CH 3.2

Chapter 3 (part2)

"Though what you said is true, Fu Zheng, simply passing the judicial examination and becoming a lawyer, is not a special talent or achievement in and of itself. Even if you could recite all the laws of China, it wouldn't be true ability."

"Theory is one thing; practice is another, and the difference between the two is often the difference between a picture and what you actually get. Yes, it's illegal for a chicken to disturb neighbours, but in this case, although it has affected Shi Xiaofang's life to a certain extent, it hasn't caused any substantial damage."

"Not sleeping well due to a rooster crowing might lead to sleep deprivation and medical fees in the long run. She could sue for the lost time, transportation, and the cost of medical treatment, but even so, it's hardly economical to sue for such small damages."

"In this case, Shi Xiaofang just isn't sleeping well because of the crowing. She's not to the point of insomnia or needing to go see a doctor. It would be hard to prove before a judge that this constitutes infringement, so it can only be negotiated as best as possible. You're advocating for prosecution, which won't work here at all. Apart from wasting Shi Xiaofang's time, money, and energy, the crowing she wants to get rid of won't be solved, and she won't win, let alone be compensated for lawyer's fees and transportation."

Fu Zheng obviously wasn't buying Ning Wan's words. "Even if it doesn't cause substantial damage or constitute infringement, it's still illegal. The Law on Public Security Administration Penalties clearly states that raising domestic stock is an interference. If it interferes with someone else's ability to live a normal life, a warning can be issued; if the issue isn't corrected after the warning, then a fine can be given. And this isn't the only one. There are plenty of laws that can be used to sanction noisy chickens."

Fu Zheng's expression was still cool and mocking. He obviously didn't think that this was a particularly difficult case. "The most brutal would be the Regulations on the Administration of Urban Appearance and Environmental Sanitation, which prohibits the raising of poultry in urban areas. The department of city appearance and environmental sanitation or their entrusted representative could force Liu Guizhen to dispose of her chicken within a time limit or seize it directly and impose a fine. But you didn't bother exhausting legal remedies at all, didn't find out if there were provisions in other laws to support the handling of this problem. You didn't even try. How do you know that the law can't be useful in this circumstance? If mediation could solve all problems, why would the world need law and police?"

Just as he had disagreed with how she had handled the old lady on the high-speed rail, Fu Zheng disdained Ning Wan's way of dealing with things. She wasn't dealing with problems like how a lawyer should, but instead solving them with perfunctory cleverness and opportunism. It was not at all dignified.

If one could not win by tort law1, couldn't other laws be used instead?

"Didn't you say you would leave this case to me?" He met her gaze. "Then I'll handle it. Don't intervene."

This must be what people mean when they say: 'The sky is clear, the rain has stopped, the chicken has been caught, and you think you can do it all again.'2

"And if you can't handle it or screw it up? Must I wipe your ass for you?"

"You can rest assured, no such thing will occur." Fu Zheng replied coldly.

"What if?"

"I don't make assumptions or discuss things that won't happen. It's a meaningless waste of time."

Oh my, what a nasty mouth you have.

"Have you ever heard that nothing is impossible? The future isn't yet here, so how do you know it won't happen? Anyway, since you don't want to assume, let me make the assumption for you. If I have to step up and wipe your ass, you will serve me tea and water, call me Teacher Ning in the future, and learn sincerely from me."

Fu Zheng looked at her with a 'you're just sick' expression. "Whatever you want. But you really should dream less."

Ha ha.

Well, she had done her part by giving him a kind reminder. Since he was bent on taking the steep and narrow path, Ning Wan could only wish him well on his journey.

She looked into his eyes and smiled. "Alright. The case is all yours."

He saw things so idealistically because he was still so young. Since he was like that, let him go and get beat up a little for the sake of the people.

Having thought about it, Ning Wan decided that she no longer needed to worry about it. She patted Fu Zheng's shoulder meaningfully. "Since you're assuming full authority here, I'll head out."

"Wait a minute."

Just as she turned away, Fu Zheng stopped her with some care. "About the chicken just now..."

Looking back, Ning Wan smiled, "You're welcome."

"Not that," Fu Zheng frowned. "After you touched it, did you wash your hands?"

“?”

He glanced at Ning Wan and then at his shoulder. Although he said nothing, his expression clearly conveyed the following: 'Next time, please don't touch me before washing your hands.'

“……”

Although Ning Wan hated such high and mighty folk who depended on relationships instead of carefully brushing up their resumes, not to mention her personal opinion that within three days he would be running away crying with his tail tucked between his legs, she wouldn't have held it against him if Fu Zheng could just be a little humble. But alas...

This 'young master of the academic clique' thing was really not attractive at all.

In a huff, Ning Wan walked out, only to belatedly remember that she had forgotten a document in the office. Besides, there was chicken excrement to be cleaned up. She patted her head to chastise herself for her forgetfulness and made her way back. As a result, she witnessed Fu Zheng escorting Shi Xiao Fang and Liu Gui Zhen out of the first floor hall after getting a better understanding of the situation. As he was leaning over and talking to them, he didn't see Ning Wan.

The two aunties had probably gotten some promises. Although they were still cold to each other, they had stopped fighting for the time being. Liu Gui Zhen took the chicken back into her embrace, and the two glared at each other before going, leaving Fu Zheng alone.

Ning Wan felt a little tangled up. She wasn't quite sure how to greet Fu Zheng naturally. Though she had been quite annoyed, now that she had calmed down, she did indeed feel like she was somewhat in the wrong for not washing her hands. She was now trying to figure out how to make an implicit apology to Fu Zheng, then offer to dry-clean his suit.

But soon, Ning Wan found out that she didn't need to beat herself up over apologizing, because she saw Fu Zheng glance once again at his shoulder, then take off the expensive suit jacket with a face full of disgust and throw it into the trash.

“……”

What a heartless plutocrat.

Let him have a little appreciation for the sufferings of the common folk and sweep up some chicken shit by himself.