Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 384 - 381: Don’t Want Money? The Incorruptible Zhang Junzi?

Chapter 384: Chapter 381: Don’t Want Money? The Incorruptible Zhang Junzi?

(Request for monthly tickets, there’s just a little bit to go before reaching 3000 tickets, last two days, calling for monthly tickets!)

...

Friday, the day of the trial.

1:30 PM, City Court.

Inside a certain preparation room.

Qin Shaocong, as usual, stood with several black-suited lawyers of Longteng International standing behind him. They followed the young master like bodyguards, standing guard and boosting his presence.

Next to Qin Shaocong sat Zhou Sanliang.

However, due to Qin Shaocong’s imposing presence, although Zhou Sanliang was seated, his demeanor was almost that of submission, the epitome of a little follower.

In fact, if it were not for Zhou Sanliang being the representative of the plaintiff in this case, he would never have had the opportunity to sit beside Qin Shaocong.

Across from Qin Shaocong sat the old dean of the city hospital and Director Sheng.

"Qin Shao, so for this time’s case, we’re relying on you!"

The old dean nodded at Qin Shaocong and then left the preparation room.

He was not a party to the case, and his presence was merely to confirm one thing—that Zhou Erlang’s death had nothing to do with their hospital, and the person whom Zhou Sanliang was suing was Jessica, that’s all.

And Qin Shaocong’s response was naturally affirmative.

"Director Sheng, aren’t you leaving with the dean?"

"I want to stay here and watch that woman be found guilty!"

Director Sheng’s eyes revealed a hint of malevolence.

"Director Sheng, you shouldn’t say it like that. Undertaking negligence is just to be responsible for the deceased. Medical negligence at most can lead to the defendant losing their license, but it cannot be considered guilty, and certainly won’t result in a prison sentence!"

Qin Shaocong chuckled.

Zhou Sanliang beside him subconsciously looked up, wanting to speak.

But Qin Shaocong frowned, and Zhou Sanliang seemed to realize something and quickly shut his mouth.

"Mm, very good, Mr. Zhou, your performance is satisfying to me!"

Seeing the person beside him acting sensibly, Qin Shaocong couldn’t help but nod in approval.

"Mr. Zhou, rest assured, once I win the lawsuit, there will naturally be benefits for you!"

Qin Shaocong knew well that mere suppression, while effective, could easily lead to backlash.

Therefore, one must use the carrot and stick approach.

Zhou Sanliang’s goal was straightforward—he wanted money.

Qin Shaocong had to understand this guy’s psychology and offer a satisfactory amount to keep him from getting any second thoughts.

He was also aware that Zhang Wei must have considered buying off Zhou Sanliang with settlement money to get the lawsuit dropped.

Thus, to preempt any issues, Qin Shaocong had made preparations for this early on.

"Thank you so much, Qin Shao, many thanks..."

Zhou Sanliang naturally nodded continuously in gratitude, his eyes filled with greed and respect.

He remembered one thing clearly—as long as he cooperated, the Qin Shao before him would not shortchange him.

And this was also his goal.

Qin Shaocong checked the time and informed those around him, "It’s about time, we should head to the courtroom now, to deliver the final blow to Zhang Wei!"

He stood up first, exited the preparation room amid the entourage of Longteng lawyers.

Director Sheng and Zhou Sanliang followed, heading together to the courtroom.

Just as Qin Shaocong left the preparation room, the door to the neighboring room also opened.

The people who came out were naturally Zhang Wei and Jessica.

"Lawyer Zhang, what a coincidence?"

"Qin Shao, you’re pretending to ask knowingly. The courtroom is right next door. We both need to prepare before the trial. If we don’t use these rooms for preparation, do you think we should prepare documents and discuss strategies in the corridor instead?"

"It looks like Lawyer Zhang had an easy day yesterday. The trial is today, yet you don’t seem a bit tense?"

"Qin Shao, you jest. The courtroom is our defense lawyers’ second home, so what pressure could there be in returning home?"

Seeing Zhang Wei’s relaxed smile, Qin Shaocong felt a sense of unease for some reason.

This guy didn’t seem like someone who was in a passive situation.

"Today I’ve prepared so many moves for him, I don’t believe he can catch them all!"

But quickly, Qin Shaocong seemed to reassure himself, setting those thoughts aside.

He’d prepared many tactics for Zhang Wei today.

Even if Zhang Wei appeared calm now, it would be different in a bit.

"Lawyer Zhang, I hope you can still be this at ease later in the courtroom!"

"Qin Shao, then let’s wait and see."

Zhang Wei and Qin Shaocong, each sneering, entered the courtroom together.

...

Civil court, inside the courtroom.

The courtroom, which had been bustling, fell silent as both the prosecution and the defense walked in.

Compared to Wednesday, there were even more people attending the civil court today.

The hearing seats were almost full, and not only was the front row occupied by involved parties, but the back row was filled with onlookers and even the aisles were packed with reporters.

Many of these reporters had received money from Longteng International to hype up Qin Shaocong.

As soon as today’s trial was over, Qin Shaocong planned to widely publicize his victory over Zhang Wei.

Long Teng triumphed over Jincheng, becoming number one in Dongfang Capital!

Headlines like that would probably dominate the news media in Dongfang Capital for a long time.

Therefore, Jincheng Law Firm also sent people to supervise the front row.

Unfortunately, the person who came was not familiar to Zhang Wei.

Ren Xingzhou, the boss of the project department at Jincheng Law Firm and the nominal superior of Lin Yufeng of the Lin Family, who had a feud with Zhang Wei.

Ren Xingzhou, wearing glasses, merely nodded indifferently upon seeing Zhang Wei, which counted as a basic greeting between colleagues.

"At least they didn’t send Shen Zhengyi over, that would’ve truly disgusted me. Probably Fatty Lin knew about my discord with Shen Zhengyi and didn’t want him to come over and affect my performance!"

Zhang Wei also gestured towards Ren Xingzhou while complaining in his mind.

At least Lin Xiangtian was somewhat strategic at times.

"Zhang Wei, come on!"

"Don’t lose, Zhang Wei!"

Of course, there were cheers for Zhang Wei from his friends in the front row of the hearing seats.

Today, Xia Qianyue and others had come, including Mo Yuzhu, Xiao Baihe, and Tan Yingying, whereas Xia Donghai, who had been there on Wednesday, was not present.

He was probably on duty outside and couldn’t take time off to come.

"Zhang Wei, you’d better not lose, or I’ll make you pay!"

Among the cheering, Xiao Baihe’s face showed some displeasure.

Because her department, the Procuratorate Headquarters, was a rival of Zhang Wei’s, and their track record in confrontations with him was quite unsightly.

If Zhang Wei lost to Qin Shaocong today, wouldn’t that mean the Procuratorate Headquarters was inferior to the people at Longteng Law Firm?

This was simply unacceptable!

Xiao Baihe had secretly vowed that if Zhang Wei really lost, she would make him pay!

She was determined to make sure he had no good "juice" to drink!

Amidst the cheering and threats, Zhang Wei and Jessica took their seats at the defense bench, while Qin Shaocong, accompanied by Zhou Sanliang, sat at the plaintiff’s bench.

As time went by, the courtroom became tense, and the chatter gradually quieted down.

"All rise!"

The Court Guard called out, and everyone turned their attention to the judge’s bench.

Judge Ni entered.

At the same time, the jury, under the supervision of the Court Guard, one by one took their seats on jury stand.

Judge Ni sat on the judge’s bench, then scanned the room, confirmed that both sides were seated with no one absent, and then nodded to strike the gavel.

"This court now declares the second hearing on the medical dispute case, where the deceased Zhou Erliang’s relatives sued Dr. Jessica, shall commence!"

Having made the declaration, she looked towards Qin Shaocong.

"Plaintiff?"

"Judge Ni, the plaintiff intended to conclude the evidence presentation, but before doing so, I have a minor question that requires Mr. Zhou Sanliang’s answer."

"If you don’t want to conclude the evidence presentation, just say so. Why beat around the bush?"

Judge Ni raised an eyebrow, sounding quite annoyed.

This is the courtroom and in here, I’m the highest authority.

I ask you whether you want to present evidence, a simple ’yes’ or ’no’ will suffice, but here you are, pulling a fast one on me!

Do you even consider me, Ni Qiuping, worth noticing?

"Then please be quick about it!" She waved them on dismissively, clearly displeased.

Qin Shaocong didn’t care about her mood and indicated with his eyes for Zhou Er to come forward, then asked, "Mr. Zhou, although I have already questioned you before, I would like the court to know about something. Please answer carefully!"

"Alright." Zhou Sanliang nodded solemnly.

"Did you discuss a settlement with the defense?"

"Yes!"

"But you didn’t agree, did you?"

"Yes!"

"And you didn’t sign any confidentiality agreement, right?"

"No."

"That’s good!"

Qin Shaocong said, glanced at Zhang Wei, then asked coldly, "Mr. Zhou, can you tell the court what the defense offered you at that time?"

Without a moment’s hesitation, Zhou Sanliang answered: "Five million!"

As soon as he spoke, the entire courtroom erupted.

In the defense bench, Zhang Wei and Jessica remained expressionless, as if the figure was no surprise to them.

In fact, the figure was the result of negotiation between both parties, after some back and forth.

But at this moment, it sounded somewhat off.

It was as if Zhang Wei and Jessica had just walked up to Zhou Sanliang and coldly dropped a number in front of him.

"Hiss—"

From the back rows of the spectator’s seats, many people gasped in surprise.

Xia Qianyue and Mo Yuzhu exchanged looks, then glanced at Xiao Baihe as well.

Mo Yuzhu nudged Xia Qianyue with her elbow, "Simple-minded, how much is your monthly salary again?"

"I’m still an intern, just a few thousand yuan a month."

"And you, Xiao Baihe?"

"Don’t look at me as the ace; I’ve only been confirmed for a year. My salary is just enough to get by each month, not much savings."

"Me too, I’m an intern at the forensic office, and my take-home salary is also just over three thousand a month..."

For a moment, a complex emotion emerged in the eyes of the three women.

They worked hard every day, and this was all they earned per month.

Yet here was Jessica, offering 5 million in compensation without batting an eyelid.

And Zhang Wei, it’s said he has already achieved several of his small goals, including that riverside apartment in Dongjiang Yipin.

Indeed, comparisons do provoke envy!

The thoughts of everyone in the court were more or less the same.

They looked at the two people in the defense seat with envy and jealousy, and in the end, jealousy overpowered envy.

After all, they couldn’t achieve what others had, and they didn’t want to try, so jealousy was all that remained.

"Mr. Zhou, they have offered you a condition of 5 million, that’s really a huge sum. Did they quote you just like that?"

"Yes, their expressions were just like now, not a furrow in their brows, not a blink in their eyes."

Zhou Sanliang pointed to the defense, saying, "You see, I thought everyone in the city was rich, talking about 5 million as if it were 500."

"So why didn’t you agree? After all, it is a lot of money. I believe even if you won the lawsuit, you wouldn’t get as much in damages, right?"

After asking the question, Qin Shaocong gave Zhou Sanliang a meaningful look.

The latter immediately nodded, then put on a look of righteous indignation, "I don’t want the money, I came to Dongfang Capital to seek justice for my deceased brother!"

As he spoke, he stood up excitedly, pointing at the defense, "It was her, that doctor, who caused my brother’s death. I want her to take responsibility for my brother’s death, not just settle it with money. Otherwise, my brother’s spirit in heaven will not forgive me!"

"He was my own brother, I can’t let him leave in such an unclear circumstance!"

"I have to be responsible for his two children, for my sister-in-law, for my mother, I..."

After an impassioned speech, many in the courtroom felt their perception of Zhou Sanliang elevate.

This guy is capable, he can handle this!

"Oh, so he was prepared with this tactic."

Zhang Wei recognized that this was a strategy practiced in advance by Qin Shaocong for Zhou Sanliang, and today’s statements were premeditated.

This move is actually one that denigrates one and praises another.

By shouting out the offer, everyone knows that Jessica is wealthy.

And in this world, there are more poor people than rich, and it’s the same in the courtroom; many people dislike the rich, so quoting 5 million made everyone despise Jessica.

That was denigrating her.

After the quote, Zhou Sanliang made it clear he was rejecting the offer, leaving the impression of uncorrupted integrity that wasn’t tempted by money.

That was praising him.

With just one question, Qin Shaocong had denigrated Jessica and elevated Zhou Sanliang; beautifully executed.

"Judge Ni, my questioning is over!"

Qin Shaocong, having finished his questioning and achieved his goal, naturally wanted to end his speech.

"Defense, what about you?"

"Judge Ni, our side also has only one question for Mr. Zhou!"

Zhang Wei said, standing up slowly without stepping towards the court’s floor.

"Mr. Zhou, do you really not want the money?"

"This..." Zhou Sanliang, upon hearing Zhang Wei’s question, intended to hesitate.

However, Qin Shaocong in the prosecution seat had a dramatic change in expression, adding a hint of warning to his gaze.

"Yes, I don’t want the money!" Zhou Sanliang’s tone firmed up.

"Even if the person concerned admits their mistake, acknowledges their negligence, and ultimately has their license revoked, no longer practicing medicine, you still don’t want the money?"

"This..." Zhou Sanliang thought to himself, if you’re admitting to a mistake, what’s wrong with a little compensation?

But upon seeing Qin Shaocong’s "threat-laden" eyes, he hesitated again.

"No, no, I’m here in Dongfang Capital just for justice, I don’t want anything else!"

"Okay, please have the court recorder note this down—the plaintiff Zhou Sanliang says he’s not here for money, that he will seek justice even without a penny."

The court recorder, of course, recorded every word, but Zhou Sanliang felt a vague discomfort in his heart upon hearing Zhang Wei’s words.

Because his goal was actually all about the money.

"Judge Ni, the defense has no further questions to ask!"

Zhang Wei also finished his questioning and sat down with an indifferent expression.

Qin Shaocong wore a strange expression, feeling that something was off with Zhang Wei.

Especially during the questioning just now, according to the opponent’s usual tactics, there should have been many pieces of evidence prepared to counter his own.

Yet unexpectedly, the opponent didn’t seem to mind, and even asked an irrelevant question.

"Feeling confident, are we?"

Qin Shaocong sneered, muttering to himself, "Just wait and see, I’ll show you what a series of maneuvers looks like, and let’s see how you’ll defend yourself!"

"Prosecution, you mentioned earlier that you were finished with presenting evidence, right? Now that the witness has finished testifying, does that mean you have no other evidence to submit?"

"Yes, Judge Ni, the prosecution has finished presenting evidence!"

"Alright then, defense, it’s your turn!"

Judge Ni spoke and signaled for Zhang Wei to start.

"Judge Ni, please wait a moment!"

But before Zhang Wei could stand up, Qin Shaocong rose to his feet first.

"Prosecution, do you have any other issues? Don’t tell me you’ve suddenly remembered that you’ve left out a witness!"

Judge Ni was in a foul mood, particularly irritated by Qin Shaocong’s repeated challenges to her authority.

She was inexplicably angry!

If it weren’t for the need to maintain dignity and fairness in the courtroom, she would have almost cursed out loud.

"Judge Ni, our side requests to initiate a review motion!"

"A review motion?"

Judge Ni was taken aback and immediately asked, "Whom do you want to review!"

It can’t be that you want to review me?

If you dare to review me, today even at the cost of this old life, I will have to...

Qin Shaocong, regardless of Judge Ni’s inner thoughts, raised his hand to point towards the defense bench: "The person our side wishes to review is defense attorney Zhang Wei!"

The entire court was shocked.

Everyone in the hearing stand, the jury stand, and the judge’s bench had their eyes wide open.

What’s going on?

This is the second hearing; why are they suddenly reviewing the defense attorney?

"Me?"

Zhang Wei was amused, thinking Qin Shaocong must be out of his mind. Why would he suddenly think to review himself?

In my life, I, Zhang Wei, have always acted upright and with integrity.

Even the matter of the previous "threatening" of Fang Mingming has already been won in court.

The defeat of Xu Zhifeng means no one can make an issue out of Fang Mingming anymore.

So there shouldn’t be any problem.

"Prosecution, you want to review the defense attorney?" Judge Ni couldn’t help but ask again.

"Indeed, I wish to review the defense attorney!"

Qin Shaocong sneered and then accused: "I suspect that during the past two days, the defense attorney has engaged in an improper male-female relationship with his client, and this act of a lawyer coercing a female party to engage in relations during a trial is strictly prohibited and violates ethical norms!"

With these words, the entire courtroom understood.

And seeing the close relationship between the defense attorney and the defendant, they got it.

Combined with the defendant’s looks, everyone understood the implication.

Isn’t this stating the obvious?

What man wouldn’t be tempted by such a beautiful woman?

If I were this woman’s lawyer, I would have probably taken the opportunity during the trial to ask her, "Beauty, you don’t want to lose in court, do you?"

Men who harbor such thoughts, maybe it’s not all of them, but surely ninety-nine percent do.

However, Qin Shaocong’s statement left Zhang Wei speechless.

Because he remembered that Xia Qianyue had also come to court today.

Zhang Wei hurriedly turned around to see Xia Qianyue looking down, and Xiao Baihe giving him an angry glare.

As for Mo Yuzhu, Tan Yingying, and others, they had complex looks in their eyes, some even seemed to take pleasure in his predicament.

"Looks like I need to explain a bit!"

After nodding at Dr. Jessica, he stood up: "Judge Ni, and everyone in the courtroom, I want to say that the prosecution’s accusation is completely unfounded!"

"Oh, you say it’s baseless, but with the looks and figure of your client, I don’t believe any man could resist her, unless you, Lawyer Zhang, are not a man?"

"Qin Shao, have you ever heard the term ’untouched despite temptation’?"

"Are you trying to say that you compare yourself to the ’untouched’ gentleman Liu?"

"Indeed, Zhang Someone may not be very capable, but he can certainly live up to the title of a gentleman!"

Zhang Wei fully displayed his thicker-skinned skills, boasting: "Actually, I don’t mind if everyone refers to me as Zhang Junzi!"