What's wrong with this lawyer?!

Chapter 36: Chapter 34 This is What You Call Professional

The law firm slowly regained its calm, but it was evident that everyone's minds were not on the work in their hands.

In fact, regarding Tang Fangjing's various notions, nobody had held a favorable view. Criminal private prosecution is never so easy, and often it's simply not worth the trouble.

But the other party still went ahead with it, even though it came at such a great cost.

Moreover, to this day, his aim is still to set up the homeowners' association. All that he has done was for this goal.

But why does it always seem like he's especially keen on criminal law, and not on exonerating suspects, but on getting people imprisoned…

The spread of the news was faster than Old Tang himself had imagined.

Zhao Ruixia was busy working when her neighborhood chat group kept buzzing with new messages. She clicked in and was stunned.

"Neighbors, did you know that Lawyer Tang was falsely accused? You know, the one from before?"

"It was the property management's doing!"

"How did I find out? The police came today and arrested three people, saying they committed online slander. He has filed a criminal private prosecution!"

The neighbor spoke with authority, and the photos backed it up. It was clear from the images that Mr. Hou of the property company was being taken away.

Zhao Ruixia was shocked. So much time had passed, she had already come to an agreement with the property management, and the homeowners' association was no longer her concern.

To think that Lawyer Tang, who had been cursed by other owners and even reported—had turned the tables with such tactics!

Not just her, but Uncle Qian, Mr. Wang from the building next door, and others saw it. The old men and women were incessantly discussing the matter.

This had been Old Tang's initial objective, as people only believe what they see. Hence, even if he could win a civil lawsuit and get an apology, it wouldn't help his reputation much.

But criminal cases are different. People pay far more attention to criminal matters than to civil ones. Thus, the owners who reported him to the authorities became the talk of the town.

Only now, instead of praise, they were being called fools.

"I don't know what they were in such a rush for when they ran off to report."

"Right, they believe anything they see on the internet..."

Lv Xueli's fists were clenched. He was the young man who had confronted Tang Fangjing in the property management meeting room and left. He was also one of those who had reported the incident.

He reported it partly because he felt that the other party must be gaining some advantage, and partly out of envy for a fellow young person managing to achieve things. Simply put, he couldn't stand it.

So when that WeChat article went viral, he was the first to jump out and suggest reporting it together, convinced that the local authorities wouldn't let Tang continue.

Back then, the neighbors praised him, but what about now? How dare they brazenly say such things!

And what right did this Tang have?

Although people have only been summoned so far, the situation has become clear. Tang Fangjing made another trip to the local authorities. He wanted the halted preparation process to continue.

After hearing the situation, Deputy Director Liu was also dumbfounded.

He had been through the establishment of several homeowners' associations, but this kind of situation was a first for him, and he couldn't even understand what that young man was thinking.

But now, things would have to proceed as they must. A man who didn't hesitate to travel to Shenzhen for a criminal private prosecution wouldn't guarantee not to bring an administrative lawsuit...

The process of the homeowners' association, which had come to a standstill, resumed, and elsewhere, the chief and manager Bai walked out of the Guangming Sub-bureau with gloomy faces, followed by Kong Xiufang, who looked bewildered.

"I must have committed some sin in a past life to end up with employees like you. Alright, I'll see a lawyer later to hear what they have to say. You two go back first, and don't spout nonsense!"

Mr. Hou said through clenched back teeth, looking at Kong Xiufang and the other.

The small company could harbor hidden talents. He really felt as if he had made some terrible karma.

He and Manager Bai's situation was a bit complicated now. They were now implicated in the crime of abetting, that is, inducing others to commit a crime by promises of gain.

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But the thing is, incitement to commit a crime generally means that you're charged with the crime you incited, and you're considered an accomplice.

Since the crime of slander against Kong Xiufang is privately prosecutable, if Kong Xiufang could reach a settlement or be found not guilty, then she and Manager Bai wouldn't face much trouble.

So now, President Hou really wanted to hit someone. These two troublemakers had caused him nothing but headaches before, and none could take the heat. Now, he still had to figure out a way to help them. This damned life…

...

Inside Feixiang Law Firm, a rather handsome-looking lawyer was playing with his cellphone, while also talking.

"Miss Xiao Yan, how does it feel to be practicing independently? If you don't have any cases, just let me know, okay?" the handsome lawyer said with professional earnestness plastered across his face.

The female lawyer, addressed as Miss Xiao Yan, responded with an expression of resignation, "Zhang Wei, if you have a case, just say so. But please, stop teasing me, okay?"

Independent practice sounds great in theory, but without any cases, you're nothing. Yan Xueling felt she was going crazy.

Zhang Wei immediately said, "Who's teasing you? Let me tell you, I have a case later on, referred by a friend of mine. You just need to help out."

Upon hearing this, Yan Xueling quickly nodded. Although her mentor had previously said that Lawyer Zhang was not very reliable, she couldn't be choosy now – having a case was good enough!

Zhang Wei looked quite pleased with himself; of course, he wasn't all that naive. Mainly, he had some interest in Miss Xiao Yan.

Ten minutes later, President Hou looked at Zhang Wei in front of him and said, "You are Lawyer Zhang, right? I'm Hou Xiangyuan…"

Zhang Wei quickly nodded, "President Hou, hello. Please sit here. Miss Xiao Yan, go pour some water."

Miss Xiao Yan nodded and quickly went to pour the water. All for the sake of making a living, no shame in that.

Once the water was served, President Hou took a sip and then said, "Lawyer Zhang, I'm in a bit of a hurry here. Let me explain the situation to you now. It's like this…"

President Hou started to lay out the general situation, presenting it in great detail.

"Look Lawyer Zhang, the other side has a private prosecution, and apparently, there are no loopholes. If we don't agree to a settlement, we are definitely facing jail time. Ah, this is such a mess…"

President Hou's feelings were complicated. On the one hand, he truly didn't want to go to jail – he was very afraid. However, on the other hand, he did not want the homeowner's committee to be established because if it was, there was a high likelihood that his property management company would be dismissed.

Only people inside would understand the wide gap between their service level and the fees they charged for property management.

As a wholly-owned subsidiary of a well-known real estate company in Jingzhou City, President Hou also owned shares. If he were to be dismissed, his good days would be over.

That's why he came to seek a lawyer, even though he himself didn't know if there could be any solution.

After hesitating for a bit, Miss Xiao Yan spoke up, "Zhang Wei, wouldn't it be best to negotiate this case? If we adopt a favorable attitude and offer more money, the other side might not…"

However, before Miss Xiao Yan could finish, Zhang Wei interrupted her.

"Miss Xiao Yan, as lawyers, we must consider everything from the client's perspective. If we go for a settlement, President Hou can't agree to many of the demands of the other side, right?"

"You need to pay attention to the details. President Hou, I have two questions for you. First, have you ever mentioned this matter on your cell phone? And secondly, have you ever transferred money regarding this matter?"

After careful consideration, President Hou suddenly said excitedly, "Lawyer Zhang, no, I always called Old Bai to the office to talk, and I always gave him cash!"

This wasn't due to high legal awareness but purely a habit of an old fox.

"Then there's no problem, President Hou. We can go for a settlement, and if they demand too much, let it be. You won't face any problems with this case, as their current evidence is just one witness."

"Our country now puts less emphasis on confessions. The evidential power of a single witness is definitely insufficient. President Hou, rest assured with me on your side!"

President Hou nodded. He felt his objectives were clearer again. It seems finding a professional is necessary. Look at Lawyer Zhang; this is what you call professionalism.

...

In Yuefu Residential Complex, Tang Fangjing put down the phone and looked at the money in front of Master Qian, "Just advertising in the elevator alone brings such high income. How much more would other income sources bring? But now, the property management claims to be unable to hire people due to lack of funds."

"Money just doesn't vanish into thin air. If it's gone, someone must definitely have taken it. I'm really curious to find out who."

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