Zhang Zian decided to accept the inheritance, which was equivalent to accepting Cathy's last wish.
When Adams heard his agreement, a relieved smile appeared on his face. It was not in vain that he had crossed half the world to come to this snowy city.
"Okay, Mr. Zhang. You just agreed verbally, but we still have formal procedures to follow. I didn't know your specific address and phone number before I came, and I didn't know if you would accept this special inheritance, so I didn't bring the eight cats with me. They are currently in the pet care center. After Mr. Zhang signs these documents, I will arrange for them to be shipped by air immediately, "he said.
Adams took out a small video camera and a tripod from his briefcase and explained, "The signing process needs to be recorded for notarization. Is that okay?"
This American lawyer gave Zhang Zian a very professional feeling. Obviously, it was not the first time he dealt with related matters. Adams' question was just a polite reminder to Zhang Zian. At this time, he definitely could not refuse the recording, otherwise it would be equivalent to refusing the inheritance.
"Yes, please," Zhang Zian said. "Do you need my help?"
Adams looked around the shop. "It would be best if there was an empty table and two chairs for us to sit across from each other."
There were computer screens, card readers, novice pet raising guides for customers, and other miscellaneous things on the cashier counter, which could not meet Adams' requirements.
"Please come upstairs." Zhang Zian led him to the living room upstairs.
"Is this okay?" he asked, pointing to the sofa and the coffee table.
"Yes, absolutely okay."
Adams put down the briefcase, set up the tripod, set up the camera, and asked Zhang Zian to sit on the sofa. He adjusted the focus and tested if there was a problem with the microphone.
"Mr. Zhang, the parrot on your shoulder..." he pointed to Richard and smiled bitterly. "Can you ask it to leave for a while? It looks very undignified. "
Richard did not wait for Zhang Zian to speak. It fluttered its wings and landed on the fan on the ceiling, looking down at them.
"Wow! What a smart parrot! It can understand me? "Adams opened his mouth in surprise. It was the first time since he entered the pet shop that he had lost his composure.
"Quack! I can even talk, you idiot! Close your mouth, or the bird poop will fall into your mouth! "Richard was bored, so it lowered its head and pecked the feathers on its chest.
Adams quickly closed his mouth, as if he was really afraid that Richard would poop in his mouth.
"Amazing! Mr. Zhang, how did you train this parrot? "he asked, pursing his lips.
"Well... it's hard to explain. Anyway, it's very troublesome. Of course, you still need a bit of talent. "Zhang Zian glared at Richard, warning it not to be in the limelight.
"I think so too." Adams believed it. After reminding Zhang Zian, he began to record.
He spread the documents on the coffee table and explained the meaning of each document to Zhang Zian. Then, he instructed Zhang Zian where to sign. Because it involved a transnational inheritance, and the eight cats had to be transported over, it was necessary to ensure that the eight cats would not die accidentally during the transportation process. Otherwise, it would affect the execution of the will and the reputation of the law firm. The procedures were more cumbersome than ordinary inheritance.
Adams patiently explained everything in detail, and Zhang Zian could ask him anything he didn't understand.
At first, Zhang Zian was still a little worried about whether the eight cats would encounter any problems during the transportation process, such as immigration and quarantine issues. He even planned to remind Adams not to take the route through the Capital International Airport.
However, he did not expect that Adams had obviously done his homework before coming to China. Whether it was legal tax avoidance or the avoidance of quarantine, he explained it clearly and logically. He knew more than Zhang Zian, and could be said to be an expert at exploiting loopholes in the law … But on the other hand, customers really liked such lawyers, because they obviously put the interests of their customers in a paramount position. As long as they paid enough money, they could rest easy.
What an evil capitalism...
After answering all of Zhang Zian's questions and confirming that Zhang Zian had no objections, Adams pointed out where he should sign for confirmation. He also signed a power of attorney, authorizing Adams to handle the transportation of the cats on his behalf.
By the time everything was done, about half an hour had passed.
Adams stopped recording, and they exchanged contact information.
"Ah, I almost forgot." He took out a thick stack of neatly bound documents from the briefcase. "This is for you."
"What is this?" Zhang Zian took it and flipped through it, indicating that he could not understand the English on it.
"Well … it should be the pedigree of the eight cats. I don't know much about this. I found it when I was sorting out Ms. Ryan's belongings. I think I should give it to you along with the cats." Adams shrugged. "Of course, if it's useless, Mr. Zhang, you can handle it yourself."
Zhang Zian was stunned. These were essential things in the regular breeding process of cats — on a small scale, having these could avoid inbreeding between breeding cats; on a large scale, these could further optimize the bloodline of Abyssinian cats to produce better offspring.
These documents were equivalent to Cathy's breeding diary for more than a decade, recording her experiences and lessons. As long as the chocolate-colored Abyssinian cats were recognized by the CFA, they could apply for a pedigree certificate.
He flipped through these handwritten documents, as if he could see Cathy's figure holding a pen at the desk on countless lonely nights.
"Thank you … These are very useful," he said. "Thank you for bringing them to me."
"If there is nothing else, I will leave first." Adams shook hands with Zhang Zian and looked up at Richard. "Hey, little guy, goodbye!"
Richard was napping and did not respond to him at all.
Adams put the VCR, the tripod, and the signed documents into the briefcase one by one. Zhang Zian glanced at it and noticed that there was a photo at the bottom of the briefcase. In the corner of the photo, there was a clump of beautiful silver hair.
"Is that … a photo of Cathy?" Zhang Zian asked.
"Ah, you mean this? Yes, because you and Ms. Ryan only met once, I was worried that you would forget her, so I brought her photo. "Adams heard what Zhang Zian meant and took out the photo from under the briefcase." Do you want to keep it? "
"Can I?"
"Of course. It's yours. "He handed the photo to Zhang Zian.
In the photo, Cathy was sitting on the lawn of her own yard, holding Wendy in her arms, surrounded by seven other Abyssinian cats. Facing the camera, she was smiling brightly.
"Thank you."
Zhang Zian could not remember how many times he had thanked Adams. The careful and thoughtful lawyer had thought of almost all the details, which made Zhang Zian feel a little comforted.
He found an old useless photo frame, wiped the dust off it, and placed Cathy's photo in the frame. Adams packed up the briefcase and kept watching him.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting," Zhang Zian said.
"It's okay." Adams smiled.
Zhang Zian held the photo frame and made a "please" gesture. "Let me walk you out."
They went downstairs together. Zhang Zian asked Adams to wait for a moment. He looked around the shop and finally chose a shelf behind the recliner, where he placed the photo frame neatly. From here, Cathy would be able to see her cats playing in the shop at any time. She would be very happy.
Zhang Zian walked Adams out of the shop and watched his taxi disappear at the corner of the street. Then he returned to the shop.
He sat on the chair next to the cashier's counter and glanced around. He was surprised to find that Lu Yiyun was concentrating on her painting, as if she had forgotten everything around her. There was only the drawing board and the screen in her eyes.
On the computer screen, Zhang Zian's silhouette in the snow gradually became clear. Unfortunately, he was not handsome at all.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
