Original subtitles

=Hold a Court Now=

=Episode 20=

This is the chat record between the plaintiff

(Chat History with Brother) and the defendant on WeChat.

The insurance premium was to be paid from our dad's pension.

I heard you argued fiercely about it before.

I thought you paid for it yourselves.

So in the end, it all came out of Dad's money.

Defendant's counsel, watch your wording.

You didn't contribute a single cent,

nor did you pay my client anything.

So what do

these chat records prove?

You are siblings,

not an employer and employee.

What, did you even sign a labor contract?

If there really was a contract,

you could file a lawsuit with the civil division.

Don't worry, Miss.

If they want to sue, let them.

I'll represent you for free in this case.

Please don't twist the facts.

Right.

We never mentioned any contract.

We only want to prove

that Lu Huilan

is very muddle-headed.

She intended to pocket our dad's pension.

She bears responsibility

for our dad's death.

A great deal of responsibility.

These are Lu Huilan's account records from the past month.

Out-of-pocket medicine not covered by insurance,

820 yuan per month.

Taking the old man to physical therapy, 80 each time,

320 a month.

Food, communication,

everything costs money.

At least three to four thousand every month.

In winter and summer,

when elderly illnesses are more common,

it can reach seven to eight thousand a month.

But your father's monthly pension is only three to four thousand.

So tell me,

what exactly did she embezzle?

Wait.

Lu Huilan,

don't try to fool us just because the print is small.

You claim all the money was spent on Dad.

Then, what about the movie tickets?

You seemed pretty relaxed.

(Life Services, Movie Ticket) Still had time to watch movies?

Yes!

Brother,

that's Dad's only hobby.

What's wrong with him

watching a movie using his own pension?

That was Dad's pension.

Yes.

That pension could have been used to buy insurance

so that after Dad passed, there would be a large payout.

What does that have to do with Dad?

I just wanted to use that money

to buy him some good food

and get him some clothes.

I took him out for walks, to watch movies,

and to stroll in the park.

Don't even mention going to the park.

Just thinking about it makes me angry.

Last winter,

remember how bad Dad's fever got?

In the dead of winter,

you still took him to the park.

Wasn't that because of you?

He had been cooped up all winter.

Finally, there was a sunny day,

and he wanted to go out for a walk.

And last summer,

Dad had diarrhea

after eating the breakfast you made.

Why?

Didn't you use leftover rice

to cook porridge for him?

Do you admit it?

- Is that how you take care of Dad? - That's outrageous.

Isn't this just a typical case of

the more you do, the more mistakes you make?

A good horse dies on the battlefield,

a good car eventually rattles.

Why can an idiot live ten thousand years?

Because it hides in its shell and does nothing.

Hey,

who are you calling that?

Your Honor, this lawyer is insulting people.

Yes, he's insulting us.

Defendant's counsel,

do you have any new evidence to submit?

I have here

witness statements from neighbors,

as well as a joint letter

signed by 32 relatives and friends.

These fully prove

that my client,

Lu Huilan,

took meticulous care of the deceased during his lifetime.

She is a very warm and devoted daughter.

That's enough.

You're just trying to play

the "no achievement, but effort counts" card.

That's right.

Forget it.

The court's time is valuable.

Your Honor,

I believe

this supporting material is very important.

Please...

That's enough.

These matters

have already been largely addressed

in previous hearings.

If there is no new evidence, this court will proceed to deliver the judgment.

Now?

All rise.

That fast?

Yeah.

Lu Guangyou and Lu Aimin

versus Lu Huilan, inheritance dispute case,

this court rules as follows.

First,

the deceased, Lu Jianguo,

left cash savings totaling

32,890 yuan.

To be inherited by the eldest son, Lu Guangyou, and the second son, Lu Aimin,

each receiving one-half,

that is, 16,445 yuan per person.

Second,

the golden retriever pet dog raised by Lu Jianguo during his lifetime

shall belong to his third daughter, Lu Huilan.

Third,

the property located at North Third Lane, Qingcheng District,

in Jiatai Residential Complex, a two-bedroom apartment,

with a floor area of 83 square meters,

shall be jointly inherited by the two sons and one daughter.

Among them, the eldest son Lu Guangyou,

having fulfilled less filial support obligation during his father's lifetime,

is awarded a 15 percent share.

What?

That's not right.

The second son, Lu Aimin,

though living just across the street from his father,

paid no attention to his father's condition

and failed to fulfill his duties of support as a son.

This court awards him

a 15 percent share.

How did I fail in my duties?

I paid 800 yuan a month in support.

Did I ever miss a cent?

This is a wrongful judgment.

This is completely arbitrary.

You said I didn't care about my father?

Ask her.

Last year at the central park,

when I took my dad out,

didn't I help him open his thermos

and tuck in his blanket?

These are details you don't see.

Plaintiffs, please maintain order.

Lu Huilan, as the youngest daughter of the deceased,

devoted herself to caring for her bedridden father for seven years.

During that time, she was widely praised by relatives, friends,

doctors, and neighbors alike.

She fully embodied

the traditional virtue of filial piety and respect for the elderly.

This court rules

that she shall inherit 70 percent of the property left by her father.

Corrupt judge!

I refuse to accept this. I will file a complaint against you!

I absolutely refuse.

You're just a basic-level court.

- Your ruling doesn't count. - Yes, I will appeal.

- I'll appeal. - I'll appeal.

Filing an appeal is your right.

But let me remind you,

you must file the appeal within fifteen days

from the date you receive the judgment.

Otherwise, after fifteen days,

this judgment will take immediate effect.

No need to remind us.

Not bad, right?

Don't get too pleased with yourselves!

I will surely appeal!

Corrupt judge, I'll report you!

So the corrupt judge took bribes?

Corrupt judge!

Impressive.

Really impressive.

Miss,

we won the case.

We won.

Now I can finally answer to Ms. Qin.

Yes.

Please make sure to thank Ms. Qin for me.

Thanks to her for persuading me.

And I should thank you too.

- You're so busy. - Go get back to your work first.

Yet you still came to court for me.

Don't listen to Ms. Qin talking me up.

What busy?

I spend my days playing ball.

It's Ms. Qin

holding the office together.

If she hadn't come to me looking for a job back then,

I would've shut it down and retired long ago.

With her stirring things up,

I get a bit of pocket money too.

And guess what? After all her efforts,

she's gotten me interested again.

If I shut it down,

I'd feel reluctant.

Please don't close it.

So many ordinary folks around here.

If you shut this little office,

who would they turn to?

Look around here,

so many high-rise buildings.

But every time I see them,

I feel uneasy.

That day, luckily, I walked into your small office

and met Ms. Qin.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have made it this far.

Alright, for what you just said,

I won't close it.

I won't close it.

By the way, I almost forgot,

please thank Judge Shu for me.

I was completely overwhelmed in court.

No need, the judges all understand.

She's not doing it for your thanks.

(Giving and fault)

(often leave the most uneven records)

(in the ledger of family ties.)

(Those daily acts of care and toil)

(are hard to measure)

(and are often, in the final reckoning,)

(easily forgotten.)

(And yet, out of helplessness,)

(a momentary mistake born of goodwill)

(may be magnified like a thunderclap,)

(becoming evidence to deny everything.)

(This forms one of the most helpless paradoxes of human nature.)

(The more one gives,)

(the heavier the burden of judgment they often bear.)

(When responsibility becomes a habit)

(and giving is taken for granted,)

(any single accident)

(can erase years of accumulated devotion.)

(We are too used to judging outcomes)

(to retroactively condemn the process.)

(The figure who quietly carried the weight of the family over long years,)

(why is their worth so easily)

(negated by a single tragic accident?)

(When family ties are placed under the spotlight of benefits)

(the law may decide the ownership of property,)

(but what truly deserves to be seen and cherished)

(is the quiet tenderness)

(ignored over the long passage of time.)

(What needs redemption)

(is the truth of love after tragedy,)

(still hidden by notions of right and wrong)

(and filled with helplessness and scars.)

(Jindian Law Firm)

♪Rushing between buildings♪

♪Caught in the grind of daily living♪

♪Facing the surging waves of life♪

♪Hearing the ticking of a wound-up spring♪

♪Ready to chase dreams through sleepless nights♪

♪For the distant place we long to reach♪

♪We must first go against the current♪

♪I will step into the crowd♪

♪Unfolding a story full of twists with courage♪

♪Through wind and across rivers♪

♪Even if the road beneath my feet is winding♪

♪I still look ahead with hope♪

♪I will run toward the future♪

♪Sweeping away the dust between us♪

♪Searching for the warmth we had♪

♪Like a migrating flock♪

(I just want to cherish the present.)

(Jindian Law Firm) (If we stop now,)

(every time we meet in the future,)

(we'll have to suppress our feelings for each other,)

(with nothing left but regret.)

(Jindian Law Firm)

Jing.

Jing, you were amazing today.

You're my idol.

Those two Lu brothers must have lost their minds.

They actually had the nerve to bring a case like this.

When the defendant refused an autopsy,

I thought we were done for.

The plaintiff would definitely seize on that and blow it out of proportion.

Good thing we found evidence

that the insurance premium wasn't paid by them.

Otherwise, we would've had to go to the First Civil Division

and fight another lawsuit.

They might not

even intend to pursue this case for real.

After all, whether Lu Huilan

can come up with over 300,000,

they know better than anyone.

Their real purpose

was to prove

that Lu Huilan made repeated mistakes

while caring for their father.

The more mistakes she made, the less she would get.

Do you know how close it was at the start?

I really thought

Jing was going to accept the plaintiff's claim.

I kept thinking, what if the premium really was paid by them?

Then Lu Huilan, as the defendant,

would be in serious trouble.

Luckily, it was just a scare.

In this case,

what exactly caused the old man's death,

whether the insurance was even purchased,

and whose money was used to buy it,

none of that really mattered.

Because from the very beginning,

they were just being unreasonable.

When that angle didn't work,

they switched to making an issue out of the insurance.

If we let that continue, it would never end.

The more you do, the more you're at fault.

That's always been the way.

No matter how many mistakes Lu Huilan made,

they were mistakes made while fulfilling her filial duty.

But those two brothers are different.

They did nothing at all,

so naturally, they made no mistakes.

If I had agreed to their demands today

and stripped Lu Huilan of her inheritance rights,

then in families with multiple children,

who would still step up to care for the elderly?

Wouldn't everyone just stand by

and wait to divide the inheritance?

Exactly. Whoever takes responsibility ends up hurt.

Those willing to care would all be scared off.

That's right.

Did you see

how those two brothers left?

I think

there's no way they'll accept

this outcome willingly.

If you ask me,

they will either appeal

or file a complaint.

And make a scene.

Let them.

At worst, it'll affect my appeal rate.

The judges at the Intermediate People's Court were raised by parents too.

I don't believe

they would support this kind of behavior.

That makes sense.

Kuang, where's Yu Le?

Why haven't I seen her?

Le?

She went to pick up her "luxury lunch."

Luxury lunch?

She really lives the good life all day.

Then I'll head inside.

Hello.

I'm here to onboard today.

My name is Qin Rui.

Hello, let me check for you.

Have a seat.

How was your first day?

Pretty good.

I'll work hard to keep up with everyone.

I think you know

the annual attrition rate at Ronghe Law Firm.

If you want to stay,

hard work alone won't be enough.

As a lawyer,

your academic background isn't as strong as theirs.

So I hope

you can develop your own strengths.

Strengths?

In my view,

you're different from some of the elite lawyers.

But I think that's exactly your advantage.

So I hope

you can blend these two styles together.

But I have to be upfront.

If your performance isn't up to standard,

I won't go easy on you.

Have you read the contract I gave you?

Yes.

This is a contract from three years ago

for Jianqiang Group's acquisition of Runyu.

I noticed that some of the clauses

are relatively lenient.

Especially the penalty clauses,

which are set at the minimum level.

But I also looked into it,

Runyu was in high demand at the time.

Jianqiang Group was willing to agree to this,

probably to secure an early advantage.

In simple terms,

keep your eyes open, assess the situation,

and weigh your position carefully.

Looks like you really put in the effort.

In principle, what you said isn't wrong.

But don't just apply the same language system

you use in family court cases.

That style

doesn't fit Ronghe.

We usually call this

the Matthew effect,

where the strong get stronger, and strategic reciprocity.

The Matthew effect, the strong get stronger.

Alright, I understand.

I'll adjust.

Our firm regularly records courses and forums for business schools.

Next month's forum will be about

the joint liability of independent directors

in listed companies.

The keynote speaker is one of our senior partners.

The guests attending the forum

are also important clients of our firm.

You should come along and get some exposure.

Okay.

Judge Jiang,

still working this late?

See, I told you I'd go back and keep you company,

but you came over instead.

I don't need you to keep me company.

I came with Mr. He today

for a symposium at the High Court

and stopped by to see you on the way.

So you're planning

to devote yourself to our court building now?

Alright, let's go, I'll show you around.

This isn't the Forbidden City, what's there to see?

You go ahead with your work.

So many cases lately.

My friend,

if you need me to stay with you,

I can go out for a drink with you.

I don't need you to keep me company.

I'm not a kid throwing a tantrum.

Just because I broke up, I don't need a buddy to take me drinking.

That'd be embarrassing.

It's not embarrassing, Shen Xiezhi.

A man is always a boy at heart.

Now that you've broken up,

you're even more fragile, like a child.

Even if you feel like crying right now, there's nothing embarrassing about it.

Here, my shoulder's yours if you need it.

Come on, cry.

- Go away. - Come on, cry it out.

You should get back to your work.

If you can't finish all these cases,

your chief judge will be on your neck.

Even if she comes after me, so be it.

Today, you come first, brother.

Let's go.

I'm not going to poach you from your post.

Just focus on your work, do what you need to do.

You sure?

I'm sure.

Just pretend I'm not here.

Go on, get to work.

Then,

I'll get back to work.

Go ahead.

Do you remember,

back in college,

during our sophomore internship at the Beihai Intermediate People's Court,

when we were assigned into groups,

the director at reception asked us

which division we wanted to join?

What did you say?

Anywhere but the criminal division.

Back then, I really couldn't stand that supervising counselor.

(People's Court Research and Investigation)

I was the exact opposite of you.

I said I wouldn't consider

anything except the criminal division.

And now,

you've settled into the criminal division,

while I ended up in the family court.

The family court

is just one stage in your career.

Aren't you about to transfer to the High Court and fight alongside me?

What are you hesitating for?

I didn't mean that the family court is bad.

Back then, I just had issues

with my dad making decisions for me.

But honestly, lately,

my experience in the family court

has been quite valuable to me.

Come on, praise me.

I did something big today.

I connected my projector

to my microscope.

It nearly wore me out.

So many books.

Is this a marble pattern?

You can project whatever you want.

But don't project those bloody images

onto the wall.

Understood, boss.

Since I've received your favor,

of course I'll do as you say.

But what you're calling a marble pattern

is actually from the surface of the heart of a corpse.

What?

Don't talk about that at home.

Stop trying to scare me.

I won't be able to sleep after hearing that.

Why did you

bring back such a huge pile of books today?

Over the next month,

I need to finish all of them.

(Organizational Optimization Reform Project)

Ms. Lou said

I should attend an economic forum.

But I've never been to one,

and I don't really understand this field.

So I figured

I should study up on it.

And I'm not even going with her.

I'll be going with a lawyer surnamed Ye.

I can't embarrass Ms. Lou.

Our little Qin Rui

is really working hard.

My mom made braised pork,

which you can have as a late-night snack.

You really do look out for me.

What kind of stuff are you pushing to me?

Go on, do your thing.

Don't mind me.

My one true love is power.

I went through countless hardships to conquer it.

Don't even think

about anyone taking it away from me.

Even if someone

so much as casts a covetous glance at it,

it would pain me deeply.

Did...

Did Qin Shi Huang really say that?

How could Qin Shi Huang say something like that?

These gossip bloggers must've made it up.

Qin Shi Huang was a great man.

Besides,

what's so out

of character about that?

People say

he established the empress system,

yet he never appointed an empress in his lifetime.

You seem pretty well-versed in gossip history.

Go on, get out of here.

What I admire about him

isn't that he was the first emperor

but that

he created a new order.

Without him,

who knows how your name

would even be written today.

Done with work?

Let's grab a drink.

What did I just say?

Why are you dragging things out?

Don't cry later.

Don't cry.

Why would I cry? I didn't just break up.

Come on.

Come on.

Paper!

You can't catch it.

♪All the little things♪

♪Woven into our lives♪

♪The building blocks of life♪

♪Shape the sky above us♪

♪Are you doing alright?♪

♪What are you struggling for?♪

(When you have someone you love)

(by your side for life,)

(even through storms and hardships, you won't face them alone.)

(You won't be afraid or lonely.)

(He'll hold your hand and stand by you,)

(and the two of you can live happily ever after.)

(How wonderful.)

♪Let me be the wind at dawn♪

(But)

(choosing to become a great lawyer)

(and truly finding the career that suits me)

(Business Cooperation Agreement)

(and my calling)

(to pursue my dreams without regrets,)

(isn't that the life I want too?)

♪Let me be the wind at dawn♪

♪Blowing away all the pain♪

♪Let me be the balance that holds the weight♪

(Qin Rui, you made the right choice.)

(This is where you belong.)

(You can't give up.)

♪Let me be the wind at dawn♪

(Economic Round-Table)

♪Let me be the balance that holds the weight♪

♪Where fairness stands♪

(Ye Mingzhu, Ronghe Law Firm, Senior Partner)

Hello.

Please show your invitation.

You're good.

(Economic Round-Table)

Ma'am,

the recording is about to begin.

Please don't move around.

It's fine, I'm here to deliver something to Ms. Ye.

I came with her.

Sorry, the recording is about to begin. Please take a seat here.

Could you please make an exception? I'll just leave it there and come right back.

No, this way please.

- Please take your seats. - Let's welcome our distinguished guests.

Welcome.

Hello.

Welcome to today's

Economic Round-Table.

First, allow me to introduce

our distinguished guests.

They are...

Ms. Ye Mingzhu,

Senior Partner at Ronghe Law Firm.

Welcome.

Mr. Ren Haiping, renowned economist

and honorary director of the Guowei Economic Research Center.

Welcome.

Professor Liang Jianhua,

economics professor at Tianhai University. Welcome.

And finally,

Mr. Wei Dong, the Chief Editor of the Fengyun Finance program.

Welcome.

As you may know,

last November, the first instance judgment

of the Jingren Pharmaceutical securities dispute case came to a close.

Five current or former independent directors

were held jointly liable

and ordered to pay 369 million yuan in compensation.

Ms. Ye,

as a legal professional,

what is your view on this?

I believe...

What's going on?

Sound technician, please take a look.

Let me.

These are the materials I prepared for you.

See if you can use them.

Sorry about that.

Alright.

There was a small interruption just now.

We will now continue.

Ms. Ye,

regarding your question about the liability of independent directors,

I think we can refer to

the "Rules for Independent Directors of Listed Companies"

issued by the China Securities Regulatory Commission on Jan 5, 2022...

You two stay close later.

Pay attention to the details.

Got it.

Hello, ma'am.

Are you here for the Round-Table?

- Please sign in. - That's not necessary, is it?

Ma'am.

What are you doing?

Don't push.

- Then, please show your invitation. - What, not letting me in?

We must approach this from the institutional level of independent directors.

Alright.

Sorry,

you can't go in.

Mr. Ren, your wife, Ms. Bai, is here. She's causing a scene at the entrance.

She's here?

Yes.

Sorry.

Um,

the place where the guests were resting just now...

The lounge.

- I'll take you there. - Take me there, please.

So without one I can't get in?

Ma'am, you can't enter.

This area is restricted.

Ren Haiping,

are you feeling guilty?

Why are you ducking when you see me?

What are you doing?

Get up.

Ren Haiping!

I've caught you now.

Get out of here right now.

Don't push her, she's my wife.

Don't push her, don't grab her.

Don't push her!

Let go.

Don't lay hands on her.

Didn't I just tell you?

She's my wife. I was shouting inside until my voice went hoarse.

Stop pretending here.

Don't push forward.

Wenjing,

can't this be discussed at home?

No.

Stop filming, stop filming.

Stop filming, please.

Between my wife and me,

it's just some family matters,

a few minor conflicts, a small misunderstanding.

What misunderstanding?

What misunderstanding?

If I hadn't checked Weibo and seen the news,

I wouldn't even know you had already come back to Tianhai.

Last night, I was out of town,

and the organizing committee called me,

it was a last-minute notice

asking me to attend.

Ren Haiping,

tell me the truth.

Do you have another family outside?

Me? Another family outside?

Can you

think like a normal woman for once?

- Stop being so suspicious, alright? - I am being normal.

I'm not suspicious, I'm stating facts.

You're not suspicious?

I'm not.

I was in meetings during the day. Didn't I tell you I had meetings?

Why did you insist on video calling me?

I told you last night that I had dinner with a leader tonight.

And you asked me which leader.

So I wasn't supposed to call?

- Do you think we're teenagers? - Don't I have that right?

We've been married for years.

You're already a mother of three.

Ren Haiping.

Wake up.

Wake up?

Do you know what it's called when you don't come home?

It's called de facto separation.

You've really got a scheming mind.

You really do.

I'm telling you, enough.

I'm not arguing with you. I have a meeting today.

I don't want to argue with you here.

I don't want to argue, alright?

You don't want this marriage anymore, right?

I don't want it either.

You should've said so earlier.

You think I'm not as gentle and pretty as other women?

Now you're raising your hand? All you know is hitting people.

- What did I do? - What's wrong with you?

The mutton soup's here.

This mutton soup is on the house.

If you finish it, I'll refill it.

Thanks, Mr. Lian.

Thanks, Mr. Lian.

Try

our newly made chili oil.

With mutton soup,

it's incredibly fragrant.

Let me try it.

How is it?

Xiezhi, let me give you an idea.

Your family court

should collaborate with Lian's place.

Whenever people come for mediation,

don't say anything, just give them a bowl of mutton soup first.

Once they drink a bowl,

there's nothing left worth arguing about.

That's a great idea.

What great idea?

A bowl for each person?

You want me to lose money?

I'll pay you.

Cut it out, just drink up.

Call me when you're done.

- Alright. - Alright.

Hello.

Welcome to today's

Economic Round-Table.

First, allow me to introduce

our distinguished guests.

They are...

Ms. Ye Mingzhu,

Senior Partner at Ronghe Law Firm.

Welcome.

A renowned economist...

Isn't that Lou Yue's colleague?

How is your Lou Yue

doing at Ronghe now?

That's your Lou Yue.

She's already a senior partner now.

If I had known she'd do so well,

I should've asked for breakup compensation

and taken a big chunk from her.

So every time she checks her balance,

she'd think of me,

never forget me.

How can you be like that?

She gave her youth for you too.

Doesn't a man's youth count as youth?

You know,

back when she was preparing for the bar exam,

I woke up at five every morning to save her a seat.

Let me tell you,

behind every successful woman,

there's a successful man.

And me? I'm even greater.

I was the stepping stone that sent her to the top.

Stop being so full of yourself.

You're already just a former stepping stone now.

Alright, stop watching.

Turn it off.

Alright.

Look, look over there, who is that?

Professor Liang Jianhua, economics professor at Tianhai University.

That's the real person.

I almost didn't recognize him.

You seem pretty content just cooking mutton soup.

Even got background music.

You're here.

This pot will be ready soon.

Alright, let someone else handle it.

Go change your clothes, I'll drive you there.

Drive?

Where to?

To see Fan, did you forget?

I actually forgot to tell you, I arranged to meet him at the mutton soup shop.

He'll be here soon.

Why meet here?

It's so noisy, how can you talk?

If you want quiet, there are private rooms upstairs.

Those are quiet.

Quiet, sure,

but there's still that mutton smell.

So what about the smell?

Are you saying

I'm embarrassing you

or that I don't match

your dignity as a legal professional?

Alright, I won't argue with you.

Just go change your clothes.

I even brought you some perfume. Spray some, get rid of the smell.

I'm not changing.

Just change, will you?

At least show some respect when talking business.

I was just about to talk to you about that.

This meeting

is mainly just catching up.

I don't want that job.

Why not?

It's such a rare opportunity.

Let me say it again,

this job doesn't suit our family.

You're worried about business trips, right?

I already told you I can accommodate you.

Some things,

once they start,

you won't have a choice anymore.

Besides,

after all these years, I'm used to it.

I really don't want to make a change.

What do you mean you don't want to change?

You've read so many books,

just to wash lamb here?

You stayed up night after night memorizing legal codes,

just to soak them in mutton soup

like vermicelli?

Do you think staying in this shop

means I've given up on myself?

Let me tell you,

I'm enjoying my life right now.

Enjoying what?

Don't think I don't know.

The night Chief Judge Xu retired,

you got drunk and threw up everywhere.

I know you want to go back.

I know you're not at peace with it.

But I don't know what you're afraid of.

Are you afraid people will laugh at you?

If you go back openly and work in legal practice again,

you can still make a comeback.

Why do you insist on staying here?

So who is it that's afraid of being looked down on?

Who cares that I used to sell lamb?

It's you, isn't it?

I'll say it again,

being here

doesn't make me uncomfortable at all.

If you can't accept it, fine.

Do as you like. I'll go along with you, alright?

- Then go change your clothes. - I'm not changing!

For allocable resources,

when shifting them

from one allocation state to another,

without

making anyone worse off,

while making at least one person better off,

that is called a Pareto improvement

or Pareto optimality.

Does it hurt?

I looked away for one second and this happened.

Seriously.

Your phone fell into the pot and you grabbed it with your hand?

Silly.

It wasn't on purpose,

just instinct.

You ended up like this just memorizing terms?

Are you even studying properly?

It'll be fine soon.

Look, I'll cool it down

by putting it in my mouth.

It'll be fine in a bit.

You were distracted, right? What were you thinking about?

Thinking about Shen Xiezhi?

So yes?

Regret it?

Not really regret.

At that time,

I happened to be reading about economics,

and it actually made sense.

Look.

Economic theory?

Two people, A and B,

at least one of them becomes better off,

while neither is worse off,

only then can it be considered

Pareto optimal.

What are you talking about?

What does that even mean?

Isn't that just Shen Xiezhi and me?

Some relationships would be better left undone

if being together would make

the other person worse off.

Stop pretending.

You're just going through a phase.

It's normal.

That's why people say,

without love, life feels lighter.

All love comes with regrets.

That's what makes it unforgettable.

Alright, I'll go with you.

Come on in.

Ms. Lou.

Come.

Mr. Ren,

this is my special assistant, Qin Rui.

She specializes in family cases under me.

Hello, Mr. Ren.

Hello.

She has handled many family cases before.

She has ideas and ability.

Your divorce case

will be handled by her.

Alright.

Since Ms. Qin comes so highly recommended

by Ms. Lou and Ms. Ye,

she must have something exceptional.

I look forward to your performance.

Thank you.

Mr. Ren specifically asked me to assist you

with all matters regarding the divorce case.

According to your requirements, I've prepared some materials.

These are Mr. Ren's equity records.

These are his bank statements.

These are his tax records over the years.

And these

are his property records,

(Purchase Contract) as well as real estate documentation,

along with transfer receipts and contract copies.

Please take a look.

(Purchase Contract)

Thank you, this is quite comprehensive.

I remember

during the Economic Round-Table,

Ms. Bai mentioned

a secretary surnamed Liu.

Just in case,

Mr. Ren specifically instructed

that Liu

print out all her chat records

with him over the past three years.

Anything involving company secrets

has been redacted.

If any part of the conversation can serve as evidence,

she can later provide the originals.

If you have any questions for Liu,

Mr. Ren arranged for her to work overtime today.

She's been briefed in advance

to fully cooperate with all your requests.

I'd like to ask,

is there anyone in the company

who is close to both Mr. Ren

and Ms. Bai

and understands their relationship well?

Liu has been with Mr. Ren longer.

She should know more.

Alright.

Then please have her come in.

Okay, please wait a moment.

Thank you.

(Money can really smooth things over.)

(Even something as troubling as divorce)

(can be made to look almost pleasant.)

Your Honor,

we've brought Song Chenghao here.

Alright, thank you, Miss.

You're welcome.

You can talk first.

Please close the door for us.

Okay.

Come, have a seat.

Your name is Song Chenghao, right?

Yes.

Alright, who would you like to live with going forward?

Let's hear your thoughts.

Alright.

Alright.

♪All the little things between you and me♪

♪Woven into our lives♪

♪The building blocks of life♪

♪Shape the sky above us♪

♪Are you doing alright?♪

♪What are you struggling for?♪

♪Some questions weigh like mountains♪

♪How do we piece life back together?♪

♪So hate can fade and love feels new again♪

♪Reclaim the barren parts of life♪

♪Walking this road together, still hoping♪

♪Let me be the wind at dawn♪

♪Blowing away all the pain♪

♪Let me be the balance that holds the weight♪

♪Where fairness stands♪

♪Within every heart♪

♪So many voices calling♪

♪Struggling, lost, waiting for an answer♪

♪Light up the lamps♪

♪To answer those voices♪

♪You deserve to be happy♪

♪Loud and clear♪

♪All the little things♪

♪Woven into our lives♪

♪The building blocks of life♪

♪Shape the sky above us♪

♪Are you doing alright?♪

♪What are you struggling for?♪

♪Some questions♪

♪Weigh like mountains♪

♪Let me be the wind at dawn♪

♪Blowing away all the pain♪

♪Let me be the balance that holds the weight♪

♪Where fairness stands♪

♪Within the law♪

♪And within every heart♪