Not long after Ning Wan was ‘banished’ to a rural neighbourhood by Zhengyuan Law Firm headquarters, a second victim was exiled to join her.
Vivacious, tall, handsome, a complete gentleman, he exuded the unique aura…
…of a character likely to die off-screen in a historical drama. Were he to become a community lawyer, he would surely end up berated by middle-aged aunties until he cried a river and came to doubt life. He was a big, silly softie, a newbie easy to pick on!
Ning Wan decided that she would beat this poor neglected novice into shape—
“Fu Zheng, isn’t it? Newcomers here must be obedient and discerning.”
“When I dig a pit, you’ll fill it in. When I eat meat, you’ll drink the broth. When I head east, you can’t head west. In short, consider me your God in this remote wilderness beyond the reach of the government.”
Although a little silly, the newbie was handsome, obedient, and tactful. She developed a soft spot for him and decided to impart the ultimate skills she had cultivated for a lifetime: how to shift the blame; how to loaf on the job; how to pay lip service to the boss.
She was very sincere, holding nothing back—
“Truthfully, my unique skills are not without cost. I advise you to like me as soon as possible. Let me analyze the advantages and disadvantages of liking me…”
That big, silly softie, Fu Zheng, succumbed to her coercion and temptation. From that day on, he devoted himself to Ning Wan.
Half a year later, Ning Wan attended the annual meeting at headquarters. There, she was introduced to the new senior partner…
A vivacious, tall, handsome gentleman.
“Hello everyone, I’m Fu Zheng,” he grinned. “I joined this firm to get rid of the bad atmosphere, such as: shifting the blame, loafing on the job, and paying lip service to the boss…”
‘Fu Zheng, you—! Goddammit! This is fraud!’
As for the male lead (ML), his character isn't my preferred type. His dishonesty is integral to the plot at first, but it loses its charm when it becomes manipulative, exploiting FL's kindness. The secondary male lead (2nd ML) doesn't have much depth, often serving as a contrasting character or a target for ML's actions.
The romance in the story is a gentle, gradual buildup without much intensity initially. It truly blossoms in the final 15 chapters, with FL and ML's love developing naturally, without feeling rushed or forced. Their relationship is balanced and enjoyable, making it a suitable choice for those who appreciate more everyday-life themed romances. If you prefer a bit more drama in your love stories, this might not be the perfect fit, but for a relaxed, slice-of-life experience, it's excellent.
The chemistry between the ML and MC is particularly appealing. The ML's yandere traits are subtly showcased, yet the MC effortlessly handles them, which creates an engaging dynamic. As someone who translated this due to my eagerness to read more, I'm grateful for your effort. 😊
To be honest, I empathize with the male lead. Imagine living in a capitalist society like the United States for most of your life, then suddenly being thrown into a completely different environment and field. It's unrealistic to expect them to excel immediately. The author seems to balance the FL's kindness, intelligence, and innocence by contrasting her with the ML. But what's going on with this female character? How can she make logical deductions in solving cases when the ML, a graduate from a top American university, struggles? Where has his intelligence gone? It feels like the author switches off both his IQ and EQ when interacting with the ML, especially when he's trying to solve problems (not in a cute or flattering way).
Initially, I was excited due to the positive reviews, but this is a poorly researched, riddled-with-plotholes Chinese novel. I'm being generous by giving it a rating of 2.
I can't help but wonder if the author has a legal background, given how well-constructed the case analyses are. I'd love to see a different outcome, but overall, I'm quite satisfied with the narrative. 😊
FL's bravery, kindness, and intelligence are truly commendable. The male lead, initially portrayed as aloof, undergoes a gradual transformation into a more relatable human character.