Are You Crazy? He's only an Intern Lawyer?-Chapter 34 - Gaining the Upper Hand, Zhang Wei Visits the Procuratorate Headquarters Again

“Yes, every year during the holidays he brings me cigarettes and alcohol.

I actually don’t lack these things, but he insists on giving them, and I can’t refuse.”

“Then I want to ask, does he bring you cigarettes and alcohol without any ulterior motive?”

Upon these words, an eerie atmosphere settled over the courtroom.

“Your son gives you gifts, and you’re saying he really expects nothing in return, that he is merely showing filial piety?”

“I object, harassing the witness, the question is irrelevant to the case!”

Tan Yingying finally stood up again.

“Your Honor, it was the prosecution that first made an issue of the victim’s family situation.

Our side did not object during the witness questioning phase!”

“Hmm, you make a valid point, objection overruled!”

Tan Yingying sat down again, deflated.

“Thank you, Your Honor!”

Zhang Wei looked again toward Professor Wei: “Witness, I just asked you a question, please answer.”

After thinking for a moment, Professor Wei finally said, “My son gives me gifts to honor me, without expecting anything in return.”

“Oh, is that so~”

“Then let me ask you another question, from what you’ve said, do you have a good relationship with your son?”

“Of course, I am his father after all.

How can a father and son not have a good relationship?”

“I need a definitive response, not an answer to a question with another question!”

Zhang Wei’s tone shifted, his gaze fixed intently on Professor Wei.

The latter felt as if Zhang Wei’s stare was like two sharp swords, piercing directly through his heart, causing a suffocating pressure on his chest.

“Professor Wei, do you have a good relationship with your son?

Please answer ‘good’ or ‘not good’, and do not give me evasive responses!”

“Witness, please answer the question!” Judge Wang also spoke up timely, adding a reminder.

Under the combined pressure of the judge and Zhang Wei, sweat dripped from Professor Wei’s forehead.

But he still managed to muster his strength and replied, “My answer is good!”

Zhang Wei nodded, indicating that he understood.

Then, he walked back to the defense table and took a document from Zhang Hui.

“Witness, since you say so, I must remind you that you have taken an oath.

Are you aware of the consequences of perjury?”

“Of course, I am aware…”

“Alright, I understand!”

Zhang Wei opened the first page of the document and read aloud, “Four years ago, your son Wei Hong faced a criminal charge of burglary.

You hired a lawyer and reached a settlement with the other party.

Did this happen?”

“Young people, who doesn’t make mistakes?”

“Oh, young people inevitably make mistakes, that’s your response, huh?

But what if the mistakes are repeated over and over?”

Zhang Wei scoffed, then picked up the document again: “Three years ago, your son Wei Hong was suspected of raping a woman.

What a coincidence, it was again a lawyer you hired who handled the negotiations.

In the end, a settlement was reached, and I heard you paid 500,000 in compensation, is that true?”

“As I said, my son sometimes makes mistakes.”

“Let’s continue then.

Still three years ago, but in August, your son was accused of public brawling while drunk, damaging public property.

That time, the Procuratorate’s Office initiated criminal proceedings against him, and in the end, it was you who approached the prosecuting attorney, resulting in an out-of-court settlement.

Isn’t that so?”

This time, Professor Wei said nothing.

“Moving on to two years ago, your son caused even more trouble that year.

According to the case files, there were charges such as DUI, hit and run, verbal and physical assault on others, and wow, even public indecency…”

Professor Wei closed his eyes, his expression turning grim.

“Last year was even more outrageous; the criminal and civil charges against your son doubled compared to the previous year.

Before, a single sheet of paper listed them, but last year’s took two sheets to detail!”

Professor Wei’s face became completely unbearable to look at, his eyebrows furrowed into a “川”.

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Fortunately, Zhang Wei finished speaking.

He held the materials in his hand and said teasingly, “As expected of Professor Wei, to have such a son and still publicly claim he is a filial child?”

In the jury box, all the jurors were looking at Professor Wei, but this time their eyes were not filled with sympathy, but with the anger of being deceived and a hint of mockery.

Your son is nothing but a thorough scoundrel, and luckily he’s now dead.

You must feel more joy than sorrow, right?

Zhang Wei, however, had no intention of letting the other party off, saying that it’s the father’s fault when a son isn’t taught properly.

Your son Wei Hong turning out this way has a lot to do with you.

“Witness, you just said that you had a harmonious relationship with your son.

Would you like to revise your statement now?”

Seeing Professor Wei saying nothing, Zhang Wei immediately said, “Fine, since you choose to remain silent, then I’ll continue making my moves!”

“Your Honor, the defense requests to summon three rebuttal witnesses to testify—Mr.

Jiang Dabin, Mr.

Yan Lisong, and his wife Madam Hua.

They are respectively Professor Wei’s colleague and the couple who live next door.”

Upon hearing these three witnesses, both Professor Wei and the lady in the spectator seats changed their expressions.

“Objection, these witnesses are not on the witness list!”

“Your Honor, my purpose for summoning these witnesses is to prove that Professor Wei’s testimony is not credible and that he has shown contempt for this sacred court by committing perjury.

That’s all!”

Tan Yingying raised objections, but Zhang Wei also came forward to present his own arguments.

The judge looked at Tan Yingying, then at Zhang Wei, and finally turned his gaze to Professor Wei in the witness stand.

There was a warning in Judge Wang’s eyes.

It was as if he was saying: You better confess now, or you won’t have the chance once the witnesses take the stand!

“Wait!”

Professor Wei finally spoke up.

“I admit, my son is a bastard.

I don’t have much affection for him anymore.

Ever since he dropped out in high school, I have had little contact with him.”

“As for the gifts of cigarettes and alcohol during the holidays, they were given to me when he came to see me.

Every time he got into trouble outside, involved in lawsuits, he would come back to me.

Although I was angry and knew he had indeed done something wrong, I also had my difficulties.

After all, he is my son; I can’t just ignore him!”

Hearing this explanation, Zhang Wei couldn’t help but retort, “Is that your excuse for indulging him time and again?

Your son is scum, but you keep cleaning up after him, cultivating his arrogant and domineering character because he knows that he has a good father who will always come to wipe his ass no matter what he’s done, right?”

“I…”

Being rebutted so straightforwardly by Zhang Wei, Professor Wei was at a loss for words, only able to look helplessly towards the spectator seats.

He’s an associate professor, who has spent a lifetime earning his reputation, but what can he do?

That’s his son, and his wife is constantly concerned about their only child.

How could he not take care of him?

“Many times, overindulgence is the greatest harm to a child!”

“Your son turned out this way due to his own fault and also as a consequence of your pampering.

Yet you want my client to bear the responsibility.

Doesn’t your conscience hurt?”

“I…” Professor Wei, questioned into silence, struggled to speak for a long while.

“Your Honor, since the witness has confessed, there’s no need to summon the rebuttal witnesses.

I have no further questions!”

Zhang Wei dropped this comment with a cold voice and returned to the defense bench.

Judge Wang nodded and then announced loudly, “Court is adjourned for today.

Tomorrow, the defense may subpoena the first witness!”

In the city court’s conference room.

Lin Xiao and his wife Chen Lan held each other tightly, appearing to have reconciled.

“Lawyer Zhang, what should we do tomorrow?” Lin Xiao asked the question he was most concerned about.

“What else can we do but have one of you two go up to testify, of course?”

Saying this, Zhang Wei looked at Lin Xiao and Chen Lan, contemplating whether to let the client give a personal account or have the wife Chen Lan testify.

“Lawyer Zhang, let me do it!” Lin Xiao held his wife’s hand firmly and said seriously.

“You, but you’ve made mistakes in your youth, too, which makes you an easy target for the prosecution’s attack?”

Zhang Wei naturally conducted a background check on Lin Xiao, including his detention records from his younger days, which he reviewed thoroughly.

In the eyes of Dragon Country’s average person, Lin Xiao’s record is not good.

“Let me go instead!” At this moment, Chen Lan spoke up.

“I’m his wife and also a witness at the time.

It would be better for me to explain what happened!”

“Are you sure?

You were thinking of hiring a divorce lawyer before, and although there’s attorney-client confidentiality, the prosecution might not know about this.

However, you’ll be facing the interrogation of the Procuratorate Headquarters in court.

Can you handle it?”

“I can definitely do it!”

Seeing Chen Lan’s resolute attitude, Zhang Wei and Zhang Hui exchanged glances and then nodded.

“Testifying in court is fine, but before that, I’ll have Sister Zhang Hui conduct a mock cross-examination with you.

She will simulate some of the prosecution’s questions, and you need to be prepared!”

“I understand!” Chen Lan nodded firmly.

“As for Lin Xiao, you’ll need to return to the detention center later.

Remember to keep control tomorrow, no matter what questions the prosecution asks your wife, you must stay rational!”

“I understand, Lawyer Zhang, I will follow your lead!”

“Good, then I also need to prepare some backup strategies.

I either do not act at all, or I go all out!”

As he spoke, a sly smile flashed across Zhang Wei’s lips.

…

Meanwhile,

in Dongfang Capital, Procuratorate Headquarters.

“Yes, yes, I’ll definitely pass on the message.”

“Please be assured, leader, I will definitely oversee the whole process and absolutely won’t let my subordinates make any mistakes!”

“Ah, right, right, you’re absolutely correct, in our Office of Minor Crimes we must ensure a high conviction rate, especially in cases where the defendant has already pleaded guilty, we absolutely cannot lose…”

Guo Wufeng licked his face while fawning over the phone.

Once the call ended, the smile on his face vanished instantly.

The atmosphere in the Office of Minor Crimes gradually grew tense.

After brewing for a while, Guo Wufeng summoned his energy from his dantian and roared,

“Tan– Ying– Ying–”

From the neighboring pantry, a startled yelp faintly made its way over, followed by the sound of a tea cup being knocked over.

“Director, director, I’m here, I’m here…”

Tan Yingying rushed into the Office of Minor Crimes, her face marked with panic, resembling a frightened little deer.

She knew that today Guo Wufeng was likely to blow his top.

“Tan Yingying, what am I supposed to say about you?

Your performance in court today has already reached my superiors’ ears!”

“You were actually suppressed by an intern lawyer without even a shred of evidence, allowing him to momentarily gain the upper hand— you’ve made us lose face!”

“Who are we?

We are the Procuratorate Headquarters of Dongfang Capital, we absolutely cannot be defeated!”

Sure enough, Guo Wufeng unleashed a torrent of face-to-face verbal fire at Tan Yingying.

Tan Yingying could only lower her head, not daring to look at Guo Wufeng’s angry face, afraid that one misstep would lead to her being devoured whole.

“Look at the ‘scoreboard’ on the wall, look at it, take a good hard look!”

Guo Wufeng said this while pointing at the chart on the wall.

“I thought with Prosecutor Xiao Baihe as your mentor, you would learn something.

But what happened in the trial?

This kind of performance?”

“If our Office of Minor Crimes loses to a rookie lawyer, where am I supposed to put my face, Guo Wufeng?

How am I supposed to continue in Dongfang Capital Procuratorate Headquarters?”

“Dir, Director…”

Tan Yingying struggled to lift her head, wanting to say something.

“Hmm?!”

But seeing Guo Wufeng’s stern look, she recoiled again.

“This case, you must handle it flawlessly.

You don’t want a big fat ‘X’ on that scoreboard, do you?”

“Yes, Director, I promise it’ll be done beautifully!”

Tan Yingying nodded hurriedly, although she was also without a clue herself, yet in that moment all she knew was to agree.

“Hmph, if you mess it up, you’ll have me to answer to!” Guo Wufeng huffed again before returning to his seat.

Tan Yingying couldn’t remember how she got back to her seat.

She only knew the entire office was looking at her, and that feeling…

Was like sitting on pins and needles!

“Director, director, there’s trouble, there’s trouble…”

Luckily, a panicked shouting broke the office’s somber mood and also drew Tan Yingying’s attention.

Guo Wufeng shot up from his seat, with his chair legs screeching unpleasantly on the floor.

“What’s all this panic about?”

“Director, that lawyer’s here again!”

“Who?”

“The defense attorney who confronted Tan Yingying in court today.

He seems to be called Zhang Wei, that’s his name.

Anyway, he’s come to our Procuratorate Headquarters again!”

“What, is he here to throw down another gauntlet?”

“Not exactly, he’s accompanied by a woman from the Martial Association, it looks like they went to the Office of Serious Crimes, looking for Prosecutor Xiao Baihe.”

After hearing this, Guo Wufeng let out a sigh of relief, but then glared fiercely at his subordinates.

“What are you all looking at, get back to work!”

The subordinates shrank their heads back and buried themselves in paperwork.

Tan Yingying also shrank back, afraid of catching Guo Wufeng’s eye again.

However, a few minutes later, an additional figure appeared at the door of the Office of Minor Crimes.

“Ahem, here I am to disturb you again!”

A sarcastic voice was heard, and Zhang Wei appeared.

In the adjacent pantry, Xia Qianyue was “chatting” with Xiao Baihe, of course, more about delaying the latter on Zhang Wei’s cue.

Zhang Wei went directly to the Office of Minor Crimes; he came knocking.

“It’s you again, you little…”

“Stop right there!” Guo Wufeng wanted to roar, but Zhang Wei cut him off.

“I’m not your subordinate, you have no right to yell at me!”

He reminded him coldly and then ignored Guo Wufeng’s murderous gaze, walking over to Tan Yingying’s desk.

Zhang Wei didn’t beat around the bush and got straight to the point, “Prosecutor Tan, I’m here to discuss dropping the charges.

You’ve seen the situation, the trial is not going in your favor.

Why don’t we just drop the charges?

It’s better for you, for me, and for everyone.”

“Kid, what did you say?

Asking us to drop the charges, are you out of your damn mind!”

Hearing Zhang Wei’s words, Guo Wufeng immediately lost his temper.

Zhang Wei was no pushover.

Guo Wufeng was cursing outright, and he didn’t hold back in his retort,

“What’s wrong?

I’m just discussing a proposal to drop the charges with the prosecution, why is an outsider like you chiming in?”

“You…”

“What about me?

This is the Procuratorate Headquarters, a place where we talk about the law.

Are you telling me, Guo Wufeng, that you can interfere with an out-of-court discussion between the defense and the prosecution attorneys?”

As he spoke, he stepped forward again, “If you, Guo Wufeng, dare to meddle again, I’ll take my complaint to the ‘Judicial Supervisory Committee.’ Do you dare to try me?”

Facing Guo Wufeng, Zhang Wei was every bit his match, not giving an inch.

Hearing the revered name of the “Supervisory Committee,” even Guo Wufeng felt some hesitation.

He opened his mouth only to forcibly hold back.

But his gaze grew more sinister, his eyes on Zhang Wei sharper than daggers.

“Prosecutor Tan Yingying, it’s your turn.

Are you considering my proposal to drop the charges?”

“Tomorrow my witness will be in court.

Then it’s my move, and you’ll be on the defensive.

This is your last chance.

You don’t want your Procuratorate Headquarters to lose to me, do you?”

Tan Yingying looked up and saw Guo Wufeng’s grim face and his eyes filled with warning.

“I choose not to drop the charges!”

“Fine, if that’s your choice, I’ve got nothing to say!”

Zhang Wei heard her response and showed not a hint of surprise.

He then moved towards Guo Wufeng, smiling as he said, “Director Guo, apologies for my words earlier, I’m very sorry.”

After saying that, he reached out with his left hand, ready to shake hands and make peace.

“Hmph!” Guo Wufeng snorted coldly, with no intention whatsoever of shaking hands.

“Ah, Director Guo, you really are…

Well, since you’re not inclined to shake hands, consider my actions as overstepping.”

“Gentlemen of the Office of Minor Crimes, I take my leave.

Looking forward to the day we can cross paths in court…

oh, wait, you’re all from the Office of Minor Crimes, hardly handling criminal lawsuits, so there’s not much chance of that, what a shame~”

Zhang Wei left those floating words behind and left the Minor Crimes Office.

“Damn brat, getting too big for his boots!”

Bang!

Guo Wufeng was so infuriated by Zhang Wei’s last comment that he almost smashed the desk in front of him.

At the entrance of the Procuratorate Headquarters.

“Zhang Wei~”

Xia Qianyue had been waiting here and couldn’t help but wave to greet Zhang Wei as she saw him.

“Silly girl, how long have you been waiting?”

“Not long, I’ve just said goodbye to Xiao Baihe.

By the way, how did your thing go?”

“Of course it was a success, wait till tomorrow, I’ll treat you to a good show.”

“Really?”

“Nonsense, liars are dogs!”

“Oh, cut it out, didn’t you send me a ‘bark bark bark’ message?”

“What did you say I sent you?”

“Bark bark bark?”

“Wow, you sure bark quite convincingly, little dog~”

“Zhang Wei, how dare you tease me, drop dead!”

“Mercy, my lady hero~”

The two departed the Procuratorate Headquarters amidst teasing and playful bickering.