Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 249 - 247 Madam Qiu Testifies, the Deceased Cheated? (Seeking Monthly Tickets for Additional Releases)

Chapter 249: Chapter 247 Madam Qiu Testifies, the Deceased Cheated? (Seeking Monthly Tickets for Additional Releases)

The direction of the wind in the courtroom changed once again.

Sister Qiu, the witness, provided a video file.

In the file, Lin Xiangwan’s attitude could only be described as rude, overbearing, and even somewhat malicious.

In front of the public, she directly hurled insults, curses, and vulgarities at her husband Jia Shiqing...

Even so, Jia Shiqing merely mumbled a few words in a low voice, with his head down and hands tucked, bearing it all with a resigned demeanor.

How could such a person possibly carry out an attack on Lin Xiangwan?

Of course, in Zhang Wei’s eyes, these two things were actually unrelated.

Your public persona is one thing, and how you behave when no one’s around is another, these do not necessarily have to be equated.

Just like Zhang Wei’s old nemesis, Cheng Lisha, who, hosting ’Lisa’s Talk,’ was a media person who dared to speak the truth and stood up to authority.

But in private, she was a despicable media person who did things for money and only talked about money.

The so-called integrity and courage to speak out was just packaging for her public persona.

In the same way, Jia Shiqing might seem compliant in the eyes of others, appearing like a spineless loser, but that could also be an act he put on!

Everybody can have one demeanor in public and another in private.

Unfortunately, at the moment, the people in the courtroom all seemed inclined to believe that Jia Shiqing was a weakling.

"Sister Qiu, thank you for the evidence you provided!"

"Prosecutor, I still have some words pent up inside me, I wonder if I might be allowed to say them..."

"Of course, if it’s something relevant to this case, I most certainly hope you can tell us everything!"

With Lu Wenwen’s approval, Sister Qiu organized her thoughts once again.

After waiting for about ten seconds, she began, "Actually, the defendant’s husband, Jia Shiqing, he’s a very nice person, amiable, and polite to everyone."

"On the contrary, the defendant Lin Xiangwan’s attitude is infamously unfriendly in our entire neighborhood. She pulls a long face at everyone, and it feels like she’s always looking down on us. And it’s not just me; several of my neighbors also share this opinion."

At the defense bench, this time it was Zhang Wei leaning towards Lin Xiangwan.

"Is that really the case?"

"How would I know..."

The latter was also puzzled and responded in a low voice.

"Speaking of which, do you attend those neighborhood gatherings?"

"The day I moved in, the community organized a welcome gathering, but other than that, I was busy with social engagements. Other than the time I lost my temper at Jia Shiqing, I have no recollection of any other gatherings!"

"Understood!"

Having heard the respondent’s answer, Zhang Wei grasped the situation.

So you have a poor relationship with the other families in the neighborhood, and being a celebrity in Nandao City, maybe the other wives are somewhat envious of you. Now, stating on the stand that you’re aloof isn’t without basis, is it?

However, even if what the woman in the witness stand was saying was true, it would be very disadvantageous to Lin Xiangwan in the ears of others.

Madam Qiu’s testimony hadn’t reached the strength of valid evidence; she hadn’t proven anything.

Nevertheless, she acted as a character witness for both the deceased, Jia Shiqing, and Lin Xiangwan, being neighbors with the couple for over a year, thus fairly acquainted with them.

Since she claimed Jia Shiqing was a good person and Lin Xiangwan was the "bad one," the jury would certainly take her suggestion into account to some extent.

As for how many people truly believed it, that was harder to judge.

Zhang Wei glanced at the jury box.

"Defense jury" members, quite a few of them, were looking at Madam Qiu.

"Prosecution jury" members, on the other hand, mostly had their heads lowered, and some were looking in other directions as if contemplating other matters.

"This won’t do, we can’t go on like this, or the defense jury will be swayed by this woman!"

This was the downside of the jurors chosen by Zhang Wei; these people could be easily influenced in their stance. If he could sway them, so could other witnesses.

Now, after hearing the testimony of this witness, indeed quite a few members of the jury seemed to accept this almost insignificant testimony.

And these were the people that Zhang Wei’s side originally needed to win over.

In the courtroom.

The witness’s narrative continued.

"...Therefore, Jia Shiqing couldn’t possibly do anything to harm his wife, because he had a dream in his heart, that was to create an outstanding work."

"In his words, he dreamed of poetry and distance, of a world of words..."

As Mrs. Qiu said this, a rare smile appeared on her face.

And Zhang Wei, who had been watching her closely, caught this scene in his eyes.

"Oh, so that’s how it is..."

He finally understood why this woman would give testimony unfavorable to their side—it was because...

"Lawyer Zhang, I feel that the jury is looking at me with unfriendly eyes. The jurors on our side, could there be a problem with them too?" Lin Xiangwan said, her face showing a hint of worry.

"Madam Lin, rest assured, this is just temporary. Once I start my cross-examination, I guarantee her testimony will lose its effectiveness!"

Zhang Wei looked at the woman on the witness stand, revealing a trace of a cold smile.

"Thank you, Sister Qiu, for your answers. The prosecution has no further questions!"

Lu Wenwen finally ended her questioning and walked back to her seat.

Zhang Wei stood up and approached the witness stand.

"Hello, Madam Qiu."

Zhang Wei’s attitude towards the woman in front of him was much colder than Lu Wenwen’s—who had referred to her affably as Sister Qiu.

Madam Qiu didn’t respond and looked at the defense table, her gaze carrying a hint of hostility.

"May I ask, Madam Qiu, can I trust you?"

"Hm?"

This question made Madam Qiu briefly stunned.

"Objection, the question is meaningless!"

Lu Wenwen also made her presence felt by expressing dissatisfaction with Zhang Wei’s question.

"Lawyer Zhang, what do you mean by asking this question?"

"Your Honor, my question is meaningful, and I need to confirm with the witness whether her testimony is fair and just, based on facts, and free of any interference. That’s all!"

Seeing Zhang Wei’s sincere attitude, Lu Zhengting nodded his head and gave his daughter a look from the prosecution’s table, asking her to calm down.

"The objection is overruled, the defense may continue the questioning!"

With a wave of his hand, Judge Lu dismissed the objection, and Lu Wenwen could only sit down.

"Witness, please answer the question, can I trust you?"

"Of course, you can. Everything I said is the truth!" Madam Qiu took the initiative to say, looking at Zhang Wei.

"Good, I want to ask, were you very familiar with the deceased in this case, Jia Shiqing, or should I say, were you close?"

"We were familiar, neighbors for over a year, seeing each other from time to time. As for whether we were close, I think we were pretty close..."

"How close were you?"

"This..."

Madam Qiu was at a loss for words—how should she answer this?

"Let me ask you another question, are you married?"

"I’ve been married to my husband for more than ten years."

"Does your husband live in Moonwatch Bay?"

"He’s in the foreign trade business, traveling abroad often..."

"Oh, I see..."

Zhang Wei’s eyebrows raised as he changed the subject, "So, you had an affair with my client’s husband?"

As soon as these words were uttered, the courtroom erupted.

If you had to choose the most explosive and eye-catching news, it would undoubtedly be scandals like affairs.

Especially in the solemn setting of a courtroom, being revealed in front of the hearing gallery, the jury, and even the judge—what could be more explosive than exposing a woman’s infidelity?

At least at that moment, all the attention in the courtroom was fixated on the matter.

"Objection, the defense attorney is speculating!" Lu Wenwen, of course, could not tolerate this and immediately stood up to object.

"Lawyer Zhang, you..."

"Your Honor, I ask this to ascertain the witness’s credibility. Moreover, if the witness really had an affair with Jia Shiqing, then her testimony can’t be accepted, right?"

Although Judge Lu wanted to object, Zhang Wei’s point was indeed valid.

After pondering for a while, he had no choice but to nod in resign, "The objection is overruled. The witness must answer the question because it concerns her credibility! "

Zhang Wei smiled at the judge’s bench, then quickly concealed his smile and put on a stern face, staring intently at the witness before him.

"Madam Qiu, it’s your turn to answer the question. Did you or did you not have an affair with Jia Shiqing?"

"I..."

This question, most women really can’t answer, especially since the trial is going to be reported.

Her husband, who is in foreign trade and frequently abroad, doesn’t mean he’s unaware of the matter.

If this were ever to get out, wouldn’t it spell disaster!

"Well then, I won’t insist, although your hesitation already gives me my answer."

Zhang Wei sneered and explained to the jury.

Your hesitation clearly shows you have something to hide.

It seems to me that you must have had an affair with Jia Shiqing.

I believe that after my prompt, the jury should also have a good idea.

"Your Honor, I believe this witness’s testimony is completely unreliable because she has an unusually close relationship with Jia Shiqing. Naturally, she would give testimony unfavorable to my client. I urge you to consider carefully the credibility of this testimony..."

"No, I just have a slightly better relationship with Jia Shiqing. What I said is all true!"

As Zhang Wei made his request, Madam Qiu suddenly became agitated.

"Madam Qiu, your ’slightly better relationship’ is enough to affect the credibility of your testimony. You’re clearly biased towards the deceased in your testimony, and equally antagonistic towards the defendant, who is my client. Your testimony cannot be trusted!"

Faced with Zhang Wei’s aggressive questioning, Madam Qiu broke down and cried in court, "No, my testimony is all true. Please, you must believe me, please..."

A crying woman sometimes actually lacks persuasiveness.

At least, Zhang Wei sees it that way.

But he recalled something and found another point to contest.

"Madam Qiu, stop crying. Let me ask you something simple. You held a birthday party three months ago, didn’t you?"

Madam Qiu’s tears finally stopped.

Seeing Zhang Wei raise another question, she could only hold back her tears and nodded, "Yes, I did."

"I saw a birthday party invitation in the deceased Jia Shiqing’s room. You wrote it, right? The name on the invitation was yours, wasn’t it?"

"It should be," Madam Qiu nodded again.

"Well, I’m just wondering why, on the invitation, you only wrote Jia Shiqing’s name and not Lin Xiangwan’s, my client’s name?"

Zhang Wei pointed to the defense bench, a look of puzzlement on his face.

"Because the defendant has always been very busy, so I didn’t invite her..."

"Really? But they’re neighbors. Inviting both husband and wife would be the natural thing to do, wouldn’t it? Why did you deliberately leave out my client’s name and only invite her husband? To me, that seems highly unusual."

On the jury, many nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

Yes, if you’re hosting a birthday party, you should invite all the friends in the community.

Like inviting both spouses – that would be the reasonable thing to do.

Yet, you only invite Jia Shiqing, leaving out Lin Xiangwan’s name. If you say you haven’t had an affair, and there’s no foul play, who would believe that?

"This..."

"Madam Qiu, I know you don’t want to answer, but I also know one thing. Whether you invite my client or you don’t is one thing, whether she would come is another. Your intentions are all too easy to guess!"

Zhang Wei spoke, shaking his head with a sigh.

Your testimony, isn’t this smearing Jia Shiqing?

"Ahem, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, everyone in the courtroom, what I want to highlight is that although Madam Qiu’s testimony is not credible, she has at least proven one point, that is, the deceased Jia Shiqing betrayed my client!"

Zhang Wei held up a finger, emphasizing on the spot, "He had an affair!"

"Prosecutor Lu Gao just said that Jia Shiqing in the video was a timid and fearful person, a loser, but in my view, everyone has two sides. At least, he dares to have an affair behind my client’s back!"

"Likewise, since he dared to have an affair, then who can guarantee this man wouldn’t do other outrageous things? At least, if he couldn’t stand my client, harboring murderous intent doesn’t seem so far-fetched, does it?"

"Objection!"

Seeing Zhang Wei turning their own witness’s testimony against the deceased, Lu Wenwen couldn’t stand it.

"Your Honor, what exactly is the prosecution objecting to? I’m simply making a reasonable inference based on the clues provided by Madam Qiu," Zhang Wei sneered, finally seizing the opportunity to lash out.

"Prosecutor, although the defense attorney’s remarks contain some subjective speculation, they are within the permissible range of this court. If there is anything inappropriate in his speech, I will warn him, so please take a seat!"

Lu Zhengting sighed but had no choice but to let his daughter sit down.

"Thank you, Your Honor, for your understanding!"

Zhang Wei expressed his thanks, then he was about to speak again.

"No, after that birthday party, my relationship with Jia Shiqing ended. He never sought me out again!"

But at this moment, Madam Qiu suddenly spoke up.

"What did you say?"

"I said that since that birthday party, Jia Shiqing has never looked for me again. He broke off contact with me, and that day he came to propose ending it with me!"

"You two broke off your relationship three months ago?"

Madam Qiu’s expression was indescribably helpless, but she nodded her head.

This reply left Zhang Wei in doubt.

However, this did not affect his performance.

"In any case, thank you to the witness for your statement, which has revealed to us a side of Jia Shiqing that was unknown to others!"

"As for the video provided by the witness, I also have a question to ask Your Honor!"

Zhang Wei said, ignoring the puzzled look from Lu Zhengting, and smiled as he asked, "Your Honor, have you ever quarreled with your wife?"

"This..."

Lu Zhengting was flabbergasted, thinking, what a cheeky defense attorney, daring to ask me a question!

But after thinking it over, he still suppressed the annoyance in his heart and replied, "What married couple doesn’t argue? My wife and I have been married for over thirty years, and although others have always praised us as a model couple, we occasionally bicker..."

"Thank you for your answer, Your Honor. Then I can also say that it is common for spouses to argue. Even Judge Lu and his wife here have their moments. My client just happened to be in a bad mood that day and lost her temper with her husband, isn’t that a normal occurrence as well?"

"Moreover, the content of the video is rather one-sided, capturing only the scene where my client lost her temper, which makes the video misleading. I believe this video cannot be used as effective evidence!"

The jury couldn’t help but nod in agreement.

The onlookers in the spectator’s gallery also felt Zhang Wei made a good point.

Lu Wenwen’s face darkened, while Wei Min beside her could only remain silent.

It appeared that the prosecution also felt that Madam Qiu as a witness was like lifting a rock only to drop it on their own feet.

She did not prove anything wrong with Lin Xiangwan, but instead, Zhang Wei had uncovered clues, proving Jia Shiqing’s infidelity.

An unfaithful man no longer warranted sympathy.

Though in the end, Madam Qiu said that her relationship with Jia Shiqing had been broken off for three months.

But what of it?

Infidelity is still infidelity. Once it is exposed, the jury’s sympathy for the deceased fades.

"Cough cough, it’s getting late, this court is adjourned for the time being!"

Seeing it was late, Judge Lu looked at his notebook and, looking towards both parties, said, "Tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 PM, the court happens to be available. If both parties think it’s too rushed, we can reconvene next Monday!"

"Your Honor, the defense has no objection to the timing of tomorrow afternoon’s session!"

Right after the judge announced it, Zhang Wei immediately agreed.

This took Judge Lu by surprise.

Are you in such a hurry, young man, scheduling the court session so tightly, which is clearly not in favor of your defense?

Yet you seem eager for the trial to proceed as soon as possible. What are you up to?

"And the prosecution?"

"The prosecution has no objections and agrees to the session tomorrow!"

"Then it is decided. The court will reconvene tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 PM. Please make sure both parties are not late!"

With Judge Lu’s gavel, the courtroom began to disperse.

"Thank you, Lawyer Zhang. I feel the jury’s gaze on me has changed a lot."

"Of course, that’s to be expected. But, getting back to it, did you know about your husband’s affair?"

"This... I really had no idea..."

Lin Xiangwan replied to the question with an embarrassed look.

She was simply too busy, with a pile of business activities and social engagements every day. Who had time to mind whether her husband was having an affair or not?

She had even stayed at the company for weeks on end due to work, rarely returning to the villa at Moonwatch Bay.

It must have been during that time that Jia Shiqing got involved with the female neighbor.

Zhang Wei chuckled without making any comment.

He was just thinking about how the prosecution would make their move tomorrow.