I Suggest You Don’t Offend Me

Lin Shu, a young and ambitious lawyer, returns to her hometown of Rong City to join Tianhao Law Firm as a newly appointed partner. Her appointment was secured by a founding partner who passed away shortly after, leaving Lin Shu without political protection. Consequently, senior partners relegate her to a junior partner status with a strict revenue target: she must generate ten million in annual revenue to achieve full partnership. To meet this goal, she is assigned to manage a problematic team inherited from a retiring partner. The team consists of three members: Liu Xuhui, a senior but passive lawyer; Wang Tie Niu, the wealthy and seemingly lazy youngest son of Xinhe Group’s CEO, known internally as the "Crown Prince"; and Xu Shijia, a strikingly handsome but arrogant lawyer rumored to be the former mistress of a senior partner, though it is later revealed he is male.

Lin Shu’s first challenge is establishing authority over her unruly team. Through internal gossip forums, she learns that the team is filled with nepotism hires and difficult personalities. She discovers that Wang Tie Niu, despite his spoiled reputation, is actually respectful and cooperative, largely because Lin Shu shows genuine interest in his father’s autobiographical book. However, Xu Shijia proves to be a far greater challenge. When Lin Shu arrives at the office, she finds Xu Shijia absent. Upon learning he is still sleeping, she publicly reprimands him over the phone, demanding he come to work or resign. This bold move shocks her colleagues but earns Wang Tie Niu’s respect. Xu Shijia eventually arrives, revealing himself to be the same man Lin Shu had previously insulted in a parking garage for his poor driving skills. He is furious that she did not recognize him and resents her lack of deference to his status.

The conflict between Lin Shu and Xu Shijia escalates during a mandatory business trip for a due diligence assignment at a remote seasoning factory. Xu Shijia complains about the economy class flight and the substandard four-star hotel, which lacks an elevator and faces a cemetery. Despite his complaints, he demonstrates physical strength by carrying heavy luggage and eventually agrees to stay in the dusty archive room to help Lin Shu review documents. Lin Shu employs psychological tactics, praising Xu Shijia’s professional skills while subtly appealing to his sympathy by sharing a fabricated story about her difficult upbringing. This strategy successfully motivates him to work diligently, and he identifies several key legal risks in the factory’s operations.

A turning point occurs when Xu Shijia overhears Lin Shu praising Wang Tie Niu on the phone, using identical compliments she had just given him. Feeling betrayed and manipulated, Xu Shijia confronts Lin Shu. She deftly handles the situation by explaining that she must treat Wang Tie Niu with caution due to his family’s immense influence over the firm’s revenue, whereas she considers Xu Shijia a true equal and friend. This explanation placates Xu Shijia, who realizes he was unaware of Tie Niu’s identity as the Xinhe heir. The incident strengthens their working relationship, though Xu Shijia remains competitive and sensitive.

Throughout the due diligence process, Lin Shu balances professional rigor with emotional management. She corrects Xu Shijia’s oversight regarding environmental and intellectual property risks, demonstrating her superior expertise. By the end of the trip, the team has completed the legal opinion, and Lin Shu has successfully navigated the complex dynamics of her new team. She has secured the loyalty of Wang Tie Niu, managed the volatile Xu Shijia through psychological insight, and laid the groundwork for her team’s future success. The story highlights Lin Shu’s professional competence and her ability to lead difficult personalities in a high-stakes corporate environment.