Qian Zhiyuan studied Lin Feng for a moment. His gaze lingered briefly - probably noting how young he was.

  But he didn't comment on it.

  "You mentioned on the phone that you're looking for a retainer arrangement," Qian Zhiyuan said, settling back into his chair. "For a holdings company?"

  "Fenghua Holdings," Lin Feng confirmed. "And its subsidiaries."

  "How many subsidiaries are we talking about?"

  "Three at the moment. There will be more."

  Qian Zhiyuan's eyebrow rose slightly, but he maintained his composure.

  "I see."

  He opened a leather folder on his desk and picked up a pen.

  "Why don't you tell me about your current operations? That way I can assess the scope of services you'd need."

  Lin Feng leaned back.

  "Fenghua Holdings is the parent entity. Beneath it, I hold shares in a delivery business, an investment fund, and an entertainment agency."

  He listed them matter-of-factly.

  "The delivery business handles food and goods currently on a small scale but with plans for expansion. The fund is a quantitative investment platform - small scale for now, but growing. The entertainment agency manages talent - currently one artist, but we're planning to expand."

  Qian Zhiyuan wrote as he listened. When Lin Feng finished, he looked up.

  "That's quite a spread for someone your age."

  Lin Feng didn't respond to that.

  Qian Zhiyuan smiled faintly and continued.

  "For a retainer arrangement, here's what we typically offer."

  He slid a printed document across the desk.

  "This is our standard annual legal advisory agreement. It covers routine consultations - contract review, compliance questions, corporate governance advice, drafting of standard agreements. You'd have direct access to a designated attorney - that would be me or one of my associates - for any day-to-day legal matters."

  Lin Feng picked up the document and began reading through it.

  Qian Zhiyuan continued while he read.

  "The annual fee depends on the scope. For a single entity, we usually charge between thirty and fifty thousand yuan per year. Given that you have multiple subsidiaries with different operational profiles..."

  He paused, calculating.

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  "I'd recommend our comprehensive package. Eighty thousand per year. That covers all entities under Fenghua Holdings, with up to forty hours of consultation per month."

  Lin Feng looked up from the document.

  "What falls outside the retainer?"

  "Good question."

  Qian Zhiyuan leaned forward.

  "Litigation. Arbitration. Any matter that requires us to represent you or your companies in formal proceedings. Those are billed separately - either hourly or on a fixed-fee basis depending on the case."

  He held up a hand.

  "That said, the initial assessment and strategy consultation for any potential case would still fall within the retainer. We'd only begin separate billing once we actually take formal action."

  Lin Feng nodded slowly.

  "What about labor disputes?"

  "Covered under litigation if it goes to arbitration or court. But preliminary advice - say, reviewing an employment situation, advising on potential claims - that's within the retainer."

  Lin Feng set the document down.

  "I'd like to add something to the scope."

  "Go ahead."

  "From time to time, I may bring matters to your attention that aren't directly related to my businesses. Personal matters involving people close to me."

  Qian Zhiyuan studied him.

  "Could you be more specific?"

  "For example - a workplace injury case. Someone was injured due to employer negligence. The family didn't pursue it at the time."

  Qian Zhiyuan's expression shifted slightly. Not from surprise - more like recognition. He had probably seen dozens of cases like this.

  "How long ago?"

  "Within the past two years."

  "Then there's still time," he said. "Work injury recognition applications have a one-year window from the date of injury or diagnosis, but if there were circumstances that prevented timely filing - and there usually are in these cases - extensions are possible. Labor arbitration itself has a one-year statute from when the worker knew or should have known their rights were violated."

  He tapped his pen against the desk.

  "These cases aren't uncommon. Employers cutting corners on safety, then pressuring the injured worker into silence. Sometimes they offer a small payout in exchange for the worker signing away their rights. Sometimes they simply deny responsibility and wait for the family to give up."

  He looked at Lin Feng.

  "Do you know which scenario applies here?"

  "Not yet," Lin Feng said. "I'll need to look into it further before bringing it to you."

  Qian Zhiyuan nodded.

  "When you're ready, we can do a full assessment. If there's a viable claim, we'll discuss the best approach - arbitration, negotiation, or litigation."

  He paused.

  "Cases like these, if the evidence is strong, tend to resolve favorably. Chinese labor law is quite protective of injured workers. The challenge is usually gathering evidence after time has passed."

  "Understood."

  Lin Feng picked up the retainer agreement again and flipped to the last page.

  "I'm satisfied with the terms," he said. "Eighty thousand per year, billed quarterly?"

  "That's correct. Twenty thousand per quarter."

  Lin Feng reached into his bag and pulled out a folder of his own.

  "Here are the registration documents for Fenghua Holdings and its subsidiaries. Business licenses, shareholder agreements, and existing contracts that I'd like you to review as a starting point."

  Qian Zhiyuan accepted the folder and opened it. His eyes moved quickly across the first few pages.

  Whatever he was expecting, this clearly exceeded it.

  He looked up.

  "These are well-prepared."

  "I try."

  Qian Zhiyuan set the folder aside and produced two copies of the retainer agreement.

  "I'll have my assistant prepare the final versions with your specific entity details. But if you're comfortable with the standard terms, we can sign today and make amendments later."

  "Let's sign today."

  Qian Zhiyuan nodded and slid both copies across the desk along with a pen.

  Lin Feng read through the agreement one final time. Eight pages. Standard clauses - scope of services, confidentiality, billing terms, dispute resolution, termination conditions.

  Everything was in order.

  He signed both copies.

  Qian Zhiyuan signed after him, then stamped each copy with the firm's official seal.

  He handed one copy back to Lin Feng.

  "Welcome aboard," he said with a professional smile. "My direct number is on the card. Don't hesitate to use it."

  Lin Feng tucked the agreement and the business card into his folder.

  He stood and shook Qian Zhiyuan's hand.

  "I'll be in touch soon," he said. "About that other matter."

  Qian Zhiyuan nodded.

  "Whenever you're ready."