4

The next morning, Mingde Law Firm's conference room was dressed for judgment.

A red banner hung across the front: Uphold Recruitment Fairness. Defend the Spirit of Law.

Han Chen and the other two interviewers sat at the main table. Guo Zhenghua and the woman everyone called Lin Wanyu sat in the guest seats, with Guo Mingrui between them.

Reporters filled the room. Cameras lined the aisle. The livestream lights glowed red.

I sat in the cafe downstairs and opened the feed on my phone.

Han Chen adjusted his tie and stepped to the podium.

"Friends from the media, thank you for coming. Today's press conference concerns former partner Xu Yan and his malicious obstruction of an outstanding candidate during this year's recruitment."

He put on a grave expression.

"Mingde Law Firm has always taken fairness and justice as its foundation. After receiving a report, we reviewed the matter. Interviewer Xu Yan eliminated the top candidate, Mr. Guo Mingrui, without cause. The nature of this conduct is extremely serious."

The screen behind him lit up.

Mingrui's resume appeared.

First in his class at Jiangcheng University Law School.

National moot court champion.

Six journal papers.

Reporters whispered. Comments rushed across the live feed.

[How does a resume like that get rejected?]

[Who is Xu Yan to have that much nerve?]

[No wonder people say recruitment is never fair.]

Mingrui watched the screen with a solemn expression. The corner of his mouth lifted for half a second.

Han Chen stepped aside.

"Now, Professor Guo Zhenghua, the candidate's grandfather, will say a few words."

Guo Zhenghua rose, smoothed his jacket, and walked to the microphone.

"Everyone," he began, sweeping the room with his gaze. "I too came from the mountains. Because I know how hard that road is, I understand the weight of the word fairness."

He paused. His voice grew heavy.

"I never imagined that in a profession as sacred as law, someone would trample fairness underfoot. Today I do not speak only for my grandson. I speak for thousands of students whose futures must not be crushed by private power."

Applause filled the room. Someone in the front row stood to clap.

The livestream comments sped up.

[Professor Guo has devoted his life to legal education. This is what a real teacher looks like.]

[I'm tearing up. He truly cares about students.]

[Xu Yan should lose his license.]

Then Mingrui was invited to the stage.

He wore a black suit and held himself straight. After taking the microphone, he stayed silent for a few seconds, as if gathering emotion.

"Hello, everyone. I am Guo Mingrui, the victim in this incident.

"From my first day in law school, I told myself I wanted to use the law to do something for society. I worked hard for four years and earned some results. But before I even entered the profession, one man denied me with a single sentence.

"Later, I learned that Attorney Xu has a pattern. He favors female candidates, especially attractive ones. Male candidates, no matter how strong, are often rejected for vague reasons. I don't need to spell out why. I believe everyone understands."

He tightened his grip on the microphone.

"My grandfather always taught me that law exists to defend fairness. Knowledge and rights should protect people, not bully them. As men, we should speak for women, not exploit them or force them into transactions."

His chin lifted.

"Today I stand here not only for myself. I stand for the male candidates rejected without cause, and for the young women who were afraid to speak. I want justice for them."

Guo Zhenghua nodded from below. The woman beside him dabbed at the corner of her eye with a tissue.

The comments praised Mingrui for his courage.

Then a clear sound came from the doorway.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

I walked in, applauding.

"Mr. Guo," I said, "what a moving speech."

Every head turned.

Two cameras swung toward me at once.

Mingrui looked over. The microphone tilted in his hand.

I stopped in front of the stage.

"You said you came here today to ask for justice."

I looked at him.

"When you committed academic fraud, did justice ever cross your mind?"