Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 316 - 314 Xu Suyun Makes a Move, Zhang Wei Questions Privacy?

Chapter 316: Chapter 314 Xu Suyun Makes a Move, Zhang Wei Questions Privacy?

Afternoon, the lunch break ended.

The courtroom became as crowded as it had been in the morning.

Everyone entered the courtroom in succession, both the plaintiff and the defense took their seats, and everyone was in place.

Following the court guard’s announcement, Judge Liu entered the courtroom.

He looked around to ensure that the three key people, Zhang Wei, Tie Ruyun, and Xu Suyun, were present.

Right, everyone’s here.

As for the others, they weren’t important!

He glanced again, the jury was also in place.

men and 9 women, with females significantly outnumbering the males.

"I hope this trial can finish early and that the jury can maintain fairness and impartiality,"

The young Judge Liu glanced at the plaintiff and defense seats and murmured in his heart, "Of course, what I hope most is that these two can refrain from using any fancy tricks. I’m afraid my heart can’t take it."

After forcing himself not to think further, Judge Liu then banged the gavel.

"This court now declares the trial officially open, starting with the plaintiff..."

Xu Suyun didn’t wait for Judge Liu to finish speaking, she stood up and walked to the center of the courtroom to begin presenting the case.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am Xu Suyun from the Central District Procuratorate’s Office. I know many people recognize me, but of course, that isn’t important!"

"What is important is the man sitting in the defense’s bench. His name is Tie Ruyun, and he is a defense attorney in the Jin Cheng Law Firm’s Criminal Division."

"Based on the testimony I received, Tie Ruyun, while engaging in his defense work, coerced multiple clients into providing free sexual services, an act that is nothing short of moral corruption. His actions have stained the profession of lawyers..."

"Objection!"

Xu Suyun hadn’t finished speaking when an interrupting voice rang out from the plaintiff’s bench.

On the judge’s bench, Judge Liu silently thought, as expected.

Indeed, as expected. I had still thought too little of this; Zhang Wei is interrupting even the opening statement. The tricks are likely to continue.

He was already mentally prepared.

"Defense attorney, what do you mean by this? I am presenting an opening statement; why are you interrupting me?"

Xu Suyun, who was not to be trifled with, asked coldly and annoyed after being interrupted.

"Nothing much. I just wanted to remind the plaintiff that Old Tie is now head of the Criminal Division and no longer a mere defense attorney. There’s a slight issue with how you’re addressing him in your statement!"

Zhang Wei laughed heartily, made a reminder gesture, then sat back down with a smile.

"Zhang Wei, shouldn’t you be objecting to her accusation?"

Tie Ruyun quickly leaned in and whispered.

"No, why? Her accusation is correct, isn’t it? The testimony from Gan Xiaowei isn’t just as she described it? How could I object to that?"

Zhang Wei spread his hands, indicating he was powerless to do anything.

Bro, she’s making an opening statement,

Based on the testimony provided by a witness. How do I object to that?

To object properly, that’s something for later. I need to present evidence to counter.

Since Zhang Wei did not object, Xu Suyun was free to continue her assault.

She almost pointed her finger at Tie Ruyun’s nose and scolded, "Tie Ruyun, as a criminal defense attorney and a leader of a law firm’s department, you broke the law on purpose, which compounds your crimes!"

"With your conduct, you tested the limits of the law and morality, bringing shame upon the judicial community of Dongfang Capital. I believe you should be severely punished, with no leniency allowed!"

Having said this, Xu Suyun took a deep breath before looking towards the judge’s bench.

"Judge Liu, the plaintiff requests to summon the first witness, who happened to witness Tie Ruyun in the car with a prostitute late at night last weekend, engaging in illegal and immoral deeds that corrupt social morality and public order."

"The court approves!"

As Judge Liu nodded, a man in his thirties, dressed in a field service uniform, walked into the courtroom.

He looked very ordinary, without any distinguishing features.

"Hello, field officer!"

"Hello, plaintiff."

The man’s response was as ordinary, easily overlooked.

"Please tell us what the defendant did that night."

"Alright!"

The male field officer thought for a moment and recounted, "That night, I was patrolling the nearby streets when I saw a car parked at the corner of an alleyway. I saw a man and a woman inside the car."

"Since that alley had many women engaged in illegal services, I paid extra attention. I thought there was something wrong with this man and woman."

"As I approached, I happened to see..."

He said, raising his hand to point at Tie Ruyun, "...I happened to see him handing money from his wallet to the woman in the passenger seat!"

"How much money did he hand over?" Xu Suyun asked eagerly.

The field staff recalled, "There must have been a stack of cash, I estimate over $500!"

Upon these words, a buzz filled the entire courtroom.

Most of the women on the jury bench glanced at Tie Ruyun with disdain.

Clearly, they believed that Tie Ruyun was paying for sex.

"Old Tie, do you have anything to explain?"

Zhang Wei turned his head and looked towards Tie Ruyun.

"The amount of money is correct, but it’s not what you think. I saw that Xiao Wei was in a tough spot, so I gave her some money for emergencies, to buy some food and clothes..."

Tie Ruyun said quietly with his head down.

"But there was indeed a money transaction between you two, and coincidentally, an operations staff member saw it."

Zhang Wei’s gaze fixed on the witness stand.

It seemed the man hadn’t lied.

He had indeed seen Tie Ruyun handing money to Gan Xiaowei.

Unfortunately, while this might have been a charitable act on Old Tie’s part, to others it appeared to be a fee for an illegal transaction.

"May I ask the witness, did you also see what these two people were doing in the car?"

"I saw the woman taking the money and then starting to take off the man’s clothes!"

"What else?"

"The man didn’t stop her, and then I went up to them!"

This time, the commotion around intensified.

The looks on the jury bench toward Tie Ruyun grew even more hostile.

Even those seated in the public gallery cast contemptuous glances at the defense bench.

This included new recruits from the criminal division, especially the young women among them.

Although they were in principle supportive of Tie Ruyun, they felt disgust towards someone’s actions deep down.

"Thank you for your testimony, that’s all the questions I have!"

Xu Suyun, satisfied with the outcome of her questioning, happily returned to the prosecutor’s bench.

Zhang Wei stood up and slowly walked to the witness stand.

"Hello, witness."

"Hello, lawyer."

The man responded calmly, as serene as his demeanor suggested.

"Witness, when you saw my client Tie Ruyun and another party in this case, Gan Xiaowei, there was a so-called financial transaction, isn’t that right?"

"Yes."

"Did you hear any of their conversation?"

"They were inside the car, I was about 10 meters away from them, so I couldn’t hear what they were saying."

"So, the so-called financial transaction, the taking of money, all that was just your own inference based on your experience, correct?"

"Objection!"

Xu Suyun stood up immediately and objected upon hearing Zhang Wei’s words, "The defense attorney is making speculative statements!"

"Judge Liu, I was merely presenting another possibility that could have happened at that time. I don’t think the prosecution can prove that my inference is wrong, can they?"

"This..."

Judge Liu felt a headache coming on.

This is just the first witness, and it’s already so confrontational?

Although I am the judge, could you please consider my workload?

In such a small case, you’re putting up a fight as if it were a matter of life or death. It scares me, too.

"After considering the case, the court finds the prosecution has no substantial evidence to refute the reasonable doubt raised by the defense, so the objection is overruled!"

Judge Liu finally made his decision, and Xu Suyun sat down narrowing her eyes.

"Witness, please answer my question. Did you make judgments about my client and the other party in this case based solely on your so-called experience?"

"This..." The field staff’s normally calm face showed a moment of astonishment.

"If you put it that way, I won’t disagree..."

As he spoke, he added, "But I want to mention that nearly nine out of ten cars appearing on that street belong to johns, which led me to make that association."

"But you can’t deny that there could be exceptions, right?"

"Anything can have exceptions, I certainly don’t disagree."

"The truth is, my client never had such intentions. He was merely acting out of kindness, giving Gan Xiaowei the money so she could have a good meal and buy some new clothes!"

As Zhang Wei spoke, he looked toward the jury bench, "Such an act by my client was a gesture of goodwill, and being charitable and helping others isn’t illegal."

Hearing what Zhang Wei said, Tie Ruyun finally breathed a sigh of relief.

This was the very aspect he wanted to emphasize, the very fact he wished everyone to know.

He had truly acted out of kindness and simply given Gan Xiaowei a sum of money.

In the jury box, some cast their gaze downwards in silence; others regarded Tie Ruyun with skeptical eyes.

Clearly, they all thought Zhang Wei’s explanation was somewhat counterintuitive.

Or perhaps, in this day and age, there are too few who would take the initiative to help others, let alone a streetwalker, and without expecting anything in return.

That is simply... unreliable!

"Judge Liu, regarding this witness, I have no further questions!"

Seeing that his remarks had a certain effect, Zhang Wei quickly wrapped up his cross-examination.

This was only the first witness, whose impact on the trial wasn’t significant; there was no need to press on relentlessly.

He had to save his efforts for a critical moment to achieve the greatest effect.

"Since the defense has concluded its cross-examination, then..."

"Your Honor, please hold on, the prosecution has additional questions!"

Just as Judge Liu was about to dismiss the witness, Xu Suyun stood up abruptly.

The witness, barely having risen from the chair, could only sit back down with a sense of resignation.

"The defense’s previous questions focused on the witness’s many years of patrol experience, intentionally misleading the court to believe in those so-called rare incidents!"

Not one to be underestimated, Xu Suyun directly quashed that flicker of flame upon sensing Zhang Wei’s intentions.

Then, without giving Zhang Wei a chance to retort, she immediately asked, "Witness, do you know Gan Xiaowei?"

"Of course I know her, she’s a frequent guest at our substation, providing illegal prostitution services over the years and we’ve caught her several times."

"So, you are familiar with that street?"

"We’ve always had problems with that street, attempted to crack down a few times, but to be frank, such issues often persist no matter the ban, so the best we can do is conduct sporadic raids."

"Then, on that street, if it’s nighttime and a man in a car gives money to a prostitute, does it indicate that the man is very likely paying for sexual services?"

"Yes."

"So, what do those men say after being caught?"

"They concoct stories more fanciful than the last."

"And among those, have there been reasons like what the defense’s lawyer mentioned, feeling pity for the prostitute and thus giving her money to buy clothes or have a meal?"

"Plenty, more than you could count!"

The outdoor clerk chuckled as he gave an example, "There was even someone who said the prostitute reminded him of his sister, feeling sorry for her, so he gave her money. But when we checked the household registration, turns out their parents only had a son."

Upon these words, many laughed.

The three men in the jury box also revealed knowing smiles at that moment.

They were familiar with such excuses, or even if they weren’t, they had heard similar jokes.

After all, when caught, the next story is always more spectacular.

And in the end, they would always add, "Comrades from the Martial Association, you must believe me, I’m telling the truth!"

This is how it played to the gallery!

Having listened to this round of discussion, many felt that Xu Suyun was speaking the truth.

"Oh, I see now, so according to what you’re saying, in fact, the defense attorney’s so-called explanation is more likely just an... excuse... huh!"

Xu Suyun ended with a sarcastic tone and then walked back to the prosecution’s bench with a sneer.

The courtroom buzzed with discussion; indeed, as she speculated, those who believed the prosecution’s case far outnumbered those who gave credence to the defense’s supposed "excuse."

"Since the prosecution has sat down, then the witness you..."

"Judge Liu, the defense also wishes to add questions!"

Since Xu Suyun had started, Zhang Wei naturally couldn’t fall behind and promptly stood up.

Judge Liu was speechless.

Do you have so many questions?

Then why didn’t you ask them earlier?

Zhang Wei was speechless too.

Earlier, how could he have asked when the courtroom wasn’t in this current state? He had to add questions now to defuse the situation.

You want to complain, why don’t you complain about Nun Xu?

Just ask, do you dare, Xiao Liu?

Well, of course, Xiao Liu didn’t dare.

He nodded at Zhang Wei, signaling him to come forward.

"May I ask, witness, are you married?"

"Huh?"

Upon this question, there was a moment of stunned silence in the courtroom.

Is this case related to whether or not the witness is married?

"I am married."

Although the male field agent was surprised, he answered honestly.

"Then let me ask another question, how is your relationship with your wife?"

"Pretty good, I guess..."

The male field agent was speechless, what kind of questions were these?

Zhang Wei was energized, and with a smile, he asked, "Well then, I’d like to know, how often do you ’contribute your public grain’, so to speak? How many days apart?"

"This..."

The witness was speechless, what was this line of questioning?

The jury, too, was speechless, were such questions permissible in court?

The spectators in the gallery were even more speechless, what on earth was the defense attorney doing, what was the purpose of these questions, we can’t figure it out at all...

"Objection!"

Just when Zhang Wei’s third question was put forth, Xu Suyun immediately stood up.

"Your Honor, this is a court of law, not a tea party, nor is it a place for casual chats. What kind of questions is the defense attorney asking?"

After addressing Judge Liu, he then fired at Zhang Wei, "Defense attorney, what exactly is your intention? Can’t you ask questions with some level of professionalism? Are you trying to delay time by asking meaningless questions? You are simply wasting taxpayers’ money, you are spoiling the atmosphere of the courtroom, you..."

"Your Honor, I assure you, my questions have meaning!"

"Are you sure?"

Judge Liu looked at Zhang Wei, then turned to look at the witness.

"Witness, if the question involves privacy, you may refuse to answer!"

Having said that, Judge Liu then turned to Xu Suyun, "Objection overruled!"

Zhang Wei gave a slight smile, approached the witness, "Witness, how often do you and your wife... have time together?"

"This..."

The witness considered whether to refuse the question because it was too private.

But he was afraid that if he refused, the defense attorney might have a follow-up move.

Although he appeared calm, his mind was racing. Eventually, he felt the question wasn’t unanswerable.

"Once a week now."

"Oh, once a week. Has it always been this frequency?"

"Not really, when we were younger, at most once a day, and that lasted for over a month."

"What caused the frequency to decrease?"

"Physical reasons, of course, and energy. It was too much to maintain that frequency."

"Good!"

Zhang Wei nodded in satisfaction, then pointed at the defendant’s bench, "My client, Tie Ruyun, is almost 40, older than you are. Do you think he is up to it, could his energy sustain once a day?"

"This..."

The witness was flustered, so this was your strategy.

Tie Ruyun was also flustered, weren’t these questions a bit over the top?

What did you mean by whether I was up to it, could I maintain once a day?

Zhang Wei, enough is enough, if you continue I might stand up and object myself!

You think I won’t dare?

The witness tentatively glanced at the defense bench before answering, "Him, I don’t think he could?"

"Hmm, so he couldn’t!"

Zhang Wei turned around with a sly smile.

That smile made Tie Ruyun feel extremely uncomfortable.

"Then let me ask, if my client had just finished dealing with a case—you know how much energy litigation and case work can drain—do you think he had the energy left to engage in such activities?"

"This..."

This time, the witness finally didn’t know how to answer.

"Is it difficult to answer this question? Then please put yourself in his shoes. If you participated in an intense court session yesterday, helped clear a client of suspicion, and the next day had to get up early to organize documents for another client, handle all the procedures, and drive back, would you still have the energy for extra-curricular activities?"

The witness opened his mouth but ultimately conceded, "If it were me... I probably wouldn’t be up for it..."

"Isn’t that so?"

Zhang Wei chuckled, pointing at Tie Ruyun, "You are a field agent and can exercise daily, but even you find it tough. What about my client then? He is always sitting in the office, where would he find the time to exercise?"

As these words were spoken, indeed quite a few people in the courtroom felt like Tie Ruyun might not have the possibility to commit the crime.

He was so tired already, would he still have the inclination to solicit prostitution?