Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 457 - 453: Pre-Trial, The Self-Cultivation of a Female Actress

Chapter 457: Chapter 453: Pre-Trial, The Self-Cultivation of a Female Actress

Investment inherently comes with its ups and downs.

In the eyes of many, investors generally break even and can occasionally make a small profit, which is considered normal investing.

They can also accept the occasional small loss.

But if you lose all your capital at once, that means there’s something wrong with your brain.

Therefore, Zhang Wei believed that within the jury, there must be many self-righteous smart alecks!

They think that those who lose money are fools, and such people are actually advantageous for Zhan Qingze.

Because they look down on the victims represented by the prosecution, they would not feel sympathy for those who lost money; instead, they would consider themselves clever.

Such people would not stand with the prosecution, which naturally means they would support the defense.

So...

Sometimes, asking direct questions can also be effective.

"Ahem, hello everyone, I am the defense attorney, Zhang Wei. I would like to ask everyone a question."

"Since this case is about investment, I’ll get straight to the point. Has anyone here ever been involved in financial investment or wealth management business?"

As Zhang Wei asked his question, five or six members of the jury raised their hands.

"Hello, madam, what kind of investment did you make?"

"I bought a house in the neighboring Jingui City."

"How much was the housing price when you bought it?"

"At the time of purchase, the price was over 6,000 per square meter, and now it’s risen to 18,000 per square meter, a twofold increase."

"Oh, madam, you have quite the foresight!"

Zhang Wei nodded, satisfied, then looked at the bench: "Judge Chen, the defense accepts this juror!"

Old Chen took out a pen and made a note.

Zhang Wei then turned to the man sitting next to the woman, who also had his hand raised.

"And you, sir?"

"I’ve traded in futures."

"How was the return?"

The man took a deep breath and said slowly, "Let me put it this way, I used to drive a car, but now I ride a bike. I lived in Central Ring before, in a luxury apartment, but now I live in the suburbs, in a rundown, small old place."

"If I could have a second chance, I would tell that young man to buy a house early on and not get involved with those futures that you can bet on rising and falling prices—oil, silver, precious metals, organic crops, they’re all scammers!" the man said, his face full of regret.

"Well, thank you for your answer, and the defense also rejects this juror!"

Old Chen gave the man a look, and he could only stand up and leave the scene.

Zhang Wei continued to question a few more jurors who had raised their hands, dismissing three and keeping four.

"Old Zhao, it’s your turn!"

Zhang Wei paused his questioning and gave the floor to Zhao Chunming.

The latter stood up and walked up to the courtroom.

"Lawyer Zhang just brought up a very realistic point of view—investment. I believe that everyone present has tried or heard about it, and I also notice that many of you have invested in real estate and have reaped the housing price benefits."

Zhao Chunming said, with a solemn face, "But please imagine this scenario: What if one day the property you’ve invested in doesn’t appreciate in value but instead depreciates? What would you do then?"

At these words, the color of many jurors’ faces changed.

The most straightforward understanding is that housing prices only go up, never down.

If the housing price falls, what can be done?

"If the property prices fell after you bought a house, it means your capital has suffered a loss. If you are still paying a mortgage, and the property price drops by half, you would still be required to repay the original price of the mortgage, basically wasting double the amount of money. The banks don’t care about the fluctuation of property prices; they just require you to pay the mortgage!"

"What would you do in this situation?"

Zhao Chunming also began calling on individuals, "Madam, what would you do?"

"I guess I’d make a complaint to the bank?"

"Understandable," Zhao Chunming said as he turned to the bench, "Judge Chen, the prosecution accepts this juror."

Old Chen took out his pen and made a note, then looked towards the defense.

Zhang Wei made no move, or perhaps he didn’t see this juror as much of a threat.

"And you, sir?"

"What does the rise and fall of property prices have to do with me? I rent, and I feel like I’ll never be able to afford a house in Dongfang Capital in my lifetime."

The man spread his hands, a look of helplessness and despair on his face.

The property prices in Dongfang Capital, unaffordable for the average person.

"The prosecution also accepts this juror."

Zhao Chunming accepted the man and then approached an elderly man with white hair.

"Old sir, would you accept a drop in housing prices?"

"Accept shit. I have four houses in Dongfang Capital, and I won’t allow a single one to drop in value. Anyone who dares to lower the price, I’ll beat the shit out of them!"

Hearing this emotionally charged response, Zhao Chunming laughed.

"Judge Chen, the prosecution accepts..."

"The defense requests that this gentleman leave the stand!"

Just as Zhao Chunming was about to accept this juror, Zhang Wei abruptly stood up and interrupted him.

Old Chen gave the old man a look, and the latter snorted coldly, rose, and left the room.

"Lawyer Zhang, please continue!"

Old Zhao also came down and sneered coldly at Zhang Wei.

Helplessly, Zhang Wei realized that he had already used four of his dismissal opportunities and the remaining two had to be used wisely.

With that, he glanced at the secretary from Dongxing Securities sitting in the front row of the audience.

"I would like to ask everyone, do you like going to work?"

As soon as this question was asked, the entire room was stunned.

What kind of question was that?

All members of the jury subconsciously shook their heads.

Who likes going to work these days?

"Those who like going to work, please raise your hands?"

Zhang Wei’s second question was even more bewildering.

But among the remaining jurors, a few raised their hands cautiously.

"Ma’am, why do you like going to work?"

"Because this way, my family won’t pressure me to find a boyfriend."

Hearing this reply, Zhang Wei curled his lips.

This wasn’t the answer he wanted.

"Judge Chen, the defense thanks the lady for her response and simultaneously requests her to leave the stand."

The woman was eliminated, and Zhang Wei then approached a man.

"And you, sir, why do you like going to work?"

"I’m an accountant. I just love dealing with money!" said the man, mimicking the action of counting cash, his face alight with excitement.

This was the reaction Zhang Wei was looking for.

"The defense accepts this juror!"

Old Chen took a note, and Zhao Chunming at the next table frowned slightly.

He couldn’t understand why Zhang Wei would ask such questions and also why he would accept people who liked their work.

"Young man, why do you like your job?"

"Because I can chat with my colleagues and customers. I sell sports products and mostly deal with young customers, so we have common topics to talk about."

"The defense accepts this juror!"

"Miss, why do you like your job?"

"Because without a job, where would I get the money to buy things?"

"Judge Chen, the defense challenges this juror!"

Eventually, Zhang Wei used up all his chances to dismiss.

"Alright, now we have our jury, and the first hearing starts tomorrow. Please do not be late!"

Judge Chen declared the end with a strike of the gavel and promptly left the courtroom with the court guards flanking him.

Both the prosecution and the defense began packing up their things, getting ready to leave.

In the defense’s bench, Zhan Qingze looked perplexedly at Zhang Wei: "Lawyer Zhang, why did you ask that question?"

"You mean liking one’s job? What’s the problem with that?"

Zhang Wei just shrugged his shoulders, then counter-questioned Zhan Qingze, "Let me ask you, do you like your job?"

"Well, it’s alright. Without this job, how could I earn that annual salary?"

"Exactly,"

Zhang Wei shrugged again and chuckled, "Your job gives you ample salary and social status. You see the promotions your work brings you. In other words, you are actually grateful for your job, right?"

"I suppose..."

"So, the others who like their jobs, many of them might be like you, right? They also enjoy their work and might understand you, right?"

"Understand me? What do you mean?"

Zhang Wei leaned closer to Zhan Qingze and patted his shoulder, "Understand that you love your work, that you wouldn’t joke about your career, and even less likely to commit financial fraud or swindle investors’ money, let alone swallow 20 billion yuan!"

Hearing this explanation, Zhan Qingze gaped, his expression one of sudden realization.

Who would have thought!

He really hadn’t anticipated this!

Zhang Wei had actually considered such a depth, even the issue of liking his job, his profession, could extend to such significance.

On Zhang Wei’s side, however.

He was chatting with Zhao Chunming.

"Hmph, Zhang Wei, still using your little tricks? Let me tell you, being clever is useless!"

"Old Zhao, oh, you really should change that disdainful attitude of yours. Underestimating me isn’t a good idea!"

"We’ll see about that tomorrow!"

Zhao Chunming, taking a stand with Tan Yingying, began to leave the courtroom as it started to clear out.

Similarly, from the listening seats, including the secretary of Qian Moli, everyone left.

"Old Zhao’s last threat, it looks like he has some hidden move. I must be wary!"

Zhang Wei watched Zhao Chunming leave and also returned to Lin Mansion and Zhang’s Martial Arts School with Zhan Qingze and others.

...

That afternoon, at Lin Mansion.

Zhang Wei sat alone in his room, preparing documents related to the case.

Xia Qianyue was next door at Zhang’s Martial Arts School, practicing martial arts with Zhang Xinwu.

Zhan Qingze had also gone back to his temporary accommodations, under the protection of Zhang’s Martial Arts School.

At least within Sifang Gate Street, there were no protesters and no one from Fierce Tiger Hall, so he was temporarily safe.

However, although it was safe outside, it was a different story on the internet.

Zhang Wei casually did an online search and up popped all the information about Zhan Qingze and the financial fiasco of Dongxing Securities’ investment project.

In the eyes of the public, Zhan Qingze was still the primary suspect responsible for the investment project, the one who had gobbled up all the investors’ money!

The missing 20 billion had investors all eyeing Zhan Qingze.

Inevitably, some among them wanted to kill Zhan Qingze, and certainly, someone was already preparing to make a move.

"That being said, the transfer of 20 billion in funds couldn’t have happened silently, right?"

Zhang Wei said as he looked towards the room upstairs.

Regrettably, Zhao Xiaoxiao and Zhao Qingyan had not returned since going to Blacksmith Technology over the weekend.

It was now clearly impossible to rely on the younger girl’s tech skills to track the whereabouts of the 20 billion.

Beep beep beep!

Just then, Zhang Wei’s phone lit up with a WeChat message notification.

He opened the group chat and saw a web link had been sent.

[Xiao Baihe: Hehe, look quick, it’s another Lisa’s Talk!]

[Xiao Baihe: @Zhang Wei, this time it’s related to your case again!]

"Lisa’s Talk?"

Zhang Wei wasn’t surprised by the program anymore.

Still, he opened his laptop and began to watch the episode of Lisa’s Talk Show.

Today’s episode of Lisa’s Talk featured a guest that Zhang Wei wasn’t surprised to see.

"Hello, host!"

"Hello, President Qian Moli. The news about Dongfang Capital dealing with the issues at Dongxing Securities has been explosive!"

"It’s hardly explosive. It’s just that our company uncovered a parasite, which has brought a huge negative impact on us!"

The female guest on today’s show seemed the epitome of sorrow and grief; she might as well have had "I am also a victim" etched across her face.

Qian Moli, the executive president of Dongxing Securities.

She also had another identity not known to the public, the woman of Zhang Dihu of Fierce Tiger Hall.

On the show, Wang Lisha was interviewing Qian Moli.

"President Qian, as we understand, regarding the crash of the environmental stocks recommended by Dongxing Securities, it seems that the Financial Bureau has already started investigating and the suspect, Zhan Qingze, has also begun his public trial. Is that correct?"

"Yes, I never imagined that one of our employees could do something like this, to take the investors’ hard-earned 20 billion, daring to, he..."

At this point, Qian Moli actually cried right there on set, her tears making a poignant scene, stirring sympathy in anyone who saw.

"President Qian, please try to control yourself a little, or your makeup will run!"

"My heart aches! The reputation of Dongxing Securities is being ruined by that scoundrel; it really hurts my heart!"

Qian Moli cried, messing up her makeup, but she didn’t stop. In her sad tone, there was a mix of anger and sorrow.

"What fine acting!" Even Zhang Wei had to admire; this woman’s acting skills were certainly impressive.

If you participate in a show and act relatively rationally during the interview, the audience would just remember that the president of Dongxing Securities had said something, but who would remember the specifics?

But if you cried your makeup off on the show, the headlines of tomorrow’s newspapers would likely be all about this moment.

And the viewers would definitely remember you, remember how you cried about the damage to the company’s reputation, remember that you shed tears for the investors’ losses.

This move was to trade her image for the memory of the audience.

It had to be said, Qian Moli, this woman, knew exactly when to sacrifice the unnecessary for the sake of pinning the blame on Zhan Qingze.

Sacrificing a bit of her own image to gain positive public opinion and enough attention was worth it.

Even Zhang Wei had to exclaim in admiration of this woman’s acting skills!

No wonder she could become Zhang Dihu’s woman, Qian Moli really had some tricks up her sleeve!

At least her acting skills outdid many popular actresses who stumbled around photo-superimposed scenes and demanded tens of millions for their poor performances.

Society is the real stage for performing arts, and only those with good acting skills can reach high positions.

"Ms. Qian, please calm down, I understand that the loss of investors makes you upset, but I also believe the Financial Bureau and Procuratorate Headquarters will uphold justice for you, and help the investors seek redress!"

Wang Lisha took this opportunity to offer a word of consolation, which finally "calmed" Qian Moli down.

The woman stopped crying and her sobs lessened significantly.

"It’s difficult!"

But Qian Moli still looked worried.

"Ms. Qian, why would you say that? Don’t you trust the Financial Bureau and the Procuratorate Headquarters?"

"It’s not that I don’t trust them, it’s just that this time the opposing defense lawyer is also very troublesome. I’m afraid that..."

Qian Moli said, revealing a worried expression.

At this moment, Wang Lisha also looked at the screen, "Ms. Qian’s concern is not unfounded because the lawyer defending the accused Zhan Qingze this time is the famous ’Homicide Lawyer’ Zhang Wei from Dongfang Capital. It’s said that just because of his tactics, two people have committed suicide out of humiliation, one of them was even my predecessor..."

"Bringing up the past again?"

Seeing Wang Lisha drudging up old stories on the program, Zhang Wei was rendered speechless.

The content in the chat on his mobile phone began to refresh continuously.

Without looking, he knew it must be Xiao Baihe taking the opportunity to mock him, and quite possibly, his second daughter was also involved, fanning the flames.

It’d be better not to read the WeChat messages.

Lisa’s Talk Show continued.

"Ms. Qian, I know what you’re worried about, but Zhang Wei is not invincible, justice will definitely be on your side this time!"

Wang Lisha said, then raised her arms towards the screen and called out, "This time, let’s all cheer for Dongxing Securities and Ms. Qian Moli. This is also for those investors who have suffered losses, and for..."

Zhang Wei promptly closed the webpage; there was no need for him to watch the remaining content.

"Well done, Zhang Family, well done, Zhang Dihu. I don’t even know you and you dare to use the media’s power like this!"

A plan started to form in Zhang Wei’s mind.

He looked towards Zhang’s Martial Arts School next door, as if he could see Zhan Qingze in the dormitory.

"No, even if we win this case, I would only be clearing Zhan Qingze’s name. To drag all the enemies down, it’s clearly not enough!"

"If that’s the case, then I need to prepare that step in advance. Those who provoke me, I won’t let any of them off. Zhang Dihu, Qian Moli, you all just wait, I’m going to start trouble with you right away!"

A plan suddenly came to mind for Zhang Wei.

Meanwhile.

Lisa’s Talk Show Team.

The live broadcast finally concluded.

"Ms. Qian, you performed very well, but I see you made a great sacrifice!"

Wang Lisha looked at Qian Moli, whose makeup was ruined from crying, her tone full of admiration.

"To recover the company’s losses, this bit of sacrifice is worth it!" Qian Moli waved her hand and started wiping her face with a tissue.

"By the way, will you attend the courtroom trial tomorrow in person?"

"Of course!" Qian Moli nodded her head.

As the president of Dongxing Securities, how could she not be present at the trial? She had cried so much today and had asked the Procuratorate Headquarters and the Financial Bureau to help her seek justice. If she were absent tomorrow, it would be even harder to explain.

"I hope that tomorrow, I will see the Procuratorate Headquarters and the Financial Bureau defeat Zhang Wei!"

"I also look forward to this moment, but unfortunately, I have to prepare for another interview program and won’t be able to observe it in person."

Wang Lisha and Qian Moli waved goodbye to each other.

After Wang Lisha returned to her office, she took out her phone.

"Mr. Zhang, the task has been completed!"

She reported accordingly to the person above.

On the other end, Qian Moli did the same.

"Lord Tiger, the task has been completed!"

"I will perform well tomorrow!"

Wang Lisha and Qian Moli, the words they said, the messages they reported, were exactly the same.