Inside Shengda Law Firm, Director Wu was already grinning from ear to ear.
"Old Li, I was thinking about it last night, and this incident isn't really a crisis, but an opportunity. Just think about how much traffic we're getting with so many peers supporting you,"
"And then there's the live broadcast of the trial. Show your face again then, and show off your skills..."
Li Changming, in front of him, also had a smile on his face. And what were his skills? Of course, performing.
"But before that, we need to build more momentum for you. Don't worry, Old Li, the next partner at our firm is going to be you!"
Although it's almost universal to look down upon internet fame these days, the fact is, everyone wants it.
Lawyers are no exception. They seem to scorn those livestreaming online celebrities, yet they beg for likes on their own articles just the same...
"I was supposed to be in court, but now it's your turn. Go get ready. I'll round up a few self-media outlets to start drumming up support!"
With self-media, you can get anything done with money.
Soon, a fairly well-known self-media outlet in Jingzhou, "Jingzhou Insights," was invited. Director Wu laid out his requirements, and they immediately had ideas.
"How about this, Director Wu? I've got the gist of the situation now. Let's do an interview format. I ask, and you answer. Not just you, let's have a few of Li's colleagues come in too. If possible, having some of Li's past clients would be even better..."
Showing off requires support from others, not oneself.
Director Wu nodded eagerly at the words, admiring their professionalism!
Director Wu's interview soon began.
"Director Wu, you just mentioned that Li Changming is not at the firm. Is he dealing with something?" asked the host of "Jingzhou Insights," a fair-skinned and pretty lady.
"Changming has taken a few days off, gone home to recuperate. He can't accept what has happened; he truly doesn't understand where he went wrong, for the other party to treat him this way..."
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"You've been Li Changming's senior colleague for quite some time. Can you tell us, what kind of person is Li Changming usually?"
Director Wu, in front of the camera, had a far-off look in his eyes: "Changming ah, I've worked with him for about ten years now. He's a good lawyer, with strong professional abilities. All his clients think he's great.
"Of course, Changming has a flaw. As a lawyer, his sense of justice is too strong. Really, whenever he sees something intolerable, he'd start arguing with the opposition in court. Alas, this habit has been with him for many years, and it's unchangeable..."
Director Wu's interview, the interviews with colleagues and clients, as well as banners of appreciation magically acquired for the occasion, all made it into the camera. The self-media folks really are professional.
"Alright, Director Wu, we'll go back and get to work on production right away. It should be out by tomorrow morning. Don't worry about the popularity, we'll take care of that!"
That settled it; Director Wu stood up to send off the Jingzhou Insights crew.
It's a new era now; who cares about prowess in litigation? It's all about playing the game of traffic and personas!
Even though everyone knows personas are easy to shatter, online, everyone tries to create one—it's almost instinct.
Now that Li Changming had become an internet-famous lawyer, their law firm could play even more tricks, like starting a livestream or something. Anything is more comfortable than fighting court battles.
A day went by quickly, and the next morning Tang Fangjing and Old Song once again arrived at Guangming District Court.
After a chat with the case judge yesterday, they said the investigation order should be ready today, so he brought Old Song along.
After all, Old Song is the lawyer for this case, and Tang Fangjing is just ancillary.
Upon reaching the court, Old Song went inside to obtain the investigation order, while Tang Fangjing waited outside and began browsing through videos out of boredom. Then, he came across something that made him stop in his tracks.
"A good lawyer with an overly strong sense of justice... Li Changming?"
Old Tang read the title again, then rubbed his eyes. He wasn't seeing things; Li Changming had an overly strong sense of justice?
Mrs. Hou is just a woman whose husband is locked up, not even a widow yet, and you don't spare her? And you call this an overly strong sense of justice?
Looking at the comments below, Old Tang couldn't help but laugh.
"I've consulted with Lawyer Li before, and I can testify that he fought with the opposing lawyer in court. Ah, why must good people always be held at gunpoint, right?"
"It's rare to see such good lawyers nowadays. Others are all about the money. I hope Lawyer Li is okay."
"I heard this case will be livestreamed in court. I must go watch it. I want to see where the other party gets the nerve to ask for that money!"
Overnight, Li Changming had gone from being "the aggrieved lawyer" to "the lawyer with an overly strong sense of justice." The persona was established firmly, complemented by his "hard-fighting" style, clearly the work of someone adept.
They were aiming to make him an internet-famous lawyer.
As Old Tang was pondering this, Old Song came out: "Let's go, let's go, we've got the investigation order and need to act fast. Their cards involve three banks... What are you laughing at?"
Tang Fangjing stood up and handed his phone over. Old Song looked at it and was immediately stunned.
After a while, he said with a bitter face, "Is this the doing of that Director from Shengda? What kind of grudge does he have against Li Changming..."
Nevermind, checking the bank transactions is more important.
Hou Xiangyuan and Mrs. Hou's cards were involved with three banks, two of which were local and one a major bank.