Lu Mingjun listened to her mother's words and sneered inwardly.
She felt she was finally beginning to understand her mother's true priorities—face was everything.
To Mother Lu, even a little praise from others seemed to validate her entire existence.
What could be more face-saving than showering attention on her stepdaughter, Zhu Qing, while ignoring her biological daughter, all so "everyone" could admire her supposed noble character?
Ha.
Too bad she hadn't seen through it in her previous life. Back then, she had been bound by so-called gratitude—for being born, for being raised—and ended up suffering a miserable fate.
Fortunately, heaven had taken pity on her and given her another chance.
Thinking of this, Lu Mingjun gazed out the tea room window, her eyes unfocused, and said calmly,
"Mom, I wouldn't dare spend the Zhu family's money. I'm just telling you honestly—I don't have any money right now, so I can't help Zhu Qing with her travel expenses."
Her voice was steady—so steady that even Mother Lu, on the other end of the phone, could hear the finality in it.
Lu Mingjun wasn't going to pay.
Not now.
Not ever.
Mother Lu could even sense that her daughter wouldn't be giving her money in the future either.
As for Lu Mingjun's claim that she had no money—Mother Lu filtered it out immediately.
How could a top student from a prestigious university not make money?
Realizing her daughter wasn't budging, Mother Lu went silent.
Just as Lu Mingjun was about to end the call, her mother's voice cut in:
"Mingjun, you can't be so heartless! Your Uncle Zhu treats you so well…"
In both her lives, this was the sentence that annoyed Lu Mingjun the most.
So, before her mother could finish, she cut in sharply:
"He treats me well? How exactly does he treat me well?"
Mother Lu, startled that Lu Mingjun dared to interrupt her, instantly grew furious.
"What kind of tone is that? Did I raise you just to have you talk back to me like this?"
Lu Mingjun's hands trembled. She could feel the blood rushing to her head.
She told herself again and again—stay calm, your health matters most.
After a few deep breaths, she finally steadied herself and replied coldly,
"You raised me? If that's true, why do I owe your husband so much money?"
She didn't wait for a reply.
"It's ridiculous. Do I owe him, or does he owe me? I think you should be clear on that by now."
The breathing on the other end of the line grew heavier.
In the past, Lu Mingjun would have stopped right there.
But not anymore.
She continued,
"What happened to the money Dad left me? And all those years of rent from his house?"
Mother Lu seemed momentarily choked by the words—unable to reply.
But she recovered quickly and shouted back,
"What do you mean your father? He didn't leave you anything! That's my retirement money! And that house—you're not getting a share, either. That's my retirement house!"
Lu Mingjun sneered at the absurdity of it all.
"Mom, if you really believe the money and the house are yours, then fine. I won't argue with you anymore. But just so we're clear—I don't owe you anything. And I certainly don't owe them anything."
"If there's nothing urgent in the future, please don't contact me. I have my own life to live."
With that, Lu Mingjun hung up.
You can't reason with someone who's lost all reason. It's pointless.
In this life, she was going to live for herself. She would live long—and live well.
Lu Mingjun took a deep breath, as if trying to exhale all the weight in her chest.
Once she calmed down, she left the tea room and returned to work.
What she didn't notice was that after she left, the tea room's storage door quietly opened.
Wang Lulu stepped out in high heels, watching Lu Mingjun's retreating figure with a faint sigh.
As a professional assistant, Wang Lulu turned and walked straight to Director Jiang Xinxin's office and reported what she had just overheard.
As expected, after hearing Wang Lulu's account, Jiang Xinxin frowned slightly.
She had some idea about Lu Mingjun's family situation, but she hadn't expected her mother to be this irrational.
Asking her newly graduated daughter for money—to fund someone else's vacation?
She glanced at Wang Lulu, eyes narrowing slightly. "Are you sure that's what she said?"
Wang Lulu met her gaze and nodded.
"Yes. The warehouse door isn't soundproofed, and Lawyer Lu's phone… well, it was loud enough."
Jiang Xinxin sighed. "Every family has its troubles… Mingjun's just a young girl—it must be tough for her."
Wang Lulu nodded. "No wonder she dresses so simply. But if things are really that tight, the path you've set for her might not suit her."
Lawyers struggling financially are more likely to cross ethical lines.
No director wants to see that happen.
Jiang Xinxin didn't respond right away.
After a long pause, she finally said,
"This girl is stubborn. I can see that she has a spirit that refuses to give in. Let's wait and observe."
Wang Lulu agreed. "Right. She seems neither arrogant nor timid—she might be able to hold her own."
After a moment of silence, Jiang Xinxin added,
"Give her the materials on the Jiangfa Bank case later. Ask her to review it and report to me."
Wang Lulu nodded and turned to leave.
But before she reached the door, Jiang Xinxin stopped her again.
"Also, give her a day off tomorrow. Advance her two months' basic salary—tell her to go buy some proper work clothes."
Wang Lulu smiled, nodded, and walked out.
Once the office door closed, her smile faded.
She glanced at the photo of her and her father on her desk and sighed softly.
Then, she pulled the Jiangfa Bank case files from the cabinet and picked up the phone at Lu Mingjun's workstation.
"Hello, Lu Mingjun?" came a calm voice on the other end.
Wang Lulu nodded to herself. Emotional stability—an essential trait for a lawyer.
She said,
"Hello, Lawyer Lu. This is Wang Lulu. Director Jiang has a case for you. I haven't scanned it into the system yet—please come by and collect the files."
Lu Mingjun didn't feel anything unusual. She replied politely,
"Thank you, Assistant Wang. I'll come right over."
She set aside her current work, got up, and headed to Wang Lulu's office.
At her workstation, Miao Qingchuan looked up from his file, watching her go.
We're all trainee lawyers—so why does Lu Mingjun get to handle financial cases with Director Jiang?
Qin Wenfeng glanced at Miao Qingchuan, then lowered his eyes again.
But his unmoved pages revealed his inner unease.
Meanwhile, Lu Mingjun arrived at Wang Lulu's desk and saw a neatly stacked file waiting.
Wang Lulu handed it to her with a smile.
"This is the Jiangfa Bank case. Director Jiang hopes you can review it and report your thoughts to her soon."
Lu Mingjun nodded. "Understood. I'll finish it as soon as I can."
Just as she turned to leave, Wang Lulu called out,
"Lawyer Lu, wait a moment!"
Lu Mingjun turned around, confused.
Wang Lulu smiled again.
"Director Jiang cares about you. She asked me to give you an advance of two months' base salary. She's also giving you tomorrow off so you can buy some proper professional clothes."
Lu Mingjun responded calmly,
"Thank you. I only need half a day."
After two lives, her material desires were minimal.
Wang Lulu smiled and shook her head. "No need to be so polite. If you ever need help, just ask."
Then she flipped her hair and said playfully,
"Little sister, let me tell you—girls have to look expensive!"
Lu Mingjun's eyes widened slightly. She didn't know how to respond.
Seeing her reaction, Wang Lulu burst out laughing.
"What? You don't agree?"
Lu Mingjun shook her head, then nodded quickly. "I agree! I'll get back to work!"
With that, she bolted from Wang Lulu's office, clutching the documents.
Help… Assistant Wang is too dazzling!
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