100 Days with the Contract Lover - Chapter 106

Yu Nuanxin maintained a polite smile and replied, “I’m sorry, company policy dictates no compensation for this, so your answers are crucial for winning the case.”

“No compensation? Are you kidding? With my relationship with Nangong Yao, he wouldn’t hesitate to pay such a small amount.”

“That’s something you’ll need to discuss with Mr. Nangong. I’m just following orders from the leadership, hoping you understand.” She was curious about what Nangong Yao was thinking-had he lost his mind?

“He’s coming over soon, and I’ll ask him directly. For now, I don’t want to answer your questions.”

“Alright!” Yu Nuanxin was relieved not to waste time explaining the purpose of her questions-silence was golden.

…

The so-called ‘soon’ turned into a long hour of waiting, with Yu Nuanxin patiently sitting alongside Xia Yanzhi. Xia quickly grew impatient, unable to reach Nangong Yao by phone, and redirected her frustration towards Yu Nuanxin, wearing a perpetual scowl.

Yu felt unjustly blamed-it wasn’t her fault Xia was waiting. Besides, wasn’t she waiting too? If Xia had the guts, she should vent her anger at Nangong Yao instead of picking on the easy target.

After a long while, Xia Yanzhi’s anger was about to explode the entire studio when Nangong Yao finally arrived. Xia immediately transformed, rushing to greet him with a demeanor as gentle as a dove. “Nangong Yao, you’re here!” She was as sweet and demure as could be, with no trace of her previous arrogance.

She was indeed an actress, her performance impeccable. If Yu Nuanxin hadn’t witnessed the entire scene, she might have thought Xia was a refined woman.

“Have you been waiting long?” Nangong Yao’s expression softened, and in front of everyone, he openly flirted with Xia Yanzhi, pinching her chin. “Alright, don’t be angry.”

Yu Nuanxin shivered. Was this really Nangong Yao? It made her uneasy!

“Not angry at all, waiting for you is the happiest thing…” Xia Yanzhi said tenderly, as if it came from the heart.

“Good girl!” Nangong Yao patted her face as a reward, then turned his gaze to Yu Nuanxin. “How’s the matter being handled?”

“Miss Xia said she wants to discuss it with you in person.”

“Nangong Yao, the questions she asked are annoying, I’ve forgotten them. Can’t we just compensate? Why insist on a complete victory?”

“Complete victory?” Nangong Yao questioned, “Lawyer Yu, I believe I mentioned keeping the compensation under five million!”

“That’s impossible, the Supervisor instructed otherwise… I didn’t…”

“Can’t even remember a sentence, and yet you’re a lawyer?” Xia Yanzhi scoffed disdainfully.

Yu Nuanxin knew self-defense was futile, so she swallowed her pride. “Even five million isn’t enough!”

“I know, otherwise why would I need you?” Nangong Yao’s attitude was firm, as if it was only natural. As president, he merely gave orders, leaving these trivial matters to others.

“Yes, I understand!” Yu Nuanxin didn’t want to argue in front of so many people; after all, he was her boss. Whatever he said was law, even if it was unreasonable!

“I’ll head back to the company now!”

“Why so soon?” Xia Yanzhi clung to him, unwilling to let him leave. “I’m almost done here, let’s have dinner tonight… I know a great restaurant…”

“I have work at the company! I made time to visit you, isn’t that enough?” Nangong Yao’s lips curved slightly, his eyes filled with tenderness, as if soothing a child.

To outsiders, it seemed he treated Xia Yanzhi differently, with extreme affection, even speculating he might soon make her his mistress. But to him, it was merely an act. His intended audience was Yu Nuanxin. Unfortunately, she was oblivious, viewing him as a notorious playboy!

“Lawyer Yu, you’re coming back with me!”

“I’ll just take a cab back to the company!” Who knows what scheme he might have?

“The company won’t reimburse!”

“…” He knew she didn’t have the money for a cab, would she succumb? Yu Nuanxin thought begrudgingly.

But-he was right!

She was indeed broke.

She had no choice but to follow him, silently vowing to bring enough money next time, so she could defiantly walk away if such a situation arose again.

…

On the way back to the company, Nangong Yao uncharacteristically didn’t review documents, instead resting with his eyes closed. Yu Nuanxin had been holding back for a long time, feeling extremely uncomfortable.

“If you have something to say, say it.”

He invited her to speak, so she did.

“President, I don’t want to take on this case.”

“Reason?”

“I reviewed the materials this morning, and it’s clear Miss Xia breached the contract. Although there are a few loopholes, the case isn’t entirely unwinnable, but I still don’t want to handle it. Please assign it to someone else!”

“Is that your principle?” Nangong Yao reclined comfortably, his voice indifferent. “If you pass on a case at the first sign of difficulty, what’s the point of being a lawyer?”

“It’s not about difficulty; I just don’t want to do anything against my conscience! I chose to become a lawyer to uphold social fairness and justice, not to…”

“In this world, everyone does things against their conscience. If you hold yourself above it, you’ll be devoured without a trace. Rather than that, you might as well stay home and let someone take care of you.”

“…” Yu Nuanxin had no rebuttal. Indeed, the world was full of darkness. She was powerless to change it, only able to avoid the mainstream and maintain her integrity. “Regardless, I don’t want to take it.”

“Did I give you the power to choose? Once you become my subordinate, your sole duty is to obey!”

Yu Nuanxin felt as if she were tied up, a crab bound to a stick. No room to struggle, no chance to resist. From the start, their positions were unequal.