When the famed founder of the firm, Ding He, stepped out of his office, he found the lights still on outside.
Approaching, he saw Fang Qing at her desk, while everyone else had long since left work.
"I hope you’re not waiting specifically for me," he joked.
At the sound, Fang Qing, who was engrossed in her computer, turned her head and smiled, "Just checking some information."
Ding He looked at his wristwatch, "But it’s almost nine o’clock."
"I’ll be leaving soon."
"Do you need me to wait for you?" Ding He asked.
"No need, Attorney Ding, please go ahead."
Ding He nodded in agreement, a man in his thirties, successful in his career and charming in demeanor.
It was no wonder Tong Dan spoke so highly of him; he indeed was a very charismatic man.
After Ding He turned around, Fang Qing massaged her temples, took a slow breath, and continued to stare at the computer screen, moving the mouse.
Soon after, Ding He returned to place a steaming cup of coffee on the table.
Fang Qing was slightly startled.
"I’m off, remember to turn off the lights," Ding He said with a warm smile, understanding restraint, and left after setting down the coffee.
Looking at his departing figure, Fang Qing then lowered her gaze to the cup of coffee, took it in her hands, and sipped.
Though "in a minute" was said, time passed again, half an hour in silence.
It wasn’t until the ring of a phone diverted Fang Qing’s attention.
Shifting her gaze from the computer screen, she picked up the cellphone that was beside her.
"Are you still at the office?" It was Tong Dan.
Tong Dan seemed to have anticipated it, "Come down, I’m right below your office building, at Element."
Element was a lounge bar.
"Tong Dan, sorry, I’m not free for drinks right now."
Fang Qing looked at the computer screen, complaints about "Worry-Free Loans" were piled up, each a heartbreaking and countless tale.
"I didn’t ask you out for drinks."
Tong Dan’s voice carried a hint of helplessness, "You must be dealing with that Li Bing case. If you exhaust yourself, I’m afraid it won’t be of much use. I want you to meet someone; hurry up down here."
Fang Qing was momentarily taken aback, about to ask further, but the call had already been hung up with a "Hurry up."
After hanging up the phone, Fang Qing hesitated, then powered off the computer, got up, grabbed her cellphone, and left the company. She didn’t forget to turn off the lights on her way out.
The coffee, which had only been sipped once, sat quietly on the desk, already cooled.
"Fang Qing, this way!"
Inside the lounge called Element.
A middle-aged male singer in a white suit was performing.
Sitting by the railing on the second floor, Tong Dan waved a hand.
Fang Qing, entering the bar, looked up and then proceeded to the second floor.
"This is my dear friend of many years, Fang Qing, who is also a future great lawyer," Tong Dan introduced with a smile, "and this is Qi Kang, chief editor at Feilang."
The man sitting opposite Tong Dan stood up gentlemanly and greeted Fang Qing.
Fang Qing responded politely as well.
"Sit down, we are all friends here, no need for formalities."
Tong Dan scooted over, making space for Fang Qing to sit beside her.
"Fang Qing, I’ve already talked to Qi Kang about the Li Bing case; he’s very interested," Tong Dan said as she glanced at Qi Kang.
Qi Kang quickly nodded his head in agreement.
What are friends for?
Knowing they couldn’t convince you, so instead of trying to do so, they thought of ways to help.
Given Tong Dan’s personality, combined with her job as a flight attendant, and her stunning looks, it wasn’t surprising that she had friends all over the world.
"Attorney Fang, I heard about the murder case in Yanjiao two days ago, but I never expected that Tong Dan and you were actually there," said Qi Kang.
It was a news portal website.
With an enormous user base.
It wielded remarkable influence in the country.
Realizing his profession, Fang Qing instantly grasped her good sister’s intentions.
She looked at Tong Dan with gratitude and was met with Tong Dan’s nonchalant smile.
"Yes, we were there when the murder happened, and we witnessed the whole process," Fang Qing concurred.
Qi Kang’s eyes sparkled with excitement, purely because of the pursuit of material for his profession, not because he was facing two beautiful women.
"Attorney Fang, does the urban management really engage in violent law enforcement?" he queried.
"Qi Kang, do you really think I would lie? The man was on his knees, pleading, but those urban management officers wouldn’t stop smashing his cart, and he relied on that cart for his living. Even a cornered rabbit will bite; that tragedy could have been entirely avoided," Tong Dan argued.
Qi Kang looked towards Fang Qing.
"Tong Dan is right," Fang Qing nodded, "Both Li Bing and the deceased are victims."
"Attorney Fang, I heard that Li Bing had consulted you about a legal issue before? Is that why you went to Yanjiao the day before yesterday?" asked Qi Kang.
"Yes. He did consult me about high-interest loans, which I believe is one of the causes of this case."
"High-interest loans?"
Qi Kang glanced at Tong Dan, puzzled.
"Oh, I forgot to mention earlier, this Li Bing seems to have taken out high-interest loans. Maybe it was the pressure from the high-interest loans that made him act so impulsively," Tong Dan chimed in.
"I’ve been researching, and there are numerous victims of these high-interest loans, spanning a broad range. The Yanjiao murder is just one example; if these loans are not eradicated, similar heinous crimes could continue to happen."