Chapter 23: Taking The Money
The next day, morning.
As soon as Mr. Gu arrived at the office, Wen Yan leaned over.
“Mr. Gu, there’s progress on the car. Someone from over there brought back word that it’s negotiable. Today at 3 PM, at Hong Yun Restaurant across from the train station, they’ll come.”
“Okay, got it. Come with me then.”
“Alright.”
Mr. Gu picked up the phone and called the finance department, asking when he could withdraw his lawyer’s fee the soonest.
Finance told him that generally, the amount from effective contracts would be deposited once a month into the bank account they set up. If there were special circumstances requiring early withdrawal, he could fill out an application form, and finance could make an extra trip to the bank.
But for amounts from ineffective contracts, theoretically they couldn’t be withdrawn. He needed to figure it out himself, like getting Wolf or Gu Bai’s signature endorsement, or come back tomorrow.
Time waits for no one.
“Wolf, transfer the money.” Mr. Gu went straight to him.
“What money?”
“Lawyer’s fee. I need money. I want to withdraw it early, need your signature approval.”
Mr. Gu pushed the application form in front of Wolf. “Thanks.”
Wolf felt like he was being force-fed, stunned for a moment before picking up the pen to sign. “Gu, are you planning to skip town? Can’t wait even one day? If so, tell me in advance so I can replace the trial lawyer. The documents haven’t been sent yet, still time.”
“No such plans for now.”
“Good.” Wolf finished signing, capped the pen, and handed over the document, but didn’t let go.
Mr. Gu tugged, and heard Wolf say, “I knew with your ability you’d quickly make a name in the concession. Wasn’t my vision spot on?”
“If you want me to flatter you, just say so. Spot on, extremely spot on. As a 500 silver dollar angel investor, I’m deeply grateful to you.”
Wolf let go, grinning brightly. “Spend happily.”
“Spending money isn’t necessarily happy, but you should be happy.”
“What do you mean?”
“Confidentiality. I’m off.”
Mr. Gu went out to find finance, handed over the document, and the American accountant started calculating.
“Mr. Gu, this business you brought to the law firm totals three thousand pounds income. Congratulations.”
As soon as three thousand pounds was mentioned, the female staff in the office cast admiring glances.
Though no one knew Mr. Gu, it didn’t stop them from knowing he was a young money-printing machine.
“Per your position contract, since the case source was found by you yourself, your share should be 80%, the remaining 20% as the law firm’s operating costs, like taxation and rent, to be deducted, that is…”
“Two thousand four hundred.”
“Right, two thousand four hundred. Your calculation ability is impressive.”
?
“Next is your individual tax portion. Per International Settlement taxation regulations, individuals with annual income over 3000 silver yuan must pay progressive tax, from 1% to 10%, handled by our law firm on your behalf.
Your income of 2400 pounds, priced in silver yuan, is 38400 silver yuan at today’s rate. The highest portion hits the 7% benchmark of 20000 silver yuan. After exchange rate conversion, you need to pay 122.38 pounds in tax.
Additionally, defense levy at 15% of the tax due, 18.35 pounds.
Then municipal construction levy at 0.5% of total income, 12 pounds.
So finally, your total income to receive is 2247.27 pounds. Hold on, let me calculate again… Yes, that’s the number. If no issues, please review and sign here. I’ll arrange to transfer the amount to your bank account.”
Damn, and passing wealth god too, 153 pounds, that’s nearly 600 US dollars gone. Saying 600 US dollars might not hurt much, but saying it’s tax on 600 grams of gold, that stings badly.
Of course, total tax rate over 9% isn’t unacceptable.
As a law-abiding citizen, Mr. Gu wouldn’t evade taxes. Of course, mainly this renowned law firm’s American female accountant wouldn’t give him the chance.
Sign and get the money.
One hour later, the female accountant had accompanied Mr. Gu to the HSBC Bank VIP room.
As a client currently holding over 2200 pounds, nearly 8800 US dollars, Mr. Gu was qualified to get the bank manager’s attention.
Especially as the new partner of major client Danwen Law Firm.
“Mr. Gu, if you need anything in the future, find me anytime, no matter what it is. In the concession, I have some connections. Of course, as HSBC Bank itself, even elsewhere, as long as there’s HSBC, like Hong Kong, whatever Mr. Gu wants to handle, we can help process it.”
The manager gifted a leather suitcase for the money, escorting Mr. Gu and finance to the door.
Getting to know the bank manager was an unexpected gain. People in that position do have wide connections, who knows when it might come in handy.
Back at the law firm, pay back the money first.
Wolf’s 500 silver dollars, and Wen Yan’s work share.
“Your bonus, 5%.” Mr. Gu entered and placed 120 pounds on Wen Yan’s desk, fulfilling the promise.
Wen Yan was preparing trial documents; the banknotes slapping on the desk made his eyes glow green.
“This much?”
Though 5% commission isn’t much in the lawyer industry, the base is huge.
If it were the old small law firm, most cases’ full fees wouldn’t even match this commission.
And any less, small lawyers still had to split with everyone.
Wen Yan hesitated, then took half. “Mr. Gu, take less. You still need money. Half is plenty for me, more than enough.”
After all, Wen Yan knew Mr. Gu had spent a fortune and still needed to buy a car.
“Not short on this bit. What’s yours is yours. Kids need to grow, use it to improve your life.”
Wen Yan’s work ability wasn’t necessarily outstanding, but as an old lawyer and old Shanghai resident, he knew all sorts from every walk of life. The value of the information he could get was more important to Mr. Gu than work ability.
Buying information himself would cost at least this much, and he’d gained a document worker for free.
“I just went to Wolf’s office. Things are about ready there. How are your documents? For the trial documents, my requirement is no textual loopholes for the other lawyer to grab.”
“All done. I’ll proofread once more right away.”
“Mm. Once ready, have them send it over together. Don’t forget the 3 PM meeting. I have something to do, heading out.”
Mr. Gu left the suitcase in the office, grabbed a pen, and left.
Wen Yan watched Mr. Gu leave until his figure fully disappeared, then broke into an ecstatic smile, grabbed the banknotes and kissed them hard. After excitement, thinking of past hardships, his eyes grew moist.
Then thinking of the present good fortune, he smiled, pocketed the money securely against his body, sat down energized, and started work.
Out of the law firm, Mr. Gu bought a newspaper on the roadside, hailed a rickshaw to the Bund.
Today was the second day scheduled with Lu Bowen, time to pass the next steps. The contact matter needed resolution.
On the rickshaw, he tore off a small piece from the bottom of the newspaper, wrote the content with the pen, then put the note in the lining pocket.
Arrived at the Bund, walked to the coffee shop next to Shanghai Zhongye Public Office.
Mr. Gu went in, ordered a coffee, sat until 11:45, got up to go to the bathroom, wet one end of the note to make it sticky, casually stuck it to the left bottom corner inside the door frame on the floor.
Blew on it with his mouth to confirm it wouldn’t be easily disturbed by wind, then Mr. Gu went out to the tea house, waiting for Lu Bowen’s arrival.
