Ye Chen didn't have to wait long.

At the agreed time, half an hour later, a BMW 7 Series arrived at the gate of the Yuexiu Branch Bureau.

"Mr. Ye, nice to meet you. Shall we talk in the car or here?"

Although they had never met, lawyer Zheng Cheng immediately recognized Ye Chen standing beside the Mercedes G-Class.

The BMW 7 Series stopped next to Ye Chen, and Zheng Cheng rolled down the window.

"Alright!"

Without much thought, Ye Chen nodded, walked around the car, opened the front passenger door, and got in.

"Mr. Ye, regarding Vice President Pang of Yi Ren Ru Xue, Mr. Zhang briefed me. He mentioned it was an extortion scheme, where they demanded the formula for Wuxia ointment. Is that correct?"

As soon as Ye Chen sat down, Zheng Cheng got straight to the point.

"Yes, that's right."

Ye Chen replied honestly.

"Alright, I need you to be truthful with me. Was Pang really coerced after things had already happened, or was the whole thing a setup from the start?

Please trust in the basic professional ethics of a lawyer. Maximizing the interests of the client is a lawyer's duty! Regardless of the circumstances, since I am here on Mr. Zhang Jingshan's behalf, I will do my utmost to help Mr. Pang Jun out of this mess. I'm asking only to devise the best strategy as quickly as possible. Of course, if you feel uncomfortable sharing details, that's fine. It won't affect my commitment to this case."

Ye Chen, however, seemed unwilling to explain much.

He simply took out his phone.

He opened a video he had copied from Pang Jun's study.

"Take a look at this. You'll understand after watching it."

Zheng Cheng nodded in surprise and took the phone to watch the surveillance footage.

Over half an hour passed.

When he handed the phone back to Ye Chen, Zheng Cheng's expression had grown complicated.

"Mr. Ye, if you don't mind me asking, with this evidence, any lawyer could easily clear Mr. Pang. Why did you specifically seek me out? Honestly, I'd be happy to be friends with you, but this kind of trivial case isn't really my area of interest. Perhaps I could recommend someone else to handle it for you?"

"Mr. Zheng, you misunderstand. I didn't call you just to defend Pang Jun. I know that with this video, any lawyer could easily get him acquitted. I wouldn't need to trouble you for that," Ye Chen replied.

"Then what exactly do you need from me, Mr. Ye?" Zheng Cheng raised an eyebrow.

"The woman in the video tried to extort Pang Jun by demanding the formula for Wuxia ointment in exchange for not reporting him. Pang was taken away by the police because he refused her conditions. Mr. Zheng, do you think this constitutes extortion and false accusation?" Ye Chen asked.

That was his real goal.

Since Lin Mengxi was determined to go to such lengths to retaliate, he had no intention of showing mercy.

Besides, if someone like Lin Mengxi got away with this, there would surely be a next time.

"You want to counter-sue her, Mr. Ye?" Zheng Cheng narrowed his eyes.

"Exactly," Ye Chen said plainly.

"False accusation hinges on proving that she wasn't actually intoxicated. After all, the encounter did happen. In other words, unless we can establish this as a setup, the charge won't hold. As for extortion, sufficient evidence will be necessary," Zheng Cheng explained.

"That's precisely why I need you, Mr. Zheng," Ye Chen said.

Zheng Cheng chuckled softly.

"This is getting interesting. Alright!" Zheng Cheng agreed.

"Good. Then I'll leave it to you to get Pang Jun released from the station first."

With that, Ye Chen pushed open the car door and stepped out.

Zheng Cheng nodded, turned off the engine, and followed.

At Yundai Corporation.

In Ding Chengjun's office—

"Officers, what does Pang Jun's assault have to do with me? Although he used to be the vice president of Yundai, he left months ago. This has nothing to do with me or Yundai!"

Facing the officers from Yuexiu Branch, Ding Chengjun's heart skipped a beat, but he maintained an innocent expression.

"Mr. Ding, according to Pang Jun's statement, he firmly denies any assault and claims this was a setup involving you and the complainant. Do you have anything to say about that?"

One officer watched Ding Chengjun closely, noting the subtle shifts in his expression.

Although the extortion claim was still unverified, the officer was certain that Ding Chengjun had knowledge of the incident.

"Pang Jun is lying! He has held a grudge against me since I dismissed him. Yes, I reached out to him a few times, hoping to reconcile and bring him back to Yundai with the Wuxia ointment formula, but he refused. Then, this morning, out of nowhere, he called me asking if I was working with someone named Lin Mengxi. He accused me of setting him up! I was furious and hung up on him. He's just paranoid, convinced I'd do anything for that formula!" Ding Chengjun explained hurriedly.

"Do you know this Lin Mengxi?" the officer pressed.

Ding Chengjun's heart skipped again.

This line of questioning was making him uneasy.

Although he believed he had done nothing wrong, he was starting to feel the pressure.

"Hmm?" The officer's gaze sharpened.

"I've met her once, that's all. I barely know her. I only know her name is Lin Mengxi," Ding Chengjun replied.

He quickly added, "Officers, I swear I didn't set him up. Whether it was assault or a misunderstanding, it has nothing to do with me. I only met Lin Mengxi once. You can't pin this on me just for that. Besides, I'm running a successful business—why would I need to stoop to something like this? Even if I did set him up, I wouldn't call the police on him. What would I gain from that?"

"What's your opinion of Pang Jun's character?" the officer asked, studying Ding Chengjun.

"Pang Jun? When he was at Yundai, aside from being stubborn, he was decent and upright. He'd never force himself on a woman. In fact, women were chasing him. But he's been gone for months, so I can't say if he's changed," Ding Chengjun admitted.

"Alright, Mr. Ding. Thank you for your time."

As another officer was about to speak, the leading officer waved him off.

"No problem at all! I'm happy to cooperate."

Relieved, Ding Chengjun forced a smile.

As the officers stood to leave, Ding Chengjun quickly added, "Let me walk you out!"

"No need, Mr. Ding. You're busy," the lead officer replied with a polite wave.