Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 260 - 258: Young Master Yang, the Decade-Old Unsolved Case (Bonus - for 6500 monthly votes)

Chapter 260: Chapter 258: Young Master Yang, the Decade-Old Unsolved Case (Bonus Chapter for 6500 monthly votes)

Zhang Wei’s target, Young Master Yang, is now in Dongfang Capital.

However, his arrival in Dongfang Capital wasn’t voluntary; he was brought in passively.

Moreover, he was brought back from the neighboring city by the investigative department to assist the investigation.

At this moment, in the office of the Dongfang Capital Martial Association Serious Crime Team.

Inside a certain interrogation room.

"Yang Chuanfang, ten years ago in Dongfang Capital, everyone called you Young Master Yang. You were the young proprietor of the Changqing Hotel. At that time, how many girls were infatuated with you in Dongfang Capital!"

"And there’s your father Yang Changqing, the boss of Changqing Hotel, which is quite something. It was the first star-rated hotel in Dongfang, wasn’t it?"

Today, the leader of Serious Crime Team 1, Lei Hu, personally took charge of interrogating the suspect.

And the man sitting in front of him was none other than Zhang Wei’s target, Young Master Yang.

After asking for a while, the suspect remained silent.

"Bang!"

A loud noise echoed in the interrogation room.

It turned out to be Lei Hu’s palm slapping onto the interrogation room table.

Crack!

Following a crisp sound, the chair shattered into pieces and fell apart completely.

Even though Young Master Yang, after enduring ten years of cyberbullying, had developed a psychological tolerance beyond what ordinary people could endure, he couldn’t help but inhale sharply at this scene.

The power behind that palm was terrifying!

If that palm had struck a person, wouldn’t the person also fall apart?

"What a shoddy table, can’t take a hit, get me a new one, quick!"

With a wave of his hand, Lei Hu ordered his subordinates to hurry and bring a new table.

This tactic was a regular part of his repertoire.

Delivering such a sudden blow in the interrogation room caught the other party off guard.

And since it was the table and chair that were struck, even if something broke, it could be excused by claiming to be a moment of agitation.

After all, as long as no person was struck, even if the other party had a lawyer by their side, there was nothing they could do.

Taking advantage of the time spent replacing the chair, the originally tense and oppressive atmosphere in the interrogation room was momentarily relieved.

Finally, Yang Chuanfang could catch his breath.

Outside the interrogation room, four other people were watching this scene.

"This Lei Hu, he’s still the same old!"

"Isn’t this tiger always like this? Although he can’t lay hands on the suspect, smashing the stuff in the interrogation room isn’t against the rules!"

"Indeed, often just by showing this move, most suspects get so scared they’re trembling with fear!"

"This Young Master Yang hasn’t wet his pants in fear up to now, that’s already quite courageous of him!"

If Zhang Wei were here, he would definitely be speechless.

Because the two conversing were his old acquaintances, Zhao Chunming and Guo Wufeng.

And following behind the two of them were also well-known figures.

"Xiao Baihe, Tan Yingying, watch closely. This man is the main suspect of the case; you two are in charge of investigating this case. Make sure to give me a thorough interrogation!"

Upon receiving the order from Zhao Chunming, Xiao Baihe and Tan Yingying naturally nodded in agreement.

The case’s chief prosecutor was Xiao Baihe, while Tan Yingying naturally served as the assistant.

This case had a significant impact, especially since it had been brought up again on the internet recently.

The Procuratorate Headquarters attached great importance to the case, which is why they sent the ace prosecutor Xiao Baihe to handle it.

As for Tan Yingying, she was a regular choice for assistant. Additionally, she had performed well in the Zhu Tianying case not long ago, so she got the opportunity to serve as the deputy on this case.

"The only problem now is whom this surnamed Yang will choose for a lawyer. The case has such a big impact; ordinary law firms usually care about their reputation and wouldn’t take the case, right!"

Zhao Chunming frowned slightly as he looked inside the interrogation room.

To be honest, regular lawyers aren’t something the Procuratorate Headquarters usually worries about.

And normally, lawyers would not take this case.

But if it’s a formidable figure, they might have to watch out.

Unfortunately, the whereabouts of Yang Chuanfang’s lawyer were still nowhere to be seen.

Ding dong!

Just then, the elevator doors opened.

"The lawyer’s here~"

Accompanied by a shout, a figure hurried into the Serious Crime Department Office.

"Eh, that voice!"

Hearing this all too familiar voice and seeing the figure that appeared, both Zhao Chunming and Guo Wufeng were taken aback on the spot.

"Zhang Wei!"

Xiao Baihe, upon seeing the newcomer, opened her mouth slightly in surprise.

"Zhang... Zhang Wei!"

Tan Yingying trembled at the sight of the visitor, her teeth chattering and her hands and feet shaking subconsciously.

"Yo, all familiar faces here!"

Seeing the four prosecutors in front of him, all old acquaintances, Zhang Wei naturally "smiled" as he approached.

"Come on, here are my new business cards. We all know each other, take one, don’t be shy!"

Zhang Wei immediately took out four business cards from his holder and handed them out to the four individuals in front of him.

"What is this!"

"Wait, the ace lawyer?"

"Jincheng Law Firm’s ace lawyer Zhang Wei, is it for the criminal department too?"

"Zhang Wei, you became an ace?"

The four had different expressions, but upon seeing the word "ace" on the business card, they all widened their eyes.

"Cough cough, that’s right!"

Zhang Wei chuckled ’heh heh,’ then shook his suit, "I am now the ace lawyer at Jincheng Law Firm, affiliated with one of Jincheng’s six major departments, the Criminal Department!"

An ace lawyer, and it’s from Jincheng.

Although Zhao Chunming and Guo Wufeng knew Zhang Wei was a skilled lawyer, they never imagined this young man would become an ace during his internship.

Even if he was affiliated with the newly established Criminal Department, it felt a bit like exploiting a loophole.

But an ace from Jincheng, that already said a lot.

Zhang Wei’s level, too, was on the rise.

Along with the rise, also increased his reputation, which wasn’t good news for the Procuratorate Headquarters.

"Oh, right, I’ve got to see my client now. You guys take your time looking over this, and remember to contact me if anything comes up!"

Zhang Wei bid farewell and, regardless of the reactions from Zhao Chunming and the others, went straight to the interrogation room.

Watching Zhang Wei leave, the expressions of the Procuratorate’s group varied.

"Xiao Baihe, you’ve got to be alert on this case. We cannot let the real culprit slip away!"

Zhao Chunming sternly reminded her, then he left with Guo Wufeng, who had a slightly unwillingness on his face.

As for Xiao Baihe and Tan Yingying, they were in charge of prosecuting the case and needed to wait here for the firsthand interrogation records.

In the interrogation room.

The atmosphere was still very serious, especially since the new chair under Lei Hu’s heavy hands was tottering, as if it might follow in the "footsteps" of its "predecessor" and suddenly fall apart at any moment.

Knock knock knock!

A knock on the door sounded.

"Who is it!"

Lei Hu asked impatiently.

"It’s me, Zhang Wei!"

"Zhang Wei?!"

Lei Hu remembered the voice and signaled to his subordinate beside him, prompting the latter to immediately open the door.

"Hey, Captain Lei, long time no see! Have you gained some weight again? The chair under your butt seems to be crying out to me, ’Save me!’"

Zhang Wei walked into the interrogation room and couldn’t help but tease upon sighting the chair under Lei Hu on the brink of collapse.

"You little..."

"Cough cough, Captain Lei, we’ll have plenty of time to mingle in the future. Here’s my business card, make sure to keep it handy!"

Zhang Wei took out another three business cards, handing them to Lei Hu and his subordinate, and also gave one to Yang Chuanfang.

"Ace Lawyer Zhang Wei!"

Upon seeing the prominent characters at the front of the business card, Lei Hu couldn’t help but shout out loud.

As for the smaller print beside the name, like "Jincheng Law Firm" and "Criminal Department," those didn’t matter anymore.

Just the words "Ace" alone were quite telling.

"Yes, our big boss said my performance was outstanding and specially promoted me as the ace lawyer of the new criminal department. I’ll be dealing with your Thunder Squad a lot in the future. We can sit down and have a good chat over a cup of tea then!"

Zhang Wei looked at the stack of business cards still remaining in his card holder and thought about whether to take a spin around the investigation department when he left and hand them all out.

After all, Jincheng Law Firm’s logistic department could print as many ace lawyer business cards as desired.

Ever since he had his own business cards, Zhang Wei wished everyone in the city could have one in hand.

"Zhang Wei, Lawyer Zhang, your presence here... could it mean..."

"Exactly, I have been entrusted by Chief Editor Pei and Guan Zhubian of Dongfang Capital’s entertainment tabloid. I am here to meet my client Mr. Yang!"

After revealing his purpose, Zhang Wei said to Yang Chuanfang, "Mr. Yang, I have been asked to act as your defense lawyer. I was wondering if you have hired any other lawyer for this case?"

"This...well, no, not yet..."

"Then that’s good. I wonder if you would like to hire me? If you agree, we can sign the retainer agreement right now!"

"This..."

Yang Chuanfang didn’t actually know Zhang Wei, but hearing the mention of Chief Editor Pei and Guan Zhubian, he nodded his head.

He knew of them.

"Excellent, Captain Lei, please provide a quiet, undisturbed room so I can talk with my client in detail. Later on, I will instruct him on a few things to pay attention to and ensure him to ’fully’ cooperate with the investigation department. He will fulfill his duty as a good citizen, so you can rest assured!"

Lei Hu frowned but was helpless against Zhang Wei because all this was part of the standard procedure.

He knew that the upcoming interrogation would probably yield nothing.

Once a lawyer is present, if the suspect doesn’t want to talk, a lawyer has plenty of ways to stonewall the investigation.

Even if he had methods of his own, they only intimidated the lesser lawyers. Against an "experienced" criminal defense veteran like Zhang Wei, those methods were useless.

"Hmph, clear a space for them, and then go notify Lin Ruonan that she will be in charge of the interrogation later!"

Lei Hu didn’t want to waste any more time. With Zhang Wei present, he directly handed the matter over to his deputy.

After all, if not the deputy, then who else should do the dirty, tiring work? Surely not him, the squad leader, right?

The rest was easy. Zhang Wei took Yang Chuanfang to a room, talked for a bit and then they began taking notes with Lin Ruonan.

When Lin Ruonan saw Zhang Wei, she was indeed surprised but still managed to finish the work efficiently.

After the note-taking was done, Zhang Wei left with his client from the investigation department office.

...

Martial Association parking lot.

Zhang Wei and Yang Chuanfang left the Martial Association office building together, chatting as they went.

"It’s an honor to meet Lawyer Zhang!"

"It’s also my honor to be representing Young Master Yang in court."

"You jest, Lawyer Zhang. I’m hardly ’Young Master Yang’ anymore, what with all these legal entanglements, I’m barely staying afloat."

"Young Master Yang, in my opinion, the testimony of the new eyewitness doesn’t hold much sway in your case because it has been 10 years, and who knows if he was mistaken back then. Even if he wasn’t, after 10 years his memory could be questioned. It’s quite possible he doesn’t even remember the situation accurately anymore..."

As they walked, they came upon a red SUV.

"This is my vehicle!"

"Oh, Young Master Yang, you’ve got yourself a nice ride, a luxury brand, must have cost a million or so, right?"

"More than that!"

Seeing Zhang Wei’s interest in his car, Yang Chuanfang explained with a sigh: "My car is a custom-made bulletproof vehicle, priced at 5 times what you’d find on the market. It cost 5 million just to deliver, not counting the on-the-road costs!"

"A bulletproof car?"

"Yes, a bulletproof car. Back then I could barely move around in Dongfang Capital; people were throwing things at me whenever I went out, so I had this bulletproof vehicle custom made..."

At this point, Yang Chuanfang’s expression showed some difficulty.

Those days in Dongfang Capital were truly painful for him.

"Young Master Yang, no need to be nervous. We’ll talk about your case in detail once we get to the firm. Some of the questions I suggested you avoid during the recording, you don’t have to answer, but once you’re in our office, please recount the events of that time carefully!"

"Okay, Lawyer Zhang, let’s go then!"

...

Jincheng Law Firm, 25th floor.

Criminal Department’s office, inside a certain meeting room.

"Don’t, please don’t, let me go!"

"Baby, you are mine, you will always be mine. I won’t let you go. I want you to stay here forever!"

"No——"

Accompanied by a piercing scream, the image on the projection screen ultimately froze on a striking scene where a handsome man brutally murdered a beautiful woman.

Zhang Wei picked up the remote control, turned off the projector, and then calmly explained:

"This one was written by Cheng Lisha, who also acted as the planner and producer. It was filmed and released ten years ago, the melodrama "Hotel by the Seaside"."

"Riding on the back of this drama, at that time, she made her mark in both the media and entertainment industries and gained tremendous popularity, becoming a prominent media newcomer with unrivaled influence!"

As Zhang Wei introduced the drama, Li Yueqin and Lin Yumeng, who were also in the office, unconsciously glanced toward Yang Chuanfang, seated across from them at the U-shaped desk.

In their eyes, there was a hint of fear.

Because according to what Cheng Lisha had said, she had adapted it from a real case that had caused a sensation in Dongfang Capital at the time.

And the perpetrator of that case was right in front of them.

Heart racing, so frightened~

Li Yueqin’s complexion remained somewhat composed, but her trembling hands betrayed her inner turmoil.

Lin Yumeng was even more withdrawing, her whole body shivering, a spitting image of a small ostrich.

"Cough cough, you two, be a bit more composed, will you? Right now, Young Master Yang is our client. Show the dedication of professional lawyers!"

Zhang Wei reprimanded them and then looked toward Tie Ruyun, "Old Tie, why don’t you summarize the case details for us!"

"Why should I do it? I’m already the head of the department and a partner at the firm, and you’re still ordering me around?"

"Old Tie, don’t you want our Criminal Department to grow and become stronger?"

"Of course I do!"

"Then get on with it. If we win this case, our Criminal Department’s reputation will resound throughout Dongfang Capital. Imagine how many people will be clamoring to join our department—won’t that be a beautiful sight?"

Tie Ruyun thought about it carefully and realized that indeed, the prospect seemed very appealing.

He was quite helpless, finding himself once again manipulated by Zhang Wei.

But if the future was bright, what was a little pain in the present?

Left with no choice, Tie Ruyun could only open the folder and read aloud, word by word:

"Ten years ago, during the August summer break, the victim Wen Xiaoyun accepted an invitation from her boyfriend, Yang Chuanfang, to stay at Changqing Hotel at the time. Many witnesses saw the couple entering and leaving the Changqing Hotel together, acting in concert, as they were in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship."

"On the 15th of the same month, which was Yang Chuanfang’s birthday, he invited a group of friends to celebrate. Wen Xiaoyun and several college roommates were also present. The birthday party was held at the Seaside Mansion inside the Changqing Hotel, with 50-100 people reportedly in attendance."

"According to guests who were at the party, on his birthday, Wen Xiaoyun had a fierce argument with the host Yang Chuanfang. The two almost came to blows, and Yang Chuanfang, infuriated, kicked a chair flying. Wen Xiaoyun, angry and upset, left the party venue."

"Afterward, Yang Chuanfang also left the mansion, and the party ended prematurely. Everyone witnessed Yang Chuanfang leaving."

"The next day, roommates reported Wen Xiaoyun missing after she failed to return for the night. The investigative team was dispatched to search for Wen Xiaoyun, but to no avail..."

Tie Ruyun closed the folder and looked at Yang Chuanfang, "Our client was listed by the investigative team as the prime suspect, but unfortunately, they never found Wen Xiaoyun’s whereabouts, and the case became a cold case of the time."

"Furthermore, because the incident occurred at Changqing Hotel, along with Cheng Lisha’s publicity and the filming and release of the drama series, the case caused a massive sensation at the time."

Hearing this, Yang Chuanfang also managed a bitter smile, "Back then, as soon as I stepped out, people would chase me, calling me a murderer. I had to deal with hundreds of text messages every day; sometimes, I’d even receive anonymous threatening calls!"

"But I really don’t know how Xiaoyun left me... I drank too much that night, so I went back to my room to sleep, and I didn’t wake up until the next morning."

"I was told about Xiaoyun’s sudden disappearance by others, I was still in a daze from the alcohol at that time..."

Yang Chuanfang’s expression couldn’t be said to be innocent, but it could be said to show no particular flaws.

Zhang Wei nodded and consoled him, "Young Master Yang, I understand your feelings. Please try to remember any detail you might have left out, such as why you argued, whether someone followed Wen Xiaoyun when she left, and whether her roommates and close friends had gone out with her at the time?"

"I’ve thought about all this before and asked them. Unfortunately, their answers were all negative. And it wasn’t just me who asked—I believe the investigative team must have asked these questions too. Xiaoyun has not come back till now, she..."

Yang Chuanfang said no more, covering his face with one hand, his complexion the picture of pain.

"Lawyer Zhang, could I return and rest for today? I feel I need some more time to adjust!"

"Certainly, you also have my business card. If there’s any issue, remember to call me!"

After reminding him, Zhang sent Yang Chuanfang off from the law firm.

As he watched the latter leave, his expression gradually became grave.

This case, it seemed, would not be easy to handle...