Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 376 - 374: Bumping the Ball, Dual Casting, Coercion?

Chapter 376: Chapter 374: Bumping the Ball, Dual Casting, Coercion?

Wednesday, court day.

That afternoon, in the preparation room of the city courthouse.

"What I have here is the prosecution’s witness list!"

"It includes Director Sheng you’re familiar with, some nurses and doctors from the city hospital, and also..."

As Zhang Wei spoke, he glanced at a not particularly conspicuous name on the list and was rather speechless.

Because the name was Xia Donghai, his very own father-in-law.

"Would your father-in-law testifying in court embarrass you?"

Jessica asked while combing her hair.

"Not really, but I’m just not sure about the purpose behind the summons."

"Purpose? Isn’t it to attack you through having your father-in-law testify?"

Jessica said as she tied her blonde hair into a ponytail.

"Do you know in billiards there’s a term called ’using the cushion to play the ball’?" Zhang Wei brought up another example.

Jessica naturally hadn’t heard of it.

"In billiards, experts sometimes disguise their intentions by intentionally hitting the cue ball against the cushion and through the rebound to strike the ball, creating a shot that looks like a fluke to hide their real purpose!"

"For example, if their goal is to pocket the black ball, they may attack the blue or yellow ball instead and after missing, use the cushion to indirectly achieve their goal."

As Zhang Wei explained, he gestured with his hands, "Similarly, sometimes you think the prosecution is summoning a witness for one purpose, but in fact, they may summon them with a completely different agenda, even one you can’t anticipate. You think you can predict what the witness will say, but actually they have a set of testimony beyond your expectations. This is what’s called ’using the cushion to play the ball’."

"Sounds like a tactic you frequently use?"

Jessica understood and thought back to the court sessions she had been a part of where Zhang Wei had employed such tactics.

All those seemed like ’using the cushion to play the ball’ tricks.

"That’s exactly why I feel that this Qin Shaocong came prepared!" Zhang Wei’s expression became grave.

Meanwhile, sitting down, Jessica took out a compact mirror and checked her bare face.

This morning, following Zhang Wei’s request, she simply washed her face without any other treatments or makeup.

"Zhang Wei, why don’t you let me wear makeup or business attire, insisting on this black loose outfit instead? You know I’ve always liked white shirts," Jessica finally voiced her biggest question after triple-checking.

She slowly stood up, but her sensual figure was entirely concealed under the loose outfit.

Seeing the seriousness on Jessica’s face, Zhang Wei couldn’t help but explain, "Because you’re too beautiful, and the women in the jury and the audience might become jealous of you. Men, on the other hand, will think about possessing you, and when they realize that they won’t see you after the case is over, they’ll definitely want to destroy you!"

"This..."

"I’m telling the truth, look at you now. Even without makeup, even bare-faced, you’re still attracting me. When I see you, I can’t even think about strategizing. That’s the problem."

Zhang Wei spread his hands, offering an explanation with a look of resignation.

"Zhang, I didn’t expect you to be so thorough in your thinking."

Jessica was touched and felt a slight joy in her heart.

Because no woman would dislike hearing those words just now; after all, women love being told they’re beautiful.

Zhang Wei glanced at Jessica’s so-called bare face and sighed.

Even without makeup, Jessica had a face that could easily eclipse ninety-nine percent of women.

Never mind the stunningly beautiful visage, her eyes enchanting as gems, or her snow-white skin so delicate it could be broken with a blow, her golden, smooth hair—none of these could be concealed.

Zhang Wei had even specially instructed not to wear any jewelry, aiming for as plain an appearance as possible.

Unfortunately, a gem, even if hidden in the mud, cannot conceal its brilliance.

"Let’s go, it’s time to head to the courtroom!"

Finally, as the time came, they set off for the courtroom.

...

The civil court, central courtroom.

The courtroom was, as always, bustling.

Zhang Wei’s cases usually had people from the Procuratorate Headquarters attending, with Zhao Chunming and Guo Wufeng bringing a crowd to "cheer".

Of course, this group wouldn’t usually cheer for Zhang Wei but for his opponent.

But now this was a civil lawsuit, so neither Old Guo nor Old Zhao showed up, and the Procuratorate Headquarters sent only two people, both rooting for Zhang Wei.

"Ying Ying, it must feel uncomfortable not having Director Zhao next to you for the first time, plus today we’re cheering for Zhang Wei!"

"Sister Baihe, is this really okay? Aren’t you afraid of rumors?"

"What’s there to be scared of, anyway? I don’t even feel like explaining anymore. It seems like everybody already thinks I got something going on with him, so I might as well just let it be~"

Xiao Baihe figured that explaining was useless and decided to just take it lying down.

After all, it was just a rumor and could never be true.

As long as I slack off and don’t explain, that’ll be enough.

Why delve into it, anyway? Isn’t that just making trouble for myself for no reason?

Gossip and rumors will never end; better to just ignore them and in a few days they’ll vanish on their own.

It has to be said that Xiao Baihe, at times, could be quite far-sighted in her thinking.

"Old Xiao, you actually showed up? Aren’t you afraid that your boss, Director Zhao, will interrogate you?"

But at that moment, a teasing voice reached Xiao Baihe’s ears.

Upon hearing this familiar voice, Xiao Baihe’s face stiffened completely, and a vein throbbed on her forehead.

Tan Yingying next to her was so frightened that she shivered violently and turned into a little ostrich, her head drooping down.

"Zhang Wei!" Xiao Baihe gritted her teeth.

"Old Xiao, I get it!"

Zhang Wei leaned in close to Xiao Baihe’s face and whispered sinisterly, "This is all an act. You’re afraid of gossip, so you’re taking it out on me. Rest assured, I understand all your painstaking efforts!"

"You, what are you talking about, I..."

Xiao Baihe was left speechless by Zhang Wei’s move.

I really hate you, who said anything about an act, are you freaking blind?

Good one, Zhang Wei. Even daring to joke about me, I...

Forget it, can’t get angry, can’t get angry...

Xiao Baihe kept repeating a calming chant in her heart, and it eventually calmed her down.

"Stop being a coward, everyone has left already!"

After sitting down, she hurriedly pulled Tan Yingying next to her.

"Ying Ying, listen up. We’re going to cheer for the prosecution!"

"Ah, but Sister Baihe, isn’t Zhang Wei with the defense?"

"I want to cheer for the prosecution, so stop talking and just follow my lead!"

"Oh~"

Tan Yingying didn’t understand, but mechanically nodded her head anyway.

After all, whatever Sister Baihe said had to be right; she couldn’t possibly be leading her astray...

Leaving aside Xiao Baihe’s sudden change of allegiances, Zhang Wei had begun greeting the others again.

"Simple-minded person, father-in-law, you two are here too!"

"I came with Dad."

"Are you kidding me? I’ve been summoned, how could I not be here?"

Xia Qianyue and Xia Donghai’s presence was expected.

Xia Qianyue was there to support Zhang Wei, and Xia Donghai, being a witness for the prosecution, naturally had to attend.

"Director Sheng!" Dr. Jessica was also greeting a middle-aged man nearby.

"Hmph!" Unfortunately, the latter just snorted coldly, showing an aloof attitude.

Zhang Wei could see clearly; this man was Director Sheng from the city hospital, one of the people in charge of the medical mutual aid project.

Unfortunately, his attitude toward Dr. Jessica was quite puzzling.

"Isn’t he your superior? Why is he treating you, his capable subordinate, so coldly?"

"Director Sheng used to be very warm to me, but I felt it was a bit too much."

Hearing Dr. Jessica’s explanation, Zhang Wei seemed to understand a bit.

"Let’s go to our seats then!"

The two quickly took their seats in the defense area and glanced at the neighboring seats.

Qin Shaocong had arrived with Zhou Sanliang, and Zhou Mother was sitting in the witness section for the prosecution; however, she wasn’t crying at the moment but staring at Zhang Wei and his companion with a somewhat resentful gaze.

Clearly, it wasn’t time for her to cry yet; she wouldn’t put on that act until she had to.

When the time for her to cry would come, naturally, would be when the jury entered.

As the time for the hearing approached, the courtroom gradually started filling up.

One after another, many spectators arrived, a lot of them drawn by the case’s fame.

The legal showdown between Qin Shaocong and Zhang Wei, and between Long Teng and Jincheng, naturally attracted the attention of many in the Dongfang Capital Lawyer Circle.

It wasn’t long before the civil court was filled to capacity.

The time for the court session was gradually drawing near.

...

"All rise!"

As announced by the Court Guard, Judge Ni Qiuping entered the courtroom with her head held high, exuding calm.

"Old Ni is looking pretty good!" Zhang Wei said with a smile toward the bench upon seeing her demeanor.

However, Judge Ni naturally did not respond, but instead surveyed the courtroom before striking the gavel.

"This court now declares the opening session of the case of Long Teng representing Zhou Sanliang against Dr. Jessica!"

"Prosecution?"

Qin Shaocong stood up and announced, "Thank you for your support, Judge Ni. We would now like to call our first witness, the deceased’s family member Zhou Sanliang, to testify."

"Oh, starting with a heavyweight witness?"

Zhang Wei was somewhat surprised; he had assumed that Qin Shaocong would first call someone from the hospital.

But if we speak of heavyweights, Zhou Sanliang’s mother is actually more formidable.

Moreover, if an elderly person testifies in court, and Zhang Wei were to interrogate too aggressively, it could give the jury a bad impression of bullying an old person.

However, when Zhang Wei saw Zhou Mother already stirring up emotions in the witness seat, even the corners of her eyes shimmering with tears, he got the picture.

This was a tactic to create pressure both inside and outside the courtroom.

Zhou Sanliang in the courtroom and Zhou Mother in the witness stand could both have an impact.

Double the spellcasting, double the effect!

This was essentially Qin Shaocong’s strategy.

After calling the first witness, Qin Shaocong calmly walked up to the witness stand.

"Hello, Mr. Zhou!"

"Hello, Lawyer Qin."

Zhou Sanliang looked at Qin Shaocong somewhat reverently, clearly having been trained by Long Teng’s lawyers these past couple of days.

"Speaking of which, today is also a day of sorrow, as just last week, you lost your brother."

"Yeah, my brother thought coming to Dongfang Capital would lead to a brighter future. Little did he know that it would cost him his life," said Zhou Sanliang, his eyes slightly moistening.

"Ah~ my child~"

In the witness seat, Zhou Mother began to muster her strength, letting out a heart-wrenching cry.

This immediately drew the attention of everyone in the courtroom.

"Judge Ni, the prosecution requests that the person in the witness seat control her emotions," Zhang Wei immediately stood up. There was truly no other choice; if Zhou Mother did not modulate her outpouring of grief, there would be no need to continue the court session.

Her wailing alone could greatly influence the jury.

"Witness, please control yourself!" Judge Ni had no choice but to issue a warning.

Because Zhou Mother was also on the list of witnesses, as one of the prosecution’s witnesses, she couldn’t be dismissed without a special reason.

Of course, if Zhou Mother continued in this manner, Judge Ni would have her leave on the grounds of disturbing the court.

So after a bout of crying, Zhou Mother temporarily quieted down.

However, Zhang Wei could tell that this woman could pull a trick at any moment, and he couldn’t let his guard down.

"Judge Ni, the defense requests that the Court Guard devote some attention to this witness, and if she has another excessive outburst, could she please be asked to temporarily leave the court and wait in the neighboring rest room?"

"We object!"

Naturally, Qin Shaocong would not let Zhang Wei have his way and quickly interjected, "Judge Ni, my witness is just an ordinary mother. She has led a life full of hardships and has endured much, living for her two sons up until now."

"But her eldest son, whom she loved the most, passed away not long ago, leaving this world and her forever. Is it not understandable that my witness cannot control her emotions?"

"Could it be that both Lawyer Zhang and Judge Ni are heartless, to the point of even driving away a grieving mother of advanced age?"

This time, Qin Shaocong went directly on the offensive against both Zhang Wei and Judge Ni, with harsh words.

"This..."

Judge Ni was taken aback; she never expected someone to dare to "blackmail" her in her own courtroom.

Zhang Wei was taken aback as well and exclaimed inwardly. Looking over at the jury box, he could see many understanding looks.

In Dragon Country, filial piety is the foremost of all virtues, and respecting the elderly is a traditional virtue. Now, Zhang Wei and Ni Qiuping were both at their wits’ end.

"It’s natural for an elderly person to mourn the loss of a child, but please control your emotions and do not disrupt the court proceedings!"

Having no other choice, Ni Qiuping could only issue this warning.

However, everyone present knew how much restraint this warning could actually impose.

Upon hearing Ni Qiuping’s soft warning, Qin Shaocong scoffed with disdain.

"Mr. Zhou, the reason I asked you to take the stand today is to have you introduce the victim of this case, who is also your brother, to all of us. What kind of person was he?"

"My brother? He was definitely a good person."

Zhou Sanliang put on a reminiscent face and then started speaking to the jury:

"My brother, Zhou Erliang, was a well-known figure in our hometown. He was a very reputable martial arts school master in our area, and whenever there was any injustice within a ten-mile radius, he would intervene!"

"Take one time, for instance, when a few hooligans from the city came to the village next door. They bullied men and women and were up to no good. Was it not my brother who stepped in and gave them a good beating, tidying up the troublemakers that plagued our village?"

"And then there was another time when a developer wanted to requisition our village’s land to build a landfill. Of course, we disagreed. The developer came to the village entrance with a group of gangsters to intimidate us. Many villagers went to reason with them and ended up getting beaten. I was injured at that time as well!"

As he spoke, Zhou Sanliang rolled up his sleeve to reveal several scars on his arm.

"In the end, it was my brother who took charge, leading the brothers from his martial arts school to help our village chase away those thugs, including the developer’s men."

"Moreover, my brother reported this affair to the authorities. It turned out the developer was a shady boss trying to forcibly take our land. My brother even received a banner of honor for this, which is still hanging in our house!"

"Oh, and there was one time when my brother..."

Under Zhou Sanliang’s narration, the image of a courageous youth who uprooted evil to help the weak was instantly sketched in the minds of everyone in the courtroom.

Evidently, Zhou Erliang should have been an honest and upright young man often doing good deeds, and was righteous and could not stand any evil or injustice.

A good person!

A truly good person indeed!

"So, after your brother came to Dongfang Capital, what happened to him?"

At that moment, Qin Shaocong interrupted Zhou Sanliang’s reminiscence.

If this continued, the jury might get sleepy. After all, one or two good stories are enough; too many will obviously become irritating.

The key to the case was coming next!

"My brother came to Dongfang Capital to participate in the martial arts competition. He was a famous martial artist in our hometown, naturally wanting to challenge the masters of the world. But unexpectedly, once he came here, he just..."

"Ah—"

"My poor son—"

Zhou Mother began to weep and wail on the witness bench for the prosecution.

This interruption drew the attention of the jury and the observers to her.

Thud, thud, thud!

Ni Qiuping banged the gavel, her face showing displeasure, "Witness, haven’t I reminded you already?"

"Judge Ni, please calm your anger. I think the witness is just distraught over the loss of her child and couldn’t control herself for a moment. Please try to understand!"

"I believe there are many mothers present. If they were to lose their children suddenly, they would also be unable to control themselves. So please show some understanding!"

Qin Shaocong hastily pleaded for Zhou Mother, but his words carried a hint of threat.

I alone might not threaten you, but I can rally those on the jury and witness benches to threaten you.

Just look around you—how many are mothers of children?

If you dare to expel Zhou Mother, how do you suppose these people will look at you?

Ni Qiuping certainly noticed the unfriendly gazes around her, as if at one wrong word from her, the crowd would turn against her.

"Goodness gracious!"

Judge Ni internally exclaimed goodness gracious, meanwhile clenched her molars, repressing the anger within her heart.

Only when her temper had cooled did she warn Zhou Mother, "Let there be no next time!"

Just four simple words, but they contained a trace of helplessness, compromise, and a subtle dissatisfaction.

"Seems like I have to be the bad guy after all!"

Seeing Ni Qiuping cowed, Zhang Wei knew that if Zhou Mother continued like this, he would have no choice but to intervene.

The judge must maintain fairness and impartiality, but under the coercion of Qin Shaocong, Ni Qiuping had to make some decisions that were biased toward the prosecution.

And that was actually very disadvantageous for the defense.

For the sake of true fairness and justice, Zhang Wei knew he had to be the villain when necessary, to alleviate the pressure on Ni Qiuping.

Old Ni, oh Old Ni, at critical moments, it still has to be me, Zhang Someone, to take the field!