Chapter 49

As soon as Xu Shijia left, Xu Mingmei didn’t take a break; she still had several tasks that were giving her a headache waiting for her.

Since she was determined to show Lin Shu her capabilities, Xu Mingmei tackled the task of revising the contract first. She personally got involved, researching a lot of information and details, and meticulously revised the contract word by word.

After reviewing it two or three times to ensure it was flawless and perfect, she strode confidently into Lin Shu’s office.

Although Lin Shu had told her to report back after completing the revisions, Xu Mingmei thought smugly that this woman surely didn’t expect her to report back the same day, and to have done such a great job at that.

Sure enough, Lin Shu was quite surprised that Xu Mingmei had completed the contract revisions so quickly.

“Let me take a look.”

Xu Mingmei cleared her throat, adjusted her posture, and instinctively straightened her back, exuding confidence as she waited for Lin Shu’s admiration and praise.

Her professional background was solid!

Today, she was going to make this woman realize how lucky she was to have such a great employee.

—

What surprised Lin Shu was that even after the printer was put out of commission, Xu Mingmei’s enthusiasm for work did not wane; she quickly finished revising the contract.

Looking at the contract Xu Mingmei revised, Lin Shu already had a plan for how to deal with her.

Xu Mingmei probably had been a wealthy lady for too long, giving her an obvious air of superiority and an underlying disdain for others, showing an attitude of indifference to their lives.

However, her professional ability was evident; it could be seen that she had taken the contract seriously, even if it lacked a human touch.

How to put it? It was somewhat reminiscent of the old Xu Shijia.

There’s a saying that one must win people’s hearts through established methods. Since there was a successful case like Xu Shijia, it would be easy to replicate the strategy used for her to deal with Xu Mingmei.

First, a little intimidation.

Lin Shu put on a stern face and set the contract down. “Your revisions are terrible.”

Xu Mingmei, who clearly felt quite good about herself and was expecting praise, was taken aback by Lin Shu’s blunt criticism. She immediately frowned, “What’s wrong with my revisions?”

She refused to accept it. “The original contract wasn’t rigorous enough. I even added the most detailed clauses, like the compensation liability clause; I considered all situations. Now we’re in a state of being completely foolproof.”

This was where the problem lay.

“In this contract, are we the client or the service provider?”

Xu Mingmei answered without hesitation, “We’re the service provider.”

“Our contract is for a commercial product placement, and the client is the leading furniture company in the home renovation market. Our client, the service provider, is a viral content incubator, Jinyan Media, which I signed with previously. They are just starting to venture into the short drama market, so they brought on the client as a sponsor to feature their newly launched wardrobe in the drama.”

Lin Shu pointed to a clause, “In the liability section, you added, ‘If the client’s product causes personal injury to the cast and crew during filming, the client is responsible for compensation.’ Did you think you were being particularly clever? Considering every aspect and even providing for this compensation, so that the client takes the hit?”

Sure enough, Xu Mingmei didn’t grasp the implications. She responded, her expression displeased, “I specifically researched case law. There have indeed been cases where an actor was injured during filming due to a product provided by the sponsor, leading to disputes…”

Xu Mingmei insisted, “If the wardrobe sponsored by the client has a design flaw and falls, injuring an actor, isn’t that a possibility?”

“Indeed, you can get injured flying or taking a train, or even coming to work,” Lin Shu replied expressionlessly. “That’s why we invented insurance.”

“In your situation, it would be better to advise our client, Jinyan Media, to purchase insurance for all cast and crew members. This way, they would cover any injuries caused by the wardrobe falling, as well as any other risks arising from work-related activities. It would be much more comprehensive.”

“You should know that in collaborations, the client is usually the stronger party. Our contract is clearly one of those situations; Jinyan Media is testing the waters with short drama filming. For a company just entering the market, securing sponsorship is not easy, especially with a brand like the client. Their business department must have worked very hard to negotiate this collaboration, so when revising contracts like this, we should not stand our ground so rigidly, nitpicking every detail to defend every right of the service provider, leaving the client with no way out. Instead, we should aim to promote cooperation while maximizing the protection of the service provider’s rights.”

“You certainly added many clauses, but do you think the client can accept them?”

“The lawyer’s role in serving a client isn’t about completely shutting down the client’s business. It’s about understanding how to balance interests. It’s not difficult for a lawyer, using their professional knowledge, to write down every risk in detail. What’s difficult is distinguishing between the primary and secondary issues, focusing on the important aspects, and knowing which rights are non-negotiable and which can be sacrificed to obtain cooperation.”

Lin Shu tapped on the table. “For example, in this contract, what’s most important for our client, the service provider, is the payment of their sponsorship fees. These fees can significantly offset the expenses of filming the short drama, so this section must be very precise. But the compensation liability clause you revised is just a trivial detail that could easily be replaced with insurance. The cost of buying insurance is far less than the sponsorship fees mentioned in this contract.”

“If you send this contract to Jinyan Media, not only will the business department think the lawyer has a problem and doesn’t understand the real business world, but if the business department fails to notice the issues and sends it to the client’s sponsor, this contract is sure to fail. The service provider has a lawyer, and so does the client. Will the client’s lawyer tolerate this contract passing muster? You’re not just serving your client; you also have to negotiate with the client’s lawyer. Everyone knows that concessions must be made to reach a deal.”

Lin Shu turned to Xu Mingmei. “You are very academic and detailed in your revisions, but this contract is completely unusable. You didn’t strengthen the sections that need to focus on the payment of sponsorship fees, yet you flaunted your skills in unnecessary areas. All I see in your revision is your self-satisfaction and individualism, as if this contract were your personal performance, but there’s no indication that you genuinely care about serving your client.”

Xu Mingmei’s expression soured, but she couldn’t argue back, only biting her lip and falling silent.

It seemed the initial blow had landed.

Now it was time to throw in some encouragement.

Lin Shu took a disposable cup, poured a glass of warm water, and handed it to Xu Mingmei. “What I’ve said might be hard to hear, and perhaps I’ve been too strict with a newcomer like you.”

“But I looked at your resume and found that you graduated from Rong University. Back when the law school at Rong wasn’t expanding its intake, being able to graduate from there means your qualifications are far superior to those of the younger graduates from Rong Law now. Your credentials are very good.”

“Initially, I was worried since you hadn’t worked a day, and I wanted to be more gradual and accommodating with you. However, after seeing your contract, I couldn’t help but criticize you.”

Xu Mingmei maintained a stern expression but remained silent.

Lin Shu continued, “The level of detail in your contract is far greater than that of any newcomer in my team. Your thinking is also thorough and comprehensive. The only thing you lack is real-world experience to grasp the commercial landscape and social nuances.”

Looking into Xu Mingmei’s eyes, Lin Shu spoke sincerely, “We are both women, which is why I’m sharing this with you. Based on what I see, you are the most promising one in my team.”

As expected, upon hearing this, Xu Mingmei’s expression softened a bit. Although her face was still stern, her gaze was no longer as resistant as before.

She awkwardly brushed her hair back. “So… Xu Shijia isn’t as good as I am? Isn’t he also quite excellent?”

“He is very excellent, but he’s a man. He doesn’t have the same level of detail as a woman, and he doesn’t harbor the same desire to prove himself like you do.”

At the mention of “hatred,” Xu Mingmei indeed hesitated for a moment, her gaze darting around. “I don’t hate anyone.”

“I’ve seen the resentment and anger in your eyes when you proactively take on work. You likely want to transform your anger towards the scumbag men and the injustices you’ve faced into motivation for progress. That’s why you eagerly take on tasks, aiming to grow quickly to achieve economic independence and ultimately confront those scumbags, right?”

Xu Mingmei became increasingly uneasy.

Mentioning these unpleasant personal issues made her feel embarrassed. She could only mumble in response, her earlier confidence fading as her head lowered even more.

“What about your second son? Is he in kindergarten now? Is he very sick? What kind of issues does he have? When I dealt with medical disputes before, I got to know a few contacts in hospitals, including some excellent surgeons. If you need, I can introduce you to them.”

“No, no, that’s not necessary.” Xu Mingmei’s embarrassment deepened, and despite Lin Shu’s offer of help, she firmly declined, feeling uncomfortable. “As long as the child is alive… My only hope for my child is to be healthy. He’s doing okay for now… He’s not in kindergarten anymore; he’s actually quite big…”

As long as the child is alive…

For the rich, that’s a confident reassurance, knowing they can provide for their children without fear. But for the poor…

Lin Shu recalled what the HR director had said: Xu Mingmei’s second son had a lifelong incurable condition and had been sick for a long time.

The child was no longer in kindergarten, and even though he was quite old, she still spoke of him with the protective concern of a mother, merely hoping for his survival.

Just yesterday, Lin Shu had passed by Xu Mingmei’s desk and saw her looking at a donation project for children with cerebral palsy.

The answer was clear: her second son likely had some intellectual disability.

Lin Shu felt even more sympathetic.

She sighed and spoke from the heart, “Actually, I’m also a victim of a scumbag man. My mother and I were abandoned by my father and lived in poverty for a long time. My mother passed away early.”

Focusing on empathy and shared experiences, Lin Shu’s voice was gentle as she continued, “That’s why I really want to help you. Seeing your solid professional skills, I genuinely want to help you get up to speed with your work, transform yourself, and regain your strength.”

“Being a mother makes you strong. I believe your son will definitely be proud of you when he grows up. Having a mother like you is a blessing for him. You quickly growing into an independent professional woman will also serve as a role model for your son in the future. Even in the dating market, having a knowledgeable and empowered mother-in-law like you will surely be a plus.”

Though Xu Mingmei’s youngest son might still be far from the dating scene, it was always good to paint a bright future.

What Lin Shu didn’t expect was that this statement would genuinely resonate with Xu Mingmei. “Do young girls really think a mother-in-law like that is a plus?”

“Of course,” Lin Shu replied sincerely. “A mother-in-law is like a second mother. When I see you working hard and seriously, I almost see my mother in you because you share many common traits. Both of you are beautiful and graceful, clearly capable of relying on your looks, yet you refuse to be just a pretty face. You are strong at heart, capable, and persistent, willing to endure hardships, and you would even sacrifice for your children.”

As this conversation progressed, Xu Mingmei’s expression indeed softened; she straightened her posture a bit more, maintaining a composed demeanor. Her expression became gentler, and her hands, which had been resting on her knees, were placed more gracefully, with her fingers delicately poised like an orchid.

This tactic used on Xu Shijia was equally effective with Xu Mingmei.

Lin Shu continued, “If my mother were still alive, she would be about your age. She was in poor health, but otherwise, she was a resilient and hardworking person. She would definitely have fought for me like you do.”

“I know I’m too young, and you might not agree with me in your heart, but I’ve endured a lot. I lost my mother early on, which is why I had to grit my teeth and struggle in my career.” Lin Shu lowered her gaze, “If my mother were still here, I certainly wouldn’t be as tired as I am now.”

Xu Mingmei, as expected, was quite similar to Xu Shijia. The pampered life she had previously led made her somewhat arrogant, but her heart was not bad. In fact, due to being overly protected in the past, she could be considered quite naïve. Upon hearing Lin Shu’s words, any previous resistance and defiance had disappeared from Xu Mingmei’s eyes, leaving only deep sympathy and concern.

“You… you have it tough too.”

Lin Shu glanced at Xu Mingmei and then revealed a somewhat forced, vulnerable expression. “I don’t know where you initially heard the rumors that I am a twisted and pathological ‘mother tiger.’ Although I didn’t express my feelings at the time, I won’t blame you for being influenced by rumors. I felt very sad to hear it. After all, everyone wants recognition from others and doesn’t want to be misunderstood.”

After saying this, Xu Mingmei seemed to be getting restless, and she flusteredly said, “Lawyer Lin, I believed the gossip and wrongly accused you. I apologize; please don’t be sad. I promise I won’t do this again. From my experience with you, you are not like that at all…”

Lin Shu knew when to stop and took advantage of the moment.

She collected her sorrowful expression and looked at Xu Mingmei. “In any case, justice lies in the hearts of the people. It doesn’t matter if others misunderstand me; as long as I have a clear conscience, that’s enough. However, it’s very important to me that you, as a member of the team, can understand me.”

“Think about the contract changes when you get back. With your comprehension skills, I believe you’ll soon be able to apply what you learn. Have you ordered coffee or milk tea for the finance department yet?”

Mentioning this, Xu Mingmei’s expression turned sour again. “Not yet.”

Lin Shu’s tone grew even gentler. “I know you’re not happy about it because someone as capable as you would naturally feel that ordering coffee and milk tea is a menial task reserved for those without ability. You might think I’m belittling you or wasting your time, right?”

Lin Shu gently pointed out, “Most of the time, lawyers do rely on independent work, but being a lawyer is not entirely a solo endeavor. A large part of our work is team-oriented, and this concept of a team includes not just lawyers but also the support staff in the firm, especially finance.”

“Do you know why my team’s reimbursements are always processed the fastest?” Lin Shu smiled, “Because I spend time on these little matters.”

“You have had limited contact with people before, and throwing you into interactions with all sorts of people is concerning since you lack experience. That’s why I started with these colleagues in our firm, to help you get along well with everyone. It’s a practical exercise in social skills. Plus, considering your current financial situation, you’d want reimbursements to be as quick as possible, so building a good relationship with the finance staff is naturally beneficial for you.”

Lin Shu’s voice was soft and approachable. She knew she was pretty and had a friendly smile, which she directed gently at Xu Mingmei.

Xu Mingmei, who was indeed more receptive to kindness than to force, fell silent, feeling a bit shy under Lin Shu’s gaze.

“I understand that encountering such difficulties after suddenly losing your previous standard of living can be hard, but we are a very good team. Although everyone has a lot on their plate and is far beyond capacity, you are still new and just starting out. So, don’t worry about any difficulties in life; you can tell me anything. There’s no need to feel embarrassed. We will be here to help you through this tough time.”

…

When Lin Shu was serious, she had a very stern expression, and when she scolded someone, it was hard to approach her. Yet, when she smiled, it was like a breath of spring.

As Xu Mingmei walked out of Lin Shu’s office, her perception of Lin Shu had changed completely from just a quarter of an hour ago.

She realized she had misjudged her.

Lin Shu was not as bad as she had thought.

She was a sincere person with great insight; no wonder her son was willing to work so hard for her.

Although Xu Mingmei initially came to Tianhao for her younger son, after listening to Lin Shu’s words, her heart began to stir.

Gold will always shine.

So what if she hadn’t practiced for a day? Even someone as young as Lin Shu could instantly recognize her abilities.

She appreciated herself, and due to her misguided beliefs, she mistakenly thought her struggles with a scumbag made her life very difficult. While pointing out injustice in the workplace, Lin Shu was also genuinely concerned about her.

Xu Mingmei felt she shouldn’t disappoint such a promising young person who had a favorable opinion of her.

Especially when Xu Mingmei had just left Lin Shu’s office, she received a transfer of one thousand yuan from Lin Shu on WeChat—

“I’ll cover the costs for the finance department’s milk tea and coffee as a way of thanking you for building good relationships for the team and the finance department. You can keep any excess funds, and if I need you later, I’ll reach out.”

Xu Mingmei was no fool.

It was only at this moment that she suddenly realized Lin Shu’s true intentions.

Inviting the finance department for milk tea and coffee to build a good relationship had its reasons, but who was Lin Shu? Since her reimbursements were always processed the fastest, she must have already established a good relationship with the finance department, so there was no need for Xu Mingmei to do anything.

Most likely, Lin Shu, under the impression that Xu Mingmei was a financially struggling victim of infidelity, was trying to maintain her dignity while providing support through this small financial assistance—allowing Xu Mingmei to treat the finance department to milk tea and coffee as a way to give her a bit of emergency cash.

There were only a few people in the finance department, so a few cups of milk tea and coffee wouldn’t cost anywhere near a thousand yuan.

Although Lin Shu had said the remaining funds could be saved for later, it was clear she didn’t expect to use that money again.

This was her thoughtful and discreet way of helping Xu Mingmei.

Xu Mingmei had always lived a comfortable life and had never fallen on hard times. She was used to people of all kinds trying to win her favor. However, someone like Lin Shu, who didn’t know her background yet was willing to extend a helping hand with such genuine thoughtfulness and without condescension, expecting nothing in return—such people were rare.

She recalled Liu Xuhui, someone far older than Lin Shu and with ample experience, who treated her with deep respect and gratitude in his words; and Wang Tie Niu, a tall, burly man who seemed to follow Lin Shu’s directions without hesitation. It made her realize that Lin Shu really did have something special.

Lin Shu’s genuine, selfless support stirred a bit of guilt in Xu Mingmei. She had deceived Lin Shu about her identity, so, after thinking it over, she decided the least she could do was to work a bit harder during her time here to repay her.