When did he discover the problem?
Qin Guan would never forget.
The year his daughter turned one, he took on a case, going head-to-head against a rather well-known senior lawyer.
The process dragged on for several months, extremely arduous. The opponent was a renowned expert with over 20 years of experience—meticulous in thought, highly skilled in methods, and full of tricks. His moves were always unexpected. Qin Guan couldn't compete; no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't win.
He could only grit his teeth and endure, barely holding on until the very end.
The outcome, of course, was also without suspense: he lost.
But after losing the case, that mature, steady, and formidable opponent specifically sought him out, shook his hand, and expressed his admiration directly: "Young man, don't be discouraged. You're truly impressive—steady as a rock, much stronger than I was at your age! Your future is boundless!"
At first, Qin Guan thought it was just polite insincerity.
Unexpectedly, the man got straight to the point: "I'm puzzled. With your talent, why are you willing to remain subordinate to others?"
The conversation outside the courtroom that day was brief, but the impact on Qin Guan was enormous.
"Your ability is strong, your temperament exceptionally steady—you don't show joy or anger. You have sharp insight. You're truly excellent material for this profession. What you lack now is methodology, and of course, experience. Experience can be accumulated over time, but methodology can't," the man spoke very bluntly. "Your current firm simply cannot provide that for you. But I can."
He expressed great appreciation for Qin Guan's ability and potential and hoped to discuss cooperation when time allowed.
As he left, he gave Qin Guan his business card.
Within a few days, he indeed arranged to meet Qin Guan.
It was a very small dinner gathering. In the tiny private room, there were only four people. Besides the two of them, there was another lawyer Qin Guan knew, a somewhat well-known practitioner from a local firm. Both men, like Qin Guan, were dressed in suits. The only exception was the man seated at the head of the table: thinning hair revealing a bald spot, wearing a slightly worn gray jacket, lounging casually with one leg crossed over the other, smiling as he looked at them.
Unremarkable in appearance, easily lost in a crowd.
But Qin Guan's memory was astonishingly good. He recognized the man immediately: surnamed Jin. A client Qin Guan had handled a case for had once told him how formidable this Jin was—ostensibly just the owner of a few cultural media companies, but in reality, those companies were merely tools for his financial maneuvers.
"My friend's investment vision is top-notch! His connections and resources are top-notch! There's nothing he can't handle; he operates on both sides of the law," the client had said, giving Jin a thumbs-up.
And now, this Jin had actively sought out Qin Guan.
"Lawyer Qin, a pleasure to meet you. I've sat in on your trials. You've got some real skill," the man smiled at Qin Guan.
Qin Guan was electrified.
Just like when he stood at his doorstep and saw the immaculately dressed Xu father—he knew clearly that his chance for a breakthrough had arrived.
Breaking out on his own, establishing a company entirely his own, or becoming a partner in a firm—this idea had actually been with Qin Guan for a long time. To be precise, the seed of hope had been planted in his heart ever since he got into law school. But he had never dared to dwell on it deeply, much less mention it, because he hadn't been in the profession long, and his qualifications, ability, and capital were insufficient.
But it was his dream.
Being his own boss, earning more money, gaining higher social status, becoming truly elite—this was his deeply buried dream.
Two days later, it was Qin Guan's birthday. Auntie Feng prepared a large feast. At the dinner table, Qin Guan excitedly shared this good news with Xu Ruyi and Father-in-law.
Changing jobs to strike out alone was a major step. He needed their support.
Of course, this support primarily meant financial—although Qin Guan had a good income, his declared earnings almost all went towards household expenses. His private savings were completely inadequate, and he didn't want to touch them unless absolutely necessary.
He needed support from Father-in-law and Xu Ruyi.
Father-in-law had properties and savings; tapping into either could easily help him.
Xu Ruyi wasn't very clear about his work matters—since having the child, all her focus had been on the baby, then her father's health, followed by her relationship with Qin Guan, and lastly, Qin Guan's work.
She fundamentally didn't understand his work.
"It's up to you. It's your decision. If you've thought it through, you can go ahead and do it," Xu Ruyi said while taking photos of their daughter.
She had always trusted him unconditionally.
But Father-in-law shook his head decisively: "No."
"You're still too young. You need more experience. How many years have you even worked? It's too rushed. Most importantly, this simply isn't the way to do things. Back when you first graduated, you had zero experience, hadn't even passed the bar. In theory, no firm would have taken you. It was my friend who took you in. The moment you got your license, he immediately gave you opportunities to learn. Over the years, he's given you many good chances. It's precisely because he provided you with this stage and these opportunities that you have your current achievements."
"Now that your wings are strong, you just fly away? Hasn't the firm treated you well enough? Besides, they need people right now. How can you justify jumping ship at this time? That's not how we conduct ourselves as decent people." Father-in-law's tone was resolute, leaving absolutely no room for discussion.
Qin Guan was utterly disappointed.
He had never anticipated this outcome.
Straight refusal! No agreement!
After saying this, Father-in-law coldly got up and walked away, completely ignoring Qin Guan's explanations and indifferent to his feelings.
He didn't consider Qin Guan's future at all!
What happened to all the so-called "respect" from before? The so-called "gratitude" and "appreciation"? Was the talk of "one family" and "happiness" all fake?
Father-in-law always used to say: "Ah, I'm old now. This family is yours. You make the decisions; no need to ask me."
He also said, "Qin Guan, you're a good kid. I trust you. You can be the pillar of this family now."
He repeatedly proclaimed his detachment from worldly affairs: "I won't concern myself with matters inside or outside the home anymore. For me, watching Little Pear grow up day by day is enough!"
His words sounded good, but what about his actions?
He didn't give a single thought to Qin Guan's situation. Instead, he forced his own outdated, stubborn ideas onto him!
If you don't fly when your wings are strong, when will you fly?
Stay stuck on one tree until you're old? Try to fly when you're too old to?
Be foolish like him, not knowing how to utilize resources? Not knowing how to seize opportunities? Seeing money but not earning it? Living out your life guarding a small nest egg?
That wasn't the life Qin Guan wanted! Never!
Qin Guan choked back his frustration, yet couldn't discuss it properly with Xu Ruyi.
Because Xu Ruyi sided with her father.
That night before bed, Qin Guan tentatively brought it up again. Sure enough, Xu Ruyi defected to the other side. "I think what Dad said makes sense. Why are you in such a rush? The family isn't short of money. Why go through all that hardship? Besides, your boss is his good friend. If you do this, how will Dad explain it to his friend? Maybe... wait a bit longer? Gain more experience? Won't it be even better for you to go solo when you're more capable? Or, wait until their firm has enough staff, then discuss it with your boss? Anyway, it's not too late."
"Gold shines wherever it is," she said, hugging him in consolation.
But her comfort was completely useless.
No, opportunities aren't always available.
Gold doesn't shine everywhere.
No one understood this better than Qin Guan—how he had seized the chance to escape that mountain village that nearly trapped him for life! No one knew!
If he had believed such nonsense, if he hadn't actively fought for it, he would still be living in that remote mountain village, trapped in that home. Even if he were immensely talented, what difference would it make? He would have been destined to rot there forever, never shining!
But how could Xu Ruyi, raised in comfort and privilege since childhood, possibly understand this?
Only the new assistant at the firm understood.
She spoke straight to Qin Guan's heart: "Lawyer Qin, the first time I saw you, I had this feeling, you know what? You don't belong here. You don't belong in any firm. Because you are a flood dragon. A flood dragon doesn't stay in a pond."
"You will soar to the heavens."
She said this, gazing at him with her soft, beautiful, captivating eyes.
Her eyes brimmed with adoration, expectation, reverence, admiration...
She was Qi Min.