Chapter 129: Turning Injustice into Victory
In the early morning, Tang Junjie found his mother, Madame Tang, busy in the kitchen. "Good morning, Mom," he greeted.
"Up early, aren’t we?" Madame Tang remarked.
"Brother Song and I have a meeting with the lawyer at 9," Junjie informed her.
Madame Tang sighed, expressing concern. "I just hope you’re not getting your hopes too high."
"Don’t worry, Mom. The lawyer has a successful track record," Junjie reassured her. "Once this is over, I want to focus on music."
Madame Tang cautioned, "Rich people don’t like being challenged, you know that."
Junjie, grabbing a sandwich, replied confidently, "Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll be careful." He then hurriedly left the house, determined to face the challenges of the day.
Tang Junjie arrived at a small coffee shop in the city center, finding Brother Song already waiting for him. Brother Song, 37 years old and married with twins, had faced adversity a year ago. He was a supervisor at a worksite and, during an incident, suffered rib injuries that led to a three-week hospitalization. DreamScape’s superiors not only fired him but also marked the incident as negligence on his record, making it difficult for him to find work in the city.
"Hey, Brother Song," Junjie greeted as he approached.
"Morning, Junjie," Brother Song replied with a nod. They exchanged brief pleasantries before delving into the upcoming meeting with the lawyer.
Brother Song shook his head, still processing the fact that Tang Junjie could now walk. "I still can’t believe that you can finally walk," he remarked.
Tang Junjie smiled, a mix of gratitude and disbelief on his face. "I can’t believe it either."
"As long as there are hospital records showing you’ve been in a wheelchair for a full year, we have a strong case," Brother Song assured him.
While waiting for their lawyer, Tang Junjie asked, "Tell me more about this lawyer. What do we know about him?"
Brother Song pondered for a moment. "Honestly, I don’t have much information, but he’s originally from Beijing and has a track record of success with business-related cases."
"I hope ours turns out to be a success too," Tang Junjie said, a hint of optimism in his voice.
Brother Song added, "My family could use the money. The twins are costly, and it’s challenging for my wife and me to make ends meet."
Tang Junjue nodded in agreement. "Let’s hope everything works out perfectly."
The door chimed as the young man in his late 20s entered the small coffee shop. His tailored grey suit accentuated his body structure, marking him as someone who clearly didn’t belong in such a modest setting. As he strolled in, his features and attire drew the attention of the patrons, particularly the admiring glances of some women.
The young man surveyed the room with an air of confidence, making his way to the table where Tang Junjie and Brother Song were seated. His presence, a stark contrast to the cafe’s ambiance, created a momentary buzz of curiosity among the customers.
The man said, "Morning, gentlemen. I’m not sure if I’ve got the right people, but I’m looking for a Mr. Song."
Brother Song stood up, extending his hand for a handshake, and replied, "Morning, sir. I am Mr. Song. Please, sit down."
The man introduced himself, "My name is Ao Junfeng. I’m here to discuss the case."
Brother Song remarked, "Oh, wow. No offense, but I expected someone older."
Ao Junfeng chuckled, "It’s okay, I get that a lot."
"This is one of the brothers I worked with at the site," Brother Song continued, gesturing toward Tang Junjie, "the one who sustained most injuries. His name is Tang Junjie."
Ao Junfeng shook Tang Junjie’s hand and said, "Nice meeting you."
"Pleasure is all mine, sir," Tang Junjie responded politely.
Ao Junfeng said, "Let’s get this done. I know you’re wondering why a top-notch lawyer from Beijing decided to take your case."
Tang Junjie replied, "Yes, I would like to know why."
Ao Junfeng explained, "Well, someone who saw the injustice done to you contacted me. Unfortunately, I can’t disclose their name, but believe the person has your best interest at heart."
Brother Song interjected, "The thing is, sir, we are unemployed, and those who are working don’t get paid enough. We can’t afford your services."
Ao Junfeng reassured them, "Oh, you’re worried about paying me. No need, it’s pro bono."
Tang Junjie asked, "Pro bono?"
Ao Junfeng confirmed, "Yes, pro bono, where a lawyer takes a case for free. You can pay me after you receive your millions from Dreamscape if you want." He then laughed and added, "Now, let’s get to the details of the incident."
Brother Song began narrating his ordeal, "I reported that the cement provided seemed off, but the superiors brushed me off. They told me to mind my business and proceed with my work."
He continued, "That fateful day, the walls just cracked and fell all of a sudden, injuring so many of my men."
Tang Junjie added, "Concrete was stuck on my legs for almost an hour before emergency services could reach me."
Ao Junfeng listened intently, taking notes as they recounted the details of the incident.
Ao Junfeng felt a surge of anger as he listened to the injustices suffered by Brother Song and Tang Junjie. The mistreatment of lower-class employees by heartless employers struck a personal chord with him. His determination to seek justice intensified; he had taken this case not realizing the extent of the suffering involved.
His passion for fighting against the mistreatment of workers stemmed from a painful personal history. His mother, a maid, had faced abuse and eventually died under suspicious circumstances. This tragic event fueled Ao Junfeng’s desire to become a lawyer, and his first triumph was taking down the family responsible for his mother’s suffering.
Now, he was ready to bring justice to Brother Song and Tang Junjie, drawing strength from his past battles against oppressive employers.
Following their discussion, Ao Junfeng reassured them, "We have a solid case. The evidence you possess will be our trump card. Once I submit the case in court, prepare yourselves—your lives will change."
Tang Junjie, hopeful but uncertain, asked, "Do you believe we can win?"
Ao Junfeng’s confidence remained unshaken as he replied, "I’m certain we will win. Just relax and wait for updates."
With that, Ao Junfeng stood up and left. Brother Song and Tang Junjie exchanged a glance, a subtle smile reflecting their newfound hope.
