Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 298 - 296 Gao Xiaoping Breaks Defense, Is Zhang Wei Going to Lose?

Chapter 298: Chapter 296 Gao Xiaoping Breaks Defense, Is Zhang Wei Going to Lose?

Had Zhang Wei come to the end of his rope?

Of course not!

He simply felt it was unnecessary!

Even yesterday, he hadn’t contacted Gao Xiaoping at all.

In the preparation room earlier, he had only advised Gao Xiaoping.

He had cautioned her to control her emotions today, and once in court, she could play it by ear.

As for how well Gao Xiaoping would perform, whether or not she could move the jurors, none of that mattered!

Because he had a real ace up his sleeve!

For him, Gao Xiaoping was already a "sacrificed piece."

Zhang Wei didn’t expect this impulsive woman to sway the jury, nor did he expect her testimony to turn the tides.

However, to others, it seemed Zhang Wei had given up on himself.

It was the defense’s turn to present their case, and he had "hastily" let Gao Xiaoping take the stand for her testimony. Wasn’t this a sign of having no more tricks up his sleeve?

If he had other means, why would he need to play his "last card" so soon? He could have easily tried other tactics first.

Therefore, to some knowledgeable people in the courtroom, Zhang Wei appeared to be out of options.

"Hehe, today’s the day, the kid is going to lose!"

Zhao Chunming watched everything before him, his eyes alight with excitement as he observed the defendant testifying.

At the Procuratorate Headquarters, Lan Zhengye, Lu Wenwen, Xiao Baihe, Tan Yingying, and others all saw it clearly.

Zhang Wei was going to lose!

They each had different expressions, but all were very much looking forward to it.

They were eager to see Zhang Wei lose the case, and then witness him being ruthlessly mocked by Guo Wufeng.

That scene would certainly be thrilling!

"Is this the extent of his abilities?"

In a corner, Hua Chaofan was also somewhat disappointed.

Lin Xiangtian had boasted to him about how extraordinary Zhang Wei was, and he had been looking forward to Zhang Wei’s performance.

Now it seemed, Zhang Wei was nothing special...

He was completely bored now... so very bored...

"It’s over, it’s over, Master is going to lose~"

In the front row of the spectator seats, those from the Criminal Division were also panicking.

The most dramatic of them was Lin Yumeng.

"It’s over, there goes my thousand yuan... "

But compared to Zhang Wei’s win or loss, she was more concerned about losing her pocket money for the month.

Just thinking about having to skimp and save, not being able to buy her favorite snacks, her face completely fell.

"So annoying, Master, just put up a fight, don’t make me, your disciple, worry about you..."

The anxious little disciple mourned the loss of money from her own pocket~

In the courtroom.

Leaving aside what the rest of the people at the scene thought, Zhang Wei himself was utterly calm.

He walked slowly and leisurely, listening to Gao Xiaoping’s narrative with a relaxed face, occasionally nodding and echoing her.

But his behavior, in the eyes of onlookers, seemed more like restlessness, as if he couldn’t even bear to stand still.

"...The ultimate reward from my job is witnessing the birth of children and the smiles of mothers when they see their child born, the joy of the whole family."

"I admit, my personal capacity is limited, and I cannot cover every aspect like a hospital, but I am doing my utmost to help the residents of Bei Chong Island. I help them to carry on the hope of their family, to preserve their lineage, to help them..."

Gao Xiaoping had finished telling her story.

She had said a lot, mentioned the happy incidents she encountered in her work, and of course, she also touched upon her own shortcomings.

Zhang Wei admitted that Gao Xiaoping’s story, when she calmed down, was quite good.

If this were a small local court, where judges and prosecutors lacked skills, and the jury consisted of sentimental people, her testimony could have been effective.

But unfortunately...

This was Dongfang Capital, and it could be said that those sitting in this courtroom had seen all kinds of defendants, all sorts of testimonies.

Take Guo Wufeng, for example, he didn’t even blink an eye.

The 12-person jury, moved by that speech just now, numbered but a few.

Even on the judge’s bench... hey, hey, hey, Judge Liu, what’s with the sigh? Why did you sigh?

Are you from the countryside or something, why so sentimental?

Zhang Wei originally wanted to say, if you can’t even move the jury, how could you talk about moving the judge?

But as soon as he looked up, he saw Judge Liu sighing.

Wasn’t this a slap in his face?

Unexpectedly, Gao Xiaoping’s story, although not moving the audience or the jury, had moved the judge’s bench.

Judge Liu fought back the urge to cry and, after hearing Gao Xiaoping finish her story, then asked, "Has the witness finished her testimony?"

On his face was a somewhat lingering expression, as if he wished to hear another story.

"I... have finished... right?"

Gao Xiaoping herself seemed unsure, sitting there for a moment in a daze, and then looking towards Zhang Wei.

"Your Honor, our witness has finished her self-testimony!"

But Zhang Wei didn’t care at all, he just smiled indifferently and walked back to the defense bench.

This also meant that the self-testimony was over, and the stage was handed over to the prosecution.

"Hmph, it’s finally my turn!"

Seeing Zhang Wei leave, Guo Wufeng immediately stood up.

He carried around him a certain almost tangible oppressive force, like a dense black cloud, pressing down upon the courtroom.

Gao Xiaoping, seeing Guo Wufeng with a dark face walking towards her, felt an inexplicable tightness in her heart.

"Witness, the story you just told was very exciting, but it is still just a story after all. I believe no one in this court is naive enough to be moved by such a perfunctory story, right?"

Judge Liu slightly twisted his mouth, feeling somewhat uncomfortable inside.

Who are you calling naive, your whole family is naive!

Guo Wufeng was unaware that his words had inadvertently poked at Judge Liu.

He looked at Gao Xiaoping and continued, "In your story, you only mentioned the so-called positive aspects, but failed to mention any negligence on your part!"

"What negligence have I committed?"

"Don’t tell me there isn’t any?"

Guo Wufeng walked back to the prosecution bench and took a folder from Xiao Chen, flipping it open directly.

"The incorporation of Bei Chong Island into Dongfang Capital happened five years ago. After the merger five years ago, you effectively had no legal license, and the medical advice and services you provided to the islanders were unlicensed practice. Have you never made a mistake?"

"Your actions, your selfish behavior, are they truly as you say, intended to bring convenience to the residents of Bei Chong Island, to bring them happiness and joy in their families?"

Facing Guo Wufeng’s aggressive questioning, Gao Xiaoping’s face darkened.

But she still managed to control the impulse to stand up, sitting down and replying, "I haven’t spoken falsely, my work is indeed to bring happiness to the families on Bei Chong Island!"

"Is that so?"

Yet Guo Wufeng, hearing this answer, revealed a meaningful smile.

"Then let’s start with five years ago. After the merger that year, your medical visits did indeed decrease significantly. I could assume that you were scared then because you were also unsure how the rules would affect you, or should I say, you couldn’t guess the attitude of the former prosecutor towards you."

"However, since that incident mentioned by the defense earlier, you must have gotten a handle on the former prosecutor’s attitude, right?"

Guo Wufeng said, glancing at Zhang Wei.

The incident he mentioned, of course, was about the family at the edge of the island who had a problem, and then Gao Xiaoping had Old Yi drove her there for a delivery.

"I want to ask, the car break down that day, was it real, or did you deceive the former prosecutor and deliberately have her take you to that family’s home?"

"Objection!"

Zhang Wei naturally opposed Guo Wufeng’s speculation with calmness.

He didn’t even rise from his seat but simply raised his hand and spoke, "Your Honor, the prosecution is speculating!"

"I retract that last statement in principle, but I don’t consider it impossible!"

Guo Wufeng said, casting a meaningful glance towards the jury.

A number of them showed reflective expressions.

If what Guo Wufeng said wasn’t wrong, and Gao Xiaoping had done it deliberately, then her motives were not at all pure.

Using the life of a child from some family as leverage, to force Old Yi to stand with her?

They could already imagine how calculating Gao Xiaoping was, she was simply...

"Witness, let’s not mention that incident; let’s talk about a year later. A year later, while practicing without a license, you helped a family in the East Village with childbirth, but in the end, the baby was lost. You still remember that, don’t you?"

Hearing Guo Wufeng mention this matter, Gao Xiaoping’s complexion changed slightly, but she still replied, "I remember!"

"Then do you also remember that the wife of that household suffered from a congenital disease and needed long-term medication, yet you asked her to stop taking her medicine, nearly costing her her life!"

"The medication she was taking was harmful to the fetus; I had to ask her to stop for the child’s health!"

"But by stopping the medication, her chronic illness became uncontrolled and relapsed just before giving birth, almost taking her life!"

"I..."

"Moreover, because of the medication, her child was stillborn. The wife could not withstand the blow, her mental health was affected, and, I heard, she still resides in a psychiatric hospital!"

As Guo Wufeng spoke, he opened the folder and displayed its contents for Gao Xiaoping to see.

"Had you not given your advice at that time, and instead had the expectant mother gone to the local hospital, the doctors could have both stabilized her condition and ensured the child’s safe delivery. One can say the outcome would never have been so tragic."

"It is all because of you, all due to your unprofessional advice, that has the family living so miserably now. Not only did they lose their child, but the husband toils daily, spending all his earnings on his wife’s medical treatment. This family’s hardships—are you not the least bit remorseful?"

By the end of his statement, Guo Wufeng was almost pointing at Gao Xiaoping’s nose and scolding her.

"I..." The latter opened her mouth several times, intending to retort, but she held back.

"And do you remember the family in South Village? Their wife died just a few months after giving birth, and the cause of death was also due to your improper delivery!"

"There are two more families in North Village; their misfortunes are also because of you..."

Guo Wufeng read from the documents in his hand, listing off the cases and accusing Gao Xiaoping with very sharp words.

"Witness, do you know what I see?"

"I don’t see a doctor working tirelessly for families’ happiness and well-being. Instead, I see a fraudster who pays lip service to the so-called ’family happiness’ while actually looking to secure her job and make money off healthcare fees!"

"She portrays herself as a benevolent problem solver for residents’ medical difficulties, but in reality, she is just after money—even repeatedly testing the limits of the law, with the former prosecutor also falling victim to her schemes!"

"It was for this very reason that my associate saw through her intentions and brought her to Dongfang Capital Court, letting the law judge this despicable fraudster!"

As Guo Wufeng spoke, he gave a knowing look to Xiao Chen at the prosecution table, who nodded solemnly in response.

This scene was witnessed by everyone in the courtroom, and many realized what was happening.

"Gao Xiaoping, what you call ’service’ looks to me more like a business."

"And you, knowing full well that you are practicing medicine without a license, have made no effort to obtain one in Dongfang Capital. Do you claim this is being responsible to the families of Bei Chong Island?"

"To me, your actions have put these families in jeopardy. You know the local hospital would be their best option, yet for your own gain, you disregard others’ lives—your conduct is simply..."

"Enough——"

As Guo Wufeng continued his accusations, a shrill scream interrupted him.

Already on the brink of eruption, Gao Xiaoping could no longer restrain herself amid Guo Wufeng’s barrage of questioning.

Especially since she saw that Zhang Wei on the defense bench did not even object while Guo Wufeng accused her, how could she bear it?

In her eyes, the accusing Guo Wufeng was detestable, but the inactive Zhang Wei was even more odious.

With this double blow, it was strange her temperament could bear it.

Which is why the courtroom just witnessed that scream.

The outburst took the entire courtroom by surprise.

Gao Xiaoping stood up, maintaining a roaring expression, furious as she looked at Guo Wufeng, while she also watched Zhang Wei from the corner of her eye.

"What, did I say something wrong?"

Guo Wufeng internally sneered while raising the documents in his hand, "These data and records are all true!"

"What I said just now is also true, all based on facts, casting reasonable doubt on your actions!"

"And now, seeing your attitude only confirms my suspicions even further. How could someone as impulsive and irascible as you possibly serve the residents of Bei Chong Island diligently?"

"In my opinion, it’s a joke for those islanders to entrust the safety of their wives and children to someone with such an extreme temperament."

"Oh, I am mistaken. You are practicing without a license — they’ve been gambling with their lives by trusting you all along!"

Guo Wufeng taunted a few more times, his eyes brimming with mirth.

"You...and you..."

Gao Xiaoping glared at Guo Wufeng, her eyes then fixed on Zhang Wei at the defense table, her breath growing heavier.

"Witness, if I recall correctly, I warned you to remain composed during the last session, didn’t I?"

Judge Liu, who had been sitting on the bench, had had enough and immediately hammered his gavel.

"Court Guards, keep an eye on her!"

Two Court Guards positioned themselves on either side of Gao Xiaoping, eyes watchful.

If she showed any signs of agitation or lost control even slightly, these two would certainly uphold courtroom order by "escorting" the witness to the adjacent holding cell.

As Gao Xiaoping came close to losing control, Guo Wufeng couldn’t have been more pleased with himself.

Because all of Gao Xiaoping’s reactions were clearly observed by the jury without missing a beat.

Adding to his earlier statement, the jury probably already had an idea in their minds.

All 12 jurors were firmly on his side.

Guo Wufeng was one hundred percent certain that if the verdict were to be announced now, the defendant would be found guilty, and there was no second possibility.

This was no longer a matter of stability.

He had begun to consider how to mock Zhang Wei after winning the case for maximum effect.

He was already looking forward to that moment with impatience.

However, the final wrap-up work still needed to be done.

Guo Wufeng walked up to the witness stand and looked at Gao Xiaoping with a cold gaze, "Witness, you can’t even control your own emotions in this sacred courtroom, and you lose your temper at the slightest pressure."

"If we let you accompany those women in labor, those children about to be born, are you also going to adopt this attitude? In my view, your behavior is tantamount to murder!"

"I am also glad that I can represent justice, represent the residents of Bei Chong Island, and initiate public prosecution against someone like you, against your disregard for medical protocols!"

"You should atone and compensate for the children who died in your hands, for the newborns who died under your unprofessional medical service!"

In the end, he looked towards the bench, "Your Honor, our side has no more questions for this witness!"

Guo Wufeng knew that he had completed the closing tasks.

He walked back to his seat with the pride of a triumphant general, his head held high, and then exchanged a knowing smile with Zhao Chunming in the audience.

Both knew they had this case in the bag today!

"Your Honor, the defense would like to ask additional questions!"

Right after Guo Wufeng stepped down, Zhang Wei stood up again.

Judge Liu nodded, and Zhang Wei immediately approached the witness stand.

"Witness, the prosecution just made serious accusations against you, do you have anything to say in your defense?"

"What’s the point of saying anything now?"

Gao Xiaoping looked at Zhang Wei with a cold face and replied in an irritated tone.

Why didn’t you interrupt just now? Now after everyone has spoken, you come and ask if I want to defend myself?

Defend what nonsense!

Gao Xiaoping felt that the guy in front of her didn’t deserve to be called the best lawyer in Dongfang Capital.

She swore that she would make Zhang Wei pay.

If it hadn’t been for his incompetence, would she have faced such accusations?

Gao Xiaoping was not a temperate person, and she was determined to make trouble for Zhang Wei.

Zhang Wei had no idea that Gao Xiaoping was cursing him in her mind.

"Since you don’t wish to defend yourself, then I’ll just ask you one question. How long have you been in this line of work?"

"Almost thirty years!"

"Did you learn this craft by yourself?"

"My mother was a midwife; I learned from her!"

"Oh, I see!"

Zhang Wei feigned an expression of realization, though in fact, he had known this all along.

"In my opinion, the profession of a midwife is actually very necessary. In the past, there were no formal hospitals, and it was difficult for people in the countryside even to visit a clinic. Besides, doctors couldn’t do much to assist in childbirth, it required the help of a professional midwife!"

"Objection!"

Just as Zhang Wei was making his statement, Guo Wufeng immediately interrupted.

"These old customs should be discarded. Now that we have formal hospitals, we can take better care of the pregnant women. In my view, these midwives are redundant!"

"Well said, Old Guo, then I will not go on," said Zhang Wei with a smile upon hearing Guo Wufeng’s remarks.

Then he turned once more to the bench and requested, "Your Honor, my client is a bit overwrought, I request a temporary recess to allow her to compose herself."

"Alright, we’ll take a 15-minute recess!"

Judge Liu glanced at Gao Xiaoping and at the clock, and nodded his head.

A 15-minute break wouldn’t affect the trial, everyone was tired anyway.

A short break to restore some energy, and then to hear the closing arguments from both the prosecution and defense, that would be just right...