise, it could bring negative public opinion and legal risks to your platform, don’t you think?”

Lin Shu left it at that, but Song Yucheng already had a knowing look on his face.

He chuckled. “You can rest assured, Lawyer Lin. We’re a law-abiding enterprise and never cross the line when it comes to privacy. Our public account uses popular pseudonyms like ‘Xiao Mei’ and ‘Da Zhuang’ to tell stories, leaving it to clever readers to figure out what’s really going on. We don’t reveal people’s real names or photos unless it’s a positive story, like Lawyer Liu’s work.”

Of course, with this kind of storytelling, paired with Liu Xuhui’s story, anyone with half a brain would figure out the truth.

The best part? Bai Feng wouldn’t even be able to file a lawsuit. Not only would he likely lose due to the lack of specific names, but filing one would also be admitting guilt.

Lin Shu gazed at Song Yucheng with a look of admiration, her voice gentle as she delivered the final blow: “Actually, my dream was always to become a media professional like you, Mr. Song. If we can collaborate, it truly feels like fate.”

“Your platform has always served as a media outlet, but it’s often misunderstood and criticized. If you report on Lawyer Liu’s legal services for the deaf, it would spread positive energy and help build a good reputation, wouldn’t it?”

“As for the topic itself, I’m sure, with your expertise, you could uncover many unexpected facts. A love triangle like this, with such a twist, would definitely have impact. You could end the piece by highlighting Lawyer Liu’s legal aid work for the deaf, giving the story a positive spin with a meaningful core message.”

Lin Shu’s voice grew softer, her gaze full of charm. “There’s so much I’d love to learn from you, Mr. Song. I’m sure we’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet in the future.”

The story Lin Shu pitched was undeniably tantalizing. The seemingly perfect love story of Bai Feng and his wife, revealed to be a messy triangle with an old classmate? Explosive. Song Yucheng could also spin it as standing up for the “wronged” original husband, Liu Xuhui, boosting his platform’s image as a champion of justice and gaining some good press, all while paving the way for future investments.

Already infatuated with Lin Shu’s looks and now charmed by her flattery and hints of future interactions, Song Yucheng immediately agreed to the collaboration.

“No problem, leave it to me,” he said.

But after they wrapped up the business talk, it was clear Song Yucheng wasn’t planning to leave just yet. He looked at Lin Shu with a predatory glint, ready to take things further. “But, Lawyer Lin, since we’re partners, shouldn’t we also…”

Before he could finish his sentence, he started sweating profusely. “Why is it so hot in this meeting house?”

“Is it hot?” Lin Shu maintained her soft demeanor. “It seems like the air conditioning is broken, but I’m fine. Is there anything else about the collaboration you’d like to know?”

She looked so sincere and innocent, it was hard to believe that just a little while ago, she had instructed Xu Shijia to turn the air conditioning up by ten degrees, open all the blinds, and serve hot tea, all in the only south-facing house.

By now, Song Yucheng’s face was flushed, and sweat was dripping from his forehead.

Lin Shu gave him a seductive smile, her attitude even more accommodating. “If there’s more you’d like to discuss, I’m happy to keep chatting. For you, Mr. Song, I’ve got all the time in the world.”

Lin Shu might have been ready to stay, but Song Yucheng was no longer able to. No matter how much he wanted to flirt or continue talking, the unbearable heat had gotten to him. On top of that, the scorching tea had burned his mouth when he tried to cool off with a drink.

Five minutes later, the usually long-winded Song Yucheng, who could talk for hours, hurriedly made an excuse and left.

Xu Shijia watched in awe as Lin Shu seamlessly dropped her act the moment Song Yucheng left. He was thoroughly impressed.

This woman’s ability to switch moods was incredible.

One moment she was a gentle flower, the next, she was a deadly viper.

Xu Shijia’s worldview was completely shaken. “Aren’t lawyers supposed to use strong professional skills to negotiate deals? I didn’t know this was an option. Also, collaborating with someone like Song Yucheng from the media might make it seem like we’re just chasing hype.”

As soon as Song Yucheng left, Lin Shu lowered the blinds and turned the air conditioning back down.

She glanced at Xu Shijia. “Negotiation tactics depend on the person. Some respond to strength, some don’t. Then there are people like Song Yucheng, who fall for a little flattery.”

Xu Shijia hadn’t expected Lin Shu to openly admit she had used a “honey trap.” “Don’t you think that’s inappropriate? Aren’t you worried that Song Yucheng might twist the story and damage your reputation? People might say you’re just a young woman who became a partner by using her looks.”

“Whether it’s a black cat or a white cat, if it catches mice, it’s a good cat. As long as it’s legal and doesn’t violate public morality, there’s no problem.”

Lin Shu smiled at Xu Shijia and said calmly, “You were the one who enlightened me with your words. He’s a foolish man who loses his ability to think when a pretty woman flatters him, and since I happen to be pretty, why shouldn’t I use that to my advantage? In this world, especially for women, there’s no need to prove anything unnecessarily.”

“Spending all your energy trying to prove you don’t rely on your looks or anyone else, only to rely entirely on yourself—what does that get you? It only leaves you mentally exhausted, and in the end, people will still misunderstand you. There will always be those bitter people who will find something to criticize no matter how well you do. Even if you don’t rely on your looks, as long as you’re somewhat attractive, they can still spread rumors that you used your looks to get ahead. So, there’s no need to fall into the trap of proving yourself to such people.”

“A pretty face, a sharp mind, and a tall figure are all resources, just like height is. Tall people can pursue careers like modeling or being a flight attendant, jobs that require height, and no one expects them to avoid taking advantage of their height, right? So, if you have certain resources, it’s perfectly fine to use them legally and reasonably.”

Lin Shu glanced at Xu Shijia. “Besides, you see, men don’t carry this kind of burden. When have you ever been troubled by your good looks? Have you ever felt the need to prove yourself because of your appearance?”

Xu Shijia was stunned.

He had good looks?

Did Lin Shu just say he was good-looking?

Did she just openly compliment him like that?

This woman was always catching him off guard. While her compliment wasn’t wrong, wasn’t this still work? Couldn’t she save the flattery for after hours?

Xu Shijia’s emotions were swirling inside. He glanced at Lin Shu, feeling a bit embarrassed, but Lin Shu seemed completely confident.

Her gaze turned sincere and focused again. “Xu Shijia, I’ve never believed that relying on others is a failure. No human can live in isolation, without the help of others. It’s about finding the right people to rely on.”

“And I’ve decided to rely on you, and on our team.”

With Lin Shu looking at him with such trust and sincerity, as if she was placing her full faith in him, Xu Shijia found himself at a loss for words.

This might be Lin Shu’s usual tactic, but he couldn’t deny that she had hit the mark again.

Lin Shu was right.

She needed to rely on him; he was her strong support.

Of course, Xu Shijia believed in Lin Shu. If she truly wanted to use her looks to climb the ladder, she wouldn’t be here leading their team and working hard. Plenty of wealthy men would be willing to do anything for her.

“I know you’re not that kind of person, but I don’t want others to think of you that way,” Xu Shijia finally said, unable to hold back.

Afterward, he awkwardly added, “After all, you’re my boss, and we’re a team. If you suffer, I suffer. Plus, I’m good-looking too, and if people think that way about you, they’ll probably think the same about me…”

The meeting house was indeed hot, even though the air conditioning had been turned down. Lin Shu’s cheeks were still slightly flushed, with small beads of sweat on her nose, but her eyes were brighter than ever. “It doesn’t matter. I don’t care about what others think. I only care about the people I care about.”

“Xu Shijia, you’re someone I care about. As long as you don’t think that way about me, it’s fine.”

Who could resist that?

Lin Shu’s tone was soft as she added, “I don’t think that way about you either, so do you really care what others think?”

At that point, how could Xu Shijia care about what others thought?

He cleared his throat. “Alright, then. I never really cared about other people’s opinions anyway.”

“I know you might think some of my methods for handling cases and clients are unconventional, but as a lawyer, you have to learn to adapt. When dealing with troublesome clients, or those who hesitate and don’t tell the truth, sometimes it’s necessary for the printer or the air conditioning to ‘break’ unexpectedly. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“And as for collaborating with Song Yucheng, I don’t see anything wrong with that either.”

“Bai Feng is someone who breaks the rules. He destroyed the rules of Xuhui’s marriage, became the third party, took away his wife and his happy family, and yet, not only was he not punished, he leveraged his disregard for moral rules and his superior position to promote himself, packaging himself as a success.”

“Because most people follow the rules, those who break them often find shortcuts to success. So, as victims of his rule-breaking, shouldn’t we fight back?”

“You told me that Xuhui has always wanted to clear his name, to expose Bai Feng and his wife’s facade, but no one has listened to him. Bai Feng manipulates public opinion, so why shouldn’t we break the mold and fight fire with fire?”

“Marketing is a neutral tool. It’s not just reserved for bad people. Good people can use it too. Good deeds should be publicized, and good lawyers like Xuhui, who is helping the deaf with legal services, deserves to be promoted. So why shouldn’t we market him? At least we have integrity, because what we’re promoting is real, right?”

“If all the good people stubbornly believe that marketing is wrong, that it diminishes a lawyer’s professionalism, and that lawyers should only rely on expertise to fight back, then they’re effectively ceding the market and the narrative to those who use marketing without morals. Good deeds should be praised, and good lawyers shouldn’t be buried. People shouldn’t give up the honor and recognition they deserve just because they want to stay morally pure.”

Lin Shu’s expression was calm, but her confidence was clear. Xu Shijia knew Lin Shu was beautiful, strong, and sharp, but in that moment, she was more dazzling than ever.

“I want to see Liu Xuhui stand proudly in the spotlight, surrounded by flowers and applause. I want to see him flourish, while Bai Feng gets the outcome he deserves.”

“I want my employees to no longer be faceless figures in the crowd. I hope they have bright futures and achievements that far surpass mine.”

“That is what makes for the most outstanding resume as a partner.”

At that moment, Xu Shijia thought that anyone questioning how Lin Shu, being so young, had become a partner at Tianhao was a fool.

Any employee, with such a boss, would want to kneel at her feet and work for her.

Her personal charm was far more captivating than her looks.

But as Xu Shijia looked at Lin Shu, he felt conflicted inside.

He was happy for Liu Xuhui, but amidst that sense of relief, there was also a slight pang of jealousy.

Lin Shu was just too good to Liu Xuhui.

She really cared about him.

However, it seemed that Lin Shu sensed Xu Shijia’s emotions.

He heard Lin Shu call his name—

“Xu Shijia.”

Her voice was soft. “In truth, you’re the one I care about the most in the whole team.”

“I bring you along on almost every case. When there’s something you don’t understand, I guide you step by step. With Tie Niu and Xuhui, I give them more freedom.”

“And it’s because it’s you that I take the time to explain all this, so you don’t misunderstand me. I don’t want rigid rules to stop you from reaching your full potential.”

Lin Shu’s face was fair and clear, and her gaze was equally clean and sharp. “Being a lawyer requires comprehensive skills. It’s not just about professional expertise—it also demands emotional intelligence, sharp observational skills, and calm logical analysis.”

Her expression was serious and focused. “I’ve seen all your progress. Given your family background, the fact that you’ve worked so hard to get this far is truly impressive. But don’t let your current achievements limit you. You can do even better.”

She was right!

On closer thought, there was nothing wrong with what Lin Shu had said.

The subtle jealousy that Xu Shijia had felt earlier disappeared.

How could Tie Niu and Liu Xuhui compare to him?

He was the one who worked most closely with Lin Shu, handling the most cases alongside her. He was the irreplaceable pillar of the team.

“There’s a translation job from Chinese to English coming up later. The client needs it urgently. Your English is definitely the best in the team, but the deadline is tight, and I’m worried it might be too much pressure for you…”

“It’s fine. I can handle pressure well,” Xu Shijia found himself responding automatically, stepping up to take on the task. “I’ll work overtime tonight to finish it for you.”

Lin Shu smiled, as if she had known all along that Xu Shijia wouldn’t refuse. “That’s fantastic! Thanks so much, Xu Shijia!”

…

It wasn’t until Xu Shijia heard the sound of a new email arriving in his inbox that his mind cooled down.

Had he just fallen into another trap?

Lin Shu’s subtle manipulation in the workplace was simply unstoppable!

Now that he thought about it, wasn’t she just using her looks, pinpointing Xu Shijia’s weaknesses, flattering him so he’d work overtime like a horse?

Wasn’t that exactly what she did to Song Yucheng earlier?

Why had he ended up being treated like someone on the same level as Song Yucheng?

Xu Shijia was angry.

He stormed back into Lin Shu’s office, glaring at her, ready to stand up for himself. “Lin Shu, are you using the same tricks on me as you did on Song Yucheng?”

But to his surprise, Lin Shu remained completely calm and composed in the face of his question. She widened her eyes in innocence, appearing both surprised and wronged. She even took the initiative, saying, “Xu Shijia, how could you think that?”

She looked hurt and shocked. “I don’t mind if you misunderstand me, but how can you compare yourself to someone like Song Yucheng, a man who loses his head at the slightest bit of flattery? I forbid you from belittling yourself like that—that’s degrading.”

“How are you a foolish man? You’re a smart man!”

“A foolish man lets a woman control his actions. A smart man follows his own heart. Wasn’t it your own intention to share my workload and grow faster? That was something you chose to do because you wanted to.”

Lin Shu spoke with conviction. “You’re a self-driven talent. You don’t need me to flatter you into doing anything. It just so happened that I praised you after you decided to do it. I can’t just stop praising you because you’re proactive, right? After all, someone as excellent and self-motivated as you deserves recognition.”

“Song Yucheng only acts when I push him, but you’re different! You’re motivated and ambitious!”

Xu Shijia was completely disarmed.

That’s right, he wasn’t like those brainless men who’d do anything for a pretty woman’s flattery.

A smart man follows his own heart, while a foolish man lets himself be manipulated.

He was genuinely driven to improve!

The very mindset was different!

So yes, Xu Shijia was a smart man, while others were the foolish ones.