Final Civilization

Chapter 11: The Young Man

"From what you're saying, it sounds like you understand women quite well?"

Han Ming shook his head. "I don't understand women. I'm just looking at it from a man's perspective. At the very least, Director Qi, you perfectly prove my point."

The corner of Qi Rong's lips lifted slightly. A strange sense of joy spread through her heart, giving her a very favorable impression of Han Ming.

But she didn't show it. Instead, she immediately steered the conversation away from casual chat.

"Alright, back to the main topic. The reason I called you here so late is because a major project has come to our firm, Fang Tiancheng. Do you know Tianzhou International?"

As she spoke, Qi Rong observed Han Ming's expression out of the corner of her eye.

"Tianzhou International? What do they want?" Han Ming asked, looking puzzled.

"To discuss cooperation on their group's legal affairs. And they specifically designated you as the lead attorney representative for the legal team," Qi Rong stated directly.

"What?!"

Han Ming exclaimed in surprise, then smiled with an incredulous expression. He pressed his temples, looking like he had a headache.Seeing his expression, Qi Rong grew curious and asked, "Do you have any dealings with Tianzhou International?"

Han Ming smiled helplessly. "Not until two days ago. Now I do."

He then briefly explained the incident of saving Yan Jing's daughter.

After listening, Qi Rong was greatly surprised, looking at Han Ming with shock. "You saved the daughter of Tianzhou International's chairwoman, and she gave you thirty million?!"

Han Ming nodded, saying helplessly, "I didn't expect the girl I saved to be Chairwoman Yan's daughter either."

For a moment, Qi Rong was also stunned by this news. After a while, she nodded with keen interest and smiled. "Then I understand why they approached our firm, Fang Tiancheng."

After saying that, she looked at Han Ming. "What do you think about this cooperation case? I'd like to hear your opinion."

Han Ming smiled. "I can only say that Chairwoman Yan is a person of strong character. But as a lawyer, our responsibility is to solve problems for our clients. While I have confidence in myself, I'm also clear-headed. If I were to take the lead attorney representative position, I'd probably ruin Fang Tiancheng's reputation. Perhaps Chairwoman Yan is just giving me face. If I were to overestimate my abilities and accept it, that would be truly foolish."

"Oh?" Hearing Han Ming's words, the appreciation in Qi Rong's eyes grew even stronger. But she restrained herself and continued calmly, "Even so, the goodwill is directed at you. We can't just flatly refuse such a major case, can we?"

"That's true..."

Han Ming thought for a moment.

"Director Qi, what about this approach?"

He said seriously, "Our law firm can still follow the standard procedures to provide professional recommendations for the legal team. Then designate me as the only fixed member of the legal team, with multiple options for the other team members. This way, they should understand our meaning, and also understand that we've understood their meaning."

Qi Rong's eyes lit up. She smiled as she looked at Han Ming. "Do you think Chairwoman Yan will agree? Didn't you just say she's a person of strong character?"

"Being a person of strong character doesn't mean she's foolish."

Han Ming said calmly, "For a group as large as Tianzhou, the pressure on their legal side is unimaginable. Besides, they're just extending an olive branch. Giving the opportunity is already giving face. But it doesn't mean this cooperation is set in stone. If we don't put forward a truly professional and capable team, we probably won't secure it in the end. I believe Chairwoman Yan is a smart person. Her final decision will definitely prioritize the group's interests."

After hearing Han Ming finish, Qi Rong could no longer conceal the joy in her expression. She stood up and looked at Han Ming.

"I didn't expect someone as young as you to be so level-headed. I admire your rationality and judgment."

"You flatter me," Han Ming smiled.

"Good. We'll proceed according to your suggestion. I'll give Tianzhou a professional response. If we can secure this project, aside from the basic share, I'll give you an additional 10% from the agency commission. I believe none of the colleagues involved in the project will have any objections to this."

10% was absolutely a very substantial sum of income. Even with a thirty million commission, after taxes, Han Ming could still get around two million. And this didn't even include the basic share.

Qi Rong looked intently at Han Ming and continued.

"Additionally, regardless of whether we secure this project or not, I think your heroic act of saving someone deserves recognition throughout the entire firm. So, I'll arrange a media interview for you on Monday. Also, our firm has special rewards for events with positive social significance. I'll arrange for it to be included in your bonus for the next quarter."

Upon hearing this, Han Ming directly said, "Forget about the interview. The bonus is fine."

Qi Rong looked somewhat surprised. "Why? Such an incident would greatly increase your visibility in the industry. It has immeasurable benefits for your career. Others would beg for such an opportunity."

Han Ming looked completely unfazed. "First, I don't like being too flashy. Saving someone in that situation was my instinct. I didn't do it for fame or gain. Second..."

He stood up with a slight smile and put down his teacup. "I believe a lawyer's reputation in the industry isn't built on good deeds, but on professionalism and capability. Just like how you, Director Qi, have achieved your current position."

The smile on Qi Rong's face froze. She looked at Han Ming in front of her with surprise, momentarily at a loss for words.

After two seconds of silence, she managed a smile and said approvingly, "Good, not bad, young man. Let's do it that way then."

"Thank you, Director Qi."

"I'll notify you when there's a result."

"Then I'll take my leave."

"Alright."

Qi Rong nodded with a smile. After seeing Han Ming leave the office, she quickly took a deep breath, picked up the cold tea on the table, and took a sip to relieve the dryness in her mouth.

"Really a good young man."

"Hmm, not bad, not bad."

She walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked at the bustling night view, repeatedly using the adjective 'young man' to dilute her current emotions.

...

Han Ming discovered that foreseeing the future was very necessary for negotiations. However, his goal wasn't to gain Qi Rong's appreciation. Rather, after learning of Yan Jing's arrangement, it allowed him to quickly come up with a relatively proper way to handle the situation in a short time.

As for earning money...

Han Ming said calmly, "A group as large as Tianzhou, the pressure on their legal side is easy to imagine. Besides, they're just extending an olive branch. Giving the opportunity is already giving face. But it doesn't mean this cooperation is set in stone. If we don't put forward a truly professional and capable team, we probably won't secure it in the end. I believe Chairwoman Yan is a smart person. Her final decision will definitely prioritize the group's interests."

But now, he couldn't feel any joy at all.

"Is this the emptiness that comes from a collapsed concept of money?"

Han Ming could now personally understand the mindset of gamblers and certain other individuals. After experiencing wealth acquisition beyond the scope of one's usual environment overnight, it becomes very difficult to return to a normal income work and living environment.

A gambler who tries once and earns a million, even if he loses the next 999 times, will no longer be interested in a job that pays five thousand a month.

He will always believe he has the chance to earn a million again. And the feeling of speculation makes desires expand faster than the feeling of work.

This is also why a gambler remains a gambler forever.

Han Ming now felt a little bit of this sensation, even though he hadn't started spending large sums of this money yet.

Just as he walked out of Huatian Tower, Han Ming's phone vibrated. He picked it up and saw that Tao Jie had accepted his friend request.

『Of course I remember you, Han Ming.』

Han Ming's expression changed slightly. He immediately replied.

"It's been a long time. Are you free tomorrow? Let's have coffee together?"

『Sorry, Han Ming. I'm not really available.』

A sentence that firmly rejected him.

Time rewound from between his brows. Han Ming looked at the phone screen before he had responded to Tao Jie, guessing that after becoming paralyzed, Tao Jie must have been greatly affected. The prouder a person is, the less willing they are to let others see their current state.

This was probably also the reason she hadn't appeared at alumni gatherings for many years.

After thinking for a moment, he began to imitate Cris Johnson, trying to open the conversation in different ways.

"Can we meet? There are some things I'd like to talk to you about."

『Sorry, Han Ming.』

Han Ming didn't give up and continued sending messages.

"I've heard about your situation. Can I come see you? No other meaning."

"I think it's better not to. Thank you for your kindness."

Starting over again. This time, Han Ming planned to proceed step by step.

"Are you in Jinghai?"

『Yes.』

"Can I see you?"

『I... Han Ming, I know what you think of me. But I don't think we need to stay in contact anymore.』

Han Ming: ?

Again. Han Ming gradually grew more frantic.

"Tao Jie, actually, I still have feelings for you. Can I see you again?"

『Sorry, Han Ming. I think we'd better not stay in contact.』

...

"Tao Jie, I love you, no matter what you've become."

『?』

...

"Finally got your contact! I know a miraculous doctor who can definitely cure you!"

Three-Body Alien has enabled friend verification. You are not yet his/her friend. Please send a friend verification request first. The other party needs to verify you as a friend before you can chat. 『Send Friend Verification』

...

"Phew..."

Han Ming, who had tried countless times, sighed helplessly. He clicked on Tao Jie's profile picture and found she had closed her Moments. All her information was blank, except for a cartoon avatar and the nickname 'Three-Body Alien.'

At this moment, an idea stirred in his heart. He tentatively typed.

"Three-Body Alien? I didn't expect you to use this name. Do you like The Three-Body Problem?"

After sending the message, there was silence on the other end.

After about a few minutes, a message finally came again. And this time, there were two responses.

『Read it. I guess... I like it.』

『What about you?』