Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 318 - 316: Summon Chai Ping? Regaining a Foothold

Chapter 318: Chapter 316: Summon Chai Ping? Regaining a Foothold

Zhang Wei’s turn.

He slowly stood up, ready to approach the bench

But just as Zhang Wei was about to shout, "My turn, draw!", his right hand was suddenly grabbed.

It was Old Tie!

"Don’t be too hard on her!"

A whisper reached his ears.

"Old Tie, what are you..." Zhang Wei was astonished.

What the hell? telling me not to go too hard on the other side?

That’s the prosecution’s witness, for crying out loud. You’re telling your own defense attorney not to press the prosecution’s witness?

That’s like going into battle and telling your soldiers not to kill the enemy.

It’s completely backward!

If the defense attorney doesn’t press the prosecution’s witness, how can they secure benefits for their client?

"Old Tie, this is making things difficult for me..."

"Don’t be too hard on her!"

In Tie Ruyun’s words, there was a hint of pleading.

He held Zhang Wei’s hand and wouldn’t let go for dear life.

Zhang Wei saw a pair of eyes, a look of firm resolve, as if he were seeing a soldier facing a last stand.

After a lengthy stalemate, Zhang Wei finally gave in, "I’ll try my best..."

The hand that was gripping his right hand finally began to loosen slowly.

This scene naturally left onlookers puzzled.

Why hadn’t Zhang Wei started the trial yet, what was he up to?

He was also confused himself. Old Tie, Old Tie, I wouldn’t have expected that at this point, you’d be moved by compassion.

Internally, he ranted if you had shown this level of determination in ordinary times, would you have always been the one bullied in the litigation department?

If you could show this determination, not to mention the despicable duo, even Boss Shen might not dare to underestimate you, right?

Unfortunately, even Tie Ruyun only toughened up this once.

When he heard Zhang Wei’s promise, he reverted to the role of the despondent middle-aged man.

And Zhang Wei finally approached the bench.

The entire courtroom held its breath, waiting for Zhang Wei’s move.

"Hello, Gan Xiaowei!"

"You... hello..."

Looking at Zhang Wei, Gan Xiaowei’s face turned a difficult shade.

It contained fear, unease, and a touch of nervousness.

"This type of person can be broken easily!"

Seeing Gan Xiaowei behaving like this, Zhang Wei thought, I could break through her defense in minutes

Just let me interrogate her with a series of questions, then combine that with some of my techniques, apply some pressure, and I’m sure to yield results.

But remembering Tie Ruyun had practically begged him, he could only sigh internally.

Old Tie, Old Tie, you sure have given me a tough challenge...

"Gan Xiaowei, you know my client, don’t you?"

"I do."

"According to my client, you’ve known each other for 5 years, right? When you first entered the trade of Liuying, he fought a lawsuit for you, and not only did he not take a penny from you for it, but he also settled your case?"

"Yes... yes, that’s right."

Gan Xiaowei shyly lowered her head, her voice barely audible.

"Could you please speak up a bit? I’m afraid the jury can’t hear you!"

Zhang Wei suddenly raised his voice.

However, he thought to himself, if this were a real cross-examination, I would have roared at her to shock her with a lion’s roar technique

The effect would definitely be better!

"Ah... oh... I understand, I’m saying yes!"

Gan Xiaowei jumped at Zhang Wei’s reminder but quickly nodded in agreement.

"After the first time, there comes a second time. In these five years, how many times has he helped you? Do you remember?"

"I..." Gan Xiaowei was lost for an answer and became speechless

"Let me guess why you’re testifying in court..."

As Zhang Wei spoke, he suddenly realized his mistake and immediately corrected himself, "Oh, no, I misspoke, I apologize. Your actions aren’t testifying; they’re slander!"

"Let me guess why you’ve come to court to slander my client. Did someone threaten you, or perhaps..."

He looked towards the prosecution’s bench, towards Xu Suyun, "Or perhaps, have you made a deal with the prosecution?"

As these words were spoken, there was no noticeable change in the courtroom, but Xu Suyun’s brows slightly furrowed.

Dealing with this kind of matter was not something that could be discussed openly.

"Gan Xiaowei, you were a Liuying for 5 years. Although most of the time you were caught in the act by field agents, the acts were attempted, and mostly you were subjected to criticism and education due to the lighter nature of the offense, you even got away without punishment."

"However, according to the records kept by the Civil Investigation Division, I’ve found two instances on your record where the acts were completed—meaning if a third record appears, and based on the cumulative calculation of your criminal actions, you would end up in jail. Isn’t that right?"

"I... I haven’t studied law... I don’t know how to respond to you..."

"No problem, you might not understand, but someone else does!"

Zhang Wei gave a chuckle and glanced at the prosecutor’s bench.

"Then let’s cut to the chase, I won’t bother you with irrelevant matters!"

He waved his hand and walked directly up to the witness stand.

"Gan Xiaowei, did you reach some kind of agreement with the prosecution to testify against my client in court, with the condition that they keep you out of jail, and in return, you accuse my client of unfounded charges?"

"This..."

Gan Xiaowei immediately looked up at the prosecutor’s bench.

What she saw was Xu Suyun’s stern gaze and a slight shake of her head.

"No... there’s no such thing!"

That was Gan Xiaowei’s reply, yet it didn’t surprise Zhang Wei at all.

In fact, he was only paying half attention to this woman; his attention followed her line of sight, also focusing on the prosecutor’s bench.

"Are you sure there’s nothing?"

"Nothing!"

Gan Xiaowei denied again, her stance resolute.

"Then I understand!"

Zhang Wei slowly uttered a phrase.

This phrase made Xu Suyun at the prosecutor’s bench relax her brows while Chai Ping beside her let out a sigh of relief.

"But as much as I understand, I’m not someone who can be taken advantage of!"

Zhang Wei’s next sentence, however, made the pair on the prosecutor’s bench tense their brows once again.

"Judge Liu, I believe you also heard what the prosecution’s witness said, right?"

"Hmm, I did hear it," Judge Liu was taken aback—sitting on the bench, how could I not hear it.

But shouldn’t you be asking the jury?

Ask them if they can hear it, why ask me?

Zhang Wei posed this question and to the judge no less, naturally, he had his reasons.

And his reason was...

"Judge Liu, since you heard it, in light of that question, the defense requests to call an emergency witness!"

"An emergency witness?" Judge Liu was shocked, and quickly asked, "Who is it?"

"He’s right here in the courtroom, and even on the prosecutor’s bench!"

Zhang Wei pointed at the prosecutor’s bench with a cold smile, "If the prosecution has made any kind of deal with the witness Gan Xiaowei regarding this case, why don’t we bring someone up here and ask directly to find out?"

"This..."

Upon hearing Zhang Wei’s words, Judge Liu inwardly exclaimed, ’Goodness gracious!’

You’re pulling a slick move now, huh!

Calling the prosecutor to testify in court? You really do have nerves of steel!

Zhang Wei’s bold move equally caused a stir in the courtroom.

The jury didn’t have much of a reaction, being ordinary citizens who didn’t understand Zhang Wei’s move, and thus not showing much surprise.

But in the gallery, there were many who were well-versed in the proceedings.

At that moment, hearing Zhang Wei calling the prosecutor to testify, they gaped in astonishment, their mouths wide open, unable to close for quite some time.

Summoning the prosecutor to testify in court is not something an ordinary person can conjure up, right?

Well, Zhang Wei is no ordinary person, and this wasn’t his first time doing this.

"Damn, this kid actually..."

If anyone in the gallery had the biggest reaction, it was Guo Wufeng.

He immediately realized that Zhang Wei was bold enough to do it, and not for the first time.

Guo Wufeng remembered Zhang Wei’s first clash with the Procuratorate Headquarters, facing Tan Yingying.

That case left a deep impression on Tan Yingying.

In the end, Zhang Wei’s clever maneuver, also dubbed the Divine Move, was to call prosecutor Tan Yingying to the stand to testify.

In the final moments, Tan Yingying was even questioned to tears, crying as she answered questions in court.

And now, unexpectedly, Zhang Wei has played another crafty trick, intending to call Nun Xu to testify in court!

"Objection!" Xu Suyun immediately stood up in protest.

"I am the prosecutor of this case, as well as the party initiating the lawsuit; there is no reason for me to comply with such an unreasonable request!"

But Zhang Wei had anticipated this response; smirking coldly, he pointed to the person sitting next to Nun Xu, "Nun Xu, it’s not you I want to call to the stand. It’s the person next to you!"

"Chai Ping?"

"Me?"

Both men were taken aback, especially Chai Ping himself, who widened his eyes incredulously.

Why do they want to summon me? I’m just here to observe and learn with my master.

Absurd!

This is an unwarranted disaster!

"Your Honor, the witness clearly stated that she did not make any deal with the prosecution, and I doubt that statement. Therefore, to resolve this doubt, it’s imperative that Prosecutor Chai Ping serve as an urgent witness to help us verify this matter, may we?"

Seeing Zhang Wei speak so earnestly, Judge Liu only hesitated for a moment before nodding.

"Prosecutor Chai, if you’re not occupied, please come up and clear our doubts!"

"This..."

Chai Ping quickly sought help with a look towards his master, but sadly, Xu Suyun really couldn’t refute.

She is the prosecution representative, but her disciple isn’t, right?

Theoretically, if her disciple is summoned, he needs to testify in court.

So, she just shook her head, indicating she was powerless.

"Gan Xiaowei, you may step down to the prosecutor’s witness seat and wait!" Judge Liu ordered Gan Xiaowei off the witness stand, making room for Chai Ping.

Shortly after, the witness stand had a new occupant as Chai Ping took a seat.

"Hello there, Prosecutor Chai."

Zhang Wei smiled and greeted someone on the witness stand, only to receive a cold look in return.

Anyone summoned to court for no reason would not look pleased.

But Zhang Wei didn’t need Chai Ping to look pleased; he just needed his cooperation.

"Since you’re not responding, then I’ll continue to address you as the witness."

Zhang Wei said, his face suddenly tensing, "Witness, please tell me, where are you sitting right now?"

"In the witness seat!" Chai Ping replied irritably.

"Wrong, you’re sitting in a courtroom, and it’s only your bottom that’s on the witness seat!"

Zhang Wei seriously asked, "Witness, please tell me, what’s the price of committing perjury in a courtroom?"

"This..."

Aware of the consequences of perjury, Chai Ping did not want to answer this question.

"If you won’t say it, then shall I? If you lie in court and we find evidence to prove it, you’ll be convicted of committing perjury and sentenced to 3-7 years imprisonment."

"And as a prosecutor from the Central District Procuratorate’s Office, a defender of judicial authority, committing perjury in court is breaking the law knowingly, which is a more serious offense, punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment. You’re aware of this, right?"

Chai Ping immediately fell silent.

"Witness, you’ve taken an oath; I trust you wouldn’t lie in court, would you?"

Zhang Wei was smiling, but his smile concealed blades.

"I... I definitely wouldn’t..." With no other option, Chai Ping could only answer that way.

"Good, then let’s begin!"

Zhang Wei said, lifting a finger, "I have just one question, and that’s about the prosecution’s witness, Gan Xiaowei. Has the prosecution made some sort of deal with her concerning her testimony against my client in this case?"

The whole courtroom’s attention, along with the question, turned towards Chai Ping.

Feeling the searing stares all around him, Chai Ping felt like he was sitting on pins and needles, his buttocks itching.

He looked towards the prosecutor’s bench, where Xu Suyun had an expressionless face.

"I..." Chai Ping opened his mouth, but then thought of Zhang Wei’s warning.

He was tortured internally, struggling to know how to reply.

"Is this question difficult to answer, witness? Yes means yes, no means no; it’s quite simple, isn’t it?"

Zhang Wei teased, full of irony in his eyes.

"Witness, please answer the question!"

Judge Liu also urged at once, as it wasn’t a difficult question. What are you hesitating for? Just speak the truth, won’t that be fine?

Is speaking the truth so hard?

Well, that’s not an easy question to answer.

Because sometimes, telling the truth is indeed hard.

At this very moment, Chai Ping found himself caught between a rock and a hard place.

He couldn’t lie, because if the lie was exposed in the courtroom, his entire life would be ruined.

But telling the truth could seriously harm Xu Suyun.

"Witness, please answer this question!"

All of a sudden, Zhang Wei let out a stern shout and pointed at Chai Ping, pressing him, "Did the prosecution actually make some sort of deal with Gan Xiaowei or not?"

This sudden move frightened Chai Ping so much that he almost wet himself.

Eventually, under immense pressure and fear of perjury charges, Chai Ping helplessly admitted, "Yes..."

"Speak up, say it again, your voice is so low, you sound like a woman!" Zhang Wei was relentless, demanding loudly once more.

"Yes, we made a deal with Gan Xiaowei!"

This time, Chai Ping’s reply was finally loud enough.

Since it was all admitted, it didn’t matter anymore.

"Oh, so you made a deal, huh? Let me guess, as long as Gan Xiaowei testifies against my client in court, you prosecutors will overlook her third offense of prostitution, right?"

"Yes."

"And it was your master, Xu Suyun, who proposed the deal, wasn’t it?"

"Yes."

"Well, from what I see, your master Xu Suyun is the real expert at threatening others. She’s quite skilled at this, huh~"

"Yes..."

Chai Ping responded mechanically, but then he realized that the previous question wasn’t really a question and quickly corrected himself.

"Ah, no, that’s not it, I mean no, it’s not, my master is not that kind of person!"

"Oh, so your master isn’t that kind of person, huh~"

Zhang Wei teased again, his face brimming with mockery.

It was like a wife catching her cheating husband in bed with his mistress, and even though the husband was naked in bed with the other woman, he kept shaking his head, insisting they were just friends.

Who would believe that!

Certainly, Zhang Wei didn’t.

"I..." Chai Ping opened his mouth to explain.

"Thank you for your testimony. If your master doesn’t wish to cross-examine you, you may leave the stand!"

But Zhang Wei didn’t give him the chance to explain, promptly dismissing him.

Would Xu Suyun cross-examine Chai Ping? Of course not.

Judge Liu looked towards the prosecution bench, and Xu Suyun, with a cold expression, shook her head.

Understanding, Judge Liu immediately announced, "The witness may step down. Please call Gan Xiaowei back to the stand!"

Chai Ping could only return to the prosecution bench with an apologetic look, not daring to even glance at his master.

And Gan Xiaowei took her seat on the witness stand once again.

"Gan Xiaowei, Gan Xiaowei, I gave you a chance and you blew it!"

Zhang Wei let out a chuckle, his eyes filled with derision.

"What did you just say? That you didn’t make a deal with the prosecution? Do you still stand by that statement?"

"I..." Gan Xiaowei was suddenly at a loss for words.

You had the prosecutor come up to testify, what could I possibly do now?

"Now we all know that you testified for your own sake, so can we suspect that, for your freedom, you might have slandered another person?"

"The accusations against my client, aren’t they baseless, just something you forced onto my client for the sake of your own freedom? Dare you say they are not?"

Gan Xiaowei dared not answer the question.

But actually, there was no need for her answer; everyone in the courtroom already knew it.

The answer was quite clear now.

You would betray others for your own benefit, including Tie Ruyun, who has always helped you.

Zhang Wei pressed on, loudly rebuking her in court, "Gan Xiaowei, your testimony lacks any credibility; your previous accusations, all of them are slanderous. You have greatly disappointed my client!"

"Honestly, I feel it’s so unfair for Old Tie. He helped you so much; to think he assisted an ingrate. You would actually do such a thing for yourself, you..."

"Objection!"

Just as Zhang Wei was righteously and fervently about to scold Gan Xiaowei, Xu Suyun immediately cut him off.

If Zhang Wei was allowed to go on, the prosecution’s witness would lose all credibility.

Of course, she was also aware that after Chai Ping admitted to the deal, Gan Xiaowei’s testimony had lost much of its persuasiveness.

"Fine, since the prosecutor has interrupted, I won’t bother lecturing you any longer!"

Zhang Wei waved his hand dismissively, looking towards the judge.

"Judge Liu, regarding this lying witness, we have no more questions!"

After he spoke, he walked back to the defense bench.

Tie Ruyun watched Zhang Wei return and let out a sigh while sitting in his seat.

Even though he knew everything Zhang Wei did was in his own interest, there was no need for those last words.

But what was said was said, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

And compared to other cases, Zhang Wei had clearly held back this time.

If it were the old days, Gan Xiaowei would have already broken down in tears and confessed in court.

Tie Ruyun had no doubt that without his requesting Zhang Wei to hold back, he would have indeed done so.

But fortunately, the cross-examination was over.

And with that move from Zhang Wei, the mood in the courtroom shifted at that moment.