The Divorce Lawyer Is Very Hard To Flirt With - Chapter 12

Chapter 12: Getting Paid to Do Business

The doctor…

An unexpected word…

But Ying Zhi’an acted as if she noticed nothing unusual. “Zhu Yun told me there are no entanglements regarding community property or debt between you and your husband, which actually makes things much easier. What you need to consider is the issue of child custody. From the perspective of remarrying, I suggest you concede custody to the husband. Of course, you’ve been emphasizing the child’s education, and it’s clear you love your child very much. If you want to fight for custody, I can also help you with that.”

“The child must stay with me. Otherwise, if she moves to a small city, her education will definitely fall behind, and her life will be ruined.”

This firm attitude from the sister-in-law, Ms. Fang, gained a few points of favor from Song Xidan. Of course, given the initial negative points from knowing she might be cheating, this positive score was minimal.

Song Xidan subtly moved her chair closer to Ying Zhi’an, distancing herself from Zhu Yun’s future sister-in-law.

Ying Zhi’an handed her business card to the sister-in-law. “You can choose my ‘Guaranteed Divorce Package.’ If you are still set on divorce within one year, I guarantee your divorce.”

“Guaranteed Divorce Package?” The sister-in-law and Song Xidan almost asked the question simultaneously.

Song Xidan quietly glanced at Ying Zhi’an, feeling a little embarrassed for Ying Zhi’an that she and the client had the same reaction.

With that one stolen glance, she noticed that a subtle light emanated from Ying Zhi’an’s beautiful eyes, a light that inexplicably gave her a slight chill down her spine.

This version of Ying Zhi’an was one she hadn’t seen before. Even in their initial interactions, Ying Zhi’an was truly as cold as ice, but not like this—so expressionless it was unnerving.

Song Xidan couldn’t help but wonder, Is this what a lawyer looks like when discussing business?

Ying Zhi’an’s gaze remained focused on the sister-in-law, her voice steady with no fluctuation, like a finely tuned machine. “After I take on the case, I will represent you to speak with the husband first. If we can negotiate a settlement, we won’t need to file a contested divorce. If the husband absolutely refuses to divorce, then we will file for divorce. In a contested divorce, the court grants or denies the divorce based on whether the marital relationship has irretrievably broken down. Bigamy, domestic violence, or separation for two full years, among others, are legal conditions for judging a breakdown of affection. However, you likely don’t meet any of those. If the first petition for divorce is dismissed, filing a second petition after six months increases the probability of the court granting the divorce to one hundred percent. It’s just six months.”

The corners of Ying Zhi’an’s mouth curled into a slight, fake smile of courtesy. “What do you think, Ms. Fang?”

If she knew what Song Xidan was thinking, she might tell her that this smile that didn’t reach her eyes was her usual state when conducting business.

A smile that didn’t reach her eyes but still made the other party feel flattered and welcome.

And so it was: Ms. Fang arrived looking worried and left looking happy. Fang Zhi’an and Song Xidan didn’t walk her out. Zhu Yun was attentive and courteously escorted Ms. Fang out.

No one could refuse Ying Zhi’an’s professionalism. However, Ying Zhi’an, who had successfully secured this case, still maintained her expressionless look. In fact, she slowly frowned as she watched Zhu Yun’s retreating back.

Song Xidan had been observing her and immediately asked, “Lawyer Ying, are you reluctant to take this case?”

Ying Zhi’an withdrew her gaze and looked at Song Xidan, instinctively checking the number above her head. Good! No increase!

This was a small bit of success amidst the troubles, so the frown caused by Zhu Yun also relaxed. “This is a simple case, no difficulty, and it makes money. Why wouldn’t I take it?”

“Then why do you look unhappy?”

Ying Zhi’an let out a light laugh, as if laughing at Song Xidan’s youthful naivety. “What’s there to be happy about in work?”

“Is it because of Ms. Fang’s immoral conduct of marital infidelity?” Ying Zhi’an’s soft laugh did not deter the young person’s stubbornness. Song Xidan was very serious, her focused gaze never leaving Ying Zhi’an, which reminded Ying Zhi’an of the horse named Eve she had mentioned. Was this the look when Eve cautiously looked at the puppy?

However, the young person’s attempt to guess her motivation was still a bit naive. Law is just a profession, based on the client’s demands, selling legal services. A client’s moral flaw does not mean that the representing lawyer fighting for their interests shares the same moral values. Ying Zhi’an always maintained a detached and indifferent attitude precisely because a high moral compass is often an obstacle, not an aid, in this profession.

The young person’s self-esteem and integrity, though so out of place, made Ying Zhi’an, for the first time, unwilling to burst that bubble of naivety. She did not want to tell this young person that lawyers sometimes do not entirely stand on the side of justice. In the spectrum of human good and evil, a lawyer may also stand on the side of human “evil” to defend and rationalize the legality, reasonableness, and legitimacy of that “evil.”

She was unwilling to say such things at this moment, just as the clamorous neon lights of the big city do not need to adorn the grassland. The grassland has its own boundless scenery. So, she simply said, “Getting paid to do business. Solving problems for others.”

Song Xidan nodded, then suddenly remembered a detail and reminded her, “Ms. Fang mentioned something about a doctor just now. She quickly changed the subject, but I don’t think I misheard.”

“You didn’t mishear. But this is Zhu Yun’s private matter, and you don’t know her well. Be careful not to say too much to casual acquaintances.”

“But what if there’s a real hidden story?”

“I know her well,” Ying Zhi’an thought to herself: No wonder Zhu Yun still has a beam of light above her head. It means that within the super-scientific scope of the Secret Dating Weapon, Zhu Yun and her current boyfriend won’t work out. But given this kind of family, not working out might be a stroke of good fortune.

Also, this Secret Dating Weapon feature might have other uses to explore…

Ying Zhi’an’s mind was opened up, and conversely, her worry about her mental state lessened. She calmly accepted this super-scientific phenomenon.

When Zhu Yun returned after seeing Ms. Fang out, she detoured to Ying Zhi’an’s office to express her thanks. Ying Zhi’an kept her there, and Song Xidan, being quick on the uptake, stepped out of the office.

Zhu Yun was still clueless. Coupled with her fair, smooth, and constantly smiling face, Ying Zhi’an felt a pang of fear. If she truly married into that kind of family, that cheerful, vibrant smile would probably be hard to see again.

“What’s up? What’s wrong?” Seeing Ying Zhi’an just staring at her without speaking, Zhu Yun blinked like a little hamster and leaned closer. “Is there something on my face? Or is it that my skincare routine is working! Is my skin super good?! I specifically got a photon skin rejuvenation half a month early for the wedding. I feel like my pores are even a little smaller!”

“Zhu Yun, do you like your current boyfriend?”

“Yes, I do.”

“On a scale of one to ten, how much do you like him?”

Zhu Yun propped her chin with her hand, thought carefully, but said somewhat uncertainly, “Seven or eight points?”

That wasn’t low. Ying Zhi’an had a rough idea. She nodded and changed the subject. “The fee for his sister’s case, remember to ask your boyfriend for it later.”

“I can pay it.”

“You really shouldn’t pay it. Ms. Fang herself said the Fang family is quite conservative. If the Fang parents find out you were involved, they’ll likely have a very poor impression of you. Moreover, if the money comes from Ms. Fang’s brother, it would give Ms. Fang more confidence; at least it counts as getting support from a family member. Don’t you agree?”

“You have a point. I’ll go ask my boyfriend for it then.”

“Mm. By the way, I’ve recently raised my fee. Although we are friends, you know I never give discounts.”

“Mm-hmm, they can definitely afford this amount of money.”

Zhu Yun happily left again, just as she ran into Song Xidan. Song Xidan was very confused by her state. As soon as she returned to the office, she asked, “Was she too sad? Why was she still smiling so happily? I feel like something is wrong.”

Ying Zhi’an took a sip of tea. “I didn’t tell her.”

“Ah, why? Don’t you think it’s strange? I really feel that one can infer the whole from a part. Ms. Fang gave me a very strange feeling. I thought about it carefully just now, and I think the Fang family might not have good intentions in marrying Zhu Yun.” Song Xidan scratched her head, her face etched with conflict. “I can’t quite put my finger on it, it’s just a feeling.”

“Your feeling is right. In the future, you might want to trust your intuition more. Human intuition can observe more details than the human eye and is more discerning than reason and logic.” Ying Zhi’an hadn’t originally planned to tell Song Xidan her judgment, but seeing Song Xidan’s genuine concern, perhaps it wasn’t a bad thing for Zhu Yun.

“The husband’s family is a very typical example of refined egoism. They prioritize profit over affection. When Ms. Fang talked about their demolished house, she clearly stated that the ownership belonged entirely to her parents. I can only naturally deduce their motive: a high probability that they view their son-in-law and future daughter-in-law as outsiders, preventing the property from benefiting outsiders. Furthermore, when Ms. Fang spoke about the past, she mentioned her parents required a good match and only agreed to the marriage because the husband was willing to stay in Jiangcheng. Yet, all these years into the marriage, Ms. Fang and her husband have no community property, which suggests that from beginning to end, Ms. Fang’s parents only made demands but offered no help. In another sense, even after all these years and having children, Ms. Fang’s husband has not been fully accepted or integrated into the family. He is a peripheral figure in this family, lacking initiative.”

In Ying Zhi’an’s eyes, Ms. Fang wanting a divorce might not be a bad thing for her husband.

What did it matter even if they went from school to wedding? Human nature is always selfish, cold, and fickle. There are too many things that love cannot save…

Men like Jiang Chao are like this, and women like Ms. Fang are also like this.