Volume 1, Chapter 9: What is your relationship with Shen Yan?

That note was actually something Xiao Tian had secretly changed one day while Shen Yan was fast asleep.

Shen Yan discovered it later, but he couldn't be bothered to change it back. After all, it wouldn't be long before that number disappeared from his contacts anyway.

However, Lin Yuxia would never know about these things.

In the afternoon, the HR department assigned Lin Yuxia a desk and introduced her to her colleagues. She quickly immersed herself in the busy workload.

When she returned home, dinner had already begun.

Jiang Lan greeted her with feigned warmth: "Xiaxia, you're back? Oh my, I thought you wouldn't be eating here tonight, so I didn't wait for you. Don't mind that, will you?"

She then hurriedly signaled for the maid to set another place at the table.

It wasn't the first time Lin Yuxia had been ignored by them. Honestly, she didn't mind at all, nor did she harbor any illusions about being accepted into this family.

"Aunt Jiang, don't trouble yourself," Lin Yuxia said, turning to head upstairs.

Her father, Lin Muheng, was displeased. "Lin Yuxia, does your aunt really have to invite you to eat multiple times?"

To avoid a scene, Lin Yuxia washed her hands and sat at the table.

Lin Hanhan poured a glass of wine for her father and said, "Dad, today was my first day at work. I got along so well with my colleagues. Thank you for all your trouble on my behalf."

Her father took a sip of wine and said with satisfaction, "Hanhan has truly grown up and knows how to care for her father. A Financial Director position is nothing; it was no trouble at all, as long as you're happy."

Lin Yuxia remembered that there hadn't been a word about Lin Hanhan starting a job this morning, and yet, by evening, she was already getting along well with her colleagues? It was obvious she had relied on her father's influence to get through the back door.

Lin Yuxia sneered internally, unable to understand why such a thing called for a celebratory drink.

She silently shoveled rice into her mouth. Seeming unsatisfied that her vanity hadn't been sufficiently fed, Lin Hanhan asked, "Sister, did your work go smoothly today?"

*Heh.* Being sent by the director to clean up a mess, being politely "shown the door" by a powerful CEO, being looked down upon by the opposing legal counsel...

Recalling the day's experiences, Lin Yuxia looked up with a smile and said, "Everything went smoothly."

She saw no need to show any sign of grievance before her family. She knew full well that her father would never stand up for her, and that vicious mother-daughter duo would only take the opportunity to kick her while she was down.

Lin Hanhan scanned the mediocre tailoring of Lin Yuxia’s suit and deliberately tried to shame her: "Since you've started working, you really should prepare some decent outfits. Sister, isn't it a bit inappropriate to dress like this?"

Jiang Lan never dared to talk about money in front of Lin Muheng, terrified that Lin Yuxia might expose how she had been skimming off her living expenses. Lin Hanhan, however, had no such filter and insisted on bringing up the one subject she should have avoided.

Lin Yuxia smiled at her not-so-bright stepsister and used the opening to speak to her father: "Dad, I've been a bit tight on money lately."

Lin Muheng was sipping his soup. Hearing this, he set down his spoon and thought for a moment: "Hmm... now that you've entered the working world, fifty thousand a month is indeed a bit low. Ah Lan, from now on, give Xiaoxia one hundred thousand in pocket money each month."

Across the table, Lin Yuxia watched as the smile on Jiang Lan's face slowly disintegrated, while Lin Hanhan looked so furious her nose seemed to tilt in rage.

Jiang Lan forced a smile and linked her arm through her husband's. "I was just about to bring that up with you, but you beat me to it. Xiaxia, Auntie will transfer the money to you tomorrow."

Lin Yuxia said politely, "Thank you, Father. Thank you, Aunt Jiang."

Although she knew this was an empty check that would never be cashed, it was enough to make Jiang Lan and her daughter miserable for a while.

*

The next day, as soon as Lin Yuxia arrived at the law firm, she was summoned to Director Wu's office.

Director Wu was about the same age as her father, stout and overweight. He had abandoned the stern demeanor from their meeting yesterday and was now beaming like a Maitreya Buddha.

"Little Lin, things were so sudden yesterday. I didn't even get a chance to sit down and chat with you before sending you out. Don't take it to heart. Come, have some tea."

Lin Yuxia said "thank you" calmly, though she was puzzled as to why he was suddenly being so courteous.

After making small talk for a few minutes, Director Wu finally got to the point: "Lawyer Lin, what is your relationship with Shen Yan?"

So that was it. It seemed her brother hadn't been able to let it go after all and had reached out to someone.

Lin Yuxia didn't shy away. "He is my brother."

Director Wu paused. "Your cousin?"

Lin Yuxia gently rubbed the teacup in her hands. "No, just a brother I've known since childhood."

Director Wu let out a long "Oh," his eyes, buried in folds of fat, darting around. He pondered: *Not a cousin, but she calls him brother—it must be that kind of relationship.*

He smiled obsequiously. "Lawyer Lin, you really should have told me earlier that you knew President Shen. If you had, I could have arranged much easier work for you."

Lin Yuxia replied, "Director Wu, I would prefer you treat me the same as everyone else. I don't need special treatment."

"How could we do that? We must show respect for Young Master Shen," Director Wu said, rubbing his hands together with a smile.

"Don't worry about the case from yesterday anymore. By the way, do you have a preferred area of practice? I can make arrangements for you."

Lin Yuxia set down her teacup and smiled. "I just took on Han Xuejuan's case yesterday. I've already met the client and processed the engagement papers. It would be better if I finished this case."

"But this case..." Director Wu hesitated.

The case was thorny, the fee was low, and the client was difficult to deal with—it was all thankless, back-breaking work.

Lin Yuxia continued, "Didn't you say yesterday that I have little experience with these types of cases from my time abroad, and that I should address that shortcoming?"

Seeing Lin Yuxia's persistence, Director Wu stopped arguing. After a few more polite remarks, he let her return to work.

As Lin Yuxia arrived at her desk and prepared to discuss the plan with Lawyer Li, she saw her grabbing her bag and rushing toward the exit.

"Lawyer Li!" Lin Yuxia called out.

Lawyer Li didn't break her stride. "Little Lin, I'm rushing to court. Let's talk about it later!" Before she finished speaking, she was already far away.

In truth, there was no court appearance. A minute earlier, Lawyer Li had received a tip from the security guard downstairs that Mrs. Han had arrived and was getting on the elevator.

Lawyer Li had been driven to her wit's end by this unreasonable client and preferred to sneak away.

Lin Yuxia went to the pantry for coffee, and through the door, she could clearly hear the commotion outside.

"I want to see Lawyer Li! Make her come out and see me!"

The receptionist explained patiently, "Ms. Han, Lawyer Li just stepped out. Why don't you come back another day?"

Han Xuejuan grew even more furious. "I've been here three times already, and every time you say she's busy. How can it be such a coincidence? You take the money and don't do the work—is this how you lawyers make your dirty money?"

Thinking back to the way Lawyer Li had just bolted, Lin Yuxia suddenly understood the reason.

She was only a trainee lawyer. She could easily play the coward and avoid drawing the ire of Mrs. Han.

But Han Xuejuan was becoming increasingly hysterical, spraying spit all over the young receptionist's face. Her finger, as thick as a rolling pin, was inches from the girl’s face, and the poor girl was on the verge of tears.

Lin Yuxia couldn't stand by any longer. She strode out to meet her.

"Ms. Han, if you have any grievances, why not tell them to me?"