Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 311 - 309: Seeking Proof, Nun Xu? The Source of the Rumors

Chapter 311: Chapter 309: Seeking Proof, Nun Xu? The Source of the Rumors

Zhang Wei left the ward.

Because he couldn’t find any information here.

Merely relying on Tie Ruyun’s oral account was not enough to discover any clues.

But he had already learned from Tie Ruyun’s account the ins and outs of the matter, of course, this was just what Tie Ruyun had seen.

Zhang Wei knew that, besides Old Tie and Xiao Wei, there was another issue.

That issue was the spread of the case, there certainly was someone behind the scenes stirring the pot.

That was something beyond the two parties involved.

And there was another point that struck Zhang Wei as odd.

Why didn’t Xiao Wei come forward to clarify things, but instead informed the field agents and the investigation department that Tie Ruyun was preparing to visit a prostitute?

According to Tie Ruyun, he had helped Gan Xiaowei, and she should be grateful to him, right?

But instead of being grateful, Gan Xiaowei not only showed no gratitude but also framed him. What was the reason for this?

There were only two possibilities.

Either Tie Ruyun was lying, but this possibility was not significant.

Based on Zhang Wei’s understanding of Old Tie, and the latter’s facial expressions during his account of the case, Zhang Wei could affirm that Old Tie was not lying.

So there was only the other possibility left: Gan Xiaowei was lying!

Why would a prostitute lie?

There were plenty of reasons for that.

After all, her profession was to provide services for money, charging by the hour or by the service.

As long as someone could pay the right price, she could be made to do anything.

Getting her to tell a lie was no hard task!

Zhang Wei’s mind started to work quickly, and he had already guessed part of the truth of the matter.

Someone had paid Xiao Wei to change her statement and to slander Tie Ruyun.

Next, he needed to prove this!

But who could it be?

Many people had access to Xiao Wei, but Zhang Wei decidedly did not.

He could not meet Gan Xiaowei nor confront this woman in person.

Because he was a defense lawyer, and Gan Xiaowei was the prosecution’s witness.

The prosecution would surely proceed with charges against Tie Ruyun. In that case, things would become difficult.

He had to find someone who had no vested interest in Old Tie and who could reach Xiao Wei.

Many candidates flashed through Zhang Wei’s mind, and soon he had set his sights on a target.

He took out his cell phone and dialed a number.

"Hello, is that Silly? Have you finished work?"

"Oh, you’re still at the Serious Crime Team, are you? I just need a favor from you."

"Yeah, I’m telling you, the Serious Crime Team 1 has a prostitution case..."

"Right, you heard correctly, a prostitution case, I also don’t know why the Serious Crime Team would deal with a prostitution case, and moreover, an attempted prostitution case?"

"Well, I need you to help me ask the prosecution’s witness, that woman called Xiao Wei, what the actual situation is, I suspect she is lying."

"Got it, got it, you surely can’t tell, and I didn’t expect you to. If possible, bring an interrogation expert with you to probe this woman’s true intentions!"

"Old Xing, right? That’s perfect, he still owes me a favor. Bring him along, he should be quite the slick operator."

"OKOK, then you go ahead with your work, mua~"

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Wei’s brow remained furrowed.

"Today is Tuesday, I need to wrap up these matters by Friday!"

Looking at the time, he saw that there were still three days left if today was over.

This was the deadline given to him by Lin Jincheng; he had to prove Old Tie’s innocence and settle this case.

...

Meanwhile.

At the Criminal Investigation Department, Serious Crime Team 7 Office.

After hanging up Zhang Wei’s call, Xia Qianyue went straight to the veteran of Serious Crime Team 7.

"Old Xing, I need your help!"

"Xia Xia, what do you need help with?"

Old Xing raised his head and glanced at the wall clock, "It’s almost time for us to get off work, why don’t we talk about this tomorrow..."

Xia Qianyue looked at the others, who were all busy at their desks.

She quickly lowered her head and leaned in toward Old Xing, "It’s Zhang Wei who needs our help!"

"Oh, it’s that kid Zhang Wei!"

Upon hearing that Zhang Wei was the one asking for help, Old Xing immediately perked up.

"You should have said so earlier, let’s talk as we walk. As long as it’s not a matter of principle, I definitely won’t refuse!"

Thereupon, Old Xing and Xia Qianyue left the Serious Crime Team 7 Office, discussing in low voices as they went.

"So that’s it, I thought it was something serious. No problem, let’s go!"

After learning about Zhang Wei’s request, Old Xing slapped his chest in assurance, this matter wasn’t hard to handle.

He immediately drove, taking Xia Qianyue directly to their destination.

Dongfang Capital.

Inside Central Ring, in a certain alleyway.

The street was dimly lit, and at the corner, someone was sitting in a vehicle, monitoring a room on the street through binoculars.

Thump, thump, thump!

A series of knocks on the window interrupted his vigilance, he turned and saw... a familiar face.

After rolling down the window, he immediately said with a smile, "Yo, Old Xing, what brings you here?"

"Xiao Xu, I brought a rookie with me today to handle a case."

Old Xing said, approaching Xiao Xu, "I heard your Team 1 has a witness who is one of the streetwalkers around here. We’re dealing with a case and our suspect has also moved around this area, so we wanted to ask her if she has seen our person of interest."

"This... Doesn’t seem quite right..."

Xiao Xu looked troubled.

His job was to ensure that the witness wasn’t disturbed by anyone outside the investigation department.

"Xiao Xu, don’t tell me you don’t understand how these rules work?"

Seeing Xiao Xu’s troubled face, Old Xing immediately said with irritation, "How do the rules go? Witnesses can’t be disturbed by anyone outside the investigation department, right?"

"Yes indeed!"

"Well then, aren’t we from the investigation department?"

"This..."

Xiao Xu paused, then pondered.

He realized that was actually the case.

Old Xing and the rookie did belong to the investigation department, though they weren’t from the same team.

"Xiao Xu, I’m not criticizing you, but sometimes you have to be flexible. Whenever your Team 1 handles major cases, doesn’t our Team 7 assist you? Now that Team 7 has a case, shouldn’t Team 1 assist us a bit?"

"Hmm, that does make sense," Xiao Xu nodded again.

"There you have it!"

Having said that, Old Xing clapped his hands, ready to take Xia Qianyue up.

But he hadn’t walked many steps before he suddenly turned back, full of curiosity, "By the way, Xiao Xu, since when does the major crime department handle prostitution cases?"

Xiao Xu looked around to his left and right. Seeing no one on the streets, he beckoned Old Xing with a finger.

"Brother, this involves an organized prostitution crime ring. This witness is just a part of it. Just know that and keep it quiet, okay?"

"Ah, I see. But I heard that the prosecution is going to charge the client, why’s that?"

"That, according to the higher-ups, seems to be about deliberately releasing information as a distraction, making outsiders think this is just a simple case of solicitation, just to draw attention."

"Oh, I see, thanks, Xiao Xu, I get it now!"

"Bro, just make sure you don’t say I told you this!"

"No worries, no worries. We were never here today, we know nothing, you can relax!"

Old Xing laughed, waved his hand, and pulled Xia Qianyue along with him into the alley.

minutes later, inside the room.

Old Xing and Xia Qianyue, under their official capacity, met with the woman named Xiao Wei.

The woman appeared quite young, around 25, dressed in flashy, colorful clothes.

But because of her long-term profession, her face betrayed a sense of world-weariness.

Xiao Wei was also sizing up Old Xing and Xia Qianyue, especially Xia Qianyue, in whose eyes she held only envy.

Because the girl before her maintained her skin well, had delicate features, and exuded a youthful vibrancy, clearly the child of a wealthy family.

Old Xing was also observing Xiao Wei, although his gaze was rather calm.

"We’re here today mainly to ask about Tie Ruyun."

Hearing this name, Xiao Wei’s complexion changed instantly.

This slightest reaction naturally did not escape Old Xing’s notice.

"Gan Xiaowei, according to our investigation records, you should be acquainted with Tie Ruyun, right? You’ve known him for over five years, from the first year he has been your defense attorney. Logically, he’s your benefactor, having helped you avoid detention and imprisonment many times. So why would you frame him this time?"

"I don’t know what you’re talking about..." Xiao Wei immediately shook her head in denial.

But her trembling hands betrayed her inner turmoil.

Seeing this, Old Xing understood what was going on.

"You’ve been threatened, haven’t you? If there’s any conscience left in you, could you tell us who threatened you?"

"I don’t know, I don’t know anything, I don’t know anything..."

"This is making things difficult for us. If we find out later that you lied, not only will you not be protected, but you’ll also go to jail for perjury and obstructing a judicial investigation!"

Xiao Wei’s face changed, as if caught between two minds.

"Also, have you considered how Tie Ruyun feels? He’s a good lawyer, always there to help you. But what did you do? You betrayed him. Would you consider that as repaying kindness with ingratitude?"

"I really don’t know anything, I don’t know!"

"You don’t know?"

Old Xing chuckled disdainfully, "In our line of work, we may not have many skills, but catching a person’s lies? That’s too easy."

"Gan Xiaowei, you must have taken the money. Your job nature is to do things for money. I can only say Tie Ruyun truly misjudged you, actually defending you. Probably the thing he regrets the most is not taking your money!"

"Oh, but that’s right, your money never was clean to begin with, so it’s only proper he didn’t take your money. Gan Xiaowei, since you’re not cooperating, we have no choice but to leave. However, I think Tie Ruyun will definitely see your true colors, never would he have imagined you to be such a person!"

As Old Xing spoke, he gave Xia Qianyue a couple of meaningful glances, and the two of them immediately got up, ready to leave.

"I didn’t take the money, I didn’t take any money!"

Suddenly, Xiao Wei spoke up, and with a frightened expression, she repeatedly shook her head.

"You didn’t take the money?" Old Xing quickly asked, "Then you are..."

Beep beep—

Suddenly, the blaring horn of a car came from below.

Hearing this sound, Old Xing inwardly voiced his regret.

This was the signal from Xiao Xu, indicating that someone had arrived and they had to withdraw.

"Alright, Gan Xiaowei, remember this, we were never here today, okay? We are from Tie Ruyun’s side. If you feel any remorse towards him, then don’t say a thing!"

Old Xing quickly advised her. He could tell that Xiao Wei felt guilty towards Tie Ruyun, so in order not to expose themselves, he had to invoke the latter’s name.

The two of them left briskly, as if they were never there, disappearing quickly.

At the entrance of Xiao Wei’s place,

"This is it, the witness is inside."

The voice at the door was Xiao Xu’s.

"I know, that’s fine then. You stay outside and make sure no one disturbs us!"

"Understood!"

The room’s door opened once again, and in came a man and a woman.

Xiao Xu guarded the door, not letting anyone near.

But he, too, was anxious, uncertain whether Old Xing had actually left.

Fortunately, there was no sound from inside for a long time, indicating that Old Xing had left.

He let out a sigh of relief but also felt it was odd.

The two individuals inside had arrived earlier than expected according to schedule.

The Procuratorate’s Office had an appointment with their Serious Crime Team for tomorrow.

Since when were personnel from the Procuratorate’s Office so dedicated to visit a witness overnight?

Nevertheless, this had nothing to do with him as a guard. He was only responsible for ensuring the witness was safe and preventing suspicious people from approaching.

After a while, the two who had entered finally came out.

"I never expected that this time, the client would be Tie Ruyun from Jincheng Law Firm. Truly an eye-opener!"

"Master, you must stand up for me!"

"Hmph, it’s your lack of ability that you lost to them again. But it’s not surprising, we all know Zhang Wei’s caliber and yours. It’s only normal that you’d lose to him!"

"Master, how can you say that about me? I tried really hard!"

"Tried hard?"

Among the man and the woman, the woman glanced disdainfully at her subordinate.

If Zhang Wei were here, he would be surprised because the man turned out to be Chai Ping, the Central District Procuratorate’s Office prosecutor who had been defeated by him twice.

And judging by the way he moved a step behind the woman, addressing her respectfully as a master, the woman’s standing in the Central District Procuratorate’s Office must be quite high.

"Are you two done asking your questions?" Xiao Xu immediately came over with a smile and asked.

"Yeah, we’re done!"

The woman responded expressionlessly and walked past without even greeting Xiao Xu.

Seeing the woman’s attitude, Xiao Xu’s smile suddenly froze on his face.

But then, he remembered the woman’s nickname and came to terms with it.

"Ah, I wonder who will face off against ’Nun Xu’ this time. I wonder if the defense attorney will be able to withstand the pressure!"

Nun Xu, of course, wasn’t a real nun. It was a nickname given to her by others, and after some time, it was how everyone secretly referred to her.

Her actual name was Xu Suyun, and she was the ace prosecutor at the Central District Procuratorate’s Office.

Because in court, she always maintained a cold expression and used forceful tactics. Her style was sharp and tricky, often leading people to associate her with Master Exterminator.

That’s how she got the nickname "Nun Xu".

Of course, when it came to Nun Xu from the Central District Procuratorate’s Office, most defense attorneys’ legs would tremble with fear.

Even some seasoned lawyers would take a deep breath or suffer a headache when they heard their opponent was Nun Xu.

Of course, there was clearly one person not included in this.

...

In the evening, at Lin Mansion.

"Yes, I understand. Thank you, Simple-minded person, and please thank Old Xing for me."

"Next, I need to handle the matters at hand. You should go rest as well."

"Yes, I know. If I need help, I’ll ask for your assistance."

"Then, good night, mua~"

After thanking Xia Qianyue and wishing each other good night, Zhang Wei immediately went to the evidence board in his room and began organizing information.

He wrote two names on it, Tie Ruyun and Gan Xiaowei, then drew a line through Gan Xiaowei’s name and added a question mark.

"Old Xing truly knows his stuff. His interrogation experience is indeed vast. Just a few questions helped me understand the ins and outs."

Zhang Wei had already gathered some key information from Old Xing and Xia Qianyue.

Gan Xiaowei told Old Xing that she didn’t take any money.

Therefore, if Gan Xiaowei’s reason for perjury wasn’t money, it could only be due to a threat.

She had to change her testimony and slander Tie Ruyun due to external pressure.

"But the question arises, what was the threat Gan Xiaowei received? Who threatened her into giving false testimony against Old Tie?"

He wasn’t sure who the threat came from and currently had no leads on it.

But one thing was certain: Gan Xiaowei’s testimony was utterly untrustworthy. The next step was to find the person who had threatened her, which would provide a breakthrough.

Zhang Wei rubbed his forehead, beginning to think of strategies to break the deadlock.

The clues so far were just these, and he would have to find the rest by himself.

"Liuying, Liuying. Work naturally has its mobility. Gan Xiaowei probably wasn’t working alone; hence, there must be a ’pimp’ above her, responsible for managing a few Liuyings. Maybe this person knows something."

"Even more so, the person who threatened Gan Xiaowei could be this pimp. But why would he threaten Tie Ruyun? Typically, pimps don’t have dealings with Old Tie. Could it be that Old Tie really angered the pimp by not paying after using their services, leading to retaliatory actions against him?"

Zhang Wei pondered a possibility.

Could it be that Old Tie, who appeared honest, actually had a history of not paying for services in secret?

"No, no, that’s not right. The pimp has a cooperative relationship with Old Tie. He helps Liuyings with their legal issues, which ultimately aids the pimp. Since the pimp also relies on Liuyings to make a profit, even if Old Tie didn’t pay, the pimp should be willing to tolerate that!"

Having realized this, Zhang Wei thought the pimp shouldn’t be a suspect.

But he could go ask Gan Xiaowei’s pimp for some information, as these professionals would know more about Liuyings’ circumstances.

"Ding!"

Just then, a new message popped up on WeChat.

Zhang Wei opened it to find it was from Su Xiaoqian, a rookie in the Criminal Department.

[Su Xiaoqian: Lawyer Zhang, I have a major discovery! /Excited]

[Zhang Wei: Oh? What’s going on?]

[Su Xiaoqian: Lawyer Zhang, I went through a lot of trouble to ask around for you!]

[Su Xiaoqian: A senior from our law firm’s Real Estate Department said he heard it from a girl in the Finance Department, and I went to ask that girl. She said she got it from a Project Department male lawyer who was chasing her. The male lawyer’s colleague told me that everyone heard it from the Administration Department. The sisters there said they overheard it while chatting with the sisters from the Child Welfare Department. So, I found that sister, and she whispered to me that a girl from the Litigation Department she wasn’t very familiar with had privately shared the news with her. She was engrossed in the conversation at the time, so she let it slip. She didn’t expect the news to spread so quickly...]

[Zhang Wei: I got it. Thank you! /Grateful]

[Su Xiaoqian: No need for thanks. I’m happy just to be able to help you. /Happy]

[Su Xiaoqian: But, if you really want to thank me, could you let me handle a case? /Hopeful]

[Zhang Wei: Next time for sure, next time okay~]