Zeng, the real estate agent, took Gu Wanrong’s black gold card, organized the contracts, handed them to Gu Wanrong, and processed the payment of over seventy million yuan.
The houses were purchased.
A total of five properties: two in the Chun Lai Jing community, closest to the Wealth Building—an 80-square-meter, two-bedroom, one-living room apartment, and a 100-square-meter, three-bedroom, one-living room apartment. The remaining three were: a 130-square-meter, three-bedroom apartment in Leisen Fengshang; a 100-square-meter, three-bedroom apartment in Yuefu Leju; and a 120-square-meter, three-bedroom apartment in Sanshui Binjiang.
All five were newly built, fully furnished, and required only cleaning before occupancy.
“Choose one you like from these five. Cancel your hotel reservation; you’ll live here while working in City J.”
Tong Shenyi had been working for Gu Wanrong for several days since returning to China, staying in a hotel with no time to find an apartment. Gu Wanrong offered him one of the newly purchased properties to avoid further inconvenience.
“President Gu, I haven’t made any contributions since returning to China. This wouldn’t be appropriate,” Tong Shenyi said, his suspicions about the purpose of the property purchases confirmed but hesitant to accept.
“Choose one. I bought these for you all to live in,” Gu Wanrong said, firmly placing the tablet back into Tong Shenyi’s hands.
Seeing her unwavering resolve, Tong Shenyi carefully reviewed the photos and descriptions of the five properties.
After a moment, he pointed to the Yuefu Leju three-bedroom apartment. “President Gu, I’ll take this one.”
“Fine,” Gu Wanrong nodded. “Has He Yuxia returned to City J? If she has, let her choose one too. Her current residence is quite far from the Wealth Building. These properties are all near kindergartens, shopping malls, and hospitals, making it convenient for her and her child.”
“Ms. He returned to City J yesterday.”
“The company will be completed and open in a month. There isn’t much to do, so let her take her time. This month’s salary will be paid, and travel expenses will be reimbursed,” Gu Wanrong said, gathering her bag and leaving.
Zeng, the real estate agent, saw them out, his envious gaze following Tong Shenyi.
Zeng knew he couldn’t compare to Gu Wanrong’s lavish lifestyle, but he envied Tong Shenyi’s access to free, comfortable housing.
Leaving the real estate agency, Gu Wanrong and Tong Shenyi drove to their final destination: the Ying Yuan Law Firm.
Ying Yuan Law Firm was located in a storefront near a residential area in City J.
This area bordered City J’s suburbs and retained scattered, low-rise shantytowns. Motorcycles, electric scooters, and various vehicles lined the roads, making the already narrow streets even more congested.
Tong Shenyi circled the area before finding a parking spot. They walked to the Ying Yuan Law Firm at the end of the road.
Tong Shenyi opened the glass door and gestured for Gu Wanrong to enter.
Inside were two desks, three computers, a black three-seater leather sofa, a glass coffee table, and file cabinets on the wall opposite.
The office was small and simply furnished.
Luo Qingquan had a separate desk and sat facing the door, looking troubled.
“Lawyer Luo, President Gu and I are here,” Tong Shenyi said, approaching Luo Qingquan’s desk.
Luo Qingquan looked up.
“Mr. Tong, welcome. This must be President Gu. Welcome to Ying Yuan Law Firm,” Luo Qingquan said, quickly rising and shaking hands with them.
“Please have a seat, President Gu and Mr. Tong,” he offered, placing two cups of hot water on the coffee table.
“Are you the only one here, Lawyer Luo?” Gu Wanrong asked, noticing the office seemed understaffed.
Luo Qingquan’s face was drawn. “There’s no work, so I sent everyone home.”
Gu Wanrong understood; she had come to discuss employing Luo Qingquan as her company’s legal counsel.
The system’s data indicated Luo Qingquan was an excellent lawyer, currently struggling. Gu Wanrong considered acquiring his firm and establishing a legal department within her company.
“Lawyer Luo, you were well-known in both domestic and international legal circles. What happened?” Gu Wanrong asked, despite knowing his history.
Luo Qingquan chuckled bitterly. “You must have investigated me before coming, President Gu. Why ask?” He answered anyway.
“After making a name for myself at Decheng, one of China’s top four law firms, I left with a colleague to establish Tianqing. Tianqing quickly gained a strong reputation. I was successful, with a fulfilling career, family, and friendships.”
“I thought that’s how it would always be, but I foolishly accepted a case involving bribery, land grabbing, and abandoned construction projects by Kexing Real Estate. Everyone warned me not to take it, but I did. I overestimated my abilities, succumbed to flattery, and ended up with the Kexing boss in prison and myself facing ruin. I lost all my clients, and my family and friends suffered. I left Tianqing, my wife divorced me, and I came to City J to start over.”
Luo Qingquan finished his story, taking out a pack of cigarettes and offering one to Tong Shenyi, lighting one himself.
Tong Shenyi declined. “President Gu dislikes the smell of smoke.”
Luo Qingquan extinguished his cigarette.
Gu Wanrong looked at him. “You’ve come to City J, but your abilities deserve more.”
“That’s what I thought, but I lack money, resources, and connections here. Big firms won’t hire me, and ordinary people don’t know me. I’m just waiting.”
Gu Wanrong saw a golden opportunity. She had the money, people, and resources. She considered how to present her proposal.
Tong Shenyi had been observing Gu Wanrong and now spoke, “Lawyer Luo, join Xi Yuan Lai Food Company with your Ying Yuan Law Firm. All your troubles will disappear.”
Gu Wanrong remained silent, observing Luo Qingquan with Tong Shenyi.
“You’re just a food company,” Luo Qingquan frowned.
Gu Wanrong understood; one plan wasn’t working, so she tried another.
“Let me invest 80% of the capital in Ying Yuan Law Firm, keeping it independent of Xi Yuan Lai.”
Luo Qingquan agreed to this. Tong Shenyi finalized the details, with Gu Wanrong listening.
Before leaving, Gu Wanrong suggested that Luo Qingquan move Ying Yuan to the 56th floor of the Wealth Building, using the spare space in the Gangde Decoration design. She also offered him one of the apartments she’d purchased, compensating for his past troubles and providing him with better housing.
