Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 139 - 138: Clear Pricing? The Story of Yao Liting

Chapter 139: Chapter 138: Clear Pricing? The Story of Yao Liting

Chengyi Insurance Company rejected the application for the matched liver source.

What does this mean? It means that even if a new suitable liver source becomes available, it won’t be given to the party concerned, Yao Liting.

Does this mean they intend to give up on Yao Liting’s life?

This question arose not only among the jurors but also started some whispering among the people in the audience.

However, the one thing that unified everyone at the scene was their gaze toward Cheng Liang.

Zhang Wei leaned in closer to Cheng Liang and whispered, "Representative Cheng, you’re now the target of public criticism!"

"It’s no big deal. I started out in sales, I can handle this kind of pressure."

Cheng Liang’s forehead was sweating, but he still forced himself to remain calm.

He had regained his composure, but the court remained noisy nonetheless.

"Silence, this is a court of law, no commotion is allowed!"

Judge Ni pounded the gavel hard several times, and gradually, the courtroom became quiet.

"Prosecution, do you have any further questions?"

"Your Honor, I have no further questions for Dr. Du at this time."

"Mm, defense!"

Judge Ni signaled with his eyes that Zhang Wei could come up.

"Dr. Du, good morning, we are very grateful that you could appear in court to testify."

"Don’t mention it." Dr. Du responded to Zhang Wei’s greeting with an indifferent tone.

"In regard to the questions asked by the prosecution and your answers, our side also has a few questions we’d like to ask Dr. Du."

"Ask away."

"Alright, then the first question, Dr. Du, you said that our side rejected the plaintiff’s liver source application, so I want to ask you, approximately how long would it take for the plaintiff to find a matching liver source?"

"Hmm, that question is quite difficult to answer."

Dr. Du was stumped by the question and appeared contemplative.

Zhang Wei’s lips curled into a slight smile, "Dr. Du, could you please tell the jury why this question is so difficult to answer?"

"Sure."

Dr. Du turned to look at the jury and explained, "A suitable liver source isn’t something you can have just by wanting it; it requires patient waiting. And there is only one channel to obtain a liver source, through organ donation. The organs in the hospital’s reserve are all from healthy individuals who died suddenly, and unless their family members sign an Organ Donation Document agreeing to it, these organs cannot be taken for use. Therefore, the availability of organs is unpredictable."

"Furthermore, even if someone does donate a healthy liver, compatibility tests must be performed before a liver transplant. Although the liver is an immunologically privileged organ, for liver transplant surgery, matching blood types is preferable. This can not only reduce the chances of rejection post-surgery but may also reduce the dosage of anti-rejection medication."

"Finding a willing donor, performing compatibility testing, subsequent tracking, preparing for surgery, and so on, all these procedures take a lot of time."

Zhang Wei nodded, "Having heard your explanation, Dr. Du, may I conclude that a suitable liver is, in fact, very difficult to come by, right?"

"Yes, we have dozens of patients at our hospital, all in line waiting for suitable organ donations, and some have been waiting in the ICU for several years."

"I understand!"

Zhang Wei nodded again.

"Then I’d like to ask Dr. Du, regarding the plaintiff Ms. Yao Liting, after the occurrence of the medical incident, did you take any remedial actions?"

Dr. Du glanced at Yao Liting and hurriedly nodded, "For patient Ms. Yao Liting, our hospital has performed very proactive post-operative care and has waived most of her surgery and treatment costs. Moreover, I personally promise that if a suitable liver source becomes available, I will operate on her immediately. My medical team and I are very hopeful and eager to secure a suitable liver source for her!"

Although to Zhang Wei and many others, these promises seemed like empty words, at least Dr. Du’s attitude had been made clear.

"I’ve also noted Dr. Du’s enthusiasm. So, if a suitable liver source indeed becomes available, and you are able to perform immediate surgery on the plaintiff, and if the surgery is successful..."

Zhang Wei paused, showing a hint of apology, "Though I know it might be inappropriate to ask, I still want to inquire: if all the conditions I mentioned are met, how long could Ms. Yao Liting live?"

"Ten years, twenty years, or thirty years?"

"Objection, counsel is leading the witness into speculation!"

Wang Meiyan stood up in response to Zhang Wei’s question and interrupted him directly.

"Your Honor, my question is based on Dr. Du’s professional expertise—he is an authoritative medical expert and Ms. Yao Liting’s attending physician. No one understands the plaintiff’s health condition better than he does!"

Judge Ni slightly lifted her eyelid, "Objection overruled, witness please answer the question."

Having no choice, Wang Meiyan glared fiercely at Zhang Wei before sitting down.

Dr. Du thought for a moment and then sighed, "About three years, or maybe three and a half. If the post-operative liver match is very good, at most it can last five years."

"Three years, three and a half, that’s about 40 months, right?"

Zhang Wei feigned calculating and then asked, "If you need to perform surgery, how much financial and resource expenditure would that entail? I mean, to perform a surgery for Ms. Yao Liting, the plaintiff, what would the cost be?"

"About 400,000 yuan, I suppose. If we include hospitalization and post-operative care, the total cost shouldn’t be less than 500,000 yuan!"

"500,000 yuan in expenses, 40 months, thank you for your answer, Dr. Du!"

Zhang Wei’s expression remained unchanged as he thanked him.

"Your Honor, we have no further questions for Dr. Du."

As Zhang Wei turned back to the defense bench, Cheng Liang immediately crowded over.

"Lawyer Zhang, that last question you asked..."

"Although I really dislike putting a monetary value on a woman’s life, my question should help me gain some support from the jurors—not support, I shouldn’t say support..."

"It’s more about them weighing whether this money is worth spending on a woman who is about to die. Such weighing, on a moral level, is difficult to justify."

Indeed, Zhang Wei’s questioning had prompted a slight shift in the jury’s attitude.

One middle-aged man in a suit seemed to show a pondering look.

Wang Meiyan noticed the shift in sentiment and quickly turned to signal someone in the spectator seats behind her.

"Your Honor, we would like to ask additional questions!"

Without waiting for the judge’s response, she stood up and walked to the witness stand.

"Dr. Du, the defense just asked you how long my client could live if the surgery was successful, and you answered about 40 months, right?"

"Yes."

"Then if I ask you, how long can my patient live now?"

"This..."

Dr. Du initially wanted to respond instinctively but then looked toward the front row of the spectator seats.

Sure enough, Ding Chuntian stood up with two children, silently walking out of the courtroom.

Obviously, answering this question required considering the context.

Everyone’s gaze silently followed Ding Chuntian and the two children as they left the courtroom.

Once they were out of the courtroom, the focus returned to the witness stand.

"The plaintiff’s physical condition is very poor. The cancer has compromised her immune system, and the results of the second surgery are even worse... Based on my calculations, she has about 4 months left..."

"Four months, that’s less than half a year. My client can only last until July!"

Wang Meiyan let out a cold laugh, scanning the jury.

This answer indeed made many people change their minds again.

"Lawyer Wang!" But Wang Meiyan’s moment of triumph was cut short by a sharp rebuke.

"Your Honor..."

"Lawyer Wang, let me remind you, this is my courtroom. If you wish to ask additional questions, shouldn’t you notify me first?"

Judge Ni was very annoyed with Wang Meiyan’s earlier actions.

If it weren’t for Ding Chuntian and the two children being present, she would have interrupted her immediately.

"Wang Meiyan, you are Blackfoot’s lawyer. Don’t think that just because you’re handling this case, I will cut you some slack. If I find any more of your attempts to influence the jury, you better watch out!"

Judge Ni’s words were loaded with meaning, obviously having seen the earlier exchange of looks between Wang Meiyan and Ding Chuntian.

Using children to sway the jury was a clear attempt to influence them, and Judge Ni could have interrupted her right there.

"Sorry, Your Honor, my mistake!"

Wang Meiyan quickly admitted her fault. This was only the first witness, and upsetting the judge so early could be disadvantageous to her in the forthcoming proceedings.

"Witness, you may step down. Prosecution, please prepare the next witness!"

"Your Honor, the next witness we wish to call is..." Wang Meiyan returned to the plaintiff’s bench and signaled Yao Liting with her eyes.

Zhang Wei naturally saw this.

"The trouble has arrived!"

The next witness was the plaintiff herself, the most tragic witness in this case, Yao Liting!

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Yao Liting walked step by step towards the witness stand.

Her steps were slow, and her movements were very slight; she even needed the assistance of Wang Meiyan.

When she sat down, all eyes in the courtroom focused on the witness stand, seeing a frail woman taking her seat.

Wang Meiyan escorted Yao Liting to her seat, then spoke again:

"Ladies and gentlemen, let’s talk about 40 months. Many might think this is not a very long time. Especially since the defense has already reminded you all of the current shortage of liver sources, and of the extremely high cost of surgery."

"Yao Liting, what are your thoughts on 40 months?"

Yao Liting lowered her head as if in thought but soon raised it again.

"In 40 months, my 5-year-old son will be in third grade, if I can live that long. Then I could watch my two children carrying their backpacks to school, teach them to read and write, teach them to tie their shoelaces, teach them to draw, teach them everything that I should..."

As Yao Liting spoke, the atmosphere in the courtroom shifted once more.

When she looked at the jury, all of the jurors smiled warmly at her.

"...I could also make them new clothes, not to mention taking them to meet my family members, their grandparents. 40 months, that’s three year-ends, and six birthdays."

"Maybe, I will even see the joy on their faces as they ride bikes, their laughter at the amusement park. More importantly, I could kiss their faces countless nights and days, embrace my children, be with them..."

Deep inside, Wang Meiyan admired the power of a plaintiff telling their story in court themselves.

All six jurors were now completely moved by the plaintiff’s story, even the woman who was initially questioned by Zhang Wei had her head down, on the verge of tears.

"Such a story truly is one that makes listeners feel sorrow and shed tears!"

Seeing the effect of the plaintiff’s testimony, Zhang Wei couldn’t help but feel moved too.

Though exploiting the sympathy of the child and the plaintiff might be considered a low blow, there’s no denying it’s a powerful courtroom weapon!

What Wang Meiyan had done was a transparent tactic, and it was indefensible!

"Your Honor, I have no further questions for this witness!"

By allowing the plaintiff to finish their story, Wang Meiyan had already completed her task.

All she had to do now was wait for Zhang Wei to cross-examine the plaintiff.

If Zhang Wei chose to come forward and cross-examine, he would fall right into the trap she had set.

No juror would trust someone who bullies the weak, especially when they represent an insurance company!

"Your Honor, in light of the plaintiff’s testimony, the defense requests a brief recess!"

Zhang Wei certainly wasn’t going to take the bait; he only wanted a bit of time for everyone in the courtroom to digest the story they had just heard.

"Considering the plaintiff’s recent testimony, the court understands. Let’s take a 20-minute recess," Judge Ni concurred without opposition.

The court was adjourned temporarily.

Outside the courtroom, in the hallway.

Yao Liting saw her two children.

"Mommy~"

"Mommy~"

The children raced to throw themselves into her arms, a scene witnessed by all around them.

Zhang Wei stepped out of the courtroom and naturally saw this too.

"Little Zhang, come here for a sec!"

Suddenly, a familiar voice called out nearby.

"Uncle Zhao?"

Zhang Wei was startled—it was the voice of Zhao Qingyan.

There, at the corner, stood Zhao Qingyan, suited and beckoning to him.

Zhang Wei excused himself to Cheng Liang and hurried over to the corner.

"Uncle Zhao, what brings you here?"

"If I didn’t come, I might have missed seeing you get your comeuppance," Zhao Qingyan joked with a smile. "You, my boy, are really something, taking the side of the insurance company instead of protecting the vulnerable!"

"I bet if you asked 100 lawyers, 99 would say this case is unwinnable!"

"And the one left over?" Zhang Wei asked knowingly.

"The remaining fool would be you, wouldn’t it?"

Alright, Zhang Wei had to admit, Zhao Qingyan’s joke wasn’t funny at all, especially since he already knew the answer.

"Uncle Zhao, you didn’t really come here just to laugh at me, did you?"

"That’s not it, I came to give you this!"

Zhao Qingyan took out an envelope from his clothing and handed it to Zhang Wei.

"What’s this?"

"Open it and see for yourself. It might help you. But as for this document, you must keep it a secret. After all, even in my company, the plans in here are still at the experimental stage!"

"Alright, Uncle Zhao!"

Zhang Wei opened the envelope and started to read the document inside.

After a quick scan, Zhang Wei was dumbfounded.

"Can this thing really be done?"

"Zhang, don’t underestimate Blacksmith Technology. Although this item is still in the testing phase, I tell you..."

Zhao Qingyan looked around to make sure no one was listening, then he lowered his voice and said, "Currently, in some special departments of the War Department, this thing has already undergone clinical trials, and the results aren’t bad at all."

"I understand!" Zhang Wei nodded seriously, put the document back into the envelope, and carefully stowed it away.

After Zhao Qingyan handed over the item, he suddenly asked, "What are your plans for the upcoming trial, you’re not really going to attack the plaintiff’s witnesses during cross-examination, are you?"

"Uncle Zhao, attacking the old, weak, sick, and disabled is a big taboo at trial. Do you think I would make such a mistake?"

"That’s good. But it’s strange, isn’t it, why you’re standing in the defendant’s box and Blackfoot’s people standing in the plaintiff’s? Usually, the people from Blackfoot are the ones who do what I said, their favorite thing is to attack the weaker party!"

"I had no choice when I took the case."

Zhang Wei spread his hands, indicating helplessness.

Who made it so that among the rejected cases in the litigation department, there were only these two cases?

No one from the criminal group wanted to litigate for the insurance company, so he had to step in himself.

"By the way, someone’s coming, I should get going. Anyway, you see how you can use that thing when the time comes!"

Zhao Qingyan said a word and bid farewell to Zhang Wei.

However, the direction he took was precisely where the newcomer was.

"Mr. Zhao, hello."

"Lawyer Bai, hello to you too."

Zhao Qingyan greeted the other party and hurried away.

"Bai Meiqi?"

Seeing the newcomer, Zhang Wei was surprised again.

"Are you very familiar with Mr. Zhao Qingyan?"

"I’m quite familiar with Uncle Zhao..."

"I see. I looked at your registration information at the law firm, you had student loan issues in school, yet after graduation, you could afford to wear Orion suits. It seems like you’ve caught on to Mr. Zhao’s coattails!"

Seeing how familiar Zhang Wei was with Zhao Qingyan, Bai Meiqi’s suspicions were eased.

Zhang Wei himself had nothing outstanding, yet he could possess things that were incongruent with his status, which must mean he had the help of a powerful benefactor.

And now, that benefactor had emerged.

"Mr. Zhao is the Chief R&D Officer at Blacksmith Technology, his status is indeed too high for you, a rookie lawyer."

"Even our big boss is very courteous to him. I also had the fortune of meeting him during a Blacksmith Technology litigation project."

Bai Meiqi reminded Zhang Wei, "But you better not play any tricks. Affairs of Blacksmith Technology are handled by our firm’s project department. Blacksmith Technology is our firm’s super VIP client. You better not harbor any ill intentions towards such a client, or be careful, the project department will trouble you."

"You worry too much, Lawyer Bai. My relationship with Uncle Zhao is personal. We haven’t discussed any business matters, have we?"

"Really? Did he just give you something a moment ago?"

"Ah, that’s just Uncle Zhao feeling sorry for me, so he’s trying to give me a hand. After all, in his eyes, I’m about to lose the lawsuit."

"I think so too, you’re indeed about to lose."

Upon hearing Bai Meiqi’s words, Zhang Wei became unhappy.

"Well, Lawyer Bai, the court is about to be in session again, so I’ll take my leave now!"

He took out his phone, checked the time, and hurriedly said goodbye.

Zhang Wei had nothing good to say to this ace of the litigation department.