Chapter 61 - 53: 400,000, Terminate the Contract

Director Han understood.

It was obvious the other party was speaking in veiled terms, hinting at something.

"What is it about the firm that you’re dissatisfied with?" Director Han asked immediately, his tone a bit anxious.

’He was very pleased with Xu. Young, capable, and good-natured. If he’s really leaving the firm over something... the problem must be internal!’

At this thought, Director Han frowned. His gaze swept across the main hall, his eyes scanning over every single person.

Finally, his eyes returned to Xu De.

"Dissatisfied...?"

Xu De paused.

In his three months at Jinmao Law Firm, he had only earned 3,700 yuan. And that was only because Zhang Hu, the divorce consultation client, had come to see him multiple times.

That might be good pay for a migrant worker, but he was a lawyer. With no family to support him, he was relying entirely on himself!

After rent, utilities, and commuting costs... if Lin Yue hadn’t reimbursed him for the Li Family Village expenses, he would have had to move and find a roommate!

Then, a smile appeared on Xu De’s face, and he said in a teasing tone:

"Director Han, my apologies. As you know, I have no parents or relatives. I honestly can’t afford to work here anymore."

"I have no choice but to leave the firm and find somewhere to make some money. Otherwise... I’m afraid I’ll starve to death."

’Can’t afford to work here?’

’What does that even mean!?’

The unconventional way he put it left Director Han stunned for a moment.

But he was a smart man, and he instantly understood the meaning behind those words.

Immediately, Director Han’s brow furrowed, and he said in a low voice:

"Impossible!"

"Our firm may be a boutique firm, but we never abuse our position. The commission split we offer our lawyers is higher than the market average. Taking on just four cases here earns you the same as five cases elsewhere!"

"Xu, did the finance department withhold your client fees?"

Jinmao Law Firm was the only boutique law firm in Lusen City.

But that didn’t mean there weren’t other major firms. Those people were always trying to poach their Gold Medal Lawyers. If not for the advantages of the equity and commission contracts Director Han offered, those lawyers would have left long ago...

"Director Han, my accounts have been settled."

Xu De maintained that same faint smile as he pulled a ledger from his bag.

"This is the ledger of all my cash flow for the past three months at the firm. You can check it against the company accounts. If there are no issues, I don’t plan on renewing my contract."

’Cash flow?’

Director Han frowned and took the ledger, opening it subconsciously. The moment he flipped it open...

He first froze for a second, then a look of astonishment crossed his face. He looked up at him, shocked.

Were the records in the ledger too complicated? No, quite the opposite.

They were too clean. Just a few short lines, clear at a single glance!

"Three thousand seven hundred!?"

Director Han was stunned. He snapped his head up, his eyes filled with disbelief, and couldn’t help but exclaim:

"This... Lawyer Xu, how did you only take on four cases in three months? And only three of them were consultations? The only court case was the Li Family Village case!"

An income of 3,700 wasn’t low, but...

Lawyers have to spend their own money on cases!

Especially the Li Family Village case. Xu De’s fee was only two hundred, paid by an organization, but the money he put into it... his transportation costs alone were more than two hundred!

And that didn’t even include rent and food. Looking at it this way, what he’d said about ’not being able to afford to work’... wasn’t an exaggeration!

"What... What’s going on here?"

"What about the two-thousand-yuan bonus!?"

Amidst his shock, a new suspicion arose in Director Han.

Xu De faltered for a second. "What bonus?"

"I give you an extra seven hundred yuan every month as a support stipend," Director Han said.

This money didn’t go through the company books; it was from his personal funds, transferred via Sun Hao.

Xu De smiled. He shook his head and said:

"Well, I certainly never saw that seven hundred yuan."

"Director Han, it seems your firm and I are truly not a good fit. If there are no other objections... I will be unilaterally terminating my contract."

Hearing this, Director Han’s face flushed red. He opened his mouth, wanting to speak, but hesitated for a long moment.

’It’s obvious the firm can’t keep him. And within the firm... someone has been targeting him without my knowledge.’

A long moment passed.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his anger at the firm, and shifted his focus back to Xu De.

"Lawyer Xu, after you leave... are you planning to start your own practice?"

’He’s young and capable; it makes no sense for him to work under someone else after leaving the firm.’

Xu De knew he couldn’t hide it and nodded on the spot.

Director Han thought for a moment before speaking:

"How about this, Lawyer Xu? You’re young, you might not have much in savings."

"I’ll invest 200,000 yuan in cash, in my personal capacity. You can also pick any Gold Medal Lawyer from the firm to take with you. And I’ll share some case leads with you down the line..."

Two hundred thousand yuan, a Gold Medal Lawyer, and case leads.

Any one of these three offers was incredibly tempting!

Especially a Gold Medal Lawyer. They were basically walking wallets; no one knew how many resources they had at their disposal, and their skills alone were enough to revitalize a law firm.

Director Han felt that if he couldn’t keep him, making a gesture of goodwill and investing in him was the next best thing.

It was far better to have more friends than to force him to stay, which could lead to a bitter falling-out.

But unfortunately...

"Director Han, you don’t need to trouble yourself with that."

Xu De smiled, and before Director Han could say anything more, he took out his phone and dialed a number.

RING RING RING~

"Hello? Is this Boss Zhang Hu...?"

...

"Haha, yes, it’s me! Lawyer Xu, don’t you worry, my case has been all sorted out. Right now..."

"Mm... Hmm? You’ve left the firm? Well, do you want to come to my company... Okay, so you’ve opened your own firm, is that it?"