Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 299 - 297: Witness Old Man Guo, Zhang Wei’s Trump Card!

Chapter 299: Chapter 297: Witness Old Man Guo, Zhang Wei’s Trump Card!

Next door to the courtroom, within the preparation room.

"Lawyer Zhang, this is the last time I will call you lawyer!"

"If it weren’t for the fact that I know closing arguments are still to come, I’d terminate our contract right now!"

"But now, I just want to ask, what kind of deal could I get if I plead guilty?"

In the preparation room, Gao Xiaoping almost ground her teeth, suppressing the anger in her heart, as she questioned Zhang Wei.

"You’re giving up just like that?"

Zhang Wei let out a slight smile, his gaze filled with indescribable mockery.

You dare to roar in court, but now you chicken out?

"What else is there to do? Let the prosecution continue to accuse me, and then have the jury vote guilty, so I end up in prison for 10 years?" Gao Xiaoping couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

Only a fool would sit back and accept her fate, but now she could only pin her hopes on the prosecution’s terms for a guilty plea.

"What if I said that I can still keep you out of prison?"

"What did you say?"

Gao Xiaoping almost believed she was hallucinating.

Did Zhang Wei just say that she could avoid prison?

Stop kidding, okay!

With what happened in court just now, even if it was the king of heaven himself, it wouldn’t help, right?

The way the jury looked at her, combined with Guo Wufeng’s accusations which angered her, surely meant she was guilty.

"Impossible, it’s absolutely impossible!"

Gao Xiaoping shook her head, completely rejecting the idea, "Although I’m not a professional lawyer, I can tell that jury won’t vote not guilty."

"Madam Gao, I think you misunderstood something!"

Zhang Wei laughed, his demeanor casual and composed: "Sometimes to win a lawsuit, you don’t need a jury, or even a judge!"

"I ask you, what is the purpose of this trial?"

"To judge me?"

Gao Xiaoping pointed at herself.

"Then you hire a lawyer to defend yourself, what’s your goal there?"

"To keep me out of prison..."

Gao Xiaoping pointed at herself again.

"There you have it, there are many ways to keep you out of prison, and I’ve already prepared a strategy."

Zhang Wei spoke, a mischievous light flickering in his eyes.

"Do you know why I applied for a temporary adjournment just now?"

"Why?"

"Because the witness I summoned is still on the way. He is about to arrive at the courthouse, I will go out to meet him soon..."

"A new witness?"

Gao Xiaoping was astonished.

If you have a new witness, say it earlier! I thought the case was completely doomed.

I’m already on trial, and you are still hiding a witness, this is simply...

Are you playing with me?

...

Meanwhile.

On the other side of the courtroom, within the prosecution’s preparation room.

"Well done, well done, indeed, Old Guo, I knew you wouldn’t disappoint!"

At this moment, Zhao Chunming was grinning from ear to ear.

"Director Guo, your performance today was too impressive!"

"Yeah, Director, when I heard your last accusations against the witness, I got so excited!"

"Your statement was even more powerful than the closing argument I had in mind!"

The new recruits huddling close also offered their compliments, and of course for them, it was from the bottom of their hearts.

With excitement written all over their faces, they seemed to foresee Guo Wufeng’s moment of victory.

"Don’t get too excited, the outcome is not yet decided!"

Guo Wufeng waved his hand moderately, not letting pride get the better of him.

However, his wildly rising smile betrayed his inner feelings.

He just couldn’t imagine losing.

"Let’s check the time, we can head over now!" Zhao Chunming, who stood by, glanced at the wall clock with hands behind his back, urging them on.

He too was eager to witness Zhang Wei’s defeat.

"Old Guo, whether you can thoroughly crush that kid’s spirit this time depends all on you!"

"Rest assured, Old Zhao, this time I absolutely cannot lose to that youngster!"

Seeing Zhao Chunming’s anticipation, Guo Wufeng immediately assured him, thumping his chest with confidence.

The glory of the Procuratorate Headquarters shall be guarded by Guo Wufeng!

...

minutes passed.

The recess ended.

Both the prosecution and defense gradually returned to the courtroom.

On the bench, the prosecution’s team returned.

Xiao Baihe, Tan Yingying, Lu Wenwen, and Lan Zhengye, on the other hand, hadn’t left their seats.

In the front row, the newcomers of the criminal department were all worried.

Especially Lin Yumeng, her face pale as if she thought of something painful, she kept pouting, looking up at the sky with an air of resignation, occasionally touching her face and holding her head as the confusion appeared to make it swell.

She also muttered to herself from time to time, phrases like "a thousand yuan" and "pocket money" in a somewhat dazed manner.

"It looks like the outcome is decided," someone remarked.

Similarly, in the last row of the bench, Hua Chaofan was losing interest as well.

But he had a sense of integrity; if he said he would watch the trial to the end, he would see it through.

It was a perfect opportunity to see the formidable person Fatty Lin spoke of, at the moment they lost the lawsuit.

He prepared to head straight to the golf course to find Lin Xiangtian⁠—no, straight to Jincheng Group, as soon as the trial results were out.

As everyone’s gaze fastened on the scene, Zhang Wei and Gao Xiaoping also made their way into the courtroom.

Their expressions were diverse.

Gao Xiaoping looked speculative and puzzled.

On the contrary, Zhang Wei’s expression remained calm.

And this calmness on his face made many in the audience’s bench feel incredulous.

You’re about to lose the lawsuit, how can you still be so composed? they wondered.

Many people whispered and murmured to each other.

Thump, thump, thump!

On the bench, Judge Liu struck the gavel.

"Silence!"

He surveyed the courtroom until everyone quieted down, then announced, "Now that both sides are in place, let’s continue the trial!"

"Defense, do you wish to call any more new witnesses, or can we conclude the evidence and prepare for the closing statements?"

Although Judge Liu knew the answer, he believed it was necessary to go through the proper procedures.

The defense already had the accused testify, clearly out of options and looking to end this quickly rather than prolong the pain.

So he knew Zhang Wei’s answer must surely be negative...

"Your Honor, the defense indeed needs to summon one more new witness!"

Huh?

Zhang Wei’s reply made Judge Liu freeze, and his mouth stayed agape for a good while.

"Another witness?"

Guo Wufeng from the next seat was also stunned.

The prosecution’s bench, the criminal department’s young colleagues, and even the rest of the onlookers were all shocked on the spot.

You’ve already called your trump card witness, where is this new witness coming from?

"I object!"

Upon hearing Zhang Wei’s request, Guo Wufeng immediately stood up.

While he believed it was a sure win, he was also aware of Zhang Wei’s cunning tactics and maneuvers.

Now the opponent was about to play a cunning move.

His reaction was simple, interrupt quickly to prevent further waves.

Though he thought whatever Zhang Wei would do would be futile, as a prosecutor, he had to take action.

"Your Honor, the defense’s new witness is not listed in the witness catalogue, which is a clear violation of the public announcement system!"

"Your Honor, my witness is a bit special, he’s elderly and not very mobile, so he was delayed on the way here. Moreover, when I invited him to testify, I was unsure if the opposition would agree, which is why I did not include him in the witness list."

"This..." Judge Liu hesitated.

Although Guo Wufeng was right, Zhang Wei’s explanation also made sense.

"Your Honor, my witness is already at the courthouse. It’s not easy for someone of his age to come all the way to Dongfang Capital, would you really have the heart to let him keep waiting outside?"

"This..."

Judge Liu felt a touch of compassion.

"Prosecution, it’s not easy for the elderly to make a visit to Dongfang Capital, can’t you show some understanding?"

Guo Wufeng snorted coldly but did not stop it.

He didn’t want to create more issues as Zhang Wei had already played the old man card. If he forcefully refused, he would seem unsympathetic.

Although the advantage was on his side, he didn’t want to foster even a sliver of hostility from the jury.

As long as I don’t mess up, how will you turn the tables?

Guo Wufeng remained calm, and he was already scheming secretly about how to cross-examine the witness once they took the stand.

Since the witness was specifically brought by Zhang Wei, and even involved a "trick," he must leave an unforgettable memory for the opposite side.

Guo Wufeng had already reviewed the prosecuting attorney’s interrogation tactics in his mind and was ready to deploy them.

Following Guo Wufeng’s acquiescence, Judge Liu nodded in agreement.

"Since the prosecution does not raise any objections, the court approves, and the new witness may take the stand to testify!"

"Thank you, Judge Liu!" Zhang Wei smiled, and looking towards the side, said, "And thank you, Old Guo. I hope you won’t blame me later!"

"Hmph, why would I blame you? I was actually planning to give your new witness a proper greeting!"

Guo Wufeng sneered, poised for action.

"Is that so? But I’m sure you’ll definitely greet him~"

Zhang Wei smiled again, with a trace of mockery on his face.

This expression gave Guo Wufeng an inexplicably bad feeling.

He always felt that this kid was hiding something, but couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

"Ahem, the defense requests that the new witness, Guo Laoshi, take the stand to testify!"

After Zhang Wei finished speaking, many in the audience were taken aback.

What kind of name is that, Guo Laoshi?

Is this person really that honest?

"This name... why does it sound familiar to me?"

Zhao Chunming frowned immediately; he felt he had heard this name from someone before.

"This name, it has the surname Guo, Guo, Guo..."

He looked around the courtroom, then at Guo Wufeng, and a bolt of lightning seemed to strike through his mind.

"Holy shit!"

All his thoughts converged into these two words.

The courtroom doors swung open, and an elderly man, assisted by the Court Guard and leaning on a walking stick, slowly made his way into the courtroom.

The old man’s temples were slightly gray, his back a little hunched, but his expression was stern.

In the audience, someone seemed to recognize something.

"That new witness’s face, where have I seen it before?"

"Now that you mention it, I feel like I’ve seen it too, but where?"

"Where else? Don’t we see it every day? Director Guo always has nearly the same expression when he steps out of his office."

"It’s true, this old man’s face and Director Guo’s look almost identical!"

"Wait, why does Director Guo look so upset... as if... this old man, he couldn’t really be his father, could he?"

"No way, no way, the defense couldn’t really have summoned..."

A group of junior prosecutors, as if coming to a realization.

"Holy shit!"

In the end, they followed in Zhao Chunming’s steps, summing up their myriad thoughts in two words.

Lan Zhengye, Lu Wenwen, Xiao Baihe, and Tan Yingying, sitting nearby, exchanged looks, their eyes flashing with astonishment and shock.

They had naturally heard the others’ comments and had realized something.

"Holy shit!"

The four of them inwardly exclaimed, amazed at Zhang Wei’s audacity!

"Hey, son, your father’s come to see you!"

Just then, the witness waved at Guo Wufeng in the courtroom.

His self-introduction was as good as revealing his identity.

"Holy shit!"

"Holy shit!"

"Holy shit!"

The old man’s words set off a chorus of exclamations from the audience!

Everyone’s eyes widened as they looked at Guo Wufeng and Zhang Wei in the courtroom.

This...

This is just...

This is just freaking awesome!

The new witness called by the defense turned out to be the father of the opposing prosecutor.

"Yay, Master’s pulled off another slick move!"

The most excited one in the room had to be the young disciple, Lin Yumeng.

Upon learning the identity of the new witness, she knew her thousand bucks were secure!

"This..."

Similarly, Hua Chaofan, sitting in the back, was also stunned.

Having been abroad, he was always in contact with lawyers, but he had never encountered one with such crafty strategies.

Summoning the prosecutor’s father to testify was just too "surprising."

Dongfang Capital’s lawyers—are they all this wild?

Hua Chaofan felt fortunate that he hadn’t left early; otherwise, he would have missed this "astounding and soul-stirring" maneuver.

"Zhang Wei, what nerve you have!"

In the courtroom, someone finally exploded.

But this time, the one exploding wasn’t Gao Xiaoping, it was Guo Wufeng.

After all, the witness called to the stand was his own father.

He never imagined that the witness summoned by the defense would be his own dad.

Whoever found themselves in his shoes would probably find it unbearable!

"Old Guo, I gave you a chance, but you didn’t cherish it!"

Zhang Wei let out a sly chuckle in response, taunting him.

Guo Wufeng watched as his father walked up to the stand and smiled at him, then sat down in the witness box.

His complexion was as uncomfortable as someone who had just eaten an L-8 secret recipe hamburger.

"Zhang Wei, why must you do this?"

He looked at Zhang Wei with a sinister gaze and said, "Haven’t you ever heard the saying, ’Leave a line, to meet in the future with kindness’?"

Upon hearing this familiar line, Zhang Wei narrowed his eyes and smiled.

"Hahaha, ’Leave a line,’ but did you ever give my client a chance?"

He pointed to the defense’s side, then pointed at Guo Wufeng, "For others, I might give them a second chance, but for you, Old Guo, it’s out of the question!"

"Really?"

"Absolutely true!"

"No room for discussion?"

"Don’t even mention it again!"

"You won’t give a chance?"

"Opportunities are to be seized by oneself, yet you voluntarily gave up!"

Having said that, Zhang Wei walked up to the witness box and revealed a smiling face.

"Hello there, Old Man Guo!"

"Hello, young lawyer!"

Old Man Guo looked at Zhang Wei with a beaming smile and said, "You claim to have a great relationship with my son, is that true? What were you just chatting about?"

"Oh, my relationship with Old Guo is excellent. He’s always talking about me!"

"That’s good then! My son is sitting over there, but why does he seem so unhappy?"

"He’s feeling guilty. You’ve come all this way, and he wasn’t prepared at all. Of course he’s feeling remorseful!"

"Oh, is that so? Well, I didn’t come from very far. I live in the neighboring city, it’s not far. He could drive back home in a few hours each holiday. Don’t feel burdened, ha~"

Old Man Guo waved dismissively at Guo Wufeng, indicating that his son shouldn’t feel too guilty.

Guo Wufeng’s face turned green, but he couldn’t erupt in anger.

When your dad’s in the courtroom, what can you do?

"Oh, right, let’s get back to the point!"

Zhang Wei said, indicating to everyone in the courtroom to look his way.

Although everyone was already looking at Old Man Guo, Zhang Wei needed them to look at him.

"Old Man Guo, did you know that there’s a court hearing today about a midwife? Someone’s suing her for practicing without a license, for delivering someone’s baby."

"What, there’s such a thing?" Old Man Guo showed a surprised expression upon hearing this.

"Yes, many people want to convict the midwife, especially your son. His reaction has been the strongest. He even called it a bad custom, didn’t he?"

"This..."

Old Man Guo was taken aback, then looked towards Guo Wufeng.

The next second, the previously amicable Old Man Guo became enraged.

"You brat, what nonsense are you spouting? Do you know that your dad was delivered by a midwife? And you, as a child, weren’t you delivered by Old Wang from the neighboring village? Have you lost your mind?"

"If it weren’t for midwives, there wouldn’t be me, nor you. Do you realize your grandma almost died in childbirth when she was having me? You’ve really got some nerve, you..."

Old Man Guo turned into a verbal cannon and began blasting Guo Wufeng on the spot.

A father reprimanding his son is appropriate anywhere, even in a courtroom. He didn’t hold back, letting out whatever came to mind in a roar.

And Guo Wufeng, hearing his father’s roar, could only sit in silence, enduring it.

He didn’t dare talk back, feeling utterly miserable and wronged.

Zhang Wei stood still, watching the scene unfold, his heart filled with cold laughter.

It was out of necessity; I didn’t want to be so ruthless.

"Ever since Dongfang Capital integrated into the new medical system, every child born in a hospital is recorded in the system."

"So to put it another way, if someone isn’t recorded in the medical system, they definitely weren’t born in a hospital. I just needed to compile this information and then choose the most influential person for Guo Wufeng, someone whose testimony would have the greatest impact, to testify."

"I was thinking of finding someone with status to create a deterrent effect, but in the end, I discovered your dad also fit the bill, so don’t blame me, Old Guo. It just so happens that this witness carries the most weight!"

After internally bickering for a bit, Zhang Wei looked towards the front row of the hearing seats, at his criminal department buddies.

"I neither play the sentiment card nor the logic card because I know neither has a strong enough effect!"

"If I play, I play the ace of spades!"

Old Man Guo is Zhang Wei’s ace of spades!