Chapter 48: Chapter 44: Call out their real names offline, not their screen names!
The tide of public opinion online had unknowingly taken an unexpected turn for Tang Fangjing.
No one was leading it, but the primary reaction of many after watching the over forty minutes of video was, "What exactly is he trying to gain by doing this?"
Before watching the video, everyone thought it was just about setting up a homeowners' committee to audit accounts and file lawsuits.
But after watching the video, they realized that even establishing a homeowners' committee in the community was extremely difficult. The property management was watching like a hawk, and even the committee members were not united; it all hinged on Old Tang risking his neck.
Although the payoff was substantial, it was to be divided among all the participating lawyers, and it did not equate to the effort put in at all—no lawyer would want to go through this trouble.
With that effort, it would be much better to take other cases, as the lawyer's fees would be collected regardless of winning or losing.
And at this moment, peers quickly stepped forward to explain.
"Lawyer Lao Zheng": Just a lawyer passing by, I just finished watching the video, and I think it's pretty easy to explain. He must be trying to become an internet celebrity, right?
"These days making money as a lawyer earns you only so much; nowhere as much as live streaming sales. With popularity, what can't you do, am I right? That's the reason, nothing else, just like those internet stars who pull all sorts of bizarre stunts..."
However, Lao Zheng's words were immediately countered.
"If you know so much, why don't you do it? You could also become an internet celebrity and sell products!"
Lao Zheng quickly replied: "I just focus on being a lawyer. I'm not going to get involved in these needless things. Is it proper for a lawyer to make money in such a way?"
The war of words unfolded once again, and Lawyer Lao Zheng took the opportunity to attract a lot of traffic.
It's too common these days for such issues to arise, the self-media folks have already tried every single method out there.
First, they hit you with a touching video, then an account claiming to be the protagonist of the video shows up to claim it, followed by setting up shop on some platform, and after that comes all sorts of nonsensical challenges like 'try not to laugh'...
Tang Fangjing's actions were naturally assumed to be a bid for internet fame.
"Xian Yun Ye He", who was tagged countless times, jumped out again.
"I think what the lawyer said makes sense. Indeed, that's something I didn't consider. I see people asking why he hasn't accepted advertisements or started selling products. Isn't that simple? He's probably waiting for more traffic to get better at 'harvesting leeks'!
"These online things, when all is said and done, aren't they just for money? What else could it be for? As expected, the education level online is too low. With you guys like this, you deserve to be 'harvested'..."
Both good and bad things were said, and what followed was a flame war where everyone lashed out in a frenzied free-for-all. Although people kept tagging Old Tang to come out and explain, there was no response.
Tang Fangjing wouldn't make any unnecessary explanations. Online explanations are generally feeble; no matter what you say, people will always find something to critique.
So there's no need to explain. Explanations are the palest and most futile. Seizing the right moment to clinch a victory is stronger than anything else.
......
Inside Tengda Law Firm, the intern lawyers, led by Niu Ma, were already busy to the point of combustion. Amidst this atmosphere, Old Tang reclined on a massage chair with an indifferent expression, merely lacking a leisurely BGM to complete the scene.
Old Song's forehead vein throbbed. Is this what recruiting intern lawyers brings? It's more like having hired a lord!
"Old Tang, didn't you say there was a client coming today? What time is it now?" Old Song hesitated but still went forward to ask.
"Don't worry, stay calm, Old Song. How's the preparation for the appeal going?" Tang Fangjing opened his eyes to ask.
"There's no problem with that, the chances of a reversed decision in the second appeal are very slim."
"Make sure to renew the asset preservation in time, so they don't unfreeze it and transfer the money away."
You don't have to worry about Mr. Hou's family property; that's a criminal case. The seizure in a criminal case is another matter, and now that the judgment has been passed, after it becomes effective, just go to the court to claim that portion of the property.
Civil litigation is different, with a whole series of procedures from preservation to follow-up. A slight mistake could let someone transfer all the property away, then you'd just be waiting.
Anyone who's dealt with the courts knows, once the money is out, there will be endless disputes. Dragging on for years is not a big deal, but Tang Fangjing doesn't have that time to waste.
"Rest assured, we have someone specifically following up on this," Old Song replied.
That settled, Tang Fangjing was about to say something when the glass door to the office opened, and Li Wanting, with dark circles under her eyes, knocked and came in, saying, "Brother Tang, Teacher Song is also here, and there's a man outside looking for Brother Tang."
Being an intern lawyer means having to do any kind of work, and she was already doing well.
In the hospitals, the female interns are always bossed around by the men, and as for the male interns... they are like big livestock that bring their own fodder.
"Oh, he's here for a consultation, bring him over. His case seems quite interesting," Tang Fangjing gestured with his hand.
Soon, Li Wanting led in a man around thirty years old, Ju Haiqing.
"You must be Teacher Tang, I am Ju Haiqing, my internet name... I sent you a private message with a shaking hand," the man said.
Tang Fangjing stood up and shook hands, saying, "Yes, I know you, the one with the internet name 'Rem is My Wife,' right? Please, have a seat over here... "
Pfft! Old Song and Li Wanting, who were just about to leave, couldn't hold back their laughter.
Although everyone is a professional, the internet and reality are two different concepts, and in real life, this could truly be social suicide...
Ju Haiqing's face turned beet red in an instant. It was one thing for Old Song, but Li Wanting, despite her lack of sleep, was still attractive, and Ju Haiqing felt as if he might dig out a book titled The Splendors of Jinling with just his thumb...
For a moment, Ju felt he might as well just leave—what was the point in suing anyway?
Old Tang had simply spoken without thinking and then realized it was inappropriate, and quickly added, "Ahem, let's not talk about the internet stuff, you tell me about your case first."
Watching Old Song and Li Wanting finally leave the office, Ju Haiqing felt relieved. Social suicide—a terror for someone like him, a shut-in.
It was as terrifying as a lawyer pulling out his browser history as evidence...
"Ahem, Teacher Tang, I'll get to it then. The thing is, I'm an internet novelist, and I won't hide it from you, I did make some money in the last few years."
"Then, a few years ago, I wanted to buy an apartment. It was over four million yuan, and I had some money on hand, so I paid in full, but then..."
At this point, Ju Haiqing's face showed a pained expression: "The building became an unfinished construction, and suddenly, I lost everything."
Tang Fangjing shook his head as he listened; the issue of unfinished buildings was really difficult to address. Especially considering previous conditions, it seemed like no one—the developers, the banks—was at fault; instead, it was the ordinary people spending money who were wrong...
But that's not right.
"Shouldn't you be going after the developer in your situation?"