With a grim look on his face, Yang Jianming sped home on his motorcycle.
When he learned the whole story, Yang Jianming was so angry he saw stars. He hurried to the detention center to see his mother.
When Zhang Xiufang saw Yang Jianming, she was a blubbering mess. "Jianming, that heartless father of yours wishes I would die in here. He won’t even come to save me."
"Jianming, you’re my son, you have to save me. I don’t want to go to jail! I can’t eat well, sleep well, or even dress properly in here..."
From the moment her son arrived, Zhang Xiufang did nothing but cry and complain.
Yang Jianming was furious, but he couldn’t bring himself to yell at his own mother. "Are you out of your mind? Someone provokes you a little and you immediately start making a scene."
"I told you already, don’t go bullying Han Xiaorui. She’s divorced and raising a child on her own; it’s not easy for her. But you just had to go cause trouble. If Han Xiaorui was such a pushover, do you think she could have taken so much from our family?"
Her son’s words made Zhang Xiufang flush with shame. Coupled with her fear of prison, she pleaded, "Son, Mom was wrong. Hurry and go beg Han Xiaorui to forgive me. Otherwise, I’m really going to end up in prison working a sewing machine."
Yang Jianming’s face darkened. Thinking of this year’s review made him even angrier. "I’m up for associate professor this year. This is a critical time. Han Xiaorui had her lawyer go to my university and play the recording of you cursing her out. The impact was disastrous. It’s all ruined."
Zhang Xiufang slapped her head in deep regret. "At the time, I heard the Big Yellow Fish sold for over seven thousand yuan and your father gave it all to Han Xiaorui. How could I think straight?"
"Who knew that skinny little Han Xiaorui could actually cast a net and catch so many Big Yellow Fish."
Yang Jianming was also surprised. Big Yellow Fish weren’t that easy to catch!
"Anyway, while you’re in detention, stop cursing at people. You need to have a better attitude, admit you were wrong, and show remorse. That’s the only way to get a lighter sentence. If you stay stubborn, no one can save you, and you’ll just drag me down with you."
Zhang Xiufang nodded repeatedly. "I know, son. I know. Hurry and find Han Xiaorui. She’ll definitely listen to you."
Yang Jianming rode his motorcycle back to the village and went straight to Han Xiaorui’s front door.
However, another motorcycle was parked at Han Xiaorui’s door, and standing next to it was that irritating lawyer, Chen Nanyang.
On the way over, Yang Jianming had planned out how he would coax Han Xiaorui, but with an outsider present, he was too embarrassed to say any of it.
"Han Xiaorui, come out for a second. I have something to discuss with you," Yang Jianming shouted at the closed gate, hoping to speak with Han Xiaorui face-to-face.
Han Xiaorui had done nothing else all afternoon but wait for Yang Jianming. "Lawyer Chen at the gate is my legal counsel. I’ve already told him my demands."
"You can talk to Lawyer Chen. From now on, stay away from my gate. I’d rather not have your pregnant little mistress run over here and scream insults again, only for me to have her sent to jail too. That would mean two settlement agreements, and the price would be even higher."
"Lawyer Chen, I’ll leave it to you. For the compensation, get as much as you can. I’ll give you a ten percent commission."
The moment he heard "commission," Chen Nanyang, a big, dark-complexioned man, was energized. He shoved aside Yang Jianming, who was about to pound on the gate.
"Lecturer Yang, my client has made it clear that I am to handle all matters. From this point forward, if you continue to pester my client, it will be considered harassment. This is a warning. If you fail to heed it, don’t blame me for filing a lawsuit against you."
When Yang Jianming heard this, his head swam with anger.
He wasn’t legally illiterate like his mother, Zhang Xiufang. If Chen Nanyang really sued him, even if it wasn’t for a major crime, the gossip would be terrible.
’Getting sued, and for harassment no less... If they add the word "sexual" to it, that’s considered indecent assault, a much more serious crime!’
"Fine. Since you’re her representative, tell me what it will take for Han Xiaorui to let my mom off the hook."
Chen Nanyang corrected Yang Jianming’s wording with a stern expression. "Lecturer Yang, I’m warning you to watch your words. It is not a matter of my client ’letting your mom off the hook.’ It is a matter of your sincere remorse earning my client’s forgiveness, which will then result in a settlement agreement."
Hearing Chen Nanyang’s response, Yang Jianming knew this man was no pushover. "Mr. Chen, let’s go to my house to talk!"
"I’m afraid not. What if you try to bribe me in private, causing my client to misunderstand and forcing me to violate my professional ethics? We’ll talk right here. These are the terms I’ve drafted according to my client’s wishes. Take a close look."
"If you agree, you will sign, pay up, and fulfill the promises listed. If not, my client reserves her right to continue pursuing legal action against Zhang Xiufang."
Yang Jianming suppressed his anger and took the settlement terms from Chen Nanyang’s hand.
One look, and he felt a rush of blood to his head.
"Fif... Fifty thousand? In compensation?" Yang Jianming was dumbfounded. "It was just an argument, wasn’t it? Is it necessary to demand that much money?"
Chen Nanyang continued his correction, his tone righteous and severe. "No, Lecturer Yang, you are mistaken. Your mother is suspected of slander, intimidation, and extortion. While the extortion was only attempted, the slander and intimidation have already violated my client’s legal rights and caused her extreme distress."
"And I’m not just trying to scare you. If we take legal action and file a lawsuit, based on my experience and with the combined offenses, your mother would be facing a sentence of three to five years. If you don’t believe me, you can consult another lawyer or ask an acquaintance who works at the courthouse."
Yang Jianming wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, a chill running down his spine. "Xiao Rui, can’t you..."
Han Xiaorui refused. "No. I already let Zhang Xiufang off the hook once. This time, I won’t go easy on her. I’m giving you three days. If you don’t agree to the terms, you can wait for a court summons."
"Lawyer Chen, I have faith in your abilities. I hope you can complete this task successfully. You won’t be shorted a single penny."
Chen Nanyang was thrilled. The lawyer’s fee was 1,000 yuan, and a 10% commission was 5,000 yuan, for a total of 6,000 yuan.
’That’s enough to cover my law firm’s rent for a whole year!’
"Ms. Han, rest assured, I will do everything in my power to complete this job," Chen Nanyang promised, absolutely ecstatic.
Yang Jianming saw that it was useless to just stand there glaring. He took a copy of the settlement agreement and went home to discuss it with his father.
After Yang Jianming left, Han Xiaorui opened the door and let Chen Nanyang in. "Lawyer Chen, come in and have a meal. As it happens, I have another matter to entrust to you."
Chen Nanyang was thrilled. His law firm hadn’t had a new case in three months. Now he’d gotten this commission from Han Xiaorui, and the fee wasn’t low.
Now there was another potential case, which meant more money to be made.
"Ms. Han, what can I do for you?"
Yesterday, he had gone to a master under the bridge to have his fortune told. The master said his benefactor would appear soon.
’Today, I took on Han Xiaorui’s case. Han Xiaorui is my benefactor!’
Han Xiaorui asked, "I want to buy a storefront near the Maternal and Child Health Hospital, at least 60 square meters. Roughly how much would that cost? Also, what kind of permits do I need to open a shop that sells ornamental fish?"