Final Civilization

Chapter 4: The Call

Han Ming sighed, his gaze flickering slightly, then he spoke up:

"First, let's talk about Xiao Luo. He has been diligent and dedicated in his work. This was his first time independently handling a case, and he successfully completed the client's commission. For our firm, this was a victory and brought in revenue. The defendant coming to cause trouble was an unpredictable personal action. To put it bluntly, as lawyers, haven't we seen plenty of unreasonable scumbags? However, blaming a lawyer who won the case for a 30 million yuan case..."

Han Ming smiled calmly and said bluntly, "If word gets out, will people say our Fang Tiancheng firm lacks moral logic, or that our management lacks accountability, pushing responsibility onto newcomers whenever problems arise?"

Hiss!

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the room instantly turned much colder. Everyone looked at Han Ming with astonished expressions, their faces clearly saying, "That's our Han the Confronter for you." His words didn't beat around the bush at all—it was equivalent to slapping Qin Shanhai right in the face. And the key was, by mentioning "management," wasn't he also implicating Director Qi?

Sure enough, Qin Shanhai's face upon hearing this was terrifyingly gloomy, his gaze fixed firmly on Han Ming. Not only that, Han Ming could feel another sharp gaze upon him.

Qi Rong.

Director Qi was nicknamed the "Cold-Faced Nun" not only because of her decisive, almost ruthless management style, but also because she bore some resemblance to Yan Huiming, who played Li Mochou in the 1995 version of "The Condor Heroes." Combined with her image as a high-achieving elite still unmarried at forty, this rather unflattering nickname had spread within their small circle.

"Now for the second point, regarding the Anke case, I happen to know a bit about it as well."

Han Ming now returned to the main topic. Hearing this, Qin Shanhai sneered coldly, watching Han Ming with a look of someone enjoying a show."First of all, I don't believe Anke has given up on cooperating with Fang Tiancheng. On the contrary, I think Mr. Zhao definitely won't abandon our partnership. Specifically..."

"Enough!"

Before Han Ming could finish, Qin Shanhai directly interrupted him. Raising his hand, he looked at Qi Rong with a serious expression. "Director Qi, this is exactly why I don't agree with discussing the firm's key cases in general meetings. Cases of this level should only be discussed at the partner level. Otherwise, letting rookie lawyers who haven't even handled million-yuan cases voice their opinions is purely a waste of everyone's time."

After saying this, he turned to Han Ming, spreading his hands with a hypocritical expression. "Sorry, no offense meant to you, Lawyer Han. It's just that such a major case really has nothing to do with you, right?"

At that moment, Director Qi, seated at the head of the table, finally spoke. She crossed her arms and looked at Han Ming with a scrutinizing gaze. "Lawyer Han, finish what you were saying."

"Director Qi..."

"Let him speak." Qi Rong's face was calm. No one dared to object anymore.

"OK."

Han Ming smiled slightly, completely ignoring Qin Shanhai's livid glare, and continued,

"In Jinghai, besides our Fang Tiancheng, the firm with the most experience and seniority in the field of digital cultural copyright is Zhonglun. Anke has already settled all aspects of this case with us; the only point still under negotiation is the attorney's fee."

"As for Huang Siming, whom Anke specifically requested from Zhonglun, he currently has the NCS case on his hands. Although there's no direct dispute or connection between NCS and Anke's 'Paradise,' they are direct competitors in the gaming market. How can one ensure compliance with conflict of interest reviews while simultaneously representing two commercial rivals in sensitive cases? Mr. Zhao, as Anke's decision-maker, cannot overlook this risk. From this, it's clear that the Zhonglun option is just a smokescreen in Mr. Zhao's negotiation strategy. This is actually evident from the fact that they visited our Fang Tiancheng firm on the last day of their itinerary."

Han Ming's tone was flat, neither hurried nor slow.

"As for judging our firm as unprofessional based on one person coming to cause trouble, that's simply absurd. Anke is a group with billions in output value; their boss couldn't possibly be that rash. Regarding the attorney's fee, 30 million might have been a small figure for Anke before. But I understand that due to the heavy investment in 'Paradise,' coupled with this copyright infringement case repeatedly delaying their IPO plans and locking up a large amount of liquid capital, Anke's finances are definitely under pressure. So, Mr. Zhao putting on this act is nothing more than a businessman's mask, just a performance. The goal is still the price."

"Oh?" Qin Shanhai sneered after hearing this. "So according to you, not only hasn't the duck flown away, it's going to fly back?"

"Of course."

Han Ming took out his phone, checked the time, then placed it on the table. "If I'm not mistaken, from this morning until now, they've definitely been putting on an air of seeming indifference, but are actually waiting for us to take the initiative and reach out to smooth things over. But Anke is anxious. Compared to their opponent, they are more passive. Therefore, I believe that before the end of today's workday, Anke will take the initiative to contact us."

As soon as these words were spoken, countless people in the conference room immediately looked at Han Ming with strange and complex gazes. His colleagues were very puzzled. Clearly, his earlier analysis was somewhat reasonable and showed professional competence, and in such a setting, it could be considered a response to Director Qi's inquiry.

But no one expected that he would end with such an almost bizarre judgment. Wasn't he digging his own grave?

Pfft...

Qin Shanhai couldn't hold back and burst out laughing. He waved his hands repeatedly, trying to regain his composure.

"Sorry, lost my composure. Ah, Lawyer Han, you've really proven the worth of a Jingfa education with your actions. Very good, very good. Before the end of the workday, right?"

He looked at the Cartier Ballon Bleu watch on his wrist, then gestured towards Han Ming. "There are 3 minutes left until quitting time. So, if Anke calls us, I'll let you write my name backwards from now on."

"Or..."

He swept his smiling gaze over everyone before finally landing on Han Ming, saying mockingly,

"You could call Mr. Zhao right now and ask him to do you, Lawyer Han, a favor?"

In the conference room, scattered, awkward laughter broke out.

Qi Rong tapped her fingers rhythmically on the table, her sharp gaze scrutinizing Han Ming. "Lawyer Han, is this judgment of yours based on rigorous analysis, or is it speculative?"

"Of course it's rigorous."

Han Ming shrugged. "Otherwise, we'd just clock out. Tomorrow is the weekend again. If it were me, I wouldn't have that kind of patience."

"That's why you're not the boss... hahahaha..."

Qin Shanhai laughed so hard he rocked back and forth, tears almost coming to his eyes. "Han Ming, ah, Han Ming, I'm really curious. Have you forgotten the first lesson when studying for the bar exam, which is that you must not..."

Buzz.

Before Qin Shanhai could finish speaking, the vibration of a phone suddenly rang out. Instantly, the conference room fell completely silent.

Qin Shanhai's smile slowly froze on his face because he saw that the sound was coming from Director Qi's direction.

Qi Rong, seeing the lit-up phone screen on the table in front of her, frowned deeply. She looked at Han Ming with a hint of confusion, as if pondering something. Then, she reached out and answered the call.

"Hello, Mr. Zhao."

As soon as the words "Mr. Zhao" were uttered, a collective gasp echoed through the conference room. Everyone's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, all turning to look at Han Ming with expressions of utter shock.

Qin Shanhai's face was filled with disbelief. At this moment, his worldview seemed to have shattered. He looked at Han Ming sitting in the far corner, his mouth opening and closing, wanting to say something but unable to speak, as if someone had pulled out his shrimp vein.

"Director, we can..."

Han Ming stood up with a smile, quietly signaling to Qi Rong. Qi Rong, while on the call, looked at Han Ming with a complex expression, then waved her hand, indicating the meeting was adjourned.

"See you next week, Lawyer Hai Shan Qin."

Han Ming threw out this sentence unceremoniously towards Qin Shanhai, then left gracefully before the latter could erupt.

Lawyer 'Hai Shan Qin'?

For a moment, everyone in the conference room couldn't help but suppress their laughter. Several colleagues who graduated from Jingfa and Hangfa revealed relieved smiles. Only Qin Shanhai, still seated in his spot, instantly turned bright red.