Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 433 - 429 Chef Wang’s Defense Broken, Perfect Ending

Chapter 433: Chapter 429 Chef Wang’s Defense Broken, Perfect Ending

Smart wristband!

A mundane electronic device that looks utterly ordinary.

Who’d believe that it could become the crux of a case?

But Zhang Wei knew better, never to underestimate any electronic device—information recorded within could prove something inadvertently.

Like in this case, the role of the smart wristband was significant.

"Xiao Tan!"

Zhang Wei just called out, and without further instructions, Tan Yingying intuitively opened a satellite map from the USB drive.

The satellite map appeared on the projection screen with many blue dots forming a clear path.

"Chef Wang, you should be familiar with this image, right?"

"This is..."

"This is the route map of you running after work while wearing the smart wristband. Sometimes you even share it on your social network, so you should find it familiar, right?"

As he spoke, Zhang pointed at the blue dots on the image.

"The smart wristband has built-in GPS tracking, only with which it can tell you the number of steps you took today, the distance you moved, how many calories you burned, and lets you show off on your social network."

"These blue dots, they are filtered information set by the technicians; they represent your locations on the map at 20-second intervals."

After explaining, Zhang gestured toward Tan Yingying.

The photo on the screen switched, and the map zoomed in further.

"Everyone can see here, this is Wan Jiahui Plaza, this is the bar 7km away, and this is the apartment where Chef Wang resides. The blue path consists of several segments linking the restaurant to the bar, the bar to the apartment, and the apartment back to the restaurant."

"You can see that after 10 PM that night, Chef Wang left the restaurant to drink at the bar he mentioned; all of that is correct, and the route also marks his jogging map."

"But after finishing the drinks, running back to his apartment, the path then shows that he left the apartment and ran back to the restaurant!"

Three routes, from the restaurant to the bar, from the bar to the apartment, and from the apartment back to the restaurant, were all clearly visible.

Not only that, by clicking on the route’s blue dots, you could see the time information and the specific latitude and longitude coordinates.

"This is the data after GPS tracking, and the timing, locations, and coordinates are all confirmed, the information is tamper-proof."

"Chef Wang, please answer me, why does the smart wristband display that after work you went to the bar, then ran back home, but between 11:51 PM and 0:02 AM, you returned to the restaurant once more?"

"May I ask, what did you do at the restaurant during those 11 minutes?"

The moment the question was asked, the atmosphere in the courtroom changed.

Suspicion, doubt, incredulity.

Everyone uniformly turned their eyes toward the witness stand, looking at Chef Wang.

They wanted an answer, an answer they had already guessed.

"I..." Chef Wang opened his mouth but didn’t know how to respond.

"What, can’t come up with an answer?"

Zhang Wei had anticipated this reaction, and he said teasingly, "It’s strange, isn’t it? How come this time just coincides with the time of the fire explosion? Could it be you went back to the restaurant to splash gasoline?"

"Chef Wang, you didn’t actually go to splash gasoline, did you?"

Even though Zhang was asking, he gave Tan Yingying a knowing look.

Instantly, the image on the projection screen switched once again.

This time, it was an image of Chef Wang holding a blue container.

"Chef Wang, can you tell me what’s inside this blue container you’re holding? Is it gasoline?"

"This..."

Chef Wang’s disbelieving expression and his speechless reaction were once again witnessed by the entire courtroom.

By this time, the answer wasn’t important anymore.

"Chef Wang, I really didn’t see this coming. Old Tan treated you like a brother, yet you personally destroyed his dream, his business!"

"This, I..."

Zhang Wei shook his head with a sigh and confronted Chef Wang, "Did you ever consider how Old Tan would feel if he knew the truth? Would he blame himself, would he..."

"What does he know!"

But amidst Zhang’s questioning, Chef Wang suddenly shouted out loud.

"He married a wife worth millions; what does he lack, what business does he need!"

"If his business fails, he still has a wife to support him, a dividend of millions a year; I could never earn that money in my lifetime!"

"He has no worries, but what about me? If the restaurant fails, my life is over!"

Finally dropping his façade, Chef Wang roared at Old Tan sitting in the defense area, "You’re all lovey-dovey with your wife every day, ignoring the restaurant. Have you ever thought about how I feel?"

"Because your wife is rich, you cling to her, right? Have you thought about my years of living and dying with you, my years of hard work and struggle alongside you, dreaming and striving for the business, suffering in the kitchen for over a decade?"

Old Tan opened his mouth but for a moment, he actually didn’t know how to respond.

"So you bought a second insurance policy and planned to take revenge on Old Tan, making him pay the price?"

"Exactly, since he didn’t care about the restaurant anyway, I might as well burn it down and scam some insurance money to open another shop!"

"Oh, no wonder, I was wondering how you suddenly had the money to book a new storefront, especially in the famous food street in Central Ring, facing south by the crossroads, a place with annual rent of several million. So that’s why."

Chef Wang’s mouth twitched, you’ve investigated to this extent, what more can I say.

"Sigh, what a pity, though, my culinary skills shouldn’t be buried like this, after over ten years of learning my craft, I..."

"But that’s not a reason for arson, let alone that you’ve killed someone!"

Zhang Wei’s gaze turned icy, his eyes emotionlessly staring at Chef Wang, "The case was originally involuntary manslaughter, but since you had a deliberate intent and committed the act of arson, it becomes arson with intent, with a side of second-degree murder!"

"Chef Wang, I hope in your next life you can be an honest chef, marry a good girl, and have a career worth striving for your entire life."

Upon hearing this, Chef Wang’s face completely lost its composure.

His face twitched, and then tears welled up in his eyes, as the grown man cried openly in the courtroom.

As for Zhang Wei, he walked towards the prosecution bench with the calmness of a victor.

"Prosecutor, it’s your turn, if you still want to ask anything, please feel free."

He spread his hands, looking relaxed and comfortable as he walked back to the defense bench.

After enduring a round of mockery, Hou Liangliang could only clench his fists tightly, his face full of indignation, yet unable to erupt.

He had lost the case!

His defeat was utterly humiliating, as if he was a jumping clown!

Zhang Wei, fuck your grandma’s chicken thigh!

At this point, even if Hou Liangliang swore in front of the whole courtroom, it no longer mattered.

Because the game was over!

Sitting on the bench, Judge Liu looked at Hou Liangliang’s angry face and actually felt a bit of joy inside.

You still want to show off, huh?

Still want to challenge Zhang Wei?

Acting arrogant, greetings from your father are no use.

Sorry, but you still have to lose!

"Prosecutor, are you sure you don’t want to cross-examine?"

Judge Liu asked, but Hou Liangliang didn’t speak.

"All right then, the court understands."

Judge Liu got the message and looked towards the defense bench, "Defense?"

Zhang Wei spread his hands and smiled.

What’s the point in asking that?

The real culprit has confessed everything, don’t we just need to follow the procedure now?

Judge Liu naturally understood.

"Ahem, since both the prosecution and defense choose to conclude the presentation of evidence, the court hereby declares that we shall proceed according to the procedure."

"Court Guard, take Chef Wang into custody, to be detained awaiting trial!"

"Clerk of the court, make a copy of Chef Wang’s testimony and send it to Captain Lin of the Major Case Squad. Remember, make sure it’s verbatim!"

Two consecutive orders were issued, and Judge Liu was clearly experienced.

Next came the unnecessary closing arguments and the jury’s deliberation stage.

hour later.

"First jury member?"

"As the first jury member of this case, I now declare that the defendant, Tan Zhiqi, is not guilty of the charges of premeditated arson and involuntary manslaughter."

With the first jury member’s announcement, the whole courtroom accepted it calmly, with no objections.

"Oye, that’s great!"

Old Tan jumped up excitedly.

On the contrary, Zhang Wei and Zhao Xiaoxiao, sitting beside him, had exceptionally calm expressions.

They had their excitement the previous night when they found the clue, and now they were able to maintain their composure.

"That’s wonderful, honey!"

"Daddy, does this mean you don’t have to go on business trips anymore?"

"Yes, daddy doesn’t have to go on business trips anymore, I can be with you every day now."

Old Tan, Chen Xiaoyu, and Tan Xiaozhi hugged each other tightly, crying tears of joy.

In these past few days, this middle-aged man experienced the lowest point of his life and was finally relieved at this moment.

"Lawyer Zhang, thank you so much, without you, I..."

"Old Tan, don’t mention it, helping you is my duty!"

Zhang Wei waved his hand nonchalantly, his expression calm.

"However, if you really want to thank someone, you should thank Xiao Xiao instead."

Zhang Wei stepped aside to make way for Zhao Xiaoxiao, pushing her forward.

"Thank you..."

Old Tan looked at Zhao Xiaoxiao, originally wanting to thank her directly but suddenly realized that the people beside him had stopped talking.

He then remembered what relationship this girl had with his wife.

The girl was his wife’s own daughter, making her Tan Xiaozhi’s older sister, siblings from the same mother.

In that sense, he was something like a stepfather to her...

All he could think was, what a mess!

"Xiao Xiao... thank you too..."

Honestly, Chen Xiaoyu hadn’t anticipated a situation like this.

She needed to thank her estranged daughter.

She didn’t know how to face the girl before her, even calling her name felt somewhat unnatural.

"Thank you, sister."

As it turned out, the most fluent speaker among the family of three was the five-year-old Tan Xiaozhi.

"Hehe!"

But Zhao Xiaoxiao’s rolling of her eyes in a perfunctory response kind of deserved a scolding.

"Xiao Xiao, what are you doing!"

Zhang Wei couldn’t hold back, reminding her that this was her own mother, after all.

"Hehe!"

Zhao Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes at Zhang Wei again.

However, after throwing a defiant look at Chen Xiaoyu, she walked away without looking back.

"I’m going to the car first, I’m tired. Remember to make something delicious for me when you get back!"

After Zhao Xiaoxiao left, leaving an effortlessly cool impression, Zhang Wei and Old Tan’s family of three could only see her back.

"This kid, her personality is a bit... Sorry about that, all of you."

As a "senior", it was natural for Zhang Wei to apologize on behalf of his younger family member.

"It’s okay, Lawyer Zhang, I think Xiao Xiao is really happy..."

As Chen Xiaoyu watched her daughter’s retreating figure, she felt somewhat relieved.

"By the way, if you don’t mind me asking, Old Tan, what are you planning to do from now on?"

"This..."

Old Tan was stumped by Zhang Wei’s question.

He had lost his restaurant, his career was gone.

Although he was not personally liable, the restaurant had turned to ashes, so what else could he do?

Old Tan scratched his head, looking helpless, "Lawyer Zhang, I haven’t thought it through yet. After working as a chef for over a decade, I don’t know what else I can do..."

"Actually, your restaurant was doing well, the prices were affordable, and the menu was diverse. You just didn’t find the right revenue balance, that’s all."

Zhang Wei spoke as he took out a document from his briefcase and handed it over.

"This is some data that our law firm’s project department compiled based on the operating data of your old restaurant. If you want to continue running a restaurant, you can use these figures as a guide."

"This is..."

Old Tan took the document and opened it, only to be overwhelmed.

"You weren’t making money before because your prices were too low. In a prime location like Wan Jiahui Street, your monthly rent exceeds 50% of your revenue costs. You think you can profit with thin margins and high turnover, but this is the dining industry; there’s a daily limit on ingredients, unlike retail, where you can increase profits by simply boosting volume."

"All your dishes are listed here; I’ve marked new prices for them. If you follow these prices, you could easily earn a profit of over 200,000 yuan a year, and even more once you establish a reputation."

Old Tan, upon hearing what Zhang Wei said, couldn’t help but take the document, his face lighting up with excitement.

But then he seemed to remember something, his face falling.

"What’s wrong?"

"I’ve lost the restaurant now. I don’t have the money to open a new one."

"You may not have the money, but Mrs. Chen does."

"But her money is from that man. I..."

Seeing Old Tan hesitate again, Zhang Wei laughed and said, "In that case, if it bothers you, consider the money from Mrs. Chen a loan. You can pay her back once you’ve made a profit."

"Old Tan, have some confidence in yourself. You still need to keep the restaurant going," Zhang said, "otherwise, you better prepare yourself for a lifetime of living off others."

"By the way, I’d like to personally invest in your restaurant, too. I won’t be involved in the operations or production; just remember to give me my share of the dividends each year. How about that?"

Hearing Zhang Wei’s interest in investing made Old Tan naturally delighted. "If Lawyer Zhang likes it, I’m definitely welcoming!"

He then looked towards Chen Xiaoyu. "So, the money you put up is a loan?"

"Whatever you want!"

Chen Xiaoyu didn’t seem to want to delve too deeply. Although the money she put out might not be recoverable, seeing her husband’s spirits lifted made her happy.

"But, the location of the restaurant..."

"Old Tan, have you forgotten? Chef Wang already picked a place for you. Now the landlord is just waiting for Chef Wang to pay up, but he can no longer keep his restaurant open, so you’ll have to take over for him."

As he spoke, Zhang Wei brought out a document and handed it to Old Tan.

"This is the new location that Chef Wang chose—in Central Ring on the food street at a crossroads facing south. It’s a good spot with plenty of foot traffic. If you have no objections, I suggest you pay up and take over. Otherwise, once this opportunity passes, you might not get another shop like it."

"Thank you, Lawyer Zhang, I understand!" Old Tan took the document, his face filled with joy.

"Alright then, the case is over, and I’m going to head out now!"

"Thank you, Lawyer Zhang!"

"Thank you, Lawyer Zhang!"

"Thank you, brother!"

Old Tan and his family of three naturally bowed in gratitude to Zhang Wei, their attitude filled with immense thankfulness.

Zhang Wei left the courtroom with a slight smile on his face.

To him, it was just another case won.

But for Old Tan and his family, it was a matter of saving their entire livelihood, which is why they were so grateful.

Zhang Wei showed his understanding and took out his phone to dial a number.

"Uncle Zhao, have you received the news?"

"Oh, I remember you said you’d arrange for someone in the hearing. So you’ve already got the news, huh?"

"Nah, nah, there’s no need for thanks, this is simply what I should do."

"Mm-hm, you go ahead with your business, I need to go rest for a bit."

"Sure, sure, don’t worry about Xiao Xiao, everything is under control!"

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Zhao Qingyan and laughing, Zhang Wei hung up.

He glanced back at the courtroom one more time and then quickly left.

The case was won, and as the defense, he was naturally in high spirits.

But for the Procuratorate Headquarters, who were the plaintiffs, it was a different story.

The court had been dismissed, and many had left the scene. The courtroom was now deserted except for the group from the Procuratorate Headquarters.

"Xiao Hou, we should head back," Zhao Chunming said, looking at Hou Liangliang who was still standing dumbfounded at the plaintiff’s bench, and probed tentatively.

What’s with this kid? Just because he lost one public prosecution case, does he need to be like this?

Nearly 10 minutes have passed since adjournment, everyone’s gone, and you’re still not moving?

"Zhao... Director Zhao, I..." Suddenly Hou Liangliang spoke up.

No, he cried, his voice choked up and tears appeared in the corners of his eyes.

"How could I lose, I had such a big advantage, and then... it was all overturned, I..."

"Xiao Hou, trials are normal, wins and losses are all part of it. As a young person, you should learn to get used to it," Zhao Chunming consoled, then sighed, "Besides, you were up against Zhang Wei. That kid is crafty. When fighting legal battles against him, you need to be prepared for defeat!"

"I can’t accept it, why can’t I beat him!"

"Xiao Hou, look at the bigger picture. So many of us have lost to him, you’re no different."

Zhao Chunming glanced around at the others.

Guo Wufeng, Tan Yingying, and Xiao Baihe all unconsciously lowered their heads.

Because they had all been defeated by Zhang Wei.

Zhao Chunming was right, you were no different.

"Let’s go, let’s head back, make a good summary and try to seize the opportunity next time."

After consoling, Zhao Chunming led the group out.

Hou Liangliang remained rooted to the spot for a while before finally gritting his teeth and catching up with the large group to leave.

But in his heart, he utterly despised Zhang Wei.

It was all his fault for making him lose face in front of his colleagues at the Procuratorate Headquarters.