Zou Min called all the interns to the conference room.
"Both groups produced good quality work, each with its strengths and weaknesses. The Red Group had a more complete evidence list and deeper legal research. The Blue Group had a clearer complaint structure and more accurate summary of the key issues."
She looked at everyone. "I announce the comprehensive scores: the Blue Group scored 0.5 points higher than the Red Group."
Qiao Meng nearly jumped out of her chair, quickly covering her mouth to stifle a cheer.
Zeng Keqin released her grip on her clothes and relaxed her tense nerves.
Zou Min continued, "However, Red Group, don't be discouraged. A 0.5-point gap shows you are equally excellent. Meeting adjourned."
Zeng Keqin gathered her things to leave.
"Zeng Keqin, come to my office for a moment."
Zou Min's voice came from behind.
She paused and followed.
Entering the office, Zou Min closed the door and pointed to the chair opposite. "Sit."
Zeng Keqin sat upright, hands on her knees, feeling uneasy.
Zou Min opened the folder on her desk, took out a piece of paper, and slid it to her.
"Zheng Zhixi wrote me a letter. He said you lack ability, act arbitrarily in group work, and ignore team members' opinions. He also said the loss of the key group files is your fault because you were the last to leave. Additionally, he mentioned you've been close with Zhao Mo in private, suggesting you may have leaked group information."
Zeng Keqin stared at the accusation letter. A surge of anger rushed to her head, her chest feeling blocked as she struggled to suppress the overwhelming emotion.
"Lawyer Zou, I didn't..."
"I called you here not to hear your excuses."
Zou Min looked at her calmly. "It's to tell you that I checked the access records of the shared folder regarding the lost files. The last login was not from your account. Someone logged in half an hour after you left. I'm still investigating who it was."
Zeng Keqin's pupils contracted sharply.
"I'll handle this matter. No one will be wrongfully accused."
Her eyes suddenly stung. Zeng Keqin lowered her head quickly and blinked forcefully to hold back the wetness. "Thank you, Lawyer Zou."
Zou Min opened the folder on her desk. "Go back to work."
Zeng Keqin stood up and walked out.
Qiao Meng, waiting at the door, hurried over. "What did Lawyer Zou say? Why are your eyes red? If it's about the files, I'll go tell Lawyer Zou it's all my fault, nothing to do with you!"
Zeng Keqin stopped her. "It's not that. I just got an eyelash in my eye."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
As they passed the break room, Zeng Keqin caught a glimpse of Zheng Zhixi and Zhao Mo talking in low voices. Zheng Zhixi looked grim.
Two days later, Zou Min called everyone to the conference room.
"I've investigated the loss of the Blue Group's files. The access records show the files were deleted half an hour after Zeng Keqin left the company. The login was from Zheng Zhixi, using Zhao Mo's computer."
The conference room fell into terrifying silence. Everyone's eyes turned to Zheng Zhixi.
Pale-faced, Zheng Zhixi could barely defend himself. "I didn't..."
"Access records don't lie. Zhao Mo also admitted that you borrowed his workstation for half an hour that day."
Zhao Mo sat there, his expression calm and detached.
Zheng Zhixi lowered his head and stopped defending himself.
"I don't need to elaborate on the nature of this matter. Bai Run'er doesn't need people who win by underhanded means. Your internship ends here."
Zheng Zhixi's lips trembled, but he said nothing. He picked up his belongings and, as he passed Zeng Keqin, glanced at her. There was no resentment in his eyes, only a sense of relief.
At the end of the workday, Zeng Keqin said goodbye to Qiao Meng and turned toward the bus stop. After a few steps, she stopped.
She saw a familiar figure standing under the bus sign, holding a cardboard box. It was Zheng Zhixi.
"Can we talk?"
Zeng Keqin acted as if she hadn't heard and kept walking.
"Don't you want to know why I did it?"
She paused mid-stride, then turned around. "Where do we talk?"
In a corner of the coffee shop.
Zheng Zhixi stirred his coffee. "I'm really sorry about you, but I had no choice."
"You've probably looked me up. I won Best Debater in the provincial mock trial competition..."
He gave a self-deprecating laugh. "But that doesn't mean much. I grew up in a single-parent family. My father died when I was young, and my mother worked hard to raise me. I'm not saying this to gain sympathy, but to tell you that I valued this opportunity more than any of you."
Zeng Keqin looked at him, puzzled. "Then why did you delete the files?"
"Because of Zhao Mo. When he showed up, I knew I didn't stand a chance. You might not believe it, but in the lawyer circle, background and connections matter more than ability and effort. Don't give me that skeptical look. You'll understand when the selection list comes out."
Zeng Keqin frowned. "Even if Zhao Mo took one internship spot, there was still another. Why didn't you fight for it?"